Happenings in the vegetable patch.

So there's been a nice steady few weeks of serious sun, and then big rains- which has really been great for my farming experiment 2.0. There has been some significant growth since planting day. 

The tomatoes are doing wonderfully. The three larger plants are actually producing beautiful looking fruit. the cherry tomto plant has already given me about 16 large (organic) cherry tomatoes,  the large "pink lady" tomatoes are huge, and slowly turning pink, and the third (which I thought was a pink lady, but was marked wrong at the nursery) has about 12 shapely looking medium size tomatoes, and I'm excited to see how long it takes them to ripen. They are gorgeous.

Over in the herbs & veg section, the herbs and lettuces are all growing nicely, with the exception of one spinach plant that seems to be struggling and looking pretty weak (I have no clue why!). The 4 arugula bushels have doubled in size, and the herbs are starting to look more full. The artichoke, eggplant, and zucchini plants look healthy and great- but I honestly have no clue what's happening under the ground or what to expect from those bad boys.

As for the fruits, all the plants look great- and some of the rasberry bushes (especially the heritage ones) are starting to have tiny greenish buds that I hope will turn into fruit near the end of the summer and save me from my uncontrollable need to spend 5.99 on raspberries on a weekly basis. Squirrels and birds be warned: I will defend my berries with force.

Heritage berries, almost turning pinkish!

The other plants seem to be budding as well, Im hoping that my 2 year old bluberry plant will actually produce some fruit this year- and I should see some strawberries too. The ground cherry plants are already showing the delicate paper-like green shells, that will soon house some pretty little yellow guys. I'm watching all of it, and feeling pretty positive. Watermelons dont look like they've made to much progress, and I'm not holding my breath.

Ground cherries

Animals seem to be staying away from the massive amounts of Cayenne that I have been putting down. I caught one squirrel actually jump from a vertical postion on the fence, right onto the tomato cage - a few foot drop. I ran out like a raving loon and scared it away. Besides that, they are still running back and forth on the fence all day but not daring to come down into the cayenne den of fire. It takes a lot of upkeep to sprinkle cayenne after each big rain, and it's going to get more and more intense as the summer gets on, and more fruit starts to blossom. I'm ready. Stay tuned.

Pardon my Garden

My house has a big, big, big, backyard. When we moved in 2 summers ago. I'd stare into the backyard and imagine a world where it was transformed into a farm, with rows and rows of vegetables and lanes i could drive down, overall-clad on my mini John Deere... 

(exit dream sequence)

Back to reality: Last summer I planted a pretty elaborate tomato & herb garden taking up only 30 percent of the available space in the earthy soil / designated planting space in our yard. The herb garden went really well - healthy, beautiful and smelled absolutely divine - mint, basil, sage, parsley & rosemary fragrance wafting into the house every time the back door opened. Flowers, I've got down, no problem. The tomato plants, to make a long story short, were a disaster. The plants grew large and intertwined, creating a tangled jungle of vine, fruit and massive spider webs complete with big spiders. Sounds like a blast right? Everything was planted wayyyyyyyyy too close together. Who'd have known when they were tiny tomato plants how huge they would be 8 weeks later!? Also, I didn't support the large tomato trees properly, so as the tomatoes grew heavy and plump on the vines, they would snap and fall onto the ground. Where they'd get scooped up by an animal or left alone to never fully ripen. The experience was all in all very disappointing for a gal who loves her do-it-yourself tomatoes. There were however, hundreds and hundreds of cherry tomatoes - most very difficult to access due to my poor landscaping job. This past winter I even kept up my farming practice with a brief two week obsession with farmville (sorry to those I dragged down with me), my virtual cows constantly moo-ing at me, & checking my watch when out for dinner (had to get back to water my rice on time!).

Last years jungle disaster

Which brings us to......  2010. One year of experience under my belt. I'm ready to say good riddance to failed gardening attempts. I'm going to chronicle the growth of what is my baby garden right now, as it blossoms into the tomato/raspberry/herb/arugula garden of eden. I've learned my lessons; plant with distance. These plants need their personal space to grow & flourish. Never "play" and prune in the garden at dusk (this will result in 87 mosquito bites and two benadryls). Lastly, be prepared to defend against the wildlife invasion. More on that later.

My ideal plan was to have a full herb garden (obviously, in order to create all the Bistecca Florentine a person can handle), tons of tomatoes, other micro greens, heirloom raspberry plants that were transplanted from my grandmother's old house, to my aunt's house, and now finally to mine (think... picking from the same raspberry plants my mom picked from as a little girl). That was the rough idea, with some new fruits and veggies to try out too.

Early the last Saturday morning of May, with coffees in hand, we headed to Jardin Jasmin. What a place. A huge and sprawling nursery with every species of fruit, vegetable, herb, rose & trees one could imagine- with helpful staff ready to answer your questions and help you find the best fruit and vegetables for your soil and yard conditions. We packed an entire 2 trolleys with plants, and our friend Alty (who came along to help out) even bought his own pile of crops to plant and harvest for himself in our yard.

After a hearty lunch, we threw on our billy boots and hit the yard with rakes and hoes in hand, ipod blaring out of speakers on the patio in the 28 degree sunshine. The work was physical, turning the soil, adding fertilizer, mixing it in, & watering (repeat, repeat, repeat) 


And then came the planning & planting. We split the garden into three sections, with rustic stone tiles we chose as a walkway to access the plants. From left to right: a new rose bush and a flower bush, the tomato section, herbs & vegetables, fruit.

Planning

The tomato section:

3 large tomato plants in the back (2 pink lady plants, and one with large cherry tomatoes)

the second row, beefsteak tomatoes, yellow cherry tomatoes. The large plants are in cages, in order to support the stems and fruit as they ripen and get heavy. As soon as the beefsteak tomato plants grow to a substantial size (if they ever do, I cant imagine a big tomato plant growing from the puny little guys that claim to be beefsteaks now), I'll put cages on them too. All of the tomato plants are planted verrrrrrrrrry far apart, to give them maximum space for growth, while keeping them separate.

Really, you're going to be a Beefsteak?

Herbs & Small vegetables:

Rosemary, basil, micro basil plants (my favourite new plant already), mint and sage (from last year), arugula, spinach, chives, purple onion, thyme, parsley, eggplant, zucchini, artichoke (artichoke was one of Alty's choices). Herbs are pretty easy to grow, and I'm not worried about my leafy greens. But the artichokes, zucchini (which I'm really hoping to have some blossoms with), and eggplant... really not sure how they are going to fare or if I planted them far enough apart. I didn't let anyone come into that section. I had to plant perfectly aligned rows (like a proper farm), and had to have complete control to be sure I got it right. 

My mom must be a geometry teacher right?

My predicted mvp of the summer, micro basil

Fruit:

I transplanted 5 raspberry bushels from my aunt's house, which should fruit this year (at least a few of them should - Raspberry plants fruit every other year). The Blueberries that I planted last year should fruit this year. 

Then we got extreme. These are are mega-longshots to grow in but I'm hopeful: Watermelons, Cherries, ground berries, grapes (would be cool if they grow and cover the entire fence one day), and yellow rasperries that I dont expect fruit from this year. 

After a long day

The issues:

Animals. Montreal squirrels, racoons, and groundhogs are nervy little bastards - they come right in, even de-rooted my home made chicken wire fence last year and devoured everything just as its ready to be picked. The dividing wood fence above our vegetable garden serves as a squirrel freeway. There is tons of furry action on that thing - they run back and forth all day long, and climb down into my garden for breakfast, lunch & dinner. I caught myself a few times banging on the kitchen window like a crazy old lady yelling at squirrels who can't hear me from inside my house, and don't care anyway.  Let's not forget the groundhogs & occasional raccoons. Awesome. Eric has visions of finding me on the back patio in a rocking chair, shotgun in hand, muttering to myself, protecting my lawn from critters, like a total whacko. I've officially waged war, scouring the internet, buying books, joining chat forums. So far the general consensus on defense weapons is Cayenne pepper. Animals dislike the smell (no kidding). I went outside with some of the strongest cayenne pepper I could find at Douceurs (yes, these squirrels are getting a nose-full of the strong, fresh, high end stuff, because that's how I roll), and sprinkled in all over the garden. Makes me sneeze just dusting the crops with it (which isnt saying much), but it sure did a number on my poor poodle dylan, he was squinting for hours after a romp in the yard inspecting the veg. So... we'll see how that goes. 

Minute 4 of what would be hours & hours of him squinting at me

Maintenance: I have to make sure I know how to clip each species, prune, fertilize & constant watering.

Finally, sunshine. All I can do is pray.

I'm learning as I go. Reading about bugs, animals, soil & gardening. Carefully caring for each tender vegetable, I head out after every rain and re-up the cayenne, snip away the dead leaves, and cut back the herbs where I have to. I already harvested 4 gorgeous tomatoes.

A dose of fresh at Miami Juice.

When the pilot announces that we are making our final descent into Miami International, I can already taste the first few bites of my MJ salad and green tea with mint leaves soon TBD (to be devoured). My mind takes me right to Miami Juice... and my body soon follows. To know Miami Juice is to love it I think. But to the uninformed, Miami Juice looks like an everyday, run of the mill, strip mall lunch joint. You know the kind that dot Ocean Drive or Collins, from Hollywood to South Beach. It's non-descript, no frills, casual, and is in Sunny Isles, just a 10 minute drive north of Bal Harbor on Collins. But thanks to its super-fresh and healthy middle-eastern inspired cuisine, it's so much more than that. In fact, it looks like someone opened a grocery store and then tried to squeeze a restaurant into it. Some of the seating will actually nuzzle you right up (or in) to an aisle, where you can practically shop for granola bars and salad dressings while you eat.

From 11 to 3, the place is packed with produce and eager lunching customers, the soundtrack is the beat of whirring of blenders making juice & smoothies, and I'm always digging it. As I approach the door from the overcrowded parking lot, I walk by crates of oranges outside, and once inside I navigate around boxes of avocados, bananas, and other fruits to get to my seat. My mouth begins to water, the food being dropped at tables around me looks like the purest slice of the garden of eden. A look behind the counter reveals every variety of fresh vegetable and fruit, waiting to be transformed - but just barely changed from its off the tree natural state - into something special. The old school (slightly more heavy duty than mine) manual Orange-X juicers pump out fresh juice all day long. They seem to be standing the test of time. 

The (daily) eating experience at Miami Juice is reason enough for a springtime Florida getaway. The menu can seem long and complex at first. But it's basically the same 15 ingredients, creatively switched around to create big variety. The portions are huge, and great for sharing, I like to order as a team and sample a few things at the table in order not to miss out on something delicious. The ingredients are all ripened to absolute perfection. How many melt in your mouth ripe avocadoes can one place churn out every day? It's mad. Don't let your initial look through the notebook-style menu deter you, because anything you order will be delicious and fresh. Here are the specials of the house that rock my world:

Falafel platter with Tuna scoop and salad. The falafel balls are piping hot, little and crispy, and perfectly moist inside. Mix that up with some homemade hummus, house salad, and a scoop of tuna - and there you have it. delicious.

Fruit Salad- a variety of every fruit you can imagine (no melon bowl with soft grapes and sweet syrup here). These fruits taste like they were picked off the tree 30 seconds ago, but actually were cut 15 seconds before being delivered to your table. Topped with nuts, coconut & honey- it's too good to be called just fruit. It’s heaven.

MJ's salad. A chopped salad with purple cabbage, lettuce, avocado, tomato, carrot, and feta, with your choice of topping - grilled chicken, tuna, "Bonitas" (amazing) salmon, grilled snapper- and a few (hundred) more. All amazing and healthy choices, this salad was the first thing that brought me back to Miami Juice begging for more.

And finally, last but not least, my absolute favourite discovery, that I made only on my most recent trip to Florida (after a few years of eating the MJ goodness!). "Issac's Special". Named after one of the owners (as most of the specialty dishes are), Issac's special is essentially a greek salad with avocado, served over a flat bread spiced with za'atar, sumac and other mediterranean spices. I add rosemary grilled chicken on top. The taste of the chicken, feta, spices, avocado, olives, tomato, and onion... all spread over the spiced crispy toasted flatbread is an explosion for my senses. Tastes and textures too good to be true. Soft avocado, wet and juicy tomato, crunchy onion, salty feta- and then throw the thin and spicy crunch of the bread into the mix- You get it. I am in a state of euphoria every bite of the way. 

Who is responsible for this gift to mankind? Miami Juice was opened by Issac & Bonita, an Israeli couple who moved to Florida, and dreamt of providing the local residents with fresh and healthy foods. And do they ever. Issac (a big Israeli dude with salt and pepper hair) is one of the most hands on owners of any establishment I have ever seen. He's there everyday, walking around, wiping tables, moving chairs, tending to his army of staff who are working hard to pump out fresh and amazing plates and juices every moment of the day. The rush never seems to fully quiet down there. Issac sometimes works the blenders, carries the boxes of produce, and once in a while has a 30 second chat with a customer. He is welcoming and real, and gives off a calm and steady energy. I have never been there when the tall, muscular Issac isn't towering over the tables, keeping a watchful eye on every movement in the restaurant, and making sure the experience is consistent and right. 


After a physically tough week of cooking, I had arrived in Florida with my back feeling broken - and when I was catching up with Issac, telling him about my pain, he replied "you think it's easy what you do?", sympathizing with me. He directed me to get a pair of MBTs, the orthopedic-moon-shoe looking footwear he always wears in the restaurant. If you've never seen MBTs, let me tell you right now, they won't look good with your outfit. But I was desperate because my old school Connie All Stars were not doing the trick supporting my body over long hours in the kitchen. So Issac gave me directions to the nearest retailer and sent me on my way. As Jon, Eric and I were discussing this new footwear discovery and how it would help my back, a customer sitting right next to me whipped around and told me abut his physiotherapist. "The best in Florida" he said. Then he got on his cell phone and made me an appointment on the spot. He even made me take his number, to call him and tell him how good the therapy was afterwards. That's the kind of community vibe that is happening at Miami Juice, love it! 

The man behind the miracle, Issac

My new MBT's

The crowd at Miami Juice is all kinds of casual. If you're lucky to find a spot in the lot out front, it will likely be between a luxury SUV and convertible sports car. People are double parked and jockeying their cars around mid-way through lunch, and it's not rare to see someone come hollering that they are blocked in the lot. It's yoga moms, Florida blondes, business lunches, families, locals, tourists, lovers and haters - Miami Juice can be a very potent drama cocktail. Tables turning over, some are placed just inches next to one another, which can make for great eavesdropping (my specialty). 


My table was once 2 inches next to a couple working out the details of their messy divorce, dividing homes (share weeks at the home in Telluride, or just buy another one, toughie), working out custody schedules, him begging for her back - heartbreaking stuff  all happening as I had to lean in periodically to borrow their salt, and use their coffee condiments. After watching this guy spill his heart out all over his eggwhite omelette, I joked to my mom and aunt as he paid his bill- "someone's gotta tell this guy not to sweat it, he'll be getting laid by a super hot, young thing pretty soon"- and my aunt look up at me and said "do it". And in the true Miami Juice spirit of community, I popped out of my seat (heart slightly pounding out of my chest), followed the thirty something soon-to-be-divorcé into the parking lot, and told him straight up, that he's a cutie, and that I see hot sweethearts all over him in his horizon, and to forget about all this sh*t. Turned that frown right upside down, oh yeah. Awesome.

And about the physiotherapy recommendation... let me just say that it was the best physio experience I ever had anywhere. This guy rocks. I am a new person: Stretching the Dr. Yoav way, and wearing my new MBT's (that I ordered online and had shipped right to my hotel in Florida) and feeling better than ever. So thanks Miami Juice! 

Miami Juice 

16210 Collins Ave (Near Poinciana Dr)

(305) 945-0444

Open Monday through Saturday, 8am-8:30pm 

(great for a quick evening bite too)

Take-out available

**Stay tuned, Miami Juice is moving to a new location up the street in the coming months. I drove by the new spot last week, and it looks virtually ready to go, so MJ fans shouldn't have to miss out on their daily fix for more then a day or two when the move actually happens. Can't wait to see the new digs.