The Sweet Basil gardens and gardens everywhere will soon be overflowing with fresh vegetables. Here is a handy recipe to use several ingredients; corn, green beans, sweet peas, tomatoes, garlic, potatoes and parsley that will soon be in season and plentiful. You should also be able to easily find fresh carrots and leeks.
SUMMER GARDEN VEGETABLE SOUP
Ingredients
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups chopped leeks, white part only (from approximately 3 medium leeks)
2 tablespoons finely minced garlic
Kosher salt
2 cups carrots, peeled and chopped into rounds (approximately 2 medium)
2 cups peeled and diced potatoes
2 cups fresh green beans, broken or cut into 3/4-inch pieces
1 cup shelled green sweet peas
2 quarts chicken or vegetable broth
4 cups peeled, seeded, and chopped tomatoes
2 ears corn, kernels removed
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup packed, chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 to 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Directions
Heat the olive oil in large, heavy-bottomed stockpot over medium-low heat. Once hot, add the leeks, garlic, and a pinch of salt and sweat until they begin to soften, approximately 7 to 8 minutes. Add the carrots, potatoes, and green beans and continue to cook for 4 to 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the stock, increase the heat to high, and bring to a simmer. Once simmering, add the tomatoes, corn kernels, and pepper. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the vegetables are fork tender, approximately 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from heat and add the parsley and lemon juice. Season, to taste, with kosher salt. Serve immediately.
Enjoy!
We are Sweet Basil Farm & Gardens on Facebook. We are a local producer of farm fresh fruits and vegetables and members of the American Poultry Association, licensed by the Georgia Dept. of Agriculture as Poultry Dealers and Brokers, and a proud member of the Georgia Grown program, a division of the Georgia Dept. of Agriculture. We also breed, sell and ship poultry, pet pigs, bearded irises and much more. We have an 80 acre working farm, with great emphasis on all natural gardening and livestock management practices. An 1840s general store is situated on our property, and serves as our on-site farmer’s market. Conveniently located off of Interstate 75 near the Johnstonville Rd exit (#193). We are six miles west, located in Barnesville, Lamar County, Georgia.
Special thanks to Alton Brown for the fabulous recipe, as well as contributions from J. David Matthews, of Barnesville, Georgia in preparation of testing this recipe.
Asiatic Lilies
Purple Foxgloves
The juice from the peaches adds a sweet note to this summer favorite. Serve on a bed of baby lettuces tossed with blackberries or grapes, for a special touch.
HISTORY
Although the American Poultry Association only recognizes one variety, with a partridge pattern, breeders are working on creating other colors. Welsummers are a medium size bird, hens should be 6 pounds, and roosters 7 pounds. The beautiful, rich brown-red hued feathers and upright single comb make the Welsummer a striking chicken. Another interesting characteristic of the Welsummers, is the male/female feather color at hatching. This makes them (what is considered to be) an autosexing breed, although not as easily discernible as a Sex Link cross.
The most famous of all (make believe!) Welsummers is the Kellogg's rooster. 
Welsummers will adapt well to any environment, although they thrive with the ability to forage, with a very friendly demeanor. They lay approximately 200 large brown eggs a year, of a dark brown color, some even lay a speckled egg. They do not go broody, so they make a good choice for back yard egg layers. Overall, the Welsummer makes an excellent choice for a backyard chicken, or a small egg farming operation. 
, stirring, until translucent and beginning to brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the honey, hot pepper sauce and chili powder and simmer for 1 minute. Remove from the heat, stir in the lemon juice and set aside.
