Anyone who has ever had to wait to discuss treatment for C knows what I am talking about. I have had practice, however, because I was going through this same scenario ten years ago, same location. This morning I feel well. I went to the garden early and picked green beans, okra, jalapenos, cucumbers, sweet banana pepper, and squash. I saved enough Louisiana purple pod beans for J's lunch, that being his favorite bean. Will steam/grill the other veggies and bake two pieces of chicken. How healthful is all that!
I canned six pints of beans this morning, totalling 32 pints this spring. That is a pretty fair amount even if I don't get to do any more, but I do plan to do much more. It's time to go check the canner and make sure the pressure is staying up. Once the canner starts steaming steadily, it only takes 20 minutes to pressure pints. The timer just dinged.
Will check on the chicken and plate the veggies. Yum!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
What Is So Rare As A Day In June!
Now that June's almost over, I realize that I have been neglecting the blog. Since our tornado a street over earlier this spring, and the cleanup next door from a 50-year-old oak being split by the wind, requiring it to be taken down, things just seemed to settle into a dull roar of mulching, watering, picking, canning, etc.
Sounds like I am bragging because this has not been a good gardening year for a lot of people around here. There was so much rain this spring that the gardens were just too wet to get in and get planted. This is where our preparation last fall and winter paid off. We had spaded/tilled the different plots and spread mulch. This spring, everything was ready to plant by just raking the mulch off to one side. Also, J had built 20-something cages from concrete foundation wire to stake our tomatoes, squash, etc. That was such a help as staking with wood stakes in the past was huge labor. He installed landscape timbers along the pole bean rows and ran lengths of that wire along there. Wonderful! Wish we had done this sooner.
We planted 20-something tomatoes, hoping to get enough to can this year. Last year was a bust on that. The one-gallon plastic jugs installed beside each plant have made watering/feeding so much easier. Our pole beans are okay, considering too much rain, but I am having plenty to can. So far this spring, I have canned 26 pints and will have more tomorrow. That is besides having plenty for family, neighbors and our consumption.
The cranberry beans are just about ready to gather. So pretty. This year we tried baby lima bush. If they mature all that have bloomed, we will be calling in help. The Christmas butter beans were planted a little later, but they are blooming now. The yellow squash looks a little "peaked," but the zucchini is beautiful. We steamed a large one for dinner tonight. Delicious. We're trying eggplant this year for the first time in many years, the regular large type, and the cute little Japanese variety. That may be my favorite, because it is so easy to cut into circles and grill on the stove top griddle/grill, my newly acquired pet. I have found out that the small yellow squash is so delicious baked, so I shall be trying that with the eggplant and zucchini. Did I mention the cucumbers? Egad. Did I mention okra? Egad again.
All of this and keeping the hosta, roses and other little things tended has kept me pretty busy. That may slow down for a bit, because there is a probability that I will be having a mastectomy for recurrent breast cancer very soon. (I am just almost 10 years out from a lumpectomy.) Anyway, it is my big plan to get well very soon and get back to my routine. Can't afford to lose any precious time with all those veggies beckoning! Wish me luck.
Sounds like I am bragging because this has not been a good gardening year for a lot of people around here. There was so much rain this spring that the gardens were just too wet to get in and get planted. This is where our preparation last fall and winter paid off. We had spaded/tilled the different plots and spread mulch. This spring, everything was ready to plant by just raking the mulch off to one side. Also, J had built 20-something cages from concrete foundation wire to stake our tomatoes, squash, etc. That was such a help as staking with wood stakes in the past was huge labor. He installed landscape timbers along the pole bean rows and ran lengths of that wire along there. Wonderful! Wish we had done this sooner.
We planted 20-something tomatoes, hoping to get enough to can this year. Last year was a bust on that. The one-gallon plastic jugs installed beside each plant have made watering/feeding so much easier. Our pole beans are okay, considering too much rain, but I am having plenty to can. So far this spring, I have canned 26 pints and will have more tomorrow. That is besides having plenty for family, neighbors and our consumption.
The cranberry beans are just about ready to gather. So pretty. This year we tried baby lima bush. If they mature all that have bloomed, we will be calling in help. The Christmas butter beans were planted a little later, but they are blooming now. The yellow squash looks a little "peaked," but the zucchini is beautiful. We steamed a large one for dinner tonight. Delicious. We're trying eggplant this year for the first time in many years, the regular large type, and the cute little Japanese variety. That may be my favorite, because it is so easy to cut into circles and grill on the stove top griddle/grill, my newly acquired pet. I have found out that the small yellow squash is so delicious baked, so I shall be trying that with the eggplant and zucchini. Did I mention the cucumbers? Egad. Did I mention okra? Egad again.
All of this and keeping the hosta, roses and other little things tended has kept me pretty busy. That may slow down for a bit, because there is a probability that I will be having a mastectomy for recurrent breast cancer very soon. (I am just almost 10 years out from a lumpectomy.) Anyway, it is my big plan to get well very soon and get back to my routine. Can't afford to lose any precious time with all those veggies beckoning! Wish me luck.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Welcome May 2008
I've heard that April Showers Bring May Flowers, and if that is the case, this will be the most prolific spring in our garden/yard yet. In a way, I had realized that I had not posted anything in a while, but with the beautiful weather we were having, we used our pizazz getting the gardening up and going. It seems the timing was perfect because just as we had finished getting the planting done, here come the showers! Perfect! I would guess we have had a couple of inches of rain over last night and today. Just a slow shower that will do wonders but not collect and flood the lower garden.
It's hard to remember that just almost two months ago we had that very pretty snow. Apparently, we had no loss of blooming things due to that cold snap. We're happy about that, because it appears that we will have a moderate crop of blueberries. Last year, we had maybe a couple of berries.
Don't have any current pictures of the garden, but to date we have a nice little strip of onions almost at the perfect stage for scallions, and a nice strip of broad leaf mustard at the perfect stage for wilted greens (a perfect pair with the scallions). We have planted five kinds of beans: J's favorite, Louisiana Purple Pod (pole); my favorite, rattlesnake pole; Christmas butterbeans; baby lima bunch, and cranberry bunch. So far we seem to have a nice stand. We had prepared for this spring by installing a strip of trellis, utilizing concrete enforcement wire secured to landscape timbers for which J had dug postholes. We are very proud of that accomplishment and don't plan to have to do that again anytime soon. Maybe we can have snapshots of that soon.
With all that behind, we felt the weather was warm enough for the tomatoes to be set out. We had not had much luck last year having enough tomatoes to can to suit my fancy, so I may have just overdone it on that one. We found some nice plants at the local co-op and now probably have 20-something plants. I am trying a row that will be partially shaded in the afternoon from that blistering sun that played havoc last year with my tomatoes. Our selection was mostly Celebrity, Better Boy and Marglobe, with a Bradley and some kind of patio tomato (Better Bush ?) thrown in. I can't promise I won't add a pink variety, even maybe yellow, before it's all over. Since watering had been such a chore last year, we had collected a bunch of gallon plastic jugs which have been installed alongside each tomato plant. That should be somewhat easier to fill with a water hose and maybe a little plant food every so often. If these produce as hoped, we should have enough to fill all the available jars and share with our family and neighbors, which we enjoy doing. Almost forgot the Sweet 100 we planted in a 5-gallon bucket with a hole cut in the bottom, through which the tomato was planted upside-down . We were dubious about that, but that little rascal seems to be flourishing! BTW, 5 gallons of dirt is heavy. We suspended that from an old frame that used to support our grandchildren's swing. I think that would be too heavy for a shepherd's hook. Saw that planting hint on TV and then on the 'net.
Something else that has kept us busy in preparing the garden was incorporating cotton burr compost with the leaf compost we had spread last fall, which has been a godsend keeping down weeds and grass. We have done a version of trenching alongside the new trellis wire by digging a 12" wide x 12" deep trench and backfilling with garden soil, cotton burr compost and hummus from the stash collected from last fall. That was also used in preparing for the tomatoes. We plan to add some lime to help tone down the acidity a bit, especially around the beans.
I had collected several large half-whiskey-barrel planters last year at a closeout at Kroger. Those had been earmarked for transplanting the hosta which has really needed to be divided and re-set. That had turned into a pretty heavy job, lifting those plants which had begun to really respond to the warm spring temps. But I am almost there, using garden soil, leaf compost and the wonderful cotton burr compost. We hope to really see results of that this year, and again, maybe that won't have to be repeated anytime soon. Those planters are a wonderful size, and I plan to watch for the closeout again this summer at Kroger and get several more to use in years to come for patio tomatoes, etc., when we might not be so ambitious digging in the garden.
Oh, BTW, speaking of etc., we did plant bell peppers, jalapeno, cayenne, and egg plant. Apparently, our local source of egg plant didn't materialize, they say because of the cold weather; however, we were able to locate them at Tupelo. We have also planted our summer squash and zucchini. I just know I will be reminded of other things we want to do, but this should more than keep us busy for a while. I almost forgot the okra! How could I ever forget the okra! We have not included corn or field peas, which was a biggie in the past, because J doesn't tolerate those because of his diabetes. But we may add a few hills of potatoes this week because he found out he can tolerate the little new potatoes that haven't become too starchy. They are delicious, anyway.
Well, this has whiled away the afternoon. Still raining! Bet the grass will be "making hay," but that's another story for another day.
It's hard to remember that just almost two months ago we had that very pretty snow. Apparently, we had no loss of blooming things due to that cold snap. We're happy about that, because it appears that we will have a moderate crop of blueberries. Last year, we had maybe a couple of berries.
Don't have any current pictures of the garden, but to date we have a nice little strip of onions almost at the perfect stage for scallions, and a nice strip of broad leaf mustard at the perfect stage for wilted greens (a perfect pair with the scallions). We have planted five kinds of beans: J's favorite, Louisiana Purple Pod (pole); my favorite, rattlesnake pole; Christmas butterbeans; baby lima bunch, and cranberry bunch. So far we seem to have a nice stand. We had prepared for this spring by installing a strip of trellis, utilizing concrete enforcement wire secured to landscape timbers for which J had dug postholes. We are very proud of that accomplishment and don't plan to have to do that again anytime soon. Maybe we can have snapshots of that soon.
With all that behind, we felt the weather was warm enough for the tomatoes to be set out. We had not had much luck last year having enough tomatoes to can to suit my fancy, so I may have just overdone it on that one. We found some nice plants at the local co-op and now probably have 20-something plants. I am trying a row that will be partially shaded in the afternoon from that blistering sun that played havoc last year with my tomatoes. Our selection was mostly Celebrity, Better Boy and Marglobe, with a Bradley and some kind of patio tomato (Better Bush ?) thrown in. I can't promise I won't add a pink variety, even maybe yellow, before it's all over. Since watering had been such a chore last year, we had collected a bunch of gallon plastic jugs which have been installed alongside each tomato plant. That should be somewhat easier to fill with a water hose and maybe a little plant food every so often. If these produce as hoped, we should have enough to fill all the available jars and share with our family and neighbors, which we enjoy doing. Almost forgot the Sweet 100 we planted in a 5-gallon bucket with a hole cut in the bottom, through which the tomato was planted upside-down . We were dubious about that, but that little rascal seems to be flourishing! BTW, 5 gallons of dirt is heavy. We suspended that from an old frame that used to support our grandchildren's swing. I think that would be too heavy for a shepherd's hook. Saw that planting hint on TV and then on the 'net.
Something else that has kept us busy in preparing the garden was incorporating cotton burr compost with the leaf compost we had spread last fall, which has been a godsend keeping down weeds and grass. We have done a version of trenching alongside the new trellis wire by digging a 12" wide x 12" deep trench and backfilling with garden soil, cotton burr compost and hummus from the stash collected from last fall. That was also used in preparing for the tomatoes. We plan to add some lime to help tone down the acidity a bit, especially around the beans.
I had collected several large half-whiskey-barrel planters last year at a closeout at Kroger. Those had been earmarked for transplanting the hosta which has really needed to be divided and re-set. That had turned into a pretty heavy job, lifting those plants which had begun to really respond to the warm spring temps. But I am almost there, using garden soil, leaf compost and the wonderful cotton burr compost. We hope to really see results of that this year, and again, maybe that won't have to be repeated anytime soon. Those planters are a wonderful size, and I plan to watch for the closeout again this summer at Kroger and get several more to use in years to come for patio tomatoes, etc., when we might not be so ambitious digging in the garden.
Oh, BTW, speaking of etc., we did plant bell peppers, jalapeno, cayenne, and egg plant. Apparently, our local source of egg plant didn't materialize, they say because of the cold weather; however, we were able to locate them at Tupelo. We have also planted our summer squash and zucchini. I just know I will be reminded of other things we want to do, but this should more than keep us busy for a while. I almost forgot the okra! How could I ever forget the okra! We have not included corn or field peas, which was a biggie in the past, because J doesn't tolerate those because of his diabetes. But we may add a few hills of potatoes this week because he found out he can tolerate the little new potatoes that haven't become too starchy. They are delicious, anyway.
Well, this has whiled away the afternoon. Still raining! Bet the grass will be "making hay," but that's another story for another day.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Snow NE Mississippi March 2008
Today's snow was beautiful. The ideal thing is to have it disappear before the re-freeze happens and driving or even getting outside becomes hazardous. By afternoon, most traces in our yard were gone, and we're okay with that. Here are a couple of scenes in our garden.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Little Green Onions -- YUM!
We have been haunting the local Co-op, hoping that the onion plants would be in so we could get them in the garden earlier than we did last year. We were in luck this week and bought four packs, which totalled about 144 little plants. We got them in the ground this weekend, and so far they are looking great. We were lucky to get this done because of the wonderful weather this weekend, but the weatherman is threatening severe weather Monday and snow on Tuesday! At least, our little onions are in the ground, and even if they get nipped by cold weather, from past experience, we found that they will make a come-back. We are so looking forward to the little green onions and don't really care if they don't develop into full grown bulbs.
We were disappointed that the Louisiana Purple Pod polebean seed had not come in. They are supposed to be here very soon, so we shall snap them up as soon as we can (pardon the pun). That is our favorite polebean, although I really like the rattlesnake bean. I get to grow them if we save a really nice spot for J's LPPs. In fact, the ground is already prepared for planting, but it will be at least another six weeks before we dare do that. Also, we have a place prepared for lots of cucumbers. Relish and pickles, oh my!
Probably will be another several days before we can get back in the garden, but we will be ready and waiting for the day.
We were disappointed that the Louisiana Purple Pod polebean seed had not come in. They are supposed to be here very soon, so we shall snap them up as soon as we can (pardon the pun). That is our favorite polebean, although I really like the rattlesnake bean. I get to grow them if we save a really nice spot for J's LPPs. In fact, the ground is already prepared for planting, but it will be at least another six weeks before we dare do that. Also, we have a place prepared for lots of cucumbers. Relish and pickles, oh my!
Probably will be another several days before we can get back in the garden, but we will be ready and waiting for the day.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
I Have Nothing to Wear...on my feet....
I see so many posts about favorite garden tools, etc., and I can't help wondering what do other gardeners wear on their feet to keep off dirt/plant stains, etc.? I never see this mentioned. I usually wear an old pair of walking shoes that can be hosed off and left on the deck to dry. Not very glamorous, but they do the job. I have been on the lookout for a pair of lightweight boots that I can wear on our walks in rainy/damp weather. J has an assortment of shoes/boots. I have no problem in the summer with the walking shoes, but this winter weather is another issue. I don't want an expensive pair, as I wouldn't be wearing them outside our yard and don't mind the looks if they are comfortable.
Winter Comfort Food
February is being ushered out here in NE Mississippi by very chilly-almost dreary weather. Is it just to have something to do, or do we really need something hot and cheery to chase away the doldrums? In the pantry, I still have some canned turnip-mustard greens. How good would be cornbread be with that? Is it obvious I am very Southern? Also, I see I have a package of October/cranberry beans. Have been meaning to get that washed and prepped, so that is definitely something to do today. Those beans are SO delicious and quite nutritious.
Speaking of October beans, I recently had an enquiry about where I purchase seeds. We simply plant the beans we buy from the grocery store. They don't need to be treated and are definitely less expensive than from seed companies. I don't know if they are carried by every grocery store, but we have not had a problem finding them at Wal-Mart in the dry beans section. They are labeled "Siler's Selected Cranberry Beans." Then in another label, they are called "October or cranberry beans."
I have read in gardening tips (and do this) to soak the beans in tepid water about an hour so so before planting. This speeds sprouting. We will definitely be planting these again this spring and have the spot already prepared.
The sun is out now and temps are rising to almost a heat wave--40 degrees at 11:45 a.m. Maybe a simple lunch will suffice--this time!
Speaking of October beans, I recently had an enquiry about where I purchase seeds. We simply plant the beans we buy from the grocery store. They don't need to be treated and are definitely less expensive than from seed companies. I don't know if they are carried by every grocery store, but we have not had a problem finding them at Wal-Mart in the dry beans section. They are labeled "Siler's Selected Cranberry Beans." Then in another label, they are called "October or cranberry beans."
I have read in gardening tips (and do this) to soak the beans in tepid water about an hour so so before planting. This speeds sprouting. We will definitely be planting these again this spring and have the spot already prepared.
The sun is out now and temps are rising to almost a heat wave--40 degrees at 11:45 a.m. Maybe a simple lunch will suffice--this time!
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