tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907345103601370172024-03-13T00:16:25.179-04:00Fresh is BestThe Fresh is Best CSA provides fresh grown garden produce, herbs and cut flowers to the Kent, Ohio area.Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843262392217281569noreply@blogger.comBlogger208125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-590734510360137017.post-8924810559059975952012-05-14T16:42:00.001-04:002012-05-14T16:42:55.075-04:00Now we're talking!<p><a href='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-w2WPlz8sBoE/T7FuS5h_2BI/AAAAAAAAXpM/ztSVefvfGU4/IMAG4305.jpg'><img src='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-w2WPlz8sBoE/T7FuS5h_2BI/AAAAAAAAXpM/ztSVefvfGU4/s400/IMAG4305.jpg' /></a></p>Here come the squash! <div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843262392217281569noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-590734510360137017.post-1088323556592217452012-05-14T16:28:00.001-04:002012-05-14T16:28:45.859-04:00Can you guess...<p><a href='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fudGAEGcT1s/T7Fq-UcbqbI/AAAAAAAAXpA/YT4PQfZZxFs/IMAG4304.jpg'><img src='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fudGAEGcT1s/T7Fq-UcbqbI/AAAAAAAAXpA/YT4PQfZZxFs/s400/IMAG4304.jpg' /></a></p>... where the bird is? <div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843262392217281569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-590734510360137017.post-62568921716086261912012-05-13T20:10:00.001-04:002012-05-13T20:10:14.392-04:00First pea bloom!<p><a href='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ktKiRwKCNC4/T7BNZIqBIeI/AAAAAAAAXoc/zTY7V0XLmpE/IMAG4299.jpg'><img src='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ktKiRwKCNC4/T7BNZIqBIeI/AAAAAAAAXoc/zTY7V0XLmpE/s400/IMAG4299.jpg' /></a></p>The first bloom in the pea patch! It seems every year we whine and worry things aren't looking good because, for some reason or another, things in the garden aren't "normal" or "on schedule". We just have to remember each year is different, whether it's hotter or colder, wetter or dryer than the previous couple of years, and maybe SOME of the plants aren't happy with it (like the fruit tree blooms this year), overall the plants are gonna grow. We were worried that the cool weather crops were going to freak out or die off (like some of the spinach and lettuce this year) with the crazy hot and cold weather, but it seems to all work out. It's just different each year... <div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843262392217281569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-590734510360137017.post-9777587379712673572012-04-17T18:10:00.001-04:002012-04-17T18:10:38.013-04:00What will things look like later this week?<p><a href='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PJMnnTZYQuU/T43qWxR-afI/AAAAAAAAXTw/50PI6JY5TLk/IMAG4158.jpg'><img src='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PJMnnTZYQuU/T43qWxR-afI/AAAAAAAAXTw/50PI6JY5TLk/s400/IMAG4158.jpg' /></a></p>With temps dropping down and getting frosty this week, I wonder how all the flowers and buds will fare. The clematises and rose on the arch look like they want to bloom soon. <div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843262392217281569noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-590734510360137017.post-21776760556534469052012-04-17T18:07:00.001-04:002012-04-17T18:07:26.947-04:00Snug as a bug in a...<p><a href='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xtRpYYJY0Gc/T43pnAnFvAI/AAAAAAAAXTo/Ag1Dcju9_5U/IMAG4154.jpg'><img src='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xtRpYYJY0Gc/T43pnAnFvAI/AAAAAAAAXTo/Ag1Dcju9_5U/s400/IMAG4154.jpg' /></a></p>Frost is in the forecast on and off for the next week, so growies are either crammed in a corner up against the house on the deck, or tucked away in the greenhouse, and in both cases covered up. The blueberries, which have flower buds on them, have also been wrapped. Fingers crossed everything makes it through ok! <div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843262392217281569noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-590734510360137017.post-34499753790833601732012-04-17T18:02:00.001-04:002012-04-17T18:02:56.315-04:00Don't judge us!<p><a href='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-l5ZuTadiMXM/T43oi12y1aI/AAAAAAAAXTg/hF1XOyvM5xc/IMAG4155.jpg'><img src='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-l5ZuTadiMXM/T43oi12y1aI/AAAAAAAAXTg/hF1XOyvM5xc/s400/IMAG4155.jpg' /></a></p>The tomato seedlings I just potted up this weekend are looking pretty wimpy right now. Give them a week and I think they'll be looking much better - they just need to settle in and put out some new roots. They just got moved from the deck to the greenhouse - nights have been in the 50s and 60s but we're supposed to frost tonight. Blah! <div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843262392217281569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-590734510360137017.post-52822658792962606162012-03-21T21:19:00.001-04:002012-03-21T21:19:32.524-04:00Vampires beware!<p><a href='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-b3cIsiYUWTU/T2p-IMwNT_I/AAAAAAAAW0Q/EP7BYz9kjis/IMAG3997.jpg'><img src='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-b3cIsiYUWTU/T2p-IMwNT_I/AAAAAAAAW0Q/EP7BYz9kjis/s400/IMAG3997.jpg' /></a></p>Sure hope you guys like garlic! <div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843262392217281569noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-590734510360137017.post-87400969039521168222012-03-18T13:28:00.001-04:002012-03-18T13:28:35.400-04:00Waste not, want not<p><a href='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-a08HXh0MSlg/T2YbQMdwwCI/AAAAAAAAWvo/cissa5tFl9Y/IMAG3959.jpg'><img src='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-a08HXh0MSlg/T2YbQMdwwCI/AAAAAAAAWvo/cissa5tFl9Y/s400/IMAG3959.jpg' /></a></p>I try not to produce too much waste that can't be used in the garden. Don't worry, I'm not being all hippie freak about it... But when paper isn't too glossy or includes plastic, I'll often shred it and then add it to the worm bins for bedding. I have to say I feel particularly good when I can shred something like empty seed packets - I'm not worried about the tiny bit of glue used to seal the packets, they're not glossy, very little ink, and these don't have little plastic windows so you can see the seeds. Heck, maybe I'll shred the invoices that came with them! <div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843262392217281569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-590734510360137017.post-1768587016135138292012-03-16T08:00:00.000-04:002012-03-16T08:00:04.808-04:00Who's hungry for fresh veggies?!Ok, I admit it - that offer might be a bit premature! This crazy warm weather has all us gardeners chomping at the bit - should I already have stuff growing out in the garden, can I put warm-weather crops out much earlier than usual!? What to do!?<br />
<br />
Here's two pictures of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seedling" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Seedling">seedlings</a> in the basement - all started less than a week ago. The first is a mix of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broccoli" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Broccoli">broccoli</a> varieties, and they're not something I've normally started from seed before, especially not in the spring. I'd been turned off growing broccoli years ago due to numerous problems with temperature sensitivity, pests, etc. But the last two years have been great broccoli years for me, so I'm planning to dedicate a bit more garden space to them this year. I'm a bit disappointed that I got a bit of a late start in seeding them for a "normal" year, and now that it's so warm out, there's risk of them not doing well this spring if we don't go back to cooler temps. Broccoli is a cool weather crop that does best in spring and fall. We'll just have to see how these guys do - fingers crossed!<br />
<br />
And check out that one big sprout in the foreground - I'm not sure yet if that guy is a really eager broccoli, or if I got some other seed in the packet or in the soil.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bFJ0uRoYXs8/T2MhicCCN5I/AAAAAAAAWpo/pTYV5FIfVAM/s1600/broccoli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bFJ0uRoYXs8/T2MhicCCN5I/AAAAAAAAWpo/pTYV5FIfVAM/s320/broccoli.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Next are the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomato" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Tomato">tomato</a> seedlings - they don't look like much yet, eh? And if anything, the sprouts look a bit sparse, with some of the Jiffy-7s (those little "peat pots" holding the seedlings) are loaded with several sprouts, while others have none. I'm not too worried about that - some seeds were purchased new this year, while others are up to a few years old. Tomato seeds are pretty hardy and are usually good for at least a few years. It could be any number of factors including age of the seeds or quirks of the variety causing some of these seeds to sprout so much faster than others.<br />
<br />
You can also see that some of the sprouts are really crowded. Assuming I have plenty of seeds to work with, I'll usually sprinkle 2-4 seeds in each Jiffy pot. That way, if you have some dud seeds, you have a better likelihood of having at least SOME sprout. Then later, as they mature, you snip off all but the strongest, healthiest looking sprout. In the case of tomatoes, that'll be in a month or two, and then I'll stick the little Jiffy pots into a slightly larger pot (I've actually started using the red party cups with holes poked in the bottom for drainage). And, if it looks like it's going to be much longer before the tomato plants are actually planted in the garden, they might get potted up once more, sometimes into a pot as large as a gallon. Each time they're potted into a bigger container, most of the plant is buried, with just the top few inches sticking above the new soil line. This is because tomatoes will actually grow roots along the side of their main stalk once it's buried, which results in more nutrient intake and better stability on windy days.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LlnBLfGq1o0/T2MhjQJMJgI/AAAAAAAAWpw/_BmJicQeL5A/s1600/tomatoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LlnBLfGq1o0/T2MhjQJMJgI/AAAAAAAAWpw/_BmJicQeL5A/s320/tomatoes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Mmmmm...I can just taste the broccoli and tomatoes now! Unfortunately there's still quite a bit of time before harvest.<br />
<div class="zemanta-related" style="margin-top: 20px; overflow: hidden;">
<h4 class="zemanta-related-title">
Related articles</h4>
<ul class="zemanta-article-ul zemanta-article-ul-image" style="margin-left: 0; padding: 0;"></ul>
<ul class="zemanta-article-ul" style="clear: left;">
<li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://gardenersguide.wordpress.com/2012/02/28/how-to-grow-broccoli/" target="_blank">How to Grow Broccoli</a> (gardenersguide.wordpress.com)</li>
<li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://raisingtheroot.wordpress.com/2012/03/14/lesson-4-planting-the-seed/" target="_blank">Lesson #4: Planting the Seed</a> (raisingtheroot.wordpress.com)</li>
<li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://thefarmstress.wordpress.com/2012/03/05/planting-seedlings/" target="_blank">Planting seedlings</a> (thefarmstress.wordpress.com)</li>
<li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2012/feb/14/ann-lovejoy-start-seeds-now-for-spring-gardens/?partner=RSS" target="_blank">ANN LOVEJOY | Start seeds now for spring gardens</a> (kitsapsun.com)</li>
<li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://alternateeconomy.wordpress.com/2012/03/12/8-weeks-til-last-frost/" target="_blank">8 Weeks 'til Last Frost</a> (alternateeconomy.wordpress.com)</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;">
<a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_e.png?x-id=a8278ceb-6517-4c5c-aac2-1658de7dac53" style="border: none; float: right;" /></a></div>Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843262392217281569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-590734510360137017.post-73651689869527277002012-03-11T12:59:00.001-04:002012-03-11T12:59:22.363-04:00Safety net<p><a href='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-X7jaXYCJ2hc/T1zZ59zjlQI/AAAAAAAAWn0/byGjn8_fK98/IMAG3935.jpg'><img src='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-X7jaXYCJ2hc/T1zZ59zjlQI/AAAAAAAAWn0/byGjn8_fK98/s400/IMAG3935.jpg' /></a></p>Most of the seeds are new enough and of good enough quality that I probably don't have to plant so many, but it's sort of a paranoia thing. Better to have more started and then snip off the weakest looking plants in each pot, keeping just the single strongest plant. I have been known, at potting up time, to split apart all the plants (rather than cutting off all but one), and then pot each of them. I'm sure I'm causing unnecessary shock to the roots/plants when I do that... <div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843262392217281569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-590734510360137017.post-52197798340727647062012-03-11T12:32:00.001-04:002012-03-11T12:32:34.754-04:00It's planting time!<p><a href='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-b3yU5EFAkFM/T1zTnw3OGxI/AAAAAAAAWns/wdkTaGdzu1I/IMAG3934.jpg'><img src='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-b3yU5EFAkFM/T1zTnw3OGxI/AAAAAAAAWns/wdkTaGdzu1I/s400/IMAG3934.jpg' /></a></p>Well, technically this would be seed starting time - planting comes later. It's tough doing this part, deciding which seeds don't make the cut this year. Even harder - deciding which plants go in the garden later! <div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843262392217281569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-590734510360137017.post-79883740573271734662012-02-22T21:12:00.001-05:002012-02-22T21:12:11.029-05:00Getting started on the growing season<p><a href='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Q5ovkV53CFk/T0WgdhPHJmI/AAAAAAAAWm8/EBG0kB2HuZE/IMAG3861.jpg'><img src='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Q5ovkV53CFk/T0WgdhPHJmI/AAAAAAAAWm8/EBG0kB2HuZE/s400/IMAG3861.jpg' /></a></p>I started leeks, bunching onions and shallots from seed about 2 1/2 weeks ago, and tried working some "homegrown" worm castings (aka worm poop) into the seed starting mix. Wow! I'd have to say this is the darkest green my alium seedlings have ever been. I remember previous years where they had decent size but were very pale green. In addition to the worm castings mixed in, they also got some very diluted worm pee in their watering the other day. So far they're looking very happy! <div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843262392217281569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-590734510360137017.post-21169291321981884162012-01-21T14:53:00.001-05:002012-01-21T14:53:50.240-05:00Every season has one!<p><a href='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CdakshBqC6Y/TxsXzK-cxkI/AAAAAAAAWlE/2axh44ONQnw/IMAG3787.jpg'><img src='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CdakshBqC6Y/TxsXzK-cxkI/AAAAAAAAWlE/2axh44ONQnw/s400/IMAG3787.jpg' /></a></p>There's always at least one thing on the garden plan each year that has me the most excited to taste test. This year it's most definitely the Indigo Rose tomato, which popped up in several of the seed catalogs. You'll be hearing more from me about Indigo Rose later! <div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843262392217281569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-590734510360137017.post-90116276228225643272012-01-17T17:37:00.001-05:002012-01-17T17:37:58.924-05:00Helpful tip for the gardener<p><a href='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NBhM9aL12IM/TxX4RBgXoKI/AAAAAAAAWk8/26FgLu-EEt8/IMAG3773.jpg'><img src='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NBhM9aL12IM/TxX4RBgXoKI/AAAAAAAAWk8/26FgLu-EEt8/s400/IMAG3773.jpg' /></a></p>As you begin to accumulate new seed packets before the gardening season starts, check the packets to see if they include a "packaged for" type date on them. The month isn't all that important, but the year sure is. If there's no date on them, as is the case with Tomato Growers each year, write the year on the packet, at least if it's for something you know you won't use up completely this year (like maybe annual flowers, bean seeds, radishes, etc - something you sow a lot of at any one time). <br/> <br/> Many seeds are viable for a number of years, and it helps to know what year the seeds were intended for. I don't have the best luck with lettuce seeds more than a year or two old. Tomatoes and peppers? I've had good luck with seeds I've had five years or more! <br/> <br/> But if you have a packet of old seeds with no year on them, it's hard to know if you might want to save them another year, or if it's the same packet you keep saving "just one more year", and yet they're six year old duds! <div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843262392217281569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-590734510360137017.post-29306672418589033402011-11-20T15:00:00.001-05:002011-11-20T15:00:08.419-05:00Ten pounds!<p><a href='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xghqZ8vH8AA/TslcRt0NVuI/AAAAAAAAWhQ/Jm2h2trcf-s/IMAG3460.jpg'><img src='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xghqZ8vH8AA/TslcRt0NVuI/AAAAAAAAWhQ/Jm2h2trcf-s/s400/IMAG3460.jpg' /></a></p>That's what about ten pounds of lettuce mix, herbs, Asian greens, Swiss chard and kale look like all bundled up. Some is for the customers who requested it and some will be part of our Thanksgiving feast! <div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843262392217281569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-590734510360137017.post-9175636639143214792011-10-22T20:02:00.001-04:002011-10-22T20:02:42.737-04:00Is this going to be our first frost?<p><a href='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tbO-bWQYYFM/TqNZoQQnGLI/AAAAAAAAWd8/DLGeWlvkEgs/WeatherBug.jpg'><img src='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tbO-bWQYYFM/TqNZoQQnGLI/AAAAAAAAWd8/DLGeWlvkEgs/s400/WeatherBug.jpg' /></a></p>We're already a couple weeks past the first average frost... <div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843262392217281569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-590734510360137017.post-37180179771744893902011-10-17T16:56:00.001-04:002011-10-17T16:56:15.391-04:00Packaging can be a lot of work!<p><a href='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MSDbyNQWkBw/TpyWbFHmM4I/AAAAAAAAWdg/k9bQo_5sINg/IMAG3313.jpg'><img src='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MSDbyNQWkBw/TpyWbFHmM4I/AAAAAAAAWdg/k9bQo_5sINg/s400/IMAG3313.jpg' /></a></p>A bunch of different varieties of Asian greens, each labeled so my two Guinea Pig CSA members can report back on what they like and dislike. <div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843262392217281569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-590734510360137017.post-70632471175075289662011-10-10T18:30:00.001-04:002011-10-10T18:30:14.719-04:00Lettuce cross our fingers!<p><a href='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PCl3xrRfim4/TpNx8C28pKI/AAAAAAAAWc4/ZNbWIh4m4kE/IMAG3266.jpg'><img src='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PCl3xrRfim4/TpNx8C28pKI/AAAAAAAAWc4/ZNbWIh4m4kE/s400/IMAG3266.jpg' /></a></p>This will be the first winter with the raised beds I built inside the greenhouse - I wonder if these lettuce plants will tough it out if I treat them as cut-and-come-again, rather than digging up the whole plant when it's time to harvest? <div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843262392217281569noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-590734510360137017.post-88462009631473472252011-10-10T18:27:00.001-04:002011-10-10T18:27:16.947-04:00Rosemary<p><a href='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HOC3MsRkppo/TpNxNCZh9rI/AAAAAAAAWcw/4cKLjRyH1H8/IMAG3268.jpg'><img src='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HOC3MsRkppo/TpNxNCZh9rI/AAAAAAAAWcw/4cKLjRyH1H8/s400/IMAG3268.jpg' /></a></p>All dug up and nowhere to go? <br/> <br/> I dug up all my rosemary plants from the plum tree bed this weekend, and potted them up. Some had roots coming off branches that were touching the ground, which meant I got to cut them off and hopefully gain extra plants! <br/> <br/> I think I've only ever successfully overwintered a single rosemary plant. I've tried a number of times, but the ones in the greenhouse died this past winter, and the ones I've tried in the basement usually die around February. <br/> <br/> I'm going to give it another go this winter. I'll try some in the basement, some in the garage, and maybe even the greenhouse again (this time bundled up?) <br/> <br/> Fingers crossed! All suggestions welcome! <div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843262392217281569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-590734510360137017.post-36523919690846812132011-10-10T18:18:00.001-04:002011-10-10T18:18:59.299-04:00Eat your greens!<p><a href='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-R6RXohfr1MY/TpNvSipM7YI/AAAAAAAAWcs/ctYf2ANcnsM/IMAG3267.jpg'><img src='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-R6RXohfr1MY/TpNvSipM7YI/AAAAAAAAWcs/ctYf2ANcnsM/s400/IMAG3267.jpg' /></a></p>Hey CSA customers... Remember I kept teasing that I hoped to provide some extra goodies a little later in the season, even after we'd officially shut down? Weeeell..... How's this looking? <br/> <br/> There's a mix of Asian greens and lettuce here, and while it's the most packed bed, there's some additional stuff in a couple other beds as well. <br/> <br/> Temps are supposed to start dropping again, plus we're supposed to start getting rain again this week...and that's a combination these particular growies love! So I have a feeling I'll be letting you know there's fresh greens/lettuce for you next week. Cross your fingers! <br/> <br/> Check out the wire mesh over top of the bed. That's two of my larger tomato cages uncoiled and just holding on to the wooden frame of the bed. While I figure I'll only have enough bulk to share for a couple weeks, I'll leave smaller, less developed plants in the bed for us, and even if it gets cold or frosty, I can put protective cover over the wire mesh to shelter the growies underneath. Why didn't I try this with the cages before?? <div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843262392217281569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-590734510360137017.post-38129645459121885002011-10-09T16:18:00.001-04:002011-10-09T16:18:47.189-04:00192<p><a href='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-f7PBrYHkSZA/TpIBos7xnhI/AAAAAAAAWcc/dEYdy225uJ0/IMAG3256.jpg'><img src='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-f7PBrYHkSZA/TpIBos7xnhI/AAAAAAAAWcc/dEYdy225uJ0/s400/IMAG3256.jpg' /></a></p>This morning this bed was loaded with peppers, eggplants, and marigolds...and after heavily harvesting the sparse amount of veggies left of the plants I cleaned out the whole bed, amended it, leveled it out, and just finished planting 192 "somethings" in it for next year - with fun names like Nordic Hammer and Chinese Pink. <br/> <br/> Without cheating and googling those names can you guess what they are? <br/> <br/> Another hint: some people just can't get enough. Learning that over the last couple of years, I ordered more than ever before and, oops, they won't all fit in this bed! Good news is I have another, smaller bed I'm willing to sacrifice for a good chunk of the year, so I'll be planting that with the remainder of this crop shortly. And my hopes are to have so much harvested next year to replant from my own *correctly labeled* harvest next year, meaning I shouldn't have to buy them anymore! (there was a slight labeling issue with the crop planted last year, so I didn't know what varieties I had come harvest time this summer!) <div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843262392217281569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-590734510360137017.post-19244958095342562912011-10-04T16:51:00.001-04:002011-10-04T16:51:22.156-04:00Green goodness<p><a href='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Fg_UT5IMXk8/TotxyAn4ywI/AAAAAAAAWb8/JDaMWI8hWgk/IMAG3219.jpg'><img src='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Fg_UT5IMXk8/TotxyAn4ywI/AAAAAAAAWb8/JDaMWI8hWgk/s400/IMAG3219.jpg' /></a></p>Cilantro? Check! <br/> Red onion? Check! <br/> Garlic? Check! <br/> <br/> Sigh, if only I could grow my own avocados! <div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843262392217281569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-590734510360137017.post-53561602159035694422011-10-02T11:06:00.001-04:002011-10-02T11:06:20.678-04:00Almost time to plant garlic<p><a href='http://lh4.ggpht.com/--H_S0vXgk7c/Toh96RVi0MI/AAAAAAAAWb4/QL7bkmrvUYg/IMAG3215.jpg'><img src='http://lh4.ggpht.com/--H_S0vXgk7c/Toh96RVi0MI/AAAAAAAAWb4/QL7bkmrvUYg/s400/IMAG3215.jpg' /></a></p>And this year I'm so much more prepared! Next spring not only will I NOT be wondering what my different varieties are because I didn't make all-season-tough labels for them, but I will have all the vital info for each variety right there in the garden! <div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843262392217281569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-590734510360137017.post-50748868901119015572011-09-23T17:28:00.001-04:002011-09-23T17:28:21.142-04:00Got mean yellow jackets?<p><a href='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-M63hhjjbUGg/Tnz57xwLNOI/AAAAAAAAWbM/3sou8YFtmzM/IMAG3187.jpg'><img src='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-M63hhjjbUGg/Tnz57xwLNOI/AAAAAAAAWbM/3sou8YFtmzM/s400/IMAG3187.jpg' /></a></p>Here's how to make them docile. Let them stuff themselves stupid because you got a few days behind on picking the raspberries. At this point you can pick the berries right next to the ones they're eating, and they just ignore you. <br/> <br/> Or they fall off the berry they're ruining, and still ignore the fact you just knocked them off because they're in a sugar high. <br/> <br/> I think it's like humans eating turkey! <br/> <br/> The only problem is that they've trashed a ton of the berries, and now I have to wait for those berries to be eaten or fall off. The next few days could get ugly while we duke it out for the newly ripening berries and then I can keep ahead of the yellow jackets again. <div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843262392217281569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-590734510360137017.post-1002686952919602372011-09-21T16:18:00.001-04:002011-09-21T16:18:33.861-04:00Worms!<p><a href='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XhvhAU64Vd8/TnpGl6ZnsdI/AAAAAAAAWa8/TybKnCpiuOY/IMAG3110.jpg'><img src='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XhvhAU64Vd8/TnpGl6ZnsdI/AAAAAAAAWa8/TybKnCpiuOY/s400/IMAG3110.jpg' /></a></p>These were collected from various brassicas (like broccoli and Brussels sprouts) and greens (which, I don't know, might include brassicas). <br/> <br/> Yes, they're "cute caterpillars." <br/> <br/> Unless you're a gardener, and then they're the larval form of the cabbage white moth. Do you know what that is? It's those pretty white "butterflies" fluttering all around. <br/> <br/> They quickly land on a victim plant and drop off a tiiiiiny egg. You can see them if you look close enough. About the size of a period in the newspaper, but creamy yellow. <br/> <br/> Once those hatch the tiny caterpillars grow up fast, devouring the leaves of the plants they were born on, and pooping "frass" all over the place. <br/> <br/> For some reason, I don't seem to have any predators that like these caterpillars, so I hand pick them and toss them in the pond. You have no idea how satisfying it is to watch a fish jump up and gulp one down! <br/> <br/> I have also been treating with a combination of Garden Dust (organic pesticide powder) and diatomacious earth (ground up dead diatoms from the ocean if I remember correctly)... These two powders DO help leave some caterpillar carcasses on the plants, but rain washes the powders away. <br/> <br/> The best thing to do, which worked great on the spring broccoli, but I was lazy/crowded for space and didn't do for the late summer planting of broccoli, is to cover the young plants with floating row cover, a sheer fabric that lets through light and water but not insects. Stops the critters from ever getting laid! <div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843262392217281569noreply@blogger.com0