tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34567715351123077912024-03-13T13:46:34.115-04:00From Seeds To HarvestThis blog is an extension of my garden notebook. A place to share my plans, thoughts, and observations as I work to create a bountiful kitchen garden.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01677198703993939848noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3456771535112307791.post-50691047053626463142017-01-22T16:06:00.000-05:002017-01-22T16:06:48.646-05:00Digging in the Dirt Again!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The garden books are out and I have started a new journal for the garden. It's been too long! The stresses of my day job and a knee injury turned my world upside down for a little bit which meant gardening just wasn't an option. While I know it was the best choice, I have really missed digging in the dirt. There is just something about it that brings a sense of calm to my life.<br />
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I've set up the plant rack with lights and trays. I've ordered seeds and written them all in my garden notes. I looked at my garden layout and made a few small changes. I think I need to add a couple of small beds. It's going to be a really busy spring due to needing to replace some of the raised beds. They've lasted about 8-9 years, but there are some rotting beds that need to be rebuilt.<br />
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The next step will be to plan out my indoor starting of my seeds in trays. Although I'll only be able to use a few fingers at this point, at least I'll finally be digging in the dirt again! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01677198703993939848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3456771535112307791.post-16900375199748615012015-03-12T10:11:00.001-04:002015-03-12T10:12:25.136-04:00Spring Thaw<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Yesterday, I took Luna, our Border Collie, outside to take a look at the garden. The snow and ice are finally starting to melt. Luna and I both spent our time just poking around and looking. It was too muddy for her to play and too muddy for me to do anything in the garden. We just sat and soaked up the sun. No complaints here! Luna and I both are ready to dig in the dirt but it seems we'll have to wait for a few more days! <a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZmiSCmYUkS0/VQGek3BMkTI/AAAAAAAACTY/rPDAx4ZKTs4/s640/blogger-image-47918466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZmiSCmYUkS0/VQGek3BMkTI/AAAAAAAACTY/rPDAx4ZKTs4/s640/blogger-image-47918466.jpg"></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01677198703993939848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3456771535112307791.post-61116778499967279552015-03-06T12:39:00.000-05:002015-03-06T12:39:16.496-05:00Fish Pepper; A Pepper With a History<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The Fish pepper is one that has a history that intrigues me. It is a pepper with a strong African-American history. This is a pepper that is not found in every garden, but efforts are being made to keep it alive! William Woys Weaver writes of Horace Pippin giving the seeds to his father, who in turn gave them to the Seed Savers Exchange.<br />
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Horace Pippin was an African-American artist who was well known for his paintings of the African-American experience. He was from the Westchester, PA area, but was part of a larger community, or network, that included people from the Baltimore area. African-American slaves and freedmen in Antebellum Maryland used the pepper as a 'secret ingredient'. At one point, it was believed the Fish pepper was almost extinct due to the decline of the fishing industry in the Chesapeake Bay. Since that time, the seeds have been distributed and shared over the years and they have spread to gardens all over the world.<br />
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The Fish pepper is very different than most peppers. It has a variegated-leaf and is quite stunning in the garden. The plants usually are about 2 feet high, but I have had them reach about 3 feet. They are striking! Their leaves are almost like someone splattered a cream-colored paint on them and the peppers themselves actually start out a light, cream color. This color is why they were so well suited to the cream-based sauces for seafood. As the peppers mature, they get a nice variegation of green and cream and then ultimately, they will turn bright red. I have found that you can use them at any of the three stages and you will have variations in terms of heat!<br />
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The Fish pepper actually originated in Baltimore where they were used to make white paprika for the cream sauces used with fish and seafood. Raw, the peppers are quite hot, but they do seem to mellow with cooking. I let the red peppers dry and then I crush them for the 'red pepper' I use in my recipes.<br />
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So, needless to say, when I saw my Fish peppers were starting to sprout, I was absolutely excited! I try to due my part to help keep this wonderful plant remain a part of the garden scene. If you are interested in trying to grow them as well, I think they would actually do quite well in a container if you do not have the garden space. I will share seeds that I have, and if I don't have enough now, I will by the end of the growing season and you can have them for next year. If you want to try them right away, I would go online to <a href="http://www.kitchengardenseeds.com/" target="_blank">John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds</a>. You will not be disappointed!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01677198703993939848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3456771535112307791.post-89440640198840603152015-03-03T15:48:00.000-05:002015-03-03T15:48:03.551-05:00The First Signs of This Year's Garden<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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One of the highlights of gardening is having the ability to start your plants by sowing your own seeds. I like the variety you can get and I love the fact that I can stagger when I plant which then allows me to stagger and prolong the harvest of a variety of plants.<br />
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I have a confession. All of my seeds are an heirloom variety of one sort or another except for my Sweet Bell Mix. This sweet bell pepper has a nice number of peppers on each plant and they tend to range from yellow, to orange, to a red-orange. It's a hybrid, but I just love it!<br />
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My eggplant is something that I have been experimenting with. It seems to produce quite a bit and I just love how much you can use eggplant in different recipes. This year, I have 5 different varieties! I am excited to see how they all compare to one another.<br />
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Most of the seeds that I have started were started on February 17th. Some of the seeds were started on February 20th.<br />
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At this point I have seedlings for my cabbage, eggplant, chile peppers, cauliflower, broccoli, sweet peppers, and a couple of varieties of tomatoes.<br />
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I have found that I really like the seed starting mix from Henry Fields. My seedlings are kept in that until they reach pretty good size with good root development.<br />
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Once the seedlings have a pair of true leaves set, then I will transplant them so that there is just one plant per cell or peat pot.<br />
I will be looking at my seedlings this weekend, unless we get another snow day, and then it will be sooner! When I look at how the seedlings have developed, I will decide which ones I should replant. Some of my seeds were packed for 2014, so I want to be sure they are still viable. Unfortunately, it seems that as soon as you carry over seeds to the next year, they only germinate 50% of the time. So far, it looks like I have a pretty good success rate. Time will tell.<br />
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I have a plant rack that I set up in the kitchen. I ended up getting aquarium hoods to use for my lighting and I have found that this system works pretty well.<br />
I'm looking forward to seeing how these seedlings develop and I'm looking forward to transplanting them soon!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01677198703993939848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3456771535112307791.post-48695346488970002432015-03-02T09:56:00.001-05:002015-03-02T09:56:58.325-05:00Right There With Me<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I was shocked to see the date of my last post until I began to think about the various things happening in my life since that day. Okay, in the list of priorities, this blog did not make the cut. I can live with that. I do apologize for anyone who had started to wonder if by chance I had fallen off the face of the planet! All is good, no worries.<br />
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I found myself thinking about this blog again because of a need to share my gardening experiences with someone. One of my best friends, and someone I considered to be my Mom, was also my gardening buddy, Carol. As of June 6, 2014, unexpectedly, Carol is no longer here. I have found that beyond the obvious reasons that I feel a loss without her in my life, I find that I miss our garden chats. There was a point when I wasn't sure if I'd be able to go back to the garden at all. Last summer, each time I stepped into the garden, I found I was frustrated, angry, and unmotivated.<br />
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Looking out the window now, under all of the snow we have on the ground, I know there is a garden that has suffered my neglect. I find that as I see little hints of life such as bulbs starting to send up their stems, I can't help but to start to feel an energy and fullness that I have always felt with nature and gardening. I think about Carol and I think about how we could get lost for hours anywhere there were plants! When something we planted began to grow, we would get absolutely giddy with excitement. Those conversations and the sharing of articles and books over an afternoon cup of coffee were special and will be sorely missed.<br />
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I've come to the conclusion that Carol would actually be quite upset with me if she knew I was dragging my feet and not taking time to garden. I know it's going to be difficult at times, but as I watch my seeds begin to germinate and take form as seedlings, I begin to find myself thinking about the garden again. Each time I work in the garden I know Carol will be right there with me, and there are some things I will have to plant, just for her.<br />
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So, starting today, I will post my experiences, thoughts, and musings about the garden here, as a way of sharing all that the garden has to offer.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01677198703993939848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3456771535112307791.post-77130863807450681802013-06-09T01:00:00.000-04:002013-06-09T01:00:16.888-04:00Kimchi- First Thing Canned from the Garden!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The weather has been kind of odd this year, a little cooler and a lot more rain than normal. But then you'll have crazy days where it's in the 90's! It's been hard to get a handle on. The good news is, I was able to harvest some chinese cabbage about 3 weeks ago. Many years it bolts and I do not get as much, but it grew quite nice this year.<br />
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I found a lot of different recipes and as usual for me, I kind of created my own recipe using the parts I liked the most from each. The only thing you have to be careful of is acid content and sugar and fat content if you are canning. I followed the fermentation guides and hot water bath canning guides and it looks like everything came together pretty well.</div>
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My Recipe for Kimchi<br />
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The following ingredients are layered with salt (Approximately 2 cups of Kosher or Sea Salt) and soaked in cold water for 24 hours.<br />
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6 small heads of Chinese Cabbage (chopped into 1 inch pieces)</div>
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3 Baby Bok Choy (chopped)</div>
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1 1/2 cups of Carrots (cut up, thin)</div>
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1 bunch of spring onions</div>
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The following ingredients are put into a food processor or blender until smooth to make a sauce.</div>
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2 1/2 inches of fresh Ginger grated</div>
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1 head of Garlic (peeled, and minced)</div>
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1 large White or Yellow Onion</div>
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8 oz jar of Chili Garlic Sauce</div>
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Mix the sauce in with the vegetables until everything is coated. Pack down into a clean crock.Seal the top of the crock with a plastic wrap. Then cover with a kitchen towel and tie in place. Place the crock in an area that stays a pretty consistent<br />
temperature, but not too warm.<br />
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I let the Kimchi ferment in the crock for 3 weeks. I uncovered the crock, tasted a piece and found it to still have crunch, a nice combination of salty and spicy.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yLMI3IqV9vE/UbQIx4fLHbI/AAAAAAAABWs/lSnoZiF0tEQ/s1600/IMG_1934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yLMI3IqV9vE/UbQIx4fLHbI/AAAAAAAABWs/lSnoZiF0tEQ/s320/IMG_1934.jpg" width="240" /></a>Next, I heated the Kimchi in a pot on the stove while I prepared my jars and my water bath canner. I packed the jars hot and put them in the hot bath to process for 20 minutes. I was able to can 10 half pint jars and 1 pint jar.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01677198703993939848noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3456771535112307791.post-75150389385483865232013-03-10T17:16:00.001-04:002013-03-10T17:16:29.023-04:00Preparing for Cole CropsThis weekend I was able to get a couple of my raised beds ready for early season plantings such as cole crops and peas. I have 2 beds that I put in post with wire for peas now and to support tomatoes later. One of my beds I prepared for beans and potatoes. I will plant my potatoes in the 'valleys' and my beans on the 'hills'. As the potatoes grow and I add dirt to 'hill' them, they will end up slightly higher than the beans but they will be more secure in between the hills of beans. (I'll post pictures of what I mean as they grow.) I have one bed planted with green cabbage and Chinese cabbage. My husband helped me to put down soaker hose. I then used fiberglass rods to make hoops over the bed so I could protect the bed with frost cloth. I'm not done prepping beds, but I think I'm off to a good start! <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-A5HylWGI0Zs/UTz4G9cSrvI/AAAAAAAABSw/WKf5N5os_-0/s640/blogger-image-842978831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-A5HylWGI0Zs/UTz4G9cSrvI/AAAAAAAABSw/WKf5N5os_-0/s640/blogger-image-842978831.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Lzy34RiDc0o/UTz4K0cG1rI/AAAAAAAABTI/SLs_WHfMDNY/s640/blogger-image--1444801161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Lzy34RiDc0o/UTz4K0cG1rI/AAAAAAAABTI/SLs_WHfMDNY/s640/blogger-image--1444801161.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PCV09XAGkpA/UTz4ICRhBNI/AAAAAAAABS4/uCdGDDqARYw/s640/blogger-image-1507717019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PCV09XAGkpA/UTz4ICRhBNI/AAAAAAAABS4/uCdGDDqARYw/s640/blogger-image-1507717019.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lNIro0RHHCQ/UTz4JjrDakI/AAAAAAAABTA/0inwS0KRL30/s640/blogger-image-324249931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lNIro0RHHCQ/UTz4JjrDakI/AAAAAAAABTA/0inwS0KRL30/s640/blogger-image-324249931.jpg" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01677198703993939848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3456771535112307791.post-1286113616713782902013-03-06T14:03:00.000-05:002013-03-06T14:03:41.105-05:00Garden Progress as of 3-6-2013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riesentraube Tomato Plants</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lD9CQhfsHlc/UTeS28CXx4I/AAAAAAAABRk/SQYrqeUtE78/s1600/Pepperoncini%2Bpeppers.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lD9CQhfsHlc/UTeS28CXx4I/AAAAAAAABRk/SQYrqeUtE78/s160/Pepperoncini%2Bpeppers.jpg" style="clear: both; float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pepperoncini Plants</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tVkHpZ1sfUo/UTeS3fGF_fI/AAAAAAAABRw/P4Dg1od_Sa4/s1600/large%2Bleaf%2BItalian%2BBasil.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tVkHpZ1sfUo/UTeS3fGF_fI/AAAAAAAABRw/P4Dg1od_Sa4/s160/large%2Bleaf%2BItalian%2BBasil.jpg" style="clear: both; float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large Leaf Italian Basil</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ROTQhYUaLQo/UTeS4aTtrAI/AAAAAAAABR8/5cutFH5GV0o/s1600/eggplant.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ROTQhYUaLQo/UTeS4aTtrAI/AAAAAAAABR8/5cutFH5GV0o/s160/eggplant.jpg" style="clear: both; float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px;" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c7Tv5Pne3Es/UTeS5EKPskI/AAAAAAAABSI/JoWj3UGEU14/s1600/broccoli%2Band%2Bcauliflower.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c7Tv5Pne3Es/UTeS5EKPskI/AAAAAAAABSI/JoWj3UGEU14/s160/broccoli%2Band%2Bcauliflower.jpg" style="clear: both; float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Signs of Broccoli and Cauliflower</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kpXFbPkeCLM/UTeS6MDpa-I/AAAAAAAABSg/E4grkHvhXxA/s1600/fish%2Bpeppers.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kpXFbPkeCLM/UTeS6MDpa-I/AAAAAAAABSg/E4grkHvhXxA/s160/fish%2Bpeppers.jpg" style="clear: both; float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fish Peppers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SHW0uDP4pDM/UTeS5i3WsgI/AAAAAAAABSU/WmYWruvdDhU/s1600/Pak%2BChoi.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SHW0uDP4pDM/UTeS5i3WsgI/AAAAAAAABSU/WmYWruvdDhU/s160/Pak%2BChoi.jpg" style="clear: both; float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pac Choi</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EP7NI8Ua8Cc/UTeS1sba3eI/AAAAAAAABRM/gzzp_h5OrFc/s1600/tomato%2Bseedlings.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EP7NI8Ua8Cc/UTeS1sba3eI/AAAAAAAABRM/gzzp_h5OrFc/s160/tomato%2Bseedlings.jpg" style="clear: both; float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px;" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of Tomato Plants</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01677198703993939848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3456771535112307791.post-64482623285638178152013-03-06T13:21:00.001-05:002013-03-06T13:21:02.904-05:00Transplanting Seedlings according to John Jeavons<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I find that when I am preparing my plants for the garden, a lot of what I do comes from reading everything I can get my hands on, what I remember from working in a garden with various grown-ups when I was a child, and just hands-on experience. I find that sometimes when I share what I have learned I get puzzled looks or that 'yeah, right' look. So, when I find someone else saying the say thing that I believe to be true based on my experiences, it makes me happy.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rb8tfqhKM9Q/UTeDwuKVqeI/AAAAAAAABPQ/jw1IrzJQ25Y/s1600/improper+transplant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rb8tfqhKM9Q/UTeDwuKVqeI/AAAAAAAABPQ/jw1IrzJQ25Y/s200/improper+transplant.jpg" width="145" /></a>Yesterday, I picked up the book <i>How to Grow More Vegetables* (and fruits, nuts, berries, grains, and other crops) *than you ever thought possible on less land than you can imagine</i> by John Jeavons. <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-to-grow-more-vegetables-eighth-edition-john-jeavons/1100572441?ean=9781607741893" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble link to the book</a><br />
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The book is not filled with a lot of beautiful photos or quick how-to tricks, it's all about the basics of growing BIOINTENSIVE. Which, anyone who knows me or is familiar with my blog knows is basically how I garden.<br />
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So, this morning, as I was looking through the information on seeds, I was really happy to come across very useful information on transplanting seeds. A couple of years ago I began to start all of my plants from seed and I have found that my plants are healthier and I am much happier with the varieties that I can grow. I have also found that I am just happier with plants that I start from seed. As I was reading in this book, I found that transplanting is actually preferred over direct sowing due to improved root health. Based on what I have experienced, I totally agree.<br />
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There were a couple of simple drawings in the book that I would like to share with you in regards to transplanting seedlings. You should transplant your seedlings up to their first two true leaves. This is how I treat my seedlings and they are just healthier.<br />
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This book has a lot of valuable information for those of you who are really serious about utilizing your space in a self-sustaining manner. For those who work with companion planting, this book is awesome. I will be adding this book to my gift list for friends and family who garden!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01677198703993939848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3456771535112307791.post-44813705758666181232013-02-18T17:57:00.001-05:002013-02-18T17:57:33.797-05:00Companion Planting Vegetables for Increased Crop Yield | Eartheasy Blog<a href="http://eartheasy.com/blog/2009/07/companion-planting-vegetables-for-increased-crop-yield/#.USKxghktfDs.blogger">Companion Planting Vegetables for Increased Crop Yield | Eartheasy Blog</a><br />
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Great post to check out!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01677198703993939848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3456771535112307791.post-31811950639280062112013-02-18T17:08:00.001-05:002013-02-18T17:31:56.677-05:00Planning the Layout for the 2013 GardenToday, I was able to sit down and plan how I would rotate the beds in my garden. My garden is set up in "Neighborhoods" so to speak and within each neighborhood there are plants that benefit one another. Think back to stories of the Native Americans planting the "Three Sisters", corn, beans, and squash, and you have the right idea. This is also known as companion gardening. For the most comprehensive book I have found on this type of gardening, check out "Great Garden Companions; A Companion-Planting System for a Beautiful, Chemical-Free Vegetable Garden" by Sally Jean Cunningham.<br />
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In order to keep track of my rotations and plantings each year, I keep a garden notebook with all of my notes and observations. At this point in my planning, I have the following planned; 3 Tomato Neighborhoods, 3 Bean/ Squash Neighborhoods, 2 Roots/Greens Neighborhoods, 2 Blueberry Neighborhoods, 1 Strawberry Neighborhood, 2 Cabbage Neighborhoods, 1 Asparagus Bed, 1 long fence line of red raspberries, a 3ft row of Blackberries, and 1 Herb bed. The far right corner of the garden is anchored with a corner perennial bed to help attract beneficial insects. Flowers and herbs are interplanted throughout the garden for that same purpose. Not only does this approach cut down on harmful insects, it makes for an attractive garden.<br />
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<br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Q8yf4w2OVXI/USKrxc7i9JI/AAAAAAAABOY/DieK1clbaVk/s640/blogger-image-216146106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Q8yf4w2OVXI/USKrxc7i9JI/AAAAAAAABOY/DieK1clbaVk/s640/blogger-image-216146106.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SZeHG-Y6TIQ/USKrsn8e2QI/AAAAAAAABOQ/UatQ06WT4SM/s640/blogger-image-1558628093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SZeHG-Y6TIQ/USKrsn8e2QI/AAAAAAAABOQ/UatQ06WT4SM/s640/blogger-image-1558628093.jpg" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01677198703993939848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3456771535112307791.post-91614857169695229842013-02-10T19:24:00.003-05:002013-02-10T19:24:48.916-05:00Seedlings as of February 10, 2013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l3bPHit6xfk/URg1LLRe7XI/AAAAAAAABNI/UZITrZ6Ww4Y/s1600/Fish+Peppers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l3bPHit6xfk/URg1LLRe7XI/AAAAAAAABNI/UZITrZ6Ww4Y/s320/Fish+Peppers.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-50IDZ_QnWYY/URg1JEqGAII/AAAAAAAABM4/f7s14_4Jgf8/s1600/Baby+Bok+Choy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-50IDZ_QnWYY/URg1JEqGAII/AAAAAAAABM4/f7s14_4Jgf8/s200/Baby+Bok+Choy.jpg" width="148" /></a>Today, I started thinning my seedlings and transplanting the ones that were large enough to move. I find it is a very tedious process as you carefully separate some of the seedlings from one another. But this is a process that is absolutely necessary.<br />
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For optimum growth and development the seedlings cannot be fighting for space and nutrients. Did I accidentally damage a few, yes, but nothing to be upset about. Some people just cut off the seedlings to thin so they do not disturb the roots. I prefer to carefully work the seedlings and roots from the soil and transplant as many as possible. I loose a few, but not many.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OGiFBwW6xs8/URg1QiaZ8RI/AAAAAAAABNg/LOBU75vz8R0/s1600/Tomato+seedlings+galore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OGiFBwW6xs8/URg1QiaZ8RI/AAAAAAAABNg/LOBU75vz8R0/s200/Tomato+seedlings+galore.jpg" width="152" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bkcCJqleevQ/URg1JSNtycI/AAAAAAAABNA/ArFrAFDU-0A/s1600/First+of+the+Cherokee+Purple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bkcCJqleevQ/URg1JSNtycI/AAAAAAAABNA/ArFrAFDU-0A/s400/First+of+the+Cherokee+Purple.jpg" width="300" /></a> The tomatoes and peppers are actually doing really well right now. Who knows how large these plants will be when it's time to harden them off for the garden!<br />
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I am disappointed with my broccoli and cauliflower seedlings. They appear to have gotten too warm and dry. I will need to start seed for them again.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S7WAeJV1-wY/URg1MVOCFjI/AAAAAAAABNQ/6bbA3N1aM4w/s1600/San+Marzano+Tomato.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S7WAeJV1-wY/URg1MVOCFjI/AAAAAAAABNQ/6bbA3N1aM4w/s200/San+Marzano+Tomato.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
From time to time you will have seeds that don't do well and need to be resown, but it's not very often. I usually start my seeds so early, there's still time to plant again.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c8iOXXnkJR4/URg1NYiEj4I/AAAAAAAABNU/ufb_8IQSf_Y/s1600/Tango+Celery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c8iOXXnkJR4/URg1NYiEj4I/AAAAAAAABNU/ufb_8IQSf_Y/s200/Tango+Celery.jpg" width="150" /></a>I will also need to start some of my other seeds soon as well. Everything is moving in the right direction!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01677198703993939848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3456771535112307791.post-90761841476591402162013-02-09T23:53:00.003-05:002013-02-09T23:53:37.817-05:00Check out a great site for gardening advice<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Varieties You Select</td></tr>
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A great site to check out for all of your gardening basics is a site put together by the University of Maryland's College of Agriculture & Natural Resources. The site is called Grow It! Eat It! Here is the link: <br />
<a href="http://www.growit.umd.edu/SeedStarting/index.cfm">Grow It! Eat It!</a><br />
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Their current post discusses the many benefits of starting your own seeds indoors and even gives you easy directions to follow to make your own PVC light stand that can be used.<br />
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Also on the site, you may find the Vegetable Planting Calendar useful. I have included a link here;<br />
<a href="http://growit.umd.edu/GE007_Vegetable_Planting_Calendar_for_Central_MD.pdf">Vegetable Planting Calendar for Central Maryland</a><br />
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I hope to work on transplanting seedlings tomorrow, I'll post my progress then.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lPCLYDugA4Y/URcj7ZTL_nI/AAAAAAAABMA/uF3zZ2HWGNI/s1600/starting+seeds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="153" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lPCLYDugA4Y/URcj7ZTL_nI/AAAAAAAABMA/uF3zZ2HWGNI/s200/starting+seeds.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Control Over Growing Conditions</td></tr>
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It takes some extra time, planning, and an investment in the beginning, but ultimately, I can't imagine not starting all of my plants from seed anymore. It's so wonderful selecting all of your favorite varieties and then nurturing them from seed to table. Plus, it means I can dig in the dirt a little in February!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Varieties Available in Seeds</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01677198703993939848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3456771535112307791.post-62773436053159736582013-02-03T19:02:00.001-05:002013-02-03T19:02:52.936-05:00Garden Plants are Starting to Emerge<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Today, when I checked my seedlings, I saw that some of them are actually starting to develop the second leaves. (The leaf shapes we are more familiar with when looking at plants.) When seedlings first emerge, they all look pretty similar. It's not until they begin to set the second leaf that they begin to look like something distinct.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pkqo0Y2sVEw/UQ73Hjfg9zI/AAAAAAAABLc/9boq7qHLScg/s1600/tomato+seedlings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pkqo0Y2sVEw/UQ73Hjfg9zI/AAAAAAAABLc/9boq7qHLScg/s200/tomato+seedlings.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
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There are some differences even in the first sets. Plants such as peppers, eggplant, and tomato, often have more long, narrow leaves.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I8LoyEHxZNU/UQ74X8YiSyI/AAAAAAAABLk/J_fRYUwYXdo/s1600/basil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I8LoyEHxZNU/UQ74X8YiSyI/AAAAAAAABLk/J_fRYUwYXdo/s200/basil.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
Plants such as broccoli, cabbage, and herbs such as basil (pictured on the left) all begin with a leaf that is more round and short.<br />
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Most of the seeds were started in cell inserts and they will be transplanted into peat pots when they start to set the second leaf. This is a tedious process, but if done carefully, you can plant almost all of the seedlings.<br />
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I usually have enough plants for me and enough of each variety to share. I always plant more than I think I will need in case something happens along the way. Sometimes they make it all the way to the hardening off process and then I lose them. But usually, I have a pretty good success rate.<br />
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Based on how the seedlings are coming along, I will be able to begin transplanting in a few days, a week at the most.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01677198703993939848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3456771535112307791.post-60242566042949241522013-02-01T19:36:00.002-05:002013-02-01T19:36:42.883-05:00Creating Garden Tags<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I think I've found another way for my artistic side to become a functional part of my garden. I have experimented with all kinds of markers from wood and plastic, to aluminum and copper. The artist in me is not content unless my garden has wonderful form and beauty as well as function. So, today I decided to experiment with making ceramic markers.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zzwk-vEIDsM/UQxfIhkCu5I/AAAAAAAABKY/r1aMWhchL4M/s1600/cutting+name+space.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zzwk-vEIDsM/UQxfIhkCu5I/AAAAAAAABKY/r1aMWhchL4M/s200/cutting+name+space.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t5rSy9eO5LU/UQxfDiuwQNI/AAAAAAAABKQ/Cj6tDpTZyVU/s1600/cutting+hole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t5rSy9eO5LU/UQxfDiuwQNI/AAAAAAAABKQ/Cj6tDpTZyVU/s200/cutting+hole.jpg" width="150" /></a>I roll the clay across a stamp pattern I sometimes use in my jewelry designs, cut out an oval shape, and then use a small square cutter to cut a hole for hanging. Before the clay becomes too dry, I carefully create a smooth area across the middle of the disc that can be used for writing the names of the garden seeds/plants.<br />
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Once the clay discs are completely dry, I use pan underglazes to create a watercolor effect in green and then I use a dark glaze color to write the names. I'm not sure if these ceramic markers will be what I've been looking for, but I'm going to give them a try in this year's garden and see how they work. I'll keep you posted on my progress.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01677198703993939848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3456771535112307791.post-21725412561726512032013-01-22T17:13:00.001-05:002013-01-22T17:13:30.814-05:00SmartGardener<a href="http://www.smartgardener.com/#.UP8OsTxxpm4.blogger">SmartGardener</a>: SmartGardener.com is a consumer technology solution that enables food gardeners - individuals and community gardeners - to easily plan, grow, manage and harvest their own food.<br />
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This is a great site!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01677198703993939848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3456771535112307791.post-85872249847186813382013-01-21T21:21:00.001-05:002013-01-21T21:21:48.516-05:00Prim Roses - a promise of spring!I've always enjoyed the prim rose. I'm not too picky about the color, I just feel happy when I see one in bloom. They seem to be a little reminder or promise that spring will come. It's a great flower to pick up this time of year to add a little color and life to your home. The best part is the fact that by the time it starts to fade it will be just about the time for my prim roses and crocuses in the garden to bloom. As the soil warms, I'll find a spot for this prim rose and it will be there in the early spring for me next year. A promise of spring, a promise of a smile. Until then, there's a little promise of spring in my kitchen window and I feel happy. <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XD9YJLVVGGQ/UP33ulGNHJI/AAAAAAAABJ8/oUojFHW4a2w/s640/blogger-image--1030239933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XD9YJLVVGGQ/UP33ulGNHJI/AAAAAAAABJ8/oUojFHW4a2w/s640/blogger-image--1030239933.jpg" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01677198703993939848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3456771535112307791.post-6547697000536658892013-01-21T20:05:00.001-05:002013-01-21T20:06:23.659-05:00The First Signs of My 2013 GardenIt's been a week since I planted my first flats of seeds for the garden and the seedlings are starting to push through. I am excited to see the first signs of the garden! <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DiebnDvMtWk/UP3lwblSBXI/AAAAAAAABJY/vCPyetrvrIo/s640/blogger-image-1411460343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DiebnDvMtWk/UP3lwblSBXI/AAAAAAAABJY/vCPyetrvrIo/s640/blogger-image-1411460343.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KiU2tQYoxDA/UP3lzV66GPI/AAAAAAAABJg/HRighyOVZ8o/s640/blogger-image-242462773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KiU2tQYoxDA/UP3lzV66GPI/AAAAAAAABJg/HRighyOVZ8o/s640/blogger-image-242462773.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hRCc9igt3EU/UP3l3n7ciiI/AAAAAAAABJo/P7LEpoQezoQ/s640/blogger-image--1989417948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hRCc9igt3EU/UP3l3n7ciiI/AAAAAAAABJo/P7LEpoQezoQ/s640/blogger-image--1989417948.jpg" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01677198703993939848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3456771535112307791.post-52894430760450046152013-01-14T20:43:00.001-05:002013-01-14T20:43:59.104-05:00Still More Tomatoes Oct 2012<a href="http://greenroofgrowers.blogspot.com/2012/10/still-more-tomatoes-oct-2012.html#.UPS0R6n7yfc.blogger">Still More Tomatoes Oct 2012</a><br />
Check out this garden blog!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01677198703993939848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3456771535112307791.post-52548735934839254492013-01-13T21:30:00.001-05:002013-01-13T21:30:08.507-05:00Starting Seeds<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F_DYq4hT3cY/UPNbuLRAm1I/AAAAAAAABIw/dLxSksne7Qc/s1600/starting+seeds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F_DYq4hT3cY/UPNbuLRAm1I/AAAAAAAABIw/dLxSksne7Qc/s320/starting+seeds.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Today was the day that I started my first seeds for the garden. Yeah! I'm so excited to finally get things moving for the garden!<br />
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I use a combination of very small peat pots and plastic cell inserts. I find that the seed starter soil from Henry Fields is fantastic. I always have very good results with it and I do not have a problem with my soil drying out. (A big hazard with delicate seedlings.)<br />
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I have heat mats that are placed under my seed trays to help keep the temperature of the seed trays a little warmer. Last year was my first year to try them. I had two and I found they really helped with starting seeds such as tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers. I bought two more this year and I am excited to see if they help push my cole crops along so that they have a good size in time for early spring planting. Word of advice, when buying heat mats for seeds, search online at Amazon.com so you can find the best deal. They can be very expensive and I have found I can get them for about $16 online.<br />
I have a plant rack that my husband and I have attached aquarium light hoods to in a way that allows me to move them up and down as the plants grow. The plant rack has been a great investment! I start most of my plants from seeds and purchase very few plants for the garden. (Sometimes, I can't resist a cool new variety of a vegetable or a flower that will make a great companion plant.)<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YoBsL2fw8l4/UPNqanNHr1I/AAAAAAAABJE/y1K8K7frNwM/s1600/plant+rack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YoBsL2fw8l4/UPNqanNHr1I/AAAAAAAABJE/y1K8K7frNwM/s200/plant+rack.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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My plant rack will hold 8 trays, right now I only have 3 1/2 trays started. These are the seeds I started today;<br />
Fast Vantage Cabbage, Farmer's Extra Early Cauliflower, Hybrid Premium Crop Broccoli, Perfection Drumhead Savoy Cabbage, Cherokee Purple Tomato, San Marzano Tomato, Black Krim Tomato, Diamond Eggplant, Baby Bok Choy, Riesentraube Tomato, Black Cherry Tomato, Fish Pepper, Italian Pepperoncini Pepper, Mulato Islano Poblano Hot Pepper, Hybrid Twilight Eggplant, Sweet Bell Mix Sweet Pepper, Lg. Leaf Italian Basil, Tango Celery, Coriander, Cilantro, Curled Parsley, Bok Choy, Jalapeno Pepper, Sweet Bell California Wonder, Blue Scotch Kale.<br />
Whew!<br />
The cole crops need to be started so they are of good size and strength for early spring planting. If I don't start them early enough, they will not mature before it begins to get too hot and then they will bolt. The warm weather crops, such as tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers, always produce so much better if they are a good size when they are introduced to the garden. It's the hardening off process that is a pain, but it's all worth it!<br />
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I feel that I'm off to a good start with this year's garden. Now I just have to figure out where my different 'neighborhoods' will be and make sure I rotate my beds. Back to my notebook!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01677198703993939848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3456771535112307791.post-26349542108916057792013-01-05T22:57:00.000-05:002013-01-05T22:57:46.243-05:00A New Year - A New Garden<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dgPFzXikJjI/UOjwuogXAKI/AAAAAAAABIQ/jdmyMaKpbkg/s1600/January+Harvest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dgPFzXikJjI/UOjwuogXAKI/AAAAAAAABIQ/jdmyMaKpbkg/s400/January+Harvest.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wkdHJ8HD68c/UOjwp0bstgI/AAAAAAAABII/wV_xBuBjdH4/s1600/Baker+Creek+Seeds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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As I begin to prepare for the new year, I actually begin to feel a little excitement. A new year always means a fresh start with my garden. I can look at my notes, look at what we have in the freezer and pantry, and begin to plan what needs to be planted and the layout I want to use. (This is the stuff that makes me feel like a little kid!)<br />
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I went to the garden today to see what I could find. I was very pleased with my small harvest! I was able to bring in carrots, kale, and Swiss Chard. Not bad for January 5th!<br />
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I also found that some of my herbs still looked pretty good and the ground was only frozen in the upper 1 inch of soil. So, we'll see what happens. I brought in Italian parsley, curled leaf parsley, some shallots, and some celery. I'll be curious to see what they do inside.<br />
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Yesterday, I was very excited to see that my seed orders arrived! Now, I'm in the process of getting everything set up so I can begin to get seeds started.<br />
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I have had very good luck with the seeds I order from Henry Field's and I find that their quantities of seeds in a pack and prices are very reasonable.<br />
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Some things I can't find at Henry Field's I get from companies such as Baker Creek. I usually get seeds such as Fish Pepper and Cherokee Trail of Tears beans from Baker Creek.<br />
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I will begin planting seeds this week in order to have cole crop plants large and healthy in time for early spring planting. Even though I'm just in the planning stages and haven't done any planting yet, I am excited to see the 2013 Garden begin to take shape! I hope to share my garden as it unfolds in my posts here. Thank you for sharing in the fun of gardening!<br />
Noelle<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01677198703993939848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3456771535112307791.post-30450710420594862432012-06-14T22:05:00.001-04:002012-06-14T22:05:36.922-04:00Garden Progress as of June 14, 2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tb8lCmCMbmA/T9n6opVbKtI/AAAAAAAAA1c/EgarKUmxnKk/s1600/Cherokee+Purple+Tomatoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tb8lCmCMbmA/T9n6opVbKtI/AAAAAAAAA1c/EgarKUmxnKk/s200/Cherokee+Purple+Tomatoes.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cherokee Purple Tomato</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eT7sfaTqqMg/T9n6hg2WrmI/AAAAAAAAA1M/UKyc4SKhLBQ/s1600/Carrots+under+tomatoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eT7sfaTqqMg/T9n6hg2WrmI/AAAAAAAAA1M/UKyc4SKhLBQ/s200/Carrots+under+tomatoes.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carrots and Radishes Under<br />Tomato Plants</td></tr>
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We have had a good amount of rain and the garden is growing quite rapidly at the moment. I went out again today and tied tomatoes to their stakes. They seem to have grown another 4-6 inches in a very short amount of time. Judging by the number of blooms on the tomato plants, I think we will have a pretty good crop of tomatoes this year. <br />
As I look around the garden, it seems that everything is actually doing pretty well right now. All of the berries are growing well and the warm weather crops such as the beans, peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, and squash are all starting to really show substantial growth and they are all producing a good amount of flowers. At this rate, we should have a pretty good harvest this summer.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ajIlGrUJDg/T9n6zDERj6I/AAAAAAAAA18/6IHrShB8mm8/s1600/best+friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ajIlGrUJDg/T9n6zDERj6I/AAAAAAAAA18/6IHrShB8mm8/s200/best+friends.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cabbage</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ULA01IXhOsI/T9n6015nEuI/AAAAAAAAA2E/1Dgi97QOk5g/s1600/blushing+blueberries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ULA01IXhOsI/T9n6015nEuI/AAAAAAAAA2E/1Dgi97QOk5g/s200/blushing+blueberries.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blush of Color (Blueberries)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ThhvjLG-B5M/T9n6-kQmmPI/AAAAAAAAA2c/w8xF47H6PWY/s1600/celery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ThhvjLG-B5M/T9n6-kQmmPI/AAAAAAAAA2c/w8xF47H6PWY/s200/celery.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celery<br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wyNF5h-ApLE/T9n7AL2XOTI/AAAAAAAAA2s/OmKnOW5AUCs/s1600/companions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wyNF5h-ApLE/T9n7AL2XOTI/AAAAAAAAA2s/OmKnOW5AUCs/s200/companions.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good Neighbors; Tomato,<br />Marigolds, Radishes, and<br />Carrots</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-62RjD37G1mw/T9n7G5kzewI/AAAAAAAAA3A/AT5s6Hsl3yw/s1600/first+sign+of+zucchini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-62RjD37G1mw/T9n7G5kzewI/AAAAAAAAA3A/AT5s6Hsl3yw/s200/first+sign+of+zucchini.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Sign of Zucchini</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oj9sC7d9Iqg/T9n7L1x2z6I/AAAAAAAAA3M/K6qqCUhGh9o/s1600/happy+neighbors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oj9sC7d9Iqg/T9n7L1x2z6I/AAAAAAAAA3M/K6qqCUhGh9o/s200/happy+neighbors.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beauty of Companion Gardening<br />Lilies, Glads, Cabbage<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lQAsLVuXxx8/T9n7VyP48QI/AAAAAAAAA3s/qjGUFblKROY/s1600/last+of+the+peas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lQAsLVuXxx8/T9n7VyP48QI/AAAAAAAAA3s/qjGUFblKROY/s200/last+of+the+peas.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Last of the Sweet Peas</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Blooms in the<br />Perennial Bed</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uLuQ8zMEC50/T9n7dlA1NgI/AAAAAAAAA4E/PfJprWGZ4SI/s1600/pole+beans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uLuQ8zMEC50/T9n7dlA1NgI/AAAAAAAAA4E/PfJprWGZ4SI/s200/pole+beans.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kentucky Wonder Pole Beans<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-An2IIgR6pWw/T9n71SyM4rI/AAAAAAAAA5M/TZH8jxWMctU/s1600/sugar+baby+watermelon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-An2IIgR6pWw/T9n71SyM4rI/AAAAAAAAA5M/TZH8jxWMctU/s200/sugar+baby+watermelon.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sugar Baby Watermelon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QBgIz09-JVc/T9n7vlUWw_I/AAAAAAAAA48/FXRn8mowc_0/s1600/squash+companions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QBgIz09-JVc/T9n7vlUWw_I/AAAAAAAAA48/FXRn8mowc_0/s400/squash+companions.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Squash Neighborhood</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oWx4WTtRctk/T9n7n1vrXvI/AAAAAAAAA4c/n8k-zOnmi10/s1600/ripe+blueberries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oWx4WTtRctk/T9n7n1vrXvI/AAAAAAAAA4c/n8k-zOnmi10/s200/ripe+blueberries.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Berries</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qd_hkhw7Ot0/T9n7qEoHiEI/AAAAAAAAA4s/UcaqFmfBMtY/s1600/red+raspberries+by+the+handful.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qd_hkhw7Ot0/T9n7qEoHiEI/AAAAAAAAA4s/UcaqFmfBMtY/s200/red+raspberries+by+the+handful.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Raspberries</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EDfFKBUWrt0/T9n7_r4Km8I/AAAAAAAAA5s/MhZMeUU7vJA/s1600/tansy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EDfFKBUWrt0/T9n7_r4Km8I/AAAAAAAAA5s/MhZMeUU7vJA/s200/tansy.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tansy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cJqnENCk96I/T9n74dICOCI/AAAAAAAAA5c/p48Ye2_XDg0/s1600/swiss+chard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cJqnENCk96I/T9n74dICOCI/AAAAAAAAA5c/p48Ye2_XDg0/s200/swiss+chard.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swiss Chard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01677198703993939848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3456771535112307791.post-63011690220530842172012-06-09T20:56:00.000-04:002012-06-09T21:11:25.236-04:00Garlic Scapes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9qFNCOBgZ0A/T9Ps3xxumFI/AAAAAAAAAzs/brU0yp6kQsk/s1600/curled+garlic+scape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9qFNCOBgZ0A/T9Ps3xxumFI/AAAAAAAAAzs/brU0yp6kQsk/s200/curled+garlic+scape.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curled Garlic Scape</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UC8SKLcQ2jo/T9Ps6Wh5gGI/AAAAAAAAAz0/sullI1542_8/s1600/curly+garlic+scape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UC8SKLcQ2jo/T9Ps6Wh5gGI/AAAAAAAAAz0/sullI1542_8/s200/curly+garlic+scape.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
Don't forget to cut your garlic scapes from your garlic to increase the amount of energy directed to the garlic bulb, which will give you larger bulbs to harvest. The garlic scapes are great to use in stir fry recipes, pasta recipes, and you might even like them as a new way to make pesto. There are a lot of recipes online if you search for garlic scape recipes.<br />
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<div>
When you harvest the garlic scapes, remember, the best, more tender scapes are the ones that are smaller and more curled. As they mature, they grow larger, a little tougher, and they begin to straighten out. </div>
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Take a walk through your garden, you might find a new ingredient to try in one of your favorite recipes!</div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01677198703993939848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3456771535112307791.post-75246004832392952822012-06-05T14:03:00.000-04:002012-06-05T14:03:09.096-04:00Garden Progress As of June 5, 2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oJSVxbA2HKg/T85CfunEzCI/AAAAAAAAAxs/eKNN5pVnlvI/s1600/Red+Raspberries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oJSVxbA2HKg/T85CfunEzCI/AAAAAAAAAxs/eKNN5pVnlvI/s320/Red+Raspberries.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Raspberries</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OK99iQaNHXw/T85CjCrb_II/AAAAAAAAAx0/4gHpS1m5b8k/s1600/Blueberries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OK99iQaNHXw/T85CjCrb_II/AAAAAAAAAx0/4gHpS1m5b8k/s320/Blueberries.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Berries</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The garden is growing full speed at this point! I love walking through the garden and seeing all of the different veggies and berries at different stages. Everything is growing and everything is moving ahead at it's own pace which makes for great variety in meals this time of year.<br />
<br />
Berries are at various stages right now. We have been picking strawberries for several weeks now and we have enjoyed eating them with shortcake and ice cream, but I think my favorite way to enjoy them is right out of the garden. It's really hard to eat strawberries from the grocery store once you grow your own! They are worth the space and the effort.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qtq_4r2_tv8/T85Cl3NB6uI/AAAAAAAAAx8/VI0jIvjGEKY/s1600/Blackberries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qtq_4r2_tv8/T85Cl3NB6uI/AAAAAAAAAx8/VI0jIvjGEKY/s320/Blackberries.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Berries</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ze4AF8JT-hE/T85CorNOpnI/AAAAAAAAAyE/patUxH2fGp0/s1600/Kentucky+Wonder+Pole+Beans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ze4AF8JT-hE/T85CorNOpnI/AAAAAAAAAyE/patUxH2fGp0/s320/Kentucky+Wonder+Pole+Beans.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kentucky Wonder Pole Beans</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7WVMxprR6hw/T85CucjQ-qI/AAAAAAAAAyM/Ns2kP-EfXuo/s1600/swiss+chard+under+bean+teepee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7WVMxprR6hw/T85CucjQ-qI/AAAAAAAAAyM/Ns2kP-EfXuo/s320/swiss+chard+under+bean+teepee.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swiss Chard under Bean Teepee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Right now, the red raspberries are just starting to ripen. You can pick one or two here and there, not by the quart yet. In about a week or week and a half, I'll be freezing them and making jam.<br />
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The blue berries are starting to show hints of blue, but it will be about a month yet before they are ready. The black berries are new for me this year. I am very excited to see how well they are doing. Last year we accidentally lost some of the plants to the weed eater, but I think they have recovered nicely. I'm not sure how long they will take to ripen. I have really enjoyed them so far due to their large blossoms. They are quite striking.<br />
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Weather has been tricky for lettuce and such, I did have to pull some that had bolted and was starting to taste a little bitter. I should have put the shade cloth on, but I lost track of time. I do have some young seedlings of lettuce nestled here and there that are starting to look good. There is Swiss Chard planted beneath one of my teepees that I use for pole beans. It will last really well in the shade of the beans.<br />
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I have three Black Krim pole tomatoes planted this year. I started them from seed indoors and then transplanted them to the garden. I am very curious to see how they grow. I usually have tomatoes that reach 6-8 ft anyway, so I am almost afraid to see how tall an actual pole tomato may grow. This could be quite a site to see!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sxezoqAOGxc/T85CxzICroI/AAAAAAAAAyU/yijQxel2D2c/s1600/Black+Krim+Pole+Tomato.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sxezoqAOGxc/T85CxzICroI/AAAAAAAAAyU/yijQxel2D2c/s320/Black+Krim+Pole+Tomato.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Krim Pole Tomato</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LtsVlIuUJ90/T85C3MfSN7I/AAAAAAAAAyc/uZfF3v4osDs/s1600/Cherokee+and+San+Marzano+Tomatoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LtsVlIuUJ90/T85C3MfSN7I/AAAAAAAAAyc/uZfF3v4osDs/s320/Cherokee+and+San+Marzano+Tomatoes.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cherokee and San Marzano Tomatoes</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-46cbiEzzPCk/T85C7UbmcCI/AAAAAAAAAyk/yGlbd5NSJL8/s1600/Garden+Progress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-46cbiEzzPCk/T85C7UbmcCI/AAAAAAAAAyk/yGlbd5NSJL8/s320/Garden+Progress.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden Progress as of June 5th</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My main tomato bed has two of my favorites. I planted Cherokee purple and San Marzano. Both of these tomatoes are quite meaty and a delight in any recipe. I mainly use the San Marzano for sauce and salsa. The Cherokee is fantastic on a sandwich or a salad. One of my favorite ways to prepare the Cherokee tomatoes is to dice it up with garlic, olive oil, and basil and can it. It makes a great 'fresh tasting' sauce to grab off of the shelf in the winter. It's a favorite!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gSGUz9ltp-M/T85DAcr-VZI/AAAAAAAAAys/p8ZEXe_FK_M/s1600/Perennial+Garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gSGUz9ltp-M/T85DAcr-VZI/AAAAAAAAAys/p8ZEXe_FK_M/s320/Perennial+Garden.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perennial Garden at Corner of Garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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As I look across the garden and start to look at the progress of the garden, I think that it is in pretty good shape this year. I still have the busiest time yet to come, but it looks like it is coming a long nicely.<br />
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I think the use of companion gardening, while may be confusing for some to look at and try to decipher, is what makes the difference between a small garden in a small space and a bountiful garden in a small space! I don't have a large backyard space for growing a garden, but with the use of interplanting, companion gardening, and successive plantings, I am able to get a fairly large harvest.<br />
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The perennial garden at the corner of the garden is more than just a pretty corner. Due to the types of plants that I keep in this garden, it is a great destination for beneficial insects and pollinators. This little addition is kind of my own insurance plan for good pollination in the garden. The pollinators love to flit through the garden as they travel to and from the perennial garden which keeps everything producing nicely. <br />
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I also interplant flowers and herbs throughout the garden to attract beneficial insects and to confuse harmful insects. Marigolds are a great way of keeping harmful insects from damaging your veggies. I get the added bonus of enjoying a garden that is not only bountiful, but beautiful.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01677198703993939848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3456771535112307791.post-3960271378523200022012-05-06T17:52:00.000-04:002012-05-06T17:52:35.263-04:00Spring Companions<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NlKQUCHWGIU/T6bw0L2qnTI/AAAAAAAAAuU/AvIPwVag0Ng/s1600/cauli-marigolds-radishes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NlKQUCHWGIU/T6bw0L2qnTI/AAAAAAAAAuU/AvIPwVag0Ng/s320/cauli-marigolds-radishes.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cauliflower, Marigolds, and Radishes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bVF0FnT13AA/T6bw4S0qbVI/AAAAAAAAAuc/PZSAvEvwKrs/s1600/lovage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bVF0FnT13AA/T6bw4S0qbVI/AAAAAAAAAuc/PZSAvEvwKrs/s320/lovage.jpg" width="245" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovage, Mustard, Gourmet Mix, Cabbage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VhG4lklOM5M/T6bw9aG2LYI/AAAAAAAAAuk/VGZN4TOb_Jg/s1600/onions+and+cole+crops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VhG4lklOM5M/T6bw9aG2LYI/AAAAAAAAAuk/VGZN4TOb_Jg/s320/onions+and+cole+crops.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Onions, Radishes, Marigolds, Cole Crops</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TGAIA7gkbtI/T6bxBunvWhI/AAAAAAAAAus/DLcaxFYjMZs/s1600/red+leaf+lettuce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TGAIA7gkbtI/T6bxBunvWhI/AAAAAAAAAus/DLcaxFYjMZs/s320/red+leaf+lettuce.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Leaf Lettuce, Cabbage, and Butter Crunch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xAEUqeA6rMY/T6bxKgwKIMI/AAAAAAAAAu0/pmaJoFbWnPY/s1600/spring+companions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xAEUqeA6rMY/T6bxKgwKIMI/AAAAAAAAAu0/pmaJoFbWnPY/s320/spring+companions.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garlic Chives, Cauliflower, Celery, Lettuce</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The advantages of companion gardening comes to light every spring.
As the cole crops and lettuces begin to climb up to their harvesting size,
the marigolds, radishes, and onions are in full protection mode! No, they don't
actually defend the tender leaves of your veggies. It's actually believed that
they confuse insects with their wonderful fragrances which keeps their leaves
hole-free! This is where careful planning begins to pay off.
And then there's the artist in me that just appreciates a pretty vegetable garden!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01677198703993939848noreply@blogger.com0