-
Must Have Garden Tools For A Gardener
Having spent several years in the garden, tending to fruit trees, and maintaining a little over an acre of land, there are basic tools which make the job easier. Many of the tools can overlap with a variety of uses for upkeep and long term success of all aspects of gardening. Gardening is a process which has continued learning opportunities. It requires patience, endurance, creativity, and can be a taxing and difficult job without having the tools to make it enjoyable and fun. I learned that concept the hard way until I invested in essential tools to make a long lengthy day into a fun manageable hobby. I find gardening…
-
Guide To Fireplace Safety and Maintenance
During fall and winter, one of the joys our family loves is curling up in front of a warm fireplace. We have a wood burning fireplace which requires clean and safe maintenance to prevent the enjoyment from turning into a tragedy. There are many safety checks which must be done before starting your first fire of the season. Our fireplace is 18 years old, and we use it almost everyday during the winter. Being a nurse and having worked at at Burn Center, I am particularly sensitive and cautious when it comes to safety and maintenance of a wood burning fireplace. FIREPLACE SAFETY CHECKS Chimneys need to be checked and…
-
Guide To Apples And Their Uses
Autumn is a magical time of year for many reasons. The leaves are changing and one of the favorite fall traditions in many parts of the country in visiting apple orchards. Apple harvest can run through November in some parts of the country. Apple varieties are as individual with their own flavors, textures, and strengths. Some do very well in baked desserts while others do well in salads. You can not really tell by looking at the apples what works the best for what use. Below are 4 categories and which corresponds to their best use. Enjoy a few easy apple recipes with sweet flavors. Apple Cider Donut Muffins Old…
-
Fall Leaves Are A Gardeners Best Friend
This last spring I started a compost pile. As I have researched, nature has its own recycling method that is so beneficial for our gardens. Fall leaves are a great addition to composting. We have plenty of leaves on our property so I am going to put them to work. They turn such a gorgeous color but quickly turn brown and cover the ground. Autumn leaves are considered a “brown” element needed in composting. They are a source of carbon, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and minerals. These are really a free addition to soil which can be incorporated directly into the soil or put as a “brown” element to the…
-
A Guide To Starting a Fall Garden
Most gardeners turn in for the autumn and winter months as a break from the work of a long summer garden. They wait until spring to start up again. That has been my pattern over the last several years. By the time the last tomato has been picked and preserved, I am ready for a break. I saw the fall season as a new opportunity. The weather is cool and pleasant, most days, and what is a better time to be outside enjoying the season. Each fall I would get out my clipboard and start planning my garden for the spring. Reviewing what was planted and rethinking next year planting…
-
Using A Food Mill
Food mills are an old fashioned kitchen tool that was used by many in the kitchen. My mother had one which we still have however, I really did not know what it was but saw her use it often especially when she was making her scratch tomato sauce and spaghetti. It was not until I decided to can tomato sauce that I discovered just how useful, simple and uncomplicated a modern day food mill can operate. Our backyard garden has given us so much produce the food mill has become a weekly (if not more) kitchen tool for meal prep. The food mill forces foods through a perforated disk which…
-
A Quick And Simple Guide To Freezing Tomatoes
As the summer garden harvest is winding down the majority of my preserving was done by canning. Capturing the taste of summer though canning can not be ignored. To take advantage of the set up, work, and time of canning it is best to have a big crop. As things wind down, freezing is quicker and easier for a small crop of tomatoes. For those who are just starting their journey in food preservation, freezing is an easy way to get started. You can even dice or crush the tomatoes before freezing them. No special equipment is needed. It takes a freezing container that is airtight and you need space…
Home Grown is Best
