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Fall Leaves Are A Gardeners Best Friend
As I have researched, nature has its own recycling method that is so beneficial to 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 compost pile. I plan to use the leaves both…
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A Guide To Peppers
Peppers are a favorite in most gardens behind tomatoes and herbs. They are often grown in container gardens and they do well. Peppers are a warm season favorite however, they require higher temperatures, grow more slowly and are smaller in size compared to a tomato plant. They require full sun and they need to spaced 12-18 inches apart. Peppers are a thirsty plant and need plenty of water. The soil must drain well so the roots do not get saturated which can water logs the roots. A little history about the spiciness/heat of pepper began in the 1900’s. The Scoville scale of heat is a measurement of the spiciness/heat of…
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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…
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How To Make Quick Garden Row Markers
As I plant may garden each season I have a process which entails preparing my rows, digging the holes for the seeds and moving to the next row. I just go until all the seeds are in the ground. I have a carpenters apron and put seed packs in the pockets so I can move through the rows. The problem for me is always remembering what I planted on what row. Seems elementary to keep track of it, but I get going and think I will remember but get distracted with being outside, the birds, the insects, and just thinking. Having been snake bit about remembering, I…
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Dog Days of Summer
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac the Dog Days of Summer is the hottest, most sultry days of summer. It is usually 40 days beginning July 3 and ending August 11. This means we are right in between the two major planting seasons for vegetable gardens. It is typical at this time to see some empty spaces as certain vegetables succumb to oppressive heat and sometimes pests. It seems we have started those hot sultry days earlier than usual as our high temperatures have been above normal. Trying to establish young plants during this time is very difficult as I am experiencing with my tomatoes plants. During this time first…
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Spring Showers
As planting season has come and gone, we now get to sit back (which means spend hours watching and picking as the fruits and vegetables ripen) and see the garden grow. All the hard work that leads to a plentiful crop. But, the work does not stop. We all know the reality of making sure the okra doesn’t get too large, or the tomatoes do not sit on the vine too long. What about the herbs that seem to have taken over and spread like wild-fire? Well, we know the spring showers bring much appreciated moisture to our freshly tilled garden, but it can also bring unwelcome weather. Hail is…
Home Grown is Best
