Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
watermelons on june 28
Here's my watermelons that are doing quite well. I've began snipping the new growth on some of the vines, because we have fruit set on most of them. Anyway....hope you like it. Thanks for following, Crystabel!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Here's the 4x9 box at the edge of the woods
Here's a video of the cowpeas, white potatoes, and slicing tomatoes. I made several videos this weekend, and hope you enjoy them!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Sauerkraut and bread and butter pickles
Thanks for following the blog, Cynthia!
By now, I'm sure everyone understands that I have a preserving/canning passion within me. Shoot......i'll can almost anything I can get my hands on, because it's a whole lot better than anything you buy in the grocery stores. The spring cabbage harvest yielded a little bit more than 10 lbs. after coring and shredding it, and I just had to make some homemade sauerkraut! The recipe I used is from the Michigan State Extension system, because it was the simplest one to me! I let it ferment in a 5 gallon bucket with a towel covering it, and kept the temperature in the house at about 73 degrees. After 24 days of working, it was time to can it! WooHoo!
Photo below - here's what it looked like after the towel was removed....Under the bottle of vinegar (used as a weight) is a dinner plate, which keeps pressure on the cabbage. You see.....the weight squishes the juice out.
Photo below - here's what it looked like after the plate was removed. Although it's appearance doesn't look too great, it tastes fabulous! That just goes to show....looks ain't everything sometimes.
Photo below - The fermented cabbage and juices were placed into a pot (I always use my parent's old pressure cooker), and allowed to boil for about 30 minutes - while stirring occasionally.
Photo below - While everything was being used already for canning, I went ahead and made 4 quarts of bread and butter pickles, too! The jar of kraut without the lid was given to my parents after cooling, and put into their refrigerator with a lid on it. Properly fermented sauerkraut will last for 2 months after being opened, then placed in the refrigerator. Boy....that kraut will be good on hotdogs and brats, I bet!
Anyway, that's what got canned this week. In a couple more weeks, i'll probably make more pickles! Woo doggie!!!!
By now, I'm sure everyone understands that I have a preserving/canning passion within me. Shoot......i'll can almost anything I can get my hands on, because it's a whole lot better than anything you buy in the grocery stores. The spring cabbage harvest yielded a little bit more than 10 lbs. after coring and shredding it, and I just had to make some homemade sauerkraut! The recipe I used is from the Michigan State Extension system, because it was the simplest one to me! I let it ferment in a 5 gallon bucket with a towel covering it, and kept the temperature in the house at about 73 degrees. After 24 days of working, it was time to can it! WooHoo!
Photo below - here's what it looked like after the towel was removed....Under the bottle of vinegar (used as a weight) is a dinner plate, which keeps pressure on the cabbage. You see.....the weight squishes the juice out.
Photo below - here's what it looked like after the plate was removed. Although it's appearance doesn't look too great, it tastes fabulous! That just goes to show....looks ain't everything sometimes.
Photo below - The fermented cabbage and juices were placed into a pot (I always use my parent's old pressure cooker), and allowed to boil for about 30 minutes - while stirring occasionally.
Photo below - While everything was being used already for canning, I went ahead and made 4 quarts of bread and butter pickles, too! The jar of kraut without the lid was given to my parents after cooling, and put into their refrigerator with a lid on it. Properly fermented sauerkraut will last for 2 months after being opened, then placed in the refrigerator. Boy....that kraut will be good on hotdogs and brats, I bet!
Anyway, that's what got canned this week. In a couple more weeks, i'll probably make more pickles! Woo doggie!!!!
Take care, and happy preserving!
EG
Friday, June 26, 2009
More blackberries
My evenings after work are completely filled with all kinds of tasks in the garden right now, and a schedule has to be followed to make sure nothing is neglected. Watering the entire garden on one day, and picking blackberries the next....Each seems to be a never-ending process right now, because as one is completed - the other is begging for attention. Anyway, today will be all about my wild blackberries.....
Photo below - the plump ones like this one are very sweet, and are always protected from direct sunlight. I say this, because the largest berries are always found under foliage. With around 30 years of blackberry picking experience under my belt, I learned this at any early age. We were always picking berries for my mother when I was a kid.......
Photos below - I really like finding clusters like these, because it doesn't take as long to get a gallon (but still takes 2 hours).
In other news, my good friend Toni has put a couple of videos on her blog, you should check them out! I always enjoy hearing how other people talk around the country, because the redneck language is prominent where I live. Ha!
Photo below - the plump ones like this one are very sweet, and are always protected from direct sunlight. I say this, because the largest berries are always found under foliage. With around 30 years of blackberry picking experience under my belt, I learned this at any early age. We were always picking berries for my mother when I was a kid.......
Photos below - I really like finding clusters like these, because it doesn't take as long to get a gallon (but still takes 2 hours).
In other news, my good friend Toni has put a couple of videos on her blog, you should check them out! I always enjoy hearing how other people talk around the country, because the redneck language is prominent where I live. Ha!In my garden, the watermelons have all reached the top of the 5 ft tall trellis. As soon as a couple of fruit have formed on each one, all future vine growth will be cut. That makes bigger melons, and I like that! Besides, granny is kicking my tail right now in the harvest weight category!
I'll shoot some videos of everything this weekend, and will also be making pickles, and canning the homemade sauerkraut, Yay, me!
Take care, and happy gardening!
EG
Thursday, June 25, 2009
The good, the bad, and the ugly
Because of geographical location, I have more than my share of bugs in the garden. As I make my way around the garden inspecting everything, I can't help but notice them on the plants. Believe it or not, most of them are quite beautiful - even the bad ones. Even though the bad ones are exterminated, I always make sure I take their photo before their early demise. Anyway, here's some shots of bugs I took today.
Photos below - here's a couple of assassin bug photos, much like the ones that ribbit showed on her blog. This is a very good bug to have in the garden, because it holds it's prey with it's front legs - then plunges it's sharp syringe - like mouth part into it, while sucking the fluids out. Yeah....talk about carnage! Ha!
Photo below - I haven't identified this little fella yet, but it sure is cute! I left it alone, because it kinda looked like an assassin bug. I'll have to get verification from the local extension agent on what it is.....
Photo below - although this caterpillar is quite pretty, it eats tomato foliage like crazy. I've found about 20 of these on my tomato plants in the last few days.
Photo below - Here's a couple on death row. Ha!
Here's another one, that is called a tomato fruitworm, or corn earworm.
Photo below - I tried to tell them.....sigh, they'll never learn! After their photo was taken, they fought the law, and the law won. Heh.
Photos below - here's a couple of assassin bug photos, much like the ones that ribbit showed on her blog. This is a very good bug to have in the garden, because it holds it's prey with it's front legs - then plunges it's sharp syringe - like mouth part into it, while sucking the fluids out. Yeah....talk about carnage! Ha!
Photo below - I haven't identified this little fella yet, but it sure is cute! I left it alone, because it kinda looked like an assassin bug. I'll have to get verification from the local extension agent on what it is.....
Photo below - although this caterpillar is quite pretty, it eats tomato foliage like crazy. I've found about 20 of these on my tomato plants in the last few days.
Photo below - Here's a couple on death row. Ha!
Here's another one, that is called a tomato fruitworm, or corn earworm.
Photo below - I tried to tell them.....sigh, they'll never learn! After their photo was taken, they fought the law, and the law won. Heh.
Anyway, that's just a select few that were encountered during the last few days. Oh....there are many more....Whew!
Take care, and happy exterminating!
EG
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Paste tomatoes
This will be the last video for the week, and i'll try to get some more this weekend.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
fruit trees
Before we get to the video, i'd like to mention some things about the garden, and other stuff. Another gallon of blackberries got picked today - by me at least (I'm not sure how many Jude "picked"). Cucumbers, squash, and green beans are still coming in, as well. It's been so hot lately....almost unbearable, in fact. The melons are loving it, though! I'll definitely be making a small batch of pickles this weekend, and the homemade sauerkraut will be canned, as well. WooHoo!
Anyway, here's the daily "redneck garden video" for waters_deep, and her boyfriend. Enjoy!
Anyway, here's the daily "redneck garden video" for waters_deep, and her boyfriend. Enjoy!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
A video of Jude in the blackberry patch
L.D. - Thanks for following the blog!
Here's Jude eating all of my blackberries! Dadgummit......Oh well, I hope little Gracie thinks this is kinda funny......
Here's Jude eating all of my blackberries! Dadgummit......Oh well, I hope little Gracie thinks this is kinda funny......
I'm kinda in a jam......
Yeah, I need more jars!!!!! WooHoo! I made 21 jars of blackberry jam yesterday, and didn't have enough canning jars to preserve it all. No biggie.....the jars that won't seal will be put into the refrigerator, and eaten by my family. As you can tell from the assortment, I was pretty desperate toward the end. Ha! A jar of this stuff will certainly make a trip to Kentucky later.
Photo below - It's got a good color to it, and the sure-jel worked like a charm. As you can tell from the photo, I don't remove the seeds....that's just too much work.
Photo below - It's got a good color to it, and the sure-jel worked like a charm. As you can tell from the photo, I don't remove the seeds....that's just too much work.
Over the next several weeks, i'll be preserving all kinds of stuff. Pickles are next! Yay!!!
Take care, and happy preserving!
EG
Saturday, June 20, 2009
The big garden box
Here's a video of the 25 ft. garden box this morning. The squash, beans, and cucumbers were picked afterward, and the weight added to the harvest total. Enjoy!
Jude and blackberry picking
We went out into the patch this morning and that little stinker has figured out that only the ripe ones taste good! I'm not sure how many berries she "picked", but I left with a 1/2 gallon of them, and drenched from sweat. The thorns weren't too bad - athough I did have to pull one out of my big toe. Maybe i'll have shoes on next time, instead of flip flops?
Thanks for following the blog, treangelsmother!
In gardening news, more squash and cucumbers will be picked today. It's really starting to come in, now. The first grean beans were picked a couple of days ago, but not enough for a meal yet.
I have fruit set on 7 watermelons (sugar bowl) right now, and any new vine growth will be pinched off. This will make the plants put all of their energy into fruit maturity, and not new growth. This wasn't done last year, and the melon sizes suffered from it.
I'll be making blackberry jam this evening, man I can't wait! I'll get some pictures of everything this weekend....
Take care, and happy gardening!
EG
Thanks for following the blog, treangelsmother!
In gardening news, more squash and cucumbers will be picked today. It's really starting to come in, now. The first grean beans were picked a couple of days ago, but not enough for a meal yet.
I have fruit set on 7 watermelons (sugar bowl) right now, and any new vine growth will be pinched off. This will make the plants put all of their energy into fruit maturity, and not new growth. This wasn't done last year, and the melon sizes suffered from it.
I'll be making blackberry jam this evening, man I can't wait! I'll get some pictures of everything this weekend....
Take care, and happy gardening!
EG
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Constructing a shed, part 6
The framing for the rafters and gable ends is finally complete. Whew....Kinda feel like I'm building another house...I'm really envious of "real carpenters" that have pneumatic nailguns, but will stick to my roots, I guess. Man....I could build all kinds of stuff if I had one of those!
Anyway, let's talk about the photos below....
This photo clearly shows the cripple studs above the door header, and also the framing for the gable end. The 12" x 12" square that I created in the center will facilitate a ventilation louvre (sp?) later, and there's another one in the opposite gable end. That will hopefully keep it from getting so hot in the summertime. Of course, they will be blocked during the cold months, because my plants will be propagated in here. Yeah....this will be EG's mancave. Ha!
The ceiling joists should be enough to keep the walls from spreading outward, as I just didn't see a need to install collar ties. At the right side of the picture below, you can see some pieces of 2x4 wedged in between the rafters - at an angle. These are called blocker boards, and keep critters from entering the building where the roof and walls meet. We have lots of squirrels!
Here's a view of the entire construction so far. With just a few more studs to beef up the corners a bit, it'll be ready for the OSB. I'll have to make a jig of some kind to hold the heavy sheets up, while nailing them into place. It's pretty rough work on a 1-man construction crew......(not whimpering!) The walls will be checked for plumb again, before installing the OSB (and this is critical).
Ok....it'll be 2-3 weeks before I get back on this project, because there's too many berries to pick right now!
Anyway, let's talk about the photos below....
This photo clearly shows the cripple studs above the door header, and also the framing for the gable end. The 12" x 12" square that I created in the center will facilitate a ventilation louvre (sp?) later, and there's another one in the opposite gable end. That will hopefully keep it from getting so hot in the summertime. Of course, they will be blocked during the cold months, because my plants will be propagated in here. Yeah....this will be EG's mancave. Ha!
The ceiling joists should be enough to keep the walls from spreading outward, as I just didn't see a need to install collar ties. At the right side of the picture below, you can see some pieces of 2x4 wedged in between the rafters - at an angle. These are called blocker boards, and keep critters from entering the building where the roof and walls meet. We have lots of squirrels!
Here's a view of the entire construction so far. With just a few more studs to beef up the corners a bit, it'll be ready for the OSB. I'll have to make a jig of some kind to hold the heavy sheets up, while nailing them into place. It's pretty rough work on a 1-man construction crew......(not whimpering!) The walls will be checked for plumb again, before installing the OSB (and this is critical).
Ok....it'll be 2-3 weeks before I get back on this project, because there's too many berries to pick right now!
Take care, and happy building!
EG
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
It's time!
Last night's blueberry workshop was great! For $5, a person got a cloth carrying bag, all of the blueberry publications from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, a booklet with blueberry recipes, their choice from several different blueberry dishes during break, a blueberry bush to take home, and a 2 hour powerpoint presentation about blueberries. Wow....I love my County Extension Office.
Now....another trip to the blackberry patch revealed that it is time for the big harvest to begin today. Oh boy.......this is gonna be alot of work! I'll put a blackberry harvest total on the sidebar to keep up with it. I'm going for 12 gallons. Yay! Anyway.....just look at this cluster of berries waiting to ripen. Oh! To answer the question about what variety they are.....I have no idea. My family moved here in 1964, and the berries have been here for as long as I can remember. But, I do know that there are two different cultivars - because of obvious appearance and ripening characteristics.
Photo below - Since Jude eats EVERYTHING, I knew she would figure out that the berries were there....In this photo, she's nibbling/licking around on a few red ones. I'll have to keep my eye on her, that's for sure!
Photo below - this is what it's all about......i'll be making jam this weekend! Woo Hoo! Get ready for the pics......Man, I wish Lin and Kim were here to help........
Since the next 3 weeks will be spent in the blackberry patch, the shed construction project will have to be put on the back burner for now....Tomorrow, i'll post some new progress photos of it.
Now....another trip to the blackberry patch revealed that it is time for the big harvest to begin today. Oh boy.......this is gonna be alot of work! I'll put a blackberry harvest total on the sidebar to keep up with it. I'm going for 12 gallons. Yay! Anyway.....just look at this cluster of berries waiting to ripen. Oh! To answer the question about what variety they are.....I have no idea. My family moved here in 1964, and the berries have been here for as long as I can remember. But, I do know that there are two different cultivars - because of obvious appearance and ripening characteristics.
Photo below - Since Jude eats EVERYTHING, I knew she would figure out that the berries were there....In this photo, she's nibbling/licking around on a few red ones. I'll have to keep my eye on her, that's for sure!
Photo below - this is what it's all about......i'll be making jam this weekend! Woo Hoo! Get ready for the pics......Man, I wish Lin and Kim were here to help........
Since the next 3 weeks will be spent in the blackberry patch, the shed construction project will have to be put on the back burner for now....Tomorrow, i'll post some new progress photos of it.
Take care, and happy gardening!
EG
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
More harvest from the garden
First of all, let me tell you that the heavy rains continue to be a problem for some veggies. I'm not sure if any of you watch the weather channel like I do (which is all the time), but it came a flood yesterday! OMG, all of the rain barrels are full, and another four 5 gallon buckets are full.....We live in Franklin County, Alabama (which is the 3rd county down from the Tennessee state line, and also borders the state of Mississippi), and have had 2 different derechos come thru here in the last 3 days. I'm guessing maybe 10" of rain total? Most veggies appreciate it, but the zucchini and butternut squash do not. Anyway, here's some photos of what's going on in the garden right now....
Three more crookneck squash. Yay!
Photo below - these little boston pickling cucumbers are producing like crazy!
Photo below - the first zucchini of the year. It's looking pretty freaky right now, and will probably have a weird shape to it. I'll take it, though!
Photo below - This little watermelon will be about 20-25 lbs in September. While taking it's photo, it reminded me of the good one I took last year (that is used for my blog header).
Photo below - Cherokee Purple tomato that is getting some nice size to it, now.
Photo below - Brandywine tomato. God, I hope BER doesn't show up on these....
Lastly, only a true redneck could make a salad with this much 1000 island dressing on it. It was made from the remaining romaine lettuce and onions from the garden. There's little tomatoes in there too (although you can't see them).
With only 4 more volunteer hours needed to achieve my Master Gardener certification, i'll be helping with a blueberry workshop tonight at the county extension office. I'm sure some people will ask me a question or two, and I think i'll just tell them "whatever you do....don't throw a frisbee anywhere near your blueberry bushes, because a dog might be chasing it". Ha! Jude has plowed thru mine at least 3 times now.....
Three more crookneck squash. Yay!
Photo below - these little boston pickling cucumbers are producing like crazy!
Photo below - the first zucchini of the year. It's looking pretty freaky right now, and will probably have a weird shape to it. I'll take it, though!
Photo below - This little watermelon will be about 20-25 lbs in September. While taking it's photo, it reminded me of the good one I took last year (that is used for my blog header).
Photo below - Cherokee Purple tomato that is getting some nice size to it, now.
Photo below - Brandywine tomato. God, I hope BER doesn't show up on these....
Lastly, only a true redneck could make a salad with this much 1000 island dressing on it. It was made from the remaining romaine lettuce and onions from the garden. There's little tomatoes in there too (although you can't see them).
With only 4 more volunteer hours needed to achieve my Master Gardener certification, i'll be helping with a blueberry workshop tonight at the county extension office. I'm sure some people will ask me a question or two, and I think i'll just tell them "whatever you do....don't throw a frisbee anywhere near your blueberry bushes, because a dog might be chasing it". Ha! Jude has plowed thru mine at least 3 times now.....
Take care, and happy gardening!
EG
Monday, June 15, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Things are filling out
Double post today! Make sure you check out the compost video below!
It's been a long time since the entire big box has had it's picture taken, so I decided to do just that today. Man, those beans grew fast! There's a few tiny beans forming, too. Things should get real interesting in a few weeks, 'cause i'll probably be canning like crazy...Ha!
Photo below - Here's one corn stalk, that has 2 ears forming on it. That is so cool! If you'll remember last year - I planted corn in the 4x9 box at the edge of the woods, and it was a complete disaster. Things will be much different this year, though.
Photo below - I almost missed these boston pickling cucumbers along the bottom of their trellis, because the foliage is getting really thick. We'll be making pickles pretty soon!
Finally, here is the harvest for the day. Those carrots will be added to the potatoes and onions harvested last week - which should go well with a pork shoulder roast in the slow cooker. Woo Hoo! Sorry my presentation isn't as appealing as most gardener's - but what do you expect? Only a true redneck would use the garbage can lid for a harvest photo. Ha!
It's been a long time since the entire big box has had it's picture taken, so I decided to do just that today. Man, those beans grew fast! There's a few tiny beans forming, too. Things should get real interesting in a few weeks, 'cause i'll probably be canning like crazy...Ha!
Photo below - Here's one corn stalk, that has 2 ears forming on it. That is so cool! If you'll remember last year - I planted corn in the 4x9 box at the edge of the woods, and it was a complete disaster. Things will be much different this year, though.
Photo below - I almost missed these boston pickling cucumbers along the bottom of their trellis, because the foliage is getting really thick. We'll be making pickles pretty soon!
Finally, here is the harvest for the day. Those carrots will be added to the potatoes and onions harvested last week - which should go well with a pork shoulder roast in the slow cooker. Woo Hoo! Sorry my presentation isn't as appealing as most gardener's - but what do you expect? Only a true redneck would use the garbage can lid for a harvest photo. Ha!
Take care, and happy gardening!
EG
Saturday, June 13, 2009
May 16th blackberry patch
Here is one of the videos from 3 weeks ago, that blogger couldn't load. Shoot....I finally broke down and uploaded them to youtube. I'll show some more later!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Short post before the weekend
It was a very stormy day! Man....The 80 mph winds that came thru Tupelo, Mississippi thankfully diminished before reaching my town. Whew....No damage to the garden - other than one of my owls being blown off of it's perch. I did collect around 20 gallons of rainwater, though.
Anyway, it should be a very productive weekend, and the carrots will finally be harvested. The compost needs to be turned over, lots of weedeating needs to be done, and the shed will be worked on, as well. If I can think of it, i'll change the oil in my truck, too. Gosh...there's so much to do around here every weekend! But, I do like staying busy!
Oh...i'll take pictures, for sure! You've got to see the corn......A few stalks are 6 feet tall (measured from the base to tassel). And what's so cool about it, is several of the stalks have 2 ears forming. I may end up with more corn than I know what to do with, especially since there are around 45 stalks. It shouldn't be too difficult to give away "peaches and cream" sweet corn, though.
Remember the butternut squash in the 18 gallon swc? Well....the excessive rainfall over the past few weeks has made it almost die. Since several tomato suckers were rooted a week or so ago, I have a good mind to plant a couple of them in their place.....decisions, decisions.....
Take care, and happy gardening!
EG
Anyway, it should be a very productive weekend, and the carrots will finally be harvested. The compost needs to be turned over, lots of weedeating needs to be done, and the shed will be worked on, as well. If I can think of it, i'll change the oil in my truck, too. Gosh...there's so much to do around here every weekend! But, I do like staying busy!
Oh...i'll take pictures, for sure! You've got to see the corn......A few stalks are 6 feet tall (measured from the base to tassel). And what's so cool about it, is several of the stalks have 2 ears forming. I may end up with more corn than I know what to do with, especially since there are around 45 stalks. It shouldn't be too difficult to give away "peaches and cream" sweet corn, though.
Remember the butternut squash in the 18 gallon swc? Well....the excessive rainfall over the past few weeks has made it almost die. Since several tomato suckers were rooted a week or so ago, I have a good mind to plant a couple of them in their place.....decisions, decisions.....
Take care, and happy gardening!
EG
Thursday, June 11, 2009
June 11th
No pictures for today's post, but there are new developments in the garden to talk about.
1. Silks are forming on the corn! That's great news......in 3-4 more weeks, we'll be gnawing on some, if the squirrels don't get it. I hope they know that I have a shotgun, and won't hesitate to use it...Heh. Anyway...I still can't believe that the inter-planting worked. I'll be doing that more often!
2. Female flowers have formed on some of the watermelons, and some little melons should be forming in a week or two.
3. In all, about 40 tomatoes have formed, although I did find an Opalka with BER. Oh well....at least it has almost diminished in the setting fruit. Aphids have arrived for them as well.
4. The squash (yeah, granny...I said squash!) is growing like crazy, and a straightneck will be picked tomorrow. One of the zucchini vines has already grown about 5 feet long, and that's just insane.....Man, those 6 squash plants confined to a 4ft x 6ft area is gonna get pretty interesting later!
5. The homemade sauerkraut is fermenting nicely, and should be finished in 2-3 weeks. Man...I can't wait to try it, 'cause I've never tried it before. It should go well with some bratwurst or hotdogs.
6. I'll be doing a big post on the shed after the weekend, because alot more framing has been accomplished in the evenings after work. Even though there's not much that gets done each day, it keeps adding up. I have big plans for this shed, and will maximize the interior space as best I can. The only thing I haven't decided, is what material to use for the exterior walls, and also the roof (after the OSB is installed). A tin roof is looking like a good possibility, though....
Dangit, no more squashbugs........Reckon they told their friends, or something? Don't get me wrong....I don't want them on my plants, but they sure are fun to kill! Oh!!!I found my first hornworm egg today,while inspecting the Opalka tomato plants. They pop pretty loud, when you crush them between your fingers. Ha! BT will be sprayed on the plants this weekend, just in case I don't find them all.
Anyway, that's about it for today, but alot will take place this weekend.
Take care, and happy gardening!
EG
1. Silks are forming on the corn! That's great news......in 3-4 more weeks, we'll be gnawing on some, if the squirrels don't get it. I hope they know that I have a shotgun, and won't hesitate to use it...Heh. Anyway...I still can't believe that the inter-planting worked. I'll be doing that more often!
2. Female flowers have formed on some of the watermelons, and some little melons should be forming in a week or two.
3. In all, about 40 tomatoes have formed, although I did find an Opalka with BER. Oh well....at least it has almost diminished in the setting fruit. Aphids have arrived for them as well.
4. The squash (yeah, granny...I said squash!) is growing like crazy, and a straightneck will be picked tomorrow. One of the zucchini vines has already grown about 5 feet long, and that's just insane.....Man, those 6 squash plants confined to a 4ft x 6ft area is gonna get pretty interesting later!
5. The homemade sauerkraut is fermenting nicely, and should be finished in 2-3 weeks. Man...I can't wait to try it, 'cause I've never tried it before. It should go well with some bratwurst or hotdogs.
6. I'll be doing a big post on the shed after the weekend, because alot more framing has been accomplished in the evenings after work. Even though there's not much that gets done each day, it keeps adding up. I have big plans for this shed, and will maximize the interior space as best I can. The only thing I haven't decided, is what material to use for the exterior walls, and also the roof (after the OSB is installed). A tin roof is looking like a good possibility, though....
Dangit, no more squashbugs........Reckon they told their friends, or something? Don't get me wrong....I don't want them on my plants, but they sure are fun to kill! Oh!!!I found my first hornworm egg today,while inspecting the Opalka tomato plants. They pop pretty loud, when you crush them between your fingers. Ha! BT will be sprayed on the plants this weekend, just in case I don't find them all.
Anyway, that's about it for today, but alot will take place this weekend.
Take care, and happy gardening!
EG
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Blossom end rot on tomatoes
First and foremost, welcome to the blog, Paul - and thanks for following!!!!
I'm glad that everybody liked my special squashbug counter! No joke....I really take it to the squashbugs, and I bet they shriek in horror when they see me coming to the garden with my size 15 flip flops. Hee Hee.
Ahem.....Now. Let's talk about tomatoes, and how blossom end rot really sucks! Ugh!
There's still a tiny bit present, but not enough to matter. Out of the 20 tomatoes developing right now, only 2 or 3 have it. I can live with that, I reckon. Here's some photos of the tomatoes right now.....
A little brandywine tomato, that will be pulled in the morning. Poor little feller.....
Photo below - here's one that I pulled the other day, and laid it on the mulch. There were tiny insects of some kind on it, so I launched it out into the woods.
Photo below - a little cherokee purple tomato that appears to be in the beginning stages of BER.
Now....that's enough gloom and doom pictures. Here's some happy pictures! Woo Hoo!
Cherokee Purple tomatoes. Man, there's alot of them in that cluster. Oh boy....I can't wait!
Photo below - Brandywine tomato (in the background).
The foliage on the plants still looks awful! But hey....it's ok if tomatoes are harvested. I do have a slight concern about possible sunscald on the tomatoes higher up on the plants, though. (due to the lack of full, vibrant foliage to shade the tomatoes a little). Maybe it will be ok. Oh well.....in 4-6 weeks, I'm pulling all of the plants anyway. Suckers from the plants will be rooted, and a second (more well managed!) crop will be grown until mid October. Thank god for a climate that allows me to get in 2 completely different warm season crops. Whew!
I'm glad that everybody liked my special squashbug counter! No joke....I really take it to the squashbugs, and I bet they shriek in horror when they see me coming to the garden with my size 15 flip flops. Hee Hee.
Ahem.....Now. Let's talk about tomatoes, and how blossom end rot really sucks! Ugh!
There's still a tiny bit present, but not enough to matter. Out of the 20 tomatoes developing right now, only 2 or 3 have it. I can live with that, I reckon. Here's some photos of the tomatoes right now.....
A little brandywine tomato, that will be pulled in the morning. Poor little feller.....
Photo below - here's one that I pulled the other day, and laid it on the mulch. There were tiny insects of some kind on it, so I launched it out into the woods.
Photo below - a little cherokee purple tomato that appears to be in the beginning stages of BER.
Now....that's enough gloom and doom pictures. Here's some happy pictures! Woo Hoo!Cherokee Purple tomatoes. Man, there's alot of them in that cluster. Oh boy....I can't wait!
Photo below - Brandywine tomato (in the background).
The foliage on the plants still looks awful! But hey....it's ok if tomatoes are harvested. I do have a slight concern about possible sunscald on the tomatoes higher up on the plants, though. (due to the lack of full, vibrant foliage to shade the tomatoes a little). Maybe it will be ok. Oh well.....in 4-6 weeks, I'm pulling all of the plants anyway. Suckers from the plants will be rooted, and a second (more well managed!) crop will be grown until mid October. Thank god for a climate that allows me to get in 2 completely different warm season crops. Whew!Take care, and happy gardening!
EG
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Happenings
ShawnAnn, Joy, and Ann - welcome, and thanks for following the blog! Woo Hoo!
Ok.....I don't have any pictures today, because I have been extremely busy. The workload each day is really heavy, and it's usually 8:30pm before I even enter the house each evening. Sorry for not replying to all of the comments, but I just don't have the time right now. (Boo!!!!!) I'll tell ya a little bit of everything going on right now.....
The shed is coming along nicely, although pretty slow. Since a chance of rain is predicted everyday for the next 5 days - the OSB will have to wait another week.
Garden - I picked the crookneck squash today (the one that granny's had her eye on) hee hee. Another should be ready in a couple of days. Speaking of squash....I found more squashbugs, and that brings the total to 10 so far. Just for the fun of it, I'm gonna install a "squashbug total" on the sidebar. Oh!!! I forgot about the sidebar.....I guess you kinda figured out that it was working again.
The corn is still doing great, and tiny ears should begin forming this week.
One of the watermelon vines is almost to the top of it's 5 ft. tall trellis, and little female flowers have begun to emerge. Yay! Pumpkin seedlings have emerged, as well.
The tomatoes are still setting fruit, although the foliage is still looking like something that a person might use rolling papers for....ha! I've kinda been so busy building the shed, that it took 30 gallons of water to fill the reservoirs on 4 earthtainers today. OOPS!
ShawnAnn, I sprinkled about a tablespoon of epsom salt at the base of each tomato plant, and then it came a really big rain. That's how I applied it.
Tiny green beans have started forming, and most of the vines have reached their 6 ft. limit. I hope they produce well, but the dang japanese beetles really like the leaves!
Speaking of japanese beetles....they're still doing some damage to the grapes, even after I sprayed the vines with some really harsh insecticides. Stupid bugs......I'm thinking of putting some row covers on them next year.
Speaking of bugs (ain't it funny how one topic flows directly into another?), the eggs on one of the apple trees (the ones I've been watching for 2-3 weeks) finally hatched, and was some kind of fly. I killed them all, but will still identify them for future reference.
Aphids have finally showed up on the corn, and I must've counted 10 ladybugs on the plants. I'll probably let them eradicate the aphids for me, especially since 4 of them were doing their freaky little mating thing. It's pretty funny!
That's about all I can think of for now...take care, and happy gardening!
EG
Ok.....I don't have any pictures today, because I have been extremely busy. The workload each day is really heavy, and it's usually 8:30pm before I even enter the house each evening. Sorry for not replying to all of the comments, but I just don't have the time right now. (Boo!!!!!) I'll tell ya a little bit of everything going on right now.....
The shed is coming along nicely, although pretty slow. Since a chance of rain is predicted everyday for the next 5 days - the OSB will have to wait another week.
Garden - I picked the crookneck squash today (the one that granny's had her eye on) hee hee. Another should be ready in a couple of days. Speaking of squash....I found more squashbugs, and that brings the total to 10 so far. Just for the fun of it, I'm gonna install a "squashbug total" on the sidebar. Oh!!! I forgot about the sidebar.....I guess you kinda figured out that it was working again.
The corn is still doing great, and tiny ears should begin forming this week.
One of the watermelon vines is almost to the top of it's 5 ft. tall trellis, and little female flowers have begun to emerge. Yay! Pumpkin seedlings have emerged, as well.
The tomatoes are still setting fruit, although the foliage is still looking like something that a person might use rolling papers for....ha! I've kinda been so busy building the shed, that it took 30 gallons of water to fill the reservoirs on 4 earthtainers today. OOPS!
ShawnAnn, I sprinkled about a tablespoon of epsom salt at the base of each tomato plant, and then it came a really big rain. That's how I applied it.
Tiny green beans have started forming, and most of the vines have reached their 6 ft. limit. I hope they produce well, but the dang japanese beetles really like the leaves!
Speaking of japanese beetles....they're still doing some damage to the grapes, even after I sprayed the vines with some really harsh insecticides. Stupid bugs......I'm thinking of putting some row covers on them next year.
Speaking of bugs (ain't it funny how one topic flows directly into another?), the eggs on one of the apple trees (the ones I've been watching for 2-3 weeks) finally hatched, and was some kind of fly. I killed them all, but will still identify them for future reference.
Aphids have finally showed up on the corn, and I must've counted 10 ladybugs on the plants. I'll probably let them eradicate the aphids for me, especially since 4 of them were doing their freaky little mating thing. It's pretty funny!
That's about all I can think of for now...take care, and happy gardening!
EG
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Constructing a shed, part 5
Because of the individual posts starting to add up, I'll try to get more pictures/info into each one after today....Anyway, here is how I build my rafters. This board that is hoisted high above the walls, is called a ridge board. It is what the rafters will connect to, and also become the peak for the roof. I had some thin pieces of galvanized metal leftover from a previous project, and they worked great for supporting the 1" x 6" board for me. Boy, a helper would be nice sometimes!
BTW, notice the cripple studs above the header for the door.....I'll try to get a better shot later.
Photo below - to keep the structure plumb, I installed a couple of kickers, then pounded the corner into the ground. I'll have to beef this up a little before the siding is installed on the walls.
Photo below - Here's the first rafter installed. The overhang will be trimmed to about 6" before going any further, because the scrap pieces will come in handy for "blocker boards", which i'll explain later.
Photo below - The cuts aren't perfect, but good enough for me.....(says EG, who isn't a real carpenter, but did stay at a Holiday Inn once or twice) Ha!
In this photo, you can see where I almost made a mistake, as you see by my extra mark. Boy, I'm sure glad it was checked before the cut was made! I don't have a board stretcher....heh. This little "notch" in the rafter is toenailed into place, and keeps the walls from spreading outward - from the weight of the roof. These cuts have to be precise, or it will look like a retard built it.
In my next shed building post, i'll install the blocker boards, remaining rafters, and also the collar ties. This construction is taking a long time to complete - especially since Jude keeps dropping her frisbee at my feet. God, she loves that thing! Heh. Anyway, as I said before....i'll start covering more ground in future posts.
BTW, notice the cripple studs above the header for the door.....I'll try to get a better shot later.
Photo below - to keep the structure plumb, I installed a couple of kickers, then pounded the corner into the ground. I'll have to beef this up a little before the siding is installed on the walls.
Photo below - Here's the first rafter installed. The overhang will be trimmed to about 6" before going any further, because the scrap pieces will come in handy for "blocker boards", which i'll explain later.
Photo below - The cuts aren't perfect, but good enough for me.....(says EG, who isn't a real carpenter, but did stay at a Holiday Inn once or twice) Ha!
In this photo, you can see where I almost made a mistake, as you see by my extra mark. Boy, I'm sure glad it was checked before the cut was made! I don't have a board stretcher....heh. This little "notch" in the rafter is toenailed into place, and keeps the walls from spreading outward - from the weight of the roof. These cuts have to be precise, or it will look like a retard built it.
In my next shed building post, i'll install the blocker boards, remaining rafters, and also the collar ties. This construction is taking a long time to complete - especially since Jude keeps dropping her frisbee at my feet. God, she loves that thing! Heh. Anyway, as I said before....i'll start covering more ground in future posts.Take care, and happy building!
EG
Keeping corn from falling over
If you grow corn in the sfg, the shallow depth of soil isn't capable of supporting the stalks. Just a slight breeze will make it fall over, and that happened to me last year. Since the corn was getting pretty tall in the garden, I knew something had to be done quick - or history would repeat itself. Looking at my options, I chose to utilize the wire mesh of the trellises to attach some pvc pipe to. I mean....1/2" pvc is really cheap, and light - as well. With wire ties in hand, I proceeded to create a grid of sorts, with the pvc pipe - and leftover bamboo pieces.
Photo below - You can clearly see the green colored bamboo pieces that are attached to the pvc.
Photo below - Here's the corn growing in the earthtainer scrap pieces at the edge of the woods. My good friend Sinfonian had asked me how I was planning on using the cage to support the corn - well, here it is.
Other things happening in the garden.....This little pole bean vine has outgrown it's area! Sure, I could extend them even further - but how would I pick them? I think 6 ft. tall is enough....
Photo below - Look at this little beauty! I love squash.....it will be added to a dish of some kind in a few days....
Tomorrow, i'll show more on the shed construction ( which is really slow ). Oh! I almost forgot....my knee didn't bother me at all today. Thank goodness....
Photo below - You can clearly see the green colored bamboo pieces that are attached to the pvc.
Photo below - Here's the corn growing in the earthtainer scrap pieces at the edge of the woods. My good friend Sinfonian had asked me how I was planning on using the cage to support the corn - well, here it is.
Other things happening in the garden.....This little pole bean vine has outgrown it's area! Sure, I could extend them even further - but how would I pick them? I think 6 ft. tall is enough....
Photo below - Look at this little beauty! I love squash.....it will be added to a dish of some kind in a few days....
Tomorrow, i'll show more on the shed construction ( which is really slow ). Oh! I almost forgot....my knee didn't bother me at all today. Thank goodness....
Take care, and happy gardening!
EG
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