Archive for Gardening
Grow Your Own – Some Return on the Effort
by John Weckerle
We return to our gardening, however briefly, having completed the trip to Florida, played tour guide to visiting family members late last week, and spent time at the Wildlife West music festival over the weekend. This week, we provide a picture of last Thursday’s harvest instead of photos of the beds – primarily because it is both dark and raining at the moment. Suffice it to say that the garden is more jungle-like than ever, but the plants seem to be enjoying themselves immensely.
Our harvest included broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, yellow summer squash, lettuce, and the first of the white eggplants. There was more than enough zucchini to make zucchini parmigiana for all seven of us (four visiting family members included), with a generous serving left over for later consumption – and, of course, there was plenty of salad. The rest of the squash will be cooked up this evening, and the broccoli and cauliflower will not be far behind. »» Grow Your Own – Some Return on the Effort
Grow Your Own XVII – Night Of The Living Gourds
by John Weckerle
This week’s Friday morning garden post was slightly delayed by the need to get to work early on Le Barn 1.0 in advance of their Grand Name Change Celebration tomorrow, July 19. Apparently, the delay has not kept the garden from producing food.
The garden is now producing straightneck yellow, zucchini, and the previously discussed unusual yellow summer squash on a more-or-less daily basis. A number of these were combined this evening into Uncle John’s Calabacitas, discussed below. More and more tiny young tomatoes are making an appearance, and it appears that one of the broccoli heads may be ready for collection in the next day or two. I suspect that close inspection tomorrow morning may reveal the formation of the first few string beans, as they have been flowering for some time. Lettuces continue to yield plenty of salad fixings. Unfortunately, the peppers in the raised beds seem overwhelmed by their neighbors – but the Potted Pepper Plantation, which seemed doomed to the point of avoiding mention in this blog – is beginning to show some promise.
The nature of the mystery squash appears a mystery no more; it looks very much like a spaghetti squash, as suspected. »» Grow Your Own XVII – Night Of The Living Gourds
Off-Schedule Squash Post
by John Weckerle
We nabbed the next two yellow squash from the garden today, and made a startling discovery – apparently, we have two distinctly different straightneck yellow squash varieties. One appears to be the traditional straightneck, while the other seems to have a growth habit more like a zucchini. Both tasted great prepared simply, as follows:
Slice the squash thin (crosswise), about 1/4 inch thick. In a wok or large saute pan, heat enough olive oil to coat the squash. Add squash, and season with onion powder, basil, salt, and pepper. When squash is nearly tender, add some white wine (I used about 1/4 cup for the four squash), and cook until the wine has completely reduced (no remaining liquid). In this case, the squash was served as a side to the main dish of angel hair pasta with tomato sauce and feetballs.
Grow Your Own – Raiders Of The Lost Squash
by John Weckerle
Note: For links to all our garden articles, click “Gardening” under “Categories” (sidebar).Â
The two largest yellow summer squash in the garden have gone missing – gone missing because I harvested them! As it turns out, I probably could have let them go another day; things always seem to look bigger on the plant than in the hand. However, from a taste and texture standpoint, a little small is better than a little big where squash are concerned. Both broccoli plants are now bearing small heads, and the peas and eggplant have begun to flower. The cucumber section has been thinned down to one plant. Salads continue to be standard fare thanks to the lettuce, and I’m looking forward to the bonanza of vegetables we could see in the next few weeks. »» Grow Your Own – Raiders Of The Lost Squash
Mountainair Community Garden Project
by John Weckerle
Vanessa from Mountainair Arts has given us a “heads up” on a community garden project that is in the planning stage in Mountainair. The project is an effort of iCreate, Inc., a volunteer organization that relocated from the Rio Grande Valley to Mountainair in early 2008.
Community gardens vary widely in scope and focus. Many are dedicated to producing food, but there are some that are focused on flowers or intended to provide forage for birds, butterflies, and other wildlife. According to some articles, community gardens may also promote a greater and more active sense of community. Educational gardens may provide valuable training for children or adults who wish to gain the necessary skills before starting their own home gardens. The concepts of “food security” and maintaining control over quality and health effects can also be addressed, at least in part, by community gardening. More information can be found at:
- Wikipedia
- The American Community Gardening Association
- How to Start A Community Garden on a Vacant Lot
- iVillage Garden Web Forum
- University of California Cooperative Extension – contains a good start-up guide.
More links can be found at Mountainair Arts.
Grow Your Own – The Adventure Continues
by John Weckerle
Our regular garden feature is a bit late this week due to the holiday and the report on the signs at the Edgewood Town Council meeting. Today, we return to the garden and find some exciting new developments – and a couple of challenges.
Plant growth continues apace. In Bed 1, there appear to be at least one yellow squash and one zucchini that are within a day or two of attaining “picking size.” Nestled deep in the miniature jungle, we see a nascent head of broccoli reaching toward the steamer or the wok skyward. However, Bed 1 is presenting us with two challenges. First, it is becoming clear that the Conestoga-type enclosure is not allowing enough room for these plants to spread. Since the bed is not squirrel-proof anyway, we may need to rethink the enclosure. The north side of the bed is bounded by a 5-foot trellis, and it would be a relatively simple task to do the same at the south side and run some rabbit fencing around the other three sides. We also see that some of the squash are exhibiting what looks to be some kind of end-rot. This is not affecting all of them, and it appears that the ones that formed earliest are impacted the most. If anyone has any suggestions, they would be appreciated. Finally, despite some flowering, we have not yet observed any tomatoes. Granted, it’s still a bit early given the planting dates, but we can hardly be blamed for being a little impatient. »» Grow Your Own – The Adventure Continues
“Grow Your Own” Redux
by John Weckerle
It’s Friday, and that means it’s time for another sustainable vegetable garden update. The plants all appear to be doing splendidly. The yellow squash and zucchini are still too small to pick, but with luck we’ll be able to sample them over the coming week. The lettuce in Bed 2 has provided us with the basic ingredient for several excellent salads, and it looks as if we can expect for that to continue at least into the near future. Three of the tomato plants in Bed 1 are flowering, and we’re looking forward to that first tomato – and then all the ones after it. »» “Grow Your Own” Redux
Eat Your Veggies Today – You May Not Have Them Tomorrow
by John Weckerle
Yesterday we received a link to this video about research into genetically engineering yeast to produce a form of bio-gasoline – not ethanol, mind you, but actual gasoline – from sugar. The video does not provide much detail other than the fact that the research is ongoing. However, the video started a train of thought that traveled through issues surrounding the pressure on the food supply by corn ethanol production and arrived at the little-publicized crisis that may be striking our food supply in the relatively near future: Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), a subject on which an episode of Nature reported recently on PBS. The episode can be viewed here.
CCD is an affliction that is striking honeybee colonies worldwide, causing hives to die out on a greater and greater scale. While no single cause has been identified, research points to a potential combination of a virus that first arose in Israel and a variety of environmental stresses, especially associated with agricultural pesticides. At the current rate of decline, honeybee populations could be completely wiped out worldwide by 2035. »» Eat Your Veggies Today – You May Not Have Them Tomorrow
On The Trail Of “Grow Your Own”
by John Weckerle
Examination of our beds this morning reveals another week of excellent progress. Two of the tomato plants in the north bed (Early Girl and Better Boy) have begun to flower, and the squashes are flowering prolifically (most of the flowers are hidden by the leaves). The plants continue to grow rapidly. I have a concern regarding the red and golden bell peppers, however, as it seems that they are destined to be over-shaded by the squash. Attempts to keep them in the sun by cutting back squash leaves will continue. »» On The Trail Of “Grow Your Own”
Revenge of “Grow Your Own”
by John Weckerle
It’s been a week since we last provided a photo-progress report on our sustainable gardening initiative, and it’s time for an update. The plants are growing fantastically, although comparison with the “control group” may soon be a moot point, as the rabbits have finally noticed it. Three of the four control brussels sprouts have been appropriated, and one cauliflower partially defoliated.
The actual garden beds, however, are well protected against such depredations. There are a number of small yellow squash that have developed, and the green and red bell pepper each have one growing fruit and plenty of flower buds. It is still not clear whether the golden bell pepper will recover from its frost setback.
Today |
June 6 |
Next week, we will introduce you to the second bed. Part of that bed was planted in seed, and many of the seeds have sprouted. The lettuce that was “planted as plants” is ready to provide us with some leaves, so next week we’ll also include a “salad report.”
Return of the Son of Grow Your Own
by John Weckerle
Given the interest everyone has shown in the concept of sustainable gardening, we think it appropriate to give another progress report on the raised-bed project. Our last update was June 1, and we’re pleased to provide a “then and now” photo comparison of one of the beds.
June 1 |
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Today |
It is important to note here that none of these plants has yet been in the ground three weeks. They all appear to growing extraordinarily well, and have recovered from the minor frost damage that hit them a couple of weeks ago. There has generally been noticeable growth between morning and evening every day. The cauliflower, broccoli, and brussels sprouts (second row from the left and top of the third row) were relatively tiny “six-pack” plants when they went in. One of the squash plants already has its first blossom. In the other bed, the lettuce is already capable of providing at least sandwich quantities (and maybe even a small salad) without overly damaging the plants, and the green pepper plant has a fruit on it that is nearly as long as my thumb.
And “thumbs up” it is to this inexpensive, space-saving gardening technique, at least thus far. We’ll keep you posted! (pun intended)
Grow Your Own…Revisited
by John Weckerle
Let us turn our thoughts for a moment away from the winds of political intrigue and conflict and contemplate once again the simple joy of growing things. Especially edible ones.
During the First and Second World Wars, the U.S. government asked citizens to plant gardens (Victory Gardens) to help reduce pressure on the food supply and support the war effort. Millions of people in all environs – rural, suburban, and urban – planted gardens in the name of patriotism, growing food to feed themselves. This lessened the need for domestic food distribution and freed up resources to feed the troops fighting abroad. It is somewhat unfathomable, therefore, that today – with gas prices nearing $4.00 per gallon and substantial military efforts abroad – the U.S. government is not once again calling on the people to start growing at least small gardens and take some of the pressure of the food production and distribution system. »» Grow Your Own…Revisited
Grow Your Own
by John Weckerle
As gas prices continue to rise and our economy softens, more and more people are looking for ways to cut down on driving and save money on essentials. Anyone who has bought fresh vegetables recently knows that vegetable prices have been climbing, and it’s likely to get worse based on fuel price increases and other factors. It takes gas (and money) to get food to the grocery store, as well as from the grocery store, so it seems that it may be time for us all to think about returning to something that has perhaps faded in popularity: the home vegetable garden. »» Grow Your Own