Casting Seeds on Rock(wool)
Almost everything planted in the greenhouse has sprouted except the things planted in rockwool. Very, very few of them have come up. Another thing learned by experience. Waxed paper cups do not make good pots in a cloche. When used in uncovered flats, they seem to last long enough for the plant to be put in the garden or repotted. The ones I used for starting seeds just dissolved. I can’t even read the label on them. As evil as it is, I bought Styrofoam cups for the new seeds.
Yesterday I repotted and relabeled everything that had sprouted. This morning I planted to replace the things that had been planted in rockwool. I did not throw the rockwool away yet. There still may be hope. Today (Sunday) was a really nasty rainy mess. I am very thankful for the greenhouse so that I wasn’t trapped inside.
The brightest spot in my garden right now is the compost. There was a mountain of leaves picked up on the side of the road. Some of them had been mulched and they were wet and starting to rot. Those went into the compost pile. There were not quite enough leaves to mulch the whole fallow part of the garden. I guess I have to keep scrounging.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com/ , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Friday, December 26, 2008
Post Weekend Update
Post weekend update.
Almost the whole garden is mulched. The greenhouse is pretty much on schedule. There were earthworms in the compost pile. I love earthworms. The items planted in rockwool are still largely un-germinated. I put some items under lights; but I still have a lot of work to do rigging the lights. That will be a good job for Christmas morning.
The greens and salad greens are producing well. My wife and one of my friends is saving the little trays in which the rotisserie chickens are packed. The will be used to make little herb gardens that I can give to people around Easter. They will act like a miniature green house until the weather gets warm enough to repot the herbs or plant them in the yard.
Last nights temperature dropped to 23 degrees. Time to refill the gas bottles. The leaf blower would not start. I was really kind of glad. That is a chore I really hate.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Almost the whole garden is mulched. The greenhouse is pretty much on schedule. There were earthworms in the compost pile. I love earthworms. The items planted in rockwool are still largely un-germinated. I put some items under lights; but I still have a lot of work to do rigging the lights. That will be a good job for Christmas morning.
The greens and salad greens are producing well. My wife and one of my friends is saving the little trays in which the rotisserie chickens are packed. The will be used to make little herb gardens that I can give to people around Easter. They will act like a miniature green house until the weather gets warm enough to repot the herbs or plant them in the yard.
Last nights temperature dropped to 23 degrees. Time to refill the gas bottles. The leaf blower would not start. I was really kind of glad. That is a chore I really hate.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Greenhouse Labor
Greenhouse Labor
The process of replanting the things that have sprouted has started. For the things in rockwool that germinated, the little square was removed and broken to leave the root exposed and the remaining sliver of rockwool and the plant were placed in a paper cup full of dirt. For the things that were already in cups of dirt all I had to do was label them and move them into another flat.
For seeds that have not germinated pure rainwater is used. Once the seeds germinate they get rainwater with compost tea. The compost tea was made by filling an old pillow case with compost and putting it into a 30 gal trashcan full of rainwater. The rain barrels each have a mosquito dunk in them. The mosquito dunks are powered by bacillus thuringiensis. This is a natural pathogen for mosquitoes. I understand that it also affects many other harmful insects. I hope it isn’t too hard on the beneficials.
Outside the greenhouse, the cooking greens and salad greens are doing great. The garden is almost mulched and the camillias are blooming. The purple cabbages are growing very very slowly.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
The process of replanting the things that have sprouted has started. For the things in rockwool that germinated, the little square was removed and broken to leave the root exposed and the remaining sliver of rockwool and the plant were placed in a paper cup full of dirt. For the things that were already in cups of dirt all I had to do was label them and move them into another flat.
For seeds that have not germinated pure rainwater is used. Once the seeds germinate they get rainwater with compost tea. The compost tea was made by filling an old pillow case with compost and putting it into a 30 gal trashcan full of rainwater. The rain barrels each have a mosquito dunk in them. The mosquito dunks are powered by bacillus thuringiensis. This is a natural pathogen for mosquitoes. I understand that it also affects many other harmful insects. I hope it isn’t too hard on the beneficials.
Outside the greenhouse, the cooking greens and salad greens are doing great. The garden is almost mulched and the camillias are blooming. The purple cabbages are growing very very slowly.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Green in the Greenhouse
Green in the Greenhouse
Lots of stuff is coming up in the greenhouse already. I’m getting a few early lessons as well. I planted the basil way too thickly. Most of it is planted several to a pot or in egg cartons. Now it has to be separated. This is very tedious and time consuming. I really love basil though. Almost everything planted in dirt has come up. Very little of the stuff planted in rockwool has. Part of the reason may be that I planted larger seeds in rockwool. They may take longer to germinate.
The fallow part of the garden is getting a 6” layer of leaves. The soil was worked very deeply earlier as the dead and finished plants were pulled off. I think of mulching as making an earthworm heaven. Earthworms are the real heroes of organic gardens. As they move through the soil, they wiggle through the soft earth making tunnels that aerate the ground. When they come to a harder spot, they munch their way through. When they find something organic they eat it. An earthworm produces its weight in “castings” every day. Earthworm castings are some of the richest fertilizer known.
Compost and organic matter are really tasty and attractive to earthworms. Artificial chemical fertilizers are not only yucky tasting. They irritate their soft skin. Make an earthworm heaven in your garden.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Lots of stuff is coming up in the greenhouse already. I’m getting a few early lessons as well. I planted the basil way too thickly. Most of it is planted several to a pot or in egg cartons. Now it has to be separated. This is very tedious and time consuming. I really love basil though. Almost everything planted in dirt has come up. Very little of the stuff planted in rockwool has. Part of the reason may be that I planted larger seeds in rockwool. They may take longer to germinate.
The fallow part of the garden is getting a 6” layer of leaves. The soil was worked very deeply earlier as the dead and finished plants were pulled off. I think of mulching as making an earthworm heaven. Earthworms are the real heroes of organic gardens. As they move through the soil, they wiggle through the soft earth making tunnels that aerate the ground. When they come to a harder spot, they munch their way through. When they find something organic they eat it. An earthworm produces its weight in “castings” every day. Earthworm castings are some of the richest fertilizer known.
Compost and organic matter are really tasty and attractive to earthworms. Artificial chemical fertilizers are not only yucky tasting. They irritate their soft skin. Make an earthworm heaven in your garden.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Getting the Greenhouse Started
Getting the Greenhouse Started
Yesterday morning saw the official beginning of the greenhouse season for this year. There were two flats of rockwool left over from last year. They were used for some of the larger seeds. I made two big mistakes with the rockwool last year. The first was not keeping it wet enough. The second was leaving the plants in it after they sprouted. The plants should be potted in dirt as soon as they sprout and the rock wool needs to be broken open so the roots can grow into the soil.
There will be no Porterhouse Beefsteak tomatoes this year. They make hardy plants with big tomatoes; but they have almost no flavor. I planted: Bloody Butcher and Better Boy tomatoes and I have some seeds from a volunteer from last years garden. I only planted about a dozen each of the seeds; so I can plant a few every 2 weeks. Broccoli, Brussels sprouts and lots of herbs were started as well. I still need to plant some hot peppers and cabbage.
The temperature dropped to 23 degrees Fahrenheit last night so the gas heater had to be fired up. The flats are sitting on heat pads; but why take a chance of stunting the seeds or the plants. I can just taste those tomatoes.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Yesterday morning saw the official beginning of the greenhouse season for this year. There were two flats of rockwool left over from last year. They were used for some of the larger seeds. I made two big mistakes with the rockwool last year. The first was not keeping it wet enough. The second was leaving the plants in it after they sprouted. The plants should be potted in dirt as soon as they sprout and the rock wool needs to be broken open so the roots can grow into the soil.
There will be no Porterhouse Beefsteak tomatoes this year. They make hardy plants with big tomatoes; but they have almost no flavor. I planted: Bloody Butcher and Better Boy tomatoes and I have some seeds from a volunteer from last years garden. I only planted about a dozen each of the seeds; so I can plant a few every 2 weeks. Broccoli, Brussels sprouts and lots of herbs were started as well. I still need to plant some hot peppers and cabbage.
The temperature dropped to 23 degrees Fahrenheit last night so the gas heater had to be fired up. The flats are sitting on heat pads; but why take a chance of stunting the seeds or the plants. I can just taste those tomatoes.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Great Weather for Gardening (in my bed)
Great Weather for Gardening (in my bed)
Reading garden books, ordering seeds for the greenhouse, planning next spring’s perfect garden and searching for new plants and varieties are all great gardening activities for a cold rainy weekend. For the last two years I have planted Burpee’s Porterhouse Beefsteak tomatoes. They are early, huge and prolific. Unfortunately they don’t have much flavor. This year I ordered an heirloom tomato called “Bloody Butcher”. They have a very short maturity time and produce tomatoes that are about 2” in diameter. That is a little bigger than grape or patio tomatoes; but smaller than a Marglobe. Marglobes and some seed from last years best volunteers will provide regular tomatoes for canning and salads. Better Boys will be for sandwiches.
I did get to play in the yard all day on Thursday (Thanksgiving). I managed to break almost all of my toys. Neither lawn more, nor by leaf blower would start. I burned up the motor on my electric chain saw. I did get a lot done though. The leaf blower is fixed and the lawn mowers are in the shop. I got a new electric chain saw. The garden grew by about 200 square feet. The grapes, asparagus and strawberries have weedless beds and a nice top-dressing of about 2” of compost. If the rain stops today I will lay off the rows, test the soil and mulch the nice wet ground.
It is amazing how much the grapevines and figs have grown this year. They have gone dormant and should be pruned pretty soon. The grapevines will be cut back pretty severely since this is their first year. The figs, of course, will go back to the same height as last year. That is about eye level. They will be a lot wider than last year however.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Reading garden books, ordering seeds for the greenhouse, planning next spring’s perfect garden and searching for new plants and varieties are all great gardening activities for a cold rainy weekend. For the last two years I have planted Burpee’s Porterhouse Beefsteak tomatoes. They are early, huge and prolific. Unfortunately they don’t have much flavor. This year I ordered an heirloom tomato called “Bloody Butcher”. They have a very short maturity time and produce tomatoes that are about 2” in diameter. That is a little bigger than grape or patio tomatoes; but smaller than a Marglobe. Marglobes and some seed from last years best volunteers will provide regular tomatoes for canning and salads. Better Boys will be for sandwiches.
I did get to play in the yard all day on Thursday (Thanksgiving). I managed to break almost all of my toys. Neither lawn more, nor by leaf blower would start. I burned up the motor on my electric chain saw. I did get a lot done though. The leaf blower is fixed and the lawn mowers are in the shop. I got a new electric chain saw. The garden grew by about 200 square feet. The grapes, asparagus and strawberries have weedless beds and a nice top-dressing of about 2” of compost. If the rain stops today I will lay off the rows, test the soil and mulch the nice wet ground.
It is amazing how much the grapevines and figs have grown this year. They have gone dormant and should be pruned pretty soon. The grapevines will be cut back pretty severely since this is their first year. The figs, of course, will go back to the same height as last year. That is about eye level. They will be a lot wider than last year however.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Pokeberries
Pokeberries
Despite the cold morning yesterday, the afternoon was not too bad. I cleared the fence line beside the garden so that I can prune the grapes. The neighbor has a jungle at the back of his yard and it sends fox grapevines, honeysuckle and poke salad my way. He doesn’t even eat the poke salad. We don’t let ours grow anymore, we just poach his. The freeze had turned the plants to mush so it was easy to just pull them off. My gloves, my sweater and even my hands inside the gloves turned purple. The juice on my hands washed off. Who knows what will happen with the clothes?
The grapevines really grew a lot for their first year. They will need to be pruned way back. A little research will be in order before the clippers go to work. The asparagus did extremely well for a first year too. It was difficult not to harvest a few. Deep compost and mulch should make them even stronger next year. The strawberries filled in pretty good. Hopefully they will do more next year. They will get deep compost and heavy mulch as well. A little rock phosphate will go in the compost.
The eggplants and the castor oil bean plants finally bit the dust. I was able to harvest seeds from one of the castor oil bean plants. The other is so big, I will have to chop it down with an axe.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Despite the cold morning yesterday, the afternoon was not too bad. I cleared the fence line beside the garden so that I can prune the grapes. The neighbor has a jungle at the back of his yard and it sends fox grapevines, honeysuckle and poke salad my way. He doesn’t even eat the poke salad. We don’t let ours grow anymore, we just poach his. The freeze had turned the plants to mush so it was easy to just pull them off. My gloves, my sweater and even my hands inside the gloves turned purple. The juice on my hands washed off. Who knows what will happen with the clothes?
The grapevines really grew a lot for their first year. They will need to be pruned way back. A little research will be in order before the clippers go to work. The asparagus did extremely well for a first year too. It was difficult not to harvest a few. Deep compost and mulch should make them even stronger next year. The strawberries filled in pretty good. Hopefully they will do more next year. They will get deep compost and heavy mulch as well. A little rock phosphate will go in the compost.
The eggplants and the castor oil bean plants finally bit the dust. I was able to harvest seeds from one of the castor oil bean plants. The other is so big, I will have to chop it down with an axe.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Gardening in 20 Degree Weather
Gardening in 20 Degree Weather
It is 20 degrees Fahrenheit now. Yesterday when I went home it was 40 degrees; but the wind was blowing hard, sending its icy knives into my tender body. I did not work in the garden long. Today I will garden in the comfort of my warm office. I will layout next years perfect garden and order seeds for the greenhouse. My favorite source for seeds is Renfrow’s hardware in Matthews. Unfortunately they don’t have their seeds in for the next season. I will order from Burpee’s.
Some seeds of course are saved from the garden. I only do the easy ones. Beans, peppers, tomatoes and squash are easy. The problem with squash and other cucurbits is that they interbreed and you may not get a seed that duplicates the vegetable it came from. It can be fun to plant a few and see what you get. I have had more luck with cucurbits planting them in the garden directly. Transplanting seems to stunt them. Seeds from hybrid plants either do nothing or revert to one of the parents. The results may be unsatisfactory.
It is best not to skimp on seeds. Think about what even an expensive seed costs compared to the time and other costs of raising the plants. I have only had a problem with Burpee seeds one time. I planted some tomatoes that did not germinate. After 2 weeks it was obvious. I called and they sent new seeds that arrived the next day. I lost almost no time at all.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
It is 20 degrees Fahrenheit now. Yesterday when I went home it was 40 degrees; but the wind was blowing hard, sending its icy knives into my tender body. I did not work in the garden long. Today I will garden in the comfort of my warm office. I will layout next years perfect garden and order seeds for the greenhouse. My favorite source for seeds is Renfrow’s hardware in Matthews. Unfortunately they don’t have their seeds in for the next season. I will order from Burpee’s.
Some seeds of course are saved from the garden. I only do the easy ones. Beans, peppers, tomatoes and squash are easy. The problem with squash and other cucurbits is that they interbreed and you may not get a seed that duplicates the vegetable it came from. It can be fun to plant a few and see what you get. I have had more luck with cucurbits planting them in the garden directly. Transplanting seems to stunt them. Seeds from hybrid plants either do nothing or revert to one of the parents. The results may be unsatisfactory.
It is best not to skimp on seeds. Think about what even an expensive seed costs compared to the time and other costs of raising the plants. I have only had a problem with Burpee seeds one time. I planted some tomatoes that did not germinate. After 2 weeks it was obvious. I called and they sent new seeds that arrived the next day. I lost almost no time at all.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Freezing Nights, Falling Leaves, Fig Trees
Freezing Nights, Falling Leaves, Fig Trees
We finally had our first freeze while I was in Orlando. I think it was the morning of November 10. It did not hurt the eggplants or the peppers or the winter crops. It did kill the baby figs and knock the leaves off of the fig trees. It seems that the leaves are falling off of a lot of other trees too. I have been picking up a pickup truck load of bagged leaves from the side of the road every day since returning to Charlotte.
We are getting a lot of greens, eggplants and salad greens; but there has been no rain to speak of. I had to set up the irrigation system again. There is a light rain falling this morning. Tonight I hope to lay in bed and plant my perfect garden for next year. I have some really great new ideas. Tonight the garden will be planned. Tomorrow seeds will be ordered for the greenhouse.
The neighbor’s fence is so grown up with vines and junk that I cannot get to my grape vines to prune them. Clearing that fence will be this weekend’s project. Maybe I will have time to prune the grapevines and fig trees. The fig trees are even bigger this year than they were last year. There is a lot of pruning to do. The castor oil bean trees are still living. One of them has seeds this year. They are over 20’ in the air. I won’t be able to harvest the seeds until the tree dies and I cut it down.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
We finally had our first freeze while I was in Orlando. I think it was the morning of November 10. It did not hurt the eggplants or the peppers or the winter crops. It did kill the baby figs and knock the leaves off of the fig trees. It seems that the leaves are falling off of a lot of other trees too. I have been picking up a pickup truck load of bagged leaves from the side of the road every day since returning to Charlotte.
We are getting a lot of greens, eggplants and salad greens; but there has been no rain to speak of. I had to set up the irrigation system again. There is a light rain falling this morning. Tonight I hope to lay in bed and plant my perfect garden for next year. I have some really great new ideas. Tonight the garden will be planned. Tomorrow seeds will be ordered for the greenhouse.
The neighbor’s fence is so grown up with vines and junk that I cannot get to my grape vines to prune them. Clearing that fence will be this weekend’s project. Maybe I will have time to prune the grapevines and fig trees. The fig trees are even bigger this year than they were last year. There is a lot of pruning to do. The castor oil bean trees are still living. One of them has seeds this year. They are over 20’ in the air. I won’t be able to harvest the seeds until the tree dies and I cut it down.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Friday, October 31, 2008
String
String
Having nice straight neat rows is really important. Masons twine is a real lifesaver. It is very hard to break. It stays nice and tight; and it is strong and stretchy enough that if it is bumped with a hoe, it just goes back where it was. You won’t believe what it does to a tiller. Last year, I got so much string in my tiller I had to send it to the shop. It was not tuned right when I got it back and I was running out of time for spring tilling so I bought another. The old one still is not tuned right.
Before beginning the tilling yesterday, I very carefully searched for leftover string. The problem is that in many places the strings had been grown over with wire grass and other weeds. You won’t believe what a mess it makes when wire grass and string combine to tangle the tines of the tiller. I spent more time untangling the mess on the tines than I did tilling. Lesson #1…pull up string lines as soon as the rows are planted.
Incidentally, I bought 6 blueberry bushes from Burgess last year. Only 3 of them lived and they are only a little bigger than they were when I planted them. I am afraid they are stunted. I have already lost one season. I understand it takes three years for blueberries. Everything I bought from Stark Bros is doing great. It cost a good bit more; but I am not losing whole seasons. Lesson #2 don’t buy anything from Burgess.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com/ , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Having nice straight neat rows is really important. Masons twine is a real lifesaver. It is very hard to break. It stays nice and tight; and it is strong and stretchy enough that if it is bumped with a hoe, it just goes back where it was. You won’t believe what it does to a tiller. Last year, I got so much string in my tiller I had to send it to the shop. It was not tuned right when I got it back and I was running out of time for spring tilling so I bought another. The old one still is not tuned right.
Before beginning the tilling yesterday, I very carefully searched for leftover string. The problem is that in many places the strings had been grown over with wire grass and other weeds. You won’t believe what a mess it makes when wire grass and string combine to tangle the tines of the tiller. I spent more time untangling the mess on the tines than I did tilling. Lesson #1…pull up string lines as soon as the rows are planted.
Incidentally, I bought 6 blueberry bushes from Burgess last year. Only 3 of them lived and they are only a little bigger than they were when I planted them. I am afraid they are stunted. I have already lost one season. I understand it takes three years for blueberries. Everything I bought from Stark Bros is doing great. It cost a good bit more; but I am not losing whole seasons. Lesson #2 don’t buy anything from Burgess.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com/ , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
I Hope It Is Not Too Late
I Hope It Is Not Too Late
How stupid is it to plant seeds when you don’t know if they will come up? I planted spinach and collards yesterday. I guess that is dumb. The weatherman was calling for a freeze last night (10/28). It didn’t happen. My first planting of spinach came up very thin. I decided to replant. When I went to buy seeds, I realized I had not planted collards.
People are putting leaves on the street for the trash collection. I now have a pickup truck; so mulch will not be a problem this year. This weekend’s project is to till the garden, lay off the rows for next year and test the soil. Then I will mulch the beds and have everything ready for spring except my garden construction projects. If the ground is too wet to till, I will get the greenhouse ready to plant.
It did not freeze last night either (10/29). There is still hope for those little eggplants. There are still blooms on the plants too. Probably not much hope for them. Brussels sprouts are loaded though and I don’t think the cold will bother them.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
How stupid is it to plant seeds when you don’t know if they will come up? I planted spinach and collards yesterday. I guess that is dumb. The weatherman was calling for a freeze last night (10/28). It didn’t happen. My first planting of spinach came up very thin. I decided to replant. When I went to buy seeds, I realized I had not planted collards.
People are putting leaves on the street for the trash collection. I now have a pickup truck; so mulch will not be a problem this year. This weekend’s project is to till the garden, lay off the rows for next year and test the soil. Then I will mulch the beds and have everything ready for spring except my garden construction projects. If the ground is too wet to till, I will get the greenhouse ready to plant.
It did not freeze last night either (10/29). There is still hope for those little eggplants. There are still blooms on the plants too. Probably not much hope for them. Brussels sprouts are loaded though and I don’t think the cold will bother them.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Fall is Falling
Fall is Falling
Last week the garden structures from the summer came down and were stored away. It is sad to see the dead tomato plants. There has not even been a freeze. Some years we eat fresh picked tomatoes at Christmas. We haven’t had tomatoes for several weeks. This was the worst year ever for tomatoes in my garden. Many things will need to change next year.
The orientation of the garden is one thing. Rows were mostly running East-West this year. Next year they will run North-South. Hopefully the soil will get worked this coming week. Then there will be soil test and planning. Lime or sulfur will be added to bring each row to the proper ph for its intended crop.
Winter is the time for seed catalogs, greenhouse work and reading garden books. I have a huge new garden book called “Organic Gardening” from Rodale Press. It will be reviewed in segments rather than as a whole.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Last week the garden structures from the summer came down and were stored away. It is sad to see the dead tomato plants. There has not even been a freeze. Some years we eat fresh picked tomatoes at Christmas. We haven’t had tomatoes for several weeks. This was the worst year ever for tomatoes in my garden. Many things will need to change next year.
The orientation of the garden is one thing. Rows were mostly running East-West this year. Next year they will run North-South. Hopefully the soil will get worked this coming week. Then there will be soil test and planning. Lime or sulfur will be added to bring each row to the proper ph for its intended crop.
Winter is the time for seed catalogs, greenhouse work and reading garden books. I have a huge new garden book called “Organic Gardening” from Rodale Press. It will be reviewed in segments rather than as a whole.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Getting Ready for Bed
Getting Ready for Bed
As this years less than perfect garden starts to wither and even the weeds are going to seed and dying, next years perfect garden is coming to life in my mind. The plans are not on paper yet, only some rough ideas. I know next years garden will be perfect though. I can see it. One of the most important steps in next years perfect garden will take place over the next week or two. The parts of the garden that won’t be used for winter crops need to be put to bed.
The earthworms have had a stressful summer with heat and tillers and drought and heavy rains. Now is their turn to rest. One more time they have to dodge the tiller as everything gets turned under. That will give them their winter food. Then the rows will be laid out and the soil will be tested for ph. This is necessary to plan the locations for the things that will grow next year. I prefer to alter the ph as little as possible by planting the crops where the soil ph is closest to what they like. More about ph in another blog.
Once the new rows are laid out they will be covered with leaves to a depth of about 4 to 6 inches. This will keep all but maybe the top inch of soil from freezing in our climate. The earthworms will have warm soft soil with lots of organic matter to munch on. They will aerate the soil and leave their castings to make that perfect rich bed for next years perfect garden.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
As this years less than perfect garden starts to wither and even the weeds are going to seed and dying, next years perfect garden is coming to life in my mind. The plans are not on paper yet, only some rough ideas. I know next years garden will be perfect though. I can see it. One of the most important steps in next years perfect garden will take place over the next week or two. The parts of the garden that won’t be used for winter crops need to be put to bed.
The earthworms have had a stressful summer with heat and tillers and drought and heavy rains. Now is their turn to rest. One more time they have to dodge the tiller as everything gets turned under. That will give them their winter food. Then the rows will be laid out and the soil will be tested for ph. This is necessary to plan the locations for the things that will grow next year. I prefer to alter the ph as little as possible by planting the crops where the soil ph is closest to what they like. More about ph in another blog.
Once the new rows are laid out they will be covered with leaves to a depth of about 4 to 6 inches. This will keep all but maybe the top inch of soil from freezing in our climate. The earthworms will have warm soft soil with lots of organic matter to munch on. They will aerate the soil and leave their castings to make that perfect rich bed for next years perfect garden.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Swiss Chard
Swiss Chard
My friend, Ray Moore, talked about Swiss Chard all summer. I had not grown any for years; but we really liked it. I picked enough to make a mess when mixed with mustard, turnip greens, and the few surviving kale leaves. It was delicious. It tastes like a very mild version of spinach.
The figs are ripening fast; and they are extremely sweet. If you want to look back and see how much I chopped them back last year, you will be amazed at how the trees have grown. I will publish pictures before I cut them this year. They are huge.
Fall is fun. I am dismantling all the weird structures that were built in the spring and planning to learn from my mistakes. The watermelon fence was a great success. It needs a finer mesh wire to keep the watermelons from hanging through. I am satisfied with the tomato fence; but I am not satisfied with the tomatoes. This was the worst year we have had. The fence will be constructed going North South next year as opposed to East West. The Porterhouse Beefsteak from Burpee will be eliminated. It makes a big early tomato. The tomato just doesn’t have much flavor. Next year will be Marglobe, Better Boy, and an unidentified variety that volunteered in my garden and produced a wonderful tomato.
The cucumber fence needs more supports, as does the cage for kole crops and eggplants and bell peppers. They were built with plastic fencing and it sags too much on 8’ centers. Next year they will be on 4’ centers.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
My friend, Ray Moore, talked about Swiss Chard all summer. I had not grown any for years; but we really liked it. I picked enough to make a mess when mixed with mustard, turnip greens, and the few surviving kale leaves. It was delicious. It tastes like a very mild version of spinach.
The figs are ripening fast; and they are extremely sweet. If you want to look back and see how much I chopped them back last year, you will be amazed at how the trees have grown. I will publish pictures before I cut them this year. They are huge.
Fall is fun. I am dismantling all the weird structures that were built in the spring and planning to learn from my mistakes. The watermelon fence was a great success. It needs a finer mesh wire to keep the watermelons from hanging through. I am satisfied with the tomato fence; but I am not satisfied with the tomatoes. This was the worst year we have had. The fence will be constructed going North South next year as opposed to East West. The Porterhouse Beefsteak from Burpee will be eliminated. It makes a big early tomato. The tomato just doesn’t have much flavor. Next year will be Marglobe, Better Boy, and an unidentified variety that volunteered in my garden and produced a wonderful tomato.
The cucumber fence needs more supports, as does the cage for kole crops and eggplants and bell peppers. They were built with plastic fencing and it sags too much on 8’ centers. Next year they will be on 4’ centers.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Baba Ghanoush
Baba Ghanoush
It has been a long time since I made an entry here. I have been traveling and catching up. I realize that is not excuse. The garden has been pretty dormant. We are picking figs, a few tomatoes and peppers and the eggplant is the only thing going strong still. We are using some of the eggplant to make baba ghanoush. Here is the recipe:
Grill about a pound of eggplant until the skin is ready to peel. Takee ¼ cup fresh lemon juice, ½ teaspoon of minced garlic, ½ cup of toasted pine nuts (optional) 1/3 cup of tahini and salt and pepper to taste. The pine nuts should be toasted in a dry skillet until golden. Put everything into the food processor and add a little bit of olive oil or water if it is too dry.
We eat it with crackers, chips or pita bread or it is great as a spread for tomato sandwiches.
The winter garden is coming in nicely. We have eaten arugula on tacos. The kale was cut back with hedge shears. I hope it will come out again. I’ll let you know what happens.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
It has been a long time since I made an entry here. I have been traveling and catching up. I realize that is not excuse. The garden has been pretty dormant. We are picking figs, a few tomatoes and peppers and the eggplant is the only thing going strong still. We are using some of the eggplant to make baba ghanoush. Here is the recipe:
Grill about a pound of eggplant until the skin is ready to peel. Takee ¼ cup fresh lemon juice, ½ teaspoon of minced garlic, ½ cup of toasted pine nuts (optional) 1/3 cup of tahini and salt and pepper to taste. The pine nuts should be toasted in a dry skillet until golden. Put everything into the food processor and add a little bit of olive oil or water if it is too dry.
We eat it with crackers, chips or pita bread or it is great as a spread for tomato sandwiches.
The winter garden is coming in nicely. We have eaten arugula on tacos. The kale was cut back with hedge shears. I hope it will come out again. I’ll let you know what happens.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Fast Germination
Fast Germination
I don’t normally soak seeds to plant outside. I feel like they know when to sprout. Let nature take its course. I have a little plastic can where I store the seeds. Somehow it leaked and the seeds got wet. I planted them Wednesday (9/10/08) figuring that if they did not germinate I could replant. They were up by Saturday morning. The rows planted Wednesday had shallots, mustard, oak leaf lettuce, collards, arugula and radishes.
Saturday morning I went to Renfrow’s Hardware and bought 11/4 #’s of onion sets. I planted them, mesclun mix, Detroit dark red beets, Swiss chard and Tokyo cross hybrid turnips. Friday afternoon the paw paw trees from Stark Bros that were supposed to be shipped in November arrived. I dug the holes for them yesterday(Saturday) and planted them this morning. I dug a bushel sized hole for each one, filled them with water and a 5 gallon bucket of compost and a handful of lime. The paw paws went in at the level of the stem crown. The soil tested 6.5 ph. Paw paws like 7.
My wife made baba ganoush yesterday. It is awesome. I will give you the recipe soon. I know it is eggplant, tahini, garlic, lemon juice and pine nuts. I just don’t know how much of each and what the process is. I know it is good.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
I don’t normally soak seeds to plant outside. I feel like they know when to sprout. Let nature take its course. I have a little plastic can where I store the seeds. Somehow it leaked and the seeds got wet. I planted them Wednesday (9/10/08) figuring that if they did not germinate I could replant. They were up by Saturday morning. The rows planted Wednesday had shallots, mustard, oak leaf lettuce, collards, arugula and radishes.
Saturday morning I went to Renfrow’s Hardware and bought 11/4 #’s of onion sets. I planted them, mesclun mix, Detroit dark red beets, Swiss chard and Tokyo cross hybrid turnips. Friday afternoon the paw paw trees from Stark Bros that were supposed to be shipped in November arrived. I dug the holes for them yesterday(Saturday) and planted them this morning. I dug a bushel sized hole for each one, filled them with water and a 5 gallon bucket of compost and a handful of lime. The paw paws went in at the level of the stem crown. The soil tested 6.5 ph. Paw paws like 7.
My wife made baba ganoush yesterday. It is awesome. I will give you the recipe soon. I know it is eggplant, tahini, garlic, lemon juice and pine nuts. I just don’t know how much of each and what the process is. I know it is good.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Call to Stark Bros.
Call to Stark Bros.
I have a longstanding desire to taste a paw-paw. I ordered trees last year from Burgess. All I go was some little sticks with no roots on them. I planted them in pots because they looked to fragile for the ground. They never even budded. I determined that this year I would buy from Stark Brothers. I have never lost a Stark Brothers plant.
The ordering process was really easy. The lady who took my order told me all about the plants. They will come in pots in November. They will mature in about 7 years. That means, I will be almost 70 years old before I get to eat a paw-paw. I sure hope they taste good after waiting that long. I wish I had a couple of hundred acres in my yard. I would love to plant a lot more stuff.
The nursery and seed catalogs make me feel like the toy section of the sears roebuck catalog did when I was a kid. I wanted all of the toys. I want all of the plants and all of the seeds.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
I have a longstanding desire to taste a paw-paw. I ordered trees last year from Burgess. All I go was some little sticks with no roots on them. I planted them in pots because they looked to fragile for the ground. They never even budded. I determined that this year I would buy from Stark Brothers. I have never lost a Stark Brothers plant.
The ordering process was really easy. The lady who took my order told me all about the plants. They will come in pots in November. They will mature in about 7 years. That means, I will be almost 70 years old before I get to eat a paw-paw. I sure hope they taste good after waiting that long. I wish I had a couple of hundred acres in my yard. I would love to plant a lot more stuff.
The nursery and seed catalogs make me feel like the toy section of the sears roebuck catalog did when I was a kid. I wanted all of the toys. I want all of the plants and all of the seeds.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Lost Weekend
Lost Weekend
We have really had the rain. My rain barrels are already full; so the new stuff just falls on the ground. I really intended to get everything ready for the fall garden; but the ground was too wet to work. Sunday, I stepped in another fire ant nest. I thought I had killed them all. That just spoiled my morning I went to the office
I guess all of the messing around outside in the wet grass and wet garden took its toll; because Sunday night I started getting a horrible cold. I spent the day in bed eating chicken soup and reading on Monday. All of this rain and sunshine would have my fall garden jumping if it were in the ground.
Yesterday (Tuesday), I did finally start working the empty spots in the garden. I did not get finished. I have decided to turn the squash under except for the patty-pans. The seeds in the greenhouse have not come up. They were planted over a week ago.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
We have really had the rain. My rain barrels are already full; so the new stuff just falls on the ground. I really intended to get everything ready for the fall garden; but the ground was too wet to work. Sunday, I stepped in another fire ant nest. I thought I had killed them all. That just spoiled my morning I went to the office
I guess all of the messing around outside in the wet grass and wet garden took its toll; because Sunday night I started getting a horrible cold. I spent the day in bed eating chicken soup and reading on Monday. All of this rain and sunshine would have my fall garden jumping if it were in the ground.
Yesterday (Tuesday), I did finally start working the empty spots in the garden. I did not get finished. I have decided to turn the squash under except for the patty-pans. The seeds in the greenhouse have not come up. They were planted over a week ago.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Fire Ants
Fire Ants
All the rain has loosened the soil. Yesterday was a perfect time to weed the new flowerbed area. I put the gloves on for thorns and poison ivy. I sprayed the exposed skin for mosquitoes. Then I stepped in a fire ant nest. It really didn’t bother me for a while. What are those little prickers on my legs? Then I saw the ants.
There are quite a few fire ant hills in my yard. I am a live and let live type of person. I don’t bother them until they bite. They bit. I did too. I have some “Fire Ant Mound Destroyer”. I sprinkled that on the mound and around a stump where they had a large presence. I hate to use poisons and other noxious chemicals but sometimes there is not much choice. One year when I had ants coming into the garden area, I planted a border of peppermint. I will plant some peppermint where the anthill is (was). The other noxious chemical I use is “deit”. I spray myself for mosquitoes. The mosquitoes are worse than the poison.
There is another partial solution for mosquitoes. I put mosquito dunks in the birdbath and in the rain barrels. It has bacillus thuringienses. It is like killing Indians with smallpox infected blankets. This is a deadly disease for bugs. Biological warfare if you will. I don’t approve of this against people; but is genocide against mosquitoes all bad? Actually it is. Mosquitoes are to land what shrimp are to the ocean. They are at the bottom of the food chain. They are also at the top of the food chain. They close the circle of life.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
All the rain has loosened the soil. Yesterday was a perfect time to weed the new flowerbed area. I put the gloves on for thorns and poison ivy. I sprayed the exposed skin for mosquitoes. Then I stepped in a fire ant nest. It really didn’t bother me for a while. What are those little prickers on my legs? Then I saw the ants.
There are quite a few fire ant hills in my yard. I am a live and let live type of person. I don’t bother them until they bite. They bit. I did too. I have some “Fire Ant Mound Destroyer”. I sprinkled that on the mound and around a stump where they had a large presence. I hate to use poisons and other noxious chemicals but sometimes there is not much choice. One year when I had ants coming into the garden area, I planted a border of peppermint. I will plant some peppermint where the anthill is (was). The other noxious chemical I use is “deit”. I spray myself for mosquitoes. The mosquitoes are worse than the poison.
There is another partial solution for mosquitoes. I put mosquito dunks in the birdbath and in the rain barrels. It has bacillus thuringienses. It is like killing Indians with smallpox infected blankets. This is a deadly disease for bugs. Biological warfare if you will. I don’t approve of this against people; but is genocide against mosquitoes all bad? Actually it is. Mosquitoes are to land what shrimp are to the ocean. They are at the bottom of the food chain. They are also at the top of the food chain. They close the circle of life.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
And the Rains Came
And the Rains Came
I’m not sure it is official; but I think the drought is over. There is flooding all over town. Does a flood end a drought? The garden has been inaccessible for two days. The greenhouse provides a “dirt fix”. The gym provides the exercise. As crazy as it may seem, I started tomatoes and cabbage. I could not find red cabbage seeds so I only planted the green things. I forgot to buy broccoli seeds or I would have planted that.
I love to have a complete salad from the garden. By the time the tomatoes are ripe the lettuce has bolted. By the time the fall greens come in the tomatoes are gone or going fast. In Bulgaria they had home grown tomatoes in May. They plant them in the ground inside the greenhouse. They taste like real tomatoes, not greenhouse tomatoes. That is why I am starting tomatoes now.
Monday was the day I had scheduled to till the fall garden. It was too wet to till. If I had tilled it Sunday, I could have planted Monday and all of this rain would be soaking the seeds. Of course it may be so hard as to wash them away. I’ve had that happen before. When they come up they are all in the wrong place. It makes a messy garden.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
I’m not sure it is official; but I think the drought is over. There is flooding all over town. Does a flood end a drought? The garden has been inaccessible for two days. The greenhouse provides a “dirt fix”. The gym provides the exercise. As crazy as it may seem, I started tomatoes and cabbage. I could not find red cabbage seeds so I only planted the green things. I forgot to buy broccoli seeds or I would have planted that.
I love to have a complete salad from the garden. By the time the tomatoes are ripe the lettuce has bolted. By the time the fall greens come in the tomatoes are gone or going fast. In Bulgaria they had home grown tomatoes in May. They plant them in the ground inside the greenhouse. They taste like real tomatoes, not greenhouse tomatoes. That is why I am starting tomatoes now.
Monday was the day I had scheduled to till the fall garden. It was too wet to till. If I had tilled it Sunday, I could have planted Monday and all of this rain would be soaking the seeds. Of course it may be so hard as to wash them away. I’ve had that happen before. When they come up they are all in the wrong place. It makes a messy garden.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Raised Bed Falling
Raised Bed Falling
This spring I made a raised bed by the greenhouse. When I planted it the dirt was 4” higher than the boards. I dug down two shovels deep and then ran the tiller through the bottom. I went back with alternating layers of compost and dirt. I planted carrots, radishes and beets to keep the soil loose for the first crop. The radishes did great, the carrots and beets did well above the ground; but not below the ground. The soil is now 4” lower than the top of the boards and as hard as a brick.
I think the culprit is water running from the roof of the greenhouse and packing the soil. I will have to put a gutter on the greenhouse before I work the bed back up. Getting ready for fall planting is a busy time. The flower bed in the front of the house needs to be cleaned up and planted. The raised bed needs planting. Cabbage, broccoli and tomato plants need to be started in the greenhouse. The part of the garden where the greens go needs to be tilled. There are still potatoes that need digging.
On a happier note: I picked all of the watermelons. All of them but one were ripe. Only two were damaged. I gave most of them away. The watermelon part of the watermelon fence has been taken down. Volunteer cucumbers took over 1/3 of the fence. They are still producing several cucumbers a day. That part of the fence was left up. The watermelon fence was one successful “invention”. Next year I will cover it with a small mesh plastic wire so the melons won’t fall through.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
This spring I made a raised bed by the greenhouse. When I planted it the dirt was 4” higher than the boards. I dug down two shovels deep and then ran the tiller through the bottom. I went back with alternating layers of compost and dirt. I planted carrots, radishes and beets to keep the soil loose for the first crop. The radishes did great, the carrots and beets did well above the ground; but not below the ground. The soil is now 4” lower than the top of the boards and as hard as a brick.
I think the culprit is water running from the roof of the greenhouse and packing the soil. I will have to put a gutter on the greenhouse before I work the bed back up. Getting ready for fall planting is a busy time. The flower bed in the front of the house needs to be cleaned up and planted. The raised bed needs planting. Cabbage, broccoli and tomato plants need to be started in the greenhouse. The part of the garden where the greens go needs to be tilled. There are still potatoes that need digging.
On a happier note: I picked all of the watermelons. All of them but one were ripe. Only two were damaged. I gave most of them away. The watermelon part of the watermelon fence has been taken down. Volunteer cucumbers took over 1/3 of the fence. They are still producing several cucumbers a day. That part of the fence was left up. The watermelon fence was one successful “invention”. Next year I will cover it with a small mesh plastic wire so the melons won’t fall through.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Sad Squash
Sad Squash
Yesterday (Aug. 18) I noticed the first real signs of cucurbit decline. The vines on almost everything are getting woody and dry. There was almost no new fruit on anything. I really thought all the rain we have had and now the sunshine would make the garden perk up and get excited. It only seemed to hurry the end.
The tomatoes are just starting to make and they are getting wilted looking. The watermelon leaves are looking a little brownish. The speckled lima beans do look good and the volunteer cucumbers are still green and producing. The Chayote plant still does not have blooms; but it is growing wildly. The neighbors weeds and vines have crossed the fence to the point of being intrusive. I guess that will be my big project for the weekend, cleaning that fence-line.
The figs were producing almost ½ pint a day; but yesterday I only got 2 figs. People talk about 2 crops of figs a year. I wonder if the first crop has just finished and all of the little figs on the tree are the second crop. I am just glad the first crop was good. My wife was really distressed about the way I had cut the trees back. Maybe she won’t complain this year.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Yesterday (Aug. 18) I noticed the first real signs of cucurbit decline. The vines on almost everything are getting woody and dry. There was almost no new fruit on anything. I really thought all the rain we have had and now the sunshine would make the garden perk up and get excited. It only seemed to hurry the end.
The tomatoes are just starting to make and they are getting wilted looking. The watermelon leaves are looking a little brownish. The speckled lima beans do look good and the volunteer cucumbers are still green and producing. The Chayote plant still does not have blooms; but it is growing wildly. The neighbors weeds and vines have crossed the fence to the point of being intrusive. I guess that will be my big project for the weekend, cleaning that fence-line.
The figs were producing almost ½ pint a day; but yesterday I only got 2 figs. People talk about 2 crops of figs a year. I wonder if the first crop has just finished and all of the little figs on the tree are the second crop. I am just glad the first crop was good. My wife was really distressed about the way I had cut the trees back. Maybe she won’t complain this year.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Michael Swol’s Creative Patti-Pan Squash Recipes
Michael Swol’s Creative Patti-Pan Squash Recipes
Michael has gotten really carried away with the patti-pan squash. He made lasagna with it and brought it to the office for lunch today. It was extremely good. I don’t really know his recipe exactly. I thought he would substitute the squash for the pasta. He didn’t. He added the chopped up patti-pan squash to the regular ingredients. He also had some ground chicken in there. It was deee-licious.
The other thing he made was stuffed patti-pans. The recipe for this is at http://www.recipezaar.com/246785 . I have not tried this; but I have talked to some of the tasters and it got really good reviews. The patti-pans are still producing prodigiously. The pickle worms seem to like them as much as Michael does though. This has been a good year for cucurbits and a really good year for pickleworms. Oh well to paraphrase another old truism. Every worm has a pickle, not every pickle has a worm.
It rained like crazy Saturday night. The garden seems to love it. Now a little sunshine won’t hurt. As soon as the ground gets dry the fall garden can go in. Most of the summer garden is still there, so a lot of the fall garden will have to be planted in the front yard. I hope my wife doesn’t get too upset.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Michael has gotten really carried away with the patti-pan squash. He made lasagna with it and brought it to the office for lunch today. It was extremely good. I don’t really know his recipe exactly. I thought he would substitute the squash for the pasta. He didn’t. He added the chopped up patti-pan squash to the regular ingredients. He also had some ground chicken in there. It was deee-licious.
The other thing he made was stuffed patti-pans. The recipe for this is at http://www.recipezaar.com/246785 . I have not tried this; but I have talked to some of the tasters and it got really good reviews. The patti-pans are still producing prodigiously. The pickle worms seem to like them as much as Michael does though. This has been a good year for cucurbits and a really good year for pickleworms. Oh well to paraphrase another old truism. Every worm has a pickle, not every pickle has a worm.
It rained like crazy Saturday night. The garden seems to love it. Now a little sunshine won’t hurt. As soon as the ground gets dry the fall garden can go in. Most of the summer garden is still there, so a lot of the fall garden will have to be planted in the front yard. I hope my wife doesn’t get too upset.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Getting Started with the Greenhouse
Getting Started with the Greenhouse
Most of the bedding plants will not go in the dirt until late December. Right now is a slow time in the yard and garden so it is a good time to get the greenhouse ready. Cabbage and broccoli plants can be started now for fall planting. I am also going to plant some tomatoes in the hopes of having winter tomatoes.
The shelves were installed this weekend. The lighting is not in yet. That will hopefully be done this week. The important thing now is sanitation for the coming season. All of the pots and flats and pads will be cleaned with dishwashing soap and Clorox. They will be soaked in the Clorox for at least 2 hours before being washed and taken back into the greenhouse.
The whole floor of the greenhouse was loose bricks. I tore all of those out when I made the raised bed against the back wall. I will be using pavers for the new floor after I level the dirt and get everything really clean. The pavers will be cleaned with a Clorox solution to kill any mildew or fungus spores that may be on them. Next years garden begins!
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Most of the bedding plants will not go in the dirt until late December. Right now is a slow time in the yard and garden so it is a good time to get the greenhouse ready. Cabbage and broccoli plants can be started now for fall planting. I am also going to plant some tomatoes in the hopes of having winter tomatoes.
The shelves were installed this weekend. The lighting is not in yet. That will hopefully be done this week. The important thing now is sanitation for the coming season. All of the pots and flats and pads will be cleaned with dishwashing soap and Clorox. They will be soaked in the Clorox for at least 2 hours before being washed and taken back into the greenhouse.
The whole floor of the greenhouse was loose bricks. I tore all of those out when I made the raised bed against the back wall. I will be using pavers for the new floor after I level the dirt and get everything really clean. The pavers will be cleaned with a Clorox solution to kill any mildew or fungus spores that may be on them. Next years garden begins!
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Monday, August 18, 2008
A Change is Gonna Come
A Change is Gonna Come
Every year is a learning experience in the garden. Some of the things learned this year that go into planning for next years garden are:
1) The watermelon fence is a great idea. The 2” X 4” wire lets the baby watermelons hang down on the inside. I will put some plastic hardware mesh on the top of the 2” X 4” wire next year.
2) The plastic wire for the cucumber fence is too flimsy for 8’ spans. Next year it will be on 4’ spans. I may even put rails there to support the vines better. There were hot peppers and herbs in the row as well to keep the bugs and other critters away this year. That seemed to help. I will do that again.
Some things I know are a problem. I just don’t know what to do. They will take some research.
1) The tomatoes are braced and tied as high as I can reach; but they still keep growing and fall over. If I make them any higher, I won’t be able to pick them without a ladder.
2) The squash plants wander all over the garden.
3) The spaghetti squash just plain died. There was only 1 squash and it had worms. That is the most delicious squash. Why can’t I grow them?
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Every year is a learning experience in the garden. Some of the things learned this year that go into planning for next years garden are:
1) The watermelon fence is a great idea. The 2” X 4” wire lets the baby watermelons hang down on the inside. I will put some plastic hardware mesh on the top of the 2” X 4” wire next year.
2) The plastic wire for the cucumber fence is too flimsy for 8’ spans. Next year it will be on 4’ spans. I may even put rails there to support the vines better. There were hot peppers and herbs in the row as well to keep the bugs and other critters away this year. That seemed to help. I will do that again.
Some things I know are a problem. I just don’t know what to do. They will take some research.
1) The tomatoes are braced and tied as high as I can reach; but they still keep growing and fall over. If I make them any higher, I won’t be able to pick them without a ladder.
2) The squash plants wander all over the garden.
3) The spaghetti squash just plain died. There was only 1 squash and it had worms. That is the most delicious squash. Why can’t I grow them?
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Watermelon Man
Watermelon Man
We picked our first watermelon yesterday (8/13). I guess I should say it picked itself. We had been out of town for 3 days. When I went to the garden the watermelon had broken loose from the vine and rolled down the watermelon fence. I took it inside and washed it and cut it. Oooo. It is delicious. I have planted watermelons every year for many years. This is the first one we have picked. Persistence pays off.
We got quite a few tomatoes too. Several of them had holes from bugs or birds. They were too beautiful to throw away. I took them inside, cut out the bad spots and sliced them. I layered them with basil leaves in a Tupperware tub and put them in the fridge for tomato sandwiches.
Next week is time to start the fall garden. Swiss chard and red cabbage will go in the flower beds out front this year. The back yard will get curly mustard, Tokyo cross turnips, radishes, oak leaf lettuce, arugula, mesclun mix and regular cabbage. Maybe there will be a broccoli plant or two. The shelves should be into the greenhouse too, so we can start some fall tomatoes to raise in the raised bed that was built into the greenhouse.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com/ , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
We picked our first watermelon yesterday (8/13). I guess I should say it picked itself. We had been out of town for 3 days. When I went to the garden the watermelon had broken loose from the vine and rolled down the watermelon fence. I took it inside and washed it and cut it. Oooo. It is delicious. I have planted watermelons every year for many years. This is the first one we have picked. Persistence pays off.
We got quite a few tomatoes too. Several of them had holes from bugs or birds. They were too beautiful to throw away. I took them inside, cut out the bad spots and sliced them. I layered them with basil leaves in a Tupperware tub and put them in the fridge for tomato sandwiches.
Next week is time to start the fall garden. Swiss chard and red cabbage will go in the flower beds out front this year. The back yard will get curly mustard, Tokyo cross turnips, radishes, oak leaf lettuce, arugula, mesclun mix and regular cabbage. Maybe there will be a broccoli plant or two. The shelves should be into the greenhouse too, so we can start some fall tomatoes to raise in the raised bed that was built into the greenhouse.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com/ , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Book Review: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle
Book Review: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle
Rusty Dixon loaned me this great book by Barbara Kingsolver. The book is the story of a family’s quest to eat only local food for a year. As worthy as the goal is that could have been a fairly dry subject. Barbara Kingsolver’s wit and style successfully avoided that problem. The book holds one’s interest from beginning to end, with a series of great stories, political commentary and interesting recipes.
The book is not really a “how to” gardening book; but there is a lot of useful information for gardeners. The stories are entertaining and thought provoking. Rusty came by yesterday to pick up the book and we talked about it. We also talked about the shortage of zucchini this year in both of our gardens. Barbara Kingsolver complained about being unwelcome everywhere because people were afraid she would give them zucchini. Not this year. I did have that experience with Kale.
The ending of the book (It is not a novel, I can tell you the ending) is the story about the horny turkeys and their egg raising adventures. It was a great capstone for a great book. I recommend this book for all gardeners. I especially recommend it for all non-gardeners.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Rusty Dixon loaned me this great book by Barbara Kingsolver. The book is the story of a family’s quest to eat only local food for a year. As worthy as the goal is that could have been a fairly dry subject. Barbara Kingsolver’s wit and style successfully avoided that problem. The book holds one’s interest from beginning to end, with a series of great stories, political commentary and interesting recipes.
The book is not really a “how to” gardening book; but there is a lot of useful information for gardeners. The stories are entertaining and thought provoking. Rusty came by yesterday to pick up the book and we talked about it. We also talked about the shortage of zucchini this year in both of our gardens. Barbara Kingsolver complained about being unwelcome everywhere because people were afraid she would give them zucchini. Not this year. I did have that experience with Kale.
The ending of the book (It is not a novel, I can tell you the ending) is the story about the horny turkeys and their egg raising adventures. It was a great capstone for a great book. I recommend this book for all gardeners. I especially recommend it for all non-gardeners.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Pickle-Worms
Pickle-Worms
We are leaving the realm of science fiction; but we are sticking with the cucurbits. The last couple of blogs have referred to the little worms eating the cucurbits. Winter Swol did some internet research and found out they were called “pickle-worms”. They eat squash and other cucurbits as well. Soak the vegetable in water and they come out for air. Then you can murder them and put them in the compost. The part of the vegetable they haven’t munched on is still good to eat.
I can just hear the ooo’s. Would you rather share your plate with a pickle worm, or expose your garden, yourself and your family to carcinogenic chemicals? I realize many people will choose the latter. Everyone draws the line somewhere. I spray myself with Deit before working in the yard. I make a conscious decision that the diseases and discomfort caused by the mosquitoes is worse than the risks posed by the chemical. I even used a pyrethrum spray on the harlequin bugs. It didn’t work. I accelerated to Sevin Dust. That seems to work; but has to be reapplied after each rain. My broccoli plants look like lace and I don’t really want to eat the broccoli. I will probably pull them up. The bugs, the environment and me all lose. I wouldn’t really mind if they would just eat a little bit. They are so greedy.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
We are leaving the realm of science fiction; but we are sticking with the cucurbits. The last couple of blogs have referred to the little worms eating the cucurbits. Winter Swol did some internet research and found out they were called “pickle-worms”. They eat squash and other cucurbits as well. Soak the vegetable in water and they come out for air. Then you can murder them and put them in the compost. The part of the vegetable they haven’t munched on is still good to eat.
I can just hear the ooo’s. Would you rather share your plate with a pickle worm, or expose your garden, yourself and your family to carcinogenic chemicals? I realize many people will choose the latter. Everyone draws the line somewhere. I spray myself with Deit before working in the yard. I make a conscious decision that the diseases and discomfort caused by the mosquitoes is worse than the risks posed by the chemical. I even used a pyrethrum spray on the harlequin bugs. It didn’t work. I accelerated to Sevin Dust. That seems to work; but has to be reapplied after each rain. My broccoli plants look like lace and I don’t really want to eat the broccoli. I will probably pull them up. The bugs, the environment and me all lose. I wouldn’t really mind if they would just eat a little bit. They are so greedy.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Invasion of the Monster Squash Plants
Invasion of the Monster Squash Plants
Keeping on with the science fiction theme….Most of my rows were laid out 3’ wide with 2’ paths between. I allowed 4’ for the squash rows. They have filled the pathways and grown into the other rows and grown out of the garden. It is almost impossible to pick them because there is no space between them. They just keep expanding their territory. They remind me of communism after WWII.
The cucumbers are doing the same thing. The only cucurbits that are staying in their allotted territory are the watermelons and spaghetti squash. The spaghetti squash has been a little bit of a disappointment so far. I only have one squash and it has little worm holes in it. I may not have anything there when I pick it. The spaghetti squash is one of my favorite garden things. It will be a shame if we don’t get any as beautiful as the vines are.
My single chayote plant has grown over the grape arbor and escaped into my neighbors trees. I don’t know if it will make chayote in our climate. It sure makes a lot of vine. It does not even have blooms yet; so I am not extremely hopeful. It was fun to grow; and the chayotes taste a little bland anyway. Last year by this time I had a lot of empty space for the winter garden. I only have one or two little spots this year because the cucurbits took over the space as the early plants came off.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Keeping on with the science fiction theme….Most of my rows were laid out 3’ wide with 2’ paths between. I allowed 4’ for the squash rows. They have filled the pathways and grown into the other rows and grown out of the garden. It is almost impossible to pick them because there is no space between them. They just keep expanding their territory. They remind me of communism after WWII.
The cucumbers are doing the same thing. The only cucurbits that are staying in their allotted territory are the watermelons and spaghetti squash. The spaghetti squash has been a little bit of a disappointment so far. I only have one squash and it has little worm holes in it. I may not have anything there when I pick it. The spaghetti squash is one of my favorite garden things. It will be a shame if we don’t get any as beautiful as the vines are.
My single chayote plant has grown over the grape arbor and escaped into my neighbors trees. I don’t know if it will make chayote in our climate. It sure makes a lot of vine. It does not even have blooms yet; so I am not extremely hopeful. It was fun to grow; and the chayotes taste a little bland anyway. Last year by this time I had a lot of empty space for the winter garden. I only have one or two little spots this year because the cucurbits took over the space as the early plants came off.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Monday, July 28, 2008
An Old Evil Returns
An Old Evil Returns
No, we are not moving to the science fiction genre; but it would be fun. The old evil is powdery mildew. It has come back with a vengeance. At this time of year there are two major challenges with cucurbits. 1) is dealing with the surplus production. 2) is keeping them alive. 2) will take care of 1) if we are not diligent.
Cucurbits suffer from a wide variety of ailments as the season progresses. The worst is a little worm that hollows out the stalk and causes the stalk and leaf to rot. This eventually kills the whole plant. Another big problem is the little worm that gets into the fruit itself and causes it to rot. This one can be dealt with by planting enough for you and the worms. The rotten fruits can go into a hot compost pile. This ends the worms life and contributes to next years produce.
Powdery mildew is disastrous if not caught early. The cure is to spray the leaves with a solution of baking soda and dish soap in lots of water. The first time I did this I thought I had killed my plants. The infected leaves all died. They are going to die anyway. The spray keeps the mildew from spreading. The healthy leaves do not seem to suffer from the spray. I sprayed this morning. I think I caught the mildew in time. I will let you know.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
No, we are not moving to the science fiction genre; but it would be fun. The old evil is powdery mildew. It has come back with a vengeance. At this time of year there are two major challenges with cucurbits. 1) is dealing with the surplus production. 2) is keeping them alive. 2) will take care of 1) if we are not diligent.
Cucurbits suffer from a wide variety of ailments as the season progresses. The worst is a little worm that hollows out the stalk and causes the stalk and leaf to rot. This eventually kills the whole plant. Another big problem is the little worm that gets into the fruit itself and causes it to rot. This one can be dealt with by planting enough for you and the worms. The rotten fruits can go into a hot compost pile. This ends the worms life and contributes to next years produce.
Powdery mildew is disastrous if not caught early. The cure is to spray the leaves with a solution of baking soda and dish soap in lots of water. The first time I did this I thought I had killed my plants. The infected leaves all died. They are going to die anyway. The spray keeps the mildew from spreading. The healthy leaves do not seem to suffer from the spray. I sprayed this morning. I think I caught the mildew in time. I will let you know.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Doing Instead of Talking
Doing Instead of Talking
I have been so busy catching up from the Shanghai trip that I have not been able to write much. I have been doing garden work instead of talking about it. We are getting lots of everything except tomatoes. The tomatoes are a strange case. I planted some ordinary beefsteak; but most of the tomatoes are either the Porterhouse Beefsteak or Marglobe. The beefsteaks are huge; but they don’t have much flavor. It is like they have enough flavor for a little tomato spread through a big tomato. They will not work for canning in a water bath; because they don’t have much acid.
The watermelon fence is working great except for the few watermelons that fell through. I had to put things under them. Here is a picture of the watermelon fence. It was taken about 4 days ago and I had not cut the grass in the yard then. I have cut the grass since.
We have been getting lots of cucumbers; but my wife missed a lot while I was gone. We cut these huge cucumbers down the middle and took out the seeds. Then we chopped the cucumbers and put them in a jar with onions, vinegar, salt water and olive oil. They are good, good, good.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
I have been so busy catching up from the Shanghai trip that I have not been able to write much. I have been doing garden work instead of talking about it. We are getting lots of everything except tomatoes. The tomatoes are a strange case. I planted some ordinary beefsteak; but most of the tomatoes are either the Porterhouse Beefsteak or Marglobe. The beefsteaks are huge; but they don’t have much flavor. It is like they have enough flavor for a little tomato spread through a big tomato. They will not work for canning in a water bath; because they don’t have much acid.
The watermelon fence is working great except for the few watermelons that fell through. I had to put things under them. Here is a picture of the watermelon fence. It was taken about 4 days ago and I had not cut the grass in the yard then. I have cut the grass since.
We have been getting lots of cucumbers; but my wife missed a lot while I was gone. We cut these huge cucumbers down the middle and took out the seeds. Then we chopped the cucumbers and put them in a jar with onions, vinegar, salt water and olive oil. They are good, good, good.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Friday, July 11, 2008
The Garden is on Autopilot
The Garden is on Autopilot
I hope. I have weeded & mulched and set up watering systems. All my wife has to do while I’m in Shanghai is pick the vegetables, maybe turn the watering system on and support new watermelons. Sorry, I haven’t written. I am not getting much garden lore here. Despite the climate, a lot of the food is preserved. I think that is because that is what the Shanghainese like, not because the fresh stuff is not available. When my wife and I were here in 2006, we got really sick; so I am not eating any thing with the peel on or anything that might have been washed and not cooked. I am passing up the very best. The few raw vegetables here look really delicious.
It has rained in Charlotte every evening since I left so yesterday was the first time my wife could get into the garden. She picked 9 tomatoes and patti-pan squash the size of dinner plates. The watermelons are soaking up the water and growing huge (for sugar-babies). She says the mosquitoes are doing well also. I have been spared the details; but I will bet the weeds are benefiting from the rain. More work for me. More material for the compost pile.
At least she doesn’t have to water. The irrigation really just keeps the plants alive. It doesn’t seem to make them grow and glow like rain does. Sorry for the long quiet spell. Monday is my day off. I will try to explore and report on the famous gardens (vegetable) of Shanghai.
David Segrest practices international real estate and writes an international real estate blog. Email is david@segrestrealty.com , Web page http://www.segrestrealty.com/ ,Blog http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
I hope. I have weeded & mulched and set up watering systems. All my wife has to do while I’m in Shanghai is pick the vegetables, maybe turn the watering system on and support new watermelons. Sorry, I haven’t written. I am not getting much garden lore here. Despite the climate, a lot of the food is preserved. I think that is because that is what the Shanghainese like, not because the fresh stuff is not available. When my wife and I were here in 2006, we got really sick; so I am not eating any thing with the peel on or anything that might have been washed and not cooked. I am passing up the very best. The few raw vegetables here look really delicious.
It has rained in Charlotte every evening since I left so yesterday was the first time my wife could get into the garden. She picked 9 tomatoes and patti-pan squash the size of dinner plates. The watermelons are soaking up the water and growing huge (for sugar-babies). She says the mosquitoes are doing well also. I have been spared the details; but I will bet the weeds are benefiting from the rain. More work for me. More material for the compost pile.
At least she doesn’t have to water. The irrigation really just keeps the plants alive. It doesn’t seem to make them grow and glow like rain does. Sorry for the long quiet spell. Monday is my day off. I will try to explore and report on the famous gardens (vegetable) of Shanghai.
David Segrest practices international real estate and writes an international real estate blog. Email is david@segrestrealty.com , Web page http://www.segrestrealty.com/ ,Blog http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Harlequin Bugs
Harlequin Bugs
Harlequin bugs are really pretty; but they sure do make a broccoli or Brussels sprout plant ugly. I found an infestation of them in my crucifer row. I did not know what they were. I did find them on the internet. The only remedy (not chemical) was to hand pick them or get praying mantises. It is too late for praying mantises. The plants are too tall and close together for hand picking. I might do more damage than the bugs.
I settled for a compromise remedy. I sprayed them with a pyrethrum spray made from geraniums. Just because it is made from geraniums doesn’t mean that is not a noxious chemical. It just lets me feel better about it. The rain was threatening Saturday evening so I waited until Sunday AM to spray. At about 11:00 AM the plants were still wet; but I sprayed anyway. I only saw 1 bug Sunday evening. Maybe the spray worked. I’ll let you know.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com/ , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Harlequin bugs are really pretty; but they sure do make a broccoli or Brussels sprout plant ugly. I found an infestation of them in my crucifer row. I did not know what they were. I did find them on the internet. The only remedy (not chemical) was to hand pick them or get praying mantises. It is too late for praying mantises. The plants are too tall and close together for hand picking. I might do more damage than the bugs.
I settled for a compromise remedy. I sprayed them with a pyrethrum spray made from geraniums. Just because it is made from geraniums doesn’t mean that is not a noxious chemical. It just lets me feel better about it. The rain was threatening Saturday evening so I waited until Sunday AM to spray. At about 11:00 AM the plants were still wet; but I sprayed anyway. I only saw 1 bug Sunday evening. Maybe the spray worked. I’ll let you know.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com/ , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Pictures at last
I am not very good at this picture thing; but here are some garden pictures. The one on the extreme right is the small fig tree. It is actually the same size as the big fig tree. The picture under this text that I cannot get to move is the rosemary plant. 
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
It Is Never Too Early to Prepare (part 1)
It Is Never Too Early to Prepare (part 1)
Yes, you guessed it. I am planning my fall garden, my next years garden and the plantings in the greenhouse. I have already planted a very small patch of Romaine lettuce. It started coming up yesterday (June 22). I want to change the direction of the rows next year, just to see how it affects production. The fall garden will hopefully still be producing when I lay out the rows for spring planting.
So, what do I plant for fall? Swiss Chard is at the top of the list. Turnips (Tokyo Cross Hybrid) and mustard are an annual event. Lettuce, Arugula and Mesclun mix are required. Radishes beets and carrots will be planted every two or three weeks all winter. I feel like I am leaving something important out. Any ideas?
I’m changing the whole layout of the greenhouse. There will be 3 shelves instead of 2 and they will have lights. The shelves and lights will be “modular” so I can move them as the plants grow. By planting time I will be back to 2 shelves. What will I do with the extra plants? The greenhouse will also have a 18” X 8’ raised bed; so I can plant right in the ground. My intention is 3 tomato plants, 2 cucumber vines and some basil. I will have lights on a timer to get the correct day length.
David Segrest practices international real estate and writes an international real estate blog. Email is david@segrestrealty.com , Web page http://www.segrestrealty.com ,Blog http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
Yes, you guessed it. I am planning my fall garden, my next years garden and the plantings in the greenhouse. I have already planted a very small patch of Romaine lettuce. It started coming up yesterday (June 22). I want to change the direction of the rows next year, just to see how it affects production. The fall garden will hopefully still be producing when I lay out the rows for spring planting.
So, what do I plant for fall? Swiss Chard is at the top of the list. Turnips (Tokyo Cross Hybrid) and mustard are an annual event. Lettuce, Arugula and Mesclun mix are required. Radishes beets and carrots will be planted every two or three weeks all winter. I feel like I am leaving something important out. Any ideas?
I’m changing the whole layout of the greenhouse. There will be 3 shelves instead of 2 and they will have lights. The shelves and lights will be “modular” so I can move them as the plants grow. By planting time I will be back to 2 shelves. What will I do with the extra plants? The greenhouse will also have a 18” X 8’ raised bed; so I can plant right in the ground. My intention is 3 tomato plants, 2 cucumber vines and some basil. I will have lights on a timer to get the correct day length.
David Segrest practices international real estate and writes an international real estate blog. Email is david@segrestrealty.com , Web page http://www.segrestrealty.com ,Blog http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
Monday, June 23, 2008
Rain, Rain, Don't Go Away
Rain, Rain, Don’t go away
The rains have come back. Not with force; but at least to keep the ground wet. The garden appreciates it.
We have eaten 2 figs (whoopee). There is a squash on the spaghetti squash vine. The vine is 8 feet high. The chayote ( I hope I have spelled that right) is really taking off. Squash and zucchini are producing. I don’t know about the potatoes. Most of the vines are starting to look a little sad. 1 vine died. I dug it up and only found 2 very small potatoes. 1 of them was partially eaten by something. Maybe my idea of covering the vines 18’ deep in leaves was not so good.
The eggplants have little knobby eggplants on them, the tomatoes have big tomatoes; but they aren’t getting ripe yet. The Asparagus have huge ferns and the patty pan squash are almost ready to pick. The watermelons are half way up the watermelon fence. I believe the “watermelon plant” that has blossoms is a cantaloupe. I have lots of volunteer cucurbits this year. They all seem to be the running variety. I know that at least 1 is a cucumber; because I picked a cucumber from it. I can’t wait to see what the rest of them are. I also have some volunteer tomatoes. They are in the area where I planted marglobe last year. Marglobe is not a hybrid so they may be true tomatoes.
David Segrest practices international real estate and writes an international real estate blog. Email is david@segrestrealty.com , Web page http://www.segrestrealty.com ,Blog http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
The rains have come back. Not with force; but at least to keep the ground wet. The garden appreciates it.
We have eaten 2 figs (whoopee). There is a squash on the spaghetti squash vine. The vine is 8 feet high. The chayote ( I hope I have spelled that right) is really taking off. Squash and zucchini are producing. I don’t know about the potatoes. Most of the vines are starting to look a little sad. 1 vine died. I dug it up and only found 2 very small potatoes. 1 of them was partially eaten by something. Maybe my idea of covering the vines 18’ deep in leaves was not so good.
The eggplants have little knobby eggplants on them, the tomatoes have big tomatoes; but they aren’t getting ripe yet. The Asparagus have huge ferns and the patty pan squash are almost ready to pick. The watermelons are half way up the watermelon fence. I believe the “watermelon plant” that has blossoms is a cantaloupe. I have lots of volunteer cucurbits this year. They all seem to be the running variety. I know that at least 1 is a cucumber; because I picked a cucumber from it. I can’t wait to see what the rest of them are. I also have some volunteer tomatoes. They are in the area where I planted marglobe last year. Marglobe is not a hybrid so they may be true tomatoes.
David Segrest practices international real estate and writes an international real estate blog. Email is david@segrestrealty.com , Web page http://www.segrestrealty.com ,Blog http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
Friday, June 20, 2008
English Ivy
English Ivy
I don’t know if English Ivy really originates in England or not. If it does it is a pretty good vengeance for the American Revolution. I had some trees cut down in my yard a few months ago and the tree people really tore my yard up with their bobcat. I did not really care; because I felt that it was time (after 23 years) to redo the landscaping.
I started out with my tiller. A third of the front yard is (was) English Ivy. The tiller got so tangled up, I had to send it to the shop to get it going again. Now, I pull some every day by hand. I have put mountains of the stuff on the street for the yard waste collection. I still have a long way to go. I do hope to try the tiller again next week. I have enough sense now to stop if it starts pulling a long strand.
I realize, I could just poison the stuff. I don’t want to do that. The roots would still be in the soil. I would have to work in the poison to pull the ivy, Waste from the yard goes in the compost pile and onto the vegetable garden. I may plant some vegetables in the flower beds next year. I don’t want to put the poison in the watershed. There are many reasons not to use the poison.
David Segrest practices international real estate and writes an international real estate blog. Email is david@segrestrealty.com , Web page http://www.segrestrealty.com ,Blog http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
I don’t know if English Ivy really originates in England or not. If it does it is a pretty good vengeance for the American Revolution. I had some trees cut down in my yard a few months ago and the tree people really tore my yard up with their bobcat. I did not really care; because I felt that it was time (after 23 years) to redo the landscaping.
I started out with my tiller. A third of the front yard is (was) English Ivy. The tiller got so tangled up, I had to send it to the shop to get it going again. Now, I pull some every day by hand. I have put mountains of the stuff on the street for the yard waste collection. I still have a long way to go. I do hope to try the tiller again next week. I have enough sense now to stop if it starts pulling a long strand.
I realize, I could just poison the stuff. I don’t want to do that. The roots would still be in the soil. I would have to work in the poison to pull the ivy, Waste from the yard goes in the compost pile and onto the vegetable garden. I may plant some vegetables in the flower beds next year. I don’t want to put the poison in the watershed. There are many reasons not to use the poison.
David Segrest practices international real estate and writes an international real estate blog. Email is david@segrestrealty.com , Web page http://www.segrestrealty.com ,Blog http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Small Strong Turnips
Small Strong Turnips
I pulled off all of the turnips yesterday. The bulbs were not very big; but the leaves were starting to look ratty. Most of the turnips were too small to fool around with so I just put them in the compost bin. The ones that had bulbs about an inch in diameter or more, I took inside. We cooked a few for supper last night. They were really strong. No more purple tops, strictly Tokyo Cross Hybrid turnips for the future.
The soil is drying out really fast. I guess it is because the plants are getting so large. I had to water yesterday. I think I will just water every day until it rains again. The watermelon vines have blossoms. I know that means they will really start sucking up water.
Weeds are really growing fast under the fig trees, despite the shade and the heavy mulch. I pulled them yesterday. I think I will try planting some oak leaf lettuce there. It would be wonderful to have lettuce, tomato and cucumber at the same time. I picked the second cucumber yesterday. There were only a few squash and one zucchini and 2 small broccoli heads. The Brussels sprouts have a few little buds on the stalks.
David Segrest practices international real estate and writes an international real estate blog. Email is david@segrestrealty.com , Web page http://www.segrestrealty.com ,Blog http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
I pulled off all of the turnips yesterday. The bulbs were not very big; but the leaves were starting to look ratty. Most of the turnips were too small to fool around with so I just put them in the compost bin. The ones that had bulbs about an inch in diameter or more, I took inside. We cooked a few for supper last night. They were really strong. No more purple tops, strictly Tokyo Cross Hybrid turnips for the future.
The soil is drying out really fast. I guess it is because the plants are getting so large. I had to water yesterday. I think I will just water every day until it rains again. The watermelon vines have blossoms. I know that means they will really start sucking up water.
Weeds are really growing fast under the fig trees, despite the shade and the heavy mulch. I pulled them yesterday. I think I will try planting some oak leaf lettuce there. It would be wonderful to have lettuce, tomato and cucumber at the same time. I picked the second cucumber yesterday. There were only a few squash and one zucchini and 2 small broccoli heads. The Brussels sprouts have a few little buds on the stalks.
David Segrest practices international real estate and writes an international real estate blog. Email is david@segrestrealty.com , Web page http://www.segrestrealty.com ,Blog http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
High Expectations
High Expectations
At the risk of jinxing things, my garden is coming along fantastically. The watermelons are climbing the watermelon fence. (a little). The spaghetti squash is over my head and blooming. A couple of the tomatoes are bigger than my fist. 2 cucumbers should be ready to pick today or tomorrow. We are eating yellow squash and zucchini. The patty-pan squash is blooming. There are even a couple of blooms on the eggplants.
The kale is still producing in great quantities and it still tastes good. How long can it last? There is even a little bit of lettuce that hasn’t bolted. I don’t think there is any way we will have tomato, cucumber and lettuce from the garden in the same salad; but there is a real good chance for the lettuce and cucumber. Only a few of the turnips have bolted; but the ones left don’t have very big turnips on them; so we may be almost finished with the turnips. Learn from experience. From now on it’s Tokyo Cross instead of Purple top.
Interior painting has started on the greenhouse and the plans for new shelves, lights and an inside raised bed are under way. The indoor raised bed may be a little radical. We’ll see.
David Segrest practices international real estate and writes an international real estate blog. Email is david@segrestrealty.com , Web page http://www.segrestrealty.com ,Blog http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
At the risk of jinxing things, my garden is coming along fantastically. The watermelons are climbing the watermelon fence. (a little). The spaghetti squash is over my head and blooming. A couple of the tomatoes are bigger than my fist. 2 cucumbers should be ready to pick today or tomorrow. We are eating yellow squash and zucchini. The patty-pan squash is blooming. There are even a couple of blooms on the eggplants.
The kale is still producing in great quantities and it still tastes good. How long can it last? There is even a little bit of lettuce that hasn’t bolted. I don’t think there is any way we will have tomato, cucumber and lettuce from the garden in the same salad; but there is a real good chance for the lettuce and cucumber. Only a few of the turnips have bolted; but the ones left don’t have very big turnips on them; so we may be almost finished with the turnips. Learn from experience. From now on it’s Tokyo Cross instead of Purple top.
Interior painting has started on the greenhouse and the plans for new shelves, lights and an inside raised bed are under way. The indoor raised bed may be a little radical. We’ll see.
David Segrest practices international real estate and writes an international real estate blog. Email is david@segrestrealty.com , Web page http://www.segrestrealty.com ,Blog http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Progress Report
Progress Report
I am once again separated from my Garden. I am in Miami in an air-conditioned environment. It is really too hot in Charlotte to be in the yard anyway.
The grape vines are really going to town. I had no idea they would grow this fast. The tomatoes are over my head and have tomatoes the size of tennis balls already. We are eating squash and zucchini. The spaghetti squash is literally climbing the wall. It is at about shoulder level now. The patty-pan squash finally has blossoms. The watermelons are growing; but slowly. There are tiny cucumbers on the cucumber vines. We have cut some broccoli but they are small. If we don’t cut them they will go to seed.
We haven’t had any rain for weeks. I have been watering with my Rube Goldberg system every 2 or 3 days; but that only keeps the plants alive. It does not really make for healthy growth. We had a thunderstorm last night; but it was only thunder and lightning, no water. In Miami we had a nice storm yesterday afternoon. The sky is overcast now. Everything here is really green and lovely. The flowers are blooming in Coral Gables.
David Segrest practices international real estate and writes an international real estate blog. Email is david@segrestrealty.com , Web page http://www.segrestrealty.com ,Blog http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
I am once again separated from my Garden. I am in Miami in an air-conditioned environment. It is really too hot in Charlotte to be in the yard anyway.
The grape vines are really going to town. I had no idea they would grow this fast. The tomatoes are over my head and have tomatoes the size of tennis balls already. We are eating squash and zucchini. The spaghetti squash is literally climbing the wall. It is at about shoulder level now. The patty-pan squash finally has blossoms. The watermelons are growing; but slowly. There are tiny cucumbers on the cucumber vines. We have cut some broccoli but they are small. If we don’t cut them they will go to seed.
We haven’t had any rain for weeks. I have been watering with my Rube Goldberg system every 2 or 3 days; but that only keeps the plants alive. It does not really make for healthy growth. We had a thunderstorm last night; but it was only thunder and lightning, no water. In Miami we had a nice storm yesterday afternoon. The sky is overcast now. Everything here is really green and lovely. The flowers are blooming in Coral Gables.
David Segrest practices international real estate and writes an international real estate blog. Email is david@segrestrealty.com , Web page http://www.segrestrealty.com ,Blog http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Back to the Garden (and the weeds)
Back to the Garden (and the weeds)
Despite the good food and warm hospitality of Bulgaria & Romania, I am glad to be home. I have been home a week. I have been home long enough that I am not even home anymore. I am in San Francisco. I did have time to mess around in the garden a little bit.
It took a full week to pull all of the weeds. I also pulled off the mustard and arugula. They have gone to seed. We are still eating kale. A little bit of squash and a little bit of zucchini comes in every day. The herbs are growing faster than we can eat them or give them away. The turnip greens are not really fit to eat; but the turnips are still growing so I have not pulled them off. The turnips are really a by-product of the greens to us; but last fall I planted some Tokyo cross hybrids. They were very good. There were a few volunteers this spring so we ate them.
My wife boiled them in salt water. She diced them and seasoned them with dill, ground pepper and butter. God they were delicious. The ones that are growing now are the purple top. We are hoping they will be as good as the Tokyo cross. I’ll let you know. I have also been pulling ivy and turning compost. The weeds have refilled the compost bin; but I am almost out of mulch.
David Segrest practices international real estate and writes an international real estate blog. Email is david@segrestrealty.com , Web page http://www.segrestrealty.com ,Blog http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
Despite the good food and warm hospitality of Bulgaria & Romania, I am glad to be home. I have been home a week. I have been home long enough that I am not even home anymore. I am in San Francisco. I did have time to mess around in the garden a little bit.
It took a full week to pull all of the weeds. I also pulled off the mustard and arugula. They have gone to seed. We are still eating kale. A little bit of squash and a little bit of zucchini comes in every day. The herbs are growing faster than we can eat them or give them away. The turnip greens are not really fit to eat; but the turnips are still growing so I have not pulled them off. The turnips are really a by-product of the greens to us; but last fall I planted some Tokyo cross hybrids. They were very good. There were a few volunteers this spring so we ate them.
My wife boiled them in salt water. She diced them and seasoned them with dill, ground pepper and butter. God they were delicious. The ones that are growing now are the purple top. We are hoping they will be as good as the Tokyo cross. I’ll let you know. I have also been pulling ivy and turning compost. The weeds have refilled the compost bin; but I am almost out of mulch.
David Segrest practices international real estate and writes an international real estate blog. Email is david@segrestrealty.com , Web page http://www.segrestrealty.com ,Blog http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Fratii Jderi
Fratii Jideri
I think of Fratii Jideri as Cezar’s garden. It is about 1 hectare of heaven in the Romanian Mountains. I know that Cezar has planted most of the “garden”. It doesn’t feel that way. Everything feels like it just happened. The garden is a wilderness camp, with log cabins and tree houses and lakes and willow trees and wild flowers. Cezar told me that every view is meant to be like a TV screen. He has accomplished this.
This is my third visit and I have been able to watch the vision grow over a period of about 4 (maybe 5) years. On the 1st trip Cezar met us at the creek (which we had to cross on foot in the dark) with a light and a dog. He led us to a fire and heated plum wine. That was the beginning of one of the most memorable nights of my life.
My wife and I normally go to bed at about 9:00. We stayed up until 4:00 in the morning. We drank plum wine, ate unbelievable Romanian country food and sat around a fire listening while members of our group passed the guitar and sang Romanian folk songs. We only went to bed when we could no longer keep our eyes open.
The second trip was last year. There were new cabins and a pavilion, some of the trees had grown. Others had been planted. The dog was getting feeble. A new pup has been brought in as a replacement. The place was maturing. There were more activities. I just wished my wife had been with me.
This year the place has developed even more. No matter what is added, the feeling manages to stay the same. The “TV screens” are even more beautiful than before. I think this will be the last time I see the old dog. He looks like a worn out carpet. There are more cabins and more visitors. A young couple is planning their wedding here. They are so excited about it that it is contagious.
The food is really fantastic even for Romanians. Imagine what it is like for someone who has been eating American “cuisine”. I have been trying to take some pictures. They come out well; but it is impossible to catch the feeling and the smell and the taste.
David Segrest practices international real estate and writes an international real estate blog. Email is david@segrestrealty.com , Web page http://www.segrestrealty.com ,Blog http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
I think of Fratii Jideri as Cezar’s garden. It is about 1 hectare of heaven in the Romanian Mountains. I know that Cezar has planted most of the “garden”. It doesn’t feel that way. Everything feels like it just happened. The garden is a wilderness camp, with log cabins and tree houses and lakes and willow trees and wild flowers. Cezar told me that every view is meant to be like a TV screen. He has accomplished this.
This is my third visit and I have been able to watch the vision grow over a period of about 4 (maybe 5) years. On the 1st trip Cezar met us at the creek (which we had to cross on foot in the dark) with a light and a dog. He led us to a fire and heated plum wine. That was the beginning of one of the most memorable nights of my life.
My wife and I normally go to bed at about 9:00. We stayed up until 4:00 in the morning. We drank plum wine, ate unbelievable Romanian country food and sat around a fire listening while members of our group passed the guitar and sang Romanian folk songs. We only went to bed when we could no longer keep our eyes open.
The second trip was last year. There were new cabins and a pavilion, some of the trees had grown. Others had been planted. The dog was getting feeble. A new pup has been brought in as a replacement. The place was maturing. There were more activities. I just wished my wife had been with me.
This year the place has developed even more. No matter what is added, the feeling manages to stay the same. The “TV screens” are even more beautiful than before. I think this will be the last time I see the old dog. He looks like a worn out carpet. There are more cabins and more visitors. A young couple is planning their wedding here. They are so excited about it that it is contagious.
The food is really fantastic even for Romanians. Imagine what it is like for someone who has been eating American “cuisine”. I have been trying to take some pictures. They come out well; but it is impossible to catch the feeling and the smell and the taste.
David Segrest practices international real estate and writes an international real estate blog. Email is david@segrestrealty.com , Web page http://www.segrestrealty.com ,Blog http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
Monday, May 19, 2008
Bulgarian Tomatoes & Cucumbers
Bulgarian Tomatoes & Cucumbers
The part of Bulgaria where I am staying is a little bit cooler than Charlotte, NC. In Charlotte we traditionally pick our first tomato on July 4th. (last year mine was July 3rd). They serve locally grown tomatoes and cucumbers for every meal here. I have been trying to solve the mystery. They don’t taste like greenhouse tomatoes. I asked one of my students yesterday. His cousin has a garden and a greenhouse.
We have already mentioned that in the greenhouses here the plants are grown in the ground and covered with a plastic tunnel. My student said that the tomatoes taste the same. I asked, “What about in the winter?” My student said “We don’t have tomatoes in the winter.” I am surmising by this that they extend the growing season with the greenhouses. They don’t try to completely pervert it.
All of the students have left. I have a whole hotel to myself. There is a staff of about 30 people and I think there are three other guests. I am sitting on a patio by the black sea, listening to the waves and being pampered to the point of distraction. Life is good.
David Segrest practices international real estate and writes an international real estate blog. Email is david@segrestrealty.com , Web page http://www.segrestrealty.com ,Blog http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
The part of Bulgaria where I am staying is a little bit cooler than Charlotte, NC. In Charlotte we traditionally pick our first tomato on July 4th. (last year mine was July 3rd). They serve locally grown tomatoes and cucumbers for every meal here. I have been trying to solve the mystery. They don’t taste like greenhouse tomatoes. I asked one of my students yesterday. His cousin has a garden and a greenhouse.
We have already mentioned that in the greenhouses here the plants are grown in the ground and covered with a plastic tunnel. My student said that the tomatoes taste the same. I asked, “What about in the winter?” My student said “We don’t have tomatoes in the winter.” I am surmising by this that they extend the growing season with the greenhouses. They don’t try to completely pervert it.
All of the students have left. I have a whole hotel to myself. There is a staff of about 30 people and I think there are three other guests. I am sitting on a patio by the black sea, listening to the waves and being pampered to the point of distraction. Life is good.
David Segrest practices international real estate and writes an international real estate blog. Email is david@segrestrealty.com , Web page http://www.segrestrealty.com ,Blog http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
Sunday, May 18, 2008
More Bulgarian Food
More Bulgarian Food
Forgive me if this sounds like an obsession. It is. I have to tell you about the “Chopska salad”. I have only seen the spelling in Cyrillic so I don’t know if I’ve spelled it correctly. This is chopped tomatoes & cucumbers and green onions with a little bit of lettuce sometimes. It is coated with the Bulgarian white farm cheese. You can put a little oil & vinegar on it if you wish; but it is not necessary. The Bulgarians drink a little bit of Rakia with the salad.
Rakia is a very strong wine or brandy. I am not sure which it is. The closest thing I have had to it is grappa. It tastes a little better than the grappa. The best thing about the Bulgarian products is that they don’t come from huge factories. Most of the food is grown on private farms. The process is mostly organic with all of the waste going back into the compost pile and eventually into the soil so that the dirt on each farm develops its own “personality”. Forgive me for not writing more. Breakfast is ready.
David Segrest practices international real estate and writes an international real estate blog. Email is david@segrestrealty.com , Web page http://www.segrestrealty.com ,Blog http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
Forgive me if this sounds like an obsession. It is. I have to tell you about the “Chopska salad”. I have only seen the spelling in Cyrillic so I don’t know if I’ve spelled it correctly. This is chopped tomatoes & cucumbers and green onions with a little bit of lettuce sometimes. It is coated with the Bulgarian white farm cheese. You can put a little oil & vinegar on it if you wish; but it is not necessary. The Bulgarians drink a little bit of Rakia with the salad.
Rakia is a very strong wine or brandy. I am not sure which it is. The closest thing I have had to it is grappa. It tastes a little better than the grappa. The best thing about the Bulgarian products is that they don’t come from huge factories. Most of the food is grown on private farms. The process is mostly organic with all of the waste going back into the compost pile and eventually into the soil so that the dirt on each farm develops its own “personality”. Forgive me for not writing more. Breakfast is ready.
David Segrest practices international real estate and writes an international real estate blog. Email is david@segrestrealty.com , Web page http://www.segrestrealty.com ,Blog http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Bulgarian Food
Bulgarian Food
The Black Sea Fish are unbelievably delicious the way they are fixed here. The restaurants (or at least the ones I’ve eaten in) only serve fresh caught fish. The vegetables are fresh too. I prefer to eat in season food. The way the greenhouses work here the food is good regardless.
The cheese is the best ever. Each little farm makes its own recipe. Virtually every salad and every meal includes the farm cheese. It is much like Feta, but better. Unlike most of the countries I have been, there are fat Bulgarians. They are not obese, just pleasantly plump. If I keep eating this food, I will be unpleasantly plump.
Today was a day off from class and some of my students took me to see some of their properties and a fantastic castle. The gardens at the castle were quite beautiful. When I figure out how to download the picture of the Linden tree, I will also do some pictures of the castle. One of the properties we visited was an abandoned collective farm from the communist days. The villagers were grazing sheep, goats, cattle and horses unfenced on the property. It was extremely lush. The soil everywhere is just black. I don’t have a test kit; but I’ll bet is naturally very rich.
David Segrest practices international real estate and writes an international real estate blog. Email is david@segrestrealty.com , Web page http://www.segrestrealty.com ,Blog http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
The Black Sea Fish are unbelievably delicious the way they are fixed here. The restaurants (or at least the ones I’ve eaten in) only serve fresh caught fish. The vegetables are fresh too. I prefer to eat in season food. The way the greenhouses work here the food is good regardless.
The cheese is the best ever. Each little farm makes its own recipe. Virtually every salad and every meal includes the farm cheese. It is much like Feta, but better. Unlike most of the countries I have been, there are fat Bulgarians. They are not obese, just pleasantly plump. If I keep eating this food, I will be unpleasantly plump.
Today was a day off from class and some of my students took me to see some of their properties and a fantastic castle. The gardens at the castle were quite beautiful. When I figure out how to download the picture of the Linden tree, I will also do some pictures of the castle. One of the properties we visited was an abandoned collective farm from the communist days. The villagers were grazing sheep, goats, cattle and horses unfenced on the property. It was extremely lush. The soil everywhere is just black. I don’t have a test kit; but I’ll bet is naturally very rich.
David Segrest practices international real estate and writes an international real estate blog. Email is david@segrestrealty.com , Web page http://www.segrestrealty.com ,Blog http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
Monday, May 12, 2008
The Linden Tree
The Linden Tree
This article comes from the beautiful Bulgarian city of Varna by the Black Sea. I am separated from my garden so I will write about the beautiful Linden tree. One of my students and I were sitting on the patio admiring the landscaping and the beautiful view of the Black Sea. I noticed a most beautiful tree. My student did not know the name of it in English; but he assured me that it was one of the most loved trees in all of Bulgaria.
There is a little thing that looks like a leaf on the tree, with several little “antennae”. He said that in the fall this turns yellow and makes a beautiful smell and a very healthful tea. The tree’s wood is also much prized by wood carvers because it is soft and easy to work. In addition to these qualities the tree is so beautiful and graceful that it is prized for landscaping purposes. I will have to see if this tree can be grown at home. The NC environment is very similar to Bulgaria.
The food here is unbelievably good. Good simple country fare well prepared and well grown. I commented that the tomatoes could not be local so early. I was told that a greenhouse here was not the same as the greenhouses in the USA. The plants are actually planted in the ground and covered with a plastic tunnel. The tomatoes are good; but they are not quite up to in season home grown tomatoes. Breakfast is calling, I’ll make a picture of the Linden Tree.
David Segrest practices international real estate and writes an international real estate blog. Email is david@segrestrealty.com , Web page http://www.segrestrealty.com ,Blog http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
This article comes from the beautiful Bulgarian city of Varna by the Black Sea. I am separated from my garden so I will write about the beautiful Linden tree. One of my students and I were sitting on the patio admiring the landscaping and the beautiful view of the Black Sea. I noticed a most beautiful tree. My student did not know the name of it in English; but he assured me that it was one of the most loved trees in all of Bulgaria.
There is a little thing that looks like a leaf on the tree, with several little “antennae”. He said that in the fall this turns yellow and makes a beautiful smell and a very healthful tea. The tree’s wood is also much prized by wood carvers because it is soft and easy to work. In addition to these qualities the tree is so beautiful and graceful that it is prized for landscaping purposes. I will have to see if this tree can be grown at home. The NC environment is very similar to Bulgaria.
The food here is unbelievably good. Good simple country fare well prepared and well grown. I commented that the tomatoes could not be local so early. I was told that a greenhouse here was not the same as the greenhouses in the USA. The plants are actually planted in the ground and covered with a plastic tunnel. The tomatoes are good; but they are not quite up to in season home grown tomatoes. Breakfast is calling, I’ll make a picture of the Linden Tree.
David Segrest practices international real estate and writes an international real estate blog. Email is david@segrestrealty.com , Web page http://www.segrestrealty.com ,Blog http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Catching up from the Rain
Catching up from the Rain
Tuesday the ground was just too wet to mess around in the garden. Yesterday (Wednesday) started catch-up time. Everything grew like crazy. I picked a big enough bag of salad greens to give some away and still have a good salad on Tuesday. They need to be picked again. I picked a huge bag of mixed greens for a friend and did not make a dent in the rows.
The potatoes jumped about 6”. They had to be mulched again; but this is the last time. Any more mulch will just fall off. The squash was worked and weeded and mulched to about 3” deep. More can be added later if needed. The tortuous job of tying up tomatoes began. This is a job that will last till the end of August when they finally get so high there is no place to tie them.
Mulch may be a problem. It takes about 3 wheelbarrow loads to do one row. There are several rows that still need to be mulched. I may have to pick up some leaves on the side of the road again. My little convertible hates being used as a pickup truck.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Tuesday the ground was just too wet to mess around in the garden. Yesterday (Wednesday) started catch-up time. Everything grew like crazy. I picked a big enough bag of salad greens to give some away and still have a good salad on Tuesday. They need to be picked again. I picked a huge bag of mixed greens for a friend and did not make a dent in the rows.
The potatoes jumped about 6”. They had to be mulched again; but this is the last time. Any more mulch will just fall off. The squash was worked and weeded and mulched to about 3” deep. More can be added later if needed. The tortuous job of tying up tomatoes began. This is a job that will last till the end of August when they finally get so high there is no place to tie them.
Mulch may be a problem. It takes about 3 wheelbarrow loads to do one row. There are several rows that still need to be mulched. I may have to pick up some leaves on the side of the road again. My little convertible hates being used as a pickup truck.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
May Flowers?, Yes!!
May Flowers, Yes!!
And the rains came and they came and they came and they came. Now comes the sun, then comes the flowers. The rain started Saturday. It rained Sunday and Monday. My rain barrels have gone from almost empty to over half full. In a dry moment, I walked through the garden yesterday. All the little green things were smiling. The things I planted and the weeds.
The task at hand is to conserve this water just in case we don’t get more. As soon as the ground makes a dry crust, it will be worked with the tines on the hoe. Then comes the mulch. 3 or 4 inches will be enough to start with and not too close to the plants. If it is available half-finished compost is the perfect mulch for most things. Do not use that on potatoes or peppers. Potatoes taste nasty if they get too much Nitrogen. Peppers will make gorgeous plants and no peppers. I learned that the hard way. Just plain leaves are great for peppers and potatoes.
The mulch will last longer and do a better job if newspapers are placed on the ground before the mulch is added. With potatoes don’t use the newspapers. Bring the mulch up to the potato plant so that only the top of the plant shows. Some of the potatoes in my garden are 2’ tall now. The mulch is within 6” of the top. More will be added this weekend because the rain packed it down. When the potatoes start “making” they are really easy to “gravel” from the leaves.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
And the rains came and they came and they came and they came. Now comes the sun, then comes the flowers. The rain started Saturday. It rained Sunday and Monday. My rain barrels have gone from almost empty to over half full. In a dry moment, I walked through the garden yesterday. All the little green things were smiling. The things I planted and the weeds.
The task at hand is to conserve this water just in case we don’t get more. As soon as the ground makes a dry crust, it will be worked with the tines on the hoe. Then comes the mulch. 3 or 4 inches will be enough to start with and not too close to the plants. If it is available half-finished compost is the perfect mulch for most things. Do not use that on potatoes or peppers. Potatoes taste nasty if they get too much Nitrogen. Peppers will make gorgeous plants and no peppers. I learned that the hard way. Just plain leaves are great for peppers and potatoes.
The mulch will last longer and do a better job if newspapers are placed on the ground before the mulch is added. With potatoes don’t use the newspapers. Bring the mulch up to the potato plant so that only the top of the plant shows. Some of the potatoes in my garden are 2’ tall now. The mulch is within 6” of the top. More will be added this weekend because the rain packed it down. When the potatoes start “making” they are really easy to “gravel” from the leaves.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Will There Be May Flowers
Will There Be May Flowers?
There have not been many April Showers. One zone of my “Rube Goldberg” irrigation system ran for an hour yesterday. Some spots in the garden still test above 6 on a scale of 1 to 10 on the moisture meter. Most of the garden is below 4. Tuesday I mulched almost everything with half finished compost. The potatoes of course just get un-mulched leaves. I added more to bring the mulch to the tops of the plants. It is almost a foot thick in some places now and needs to be done again.
I planted a dozen eggplants and a couple more peppers in the cage with the sweet peppers and the kohl crops. I am out of half finished compost and almost out of spots to plant anything. I still have lots of basil plants and a few Jalapeño peppers to go in the ground. I would like to plant some more beets. One never has enough compost or space it seems.
I started the “watermelon fence” yesterday. I don’t know if it will work. I put some 4” X 4” post in the ground sticking up about 2 feet. They are three feet from the edge of the watermelon hills, which are at the outer edge of the garden. I will lean some 4’ poles on the 4” X 4”s and cover them with 2” X 4” wire. The watermelon vines will be trained on the wire. The wire will be loose enough to sag under the weight of the watermelons and hold them in place. Hopefully they will be out of reach of the snails and sow bugs. I will post a picture.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
There have not been many April Showers. One zone of my “Rube Goldberg” irrigation system ran for an hour yesterday. Some spots in the garden still test above 6 on a scale of 1 to 10 on the moisture meter. Most of the garden is below 4. Tuesday I mulched almost everything with half finished compost. The potatoes of course just get un-mulched leaves. I added more to bring the mulch to the tops of the plants. It is almost a foot thick in some places now and needs to be done again.
I planted a dozen eggplants and a couple more peppers in the cage with the sweet peppers and the kohl crops. I am out of half finished compost and almost out of spots to plant anything. I still have lots of basil plants and a few Jalapeño peppers to go in the ground. I would like to plant some more beets. One never has enough compost or space it seems.
I started the “watermelon fence” yesterday. I don’t know if it will work. I put some 4” X 4” post in the ground sticking up about 2 feet. They are three feet from the edge of the watermelon hills, which are at the outer edge of the garden. I will lean some 4’ poles on the 4” X 4”s and cover them with 2” X 4” wire. The watermelon vines will be trained on the wire. The wire will be loose enough to sag under the weight of the watermelons and hold them in place. Hopefully they will be out of reach of the snails and sow bugs. I will post a picture.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Adapting to Climate Change
Adapting to Climate Change
We are having a drought in NC. Other than 1 or 2 spot waterings, last year is the first time I have really put a lot of water into my garden. The spring of last year was damp. The drought only came along in the summer. This year is really shaping up to be dry. I will be on the road a lot this year and I know my wife hates to face the mosquitoes to water the garden.
I am installing a “Rube Goldberg” irrigation system. I will lay out soaker hoses along the rows where low plants grow. I am putting sprinkler hose in the rows of tall plants. I know the leaves like some water too. The garden will be divided into 4 zones. Each zone will have a separate valve for the hoses there. Using a moisture tester will determine when a zone should be watered. All my wife will have to do is test the soil and turn on the appropriate valve as needed.
I will test the timing in the zones so that she will know how long to leave the water on to raise the moisture level by the right amount. Hopefully we will minimize the need for the water by heavy mulching. I have learned from the greenhouse that a large plant sucks a lot of water up and puts it into the air. Not having enough water stunts the growth of the plant.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
We are having a drought in NC. Other than 1 or 2 spot waterings, last year is the first time I have really put a lot of water into my garden. The spring of last year was damp. The drought only came along in the summer. This year is really shaping up to be dry. I will be on the road a lot this year and I know my wife hates to face the mosquitoes to water the garden.
I am installing a “Rube Goldberg” irrigation system. I will lay out soaker hoses along the rows where low plants grow. I am putting sprinkler hose in the rows of tall plants. I know the leaves like some water too. The garden will be divided into 4 zones. Each zone will have a separate valve for the hoses there. Using a moisture tester will determine when a zone should be watered. All my wife will have to do is test the soil and turn on the appropriate valve as needed.
I will test the timing in the zones so that she will know how long to leave the water on to raise the moisture level by the right amount. Hopefully we will minimize the need for the water by heavy mulching. I have learned from the greenhouse that a large plant sucks a lot of water up and puts it into the air. Not having enough water stunts the growth of the plant.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Back in the Garden
Back in the Garden
I got home late Monday night. I waited until the sun came up before going to work; so I could look at the garden. The summer squash, zucchini and cucumbers are finally coming up. One more tomato has “bitten the dust”. It looks like a cut worm. We picked greens Tuesday night and tonight we will have a salad. We had to buy cucumbers and tomatoes.
Wednesday morning the temperature went into the high twenties. I feared for the tomatoes; but they did just fine. The figs also survived. Those are the only things that I was afraid could not stand the cold. Now the only big worries are the drought and the bugs. I am going to interplant the whole garden with mole kills (castor oil beans), basil, mint, onions, garlic and hot peppers in the hopes of keeping most of the crop. It is better to eat a vegetable with a little blemish than to ingest a lot of poison. A spray of baking soda and dishwashing soap should control the powdery mildew.
The plants that deer and rabbits eat are protected by poultry mesh. Rabbits dig so some will still get in. The area around my home was all woods when we moved in. Now it is all houses. I feel sorry for the wildlife that has lost so much habitat. The birds and squirrels are probably better off. Everyone feeds the birds and most people have dogwoods, holly, oak trees and other things that generate a lot of berries and nuts. The deer have plenty of food. They just don’t have cover and water. I put in a bigger bird bath this year and there are deer tracks around it almost every morning.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
I got home late Monday night. I waited until the sun came up before going to work; so I could look at the garden. The summer squash, zucchini and cucumbers are finally coming up. One more tomato has “bitten the dust”. It looks like a cut worm. We picked greens Tuesday night and tonight we will have a salad. We had to buy cucumbers and tomatoes.
Wednesday morning the temperature went into the high twenties. I feared for the tomatoes; but they did just fine. The figs also survived. Those are the only things that I was afraid could not stand the cold. Now the only big worries are the drought and the bugs. I am going to interplant the whole garden with mole kills (castor oil beans), basil, mint, onions, garlic and hot peppers in the hopes of keeping most of the crop. It is better to eat a vegetable with a little blemish than to ingest a lot of poison. A spray of baking soda and dishwashing soap should control the powdery mildew.
The plants that deer and rabbits eat are protected by poultry mesh. Rabbits dig so some will still get in. The area around my home was all woods when we moved in. Now it is all houses. I feel sorry for the wildlife that has lost so much habitat. The birds and squirrels are probably better off. Everyone feeds the birds and most people have dogwoods, holly, oak trees and other things that generate a lot of berries and nuts. The deer have plenty of food. They just don’t have cover and water. I put in a bigger bird bath this year and there are deer tracks around it almost every morning.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Italian Food in Korea
Italian Food in Korea
Would you be surprised to hear that Italian food in Korea is not like Italian food in Italy or the USA or any where else I’ve been? The main difference is the seasoning. I ordered spaghetti with bacon and olive “sauce”. “Olive sauce” turned out to be olive oil with a lot of chili peppers and garlic.
One of my students and the interpreter and I went to lunch together to the “Italian Plate” restaurant here in the Gangnam section of Seoul. While the food was nothing close to my idea of Italian, it was quite delicious. The city of Seoul has a restaurant for every 10 people. They have to be good. In spite of being an extreme concentration of humanity; Seoul has abundant, fresh and delicious food. USA agriculture claims to be the most productive in the world. This is accomplished with a sacrifice in taste and healthfulness of the food. If the Korean farmers can feed Seoul’s 20,000,000 people with tasty, healthy food, why can’t the most productive farmers in the world provide that for the people of the USA.
Would you be surprised to hear that Italian food in Korea is not like Italian food in Italy or the USA or any where else I’ve been? The main difference is the seasoning. I ordered spaghetti with bacon and olive “sauce”. “Olive sauce” turned out to be olive oil with a lot of chili peppers and garlic.
One of my students and the interpreter and I went to lunch together to the “Italian Plate” restaurant here in the Gangnam section of Seoul. While the food was nothing close to my idea of Italian, it was quite delicious. The city of Seoul has a restaurant for every 10 people. They have to be good. In spite of being an extreme concentration of humanity; Seoul has abundant, fresh and delicious food. USA agriculture claims to be the most productive in the world. This is accomplished with a sacrifice in taste and healthfulness of the food. If the Korean farmers can feed Seoul’s 20,000,000 people with tasty, healthy food, why can’t the most productive farmers in the world provide that for the people of the USA.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Food for More than Thought
Food for More than Thought.
I am in Seoul S. Korea; so I cannot tell what happened in the garden yesterday. I choose to talk about my breakfast. Everyone who comes to the USA from abroad asks, “ What happens to your food?” I believe the answer is agribusiness; but I have no first hand knowledge. The city of Seoul and its surrounds has 20,000,000 people. They are not fed from garden plots.
The food here is unbelievably tasty. This morning I had crispy cucumbers and patio tomatoes. The boiled eggs had strong deep yellow yolks. This food is as good as that from my garden. Well….almost.
Go to the street at the very early hours of the morning. It will be thronged with pickup motorcycles. (I don’t know how else to describe them). They are loaded with fresh eggs in flats and boxes of vegetables. A few years ago, I took the bullet train to a city in the south called Busan or Pusan. The landscape was crowded with cloche’s and rice patties. I wish I spoke the language well enough to learn their farming methods. Many Koreans speak very good English. I have not found a farmer from which I can learn. If I do you will be the first to know.
David Segrest practices international real estate and writes an international real estate blog. Email is david@segrestrealty.com , Web page http://www.segrestrealty.com/ ,Blog http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
I am in Seoul S. Korea; so I cannot tell what happened in the garden yesterday. I choose to talk about my breakfast. Everyone who comes to the USA from abroad asks, “ What happens to your food?” I believe the answer is agribusiness; but I have no first hand knowledge. The city of Seoul and its surrounds has 20,000,000 people. They are not fed from garden plots.
The food here is unbelievably tasty. This morning I had crispy cucumbers and patio tomatoes. The boiled eggs had strong deep yellow yolks. This food is as good as that from my garden. Well….almost.
Go to the street at the very early hours of the morning. It will be thronged with pickup motorcycles. (I don’t know how else to describe them). They are loaded with fresh eggs in flats and boxes of vegetables. A few years ago, I took the bullet train to a city in the south called Busan or Pusan. The landscape was crowded with cloche’s and rice patties. I wish I spoke the language well enough to learn their farming methods. Many Koreans speak very good English. I have not found a farmer from which I can learn. If I do you will be the first to know.
David Segrest practices international real estate and writes an international real estate blog. Email is david@segrestrealty.com , Web page http://www.segrestrealty.com/ ,Blog http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Separation Anxiety
Separation Anxiety
I am in S. Korea now and I must admit I miss my garden. This is a critical time of year to be away. Monday afternoon was spent in the greenhouse. Almost everything left in there was trying to climb out of its pot. I repotted everything that was too small to go in the dirt outside. The water from the rain barrels is almost gone. As the plants get bigger they really drink the water.
The potatoes were getting pretty leggy. I had piled up the dirt from around them as high as it would stay. I had to mulch them with leaves. A week or so ago, I built a rail of 2” X 6”’s along the sides of the potato row to hold the leaves back. Now I will pile leaves to keep only an inch or two of potato plant exposed until the leaves are mounded as high as they will go. Ideally the potatoes will think the leaves are loose soil and make really big potatoes in the dark. Please pray for my potatoes, even if they like the dark side.
The asparagus have made huge beautiful ferns. I wonder why I did not plant them in the flower beds out front. I think I will buy some more and use them in the flower beds. Perhaps I should rethink the entire garden in terms of the decorative value of some of the plants. We have been using vases full of blooming rosemary stems in the house. What else can be used this way?
David Segrest practices international real estate and writes an international real estate blog. Email is david@segrestrealty.com , Web page http://www.segrestrealty.com ,Blog http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
I am in S. Korea now and I must admit I miss my garden. This is a critical time of year to be away. Monday afternoon was spent in the greenhouse. Almost everything left in there was trying to climb out of its pot. I repotted everything that was too small to go in the dirt outside. The water from the rain barrels is almost gone. As the plants get bigger they really drink the water.
The potatoes were getting pretty leggy. I had piled up the dirt from around them as high as it would stay. I had to mulch them with leaves. A week or so ago, I built a rail of 2” X 6”’s along the sides of the potato row to hold the leaves back. Now I will pile leaves to keep only an inch or two of potato plant exposed until the leaves are mounded as high as they will go. Ideally the potatoes will think the leaves are loose soil and make really big potatoes in the dark. Please pray for my potatoes, even if they like the dark side.
The asparagus have made huge beautiful ferns. I wonder why I did not plant them in the flower beds out front. I think I will buy some more and use them in the flower beds. Perhaps I should rethink the entire garden in terms of the decorative value of some of the plants. We have been using vases full of blooming rosemary stems in the house. What else can be used this way?
David Segrest practices international real estate and writes an international real estate blog. Email is david@segrestrealty.com , Web page http://www.segrestrealty.com ,Blog http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Flatulence in Earthworms
Flatulence in Earthworms
I am so conservative with composting materials that I even take home the scraps and coffee grounds from the office. I found some leftover beans that I would no longer be comfortable eating; so I put them in the compost. My compost bins are so full of earthworms that I think of the compostables as earthworm food. I wonder if these beans will give the earthworms flatulence. That could give a whole new meaning to one of the benefits of earthworms which is soil aeration.
The sun is back out and I am feeling better. I can’t wait to get back into the yard. I wonder if the rain has made anything grow yet. My intentions for the day are to till some more of the front yard and saw up some more firewood. I may work on the watermelon fence a little too. My travel schedule is pretty brutal from now until the beginning of June; so I may not write a lot. I am trying to get my garden on “auto-pilot” so my wife will not have to do too much while I am gone.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com/ , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
I am so conservative with composting materials that I even take home the scraps and coffee grounds from the office. I found some leftover beans that I would no longer be comfortable eating; so I put them in the compost. My compost bins are so full of earthworms that I think of the compostables as earthworm food. I wonder if these beans will give the earthworms flatulence. That could give a whole new meaning to one of the benefits of earthworms which is soil aeration.
The sun is back out and I am feeling better. I can’t wait to get back into the yard. I wonder if the rain has made anything grow yet. My intentions for the day are to till some more of the front yard and saw up some more firewood. I may work on the watermelon fence a little too. My travel schedule is pretty brutal from now until the beginning of June; so I may not write a lot. I am trying to get my garden on “auto-pilot” so my wife will not have to do too much while I am gone.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com/ , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Indian Winter
Indian Winter
I’m not sure there is such a thing; but that is what today feels like. It is not cold enough to hurt the little growies. It is cold and miserable enough to keep me inside. There is a light rain falling. It is soaking my plants the way they like it best. It is putting a little something in the rain barrels. It is putting all of my projects on hold.
The tomatoes are in the ground. Almost all of the seeds are planted except for some late things for the fall. We had fresh greens from the garden yesterday.
My current major project will take all summer and most of the fall. I am going to till and replant the whole front yard. I started out trying to till the ground where the English ivy lives. The tiller kept bogging down. I got out the old side delivery lawn mower and set it high and mowed the foul stuff. Then I set it low and mowed it again. When the weather gets better I will start tilling again. I want to put most of the yard into flower beds and just have a little bit of grass. I would like to install some “yard art”; but my wife objects to everything I have mentioned. I guess I need to get out one of those “You Know You are a Redneck” books and assess my taste.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
I’m not sure there is such a thing; but that is what today feels like. It is not cold enough to hurt the little growies. It is cold and miserable enough to keep me inside. There is a light rain falling. It is soaking my plants the way they like it best. It is putting a little something in the rain barrels. It is putting all of my projects on hold.
The tomatoes are in the ground. Almost all of the seeds are planted except for some late things for the fall. We had fresh greens from the garden yesterday.
My current major project will take all summer and most of the fall. I am going to till and replant the whole front yard. I started out trying to till the ground where the English ivy lives. The tiller kept bogging down. I got out the old side delivery lawn mower and set it high and mowed the foul stuff. Then I set it low and mowed it again. When the weather gets better I will start tilling again. I want to put most of the yard into flower beds and just have a little bit of grass. I would like to install some “yard art”; but my wife objects to everything I have mentioned. I guess I need to get out one of those “You Know You are a Redneck” books and assess my taste.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Planting Against the Signs
Planting Against the Signs
I am only confessing this so that it will be documented in the public record. I set out broccoli, Brussels sprouts and parsley yesterday. The signs are all wrong; but the day was gorgeous and the plants are getting too big for the greenhouse. I also put up the tomato fence. I will plant tomatoes today or tomorrow. I am also going to plant watermelon, winter squash and cantaloupe seeds. My travel schedule, beginning Thursday, is going to be very intense until the middle of June. It is really now or never.
The potatoes are finally coming up. The first ones are big enough to need mulching as soon as it rains. I don’t want to mulch dry ground. I had to water the plants that have come up last night. I went out and looked this morning. The plants really appreciated that little bit of moisture. No rain is called for until the weekend. My rain barrels are almost empty. I may have to start using tap water in the greenhouse.
The figs and the grapes (except for one) have real leaves. All but two of the blueberries seem to be doing well. The paw-paws have not leafed or budded or anything. I bought the paw-paws and and the blueberries from Burgess Nursery. I doubt seriously if I will buy anything else from them. The paw-paws had less than an inch of root and looked as if they were already dead. They may have been. I had lunch with my friend Rusty Dixon yesterday. She said that the seed potatoes she got from Burgess were rotten.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
I am only confessing this so that it will be documented in the public record. I set out broccoli, Brussels sprouts and parsley yesterday. The signs are all wrong; but the day was gorgeous and the plants are getting too big for the greenhouse. I also put up the tomato fence. I will plant tomatoes today or tomorrow. I am also going to plant watermelon, winter squash and cantaloupe seeds. My travel schedule, beginning Thursday, is going to be very intense until the middle of June. It is really now or never.
The potatoes are finally coming up. The first ones are big enough to need mulching as soon as it rains. I don’t want to mulch dry ground. I had to water the plants that have come up last night. I went out and looked this morning. The plants really appreciated that little bit of moisture. No rain is called for until the weekend. My rain barrels are almost empty. I may have to start using tap water in the greenhouse.
The figs and the grapes (except for one) have real leaves. All but two of the blueberries seem to be doing well. The paw-paws have not leafed or budded or anything. I bought the paw-paws and and the blueberries from Burgess Nursery. I doubt seriously if I will buy anything else from them. The paw-paws had less than an inch of root and looked as if they were already dead. They may have been. I had lunch with my friend Rusty Dixon yesterday. She said that the seed potatoes she got from Burgess were rotten.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Cold Again
Cold Again
After Easter freezes are becoming the norm. Last year it got so cold it killed all of the leaves and figs that were already loading my fig trees. Last night it got to 31 degrees. I don’t think that was cold enough to hurt anything but my feelings. The internet said that it was only going to 36 tonight. The radio said “light frost”. Whom to believe?
I have hills ready for planting watermelon, cantaloupe, and winter squash. Some of the plants in the greenhouse are getting big enough that they either need to be planted or repotted. I think I will wait for the weekend.
The Lenten roses are blooming. My friend Jane’s Lenten roses are so spectacular that I think I will post some pictures of them this weekend. Her yard is quite beautiful. Mine is so horrible after the tree work, I can’t even bear to look at it. It will be at least a year before I really get it looking good. Then, the city will be putting in sidewalks and I will have to start over. Oh well…The fun of the tent is in the making.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
After Easter freezes are becoming the norm. Last year it got so cold it killed all of the leaves and figs that were already loading my fig trees. Last night it got to 31 degrees. I don’t think that was cold enough to hurt anything but my feelings. The internet said that it was only going to 36 tonight. The radio said “light frost”. Whom to believe?
I have hills ready for planting watermelon, cantaloupe, and winter squash. Some of the plants in the greenhouse are getting big enough that they either need to be planted or repotted. I think I will wait for the weekend.
The Lenten roses are blooming. My friend Jane’s Lenten roses are so spectacular that I think I will post some pictures of them this weekend. Her yard is quite beautiful. Mine is so horrible after the tree work, I can’t even bear to look at it. It will be at least a year before I really get it looking good. Then, the city will be putting in sidewalks and I will have to start over. Oh well…The fun of the tent is in the making.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
My Decision
My Decision
The last ending was Good Friday is coming. “To plant, or not to plant? That is the question. This is the answer. I planted cucumber and summer squash and zucchini. I used some of the compost that is not quite finished. Last week when I turned it, it had lots of little squiggly earthworms. This week it had loads of big fat earthworms. They grow fast.
For the cucumbers, I put up a fence of plastic 2” X 4” wire 28’ long. I made a deep furrow down one side of the fence. The soil tested 6.5 to 6.8 ph. Cucumber’s soil should be 6.0 to 6.5. I put a thin line of sulphur in the furrow and then filled it with compost (and earthworms). After covering the furrow with dirt I planted the cucumber seeds about ¾” deep and about 6”s apart.
I planted 6 hills of summer squash (yellow crookneck) and 5 hills of Zucchini. The hills were spaced on 3’ centers. To make each hill, I dug a 6” hole with the posthole diggers. I filled the hole and made a pile of compost about 6” high on top of it. I scraped up the loose soil around this and the plug from the posthole to make a hill about 18” in diameter and 10” high. I poked three holes in the face of each hill just like those in a bowling ball. I put 3 seeds in each hole, filled them with loose dirt and patted them down.
Incidentally, the garlic has come up. The fig trees are putting out leaves. The radishes in the new raised bed are up. I also planted a thyme plant in the new raised bed. Spring is so wonderful. Happy Easter.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
The last ending was Good Friday is coming. “To plant, or not to plant? That is the question. This is the answer. I planted cucumber and summer squash and zucchini. I used some of the compost that is not quite finished. Last week when I turned it, it had lots of little squiggly earthworms. This week it had loads of big fat earthworms. They grow fast.
For the cucumbers, I put up a fence of plastic 2” X 4” wire 28’ long. I made a deep furrow down one side of the fence. The soil tested 6.5 to 6.8 ph. Cucumber’s soil should be 6.0 to 6.5. I put a thin line of sulphur in the furrow and then filled it with compost (and earthworms). After covering the furrow with dirt I planted the cucumber seeds about ¾” deep and about 6”s apart.
I planted 6 hills of summer squash (yellow crookneck) and 5 hills of Zucchini. The hills were spaced on 3’ centers. To make each hill, I dug a 6” hole with the posthole diggers. I filled the hole and made a pile of compost about 6” high on top of it. I scraped up the loose soil around this and the plug from the posthole to make a hill about 18” in diameter and 10” high. I poked three holes in the face of each hill just like those in a bowling ball. I put 3 seeds in each hole, filled them with loose dirt and patted them down.
Incidentally, the garlic has come up. The fig trees are putting out leaves. The radishes in the new raised bed are up. I also planted a thyme plant in the new raised bed. Spring is so wonderful. Happy Easter.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.
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