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/.
Friday, October 31, 2008
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/.
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