Chris’ Fig Preserves
Finally the fig tree is producing a few figs. Chris is still bringing me lots of them. He has been kind enough to share his grandmother’s fig preserve recipe. This recipe starts with a 1 gallon pot. You need enough figs to fill the pot ¾ of the way, 1 ½ to 2 cups of sugar, cinnamon and ¼ stick of butter. Remove the stems from the figs and cut them in half.
Fill the pot to ¾ full of figs. Put about ¾” of water in the bottom. The figs will produce a lot of juice as they cook. Add 1 ½ cup of sugar and cook the figs slowly. As they reduce you can add cinnamon and more sugar to taste. Let the figs simmer for about an hour or until they get the consistency you like. Add the ¼ stick of butter and whip the entire mix. That’s all folks.
I can just taste this on hot biscuits. The mix could also be used to make cake filling or homemade fig Newtons. I am getting so hungry writing this that I need to stop and eat my breakfast. Enjoy!!
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, July 29, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Figs
Figs
The fig trees are loaded; but they haven’t started ripening. Chris Abrams’ fig tree is already producing buckets every day. He says it is starting to produce a 3rd crop even. What is the difference in his tree and mine? For one thing, I prune mine really heavy every year. His has not been pruned. He has to use a ladder to pick the figs. I guess it would be worth it. Readers of this blog know how brutally my trees get pruned. They will get a vacation from pruning this year.
Chris donated a huge bag full of figs; so I have searched for recipes. They are so good to just eat, that it seems a waste to cook them; but it would be worse to let them rot. Here is a website I found that has lots of good recipes. http://plantanswers.tamu.edu/recipes/figs/figindex.html The one that looks best to me is the stuffed figs.
There was a person talking about figs on NPR yesterday morning. She mentioned a recipe using goat cheese and wrapping the figs in bacon. Of course the figs could be dried. Instructions for this can be found at http://www.ochef.com/9.htm
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 fig trees are loaded; but they haven’t started ripening. Chris Abrams’ fig tree is already producing buckets every day. He says it is starting to produce a 3rd crop even. What is the difference in his tree and mine? For one thing, I prune mine really heavy every year. His has not been pruned. He has to use a ladder to pick the figs. I guess it would be worth it. Readers of this blog know how brutally my trees get pruned. They will get a vacation from pruning this year.
Chris donated a huge bag full of figs; so I have searched for recipes. They are so good to just eat, that it seems a waste to cook them; but it would be worse to let them rot. Here is a website I found that has lots of good recipes. http://plantanswers.tamu.edu/recipes/figs/figindex.html The one that looks best to me is the stuffed figs.
There was a person talking about figs on NPR yesterday morning. She mentioned a recipe using goat cheese and wrapping the figs in bacon. Of course the figs could be dried. Instructions for this can be found at http://www.ochef.com/9.htm
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, July 22, 2009
Asparagus Ferns
Asparagus Ferns
The asparagus in my garden have developed ferns that are as tall as I am. The variety is Jersey Giant. They were supposed to be mostly male asparagus, that don’t produce seed. About half of them have seeds. The male asparagus supposedly have bigger spears. (I guess that makes sense). There are two ways to get asparagus. Seeds take longer or one can divide the crowns of existing plants. This needs to be done anyway every few years.
There is some type of creature that constantly pulls and eats the shoots from the strawberries in my garden. After 2 years, I have not received a single strawberry. Strawberries have a short season here. They are fairly cheap in season. Maybe the strawberries should be replaced by asparagus. Should I divide the crowns or save some seeds? Actually, I plan to do both so a comparison can be made. If there are any strawberry plants left they will go into a strawberry pot.
The strawberry pot is a large urn with openings on the side to plant the strawberry plants. Hopefully it can be placed where whatever is eating the strawberry plants now will not be able to reach it. Growing wonderful food would be so easy if we did not have to fight so hard to keep the plants and the produce.
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, July 21, 2009
Winter Garden Planning
Winter Garden Planning
This is the time to begin planning for the winter garden. What are the crops that are ready to be pulled off? Sugar peas are gone or going fast. Mustard and most of the leaf crops have bolted. If the potatoes are blooming, they can be dug. It is a good idea to make a map of the garden and think about what should be planted for the fall crops. In most areas the fall (winter) garden should be started in September.
Onions will resist the cold in most areas. Lettuce and other salad greens will freeze but come back with a few warm days. The same is true for cooking greens. They need to get a good start before the hard freezes start so they can develop a strong root system. Broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts will be ok in much of the country. The cold weather kills the bugs that cause so much trouble in warm weather.
There is still the greenhouse to consider. Some plants, like tomatoes can be covered on cold nights and still produce for quite a while. In northern latitudes the day length becomes the problem. If they are grown inside lights can be used on a timer. I have built a raised bed inside the greenhouse that I hope will extend the season for tomatoes, cucumbers and a few herbs. Don’t count on it. I haven’t actually tried it yet.
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 is the time to begin planning for the winter garden. What are the crops that are ready to be pulled off? Sugar peas are gone or going fast. Mustard and most of the leaf crops have bolted. If the potatoes are blooming, they can be dug. It is a good idea to make a map of the garden and think about what should be planted for the fall crops. In most areas the fall (winter) garden should be started in September.
Onions will resist the cold in most areas. Lettuce and other salad greens will freeze but come back with a few warm days. The same is true for cooking greens. They need to get a good start before the hard freezes start so they can develop a strong root system. Broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts will be ok in much of the country. The cold weather kills the bugs that cause so much trouble in warm weather.
There is still the greenhouse to consider. Some plants, like tomatoes can be covered on cold nights and still produce for quite a while. In northern latitudes the day length becomes the problem. If they are grown inside lights can be used on a timer. I have built a raised bed inside the greenhouse that I hope will extend the season for tomatoes, cucumbers and a few herbs. Don’t count on it. I haven’t actually tried it yet.
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 20, 2009
Spaghetti Squash
Spaghetti Squash
The first spaghetti squash fell off of the vine. I did not think it was ripe; but it was. It was really delicious. The spaghetti squash seems to take the flavor from the sauce better than regular pasta. The spaghetti looks like vermicelli. It tastes like whatever sauce is used and it has the texture of a vegetable. There are two more on the vine and several female blossoms. Maybe this is the year.
A volunteer cucumber, in the front yard, that came from the compost that was used to plant a tree is producing quite a few cucumbers. The tree died. So did most of the blueberries. Only 1 blueberry out of 16 is surviving and it looks mangy. The yellow squash is prolific and the kale is still tasty.
The tiller came home Saturday; but it still doesn’t work. I think I can fix it with the universal cure, duct tape. The greenhouse is cleared out. All of the containers have been sanitized. The shelf boards have been painted on one side. All that’s left is to paint the other side, wash the windows and re-install the shelves. Tomatoes will be started for planting in an inside raised bed. Hopefully they will produce through the winter.
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, July 15, 2009
BT Works
BT Works
Last week, I sprayed the garden with Bacillus Thuringienses. The intent was to kill any larvae like caterpillars or pickle worms, with special emphasis on the pickle worms. The pickle worms normally come a little later in the season so I don’t know how well it will work for them but it really did a job on the kale.
Before spraying we picked kale. It was soaked in dishwashing soap and water for about 15 minutes before the major cleaning. There must have been 50 worms in the mess of kale. Saturday morning we picked a big mess. There was not a single worm. If there was, he was eaten; because we never saw him. I really hated paying $15 for that little tiny bottle of stuff; but 1 tablespoon made a gallon of solution. It should last all season. I will report on the pickle worms.
The spaghetti squash is growing daily and there are 4 more female blossoms. Maybe this will be the year to get lucky. The volunteer cucumber in the front yard yielded its first fruit yesterday. The hanging tomato is finally growing some. The other tomatoes have green tomatoes. I picked enough wax peppers and jalapeños to give some away. Life is good. Real estate is not. Thank God for the 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/.
Last week, I sprayed the garden with Bacillus Thuringienses. The intent was to kill any larvae like caterpillars or pickle worms, with special emphasis on the pickle worms. The pickle worms normally come a little later in the season so I don’t know how well it will work for them but it really did a job on the kale.
Before spraying we picked kale. It was soaked in dishwashing soap and water for about 15 minutes before the major cleaning. There must have been 50 worms in the mess of kale. Saturday morning we picked a big mess. There was not a single worm. If there was, he was eaten; because we never saw him. I really hated paying $15 for that little tiny bottle of stuff; but 1 tablespoon made a gallon of solution. It should last all season. I will report on the pickle worms.
The spaghetti squash is growing daily and there are 4 more female blossoms. Maybe this will be the year to get lucky. The volunteer cucumber in the front yard yielded its first fruit yesterday. The hanging tomato is finally growing some. The other tomatoes have green tomatoes. I picked enough wax peppers and jalapeños to give some away. Life is good. Real estate is not. Thank God for the 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/.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Food Safety
Food Safety
A lot of talk and pontification has been devoted to this subject lately. When the E-Coli thing hit the spinach, Willie Nelson was caught with a bag of pot in his motor home. He got a fine. He said, “If that were spinach, I might be dead.” The real problem comes, not so much, from food production; but from food handling and food processing. The key to safety is to handle it and process it less.
I like to think I am well travelled. I always have to add extra pages to my passport. I am not as well traveled as the food I eat. The food from the garden only goes about 200’; but the stuff we buy comes from everywhere and a lot of people play with it before we eat it. Even on the commercial farm, the food (like the spinach) can get polluted. The spinach was fertilized with cow manure. That should be good. The real problem was that the cows had been eating food supplements containing “meat byproducts”.
Vegetables, even from the garden, should be washed. What goes onto them or into the ground can pollute them; so real food safety comes from being careful what is put on the garden and the plants. There is no joy like picking something, wiping it off on a shirt sleeve and eating it fresh from the garden. I will keep my garden where I am not afraid to do that.
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/.
A lot of talk and pontification has been devoted to this subject lately. When the E-Coli thing hit the spinach, Willie Nelson was caught with a bag of pot in his motor home. He got a fine. He said, “If that were spinach, I might be dead.” The real problem comes, not so much, from food production; but from food handling and food processing. The key to safety is to handle it and process it less.
I like to think I am well travelled. I always have to add extra pages to my passport. I am not as well traveled as the food I eat. The food from the garden only goes about 200’; but the stuff we buy comes from everywhere and a lot of people play with it before we eat it. Even on the commercial farm, the food (like the spinach) can get polluted. The spinach was fertilized with cow manure. That should be good. The real problem was that the cows had been eating food supplements containing “meat byproducts”.
Vegetables, even from the garden, should be washed. What goes onto them or into the ground can pollute them; so real food safety comes from being careful what is put on the garden and the plants. There is no joy like picking something, wiping it off on a shirt sleeve and eating it fresh from the garden. I will keep my garden where I am not afraid to do that.
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, July 8, 2009
The Perfect Garden
The Perfect Garden
This is the time of year when the successes and disappointments of the garden become reality. I am a little disappointed with the garden this year. There are some successes; but the failures are more glaring. The perfect garden like the perfect lover is mostly in the mind. That is why this is the best time to start planning next years garden. It is still perfect.
It is wonderful to live in the city and still have deer and rabbits and other wildlife in the yard. They are great to watch. It has never been a problem if they eat a little bit from the garden. It is fun to play little tricks on them, like spraying everything with habanero spray. This year they have taken more than a little bit.
Deer must be excluded from “the perfect garden”. Stuff will be planted outside the garden for them to munch. An 8’ fence will go around the garden. Deer can jump 18’; but maybe they won’t if there is something good to eat outside. Bugs must be excluded as well. Companion planting and organic sprays will be used for that. The habanero pepper spray worked well. It was a little too strong at the bottom of the sprayer. It actually burned the grape leaves. There are some really simple cheap sprayers at Lowes. I will buy a couple extra and label them so the sprays can be separated. BT, sulfur and pepper-garlic will be used.
It would be wonderful to have everything in raised beds. The work to do that is massive; but a couple of new raised beds can be added each year. The plans in my mind included a row of hanging tomato plants. The one hanging plant is not doing as well as the planted ones; so maybe 3 or 4 hanging plants will be used as a comparison. The design on the raised beds will be made to accommodate some chicken wire panels that can be added or removed easily to let me in and keep rabbits, squirrels, raccoons and birds out. Bird net can be draped over the top.
Summer squash plants are so greedy. They want to take over the whole garden. (See Picture.) They were given a 4’ row this year. It is still not enough. Next year they will get panels on the side of the rows to keep them in their place.
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, July 7, 2009
Summer Cooking
Summer Cooking
The real start of summer cuisine is not cooked at all. The tomato sandwich has no comparison. Of course, it requires a really great bread and a good spread. My favorite bread is Nova’s sesame semolina wheat bread; but I’m sure you have your own favorite. Michael Swol makes a killer Tzajiki sauce that is fantastic for tomato sandwiches or just for dipping.
His sauce has plain yoghurt, dill, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, sugar, fresh ground pepper and cucumber. The key to the cucumber is to peel and quarter it and remove the seeds. Aioli also makes a really great spread; but it is difficult to get the proper consistency. Of course you can add lettuce and bacon to a tomato sandwich to get a BLT.
Barbecue is also a summer favorite. There are so many ways to make it that I will just refer you to the expert. Go to the expert at http://carolinasmokehouse.blogspot.com/ Chris is a cook (he says he is not a chef) at one of the top restaurants in Charlotte. He is not allowed to say the name; so I won’t either. He does have some really great stuff on his website. Check it out.
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 real start of summer cuisine is not cooked at all. The tomato sandwich has no comparison. Of course, it requires a really great bread and a good spread. My favorite bread is Nova’s sesame semolina wheat bread; but I’m sure you have your own favorite. Michael Swol makes a killer Tzajiki sauce that is fantastic for tomato sandwiches or just for dipping.
His sauce has plain yoghurt, dill, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, sugar, fresh ground pepper and cucumber. The key to the cucumber is to peel and quarter it and remove the seeds. Aioli also makes a really great spread; but it is difficult to get the proper consistency. Of course you can add lettuce and bacon to a tomato sandwich to get a BLT.
Barbecue is also a summer favorite. There are so many ways to make it that I will just refer you to the expert. Go to the expert at http://carolinasmokehouse.blogspot.com/ Chris is a cook (he says he is not a chef) at one of the top restaurants in Charlotte. He is not allowed to say the name; so I won’t either. He does have some really great stuff on his website. Check it out.
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 6, 2009
The 4th of July is for Tomatoes
The 4th of July is for Tomatoes
Last year my 1st homegrown tomato came off the vine on the 3rd of July. This year the deer pruned my tomatoes so severely that there are no 4th of July tomatoes. There are two very tiny green tomatoes on 1 vine. Fortunately Michael Swol felt sorry for me and brought me an extremely ripe and very tiny cherry tomato from one of his plants. It was, of course, anticlimactic as my friend Stephanie has been blessing me with homegrown tomatoes for a week.
At least the cucumbers and squash are doing well. Even the new cucumbers that were planted early last week have come up. The Hydroponics store on Monroe Rd. in Charlotte has BT. This is supposed to murder pickle worms. Michael and I each bought a very tiny bottle for $16. I sprayed mine yesterday (the 4th of July). I hope it will give me independence from pickle worms and other caterpillars.
BT (Bacillus Thuringienses) is a disease that kills insects in the larval stage. Supposedly they take a bite or two, get sick and fall off the plant and die. I hope it ruins their whole day.
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 year my 1st homegrown tomato came off the vine on the 3rd of July. This year the deer pruned my tomatoes so severely that there are no 4th of July tomatoes. There are two very tiny green tomatoes on 1 vine. Fortunately Michael Swol felt sorry for me and brought me an extremely ripe and very tiny cherry tomato from one of his plants. It was, of course, anticlimactic as my friend Stephanie has been blessing me with homegrown tomatoes for a week.
At least the cucumbers and squash are doing well. Even the new cucumbers that were planted early last week have come up. The Hydroponics store on Monroe Rd. in Charlotte has BT. This is supposed to murder pickle worms. Michael and I each bought a very tiny bottle for $16. I sprayed mine yesterday (the 4th of July). I hope it will give me independence from pickle worms and other caterpillars.
BT (Bacillus Thuringienses) is a disease that kills insects in the larval stage. Supposedly they take a bite or two, get sick and fall off the plant and die. I hope it ruins their whole day.
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 3, 2009
A Bug's Life
A Bug's Life
Maybe some people think they are cute. The holes in the plant leaves are not cute. The diseases they spread are not cute. Even organic sprays have some downsides. If pepper and garlic sprays repel the bad bugs, do they repel the pollinators also? Even using a very dilute solution of pepper spray the solution that had settled to the bottom of the sprayer was strong enough to burn the leaves on the grapevines, which were the last thing to get sprayed.
Because the cucurbits are doing really well a sulfur spray is being used now. This is mostly to combat powdery mildew. It is simple and pretty harmless to the plants and it is actually beneficial in reducing the alkalinity of the soil. Put 1 tablespoon of wettable sulfur for each quart of water. Shake it and spray it. It doesn’t even clog the nozzle of the sprayer. It will eventually reduce the alkalinity of the soil so be sure to test the soil occasionally. I use sulfur in the soil where I plant blueberries and potatoes to increase the acidity.
Last year the pickleworms were my greatest nightmare. I’m not sure if the sulfur will help for them. I will be researching. There is no way they get to ruin so much produce again this year. The major catastrophe last year was the lonely spaghetti squash that matured. I have heard that BT (Bacillus Thuringienses) is effective against these. I will research that and let you know.
This article was accidentally posted to another blog. I deleted it from there. If you read it there, please forgive the summer rerun.
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/.
Maybe some people think they are cute. The holes in the plant leaves are not cute. The diseases they spread are not cute. Even organic sprays have some downsides. If pepper and garlic sprays repel the bad bugs, do they repel the pollinators also? Even using a very dilute solution of pepper spray the solution that had settled to the bottom of the sprayer was strong enough to burn the leaves on the grapevines, which were the last thing to get sprayed.
Because the cucurbits are doing really well a sulfur spray is being used now. This is mostly to combat powdery mildew. It is simple and pretty harmless to the plants and it is actually beneficial in reducing the alkalinity of the soil. Put 1 tablespoon of wettable sulfur for each quart of water. Shake it and spray it. It doesn’t even clog the nozzle of the sprayer. It will eventually reduce the alkalinity of the soil so be sure to test the soil occasionally. I use sulfur in the soil where I plant blueberries and potatoes to increase the acidity.
Last year the pickleworms were my greatest nightmare. I’m not sure if the sulfur will help for them. I will be researching. There is no way they get to ruin so much produce again this year. The major catastrophe last year was the lonely spaghetti squash that matured. I have heard that BT (Bacillus Thuringienses) is effective against these. I will research that and let you know.
This article was accidentally posted to another blog. I deleted it from there. If you read it there, please forgive the summer rerun.
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, July 2, 2009
Winter's Grape Leaves
Winter’s Grape Leaves
It turns out that Winter’s recipe was not an original. She got it from a website called http://allrecipes.com . This is a website where friends share recipes. Since the byline says “All Rights Reserved”. I will not repeat the recipe here. The name of the recipe is “Figs Oozing with Goat Cheese”. I could not find it by following links; but there is a search tool bar and the title can be inserted and the recipe will be found. Michael said it was wonderful. He did not save one for me.
A friend is making pickles today. I am jealous. She also has tomatoes already. Maybe she will give me a couple. The hanging tomato plant that I started is still alive; but it is not growing. I think the tomato plant I used was too big. Three that I planted in the ground from the same source at the same time are doing great.
The garden really looks great; but the yield so far is pretty disappointing. The squash are the bright spots. We have been picking a lot of yellow crookneck squash and a few zucchinis and patty pans. The patty pans are my favorites. The spaghetti squash are growing rapidly and blooming. So far there is only one female blossom. They usually bloom a little later than the male blossoms. If they don’t produce something this year, that space allotment will go to regular winter squash next 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/.
It turns out that Winter’s recipe was not an original. She got it from a website called http://allrecipes.com . This is a website where friends share recipes. Since the byline says “All Rights Reserved”. I will not repeat the recipe here. The name of the recipe is “Figs Oozing with Goat Cheese”. I could not find it by following links; but there is a search tool bar and the title can be inserted and the recipe will be found. Michael said it was wonderful. He did not save one for me.
A friend is making pickles today. I am jealous. She also has tomatoes already. Maybe she will give me a couple. The hanging tomato plant that I started is still alive; but it is not growing. I think the tomato plant I used was too big. Three that I planted in the ground from the same source at the same time are doing great.
The garden really looks great; but the yield so far is pretty disappointing. The squash are the bright spots. We have been picking a lot of yellow crookneck squash and a few zucchinis and patty pans. The patty pans are my favorites. The spaghetti squash are growing rapidly and blooming. So far there is only one female blossom. They usually bloom a little later than the male blossoms. If they don’t produce something this year, that space allotment will go to regular winter squash next 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/.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Watermelon Fence Revisited
Watermelon Fence Revisited
I
t would be great to show a picture; but the camera was stolen this weekend. A picture will come as soon as the camera is replaced. The new watermelon fence went up yesterday, complete with last years lessons. The fencing used this time was a plastic wire with a 1” grid. Last year the 2”X 4” wire allowed the baby watermelons to fall through. Some hung below the fence and had to be supported. Some got caught in the grid and were deformed.
One more try was made to plant cucumbers. Only a few of my first planting germinated. None of the next two plantings germinated. This time a trench was dug and filled with compost. The cukes are one of my favorite things from the garden. We are still picking mesclun and oak leaf lettuce. We had a salad with cucumber from the garden and mesclun and nasturtium blossoms. The tomato was store-bought.
Winter Swol has a new recipe for grape leaves stuffed with figs and cheese. I will try to pry it from her mind and share it with you in the next post. Hopefully there will be ripe figs by then and we can try it and include pictures if I get a new camera. The fig tree is loaded, I am confident it will do its part. Shopping for a camera may be more troublesome.
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
t would be great to show a picture; but the camera was stolen this weekend. A picture will come as soon as the camera is replaced. The new watermelon fence went up yesterday, complete with last years lessons. The fencing used this time was a plastic wire with a 1” grid. Last year the 2”X 4” wire allowed the baby watermelons to fall through. Some hung below the fence and had to be supported. Some got caught in the grid and were deformed.
One more try was made to plant cucumbers. Only a few of my first planting germinated. None of the next two plantings germinated. This time a trench was dug and filled with compost. The cukes are one of my favorite things from the garden. We are still picking mesclun and oak leaf lettuce. We had a salad with cucumber from the garden and mesclun and nasturtium blossoms. The tomato was store-bought.
Winter Swol has a new recipe for grape leaves stuffed with figs and cheese. I will try to pry it from her mind and share it with you in the next post. Hopefully there will be ripe figs by then and we can try it and include pictures if I get a new camera. The fig tree is loaded, I am confident it will do its part. Shopping for a camera may be more troublesome.
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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