Monday, May 25, 2009
The Flu had me but I'm back in the Garden
Things are moving fast out there—a beautiful late spring garden. We ate fava beans, fresh potatoes, green garlic, and broccoli for John's Birthday this weekend. Another wonderful garden meal. The tomatoes are all finally in and I will give a complete picture soon. Meanwhile I want to share these 2 great photos. The garlic harvest curing and Bruce working the orchard hives in the lovely early evening light.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
I Can Eat a Tomato Soon -Part 1
Tomatoes—there’s a subject that will inspire strong feelings. How to start them, how to grow them, how to feed them, how to support them, which ones to grow, what a great tomato should taste like, what’s a good year etc. etc.
I remember one year when my neighbor and colleague Vicki told me that her favorite tomato of the year was Costeluto Genovese. The same tomato had been tart and boring in my yard. So I’ll start out right away by saying that I’m very opinionated on the subject and if you try growing tomatoes my way you will DEFINITELY find that what I say will not work for you. Well…. at least some of it.
Gardening is all about cycles. There is the weather cycle, the moon cycle, the soil micro-organism cycle, the watering cycle, the insect hatching cycles, the sun strength cycle, the when you get around to weeding/feeding/mulching cycles, the are you paying attention cycle and the did you harvest at the right time for all the other cycles cycle. If you are lucky you will plant, care and harvest with the cycles in a way that strengthens your plants and gives you a bumper crop. One good tomato year my dear friend Adela came to visit. I had a huge shopping basket that was full to the brim with tomatoes and I told her she could have some. Much to my surprise, after she left, I discovered she had taken them all. That was ok. I went back out in the garden and filled it up again. Last year was abysmal and I couldn’t have filled that basket to save my life. I didn’t do anything differently.
Recently, in one of my gardening groups, there was a heated and unfriendly discussion of whether tomatoes should be started in a sterile potting medium or in a home concoction that included organism rich compost. Jeeeeeeeeeeez When I was done following it I felt like I had just read the damn election voter pamphlet. You read it all and you still haven’t a clue what to do. Some beginners read this stuff and give up before they even start. In some ways they were better off sticking a plant in the ground that Aunt Edith gave them and following her instructions.
So—if you want to plant some tomatoes still this year— get yourself down to OSH and buy one of their great 6-packs that have 6 different tomatoes in it for $2.19 and stick them in the ground in the sun. While you’re there get a couple bags of compost and fix up your soil a little. And maybe some organic fertilizer that has very little nitrogen in it (the first of the 3 numbers is the lowest i.e. 5-10-10 or 2-6-6) As they grow tie them up to something and water them well a couple times a week- more when it gets hot.. End of story. I admit this is the short version. I’ll share the longer one soon, but there is no reason why that much information couldn’t get you some great tomatoes.
I remember one year when my neighbor and colleague Vicki told me that her favorite tomato of the year was Costeluto Genovese. The same tomato had been tart and boring in my yard. So I’ll start out right away by saying that I’m very opinionated on the subject and if you try growing tomatoes my way you will DEFINITELY find that what I say will not work for you. Well…. at least some of it.
Gardening is all about cycles. There is the weather cycle, the moon cycle, the soil micro-organism cycle, the watering cycle, the insect hatching cycles, the sun strength cycle, the when you get around to weeding/feeding/mulching cycles, the are you paying attention cycle and the did you harvest at the right time for all the other cycles cycle. If you are lucky you will plant, care and harvest with the cycles in a way that strengthens your plants and gives you a bumper crop. One good tomato year my dear friend Adela came to visit. I had a huge shopping basket that was full to the brim with tomatoes and I told her she could have some. Much to my surprise, after she left, I discovered she had taken them all. That was ok. I went back out in the garden and filled it up again. Last year was abysmal and I couldn’t have filled that basket to save my life. I didn’t do anything differently.
Recently, in one of my gardening groups, there was a heated and unfriendly discussion of whether tomatoes should be started in a sterile potting medium or in a home concoction that included organism rich compost. Jeeeeeeeeeeez When I was done following it I felt like I had just read the damn election voter pamphlet. You read it all and you still haven’t a clue what to do. Some beginners read this stuff and give up before they even start. In some ways they were better off sticking a plant in the ground that Aunt Edith gave them and following her instructions.
So—if you want to plant some tomatoes still this year— get yourself down to OSH and buy one of their great 6-packs that have 6 different tomatoes in it for $2.19 and stick them in the ground in the sun. While you’re there get a couple bags of compost and fix up your soil a little. And maybe some organic fertilizer that has very little nitrogen in it (the first of the 3 numbers is the lowest i.e. 5-10-10 or 2-6-6) As they grow tie them up to something and water them well a couple times a week- more when it gets hot.. End of story. I admit this is the short version. I’ll share the longer one soon, but there is no reason why that much information couldn’t get you some great tomatoes.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Farm Life
When I got my first batch of chicks about 5 or 6 years ago, my friend Renee said “keeping chickens is hard” Why? “because they die”. That seemed like a strong statement at the time but it’s true- birds are fragile. I lose the odd chicken. One who stayed out all night in a hidden nest and got nabbed by a raccoon. One who keeled over for no apparent reason at all. One who got “bound”- their egg laying apparatus stuck on hold. My nephew up the street has lost big numbers on more than one occasion to predators and disease. I feel that my losses have been reasonable.
Occasionally there are birds saved from doom that become like mascots- often the only ones to get real names. Sophie, the scapegoat chicken, was always getting attacked by the others. She ended up living outside the chicken yard and provided endless entertainment. For starters she was a Silver Laced Polish and made me smile by her very existence. She looked like Phyllis Diller in one of her ridiculous hats. She would follow you around on garden chores and even occasionally knock on the door. I’m not kidding. Or Peggy, who had what I guessed to be some kind of inner ear/balance problem as a young chicken. She couldn’t hold her head up straight. It always listed to the right. Sometimes her head would turn farther and farther until she just flipped over on her back. It was sad and funny at the same time. She would stay that way for awhile, sort of passed out. I had to separate her out to keep her safe and I didn’t have much hope for her. To my surprise she grew out of it and is back with the flock, but comes running happily to meet me at the gate and seems to enjoy being held.
Today I lost 2 four day old turkey poults. Mysteriously and quickly. There is a lot of guessing and trying this and that with raising birds because, just like with gardening, there is a wealth of contradictory information. Organic solutions include Dr. Christopher's Plague tonic, Rawleigh Internal Liniment, comfrey leaves, raw milk, colloidal silver, probiotics, garlic and apple cider vinegar. This is more appealing to me than veterinary Liquimyacin, Agri-cillin, or Sulfadimethoxine. But when those sweet little creatures die all of a sudden you want it all and you want it now.
Occasionally there are birds saved from doom that become like mascots- often the only ones to get real names. Sophie, the scapegoat chicken, was always getting attacked by the others. She ended up living outside the chicken yard and provided endless entertainment. For starters she was a Silver Laced Polish and made me smile by her very existence. She looked like Phyllis Diller in one of her ridiculous hats. She would follow you around on garden chores and even occasionally knock on the door. I’m not kidding. Or Peggy, who had what I guessed to be some kind of inner ear/balance problem as a young chicken. She couldn’t hold her head up straight. It always listed to the right. Sometimes her head would turn farther and farther until she just flipped over on her back. It was sad and funny at the same time. She would stay that way for awhile, sort of passed out. I had to separate her out to keep her safe and I didn’t have much hope for her. To my surprise she grew out of it and is back with the flock, but comes running happily to meet me at the gate and seems to enjoy being held.
Today I lost 2 four day old turkey poults. Mysteriously and quickly. There is a lot of guessing and trying this and that with raising birds because, just like with gardening, there is a wealth of contradictory information. Organic solutions include Dr. Christopher's Plague tonic, Rawleigh Internal Liniment, comfrey leaves, raw milk, colloidal silver, probiotics, garlic and apple cider vinegar. This is more appealing to me than veterinary Liquimyacin, Agri-cillin, or Sulfadimethoxine. But when those sweet little creatures die all of a sudden you want it all and you want it now.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
The herb garden and a little pest control
Some lessons need to be repeated.......
When I cook Indian food the curry leaves I find in the store are often tired and don’t add much flavor. I ordered 2 Curry leaf plants from Horizon Herbs ( my current favorite- http://www.horizonherbs.com/ ) along with Chinese licorice, Chamomile and Zaatar Oregano. Although native to India, the Curry leaf is “a reasonable choice for outdoor cultivation in Southern California” Sounds good….. I returned to the site to confirm a good location for these little plants and noticed “tropical to sub-tropical deciduous tree to 18 feet” Oops- didn’t see that. Curry Leaf Tree. They are now in big pots that will dwarf their growth (like my Bay tree). I don’t think I need 18 feet of Curry leaves. Not to be confused with either curry spice mixes or the Curry plant, whose leaves smell a little like curry spice.
The herb garden is so beautiful right now. Note the handmade ugly temporary sprinkler- only until I dig in a line and attatch it to my system......... Didn't I say that last year?
Tarragon, Lemon Balm, Marjoram,Thyme and Lemon Thyme, and Chives
3 different sages, Oregano, Rosemary, Winter Savory, Salad Burnet, Onions, and gleefully bolting Celery
Bugs bugs bugs
Today I installed pheromone traps in the apples and pears for Codling moths, a different pheromone trap near the citrus trees for Leaf Miners, fly traps in the chicken yard and Tanglefoot around the trunk of the Giant Fuyu tree. I am desperate to keep the mealybugs from ruining my favorite Persimmon. Next bug chore will be spraying for Fire Blight. Very few things in my yard need fighting, thankfully. Most of the problems are in the fruit trees and all my solutions are organic. Out damn pest. Don't mess with my fruit.
When I cook Indian food the curry leaves I find in the store are often tired and don’t add much flavor. I ordered 2 Curry leaf plants from Horizon Herbs ( my current favorite- http://www.horizonherbs.com/ ) along with Chinese licorice, Chamomile and Zaatar Oregano. Although native to India, the Curry leaf is “a reasonable choice for outdoor cultivation in Southern California” Sounds good….. I returned to the site to confirm a good location for these little plants and noticed “tropical to sub-tropical deciduous tree to 18 feet” Oops- didn’t see that. Curry Leaf Tree. They are now in big pots that will dwarf their growth (like my Bay tree). I don’t think I need 18 feet of Curry leaves. Not to be confused with either curry spice mixes or the Curry plant, whose leaves smell a little like curry spice.
The herb garden is so beautiful right now. Note the handmade ugly temporary sprinkler- only until I dig in a line and attatch it to my system......... Didn't I say that last year?
Tarragon, Lemon Balm, Marjoram,Thyme and Lemon Thyme, and Chives
3 different sages, Oregano, Rosemary, Winter Savory, Salad Burnet, Onions, and gleefully bolting Celery
Bugs bugs bugs
Today I installed pheromone traps in the apples and pears for Codling moths, a different pheromone trap near the citrus trees for Leaf Miners, fly traps in the chicken yard and Tanglefoot around the trunk of the Giant Fuyu tree. I am desperate to keep the mealybugs from ruining my favorite Persimmon. Next bug chore will be spraying for Fire Blight. Very few things in my yard need fighting, thankfully. Most of the problems are in the fruit trees and all my solutions are organic. Out damn pest. Don't mess with my fruit.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
The new chickens are 9 weeks old today and can still squeeze through a 2” x 4” opening in the fence. Those that make it into the great wide world get put into chickie jail for the day. Chickie jail is a 2’ x 4’ cage that is full of the most delectable and desired chickie treats- the plan being to fatten them up so they can’t fit through the damn tiny hole any more. It’s always the same 7 little escapees, so hopefully a few more days of constant eating will widen them.
Today I planted 2 seed flats- 1 entire flat of Zinnias. The other is a hodge-podge of Celosia, Basil, Summer Savory, Chives, Cardoon, Jicama, and Thai Red Roselle. Thai Red Roselle, the flower found in Latino stores here in L.A., is the main ingredient in the drink “Jamaica”. The great and wonderful Lulu makes this often in the summer- very refreshing. This is what Baker Creek (my seed source) says about it:
Thai Red Roselle
(Hibiscus sabdariffa) A valuable plant for making cranberry-flavored bright red beverages, jelly, pie and tea. Much grown in Asia and the mid-east as the flavor is wonderful. A tasty sauce can be made by boiling and sweetening the fleshy calyxes, the leaves are also used to make a drink. The entire plant of this Hibiscus is red and very beautiful. Start early, unless you live in the far-south. Citrus-flavored flowers are delicious on frozen deserts. This plant has too many uses to name here. Collected in Thailand.
Tomorrow I will plant the “three sisters” in the front yard. According to Iroquois legend, corn, beans, and squash are three inseparable sisters that support each other in several ways. The beans climb the corn and are light feeders next to the hungry corn. The squash rambles over the ground, shading it from the hottest sun and helping the soil retain water.
Planting food plants in the front yard is tricky. Authors Kelly Coyne and Eric Knutzen ( L.A. residents) address this subject in their interesting book The Urban Homestead. They recommend planting either unfamiliar plants (weird greens) or super abundant plants (cherry tomatoes) in the front yard. The unusual ones won’t get stolen and the abundant ones are fun to share. I will plant a Hickory King flint corn- multicolored and intended for corn meal. The beans will be Scarlet Runner beans- beautiful flowers and not a familiar shape. The third sister will be Musquee de Provence pumpkins and Australian Butter squash. I hope these three sisters are unusual enough for a safe front yard planting.
Today I planted 2 seed flats- 1 entire flat of Zinnias. The other is a hodge-podge of Celosia, Basil, Summer Savory, Chives, Cardoon, Jicama, and Thai Red Roselle. Thai Red Roselle, the flower found in Latino stores here in L.A., is the main ingredient in the drink “Jamaica”. The great and wonderful Lulu makes this often in the summer- very refreshing. This is what Baker Creek (my seed source) says about it:
Thai Red Roselle
(Hibiscus sabdariffa) A valuable plant for making cranberry-flavored bright red beverages, jelly, pie and tea. Much grown in Asia and the mid-east as the flavor is wonderful. A tasty sauce can be made by boiling and sweetening the fleshy calyxes, the leaves are also used to make a drink. The entire plant of this Hibiscus is red and very beautiful. Start early, unless you live in the far-south. Citrus-flavored flowers are delicious on frozen deserts. This plant has too many uses to name here. Collected in Thailand.
Tomorrow I will plant the “three sisters” in the front yard. According to Iroquois legend, corn, beans, and squash are three inseparable sisters that support each other in several ways. The beans climb the corn and are light feeders next to the hungry corn. The squash rambles over the ground, shading it from the hottest sun and helping the soil retain water.
Planting food plants in the front yard is tricky. Authors Kelly Coyne and Eric Knutzen ( L.A. residents) address this subject in their interesting book The Urban Homestead. They recommend planting either unfamiliar plants (weird greens) or super abundant plants (cherry tomatoes) in the front yard. The unusual ones won’t get stolen and the abundant ones are fun to share. I will plant a Hickory King flint corn- multicolored and intended for corn meal. The beans will be Scarlet Runner beans- beautiful flowers and not a familiar shape. The third sister will be Musquee de Provence pumpkins and Australian Butter squash. I hope these three sisters are unusual enough for a safe front yard planting.
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