McGatha Garden CO OP

Melons

2011-07-27T21:37:00.000-04:00

We have melons!

We have not had very much luck growing melons thus far.

This is our first melon harvest, so we are super excited!!

McGatha Garden Update- Day 87

2011-07-26T21:46:00.000-04:00

The BIG tomato plant fell in a bad storm.

I lifted the tomate ladder up ......I think the plant weighed 30 to 40 pounds!

I think this plant has more tomatoes than it did last week!

Melon

Pumpkins

Look at the size of the green pepper. The tomato and onion are normal size!

Red Peppers are from the store. I needed some for a recipe

Garden Update- Day 80

2011-07-18T12:47:00.000-04:00

Melons

Tomatoes

Look at all the Tomatoes on this plant!!

Peppers

Squash

Pumpkins

Day 64- July 2 2011

2011-07-02T21:47:00.000-04:00

Look at the size of these Tomato plants!!

Melons

Potatoes

Pumpkins

Squash

Members of the Co Op worked on the new beds and clearing

the rest of the old barn foundation

All done!

Sue hasn't decided what she is going

to do with this new space yet.

Day 45- June 13, 2001

2011-06-13T20:44:00.000-04:00

June 13, 2011

Peas gone wild!!

Couple more weeks and they will be ready.

Look at the size of the tomatoes in the back.

HUGE all ready!

This is the new section of the Garden.

Sue added stones to divide the beds a little

Pumpkins, Squash, Asparagus and the Blackberry Bush live here.

Planting Day - April 30 2011

2011-04-30T23:23:00.000-04:00

It was planting day for the McGatha Garden Co Op!!

Sue and Edd had the old Barn foundation cleared so we

could make another big bed and possibly get a Greenhouse??!!??

We got a yard and a half of good top soil / compost mix

to top off all the beds

Matt used a tiller to work the big beds

Eric supervised.

Lookin' good Eric, Welcome to the Blog!

Let the planting begin!!

Potatoes.

All volunteer and transplanted from one of the big beds.

Peas

Partially Planted.

We got a few more items to get and

we are waiting to plant a few items in a couple weeks.

The Trellis' in the middle will be used for Melons

We are going vertical this year!

The new bed area by the old Barn Foundation.

We plan on planting Sunflowers, Watermelon, Pumpkins and Squash in this Bed

We also planted 3 Trees, a Blackberry Bush and some Strawberries today.

Ollie came to visit too!

The Barber Bunch: April Giveaway - Time is Running out!

2011-04-19T10:31:00.000-04:00

The Barber Bunch: April Giveaway - Time is Running out!: "The Barber Bunch: April Giveaway : My April Giveaway is one copy of: Homesteading: A Back to Basics Guide. So enter before it is too late."

The Barber Bunch: The Ready Store

2011-04-13T02:10:00.000-04:00

The Barber Bunch: The Ready Store: " I am an affiliate for The Ready Store I will make 10% off of any sale made thru my website So click the link

What I am Reading

2011-03-17T02:48:00.000-04:00

Garden Co Op- Day 70

2010-08-14T03:02:00.001-04:00

***I am just getting around to posting pics from our visit on August 10th.

Garden Co Op- Day 70

Weird Vegetable of the Week:

This Week's Harvest:

Matt used most of the Tomatoes to make Salsa.

Which he made pretty much unassisted by me.

I just followed him around cleaning up after him!

We like to share our bounty so the rest went

to The Anderson Family next door.

Garden Co Op- Day 62

2010-08-02T15:35:00.000-04:00

Day 62

This week's Harvest

2010-07-26T20:44:00.002-04:00

Refrigerator Pickles

2010-07-26T20:40:00.001-04:00

Refrigerator Pickles

4 Kirby Cucumbers. 1 lb. quartered
3/4 cup white wine vinegar
1/4 cup small sweet onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, smashed
2 tablespoon sugar
1 tsp dill seed
1 tsp black peppercorns
1 bay leaf
Kosher Salt

--Place cucumbers, in 1 quart jar

--In a bowl, combine vinegar, onion, garlic, dill seed, sugar, peppercorns, bay leaf, 2 tsp salt and 3/4 cup hot water. Stir until sugar dissolves.

--Pour vinegar mixture into the jar with cucumbers. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 day before serving

Garden Co Op- Day 55

2010-07-26T20:16:00.000-04:00

Day 55

This week's harvest:

Garden Co Op- Day 48

2010-07-19T17:06:00.000-04:00

Day 48

Tomatoes

Pumpkins

Peppers and Cucumbers

This weeks Harvest:

All from our Gardens

2010-07-19T16:58:00.000-04:00

A Salad with lettuce, tomato and cucumber

All from our Gardens!!!!

Garden Co Op- Day 36

2010-07-07T00:31:00.000-04:00

Day 36

Tomatoes

Pumpkins gone WILD.....we counted 13 pumpkins from this bed!!

Peas

I think it has been to hot for the peas.

May have to wait until cooler weather and try again

On the subject of weather.....

We are in the midst of a heat wave.

It is going to be 90 degrees or above all week long!

Potatoes

Green Beans

I planted more today.

Seems the Deer like green beans too!

My Water Boy

Garden Co Op -Day 28

2010-06-29T10:04:00.000-04:00

Day 28 at the Garden Co Op

Pumpkins gone WILD!!

Peas

Broccoli, Carrots, Onions and Spinach

Cucumber

Green Beans and Potatoes

Potatoes

Tomatoes

Peppers

Nothing much happening here.

May have to replant with something else.

Garden Co Op -Day 22

2010-06-22T13:37:00.000-04:00

I went to visit the Garden today. I really didn't need to water due to heavy rains this morning ......for that matter, all last week.

Once I got there, I found out that I forgot my memory card!!

So no pictures this week but this is what is going on.......

The volunteer pumpkin and squash are going CRAZY! The pumpkin has tons of blossoms on it.

Tomatoes and Peppers are looking good

Peas are growing and making their way to the trellis.

I replanted some cucumbers, carrots and spinach....nothing much was going on in those beds.

I will try and remember my memory card next week so you can get a picture update

Views of Sue and Edd's Homestead

2010-06-15T11:00:00.000-04:00

Sue and Edd's Homestead

One of my favorite places on Earth!

Barn and Pump House

My favorite flower bed

The Garden

Pump House

The Formal Garden

The Orchard

In the Pine Trees

Front of House

The Garage

The Orchard

2010-06-15T10:48:00.000-04:00

The Orchard

We have Pears this year!!

We have some wild strawberries too!!!

Garden Day 15 2010

2010-06-15T10:41:00.000-04:00

Pumpkin Blossoms

Acorn Squash

Strawberries

Not much action in the watermelon bed

Potatoes

Green Beans and more potatoes

Onions, carrots, spinach and broccoli

Peas

Cucumbers

Tomatoes

Peppers

Note of interest:

We are getting lots of heavy rain and bad storms this week.

News Flash!

2010-06-08T09:11:00.000-04:00

Sue reports that we have germination!

Planting Day- May 31 2010

2010-06-01T22:15:00.000-04:00

The "before" shot

New additions to the Garden:

New raised beds for watermelon and strawberries

New seating area......great for picnics in the garden!

Volunteer potatoes from last year

Volunteer pumpkins

Volunteer acorn squash

another "before" shot

Matt moving the bat house to higher ground

The new trellis for peas.

This is our first year growing peas

Lon and Sara planting carrots

Nichole and Brynden

Lon and Sue finishing up the planting

Matt moving compost with the Gravely Tractor

Lon and Matt loading the trailer

It is good to be back......check by next week to see if we have any sprouts!

Garden Volunteers

2010-05-23T02:29:00.000-04:00

Here are some volunteer plants in the garden.

Lettuce above and Potatoes below.

Pardon the weeds, we haven't worked the beds yet

2010-05-20T17:09:00.002-04:00

Planting Day is May 31!

Green Bean Plant

2010-04-21T02:00:00.000-04:00

Garden Party

2010-04-03T15:38:00.003-04:00

A Garden Planning Party will be held on April 18 at Sue's House.

See you there!

How to make Compost

2010-03-19T05:32:00.000-04:00

Compost

Definition
By definition, Composting is the purposeful biodegradation of organic matter, such as yard and food waste. The decomposition is performed by micro-organisms, mostly bacteria, but also yeasts and fungi. Composting recycles organic kitchen and yard waste and manures into an extremely useful humus-like, soil end product, permitting the return of vital organic matter, nutrients, and particularly bacteria, that are vital to plant nutrition to the soil.

Required Elements
Composting requires four equally important things to work effectively:

*Carbon or carbohydrates- for energy - the microbial oxidation of carbon produces the heat.
-High carbon materials tend to be brown and dry. Examples include
1. Dry, straw-type material, such as cereal straws and corn stalks
2. Dry leaves, Wood like sawdust, or ground wood waste

*Nitrogen or protein- to grow and reproduce more organisms to oxidize the carbon.
-High nitrogen materials tend to be green and wet. Examples include
1. Green plant material, grass clippings and weeds.
2. Manure from poultry, humans, pets.
3. Kitchen waste

*Oxygen, for oxidizing the carbon, the decomposition process.

*Water- to maintain activity without causing anaerobic conditions. It is important that the compost pile is neither too wet nor dry.

The Recipe for Compost
The best “recipe” for compost in the pile is balance of one part green to two part brown materials. The easiest way to achieve this balance is to add one part green material to the pile, top it with two parts brown material, and mix them together. Continue adding greens and browns until the pile is at least 3 cubic feet (3 ft. x 3 ft. x 3 ft.). This is the standard size of a compost pile because piles of this size heat up quickly and break down faster.

Compost also needs the correct amount of moisture to breakdown. Compost with the right moisture level should feel like a damp, wrung-out sponge. Too much moisture can cause temperatures to fall within the pile. Too little moisture slows down the decomposition rate and keeps the pile from heating up. Check your compost pile's moisture level once a week and adjust it if necessary by adding water to increase moisture or more browns to help dry the pile out.

Use a pitchfork or shovel to turn the pile once a week to move material from the outside of the pile in. Turning also keeps the pile from compacting, which reduces airflow and slows down decomposition. You should have finished compost in about two months. The compost is finished when it no longer heats up and you can't identify any of the original materials. The compost should be dark brown, moist and earthy smelling. Dig finished compost into your garden's soil or use as mulch.

Composting offers the obvious benefits of resource efficiency and creating a useful product from organic waste as well as improving your soil! Which is perfect in this age of reduce, reuse and recycle.

Day 113 2009

2009-08-25T14:13:00.004-04:00

Our voluteer Pumpkin on the Porch

This week's Harvest

Day 100 2009

2009-08-11T21:35:00.005-04:00

Day 100

This week's Harvest

Garden Day 93

2009-08-03T15:09:00.005-04:00

Pumpkins

I saw a couple Cucumber Beetles on this Pumpkin!!

Squash

Watermelon

Onions and Peppers

Tomatoes

Sara spent a coule hours cleaning up the Tomato Beds this weekend.

Don't they look great?

Green Beans and Cucumbers

Carrots, Green Onions and Sweet Potatoes

Look at the size of our Volunteer Pumpkin!

Potatoes

Day 93

This week's Harvest

I was dying to taste the Squash when I got home. So I peeled it, cut in half, removed the seeds, cut it into pieces and steamed it in one of those steam bags things.

I sprinkled it with Cinnamon and sugar and a little touch of nutmeg and a little tiny bit of butter.........OMG was it GOOD.....no ......GREAT!!

My Summer Kitchen

2009-07-28T22:01:00.004-04:00

My Kitchen is a wreck..........
I am canning and dehydrating

cooling jars of salsa and pickled peppers

dishes waiting for the dishwasher to be unloaded

Tomatoes left over from making salsa

Homemade bread and veggies waiting to be cut up

So far this year:

Canned

Strawberry Jam

Dilly Beans

Dill Pickles

Pickled Peppers

Salsa

Dehydrated:

Grape Tomatoes

Peppers

Peaches

Mangos

Frozen:

Onions

Carrots

Garden Day 86 2009

2009-07-28T21:37:00.005-04:00

Garden- Day 86 2009

Pumpkins

Squash

Watermelon

Peppers and Onions

Tomatoes

Cucumbers and Bush Beans

Potatoes

Sweet Potatoes, Green Onions, Carrots

Volunteer Pumpkin

This week's Harvest

Bat House

2009-07-28T21:32:00.002-04:00

Here is Matt installing the Bat House
We wanted to install a Bat House near the Garden.
Bats are known for helping control bugs

Here ya go Bats. Come eat our bugs!

Garden 79 Days 2009

2009-07-21T22:03:00.006-04:00

Day 79 2009

Pumpkins

Acorn Squash

Guess who was visiting the Garden today?

My Dad and Mom

Watermelons

Peppers and Onions

Purple Bell Peppers

Potatoes

Sweet Potatoes, Green Onions, Carrots, Volunteer Pumpkin

Bush Beans and Cucumbers

Tomatoes

Dad and Mom in the Garden

Sara's Harvest

2009-07-16T21:45:00.001-04:00

Sara's Harvest

Day 72 2009

2009-07-14T21:25:00.006-04:00

Day 72 2009

Bush Beans and Cucumbers

Green Beans

Pumpkin

Sweet Potatoed, Green Onions, Carrots

Potatoes

Onions and Peppers

Tomatoes

Pumpkins

Squash

Watermelon

This Week's Harvest

Garden Day 65 2009

2009-07-06T12:29:00.006-04:00

Garden Day 65 2009

This week's Harvest

A visitor in the Garden

Bush Beans and Cucumbers

Lettuce, Carrots, Green Onions, Sweet Potato

And the volunteer pumpkin

Jalapeno Pepper

Potatoes

Onions and Peppers

Onion

Tomatoes

Squash

Pumpkin and Squash Beds

Squash

What a difference 58 Days make

2009-06-30T15:56:00.000-04:00

Day 58

Day 1

Garden Day 58 2009

2009-06-30T15:26:00.005-04:00

Garden Day 58 2009

Watermelon Blossom

Watermelon

Squash Blossom

Squash

Pumpkin Blossom

Pumpkins

Tomatoes

Peppers and Onions

Potatoes

Sweet Potato, Green Onions, Carrots Jalapeno and Lettuce

Notice the volunteer Pumpkin!

Jalapeno

Cucumber and Bush Beans

Garden Pics

2009-06-30T15:20:00.000-04:00

Day 51 2009

2009-06-23T20:22:00.005-04:00

Garden Day 51 2009

Watermelon

Melons

Pumpkins

Tomatoes

Peppers and Onions

Potatoes

Cabbage, Lettuce, Carrots, Green Onions

Sweet Potatoes

Beans and Cucumbers

We had a visitor in the Garden.

Matt's Grandma came with us to see the Garden and have a picnic lunch

Sara joined us too!

Here is the whole group!

Just us Girls!

This week's Harvest

We wanted to see how big the Onions

were getting so we pulled one.

A few of the Red Potatoes were peeking thru the dirt

so we pulled those too.

And finally we harvested all the Chinese Cabbage we could.

The bugs had got to them first though!

Planted:

Bibb Lettuce

Mesclun Lettuce

Jalepeno Pepper

Cucumbers

Garden- Day 37 2009

2009-06-09T14:45:00.007-04:00

Garden at Day 37 2009

Pumpkins

Squash

Watermelon

Onions and Peppers

Tomatoes

Bush Beans and Cucumber

Cabbage, Radish, Lettuce, Carrots, Green Onions

Potatoes

Potato Blossom

This Week's Harvest:

Radish and Buttercrunch Lettuce

Strawberries

2009-06-08T12:37:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I got 16 Quarts of Strawberries from Monnin's Fruit Farm

Today I made Strawberry Jam

I made 8 Pints of Strawberry Jam,

froze 6 Quarts of Strawberries

and

a few Quarts for Strawberry Shortcake!

Sue's Formal Garden Fountain

2009-06-02T21:30:00.003-04:00

Sue and her new fountain in the formal gardens by the House

done planting.....

Bailey and the Fountain

Garden Day 30 2009

2009-06-02T21:16:00.011-04:00

Pumpkins

Squash

Sara weeding the Watermelon Bed

Watermelon

Peppers and Onions

Tomatoes

Potato Blossom

Potatoes

Bush Beans and Cucumber

Radish

Cabbage, Radish, Carrots, Green Onion

Cabbage

duplicate picture.....sorry!

Buttercrunch Lettuce

Sara trying out the Buttercrunch Lettuce......it was GOOD!

2009-05-26T23:23:00.000-04:00

Day 23 2009

2009-05-26T17:33:00.006-04:00

Garden -Day 23

Bush Beans and Cucumbers

Tomatoes

Cabbage, Radish Carrots, Onions and Lettuce

Peppers and Onions

Potatoes

Watermelon, Melons, Pumpkins and Squash

Iris

2009-05-20T16:37:00.001-04:00

Garden- Day 16

2009-05-19T16:23:00.005-04:00

Hoop Houses for the Melons, Squash and Pumpkins.

If you recall, We lost all of Melons and Pumpkins

last year to Bugs. We are trying the Hoop Houses

this year to see if it helps.

Hoop House Construction
Good Job Sara!!

Tomatoes

Peppers and Onions

Potatoes

Cabbage, Radish Carrots, Onions and Lettuce

Green Beans and Cucumbers

We got Bugs

2009-05-17T04:05:00.001-04:00

Sara and Sue released our beneficial bugs today in the Garden.

Sue and Edd's Homestead

2009-05-13T14:48:00.002-04:00

Sue and Edd's Homestead

View from the Garden

Pump House

Garden and Barn

The House

Garden - Day 9

2009-05-12T15:31:00.006-04:00

McGatha Garden Co Op Day 9

Pumpkins

Onions and Peppers

Tomatoes

Potatoes

Radish and Cabbage

Bush Beans

Planting Day 2009

2009-05-03T21:31:00.004-04:00

It was planting day at the McGatha Garden Co Op. Sara and Sue worked in the Garden on Saturday. Matt, Carolyn and Sue worked in the Garden on Sunday.

We weeded, put leaf compost in all the beds and planted seeds.

Here are pictures from Planting Day

Potatoes - Sue planted them a couple weeks ago

Onions
(with left over tomatoe trellis in the bed)

Tomatoes

McGatha Garden 2009
The before shot.......

Carolyn and Matt

Matt and his Mom, Sue

Carolyn and Sue

Planting the first seed!

What We Planted 2009

2009-05-03T21:25:00.003-04:00

Names of some of the Seeds we planted this year:

Pumpkin Magic Lantern Pumpkins

Honey Bear Winter Squash

Petite Treat Watermelon

Guardsman Onions

Champion Radish

Scarlett Nantes Carrots

Buttercrunch Head Lettuce

Tenderheart Hybrid Oriental Vegetables

Homemade Pickles Pickling Cucumbers

A Garden Party

2009-02-14T17:03:00.001-05:00

The McGatha Garden Co Op got together for a Garden Planning Party.

We ate lots of good food and spent hours pouring over seed catalogs.....planning what we would grow and where.

On the list for this year is:
-Bush Beans
-Pickling Cucumbers
-Pumpkins
-Onions
-Potatoes- 3 kinds!
-Peppers
-Carrots
-Lettuce
-Cabbage
-Squash
-Petite Watermelon
and of course......lots of Tomatos

We will be ordering Nematodes and other benificial bug and hanging a Bat House to help with the pest problems. Sue is looking into soil amendments and organic fetilizers.

It was alot of fun looking at all the seed catologs and planning the Garden ........ I can't wait to plant some stuff!!

My Canning Jar SCORE

2009-01-25T15:47:00.001-05:00

My Mom was telling one of her good friends that I had started canning this past summer. She told Mom that she had some canning jars AND a pressure canner in her attic and told Mom to ask me if I wanted them. Uh....Yeah!

So Mom picked them up for me and brought them over to the house today. LOOK at what I got!!!! I had no idea it would be so many jars AND a pressure canner! I am so excited!!

I can't wait to start canning this summer.

Sharon,
I promise to fill some of those jars with goodies and return them to you!

Thank You, Thank You, Thank you!

Homesteading Classes at Carriage Hill

2009-01-23T16:03:00.002-05:00

Homesteading Classes at Carriage Hill

02/07/09
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Traditional Butchering
Watch the age-old activity of processing the meat that was the staple in the 19th century farmer's diet. On Saturday the hog is scraped, cleaned and cooled. On Sunday the meat is prepared into the various cuts such as ribs, roasts, and hams. Also, watch as meat is then salted, cured, and also made into sausage. Call 278-2609 for details.

03/07/09
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
From Seeds To Harvest
Learn how to grow, harvest and use herbs. Special information will be provided on Sweet Woodruff, which is used in May Wine. Refreshments provided

03/08/09
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
BOIL THE SUGAR DOWN: Sweeteners on the Farm
During the 1880s, farmers had a variety of natural sweeteners that they collected. Spring-time meant boiling down maple sugar into sweet syrup. Come visit an 1880's sugar camp and learn how maple sugar was collected on the farm.

04/18/09
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
From Sheep to Shawls

The role that sheep played on the farm will be discussed for this comprehensive program. Watch as the sheep are sheared for the spring at 2 pm. Help card wool and watch as fabric is dyed using traditional methods. Come hear about the spinning process and factory production of wool. Watch spinners and weavers process the wool into yarn.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Carriage Hill MetroPark
7800 E. Shull Road
Dayton, Ohio 45424
(937) 278-2609

Garden Planning Meeting

2009-01-12T09:06:00.001-05:00

A Garden Planning Meeting is being scheduled for February.

October Independence

2008-10-31T12:40:00.002-04:00

October 2008 Independence Summary

Planting, Harvesting & Preserving –
Canned
Strawberry Jam - 7 Jelly Jars
Grape Jelly - 7 Jelly Jars
Orange Juice Jelly - 7 Jelly Jars
Banana Jam - 7 Jelly Jars
Dill Pickles- 8 Quarts
Sauerkraut- 10 Quarts
Steak Sauce- 3 pints
Tomatoes- 5 Quarts Tomato Sauce
4 Quarts Spiced Tomato Sauce
4 Quarts Tomato Halves
Carrot Pepper Salsa- 5 Pints
Green Tomato Hodge Podge- 3 pints, 1 Quart
Pickled Green Tomatoes- 1 pint, 1 Quart
Applesauce- 6 Pints
Apple Butter- 8 Jelly Jars

Frozen
Strawberries- 6 Quarts
Blueberries- 2 Pints
Green Beans- 3 pints
Carrots- 7 pints

Dried-
Dried Veggie Seasoning- 1 pint
Beef Jerky- 1 pint
Tomatoes- 5 Jelly Jars
Candy- Loupe - (Dried Candied Cantaloupe)
Green Peppers

Preparedness & Planning –
Reading information on how to prepare for and reduce risk of Pandemic Flu
Changed Water in our 55 Gallon Emergency Water Container
Researching Alternative Cooking methods

Managing household & reserves –
Rotating Stockpiled Foods- Eating the replenishing.
Cleaned and prepared Furnace for Winter

Keeping it Local –
Eating food from our Garden
Buying from Local Farmers and Farmers Markets

Learned New Skill or Tried Something New –
Canning Class- End of Season Harvest
My first ever, homemade from scratch Apple Pie!!
Making Applesauce and Apple Butter

Misc. & Handcrafting -
Researching and reading articles and books on survival, homesteading and back to basic skills.
Incorporating new skills, practices and methods into day to day life.

Good Night, Garden

2008-10-26T06:14:00.004-04:00

Last week we had a couple frost's and a hard freeze. So the Garden is done producing now.

We still have to plan a work day to put the beds to rest for the winter. The plan is to cover the beds with leaves to compost over the winter.

Projects we will be working on this winter include:
Layout for next year's Garden
Organic Pest Control Methods
Companion Planting

Good Night, Garden. See you in the Spring.

Applesauce and Apple Butter

2008-10-18T12:34:00.002-04:00

Guess what I did today?

I made 6 Pints of Applesauce

and 8 Jelly Jars of Apple Butter.

Thanks for the Apples, Sara!

My First Apple Pie

2008-10-16T06:50:00.002-04:00

Apples straight from the Orchard

Thanks Sara!

My pretty pie.......ready to go in the oven.

My first ever, homemade from scratch Apple Pie!!

Next up......Applesauce!

Canning

2008-10-06T15:23:00.003-04:00

With this Week's Harvest I put up:
4 Quarts of Tomatoes
5 Pints of Carrot Pepper Salsa
1 Quart and 3 Pints of Green Tomato Hodge Podge
1 Quart and 1 Pint of Pickled Green Tomatoes

This Weeks Harvest

2008-10-06T15:20:00.001-04:00

Green Tomatoes

Green Peppers
Yellow Tomatoes

Tomatoes

Pole Beans at 134 Days

2008-10-06T15:19:00.000-04:00

Pole Beans at 134 Days

Peppers at 134 Days

2008-10-06T15:18:00.000-04:00

Tomatoes at 134 Days

2008-10-06T15:16:00.001-04:00

Tomatoes at 134 Days

Garden at 134 Days

2008-10-06T15:14:00.001-04:00

Garden at 134 Days

Pixie Crunch at Gurney's- A family favorite!

2008-09-30T07:25:00.003-04:00

Pixie Crunch Apple Tree
Sweeter than 'Honeycrisp'

Gurney's Choice U.S. Patent No. 13871. A cut above the rest for fresh-from-the-tree flavor. Pixie Crunch Apple Tree has breaking crispness which "explodes" in your mouth, like Honeycrisp, only sweeter! Children prefer it over any other apple. Bears reliable crops beginning in its third season and continues each year, even in years with late frosts. Matures late August.

Zones: 5-8.

Buying Options Pixie Crunch Apple Tree - Standard 2-4 Feet
65778

Price: 1 - $26.95
2 or more - $25.50

Pixie Crunch Apple Tree - Standard Deluxe
65780

Price: 1 - $33.95
2 or more - $32.50

Pixie Crunch - Li’l-BIG 2-3 ft
70093
Price: 1 - $44.95
2 or more - $43.50

Pixie Crunch Apple Tree - Lil' BIG Deluxe
69022
Price: 1 - $51.95
2 or more - $50.50

Product Details
Zones: 5 - 8 (-10° F.)
Height: 22 - 25'
Spacing: 20' all directions
Depth: Graft or bud union should be just above the soil line. Look for plant depth indicator.
Sun/Shade: Sun
Pollinator: Liberty, Indian Summer, Snowdrift, Pristine
Yield: 10+ bushels
Color: Medium Red
Blooms: Early to Mid season
Fruit: Is medium red, medium size (with proper thinning) elongated round in shape. Flavor is super sweet, incredibly crisp and very juicy.
Comments: U.S. Patent No. 13871 A newly named Exclusive from Purdue. It was introduced in 2001. The tree is a small sized version of Rome Beauty and easily managed. Quick to bear, annually productive like Goldrush. The texture is similar to Honeycrisp but this one is much sweeter.
Pixie Crunch Apple Tree Ships In The Spring

If you are interested in the Pixie Crunch Apple Tree or any other gardening needs, Please see the sidebar to be taken to the Gurney’s Website.

Thank you for your support!

September 2008 Independence Summary

2008-09-30T06:28:00.000-04:00

September 2008 Independence Summary

Planting, Harvesting & Preserving –
Harvesting Carrots, Tomatoes, Potatoes, Peppers, Pole Beans from the Garden

Canned
Strawberry Jam - 7 Jelly Jars
Grape Jelly - 7 Jelly Jars
Orange Juice Jelly - 7 Jelly Jars
Banana Jam - 7 Jelly Jars
Dill Pickles- 8 Quarts
Sauerkraut- 10 Quarts
Steak Sauce- 3 pints
Tomatoes- 5 Quarts Tomato Sauce
4 Quarts Spiced Tomato Sauce

Frozen
Strawberries- 6 Quarts
Blueberries- 2 Pints
Green Beans- 3 pints
Carrots- 7 pints

Dried-
Dried Veggie Seasoning- 1 pint
Beef Jerky- 1 pint
Tomatoes- 5 Jelly Jars
Candy- Loupe - (Dried Candied Cantaloupe)
Green Peppers

Preparedness & Planning –
*Level Billing for Energy Bills
*Matt made Fishing Kits, Snare Kits and Fire Starting Kits for Survival Packs
*Survival Skills Test when Hurricane Ike came to town and left us without power for 27 Hours.
*Replenishing supplies used during Hurricane Ike.

Managing household & reserves –
*Roating Stockpiled Foods- Eating the replenishing.
*Got more shelving for storage in the basement.
*Organized food supply on new shelving

Keeping it Local –
*Eating food from our Garden
*Buying from Local Farmers and Farmers Markets

Learned New Skill or Tried Something New –
*First Worm Compost Harvest
*Made Candy- Loupe - (Dried Candied Cantaloupe)
*Canning Class- Apples
*Canned Tomatoes

Misc. & Handcrafting -
*Researching and reading articles and books on survival, homesteading and back to basic skills.
*Incorporating new skills, practices and methods into day to day life.

Garden at 122 Days

2008-09-24T12:13:00.003-04:00

Would you believe that I forgot my Camera?!?!?!

So there won't be any pics for the Garden at 122 Days. But here is a pic of this week's harvest.
Hubs wants to make Salsa. I think I got enough to make a nice batch.

The Garden is slowing down. The Tomatoes and Peppers are still producing. One of the Pole Bean Beds has some blossoms and some fresh beans growing. On the other bean bed, I tore out all the old and dying plants. So out of the 9 Beds, 5 are still producing.

We are working on preparing the empty beds for fall. And making plans for next year's Garden.

How to make Tomato Sauce

2008-09-21T16:41:00.002-04:00

How to make Tomato Sauce

What you need:
Tomatoes, cored
Bottled Lemon Juice
Salt
Dried Herbs (Optional)

For thin sauce you will need an average of 35 pounds of tomatoes to produce 7 Quarts. For thick sauce you will need and average of 46 pounds of tomatoes to yield 7 Quarts. General guideline for estimating weight is 3 medium sized tomatoes equal 1 pound.

1. Prepare Canner, Jars and Lids

2. Wash and Sort Tomatoes. Remove any bruised or discolored product. Quarter 6 Tomatoes and place in large stainless steel saucepan. Bring to boil over medium high heat. Using a Potato Masher, crush tomatoes to release juices. While maintaining a boil and stirring to prevent burning, quarter additional tomatoes, adding them to the saucepan as you work. Make sure mixture continues to boil vigorously while you add, stir and crush the remaining tomatoes. When all the tomatoes have been added, boil, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes.

3. Working in Batches, press the tomatoes through a fine sieve or food mill to remove skins and seeds. Discard skins and seeds. BEWARE: THIS IS THE MESSY PART!!

4. Returning mixture to saucepan and bring to boil over high heat stirring frequently. Reduce heat to medium high and boil until volume is reduced by 1/3 for thin sauce and by half for a thicker sauce.

5. Before filling each jar add 2 tbsp of lemon juice and 1 tsp canning salt to each quart jar. (Note: measurement change if you use smaller or bigger jars).

6. If using, Add dried herbs. Start with 1/2 tsp per jar. You can adjust per your liking. I added dried onions, dried green peppers, crushed red pepper, basil and oregano.

7. Ladle hot sauce into prepared jars. REMEMBER: Hot Sauce, Hot Jars and Hot Lids! Fill Jars leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles. Wipe rim and center lid on jar. Apply screw toplid.

8. Place Jars in Canner. Bring to boil and process 40 minutes for Quart Size Jars. (Times change with bigger or smaller jars.)

9. Remove Canner Lid. Wait 5 minutes, then remove jars, cool and store.

I made 5 Quart Jars of Plain Tomato Sauce and 4 Quarts of Spiced Tomato Sauce

0 to 116

2008-09-18T07:47:00.001-04:00

Day 1 to Day 116

A visitor to the Garden

2008-09-18T07:44:00.003-04:00

A visitor in the Garden.

A woolly worm!!

Does any one know what he is telling us with his color?

Melons and Pumpkins at 116 Days

2008-09-18T07:42:00.001-04:00

The melons and pumpkins are officially DONE!

I cleared out the pumpkin patch and worked up the dirt yesterday.

Pole Beans at 116 Days

2008-09-18T07:39:00.001-04:00

The wind really cleaned out all the pole beans for us.

Maybe we will get one more round of beans because of it?!?!

Peppers at 116 Days

2008-09-18T07:38:00.000-04:00

Tomatoes and Kale at 116 Days

2008-09-18T07:36:00.001-04:00

Garden at 116 Days

2008-09-18T07:34:00.002-04:00

The Garden at 116 Days.

It looks like it fared well through the wind storm.

This Week's Harvest

2008-09-11T06:57:00.002-04:00

I left some carrots for Sara and Mom. The rest I brought home and froze them.

How to Freeze Carrots:

Clean

Cut

Blanch

Cool

Drain

Place in food storage bag of choice

Put in Freezer

These Carrots yielded about 7 pints of carrots

How to Harvest Potaotes

2008-09-11T06:53:00.003-04:00

Potatoes at 109 Days

How to Harvest Potatoes........

Insert Pitch Fork and dig up Potaotes!

Pole Beans at 109 Days

2008-09-11T06:51:00.000-04:00

Pole Beans at 109 Days

Melon and Pumpkin Patch at 109 Days

2008-09-11T06:48:00.002-04:00

Damn Beetles!

We have left the melons and pumpkins in the beds hoping that

if the beetles had something to snack on their they would leave everything else alone.

So far that has seemed to work.

How to Harvest Carrots

2008-09-11T06:44:00.001-04:00

Peppers and Carrots at 109 Days

How to harvest Carrots.........

Grab the green tops and pull!

Carrot Harvest

Tomatoes and Kale at 109 Days

2008-09-11T06:41:00.002-04:00

Tomatoes

Kale

Garden at 109 Days

2008-09-11T06:40:00.002-04:00

Garden at 109 Days

Canning Class at Carriage Hill

2008-09-06T13:37:00.002-04:00

If you would like more information on Carriage Hill or the Canning Class,
Please visit their website at
http://www.metroparks.org/Parks/CarriageHill/Home.aspx

Pictures from around the Homestead

2008-09-03T10:44:00.002-04:00

This Week's Harvest

2008-09-03T10:41:00.002-04:00

Potatoes at 102 Days

2008-09-03T10:40:00.000-04:00

Pumpkin Patch at 102 Days

2008-09-03T10:36:00.001-04:00

Melon Patch at 102 Days

2008-09-03T10:34:00.001-04:00

Damn Beetles!

Pole Beans at 102 Days

2008-09-03T10:33:00.000-04:00

Peppers and Carrots ant 102 Days

2008-09-03T10:32:00.000-04:00

Tomatoes and Kale at 102 Days

2008-09-03T10:31:00.000-04:00