Comment

Comment by Daddieo on September 10, 2011 at 4:55pm

Mixed Fruit

Comment by Daddieo on September 9, 2011 at 9:53am

Comment by Daddieo on September 9, 2011 at 9:46am

SEASONAL REMINDERS: Most of the following is leaning toward gardens on the Northeast states, but, many things included can be done across the country, this time of year or not...

New England

Freeze Herbs

Finely chop herbs like parsley, chives, tarragon, dill, and cilantro. Fill sections of an ice cube try to the top with the chopped herbs, then pour just enough water
over them to cover. When the cubes are frozen solid, pop them out and
store in plastic freezer bags. Use the cubes to flavor soups and
sauces. Freeze herbs individually or make up your own custom mix.

Pick Pears at the Proper Time

Pears don't develop good eating quality if completely ripened on the tree. Pick your pears when they are slightly immature. If you gently lift the pears from their
normal vertical hanging position on the tree to horizontal, the fruits
should separate without twisting or pulling. They will still be hard
and green, but if you cut a few open, you should see the seeds turning
from white to brown. The pears then need a chilling period in the
refrigerator. Bartlett pears only need a day or two of chilling, while
winter pears like Anjou or Bosc need 3-4 weeks of chilling. After
chilling, the pears are ready to be ripened at room temperature until
the flesh just below the stem gives slightly to gentle pressure.
Putting the pears in a paper bag with a ripe apple or banana speeds up
the ripening process (the apple or banana gives off ethylene gas, which
promotes ripening). Store ripened pears in the refrigerator.

Plant Evergreens in Early Fall

Fall is a good time for planting many trees and shrubs in our region, but needled evergreens such as pine and spruce do best when planted by the end of September.
This gives them time to establish a good root system before the ground
freezes to carry them through the winter. Keep newly planted trees
watered regularly throughout the fall.

Take Care Harvesting from Flooded Gardens

Many New England gardeners are still recovering from the flooding devastation wrought by Tropical Storm Irene. If your food garden was inundated by flood waters, be
cautious about harvesting even after the water has receded. Flood water
(overflowing water or runoff from surface waters like lakes, streams,
and rivers) often carries contaminants such as human and animal wastes
or chemical pollutants. (Water that pools on the surface of saturated
soil after heavy rain is not considered flooding and doesn't present
the same contamination risks.) According to information issued by the
University of Connecticut Extension Service, you should discard all
crops with edible portions that have come in contact with flood waters,
including root crops and hard-shelled produce like melons. Produce from
flooded areas where the water did not cover the edible plant parts may
be safe, as long as there is no evidence of contamination from
splashing water or cross-contamination from tools, hands, or footwear
exposed to flood water. If tools and equipment have come into contact
with flood water, for example through clean-up activities, clean and
sanitize them before using them in the garden. Remove any visible soil,
scrub with detergent and water, rinse, then soak or flood with a
solution of 1 tablespoon of chlorine bleach to 1 gallon of water. And,
of course, make sure the water you are using to wash with has not been
contaminated by the flooding. It is recommended to wait at least 60
days before replanting flooded areas, assuming the soil has dried
sufficiently. Home cooking produce exposed to contaminated water cannot
be counted on to make food safe for eating and will not remove chemical
contaminants. If you have any doubts about the safety of your harvest,
it's best to toss it.

Aerate Your Lawn

Core aerators are machines
that extract narrow cores of soil from a lawn, leaving small holes in
the ground and the cores on the surface. Core aeration is the best way
to revive a lawn that's developed a thick layer of thatch or to improve
areas where the soil has become compacted. Late summer to early fall is
a good time to aerate the lawn. Let the cores dry on the soil surface,
then rake to distribute them over the lawn. Even better, rake in an
inch of screened compost as well. Do-it-your-selfers can rent core
aerators, or you can hire a lawn service to perform this task

Comment by Daddieo on September 5, 2011 at 8:52pm

Ancient Artwork

Comment by Daddieo on September 5, 2011 at 8:50pm

A Bit of Green Grace

Comment by Freda Nichols on September 5, 2011 at 8:33pm

By the way I love "Blue Rain"...you know how I love those water drops;)

 

Comment by Freda Nichols on September 5, 2011 at 8:32pm

Yes, these are the blueberry "trees". I love them;)

Comment by Daddieo on September 2, 2011 at 5:29pm

I think you and Ashleigh have the same kind of Blueberry "Trees", Freda?  Your pie sounds divine, and I, too, absolutely love b-berries anyway I can get them...especially straight off the bush...big and succulent and so many my teeth wind up being blue!!

Comment by Daddieo on September 2, 2011 at 5:25pm

Blue Rain

Comment by Freda Nichols on August 31, 2011 at 8:50pm

Hush now...you're making me hungry.LOL I do love blueberries. We have a row of what I call blueberry trees. The berries are large, plump and sweet...and did I mention that they are full of antioxidants. I also make the best blueberry pie on the East coast;) The pie is fresh berries in a succulant glaze topped with a combination of cool whip, cream cheese, sugar and pineapple juice.  I could enjoy a piece of that right now...Yummmmmm... 

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