Posted on 09/05/2014 12:05:45 PM PDT by greeneyes
We learn what to do, what not to do, and, importantly, WHY, which makes it easier to remember. If the teacher has made many errors, she can educate the students to get around those errors. That’s why I like computer-assisted learning devices and programs. If you get a question wrong, you immediately learn what was wrong and why. Maybe that’s only my learning style, but I think it’s the best.
Thanks, Silentgypsy!
That’s a great idea!
Myself, I like the cheap organic veggies that I grow, and I know for certain there's no pesticide or other stuff wrong with it. I like the independence and self sufficiency, and I like knowing that I can grow all the food we need for a completely nutritious diet.
You've done very well in your short time with gardening, and I think we have all enjoyed your posts, and sharing your progress.
I appreciate the admonition and tips. But somehow I fear I expressed a discouraged note that I had not intended. I intended to express with humor my joy in the lessons of this past summer, much due to the what you suggested: my failures!
While I didn’t have a good crop of squash, I did have a few, and that is more than I was able to produce last year! SUCCESS!
I had about 40 tomatoes, from 3 varieties come to fruition and harvest! Again, much better than last year! SUCCESS!
I had a good okra crop last year, and this year I experimented with two more varieties to see if they like our little microclimate here. They did! And even more than that, I like them too! While it was pointed out to me upthread that they will cross breed, and I was not supposed to plant three varieties in proximity, nevertheless, I achieved what I set out to do. And as I was also assured, even if I have some strange children come of the seeds, they will still be okra! SUCCESS!
I had my first TINY white potato crop! Less than 5 ounces, but I was able to observe the process of the life development of that particular plant, and I look forward to seeing if I can improve next year. SUCCESS!
I was able to try out a stand of Asian Trellis beans. I’m in LOVE with them! I had some other legumes which also bore pods. SUCCESS!
I also was able to produce some flax seed. I had a lovely plantain plant. Strawberries are started in their pot. And other plants were tried - some with good results, some not, but I have learned from them. SUCCESS!
I am so grateful for your careful encouragement of me and all newby gardeners on this thread. You can certainly count me among your fans! I also know that we are not alone in our admiration for our Marcella. I believe we all marvel at her wonderful example, spunk, and fire!
Hmmmm. I had a lovely post to you all written out but somehow was disconnected from FR and I lost it.
I do so appreciate your kind and encouraging words! I’m a fan of your posts! I have laughed with you about BOTH of our screw-ups!
I’m quite familiar with north Texas, and I think you will love it there!
Thanks so much for the link to edenbrothers. I’ll have to talk with Darlin’ about the possibility of a fall planting.
Like you, I have resisted the idea about a fall garden, and can identify easily with being crestfallen to learn that “REAL” gardeners plant in the fall! (LOL! You know that’s a marketing ploy, right??) But nevertheless, in our efforts to learn, we probably do need to suck it up and soldier on.
Perhaps this is the time to dust off my celery and romaine rooting experiments and see if I can grow some and keep them alive! I know I can get them rooted but never was able to keep them alive. I realize now that I had not known that they are cool weather creatures. And I was asking them to survive 100 degree temps! Plus the small matter of phosphate poisoning was an issue in one instance!
But I don’t know... if I read the eden catalog and get inspired....
You are exactly right. Self education and the knowing of WHY, or at least the process of trying to figure out the WHY makes all the difference!
What are some of the the computer assisted learning devices that you like to use?
very nice crop
That’s great. Love the pics. If you got it, flaunt it. We can all appreciate the bounty vicariously.LOL
I’ve just finished peeling, coring and dicing a bushel and a half of apples (pixie crunch and golden delicious. The pixie crunch really are like candy). The syrup (sugar, cinnamon) is warming on the stove. I’m waiting for the jars to get done in the dishwasher right now. I’ve got just as many pears to do when that’s done. I can’t decide if I want pears diced in syrup to make tarts, pies and topping for pancakes (open jar into boiler, add a bit of cornstarch and heat till it bubbles and thickens) or if I want to break out the 6qt crockpot and make pear butter. I’ve got some habaneros that are finally ripe from the 2 I dug up and potted from the garden last year that I’ve thought about adding to the pear butter.
Right now I’m dithering.
I’ve got 5 or 6 gallons of blueberries in my freezer I may can as well to free up the space in case hubby gets a bambi or two this fall. Can’t decide if I want to just can blueberries in syrup for pies or if I want to make jam.
Decisions decisions decisions...
Nice decisions to have to make. I sometimes split the difference and do a 50/50. I have enough tomatoes frozen to make a batch of salsa or spaghetti sauce. So I have decided to make a half batch of each.
I also tend to go with processing that will allow multiple uses, so I’d probably choose something other than pear butter, mostly because we don’t eat much bread and spreads here. A jar of apple butter or a couple of jars of jelly would last us for over a year.
Maple syrup, on the other hand disappears really fast. Grand daughter like pancakes and lots of syrup.LOL
When I make the ‘hot’ pear butter hubby uses it on sandwiches (with ham or turkey) or we glaze hams or pork roasts with it. Yummy. I try to make enough for a couple of years because we never know if a frost will get next years pears. I’ve got some more pear trees ordered to space out the bloom and bearing so that won’t be as much of an issue in 2 or 3 more years.
I wish I had enough tomatoes to fool with. I’ve got enough compost maters to slice on a pizza tonight. And that’s it.
Is the cold front there yet? Farther South, I am still waiting for the 90’s to become 80’s.
Just got back from a casino in Oklahoma. It was in the 80s when we left here and in the 70s when we got there about 6:30 pm. Should have 70s here tomorrow and likely rain. Haven't had rain in weeks.
When it cools outside, I'll take some pictures so you can see the layout of the extended back yard. I'm laying claim to a large piece where there is nothing but open ground. Can you say containers with food plants? I brought all my seeds with me plus my grow light on the stand. Tomorrow on the new gardening thread, I'll list the names of specific plants that did the best at my house. Those are the ones I'll plant in the spring.
We are using his big truck now - still don't have a new SUV after the other one was totaled due to the frame being bent in the crash. My neck was also “bent” and hasn't fully recovered. Hyundai and KIA companies are limited on SUV selection of 2014 SUVs as 2015 ones are on the way. Eventually, we'll have a new one and break it in traveling around. Bandera will be on the list and so will Kerrville at your house. You see, I had to get a driver to take me where I want to go. Bob is a fine driver. :o)
Yep it’s here. Today was swim day and I was cold when I went outside, and I wished I had a jacket. Current temp here at the mid western ranch is 54 degrees.
We are headed to near record lows over the weekend. I’m thinking Saturday should be a really good day for garden chores. Hubby brought me a present the other day. Farmers Almanac for 2015. I’ll write about it a little bit tomorrow.
I have relatives in Oklahoma up near the Mo./Ark. line. Last time we visited them I was kinda surprised to see how many casinos they have scattered around all over the state.
I picked a lemon this week it’s bigger than a tennis ball, and more round than oval. Thinner skin too. It has 3 or 4 times more juice than a lemon from the store. Got several more almost ready.
Gonna have to bring that into the house at night this weekend. I kinda baby that tree.
Oh, good, I am painting, refinishing cabinets, and doing some beadboard..Take your time. I don't work too fast. I started out just painting, then one thing leads to another.. Oh, then I started redoing the yard and patio at my Mom's..
I should've stuck with just gardening.. I do want to try some tall utah celery this fall. I have too many projects going, and my gardening is suffering.
LOL! Yes! It started getting cooler a few days ago, but this morning is definitely crisper! It was 55 degrees a little while ago. 59 is projected as our high today.
Hang in there!
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