Posted on 01/30/2015 12:38:35 PM PST by greeneyes
The Weekly Gardening Thread is a weekly gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you. This thread is non-political, although you will find that most here are conservative folks.
No matter what, you won’t be flamed and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked. It is impossible to hijack the Weekly Gardening Thread. There is no telling where it will go and... that is part of the fun and interest. Jump in and join us!
NOTE: This is a once a week ping list. We do post to the thread during the week. Links to related articles and discussions which might be of interest are welcomed, so feel free to post them at any time.
Simplicity is saurkraut. The process of the fermentation creates really beneficial nutrients and enzymes far more valuable than just cabbage. Home made saurkraut is really good for you. Every culture has a variation of it. Asia has Kim-Chee. The Japanese (still Asia) have “pickles”, which is just about any vegetable and it’s stalks brine fermented just like cabbage. Stone crocks were used instead of PVC buckets.
Snowdrops have already come up here in NC. Also daffodils and tulips have been poking up from the ground. The same ones that I thought I’d planted too late last fall. Monday I’m starting the Master Gardener program with our County Extension office. It’s an 11 week long program and after I’ll be expected to donate 40 hours of volunteer time to teh office. I’m really excited to be learning something new and useful.
Snowdrops have already come up here in NC. Also daffodils and tulips have been poking up from the ground. The same ones that I thought I’d planted too late last fall. Monday I’m starting the Master Gardener program with our County Extension office. It’s an 11 week long program and after I’ll be expected to donate 40 hours of volunteer time to teh office. I’m really excited to be learning something new and useful.
We have almost no snow on the ground, very odd for January in Minnesota, it looks like early spring and I’m itching for gardening weather. After a couple years of gardening we are ready to expand the garden. Does anyone here use wood chips? We love the lack of weeds, had lush beautiful plants, but the plants didn’t produce much.
I was at the farm store buying a 40 lb. bag of black oil sunflower seeds for the birds and was waiting for them to load it. It took a while so I was looking around .... had no idea you could buy bags of worm castings! I think they were about $16/bag so out of my price range, but it was a new discovery for me.
We used to have Martin Houses too, but the danged starlings kept pecking out the holes too big, and then took over. After trying several supposedly peck-proof barns, we just gave up.
Sounds like a good time to me! My poor wife...I keep piling on the homestead projects (we live in the city), and our place can’t handle much more. I did, however, pick up a storage shed/workshop this past year, which is where I’ll do my fermentation! Thanks for the advice!
The jars in the middle with the blue rubber bands were for the fridge for eating fresh - all those great probiotics. The kraut is gone and the leaves I just have a few left in that jar. Also kept a carafe of juice in the fridge and that is gone. Canned the rest - kraut, leftover juice and leaves. Good luck with your kraut.
One of my favs! I'm assuming I can get the flavor by adding red chile to the mix? I'm gonna hafta Google that...
I have never tried onions from seed either. Sounds good though.
I’m looking forward to hearing all about your experiences in this class. So far, I haven’t been able to schedule it here.
Isn't that a great thing? Lol. I've got some stuff that requires early starts. That, and I just have no patience. Lol. I want to get growing!!!
I don’t use wood chips for my garden, and neither does hubby. I sorta use the square foot garden method, so everything is planted so close the weeds don’t have a chance.
Sometimes put down straw or shredded newspaper for help in moisture control during the dog days of summer, or during germination.
Oh, yeh-several of my organic catalogs have those for sale, but like you, I find them to be out of my price range.
Great pic!
You need to use Nappa Cabbage for Kim-chee. I also add garlic, onions, cayenne peppers, jalapenos, shredded carrots, and anything else lying around.
My dad made some when I was a kid. It smelled like the sewer line broke in the basement. When the Kraut was finished it tasted great.
Wife and I plan seed starting this weekend.
Amish paste tomatoes, three varieties of peppers (no more Scorpions, thankyouverymuch.)
The garlic we planted in October is doing nicely. It’s about the only green thing around here...
We sold our pontoon and ordered a new one. The boat is due in April.
Nice weather here in east central Mississippi, Meridian. Yesterday it was 74 - today 54. Lows in the high 30s. Next 10 days highs are only expected to be in the 50s. Hope this continues through Feb. and Mar turns warmer. It would be a dream!
That sounds good. I might try some this year, I would just back off on the heat.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.