Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

WEEKLY GARDEN THREAD VOLUME 4, JANUARY 24, 2014
Free Republic | Jan 24, 2014 | greeneyes

Posted on 01/24/2014 12:24:31 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.


TOPICS: Gardening
KEYWORDS: agriculture; food; gardening; hobby
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 201-220221-240241-260 ... 301-314 next last
To: JRandomFreeper
Next time I make a rustic loaf, I'll post a recipe and some pix.

Do you ever use bannetons/brotforms to "mold" your breads. I have some, but usually when I flip the bread out onto the baking stone, I mess up the shape..suggestions?

221 posted on 01/28/2014 1:39:31 PM PST by sockmonkey (Of Course I didn't read the article. After all, this is FreeRepublic..)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 218 | View Replies]

To: sockmonkey
Place the baking sheet/stone upside down over the banneton touching the dough, and flip the whole thing over. The trick is to avoid dropping the dough from a height.

/johnny

222 posted on 01/28/2014 1:46:58 PM PST by JRandomFreeper (Gone Galt)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 221 | View Replies]

To: JRandomFreeper
That's fine. I made some steak house bread last night that didn't turn out. Not cooked through and missed the mark somewhere, imo. Hubby finished it off except for two slices so that's fine. I can never seem to get a loaf cooked in the middle without it getting too dry even with turning down the oven. I chunked my breadmaker many, many moons ago because it never baked right so that ruined me on them. Besides, I don't like their shapes. After thinking on it, I probably should have kept it for kneeding but it was a long sharp thorn so good riddance.

It's sunny and 37 outside and chilly in this drafty old house so I'm wrapped in a blanket. May have to wash dishes to get warm. The little seedlings are going to have to deal with the drapes closed. I bought a plant light but can't figure out anyway to hook it up without burning them so that's out (the guy at Home Depot said it was the light I needed - uh, hello, it burns up plants so last time I'm listening to them). Went out yesterday to get some potting soil but it had nasty green goo growing in the top. I thought it might have been the fertilizer in it but it was too cold to investigate further. I'll probably take the top layer off and spread the rest in the garden. It's a big bag that I'd only used for one hanging pot so I hate wasting it. The slobber monsters love the cold and have no sense to come inside and they keep pulling the towels away from the doors. I put a towel down outside for the wild cat to sit on while he eats so his tootsies won't freeze. He's not too sure of it but the food bowl won him over.

223 posted on 01/28/2014 2:02:04 PM PST by bgill
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 219 | View Replies]

To: JRandomFreeper
Place the baking sheet/stone upside down over the banneton touching the dough, and flip the whole thing over.

Well, the baking stone is at 400 degrees, and heavy, so, I can't lift it, or I'd drop it or burn myself, unless I was wearing an asbestos suit, and lots of pairs of 'ove gloves.

Maybe I dump a bunch of cornmeal on the bread, put something plate sized over it, flip it, and slide it onto the stone? I've tried putting a pizza paddle on top, flipping it, but then I can't get it to slide off the paddle onto the stone.It looks fabulous until I try to slide it off the paddle, then it gets lopsided looking..

If I could only master getting cornmeal to stay on something as I place it upside down over the brotform :(

I do have some welding gloves, and I haven't tried lifting the 400 degree pizza stone while wearing them. Would they protect me from the heat of the stone?

224 posted on 01/28/2014 2:10:46 PM PST by sockmonkey (Of Course I didn't read the article. After all, this is FreeRepublic..)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 222 | View Replies]

To: sockmonkey
LOL. Welding gloves...

You do know that baker's peels have to be dusted with flour to get the dough to slide? If you still have problems, dust the bread with flour, too. You don't have to use cornmeal if it doesn't work for you.

I was originally going to suggest using a peel, but didn't know if you had one.

I also didn't know that you knew to preheat the baking stone. Lots of folks don't.

/johnny

225 posted on 01/28/2014 2:18:57 PM PST by JRandomFreeper (Gone Galt)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 224 | View Replies]

To: sockmonkey

Maybe mine is outside somewhere. Haveta go out and look around for it. We are on a corner lot, with the rear being accessible and the front hanging off a cliff just about, so lots of deliveries wind up on the back porch.

Wishing you lotsa fun playing with yours.


226 posted on 01/28/2014 3:17:55 PM PST by rightly_dividing (1st Cor. 15: 1-4)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 220 | View Replies]

To: sockmonkey

Funny that bread comes into discussion now, after looking at this thread this morning and following the link in the thread for the parts.

http://lumberjocks.com/projects/95261


227 posted on 01/28/2014 3:44:51 PM PST by rightly_dividing (1st Cor. 15: 1-4)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 224 | View Replies]

To: rightly_dividing

Re: http://lumberjocks.com/projects/95261

Those look dangerously pretty.. The blades look like they’d be uber sharp, especially being under tension..


228 posted on 01/28/2014 4:19:22 PM PST by sockmonkey (Of Course I didn't read the article. After all, this is FreeRepublic..)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 227 | View Replies]

To: JRandomFreeper
I also didn't know that you knew to preheat the baking stone. Lots of folks don't.

What I haven't done is used it in my grill. I'm afraid it will crack, but I'd like to do a pizza on it in there..well, not today since it's 32 degrees outside right now.

When you are baking rustic breads, do you throw water in the bottom of the oven to "crust" it up with the steam?

229 posted on 01/28/2014 4:30:00 PM PST by sockmonkey (Of Course I didn't read the article. After all, this is FreeRepublic..)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 225 | View Replies]

To: JRandomFreeper
All this bread talk is making me want to go mix up some poolish, and bake some bread in the morning..Of course with a bunch of cats in there because it's so cold, I should probably not leave poolish or anything else setting around.

Is cat hair a good source of fiber?

230 posted on 01/28/2014 4:33:06 PM PST by sockmonkey (Of Course I didn't read the article. After all, this is FreeRepublic..)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 225 | View Replies]

To: sockmonkey
I pitch a couple of ice cubes in the bottom of the oven. They make steam longer.

/johnny

231 posted on 01/28/2014 6:10:54 PM PST by JRandomFreeper (Gone Galt)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 229 | View Replies]

To: sockmonkey
Is cat hair a good source of fiber?

I don't know. I'm sure I've consumed plenty. I'll start worrying when I hack up a fur ball.

But if I do, I'll hack it up near their food dish or favorite sleeping spot. Revenge should be sweet. ;)

/johnny

232 posted on 01/28/2014 6:23:39 PM PST by JRandomFreeper (Gone Galt)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 230 | View Replies]

To: Marcella

My seedlings under the grow lamp are just sitting there. I think I need a heat mat, or a warmer house. Poor little seedlings. 22F outside. 62F in my lving room.


233 posted on 01/29/2014 6:08:44 AM PST by sockmonkey (Of Course I didn't read the article. After all, this is FreeRepublic..)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 215 | View Replies]

To: sockmonkey; Marcella; SisterK

The rebel tobacco plant just keeps getting bigger. Banjo shown for scale.

I'm going to have to repot it this weekend when the weather warms up.

/johnny

234 posted on 01/29/2014 8:41:02 AM PST by JRandomFreeper (Gone Galt)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 233 | View Replies]

To: JRandomFreeper
Banjo shown for scale.

I love the creativity of your "for scale" items..I think I'd be limited to a quarter, a dime, or a penny..Maybe a 12 inch ruler.

235 posted on 01/29/2014 8:54:44 AM PST by sockmonkey (Of Course I didn't read the article. After all, this is FreeRepublic..)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 234 | View Replies]

To: sockmonkey
I just grab whatever is at hand. ;)

/johnny

236 posted on 01/29/2014 8:58:19 AM PST by JRandomFreeper (Gone Galt)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 235 | View Replies]

To: JRandomFreeper

Benderville and the rest of the PNW is getting some RAIN. We had 6/10” here on the shores of Humboldt Bay and may get more. I will send a link of a drought story later after I find it again.


237 posted on 01/29/2014 9:54:45 AM PST by tubebender (Evening news is where they begin with "Good Evening," and then proceed to tell you why it isn't.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 236 | View Replies]

To: tubebender
Still no precip forecast through next Sunday for here. We had an entire January without any rain.

/johnny

238 posted on 01/29/2014 9:58:02 AM PST by JRandomFreeper (Gone Galt)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 237 | View Replies]

To: All
I pray we don't have to live through one of these… Mega droughts of the past
239 posted on 01/29/2014 10:01:24 AM PST by tubebender (Evening news is where they begin with "Good Evening," and then proceed to tell you why it isn't.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 237 | View Replies]

To: tubebender
Nope, don't want to go a whole life-time without rain. A month is plenty long enough.

/johnny

240 posted on 01/29/2014 10:12:57 AM PST by JRandomFreeper (Gone Galt)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 239 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 201-220221-240241-260 ... 301-314 next last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson