Search results

Well then I'm probably in good shape calcium-wise. My chicken litter is composted and spread on the gardens late fall of every year. Every other year we dig out the chicken run and spread that on the gardens for the winter too. So I really doubt my garden calcium levels are low. It must be water...

YUM! I think my stomach just growled looking at that picture. Will have to do some steaks next week, if it doesn't snow or some other weird weather extreme.

Love the snowman! I remember getting snow on May 20th up here. The rhododendrons were in full bloom and got smacked with a couple inches but I would never have been able to build a snowman with it. This weather is totally weird. We were in the 80s earlier this week and will be in the mid-90s...

I've been told that a crushed up egg shell in the planting hole for a tomato will reduce or eliminate the chance of blossom end rot (BER). Does anyone know if this is true? I usually don't have BER, but I did notice a couple fruits last year that had it and so I thought maybe I should try this...

I can't take any credit for pickling garlic scapes - it was an idea I stumbled upon on the net and was grateful I did. The pickling solution was a pretty standard apple cider vinegar brine with dill seed and peppercorns; processed in half pints for 10 minutes in a water bath. I think almost any...

I am so glad I held my tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers one more week in the cold frames! It's chilly here - high of 48F and near freezing tonight. Cold wind and rain - really March weather for us. Yikes! Doubt it will frost or freeze but this cold would surely shiver the timbers of any warm...

My hubby hunts poison ivy all summer long and dispatches it by digging or spraying long before it gets a start. He's allergic so it is self defense for him. It really makes a huge difference, especially with a dog that can bring it right to you on hercoat. Neither of us have gotten the rash a...

Borage might be a good addition - it sort of straddles the line between herb and ornamental and it is all edible. The blue flowers really attract bees and I plant them throughout my veg garden along with marigold, calendula and nasturtium. Borage grows super fast too, so you could start them now...

I was always taught to cut my scapes off when they curl, so I use them as if they were garlic or onion. I've had them minced raw salads, cooked with potatoes, in soups and with braised greens. Last year I had so many I pickled them and ended up with about 6 half pints. They were a hit when I...

Hoodat, do you grow tumeric as an ornamental or for your consumption? Seems a ton of trouble to boil, dry and grind it, so I'm curious (and prepared to be impressed if you do that).

RidgeRunner, thanks for the info! I didn't know all the details about lobsters - just that there is no trace left in the chicken run the next day. It is indeed amazing what you can find on the information highway. We don't have lobster frequently, but we're so lucky to be able to get it fresh...

Very nice, Boggy, I'm so jealous! We wanted to go shrimping when we were down south last month but didn't make it. We just hand dip with nets from a boat (usually all night). I lLove to have blocks in the freezer, but not this year. Enjoy!

Amen to that. At least stores (and restaurants) should make sure their cast off food is composted to add fertility back to the earth. I think landfills are a toxic abomination that let people off the hook by taking their trash out of sight and out of mind. We work really hard to recycle and...

I don't get grossed out at all because that's what chickens eat. They are omnivores, just like we humans, although some humans actively choose to be vegetarian or vegan. Chickens love to chase mice and gobble them up. Good for them. My chickens generally get whatever proteins I can give them...

What an interesting idea! I too have chickens that give me green/blue eggs and I'm going to give it a try. But I wonder if half an eggshell would simply balance upside down on the end of a stick without glue or poking a hole in the shell? Or would wind or hard rain knock it off? I/m afraid I...

I call it Bishop's Weed and have it under some maple trees where it absolutely does NOT thrive. No worries about it being invasive there. If it's dry under your pine trees, I agree that spreading shouldn't be a problem. I think it brightens up a shady area pretty nicely.

Yippee!! Great sleuthing and congratulations for solving the problem. Sorry your freezer chickens may be wasted, but at least now you know. BTW, I butcher my chickens the same way. Works well.

Monty, this is a very interesting discussion and I'm anxious to hear how your weekend goes. I've seriously thought about raising some CX but just haven't tried it yet. I always process my spent laying hens for the best chicken broth on earth. To dispatch the old hens, I either use a home made...

Yep, I agree with Lesa and So Lucky...it looks like ground ivy and you don't want it. I've pulled out my share of it. Though I don't find the odor that offensive, it is certainly "herbish." Be careful when you dig the other desirable plants that you don't get a hitchhiker!

I've been considering retiring my Mantis and reconfiguring my gardens to accommodate permanent rows. I've read a lot about the pros and cons and I think it has merit. I always sow cover crops over my entire garden and it would be nice just to fuss with designated rows and leave the paths...