Ya know, he just might show some interest now in those seed catalogs. Canning is a different story lol.
Sally, Jeanette mentioned to me about maybe growing in some hay bales next year and we would like to try a few if we can find some hay bales. I am not sure how much the "technique" would change up from straw to hay because of nutrients in the hay bales. Hubby made a comment he is worried about sticker bush seeds in the bales of hay. Afraid they would grow along with the plants. Has there ever been a problem with that? Same process on cooking and fertilize less than straw? It sure does look good Sally, and we can help you pick off those "maters" :)
Connie
General Discussions - 2010 - Chapter 33
The heat should kill any undesirable seeds . What the heat doesn't kill is easy to manage . I'm death on Johnson grass , don't even like to see it growing within ten miles of my place . I haven't had any problems with sticker stuff , except a few plants came up from seed a foot from the bales . I loosened the ground with a spading fork and pulled those suckers up by the roots, all five of them .
I'd go with hay instead of straw because it breaks down better and doesn't use as much water . the straw is course and water leaches right out of it .I had beautiful toms but tried hay and that's the way I'll go . Now , if we could just convince Kent to try a few . I love to water , and get some private time sitting with a hose in my hand , and can't overwater toms .
Go back to the earlier threads and get directions from them . Great .
You couldn't find Suz Connie? She seems to be the one that grew best in the hay I think. If you are serious about wanting to try it I would look at the pictures she posted when she first started and you will drool. LOL
Is this who you are talking about? SuzanSkylark Didn't want to send a d-mail until I knew I had the right one. Was hoping she would read the posts and reply. Bet she is too busy reaping the fruits (and veggies) of her labor of love :) If not, I will try to go back and read all of the chapters which will take awhile. I did read early posts of hay/straw and other methods which get confusing as some worked and some didn't. Pretty mind boggling and it's not hard to boggle my mind lol. I did pick up (I think it was from you, Jeanette) that you won't have to fertilize as often because there are nutrients in the hay as opposed to no nutrients in the straw. Did I do good? HA!!
Connie
LOL yeah Connie. Yes she is the right one. She might be on vacation or something. She normally would have come right on. You can just put in her name in the search too I think her stuff will list and you can find her hay posts that way. I think.
She just started either last yeaqr or year before so that will give you a clue what to look at.
These are the Super San Marzanos that I use instead of Romas. They are good for sauce and salsa. Very meaty and good flavor.
WOW!!! Those look a whole lot better than the Roma! Where did you order the seed? Before long, you will be in that kitchen making some good stuff :)
Connie
LOL, I got the plant from my sister. She has a greenhouse. But, I have always planted the regular San Marzanoes and then they came out with these Supers that are about 2 inches longer and somewhat bigger around than the others. Think they are new this year and she probably got the seeds from Totally Tomatoes.
Actually in the picture I posted some of them are about the same size as the regulars and looks like they will ripen at that size.
But, my Early Girls are really turning on. I can't remember why but I planted the EG seeds later than the others and they have surpassed the others in the number and size of any of the others that I started from seed. Did I send you any EG seeds? If so, did you save any of those plants?
In this country the best thing is a greenhouse. We have such a short season. And, I would get one but I just don't have enough open space from the mountains and trees to get enough sun for one. And people I have talked to around here who have them say our sun doesn't have the right kind of rays so you need grow lights even in a greenhouse.
Sounds weird doesn't it? My sister just has a wide open spaces from 3 sides so she gets lots of sun.
That is awesome! I got my scotch Bonnet from Totally Tomatoes. Want some? I got Beefsteak (YUMMY) and Heinz (YUMMY AGAIN!) from you. Oh, those Heinz are smaller but very juicy and have an excellent taste. I am cleaning seeds from some tomatoes to and share with Russ and Barb. I know they will love them along with some Scotch Bonnet. VERY HOT!!!! That is why I was wanting Jalapeno to make salsa with. We have a pretty short season also but we do get a lot of sun here.
Would love some of the Scotch Bonnet seeds when you get some. I would love to try some SB jelly. The Jalapeno jelly is sooooo good. With pork steak. Try it, you will love it. I am trying some Burning something peppers this year. Can't remember their name. They are new. Look like Habaneroes but not near as hot so you taste the pepper. That is what I like in peppers. A bite but love the flavor of peppers. Especially roasted.
We made some Roasted Red Pepper jelly last year and it is wonderful. Especially with cream cheese on Hi Ho Ritz crackers. Jalapeno jelly is good that way also. Try it.
I am just full of ideas for a lot of work for you aren't I? LOL
I have GOT to have some of those recipes, "Mrs. Betty Crocker"! I absolutely LOVE to cook and try new things. Mom never had a garden so this is all new to me. My Grandmothers on both sides canned but passed away when I was very young. I just canned dill pickles and got so very excited. Don't have a tried and true recipe but I used Mrs. Wages mix and went with it for now. I am so proud :) Hubby's Mother used to make Jalapeno or pepper jelly and our son loved it. I never got the recipe from her.
Our neighbor (hee, hee...yes...that one, Jeanette) says she puts about 2 TBSP of Scotch Bonnet Juice in her salsa and says it gives just enough of an added favor and a little more heat.
Our Scotch Bonnet peppers are ripening and I would be honored to send you some.
Aspen , I use the recipe on the sure jell liquid packs , only use about five times the pepper . If I don't seed it before processing , it's a little warm . Be sure and wear
surgical gloves when seeding and a grapefruit spoon makes easy work of it .
Sally, I was going to try those this year. Do they turn out like jelly, or do they have any courseness to them? I like mine not chunky, but with some thicker pulp.
In the recipe forum last year someone posted a Jalapeno recipe that everyone thought was awfully good. I think I copied it. I will see if I have it and post for you. I think sally is right. The heat from the peppers is a real personal thing. Seems everyone likes a different "temperature" so only you can decide how much of the pepper to put in. And seeds. Also, I guess the "ribs" (can't think of the right word) that make the walls, of the peppers, are the hottest part along with the seeds of the hot peppers. LOL, I have never done a comparison test.
I put the peppers in a processer , then pulse it . That way I can control the fineness of my chunks . I freeze what I don't use , to make more next year .
There you go. Good idea.
Five times...don't know how hot that would be. We might end up being a Jalapeno on a stick! LOL Does that make an extremely hot jelly?
Connie
Not if you take the seeds and membrane out . It just gives more flavor . I've done it both ways . Hot when we want it , mild at other times . We eat it the same way jnette does , Ritz crackers with cream cheese or as a topping with chicken or pork .
I looked up the recipe online and it looks like a winner. My son can't get it hot enough. Sweat will pour down him as he happily eats away :) He loves habaneros. Now hubby and I will eat taco sauce or salsa Medium and that's as far as we go lol.
Connie
It's an aquired taste . First jalapeno hamburger was a nightmare . Some jala's are mild and some so hot, I won't , no , can't eat them
One day when I came to work there was a large grocery bag about a third full of them. I showed it to my boss telling him a lot of women get flowers and look what I got. He looked in the bag and just dove in. Started popping them in his mouth, one after the other like popcorn. I was shocked. He said when he was in college, he and his roommate lived on them. Said they fried them. But, when you cook them I think they lose a lot of their heat.
RANDBPONDER WHAT DO YOU MAKE YOUR WIND CHIMES OUT OF? JIM.
Hi; Jim; I am presently using 1-14" electrical conduit for the tubes. I am cutting them in lengths from 16.5" up to 23.75" and they range between those measurements for the other 4 tubes. I'm using a 1/4" plastic for the disk to hang them on and weed wacker line from the support disk to the tubes. and I cut out different designs for the sail weight, which is also from 1/4" plastic. I sand the tubes, treat them with vinegar and paint them. Mostly with gold paint. I have used blue but they don't go as well.
You can use polished aluminum tubes or hard copper. but you are spending more than most are willing to pay.
And of course you have to find the right location as to the right height to drill the hole to hang them, to get the tone you want.
I made one that is a lot longer, it sounds great but it is so heavy and has broken the support strings several times. I have it now hanging with stainless steel wires. they seem to be holding up.
Russ, those are really cool. I bought one for a $ years ago at a garage sale but it wasn't put together. I have all the parts but can't figure out how they go. The tubes are aluminum. Looks like fish line to put them together. I will try again and ask you as I go. Maybe I can finally get it together. LOL, I think I have had it almost 20 years. Yup, that long and still in the box.
LOL, where would you hang one that big? I know, on a barn.
Why blue??? Is that the only color you paint them?
This message was edited Aug 10, 2010 9:07 AM
No blue don't appeal to many. I like the silver and the gold.
I started out using a fish net cord but that proved insufficient.
A good wind would wear the cord and the tubes would be laying on the ground.
And yes a fishing cord would be great for aluminum tubes. There would be almost no weight to support.
I'll D mail a kind of arrangement on how to balance the whole thing so it will hang fairly level
No, Russ, I didn't say I didn't like the blue. Just wondered why you picked it. Thought maybe other colors wouldn't cover or something.
No good reason I just thought I would try it.! I do like blue but it isn't as appealing as I thought be.
But I think any color would work in your straw bale garden to keep the bunnies alert. lol
Just kidding but I haven't seen as many bunnies back here. But then there are 6 mean and lean feral cats sticking around for a hand out once in a while. They aren't quite as wild as when I first saw the momma.
They eat anything that comes in the yard except the neighbors dog.
I've been getting an excess number of squash. I may have to check out more recipes. I've had them baked, fried, roasted with other veggies even made them into bread and pies. Well they are a yellow veggie which are good for us, so not complaining.
I've brought in enough cucumbers that I need to make some bread and butter pickles. I will have to wait till late evening to do that job though. Don't want to heat up the house that much, I will probably put a fan in a window and suck some of the heat out. Oh well!
Thanks for sharing pics of the chimes with us. Very nice job!!!
I read thru the instructions. Now I need to get the parts out and do some measuring. I don't know what size they are. Should be fun. I'm sure I am going to have some questions for you. LOL
I think this may be a pic that you requested. Barb & I & Hanna one of our great granddaughters
Sweet , Russ , and sure a nice pic of Barb . How many great grand kids you have now ?
Hi Sally; Just got word last night, that there was another born yesterday. That makes 21 great grand children. they only told us
the baby was here and weighed 10lb.
That was the text message to Connie our Daughter. " what's wrong with calling and actually talking"
Tee hee , ten pounds ? Tell her I sure am glad it was her instead of me . ! Congrads , Gramp and Gram .Russ , that Connie was eating too good . Hope all are doing fine . Ain't those little boogers wonderful ?
What a wonderful pic! Congrats on the new G.Grandbaby :)
Connie
Hey there- here I am! Was wondering why my ears were burning!! Nice to be thought of.
I must admit that, when I lost my helper, I got a bit overwhelmed in my garden- the bales are fine, but the thistle, etc. is so thick and it's been pretty dry and very hot, so I've not been able to get it under control. I'm going to start saving $5/wk so that next year I can take down all my fencing and have a big plow come here to level the whole garden space. . . at least, that's my plan. A neighbor gave me a large amount of very heavy black fabric (used under fish ponds) that I can cover the ground between the bales- just didn't get it in time for use this year.
Good to hear that everyone's having a wonderful garden year, and so good to hear from you, Lena!!! Good luck with your garden! Try some haybales this time - at least half. You'll never go back to straw!
Amen on the straw . Hi , Suz .
Oh it wasn't Connie, it was her daughter. "Jenifer" LOL Gotta give the right one the credit. Connie would not have survived that ordeal, Connie has the blocked artery in her brain.
That would be a nope not her.
Suz You may have to try cutting the thistles off just below the surface. Then put clear plastic down to cook all the weed seeds. That should take care of them. but if you do the leveling of the garden. there will be an all new bunch of weeds come up. Maybe even more thistles. Really think thistles calls for drastic measures, after your garden is done. Got to kill them clear down to the roots.
If you are careful you can do spot kills on the thistles now with a good weed killer. That won't affect any of your garden produce. Which ever way you choose, you just don't want any of them to go to seed.
Of course thistle blossoms make a great tasting jelly, snicker snicker
Wow so much on here since I was busy all day. New baby text to you Russ!! LOL, I know what you mean about picking up the phone. Oh well, welcome to the new age.
Suz, did you get the thistles from the bales? Hope not. Russ is right. If you till that up you will have 10 times the weeds and probably thistles.
Leave it to Russ to think of something to cook from the thistle. LOL
Russ: congrats on another addition to the clan!
Kent