tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903641653824511182024-03-21T23:06:50.681-05:00Community BackyardMarcy Lautanen-Raleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09057923031393045279noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490364165382451118.post-32687368421300081332017-05-18T12:54:00.000-05:002017-05-18T12:54:10.074-05:00Natural Bug Repellent<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0w5MQpAyuT7KI-8VnK_PLDkAyFwrywpklmKXmXbEq7h4oSJVHkKd2FBM-2rAgWD-FBDmwjjBZdVDNqmftADrtZDOVZ6Iay6Ex-ioN12R0tyTZZPk0UxeozWPtNN-AdOxMPh_ODqdV7KL3/s1600/bugs+at+hidden+hill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0w5MQpAyuT7KI-8VnK_PLDkAyFwrywpklmKXmXbEq7h4oSJVHkKd2FBM-2rAgWD-FBDmwjjBZdVDNqmftADrtZDOVZ6Iay6Ex-ioN12R0tyTZZPk0UxeozWPtNN-AdOxMPh_ODqdV7KL3/s320/bugs+at+hidden+hill.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Working in the garden can be buggy business. Using herbal essential oils suspended in water is a perfect way to chase the bugs away while gardening or other outdoor activities.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJO-NHOCVyNQT66Meqc5TXboZw7njEJ2VE8DSiljiiXtRU0wE3zkAuxMyEBszpfeV_m1Esd5dcLz24ToeYtutyMJb02O31AOevXT-CEBysTGvmFnOBQ4n5-0CTWLDv3lUaxEXBQO-2WlXI/s1600/bug+repelling+photo-spices-washtub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJO-NHOCVyNQT66Meqc5TXboZw7njEJ2VE8DSiljiiXtRU0wE3zkAuxMyEBszpfeV_m1Esd5dcLz24ToeYtutyMJb02O31AOevXT-CEBysTGvmFnOBQ4n5-0CTWLDv3lUaxEXBQO-2WlXI/s320/bug+repelling+photo-spices-washtub.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There are several essential oils (these are oils extracted through distillation from plant material - the concentrated natural essence that give plants their scent) that work well at chasing insects.<br />
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Lavender Essential Oil - an insect repellant that soothes, calms and heals the skin. It can relieve the pain and redness of insect bites too.</li>
<li>Peppermint Essential Oil - repels insects and stimulates your senses and your circulation, while disinfecting your skin. It can also relieve the itch of insect bites.</li>
<li>Lemongrass Essential Oil - uplifting and cleansing lemongrass is the best insect repellent oil.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<b>Natural Bug Repellent Spray</b><br />
Safe for the whole family, including children and pets, you can spray often, both yourself and the surrounding areas to keep bugs at bay. It is both cooling and refreshing as well as effective on bugs.<br />
<br />
4 ounces of distilled or spring water<br />
10 drops lavender essential oil<br />
10 drops lemongrass essential oil<br />
10 drops peppermint essential oil<br />
<br />
Mix ingredients together in a 4 ounce spray bottle. Shake well to mix.<br />
<br />
TO USE: spray on skin and clothes, hair and hats. Use often for maximum effectiveness, especially on a warm sunny day.<br />
<br />
Alternatives- you can add this essential oil combination to sun screen or body oil to also use as a repellent.<br />
<br />
NOTE-- use only 100% pure essential oil, not scented oil, potpourri oil or bath oil. These are not the same. NEVER place essential oil in direct contact with skin unless diluted in another medium. Contact toxicity is possible that way.</div>
Marcy Lautanen-Raleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09057923031393045279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490364165382451118.post-27961431201441516852017-04-18T12:22:00.001-05:002017-04-18T12:22:32.579-05:00Dividing Iris - Garden Tip Tuesday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqf5LbyGNC7GsRjFQfBQxN-tDbsz1pn_3LmtmZQ76dhwkVr7fon_RjiXHeBSov_C7OahCScqQFJByJkx-HKGvV8We6y_AtsZRUdME0EAbXofuFS37VFp1_KblTxuEoW07bimoO3Jr3hCo/s1600/iris+blooming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqf5LbyGNC7GsRjFQfBQxN-tDbsz1pn_3LmtmZQ76dhwkVr7fon_RjiXHeBSov_C7OahCScqQFJByJkx-HKGvV8We6y_AtsZRUdME0EAbXofuFS37VFp1_KblTxuEoW07bimoO3Jr3hCo/s320/iris+blooming.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Garden Tip Tuesday </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> (come back each Tuesday for more!)</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How to divide Irises</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVz11kPp5CC8Bspi4aakTWgxGsarM0iVjaEq1_mYYuia1NR-KPGHqEQkwbBATe0X0a_Xiurj581vLaDT-2IBMxY5VP57DgzqqIbli13G0fOJ7srtMWVAHrkoAmN9SBlyJ2LzjaRr1FMgQX/s1600/bearded-iris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVz11kPp5CC8Bspi4aakTWgxGsarM0iVjaEq1_mYYuia1NR-KPGHqEQkwbBATe0X0a_Xiurj581vLaDT-2IBMxY5VP57DgzqqIbli13G0fOJ7srtMWVAHrkoAmN9SBlyJ2LzjaRr1FMgQX/s320/bearded-iris.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Dig up a bearded iris clumps every three to five years or
when the center dies out. They are close to the surface so slip a shovel
underneath and pry up. Divide them in the spring after the flowers fade.</li>
<li>With a knife, separate rhizomes. Check for Iris borers (fat white worms.) Destroy
them and discard any soft or rotten rhizomes.</li>
<li>Each Rhizome division should have one leaf fan (three leaves
or so coming from the root. Cut the
foliage back to 4 to 6 inches.</li>
<li>Replant divisions 12 to 18 inches apart with rhizome tops
barely showing above the soil surface.</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDGnsnAII-mSeBmUxqxwawqeE5ByGaoTBP83Qs8DLviGXq1qEZsByhEuMCfeC7y2pIP7no3EnG0yVJfVZwS9iUlLcuEVehETOt1j9UDmKWpEdTMdu0JrySqF5oHdSl5CztGiPi9X_ZQ9e/s1600/iris_replanted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDGnsnAII-mSeBmUxqxwawqeE5ByGaoTBP83Qs8DLviGXq1qEZsByhEuMCfeC7y2pIP7no3EnG0yVJfVZwS9iUlLcuEVehETOt1j9UDmKWpEdTMdu0JrySqF5oHdSl5CztGiPi9X_ZQ9e/s320/iris_replanted.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image result for photo of iris" height="244" src="http://www.nziris.org.nz/images/general/heightiris.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">courtesy of the New Zealand Iris Board</td></tr>
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Marcy Lautanen-Raleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09057923031393045279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490364165382451118.post-75810522113188164232017-03-28T22:40:00.001-05:002017-03-28T22:47:32.725-05:00Working in a community Garden again!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsNXfrPLPuVeRSFCu4hOgsuIuGHcOIJnp71Zp5zTNG2CNoht7GtER2POmGR4EXm2ZevB01PDHlPtGORqJpyyQSGMOe9UJdy3lroDaSXrvg32sa62Ib7NlUO-1ilq1mvuGcm0Vlf-UlGVx/s1600/Elms+9-16-15+%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsNXfrPLPuVeRSFCu4hOgsuIuGHcOIJnp71Zp5zTNG2CNoht7GtER2POmGR4EXm2ZevB01PDHlPtGORqJpyyQSGMOe9UJdy3lroDaSXrvg32sa62Ib7NlUO-1ilq1mvuGcm0Vlf-UlGVx/s320/Elms+9-16-15+%252814%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2015 Community Garden plot</td></tr>
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In 2015 we moved from our apartment to a house and when we changed communities we had to give up our community garden. I did put in raised beds in our yard so if you want to see the gardens from the 2016 season, check out my other blog where I posted an update each month:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://backyardpatch.blogspot.com/2016/05/new-garden-update-starting-from-scratch.html">May</a><br />
<a href="http://backyardpatch.blogspot.com/2016/06/backyard-garden-update.html">June</a><br />
<a href="http://backyardpatch.blogspot.com/2016/07/backyard-garden-update-july.html">July</a><br />
August<br />
<a href="http://backyardpatch.blogspot.com/2016/09/backyard-garden-update-september.html">September</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2YvtE23Tn15N_DqDS480SOzHzeystrb7lvwW7cd9r8MFum4r5PK5cu8d59oJA7iGTsFuSKKrZkvib7EA_y-iGl9aKrSHhiqf6MIq0v33jEqCZBB-gzvhTb42TdT1lukYOb7fdgFHquJF/s1600/DSCN5983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2YvtE23Tn15N_DqDS480SOzHzeystrb7lvwW7cd9r8MFum4r5PK5cu8d59oJA7iGTsFuSKKrZkvib7EA_y-iGl9aKrSHhiqf6MIq0v33jEqCZBB-gzvhTb42TdT1lukYOb7fdgFHquJF/s320/DSCN5983.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2016 backyard raised beds</td></tr>
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In 2017 however, the village of Villa Park where we now live, is putting in Community Gardens for the first time and the garden club that I belong to is in Villa Park so we are putting in a demonstration plot where we will try techniques and illustrate ideas for other gardeners. I thought it would be great to document that community garden here. So follow us in the 2017 season as the Garden Club of Villa Park works in its community garden. I hope to interview other community gardeners in the plots and see what there experiences are as well.<br />
<br />
We will be doing gardening lectures at the Villa Park Library all summer, so I will post information from those lectures and other related information too!<br />
<br />
Stay tuned in the next month for plant suggestions, recipes and other things to get you into the gardening spirit.</div>
Marcy Lautanen-Raleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09057923031393045279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490364165382451118.post-5389456327681883332015-06-17T17:25:00.001-05:002015-06-17T17:25:41.860-05:00Watering Plants for Healthy Growth - or what to do if you are not flooding<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As I pointed out it rained after I put the plants into the "<a href="http://communitybackyard.blogspot.com/2015/06/garden-addition-another-community.html">other Community Garden</a>." Then it rained the next day and the next, and the next, then on July 15 we received a storm that exceeded the average rainfall for the month.<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">This week we received 7
to 8 inches of rain. Five inches fell on
June 15. The locally heavy storm flooded
streets where I live so badly it actually made the national news and was
mentioned on NPR, most probably because the rain was worst between 4:45 and
5:15 in the midst of rush hour. Being a Chicago
suburb this resulted in stranded motorists on the local freeway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFukhDwgKeAKFQH7q5bkhoJ6Uo0KjVxe2_buzHJpQb5lw7umndv3YhNd8lxWuX_ko8UKj8BCfI85h3Z4bNVsKwjwOEh21TXTdQQHQkiXVvXNdXAVlgz9Tm4YMaPqknd6LfsE_uV1_AYZF/s1600/elmhurst+streets.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFukhDwgKeAKFQH7q5bkhoJ6Uo0KjVxe2_buzHJpQb5lw7umndv3YhNd8lxWuX_ko8UKj8BCfI85h3Z4bNVsKwjwOEh21TXTdQQHQkiXVvXNdXAVlgz9Tm4YMaPqknd6LfsE_uV1_AYZF/s1600/elmhurst+streets.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lots of streets in Elmhurst looked like this.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Last year we had a
similar hard rain event, but then it came in late July and was followed by
several other heavy rains that eventually resulted in our growing season ending
early.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSsMGuUq4q5lOkv4fvJU0kh3jv7Ne4onnYx9vsbAr77heLHEdb6-mzx59XBwvdJx8Zmw3hW6yy5Re9Ujh1Yrir4-REMBHK82hmCfA4VWMVq6lxleGbIegoH8c37s9PVYoK3-DYfuFRYERP/s1600/YorkRdElmhurst+underpass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSsMGuUq4q5lOkv4fvJU0kh3jv7Ne4onnYx9vsbAr77heLHEdb6-mzx59XBwvdJx8Zmw3hW6yy5Re9Ujh1Yrir4-REMBHK82hmCfA4VWMVq6lxleGbIegoH8c37s9PVYoK3-DYfuFRYERP/s400/YorkRdElmhurst+underpass.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That white sign in the middle is on the underpass, normally 15 feet from the street, seen here filled with water.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">This month at O’Hare Airport there has been 4.36 inches of
rain as of 6/16/15, the average rainfall in the month of June is 3.5 inches, so
we are halfway through the month and have exceeded the rainfall for the month
and with Tropical storm Bill hitting Texas this week we can expect more rain
next week and storms are already predicted for Thursday.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYBhgdWAlauiGD1jlhinY3jw3YLHjsRhUc_roI6zF7rhSR_HmszGs37PodUI16dvRVKHl9pOUWrGIGZ4Y9WnCt-OJ75tNwMspilo6HXYuORs6J2dsY9NQK4550qbTdlnHZKGRe-ENXSed/s1600/East+End+Park+%2528near+the+garden+plots%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYBhgdWAlauiGD1jlhinY3jw3YLHjsRhUc_roI6zF7rhSR_HmszGs37PodUI16dvRVKHl9pOUWrGIGZ4Y9WnCt-OJ75tNwMspilo6HXYuORs6J2dsY9NQK4550qbTdlnHZKGRe-ENXSed/s320/East+End+Park+%2528near+the+garden+plots%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">East End Park (near garden plots)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I have not been to the
garden. The roads leading to it were
closed this week (Have I mentioned that the City wanted to turn the area
around the gardens into flood retention as it already floods terribly?) I
suspect there is still some standing water on the gardens, but I guess I do not
want to know. The photo above was taken at the park near the garden plots.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">With all this extra
water, we have not had to figure out if our hose reaches far enough to allow us
to easily water the garden. We’ve never
hooked it up. But not everyone is having
this excess, so I thought I would take a moment to speak about how and when to
water your garden. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">There are a range of
factors which determine the best way to water each plant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Watering your Garden</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/olr0Np7PvGk/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/olr0Np7PvGk?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<span style="background-color: white;">The Old Farmers Almanac,
part of growveg.com, has a short, sweet, informative video on watering your
garden. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Here
are the highlights:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">You
want to encourage plants to produce deeper roots that will seek out water
deeper in the soil, however frequent watering causes plants to create shallow
roots which are more affected by dry spells. Thorough watering once a week is
better than shallow watering every two days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Seedlings need more water until they can produce their
own root systems.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Squashes, cucumbers, beans and peas need a bit more
water when they are producing flowers and fruits.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Root vegetable crops like parsnips and carrots need
less water as they are the tap root.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Water close to the ground trying to avoid wetting
the foliage as this promotes disease.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Never water in the middle of the day as much of the
water will quickly evaporate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Do not be fooled by the dry surface. Grab a trowel and dig into the soil to see if
it is actually wet underneath. If the
soil near the roots still clumps when you squeeze it, put off watering for another
day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Drip irrigation is always best for a garden, but in
a community garden this is usually not possible, so instead try deep watering containers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Plastic one pint milk bottles or dry drink mix containers
from Aldi make great long time waterers if you poke holes in the bottom and
bury them in the ground near plants. Filled
with water, they will slowly drip down into the soil by the roots of plants
rather than watering at the surface.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Marcy Lautanen-Raleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09057923031393045279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490364165382451118.post-77899266363434141752015-06-11T20:59:00.003-05:002015-06-11T21:02:29.973-05:00Garden Addition - Another Community<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We ran out of room in our Elmhurst Community Patch and after visiting the Community Garden Fest in Berkeley I decided to get a patch there. The patches are smaller 5 feet by 15 feet and cost less, but the community feel is much larger. I will share some details of the garden in future posts or you can check out the Garden Fest Post.<br />
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I was able to plant the garden on Thursday, June 11 around 4:30. We went over on Sunday, but the rain the day before made it too muddy, so we did not want to risk compacting the soil. Today we are going to have more heavy rain, so after work I hurried over with a selection of plants and got them into the ground. When it rains later they will get a nice drink and hopefully will not be beaten into the ground.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwoSYP1mECXP6IVUz0redRRu7gQrLSVsaOgJCH7ockvQP8aqiP7e2yrc47HAxZEcQr9a8EPqHZsMpKtTxc7Jxm2iYeMqVa6KMHffHLdIEbIPSnz5HTApCK9n5I5dVZC5OXl6xpSkV-HroV/s1600/IMG_20150611_165701951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwoSYP1mECXP6IVUz0redRRu7gQrLSVsaOgJCH7ockvQP8aqiP7e2yrc47HAxZEcQr9a8EPqHZsMpKtTxc7Jxm2iYeMqVa6KMHffHLdIEbIPSnz5HTApCK9n5I5dVZC5OXl6xpSkV-HroV/s400/IMG_20150611_165701951.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">not planted</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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My patch is on the end of a section with about 7 other patches going off to the left. The water at this location is in rain barrels and I believe the Village of Berkeley takes care of filling them when it doesn't rain.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNnRedNpPO-gxSEUaXfj2IYa5SlZwY3BQgtArPEkXHd31pCxEl-TdyuA4gYzZru2LVt93yWc4ziY8yvx0_EcNm2rWWNKi3mYzr6WorLtbEduY3hy7N0As8NdpJsCop07YIhRfFMYKODnmg/s1600/IMG_20150611_172950798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNnRedNpPO-gxSEUaXfj2IYa5SlZwY3BQgtArPEkXHd31pCxEl-TdyuA4gYzZru2LVt93yWc4ziY8yvx0_EcNm2rWWNKi3mYzr6WorLtbEduY3hy7N0As8NdpJsCop07YIhRfFMYKODnmg/s320/IMG_20150611_172950798.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">planted</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I did not have room for the three dahlias I got from the Garden Club and last year they did not bloom due to competition, so I brought those over and planted them at the south end of the garden. I made two hills for squash, then I plated Kohlrabi, broccoli, and a few herbs.<br />
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There is really no more room here, but I have one tomato plant left and I may bring that over to try and fit it in.<br />
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The soil has a good amount of compost and a nice dark richness, however there is a high concentration of clay. You can see in the image of the soil by one of the holes for the kohlrabi.<br />
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Kohlrabi is a cool season plant and it may bee too late to get a good crop from it as the days have turned rather hot, but I think they will be okay until July and we will see about harvesting the roots (like a turnip) and maybe also the leaves for a salad.<br />
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Here are the dahlias, three different varieties three different colors, but they are pinkish, I think. I have the names but will have to look them up again to know for certain.<br />
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I planted an oregano, a common sage, some chives and flat leaf parsley. I just could not have a garden with no herbs in it, so I chose a few duplicates.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4uH94VNth_Xejw3JUjQsDogb2OCgZz4chuGgFfdaG8FxfrWpDVNu2E5eohDrnV61mlHQXdPoCGlOY6pzuYmB_eR7PoVUASkRGrYy-fjQ8RvyAuRFhvgfAerlp2gqwMImJ2QytaKGrjN1V/s1600/IMG_20150611_173005953+herbs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4uH94VNth_Xejw3JUjQsDogb2OCgZz4chuGgFfdaG8FxfrWpDVNu2E5eohDrnV61mlHQXdPoCGlOY6pzuYmB_eR7PoVUASkRGrYy-fjQ8RvyAuRFhvgfAerlp2gqwMImJ2QytaKGrjN1V/s640/IMG_20150611_173005953+herbs.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chives Oregano Parsley </td></tr>
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My only fear is that as I pulled up to plant there was a bunny running through the yard toward the back, so I may lose the parsley.<br />
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It will be interesting to see how this garden fares versus the one in Elmhurst. I will continue to post a weekly update and if I need to another day of the week to update the second garden. However, the second garden is between the Elmhurst garden and my apartment, so I can stop at both on the same day with out too much trouble.</div>
Marcy Lautanen-Raleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09057923031393045279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490364165382451118.post-89032721249107672452015-06-08T10:23:00.000-05:002015-06-17T17:30:56.186-05:00Weekly Update - June 8, 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The excessive rain has destroyed the plan. We did not have the ability to craft the different raised beds we wanted. We are just trying to get the plants into the ground so they do not get root bound and die on the porch. When the rain let up for several days this week allowing the soil to dry enough to plan, so we got up early Sunday morning to go out to the Garden and plant the herbs. <br />
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We left the south side of the garden for herbs when planting last week. We checked the weather when we got up at 6 am and it said the rain was going in but not until 10 AM, so we loaded up the plants and went over getting to the garden around 6:45 AM. <br />
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We had to remove the weeds from the garden space as we did not weed this section previously. We used the soil twister to pull out the larger weeds and loosen them so they could be easily raked out. It was not that time consuming. <br />
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Since I want to be able to lift out some of herbs from the garden at the end of the season, I decided to bury plastic containers and place the plants inside. They can grow in the container, yet still be removed at the end of the year, reducing the root shock which killed the herbs I removed from the garden last year.<br />
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I used plastic cat litter containers. They are thin flexible plastic, easily cut with a box cutter. We made them deep for all but the thyme plants which we cut the container slight more shallow for. We cut holes in the bottom for drainage.<br />
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I then dug out the dirt in various holes slightly larger but not deeper than the containers.<br />
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Placing the container in the ground I packed dirt around it, then filled it part way and added the plants. We added water before and after plating the plants.<br />
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The spaces we planted back in May had a fair amount of weeds, that were in some cases taller than the plants. It had been two weeks since we had been there, so this was to be expected.<br />
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The excessive rain was not loved by all the plants and resulted in one plant death. These are the cucumber plants. I have yet to plant any bean seeds, but I will take care of that this week.<br />
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The peppers are doing okay, but the hot peppers that had a few peppers forming have lost those peppers, probably again a product of the extra rain.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTyy_k47SMENMERfo3eGOHlNAbpCHbL06DvtMcLs_Vf9rRU_D8mZLd77NPOG8Ax4halu1q9T0QAJsZMkn4QoegjhIglDsEA-4s_HshBCqzVLgyreQTDwiZgAR3nPKrWkhasj65Ms5uQAJj/s1600/IMG_20150607_070346649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTyy_k47SMENMERfo3eGOHlNAbpCHbL06DvtMcLs_Vf9rRU_D8mZLd77NPOG8Ax4halu1q9T0QAJsZMkn4QoegjhIglDsEA-4s_HshBCqzVLgyreQTDwiZgAR3nPKrWkhasj65Ms5uQAJj/s320/IMG_20150607_070346649.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOHWRUSU7BKC5nVYLHOkUb_aDFzc_eKCAyuku8he5aqvK20uuE3gdzKDY9MeDMxoETfXqcHSNgBKqw9zk7OrYjC3oUetxxuOk-lPMuU9XEnYDsglH6jf4UsLnAfjIIpeyDuGfJPQYDOfe/s1600/IMG_20150607_070423558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOHWRUSU7BKC5nVYLHOkUb_aDFzc_eKCAyuku8he5aqvK20uuE3gdzKDY9MeDMxoETfXqcHSNgBKqw9zk7OrYjC3oUetxxuOk-lPMuU9XEnYDsglH6jf4UsLnAfjIIpeyDuGfJPQYDOfe/s640/IMG_20150607_070423558.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot pepper with damaged fruit</td></tr>
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Marcy Lautanen-Raleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09057923031393045279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490364165382451118.post-51669467991230435822015-06-04T19:49:00.000-05:002015-06-04T19:49:00.102-05:00Planting Tomatoes and Peppers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We used the same method for planting both the tomatoes and peppers. We did not grow the plants from seed, rather we bought seedlings at a plant sale at the beginning of May. As someone who lives in an apartment I do not start plants from seed indoors.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Technique</span><br />
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The best way to plant vegetables is first to lay them out with the proper spacing. Tomatoes need between 18 ans 24 inches of space. Peppers need only 18 to 20 inches of space around the plants.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqhD_kEN2mPIElEczgtCO_gf6Be9Tah23lPHwBjLGwLmMJ6L7T828AZOSjTNCApQbMWsnDnNftZjNJXSHHaRkIYm_R2-QJaS-nouWBjGtWaSbJ2N2wEprxaeSGNgy5QeQqJepsDB_R2FM/s1600/patch+5-24-15+%252811%2529+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqhD_kEN2mPIElEczgtCO_gf6Be9Tah23lPHwBjLGwLmMJ6L7T828AZOSjTNCApQbMWsnDnNftZjNJXSHHaRkIYm_R2-QJaS-nouWBjGtWaSbJ2N2wEprxaeSGNgy5QeQqJepsDB_R2FM/s400/patch+5-24-15+%252811%2529+edited.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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A hole is dug twice as large and twice as deep as the root ball of the plant. I fill the hole with water and allow it to percolate into the soil, This tells me if the soil drains well and also wets the soil so that the root is not dried out when buried.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-bVwr_rJhJxCxHYrHue6D6k7Cgvqq7qi-qb6Ie3M_Zu9qB0ctLE_ta6FDemep-gRgB2klLm62xN_whBM7x7FNrKO5hV7TLlTB6jjLhptyO846-3U8CMMZnLpD-cdmP8e7_6L2QgSEYAO/s1600/patch+5-24-15+%252810%2529+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-bVwr_rJhJxCxHYrHue6D6k7Cgvqq7qi-qb6Ie3M_Zu9qB0ctLE_ta6FDemep-gRgB2klLm62xN_whBM7x7FNrKO5hV7TLlTB6jjLhptyO846-3U8CMMZnLpD-cdmP8e7_6L2QgSEYAO/s400/patch+5-24-15+%252810%2529+edited.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Before placing the plant in the hole I toss in a handful of compost to give the plant a bit of a boost to off set the shock of being planted. The finally the plant is placed in the hole and the soil firmed around the plant. It is then water thoroughly.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LG7643hOtmj3J2ioIyen1YqdheRhgL6Iumm7b9p477IKaRwVXZD4thmZNMB8xlEPKne99i7k-lFxeSddQw9vduYIihKr1gK1tMfkKnYpLY3vcLlOLgFr1pFpxuGbO1Fg1jX07CzlkS7_/s1600/patch+5-24-15+%25289%2529+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LG7643hOtmj3J2ioIyen1YqdheRhgL6Iumm7b9p477IKaRwVXZD4thmZNMB8xlEPKne99i7k-lFxeSddQw9vduYIihKr1gK1tMfkKnYpLY3vcLlOLgFr1pFpxuGbO1Fg1jX07CzlkS7_/s400/patch+5-24-15+%25289%2529+edited.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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Once all the plants were planted I gave them a top dressing of more compost. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkqJ-P7wlGW55nrpoTXeOgLpwVp3vOB87lw5KRxf61SYO1hYTtR0HwiNiZSV7RLXc5UgxvUf7D5HXcpQ_p-6oFSLbUaaOF6_K5dWZ4S5hmUYrUXgkK9C8lufWAPWixpbgrGhSoNplwkwQ/s1600/patch+5-24-15+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkqJ-P7wlGW55nrpoTXeOgLpwVp3vOB87lw5KRxf61SYO1hYTtR0HwiNiZSV7RLXc5UgxvUf7D5HXcpQ_p-6oFSLbUaaOF6_K5dWZ4S5hmUYrUXgkK9C8lufWAPWixpbgrGhSoNplwkwQ/s400/patch+5-24-15+%25285%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We could have waited a couple of weeks to put up the cages, as the plants hardly need them now, but we decided to just stake and cage them now in case we had warm nights that would cause rapid growth.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHB7wvSUGODGxKrgecEXPPg7igddHcJkZSAoG13c-Hflp-lg9d4blfb8G-aFyd7YPvpSWzniguWNmsPW1s0dgljT0YtOmjfpYDmcwMP6O_sKBXeA37fNRt_BLkQPU7YNt-4DdZrsxQjI6I/s1600/patch+5-24-15+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHB7wvSUGODGxKrgecEXPPg7igddHcJkZSAoG13c-Hflp-lg9d4blfb8G-aFyd7YPvpSWzniguWNmsPW1s0dgljT0YtOmjfpYDmcwMP6O_sKBXeA37fNRt_BLkQPU7YNt-4DdZrsxQjI6I/s640/patch+5-24-15+%25283%2529.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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We would have watered them one more time before leaving the garden, but rain was predicted that night so we did not. Good thing, as it rained for several hours that night.</div>
Marcy Lautanen-Raleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09057923031393045279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490364165382451118.post-138562714841726942015-06-02T21:23:00.000-05:002015-06-02T21:23:07.790-05:00The Planted Community Garden - Sunday May 24, 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This year we suffered from over-purchase syndrome. That affliction where you buy more plants than will fit in your space. That linked with the fact the plot at the end is actually smaller than it is supposed to be, something I had not planned for, made our original plan will not work out quite right.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-mpH-utafQkpgAUkNPqbOSY3JwHyWaPT-rXLVSvOe_kIpROcOwZLkxG9qmh1q0UfdJkWUgCFwmTn1UNMoqzbrGQ36EwOIN5R1NDTuxZvnjU0Hul2hdwAcKITFTFtJL7SeFZp8b2AC14j/s1600/patch+5-24-15+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-mpH-utafQkpgAUkNPqbOSY3JwHyWaPT-rXLVSvOe_kIpROcOwZLkxG9qmh1q0UfdJkWUgCFwmTn1UNMoqzbrGQ36EwOIN5R1NDTuxZvnjU0Hul2hdwAcKITFTFtJL7SeFZp8b2AC14j/s320/patch+5-24-15+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is the plot, a bit weedy due to the fact we did not come out until May 24, due to the days of rain. We first removed the grass and used the hand tiller to break up the soil and remove the large weeds from the garden edge.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8WhHBrZtUPyFMnfh1ByI1806sXdM08sbrYK8-CBc2YK_i79NNCdEwq_5QqGcJdsFPWAIRlD8Ioqo0pDOnzLRNZocGXRFSrq4tZSf5ZzAEn88aFfPuh04x9hFbfEsIpXgv8xOlyMhlN9E/s1600/patch+5-24-15+%252818%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8WhHBrZtUPyFMnfh1ByI1806sXdM08sbrYK8-CBc2YK_i79NNCdEwq_5QqGcJdsFPWAIRlD8Ioqo0pDOnzLRNZocGXRFSrq4tZSf5ZzAEn88aFfPuh04x9hFbfEsIpXgv8xOlyMhlN9E/s320/patch+5-24-15+%252818%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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You can see the hand tiller to the left in this picture. It is a pole with three curved claws at the bottom. You place it in the ground and twist and it brings out weeds and breaks up soil. You can see the original plan I posted back on May. I put in the paths and measured off the garden and that was when I discovered the the plan was not going to work.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72If7GtZLWCkAbyYrbnOf10PRjCe9yfdEBZSBUCvVnZYRCbQsevw6QW-pTZT0wJ7e89Hfg3g4Ddj3u9Mh9tk5xozcRYvkuB1k8D3B6aE148Dbc3LLtg3ajQHpyKJGP4yjnr4Yynybxhue/s1600/patch+5-24-15+%252813%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72If7GtZLWCkAbyYrbnOf10PRjCe9yfdEBZSBUCvVnZYRCbQsevw6QW-pTZT0wJ7e89Hfg3g4Ddj3u9Mh9tk5xozcRYvkuB1k8D3B6aE148Dbc3LLtg3ajQHpyKJGP4yjnr4Yynybxhue/s400/patch+5-24-15+%252813%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We were not able to put in three long beds and two short, instead we got two long beds on the sides and three short beds down the middle We planted tomatoes in one long bed as planned but it was shorter than it should have been so all the plants did not fit and we had to put the plants a bit closer together.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQ8-g5R9GLaUo4jlgOi5e7FbRg8VB6b1DFZz9a4ivz1OZ3z4rpsn6Yp26A3j230ca4TJP-mxpS4nRTz3zMBbi0j-3Qm3Kk4YyUF-H0yIQa6g1IJcDQ4srU7QYU_gfJidxH7PKZ5r_VHxw/s1600/patch+5-24-15+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQ8-g5R9GLaUo4jlgOi5e7FbRg8VB6b1DFZz9a4ivz1OZ3z4rpsn6Yp26A3j230ca4TJP-mxpS4nRTz3zMBbi0j-3Qm3Kk4YyUF-H0yIQa6g1IJcDQ4srU7QYU_gfJidxH7PKZ5r_VHxw/s320/patch+5-24-15+%25283%2529.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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We purchased too many peppers and planted them into two beds leaving us with only one small bed for everything else and one long bed for the herbs. I think I am going to have to sacrifice at least part of the herb bed for more vegetables, as the kohlrabi, broccoli, beans and squash cannot possibly fit in the last bed. We lost the time for growing lettuce because of the heavy rains in May so we will try that experiment later in the season.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4xI3CEqeUChi1kt0t_HVRhEJymbCcON0mKnOFcLPfihBjJ-byessxezbd4A67i38PfuX6JuY7fLw7hg4x42Z95K3NxttpdwlPtw0ofclPBmCozsFxptr9AQxeiU-kqwyIf2AxEKwPhuK/s1600/patch+5-24-15+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4xI3CEqeUChi1kt0t_HVRhEJymbCcON0mKnOFcLPfihBjJ-byessxezbd4A67i38PfuX6JuY7fLw7hg4x42Z95K3NxttpdwlPtw0ofclPBmCozsFxptr9AQxeiU-kqwyIf2AxEKwPhuK/s400/patch+5-24-15+%25285%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I will be growing some of the herbs in containers and will be planting onions and shallots in between the peppers. I will need to wait until the first week of June as it rained for five days straight starting with the evening of the day we planted these plants. That rain and the effect of cold weather on the plants will be covered next week.</div>
Marcy Lautanen-Raleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09057923031393045279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490364165382451118.post-17099078972009902752015-06-02T20:46:00.001-05:002015-06-02T20:46:55.459-05:00Why to get or use a Community Garden or a Patio Garden?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This year the drought in California is becoming acute. 80% of the water in California is used for
agriculture. That means if the shortages
continue, our food prices for produce, almonds, strawberries, citrus and
vegetables will continue to increase. We
cannot do anything about some food which we cannot grow easily in the Midwest,
but there is no reason we cannot grow vegetables and herbs for our own use and
perhaps enough surplus to can and preserve for winter use.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ay_MDY5DRETx1pjtvayJdYvVv-OIiiChtRY8abC5ynoN4VhKQfli0C4XwAWbDhmuTxknEPl01yDYxnE4P9MDSByu1B2yc_065pfODCWL6V2eRwlQvvWt74lWwVqCH5-b5rWGX9X0Gazx/s1600/containers+under+a+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ay_MDY5DRETx1pjtvayJdYvVv-OIiiChtRY8abC5ynoN4VhKQfli0C4XwAWbDhmuTxknEPl01yDYxnE4P9MDSByu1B2yc_065pfODCWL6V2eRwlQvvWt74lWwVqCH5-b5rWGX9X0Gazx/s640/containers+under+a+tree.jpg" width="476" /></a></div>
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In fact it is possible that even if we are just buying
produce from local farmers at the farmer’s market we can extend our food budget
and improve the quality of our daily meals.
This blog will give recipes for using and preserving your produce as
well as ideas for growing your own food, even if it is only one plant in a pot
on the patio.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let’s start with patio containers</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglahWSJ_oUtCqXv2UwrFrVrPbwxLA0mJFFsMDvMDPGrZk48BrF_caVuRfefMWNrahICBKTOqPLF1UpZkl56Tgi-BbR1rgmf9UtZFeinktnPK8wp24tupz_ayI1WPBWbUGY7uFLNEyOsLv8/s1600/DSCN1851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglahWSJ_oUtCqXv2UwrFrVrPbwxLA0mJFFsMDvMDPGrZk48BrF_caVuRfefMWNrahICBKTOqPLF1UpZkl56Tgi-BbR1rgmf9UtZFeinktnPK8wp24tupz_ayI1WPBWbUGY7uFLNEyOsLv8/s320/DSCN1851.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you want a quick garden use a container. You can use any size container and just about anything as the container. Some people with an outdoor patio use a half barrel. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4s4f5jM6znjtz4hhiGRZogLTiiO7kYU2okOp6_dTHXYSpFgKXUeRk_qzMpMg-z7ZKS7oLeLgWIT6qhoPMOZeyg5muxdqZoPVdTuykYTzIPuYulEvjK9I9jIsZi7Qmkqu9ndXSujyXnBA/s1600/concrete+planter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4s4f5jM6znjtz4hhiGRZogLTiiO7kYU2okOp6_dTHXYSpFgKXUeRk_qzMpMg-z7ZKS7oLeLgWIT6qhoPMOZeyg5muxdqZoPVdTuykYTzIPuYulEvjK9I9jIsZi7Qmkqu9ndXSujyXnBA/s320/concrete+planter.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Herbs in a cement container</td></tr>
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Others use a wash tub or terracotta pots or other decorative containers one can get at the hardware store or home center. However you can also use coffee cans, milk cartons, salvaged containers that were never originally intended to be used for gardening.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7ZFt0xrtWIHoJIJXabp3HN4coE4fhEgTQIEkHgFQHQi1imKpNxTbZ1PaQetiQqK9Be4o0pBVfdFG6gAYEHhyb0RCLRDJGXnltkQtTB9B6y1FLmgwThA1_ClzjjnX72G0J5TCVV3qF0Fk/s1600/container5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7ZFt0xrtWIHoJIJXabp3HN4coE4fhEgTQIEkHgFQHQi1imKpNxTbZ1PaQetiQqK9Be4o0pBVfdFG6gAYEHhyb0RCLRDJGXnltkQtTB9B6y1FLmgwThA1_ClzjjnX72G0J5TCVV3qF0Fk/s320/container5.jpg" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strawberry Pot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VTeiCdC_H9xK5_3Uvlrfvnq4hhJMsAPU6qiXq_VgqAYMrvSZdWechWAitjn1ZwWihSK57XCxHkZsqfxYdOL3KRrTjW3djHWl8s_g6L35wfqmlRPx4uVLRieaox2d8eS8olDxiO0J41o0/s1600/wash+tub+planter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VTeiCdC_H9xK5_3Uvlrfvnq4hhJMsAPU6qiXq_VgqAYMrvSZdWechWAitjn1ZwWihSK57XCxHkZsqfxYdOL3KRrTjW3djHWl8s_g6L35wfqmlRPx4uVLRieaox2d8eS8olDxiO0J41o0/s320/wash+tub+planter.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Washtub</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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One of the best containers to use for herbs if you are short on space is a strawberry planter<span style="color: blue;">. </span>You can find these at your local gardening center. They are usually made of terra cotta and have many small openings around the sides for your smaller herbs. You can plant the larger herbs at the top.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It is possible to keep an entire </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">culinary herb garden conveniently located right outside your door in one strawberry planter. Some good choices of herbs for this would be: oregano, thyme, curly parsley, lemon verbena, chives, and basil.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>The key with any container is a good potting soil and great drainage.<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 23.2666664123535px;"> </span></span>Before adding soil to your chosen
container, you will need to provide a layer of rocks, gravel or Styrofoam
pellets to the bottom quarter of the container to help with the drainage
process. Broken chips from terra cotta pots also work nicely for this. If you
are planning on bringing an outdoor container of herbs indoors during the
winter months, I would suggest the use of the Styrofoam pellets to keep the
weight down.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Use a good quality potting soil
mix to fill your container to within two inches from the top to allow plenty of
space for watering. Few herbs require a large amount of fertilization, but
nearly all vegetables will require some fertilizer during the growing season, especially
if kept in pots.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Keep your container garden well-watered, as they will dry out more rapidly than those that have been
planted directly into the garden.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaIGFbs1Z7nxVtQsNaNP5swvB_ZJeJIzddWfUa9FYY3CuTo5aAwjTdZOmPNPEtFJR5kWYw9fIMqxJkZ4S-ybiDuTmuJBbJsAthyphenhyphenY_yv9ncg02564bzibPZNCN_zZwoICVPO6R-4GiKKvWG/s1600/DSCN2066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaIGFbs1Z7nxVtQsNaNP5swvB_ZJeJIzddWfUa9FYY3CuTo5aAwjTdZOmPNPEtFJR5kWYw9fIMqxJkZ4S-ybiDuTmuJBbJsAthyphenhyphenY_yv9ncg02564bzibPZNCN_zZwoICVPO6R-4GiKKvWG/s320/DSCN2066.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">raised beds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Having a Garden Plot</span><br />
<br />
Many communities have plots available for rental and sometimes even for free or for volunteer service. Near me there are garden plots available from the Elmhurst Park District, which is where I rent mine. In nearby Berkeley, IL they just started a <a href="http://www.berkeley.il.us/vertical/sites/%7BB4877CC9-5533-47FA-94DE-B3C09F1665AB%7D/uploads/CompleteJuneJulyAugust2014.pdf">Community Garden Club</a> in 2013. They rent plots and offer information for beginning gardeners. I found a listing on the DuPage County website pulled together for the Cool Cities Initiative that lists all the public gardens and the rent-able plots in the county. You can find it <a href="http://www.dupageco.org/CommunityGardens/">HERE</a>.<br />
<br />
The nice thing about a community plot is you have a set space, prepared soil and access to water most of the time. The bad thing about a community garden is that the soil can be depleted and the instance of diseases can be increased. But for those like me, who live in an apartment or a condo it is a great place to grow vegetables when you only have a small patio space.<br />
<br />
In some cases community gardens are just prepared soil and in other cases they are raised beds.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPaGIOQsXd8yAgp8dcFmRFSolU-Afr0MbIVcQatcpWaZv7lPHBCxFzang-oAXP2DnEoZHC7jEi-lJom3TPumHtbbARlUVWnAlwFGVc85JxxVMXv4-aILut5xeoOMEhlzOkHinH8Cvy40R/s1600/patch+5-24-15+%252813%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPaGIOQsXd8yAgp8dcFmRFSolU-Afr0MbIVcQatcpWaZv7lPHBCxFzang-oAXP2DnEoZHC7jEi-lJom3TPumHtbbARlUVWnAlwFGVc85JxxVMXv4-aILut5xeoOMEhlzOkHinH8Cvy40R/s400/patch+5-24-15+%252813%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elmhurst Garden Plots</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
These are the Elmhurst plots, three rows about 300 feet long, each 20 feet wide with two shorter rows at the far end of this picture about 100 feet long, again 20 feet wide. They have grass inbetween the rows and two well attachment areas.<br />
<br />
This is a raised bed garden in Sheboygan, WI built into a small corner lot that has a strong slope. Populated with several raised beds, it takes advantage of the land in ways not much else could. They have water and a tool box provided. There are two compost bins making soil from last years leavings I was amused, rather than numbering the beds, they named them after flowers, like bluebell, lily, etc.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLoO0QNvToIjoimRIBkr5nS7_ZrQjaxAeDJ63bYlOPHEG0JRAeCIanCrPSwTiBrffAJTIE8dv-WMq1usAITe1Fxu7uH8SZWAH96ak3sEQDKOaF5u6DBj6cLAWdcz_XdLHwO-BSfldIfLOj/s1600/community+garden+sheboygan+%252832%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLoO0QNvToIjoimRIBkr5nS7_ZrQjaxAeDJ63bYlOPHEG0JRAeCIanCrPSwTiBrffAJTIE8dv-WMq1usAITe1Fxu7uH8SZWAH96ak3sEQDKOaF5u6DBj6cLAWdcz_XdLHwO-BSfldIfLOj/s400/community+garden+sheboygan+%252832%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raised bed garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
You can tell they are allowed to keep the same plots year after year and unlike Elmhurst, where nothing can remain from one season to another, they have customized them with art and perennial plantings. These photos were taken in May so not many new plants have been added as it was too early.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5-hgo6XH-3LoeS7OSvWxBKYsQcB1VKw5HF5zwqlbeRukEc1l9VmPuFKD4cRp4P4fBDc843orN3-OrSEtnWxTCnAUZG_V8z9Z6uqnq1sjkQVOJZkP1DBzR6h25n_VGXA3C8kAbR50TJNz/s1600/community+garden+sheboygan+%252811%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5-hgo6XH-3LoeS7OSvWxBKYsQcB1VKw5HF5zwqlbeRukEc1l9VmPuFKD4cRp4P4fBDc843orN3-OrSEtnWxTCnAUZG_V8z9Z6uqnq1sjkQVOJZkP1DBzR6h25n_VGXA3C8kAbR50TJNz/s320/community+garden+sheboygan+%252811%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Compost bins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9N0VVe0tty7fLlRbNdDWvHzcWcK8Vfu-3KNtEWHW1AI4B1ojflN4ql3tciMXfs_H_rDpmfrUL8Jn2s6_PhsQ07BqXDPgNk9eDhMkxrEa12DMo95MXF6ud8S0rzBQNaWxjpof_H4Tax_xg/s1600/community+garden+sheboygan+%252834%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9N0VVe0tty7fLlRbNdDWvHzcWcK8Vfu-3KNtEWHW1AI4B1ojflN4ql3tciMXfs_H_rDpmfrUL8Jn2s6_PhsQ07BqXDPgNk9eDhMkxrEa12DMo95MXF6ud8S0rzBQNaWxjpof_H4Tax_xg/s320/community+garden+sheboygan+%252834%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">water and tool chest and benches</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
These small bins no more than 8 feet by 4 feet. Enough for a a dozen plants which can produce produce for a small family easily and not require too much work. We also found other rented plots in Sheboygan with slightly larger spaces. Fenced and also including a compost bin. That is something lacking at our gardens in Elmhurst.<br />
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Marcy Lautanen-Raleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09057923031393045279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490364165382451118.post-64046108172815246082015-05-20T21:10:00.000-05:002015-05-20T21:10:00.565-05:00Garden Help Links<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 18px;">So where do you go for help when the garden is not so perfect?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The first place I always go when there is a problem with the
garden is the Master Gardener program. Almost every state has a program
of some sort. Here in Illinois it is run through the Cooperative
Extension agency of the University of Illinois. No matter what state you
are in they are a great resource for home growers, since they are run through a
local university they will have nailed down growing issues for your area and
some solutions to many garden problems. They are also great for plant identification,
when you do not know if something is a weed or plant to keep.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The </span><a href="https://web.extension.illinois.edu/mg/" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Uof I master gardeners</a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> has a website that I recommend as a resource. They had tons of
articles on all sorts of topics under </span><a href="https://web.extension.illinois.edu/mg/links/default.cfm" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Hort links</a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> on the webpage. They also produce a <a href="https://web.extension.illinois.edu/mg/imagine/default.cfm">digital newsletter</a> for Master Gardeners that you do not have to be a Master Gardener to read. It has book reviews, </span><span style="font-size: 18px;">articles</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> about various </span><span style="font-size: 18px;">Master</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> Gardener program events and other </span><span style="font-size: 18px;">useful</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18px;">information</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">. The <a href="https://web.extension.illinois.edu/mg/events/default.cfm">events link</a> has programs that can be used for Master Gardner Continuing Education, but if you are not a beginning gardener, I suggest checking out a few of these, they have wonderful details. But if you are new to gardening, you may find them over your head, so start with the <a href="https://web.extension.illinois.edu/mg/links/default.cfm">Hort Links</a> first.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRFMvK6IsrpKpOy7_Epwjykztto8XiKMlUEZZFE51FYg79yzTK0qsezZD_Lg9_i5B1d9tMjchqoMOagy7GzAhG2DrcxBAiwODWQWxcvSMDo9qJ0S71kV_XbL89oRuXEAmt9XQpw12cP4H/s1600/mikenowak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRFMvK6IsrpKpOy7_Epwjykztto8XiKMlUEZZFE51FYg79yzTK0qsezZD_Lg9_i5B1d9tMjchqoMOagy7GzAhG2DrcxBAiwODWQWxcvSMDo9qJ0S71kV_XbL89oRuXEAmt9XQpw12cP4H/s1600/mikenowak.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">courtesy of mikenowak.net</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Also in
Chicagoland we have </span><a href="http://mikenowak.net/" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Mike Nowak</a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">, a radio personality who is a go-to source for
gardening info. His website also has great information and links to even
more! He is doing his show as a podcast presently and the website has links to listen to a wide </span><span style="font-size: 18px;">assortment</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> of recent shows. You can also catch him regularly and repeated on the GDGD Radio Network available in an app for your phone. You can find the link to download the App on his website as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Then you can try a
local botanical garden or arboretum. They are always thrilled to help those </span><span style="font-size: 18px;">curious</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> about growing things. Where I live we
have the</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><a href="http://www.chicagobotanic.org/" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Chicago Botanic Garden</a><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">in Glencoe and the</span><a href="http://www.mortonarb.org/" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Morton
Arboretum</a><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">in Lisle.
</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPotlORrjGdU-0X-LFlvkOZ0yIQuw_TsetVBHuGLvSoAangnEGu_1uAkvlSu5w9ahaNA0cIDH724etGeFVw4xY2DBml5zhjcym15MfZotZh-4CNMOaOOnR70W4s5uSHAXxuY7Gie5lgO3m/s1600/DSCN4642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPotlORrjGdU-0X-LFlvkOZ0yIQuw_TsetVBHuGLvSoAangnEGu_1uAkvlSu5w9ahaNA0cIDH724etGeFVw4xY2DBml5zhjcym15MfZotZh-4CNMOaOOnR70W4s5uSHAXxuY7Gie5lgO3m/s320/DSCN4642.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sensory Garden at the Chicago Botanic Garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Master gardeners and plant horticulturalists work at the Botanic Garden
in the Plant Information Center to help ID plants and insects as well as plant
diseases. You can access them</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><a href="http://www.chicagobotanic.org/plantinfoservice" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">online</a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> as well
as in person from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday; Noon – 4 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday, but they are closed on holidays. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMt5eQ9BZn9KAeFIaFICiYOTi6JSLoL0K1fBiU7JLS3-UgOfEuEHX9wXHE0Ewsw6Wj8A0qPozf4kv3W9gFl71U_xYTNRztiare66KwlZk1xzxfPZuM4JOiNrPBFDdRPNV64ZOncGJngMt8/s1600/Morton+Arb+may+2013+(18).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMt5eQ9BZn9KAeFIaFICiYOTi6JSLoL0K1fBiU7JLS3-UgOfEuEHX9wXHE0Ewsw6Wj8A0qPozf4kv3W9gFl71U_xYTNRztiare66KwlZk1xzxfPZuM4JOiNrPBFDdRPNV64ZOncGJngMt8/s320/Morton+Arb+may+2013+(18).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Children's Garden At Morton Arboretum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">At Morton Arboretum they have a</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><a href="http://www.mortonarb.org/trees-plants/tree-and-plant-advice/plant-clinic" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Plant Clinic</a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">. </span><span style="background: white; font-size: 13.5pt;"> They accept walk-in questions April through
October, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and November through
March, it is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can also
contact them via email through their <a href="http://www.mortonarb.org/trees-plants/tree-and-plant-advice/plant-clinic">website</a>.
In addition to identification, the plant clinic staff can
help visitors choose landscape plants by directing them to specimens in the Arboretum so they can answer the age old question - how big will this get?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Also if you want to share and learn and search using your phone in a social media setting, I have a wonderful somewhat new app you can </span><span style="font-size: 18px;">download</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> called </span><a href="http://www.growitmobile.com/" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">GrowIt</a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">! You can get this for your android or iPhone. And it is all about local growing connections. You can connect with gardeners near you. What are they growing? Will it grow at your home? It eliminates that wonderful plant you saw on Pinterest that only grows in a subtropical climate </span><span style="font-size: 18px;">because</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> you know the information you are getting and sharing is local to your area or zone. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #56401f; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">As their website says: "Don’t know what flowers to plant in that container on your patio? GrowIt!™ is here to help you out. Find out what people are planting in your area. GrowIt!™ lets you Garden Socially. Whether you want to show off your plants, or find something that will work in your garden; GrowIt!™ has something for every type of gardener."</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">This app is new and growing and changing and updating and everytime I use it I like it even more. So if you are on the app say hello to Backyard Patch Herbs and you will be chatting with me! This is a great way to share all those great garden photos you take with your phone with people who also love garden plants!</span></span></div>
Marcy Lautanen-Raleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09057923031393045279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490364165382451118.post-47274792072864146502015-05-17T18:46:00.003-05:002015-06-02T20:47:36.933-05:00Starting the Community Garden in 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last year the weather and problems in the soil made the
success of our garden less than stellar.
We realized that the soil itself has not experienced proper crop
rotation which resulted in more diseases in the soil, especially fungus which
is not killed by cold weather. The cold
spring slowed plant growth and caused an increase in the bug population
resulting in more of the problems associated with those bugs including other
diseases. And then we had heavy rain and
flooding late in the season that ended the tomato plants producing the
anything,<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I also made several mistakes including not removing the
lettuce crops once the weather got warm.
They crowded and took over a number of other plants. And planting a couple of plants too soon or
too late exposing them to soil and weather problems. We scouted the community
gardens last year and chose this year’s location by the fact no one grew
anything in it last year. It at the end
of the garden, farthest from the water source which should be a frustration
later, but we think we have a better chance of not exposing ourselves to crop
failure like last year.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUpDEUBj67VDU-Yj4J3X_xPnq5j2zsCLGLrejWyqjfreIMlTywTJ10XvgY_Bs5-sBdjjhjw0ApPrXHxf2vCvsQzo9HVGN5JMWH6xQVKK_vURETowVQaG6zPK03GIjsyuEf6Tvspru29N4/s1600/Patch+8-4-14+just+mustard+seed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUpDEUBj67VDU-Yj4J3X_xPnq5j2zsCLGLrejWyqjfreIMlTywTJ10XvgY_Bs5-sBdjjhjw0ApPrXHxf2vCvsQzo9HVGN5JMWH6xQVKK_vURETowVQaG6zPK03GIjsyuEf6Tvspru29N4/s320/Patch+8-4-14+just+mustard+seed.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mustard seeds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5xbHvPUuwI3LwEIVYp1__wAD2BrVN4JSUBSWSYHOgA8A2uYt7u6Br8Vyt0XXJ3OzrGNxwCYejq5VPZUmqzNLRR3XZRdD6IY4jdSZyO8ILUeCPuXj32Wn2eQD6h_Kil_2Blt9C86IdJBIM/s1600/Patch+8-9-14+(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5xbHvPUuwI3LwEIVYp1__wAD2BrVN4JSUBSWSYHOgA8A2uYt7u6Br8Vyt0XXJ3OzrGNxwCYejq5VPZUmqzNLRR3XZRdD6IY4jdSZyO8ILUeCPuXj32Wn2eQD6h_Kil_2Blt9C86IdJBIM/s320/Patch+8-9-14+(7).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That scruffy patch in the center below the bean trellis is salad greens going to seed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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The plants that did the best last year were the herbs, but when
the season ended and I pulled the plants I liked, they were all so entrenched
in the soil that the root shock and the quick winter we experienced resulted in
them not making it when repotted them.
This year some of them will be planted inside large buried plastic
containers to make pulling them out at the end of the season easier.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This year we are also going to experiment with several
growing methods that may allow us to work around the fact that the garden
spaces have soil issues. It is possible
that this is the last year for this location and that next year the gardens
will be relocated salving this problem but if not these experiments may help
others grow more here.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The Design</span><br />
<br /></div>
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This is the preliminary plan for the garden. It is on the end so I have three open sides
rather than two like last year. I have
decided to place three beds along these edges which will be easy to reach and
weed without having to walk or kneel in the paths.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2V_jCZQcbncn2QORVWy7hvpGWiaU2arqVKgppecZuyscXM8w9tRRe-kcMIsm5LmnnEMfg5uG4gfjN7coKWHt1fuJzmPxoj9xN8uY2Y9ZWo_3EgaBfNJDhRjK4MrZ3tjFe2tV17e-x_qXL/s1600/garden+plan+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2V_jCZQcbncn2QORVWy7hvpGWiaU2arqVKgppecZuyscXM8w9tRRe-kcMIsm5LmnnEMfg5uG4gfjN7coKWHt1fuJzmPxoj9xN8uY2Y9ZWo_3EgaBfNJDhRjK4MrZ3tjFe2tV17e-x_qXL/s320/garden+plan+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
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I may change the layout and place the tomatoes on the interior
as they are more easily weeded with a hoe and can be reached from narrow paths.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The new experimental methods</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Planting in a soil
bag<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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I found this on the internet for people who don’t have time
to remove sod or do not have much yard to work with or a very poor soil. But buy a bag of soil, lay it on the ground
and cut a rectangular hole from the top and plant directly into the soil. It is good for items liking a more shallow
planting soil, like lettuce and greens and a couple other plants.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Straw Bale Gardening<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Another method I want to try is straw bale gardening. It is said to work very well for tomatoes and
so we are going to try at least two bales and plant tomatoes in them. The bales
are set on the ground and you create a soil in a hole in the bale by adding
compost and soil. The straw breaks down
adding organic matter to the soil as the plant roots burrow into it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yJPoiePMYtdG48qHeS9oo3UMDEBFLlQD_qCcEzZgVvnZY7pQynrY9uBYcCSZwJLddpzExeuNKsSiTQV-Woa4o54pDQmGKOIjjX20q2_m1yZG-49qjAEIxJBz8nsefJEFwl7-2J6VK-pW/s1600/Patch+8-4-14+(29).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yJPoiePMYtdG48qHeS9oo3UMDEBFLlQD_qCcEzZgVvnZY7pQynrY9uBYcCSZwJLddpzExeuNKsSiTQV-Woa4o54pDQmGKOIjjX20q2_m1yZG-49qjAEIxJBz8nsefJEFwl7-2J6VK-pW/s320/Patch+8-4-14+(29).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">thyme bed in August 2014</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
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<b>Containers on the
soil and raised beds<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Last year I experimented with a <a href="http://communitybackyard.blogspot.com/2014/06/community-patch-growing-thyme-in-raised.html">raised bed in the garden</a>,
but I filled it with soil from the garden that I dug out of the paths. Although it did fine planted with <a href="http://backyardpatch.blogspot.com/2014/06/herb-of-week-thyme-english-german-and.html">thyme</a>,
the thyme did not exactly flourish as it probably should have. So this year I plan to create at least one
raised bed and fill it with sterile soil I bring in. I think I will also
experiment with large recycled containers that I am going to get at garage
sales and such and place those in the garden. I plan to look for at least one wash tub deep
enough to grow root parsley and carrots and radishes in. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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This year it is again cold. Way
too cold to plant even if we could get an early start. The garden opens on May 1, but I think we may
wait until at least the 24<sup>th</sup> to plant anything. The Men’s Garden Club of Villa Park is having
their annual plant sale, themed Heirlooms and Herbs, just before Mother’s Day, so
we will be getting most of our plants at that sale on May 8 & 9 The
following weekend I am in Geneva for Gardenology where I will have my herb
creations for sale and will be presenting programs on herbs. <o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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That left May 17 as the soonest day to start planting, however heavy
rain on the 16<sup>th</sup> and more rain expected on the 17<sup>th</sup> made
me leery to compress the soil, so I am going to wait until Memorial Day Weekend. I remember a year we had frost on Memorial
Day after I planted all my herbs that Saturday.
Could this year be like that??<o:p></o:p></div>
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Marcy Lautanen-Raleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09057923031393045279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490364165382451118.post-59465884150790334022015-02-14T09:43:00.001-06:002015-02-14T09:43:55.602-06:00Saved Seed<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
One good thing to come from last year's garden was the bean harvest was not large enough to eat, but the seed harvest from those same beans was good enough to replenish next year's garden.<br />
<br />
This is the tray full of seeds and pods that I shelled this week.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OM0BK6AtwgkoYJ3-cupMtJHxCe3CgTttzQh95X0ZXWpdfgJZ4VqZxtKEMbydxU3g5m2CCypTaGzsMeyqSMH79hzgkIBPBQH73aRocZqtgqUnYBOi7vzv-DH-AHIUnfME4tBR24o8vHMw/s1600/IMG_20150213_161734_437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OM0BK6AtwgkoYJ3-cupMtJHxCe3CgTttzQh95X0ZXWpdfgJZ4VqZxtKEMbydxU3g5m2CCypTaGzsMeyqSMH79hzgkIBPBQH73aRocZqtgqUnYBOi7vzv-DH-AHIUnfME4tBR24o8vHMw/s1600/IMG_20150213_161734_437.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I grew a couple of heirloom beans: Christmas Beans and Tiger Stripe Beans. they are quite lovely to look at. I am told they make great soup, but that I am hoping will be part of my experiment for this year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRDHpAm3YvL3KtBnASF-xYpd8vF_nxz3hQL5V3T7CL6HuTKup6L8pR_vcPQ55FW8HS4nnYsJtTRuSVburz2YZcy5EfrM9-NEwSC3n3jFAf1Hk7Ke9pSjltBS52FIzrTT3QAhoExU_CML3/s1600/beans+close+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRDHpAm3YvL3KtBnASF-xYpd8vF_nxz3hQL5V3T7CL6HuTKup6L8pR_vcPQ55FW8HS4nnYsJtTRuSVburz2YZcy5EfrM9-NEwSC3n3jFAf1Hk7Ke9pSjltBS52FIzrTT3QAhoExU_CML3/s1600/beans+close+up.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We are getting a new plot, but we are going to try for one that was unused last year so the ground was fallow and the diseases may be less prevalent. We will have to go through the lottery for this but it will be worth it to move from the patch with too much disease.<br />
<br />
The gardens will not be moved this year, probably because the Park District did not vote yet on giving the land to the City of Elmhurst, but I have not followed the papers much this winter and the Website for the Park District is not the easiest to navigate.<br />
<br />
In addition to the heirloom beans, I saved herticote vert (thin green bean) seeds as well as sweet pea seeds. I got the original sweet peas from Seed Savers so I know that I can save the seed and use it this year it was not a hybrid.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ot_zdCE41nHS1eP0fv7lVYZfVQCu8V69U5DIPf85qVDGrbqygzCwlS5hm5JeCCD4izPx7_NHC0yfJRgyteFPYHX_fIFhNu5eHp53FE6gfWr1k5b_uSVdScsC3F_7FhIOKcR59hE5QlcS/s1600/peas+and+gr+beans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ot_zdCE41nHS1eP0fv7lVYZfVQCu8V69U5DIPf85qVDGrbqygzCwlS5hm5JeCCD4izPx7_NHC0yfJRgyteFPYHX_fIFhNu5eHp53FE6gfWr1k5b_uSVdScsC3F_7FhIOKcR59hE5QlcS/s1600/peas+and+gr+beans.jpg" height="132" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I was unable to save melon seed because the plant never gave a viable fruit, but I do have some seed left from last year and I may try to use that and see what happens. Much seed is only good for a year after harvest and I have to check to see if Melon falls into the category.<br />
<br />
It was easy to shell dried beans. The seed coat split open easily allowing access to the seed. The hardest to harvest were the green beans as the coat shrank as it dried gripping the seed tightly. I had to smash the coat between my fingers to extract the seed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjn3cz7YhbunkdhTcy0mMfYz66IwWgQvU5byD6g6rIdth283VwQw0YIPXub1C4MeGON-0VNP4F0YU6niOZur5mnWhC_OGnHROmvzGYdmdVfaFTbtVq0_9aGUGJ-Ho7y46JpJd39C7kflu/s1600/IMG_20150213_161819_523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjn3cz7YhbunkdhTcy0mMfYz66IwWgQvU5byD6g6rIdth283VwQw0YIPXub1C4MeGON-0VNP4F0YU6niOZur5mnWhC_OGnHROmvzGYdmdVfaFTbtVq0_9aGUGJ-Ho7y46JpJd39C7kflu/s1600/IMG_20150213_161819_523.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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Since all of these beans were harvested in September they were quite dry and most had opened before I even began shelling.<br />
<br />
For now I have placed them in seed envelopes I made myself. I got the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/search?q=digital%20seed%20packets">seed packet template</a> from a vendor on Etsy. I just print them in various sizes, cut and glue them. Then I label and stuff them with seeds. I use the smallest ones for herb seeds mostly. The package size is about 1 1/2 inches square and I place them inside greeting cards.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzACrxKZ_IUrYUGfRUNRbGXNGq3O05LfLwDmV6m0y6IFiMz6FcDVEDMXysAae23Lr1Lx9Jl8rhWiiWXerDpsUxddFVM4KT84O5HnakK3dDcRT77uiyXy2ksSPkuNFUTMG2fl-glS6qqRB/s1600/IMG_20150213_170455_339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzACrxKZ_IUrYUGfRUNRbGXNGq3O05LfLwDmV6m0y6IFiMz6FcDVEDMXysAae23Lr1Lx9Jl8rhWiiWXerDpsUxddFVM4KT84O5HnakK3dDcRT77uiyXy2ksSPkuNFUTMG2fl-glS6qqRB/s1600/IMG_20150213_170455_339.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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The packet has room on the back for growing info, like sunny and seed depth for growing, etc. For these I transferred the information from my garden journal from last year. Now I remember why I kept that journal with all the info about the plan and the planting! Over the winter months I created my own colorful garden journal filled with pictures from my gardens and you can get a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/221889823/blank-digital-garden-journal-pdf-for">digital copy </a>on Etsy.</div>
Marcy Lautanen-Raleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09057923031393045279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490364165382451118.post-87722837462731498562015-01-11T13:39:00.000-06:002015-01-11T13:39:02.538-06:00Garden Wrap up 2014<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The garden plot failed in 2014!<br />
<br />
There is no other way to say it. Except for the herbs which flourished until frost all the other plants in the garden were dead by the end of September.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMpbe9s46ipfjAlG_ixdF-KRRSR2_b9iVA10lLIAePbLyuAxX1sunJUDJjPZzaQDY9lGd_d46XS8SfR-FMCImS9BpyZq1upfN0aRebM5zBYi5pzOTaMKaVpLsu6XWf5Bg38mc5-tV_yHL/s1600/patch+9-30-14+tomatoes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMpbe9s46ipfjAlG_ixdF-KRRSR2_b9iVA10lLIAePbLyuAxX1sunJUDJjPZzaQDY9lGd_d46XS8SfR-FMCImS9BpyZq1upfN0aRebM5zBYi5pzOTaMKaVpLsu6XWf5Bg38mc5-tV_yHL/s1600/patch+9-30-14+tomatoes.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the row of dead plants to the left are my neighbors dead sunflowers on 9-31-14<br />That collection of green in the middle is lettuce that reseeded in the space where the tomatoes used to be.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The creeping death moved from one plant to another and without fail turned even the healthiest plants into brown shriveled dead non-growing things.<br />
<br />
I was unwilling to admit this and never quite finished the posts from late September that documented this death. But I have located all the photos and will update those posts in the next few weeks so others can scroll through and see what happened.<br />
<br />
It is my opinion, based on the types of plant death that occurred and the fact that the herbs were mostly unaffected by this problem, that the soil was to blame for the issues. The soil may have had plenty of nutrients or not, I did not have it tested once the plants started dying from diseases that were not soil quality related. The soil was littered with several identifiable bacteria. Check out my post on what was wrong with the tomatoes to see what I mean.<br />
<br />
The garden plots have been traded to the City of Elmhurst to use for flood retention so will not be used in the coming year. It is assumed we will get new areas to plant in for 2015, but I have not been informed of any locations as yet. I am pleased that these plots are not to be used again as they were too far gone to repair and would have had to have been left fallow for a couple of years to start any possibility of repairing the soil and killing off the bacteria in the soil.<br />
<br />
What I wanted to be able to do in 2014 was raise enough vegetables to freeze and can and be able to use them all winter and post about the process of preserving the vegetables. However, there was never enough harvest to go beyond our personal use for the days following a harvest. The herbs were very prolific and showed no sign of disease and I am still using the herbs I dried from the community patch. Herbs are generally resistant to soil borne illnesses so their success only reinforced my belief that the soil was healthy in nutrients but also rampant with bacteria.<br />
<br />
What I did learn and want to pass on as an important note is that if you have a community plot and are hoping to grow old-fashioned heirloom varieties of plants, you may want to reconsider. Many hybrid plants were hybridized to make them more resistant to diseases that occur naturally in the soil and are hard to remove. As a result they would have been much more resistant to the diseases that eventually killed the plants. We grew a couple of hybrid peppers and those were the last plants to die in the garden.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKq-tztRt_qcZa7aUMLNKXsCYmM4WYZVzJ9-k231AZdIGtnVb91uUwyn7_VyYU0kTk4DjHVSmCPIov_UlKaCGP857uQWfpfGcvd1OKr7DcpdOjPrStNC7-rnjxhscmMGcyRktE8LbrXhm/s1600/patch+9-30-14+hot+peppers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKq-tztRt_qcZa7aUMLNKXsCYmM4WYZVzJ9-k231AZdIGtnVb91uUwyn7_VyYU0kTk4DjHVSmCPIov_UlKaCGP857uQWfpfGcvd1OKr7DcpdOjPrStNC7-rnjxhscmMGcyRktE8LbrXhm/s1600/patch+9-30-14+hot+peppers.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">jalapenos still producing on 9-31-14</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The cucumber was the most damaged by soil issues and the sheer number of bugs the garden had because of the previous winter. Squash and melon, all grown from heirloom seed, were the first to show signs of problems. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWL7J_Eb6W-lUesyvngeVw_Ow3K5L4SWVvRn_BDAgMX9sHlCA5p6-QwssdyxIQmCgfVniwm-io3MzP9ev0n-J4BjirMLZp7MxRdhleTzlWxqUhivF2RqyEMh7uypSttfIQDIGU_kNTB7BS/s1600/patch+9-30-14+beans.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWL7J_Eb6W-lUesyvngeVw_Ow3K5L4SWVvRn_BDAgMX9sHlCA5p6-QwssdyxIQmCgfVniwm-io3MzP9ev0n-J4BjirMLZp7MxRdhleTzlWxqUhivF2RqyEMh7uypSttfIQDIGU_kNTB7BS/s1600/patch+9-30-14+beans.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
The various beans did okay but did not continue to produce after an initial harvest. We were able to save enough seed that we can probably grow more next year. The tomatoes were slow and had damaged fruit, but probably would have lived longer and produced more except for the incredibly wet weather we experienced. The soil was not dry enough for them and their root systems and they eventfully rotted from the bottom up.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDCcfTaHgrM9YalfM5_uldpMPSEiUvPMkJkkKSYvRjPexDffBkvPzkwTKFnLV43IUxT6SjnJWsZ2DcySsPkl9vQtl5hHYRXwaQTlGkb_mkpSpUP34tx5ovT4pkWVlfCupdTdRSlJTLm1LT/s1600/patch+9-30-14+dead+sunflower.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDCcfTaHgrM9YalfM5_uldpMPSEiUvPMkJkkKSYvRjPexDffBkvPzkwTKFnLV43IUxT6SjnJWsZ2DcySsPkl9vQtl5hHYRXwaQTlGkb_mkpSpUP34tx5ovT4pkWVlfCupdTdRSlJTLm1LT/s1600/patch+9-30-14+dead+sunflower.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dead sunflowers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The sunflowers just died within days of reaching flowering stage. They were beautiful one week and dead the next.<br />
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The zinnias, grown from seed, did very well, but the bugs did make finding a perfect bloom hard. The dahlias never flowered. The calendula, however, flowered until frost and I harvested hundreds of petals to use in tea.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAK8E93DpBIksIHns_G-BXkpOsXPQpcZq3_BWlDg_lvSFXMIMVQD5iEW9Fg4U2rkhqVDrMV3n7quS6yQKSnJTic8WXH2vy7i9t1wBJw3UHKxglSxCYXc2ofOQwFVdnG9JwUQDMFDlAqxyV/s1600/patch+9-30-14+full+plot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAK8E93DpBIksIHns_G-BXkpOsXPQpcZq3_BWlDg_lvSFXMIMVQD5iEW9Fg4U2rkhqVDrMV3n7quS6yQKSnJTic8WXH2vy7i9t1wBJw3UHKxglSxCYXc2ofOQwFVdnG9JwUQDMFDlAqxyV/s1600/patch+9-30-14+full+plot.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The yellow flowers along the front are calenula</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Marcy Lautanen-Raleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09057923031393045279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490364165382451118.post-86098124073001747122014-11-09T16:31:00.000-06:002014-11-09T16:31:00.973-06:00Celeriac Gratin a Thanksgiving Recipe<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
One of the plants I grew this season for the first time was Celeriac or celery root. It was easy to grow, you plant it and forget about it and harvest int he fall.<br />
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It was totally bug resistant, grew well and needed watering only occasionally.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72H5R-6GzVaFy-HWfrDpIMPi2xta3WeT5VJxxHDLzmt-HlVwFhqBKbgYivJfffbdsNOToHbmrQR9apfalV9sfqK9_JNhzGEwXbMJl-bLWuv_KjtDRAYnf2hNvtOrik8fnTp63XdkZsVLI/s1600/Patch+8-4-14+celeriac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72H5R-6GzVaFy-HWfrDpIMPi2xta3WeT5VJxxHDLzmt-HlVwFhqBKbgYivJfffbdsNOToHbmrQR9apfalV9sfqK9_JNhzGEwXbMJl-bLWuv_KjtDRAYnf2hNvtOrik8fnTp63XdkZsVLI/s1600/Patch+8-4-14+celeriac.jpg" height="320" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see the leaves and bulb in this early August 2014 photo</td></tr>
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I would recommend it. I even harvested the leaves from it to put in soups and stews and sauces and that was good too, even though the books said it might not be.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIbCXZYpI1HCHxH8-vgXe4MDHwaxZQ5a7kxSerH6LL_t-Ir_Az4MK6LqTQIgTDFDCIAaedjnwWXtxm7bGQfq0djwCMhmxyE7rhYcW58DDmg44_H-G3fzddn3Pgp_RYyegc1B4BbwClX3D/s1600/art+celeriac+7-29-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIbCXZYpI1HCHxH8-vgXe4MDHwaxZQ5a7kxSerH6LL_t-Ir_Az4MK6LqTQIgTDFDCIAaedjnwWXtxm7bGQfq0djwCMhmxyE7rhYcW58DDmg44_H-G3fzddn3Pgp_RYyegc1B4BbwClX3D/s1600/art+celeriac+7-29-14.jpg" height="243" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaves, photo taken in late July 2014</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is a recipe I found that we tried with the last two roots we harvested just before the first frost in late October 2014. (Full recipe at the bottom of the post!)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjU4ZovGigpoUgeOVZUO5r4aH-WO1QitUzgTPRH7qf6Z233FPQeb86sNZAvsizynXgKUiQpduvwXipLMugiyMDoK7IhQKU2M7pNWmm056YzkAY3DVU-9-jyFzsJopqTv14FBrLcsggnKq/s1600/DSCN7073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjU4ZovGigpoUgeOVZUO5r4aH-WO1QitUzgTPRH7qf6Z233FPQeb86sNZAvsizynXgKUiQpduvwXipLMugiyMDoK7IhQKU2M7pNWmm056YzkAY3DVU-9-jyFzsJopqTv14FBrLcsggnKq/s1600/DSCN7073.JPG" height="320" width="316" /></a>First step was to soften the peeled Celeriac which was done by simmering it in chicken broth and cream for about 30 minutes until the celeriac was tender.<br />
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After that the bulbs were cut into potato-like slices to go into the casserole dish.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lNAZYJizwK-fyCmt_oAfOPB5sQ18pzSANx42hF8qYDxuGTmUnnyA3wYNaLWXTN6rkS7Ejmk3rZHgBiap6_HN4KCVs519l1MUilhL9nt4LM7u_sTPZHsyndHXR5FDZMgcCFa1kWBpMGPd/s1600/DSCN7066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lNAZYJizwK-fyCmt_oAfOPB5sQ18pzSANx42hF8qYDxuGTmUnnyA3wYNaLWXTN6rkS7Ejmk3rZHgBiap6_HN4KCVs519l1MUilhL9nt4LM7u_sTPZHsyndHXR5FDZMgcCFa1kWBpMGPd/s1600/DSCN7066.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a> Now place the slices in the casserole with the thyme.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj348_E8jkA44M3zeK_n1Mq6XjlUO62xdrDRq2V7Vcee8T2oyJVvXLc1sO6nJJtYED-Sl-QzCCWSrKytB_IQNsOF5uzPO3V-XmoTNjZvYEH3obQa_dhnesAZhzewZQQdqq8TEBhxOnCe3aA/s1600/DSCN7076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj348_E8jkA44M3zeK_n1Mq6XjlUO62xdrDRq2V7Vcee8T2oyJVvXLc1sO6nJJtYED-Sl-QzCCWSrKytB_IQNsOF5uzPO3V-XmoTNjZvYEH3obQa_dhnesAZhzewZQQdqq8TEBhxOnCe3aA/s1600/DSCN7076.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivSAgkmwt8-RImL4B0M1TSmdaxalJBBBPh7MzPz3zDAF353AMCeQc5nysoRKg40Sa1Z7n-a6gNOW2vynyGvUIDBd4rr_fkSC-EYjZCV9zDU65AqQG8vmx1yFSHF5TpwsWjpkD5mAuohE6/s1600/boiling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivSAgkmwt8-RImL4B0M1TSmdaxalJBBBPh7MzPz3zDAF353AMCeQc5nysoRKg40Sa1Z7n-a6gNOW2vynyGvUIDBd4rr_fkSC-EYjZCV9zDU65AqQG8vmx1yFSHF5TpwsWjpkD5mAuohE6/s1600/boiling.jpg" height="245" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bring the sauce to a boil and add the other ingredients to it. Simmer for a bit then place it over the prepared celery root. Do not worry if it looks like soup over the root it is supposed to.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyneqAvT5pxHBHoBMYP0nfcB5kg_2PVqb6P-cyqU4pCJnM8MtTa2P5YWgDPWf169dOw0u5JjTlyz8nKst-VxJJRhuq_AB-u9mC8vWO-YPLuHA7cmlYjCIHQWuXyzsX1552rc4TJjsS8dF/s1600/DSCN7079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyneqAvT5pxHBHoBMYP0nfcB5kg_2PVqb6P-cyqU4pCJnM8MtTa2P5YWgDPWf169dOw0u5JjTlyz8nKst-VxJJRhuq_AB-u9mC8vWO-YPLuHA7cmlYjCIHQWuXyzsX1552rc4TJjsS8dF/s1600/DSCN7079.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now grate the cheese. We used a small food processor, but you can also do it by hand with a grater.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht-Q6KMOpN-9vjYBH1meLzc8reEs66Od9afFazwElyzxZRGbalzTAGvxDIioYziuvp2Boueeksnxy9O-VtTP9DzZ2OlWdJw1bd6eBt-B9GfRHiyLSLIZbOkVf5oVSC39ucMdgLQrB4zsVN/s1600/DSCN7072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht-Q6KMOpN-9vjYBH1meLzc8reEs66Od9afFazwElyzxZRGbalzTAGvxDIioYziuvp2Boueeksnxy9O-VtTP9DzZ2OlWdJw1bd6eBt-B9GfRHiyLSLIZbOkVf5oVSC39ucMdgLQrB4zsVN/s1600/DSCN7072.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Spread the Cheese over the prepared root in the casserole and bake for about 30 to 40 minutes, until the cheese has browned the the sauce is burbling.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKB1uGuQdRxbKM269VtZ1r0KQ2DB49I-ulS9yN7QI6xgC1SBsUtSpmSyFEEZqIS2skHJa4gT6A-VhpoQzw0pwCbSpsNNy5VAeIOw3EV9Xkel1HE30iIVtKB812D_WT8RBSdh6xu1Djofk/s1600/DSCN7083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKB1uGuQdRxbKM269VtZ1r0KQ2DB49I-ulS9yN7QI6xgC1SBsUtSpmSyFEEZqIS2skHJa4gT6A-VhpoQzw0pwCbSpsNNy5VAeIOw3EV9Xkel1HE30iIVtKB812D_WT8RBSdh6xu1Djofk/s1600/DSCN7083.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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What you get is a rich side dish, without the heavy starch flavor of potatoes. It was perfect with the pork chops we had for dinner that night and with the nut crusted chicken breast we had the next night. The cooking in the broth made the root soft and tasty and not tough. This is a dish you could serve at Thanksgiving without any complaints!</div>
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<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Celeriac Gratin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: baseline;">1 cup chicken broth<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: baseline;">2 cups heavy cream<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: baseline;">2 large celery roots
(celeriac bulbs)<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: baseline;">2 tablespoons
whole-grain Dijon mustard<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: baseline;">1 teaspoon sea salt<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: baseline;">Freshly ground pepper,
to taste<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: baseline;">1 teaspoon fresh thyme
leaves<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: baseline;">1 cup finely grated
Gruyere cheese<o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Directions:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;">In a large pot, bring vegetable broth and cream to a
simmer. Trim the ends of your celeriac and use a sharp knife to peel the bulb.
(Don't bother with a vegetable peeler, the tough skin needs something sharper.)
When the bulbs are peeled, quarter each bulb, lengthwise. Add celeriac to the
pot of simmering liquid. Cover and cook, turning occasionally, until the
celeriac is tender (about 30 mins).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Heat oven to 350 degrees. Remove pot from heat. Use
a slotted spoon to transfer celeriac pieces to a large cutting board. When cool
enough to handle, slice the celeriac into 1/4-inch-thick slices.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Layer the sliced celeriac in the bottom of an ungreased
baking dish. Worry some over creating a pretty design, but not too much.
Sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves. Bring the liquid remaining in the pot to a
boil (watching carefully to make sure it doesn't boil over). As the liquid
thickens, add mustard, salt, and pepper to taste. Pour the mixture over the
layered celeriac, covering completely (if it looks soupy, all the
better). Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the top, covering completely.
Garnish with a sprig or two of thyme and bake for from 35 to 40 minutes, until
the liquid is burbling and the cheese has turned richly golden-brown. Serve hot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
Notes: You can substitute a rich vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Cooking the
celeriac in the broth prior to baking gives it a rich flavor and ensures that
the root vegetable won't be tough or stringy after baking.</div>
<br /></div>
Marcy Lautanen-Raleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09057923031393045279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490364165382451118.post-14940831582636340932014-09-15T12:26:00.000-05:002014-09-15T12:26:00.296-05:00Carrot & Kohlrabi Slaw recipe<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Carrot & Kohlrabi slaw<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Chik-fil-a
used to sell (in Illinois anyway) a great carrot salad, which I have since
learned is actually of French origin. Recently
I saw a recipe for carrot and kohlrabi slaw that made me think, this is what I can
do with the plants I added late in the season to my garden. Grated kohlrabi
gives this carrot salad a peppery, crisp edge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">2
bulbs kohlrabi</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">4
carrots<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">3
Tbsp. vegetable oil<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">2
Tbsp. cider vinegar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">1
Tbsp. whole grain or Dijon-style mustard<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">1/2
tsp. sea salt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Freshly
ground black pepper to taste<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Directions:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Peel
kohlrabi and carrots. Be sure to cut off all of the tough outer peel of the
kohlrabi. Set them aside. In a salad bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar,
mustard and salt until well blended. Add pepper, if you like. Using the large
holes on a standing grater or a mandoline set up for fine julienne, grate the
kohlrabies and the carrots into the salad bowl. Toss everything together until
the kohlrabi and carrot are evenly coated with the dressing. Taste and add more
salt or pepper, if you'd like.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Marcy
notes: Since I recently obtained a mandoline I decided to use it to make julienne
slaw pieces rather than using my grater.
The texture is much firmer this way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Marcy Lautanen-Raleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09057923031393045279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490364165382451118.post-18396193885767347542014-09-04T10:29:00.000-05:002014-09-04T10:29:00.370-05:00Summer Squash Quiche recipe<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Before the squash finishes for the year, try this tasty breakfast or dinner treat. Serve it with crusty bread or a cup of soup.</b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">1
9-inch unbaked pie shell<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">1
cup Pepper Jack Cheese, shredded<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">1
cup Sharp Cheddar,shredded<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">1/2
cup Zucchini, chopped<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">1/2
cup Yellow Summer Squash, diced<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">1/2
cup onion, chopped</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZtSKBcvjKeRYvG-Nx10pkXkIl_b9MalTlFldEnURpNp4sHpiR3Dt8X7nEL9bqVqH-pHtue1JVHuVsmoQa_p7uq3ISjchwMIL4BM7kfHRjsuSsIzPVKfriK2jrJIB26mnDWeelaFm_8YA/s1600/baked+quiche.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZtSKBcvjKeRYvG-Nx10pkXkIl_b9MalTlFldEnURpNp4sHpiR3Dt8X7nEL9bqVqH-pHtue1JVHuVsmoQa_p7uq3ISjchwMIL4BM7kfHRjsuSsIzPVKfriK2jrJIB26mnDWeelaFm_8YA/s1600/baked+quiche.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">1/4
cup Green Bell Pepper, diced<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">1/4
cup Red Bell Pepper, diced<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">1/2
cup tomatoes peeled and diced<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">2
garlic cloves, minced<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">1/2
teaspoon thyme<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">1
teaspoon oregano<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">1
teaspoon basil<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">1
tablespoon parsley<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">1/4
teaspoon cayenne pepper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">1
teaspoon salt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">1 teaspoon
pepper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">8
eggs beaten <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">2
cups evaporated milk or half and half<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sliced
Tomatoes for the top<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Directions:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">To
prepare the pie shell, bake the pie shell for 5 minutes at 400 degrees then
cool. Mix all the Squash, onions, bell peppers, chopped tomatoes and garlic.
Add all the herb and spices, mixing well. Whisk the eggs and milk together in a
large bowl, pour in the squash mixture to the egg mixture. Blend the Jack
Cheese and Cheddar Cheese together. Spread the cheese into the bottom of the
cooled prepared pie shell then add the egg and squash mixture. Bake the
Quiche at 400 degrees for 10 minutes and reduce the heat to 350 degrees for 50
to 60 minutes or until the Quiche is set.
Place the sliced tomatoes on top and allow to cool or serve hot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Marcy Lautanen-Raleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09057923031393045279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490364165382451118.post-55909238575060929832014-08-30T12:27:00.000-05:002014-08-30T12:27:49.676-05:00Cutting your Zucchini<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Zucchini is prolific in a garden even if you only have three plants like I do. We grew ours from seed. Placed thee seeds in a hill and thinned them to one plant in each hill. However, they still grew large and spread into the path and are covered with blossoms and fruits. We have about 5 so far and I am looking forward to using them. I will share recipes and experiments as time goes on.<br />
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How you use your zucchini sometimes requires different treatment and I thought I would start with how to cut your zucchini first, then move into recipes later.<br />
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The first technique is to dice the zucchini<br />
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If you are going to make soups or stews this is the perfect bite size.<br />
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Shredding your zucchini with a box grater or food processor<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-byIyWsW9PGxEvbPJv1EoUsLMPiLr4MdDj9h1NBobIQdtJh7oNH8xpHSEP8J4rOdObOL2kIyLK0i4kdEHumhPa99XcCpVAm0sWF0G8CxAPuDZ_8BJt9kD9x5IQxb2JWuMrsYv6EMQdzL/s1600/shredded+zucchini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-byIyWsW9PGxEvbPJv1EoUsLMPiLr4MdDj9h1NBobIQdtJh7oNH8xpHSEP8J4rOdObOL2kIyLK0i4kdEHumhPa99XcCpVAm0sWF0G8CxAPuDZ_8BJt9kD9x5IQxb2JWuMrsYv6EMQdzL/s1600/shredded+zucchini.jpg" height="320" width="187" /></a>This technique creates threads you can use in slaws, lasagna, omelets,<br />
add to ground meat in your meatloaf, or to make breads. If you want to make sure your finished product is not water, sprinkle the zucchini with<br />
salt to draw out the excess moisture then rinse and pat dry before<br />
adding to slaws and other similar dishes.<br />
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You can slice your zucchini crosswize to create disks. <br />
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These shapes are great in stir fry, casseroles, any scalloped dish, or a meat and veggie saute. You can also slice on the diagonal to get a more oval shape.This is the shape I use for my Zucchini sweet pickles, but I cut them rather thin.<br />
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If you want to grill, cut 1/2 inch thick planks.<br />
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<br />
This is a great way to use the really large zucchini you get later in the season.<br />
<br />
Sticks of zucchini<br />
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These 1/2 inch by 3/4 inch sticks or spears are great if you are making pickles, or veggie fries. This is also a sturdy shape for deep frying.<br />
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If you have a mandoline you can cut your zucchini in Julienne strips.<br />
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This is great in salads raw or steamed and used in or as a side dish. This is also a great way to reduce the tough tooth feel of an older more mature zucchini so you can use it in a stir fry or saute.<br />
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A potato peeler can let you shave off ribbons of zucchini.<br />
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This will help avoid the seedy center in larger fruits. You can then take these thin pieces and marinade them in lemon juice and olive oil to make a vegetarian carpaccio or steam them to craft a zucchini fettuccine.<br />
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Carpaccio is a rare beef dish that uses thin slices of meat served over arugula and spinach with shaved parmesean cheese. You can simply substitute the the zucchini for the beef and drizzle lemon juice and olive oil over it all and sprinkle with fresh pepper and serve. Or you can use your favorite vinaigrette.<br />
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Marcy Lautanen-Raleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09057923031393045279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490364165382451118.post-78705662047976659902014-08-25T17:59:00.000-05:002014-09-24T18:01:37.868-05:00Weekly update -- August 24<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
On August 21 we had two days (24 to 48 hours) of rain. Here is a map of the rainfall totals as of 7 Am on the 22nd. <span style="text-align: center;">We are in the purple area near the top of the map with 2.51 inches of rain average, but in Elmhurst it was amazing the amount of rain that came from several different storms.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpy5HHu8oQfpjP-1rPVpKxTcNnjGPbBv5fZliTeW1OwfifIruOCQv_8liUUHHrwBaeJ8bjh4ha6hj6FY1av2wcF5Q4rO_q56O8yI9gEfxKthS8MXJ6wrgHkxDI36hO1TENBgW7zLCNPyff/s1600/rainfall+8-22.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpy5HHu8oQfpjP-1rPVpKxTcNnjGPbBv5fZliTeW1OwfifIruOCQv_8liUUHHrwBaeJ8bjh4ha6hj6FY1av2wcF5Q4rO_q56O8yI9gEfxKthS8MXJ6wrgHkxDI36hO1TENBgW7zLCNPyff/s1600/rainfall+8-22.png" height="400" width="230" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of NOAA.gov</td></tr>
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A press release from the City of Elmhurst stated this:<br />
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The City of Elmhurst experienced a significant rain event beginning Thursday, Aug. 21, and<br />
continuing through the overnight hours into Friday, Aug. 22. Real-time data from the United States Geological Survey reveals several heavy bursts; 0.31 inches in 10 minutes just before midnight; 1.19 inches in approximately 30 minutes just after midnight; 0.26 inches in 10 minutes at 1:15 a.m.; and .42 inches in 20 minutes at approximately 2 a.m.<br />
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A total of 4 inches of rain fell in northern Elmhrust, where the garden is (only 2 inches down were I live.)<br />
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The roads to the garden were flooded and I expect that the garden itself was under water. I could not go see for myself as the roads to it were shut down. The railroad tracks however, would act as a barrier keeping the rain in the lower area to the north of the tracks which is where the garden is located.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5T4tHd87c2VNaR9UUBhGT1mmV1NupRfePQOg2bkS6e6cPtyLyD1xD6eok4mgZfQ5nXD1H9vXGelYRYVHii2woPDTxNTbLm4ee2wR6Lx0iLE00nQX5ddqa2UR_9zUoYGIYjIysz2hzzowp/s1600/patch+8-23-14+(9).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5T4tHd87c2VNaR9UUBhGT1mmV1NupRfePQOg2bkS6e6cPtyLyD1xD6eok4mgZfQ5nXD1H9vXGelYRYVHii2woPDTxNTbLm4ee2wR6Lx0iLE00nQX5ddqa2UR_9zUoYGIYjIysz2hzzowp/s1600/patch+8-23-14+(9).jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">taken with my cell phone so not as clear but you can see the darkened earth from the rain</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of tomatoes, but nothing ripe because it is not that warm. The rain is not making the tomatoes happy. They may die from too much moisture.</td></tr>
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When I was finally able to visit on August 23rd you could see the mud and dirt in the garden paths showed that a river must have run through the garden area. It was too wet to walk even on the paths and I became a muddy mess just trying to harvest a few zinnias for the garden club competition.<br />
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Because of the rain, the weed population, especially in the back garden area around the squash and beans, has more than doubled. Some of the weeds are taller than the squash and melons. You can see the yellowish fruit about int he middle of the last photo. That is the only melon so far on the musk melon plant, but with all this rain I am not sure the powdery mildew problem will be going away at all.<br />
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The peas were about to give us a second crop, but I think they are going to die back instead because of the wet ground. The beans both bush and heirloom climbing beans seem to be faring well, but I could not harvest them for fear of ruining the soil around them.<br />
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All I did was cut my zinnias.<br />
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You can see the remnants of the river in the path to the right but the broccoli rabe and hot peppers seem to be doing well despite the soaking.<br />
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I did not stay very long, as I was sinking into the ground everywhere I stepped both in the grass around the patch and on the garden paths too.</div>
Marcy Lautanen-Raleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09057923031393045279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490364165382451118.post-34139633604306933732014-08-18T17:24:00.000-05:002014-09-24T17:25:35.267-05:00Weekly update - August 17<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This week we continued to weed and harvest and water a bit, but there has been plenty of rain here recently, almost too much. Everything is still looking very green and the tomatoes are ripening as we have had some warmer nights.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking to the east</td></tr>
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Things are still very contained, even the herbs are staying somewhat separated from each other.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking to the west</td></tr>
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The Kohlrabi I used to replace the lettuce is growing well. If the small bugs that are eating the leaves on everything don't get tot them they should do rather well and give me a late September root crop. Since we never planted carrots because we ran out of room this will be a nice item to go with the Celery root (Celeriac) that will mature around the same time.<br />
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The Zinnias were the happiest of plants int he garden this week. As you can see they are covered with blooms.<br />
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The Calendula that I planted from seed along the front edge of the garden late in the season has come up well and is going into continuous bloom mode. As soon as I clip off a flower others come to take there place. This mix has two shades of lowers An orange that is like a pumpkin color and a red and yellow that looks almost like a straw flower. So far not a single yellow bloom in the bunch.<br />
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I have so many calendula about to pop that I think I will need to plan to use them this fall in something special at the <a href="http://www.backyardpatch.blotspot.com/">Backyard Patch</a>.<br />
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The dwarf sunflowers are flowering and the heads are getting heavy and turning toward the ground.<br />
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My sunflowers are only about 2 feet tall. But a few of the other gardeners in the community patch has full-sized sunflowers like these beauties.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGfK4gc9wuHy4to7wghCzpdyyS2o2fWcVwjmAJqSwYBbVJ4ng-kO2Z3ejcMwH_6MeaUuK4aYHAcyf5cKBK3v3ij2_RHMgDPySayzwEXvsoDxObALCn3yzPWGHenesVGKjjUrRYC5rR98S/s1600/Patch+8-14-14+(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGfK4gc9wuHy4to7wghCzpdyyS2o2fWcVwjmAJqSwYBbVJ4ng-kO2Z3ejcMwH_6MeaUuK4aYHAcyf5cKBK3v3ij2_RHMgDPySayzwEXvsoDxObALCn3yzPWGHenesVGKjjUrRYC5rR98S/s1600/Patch+8-14-14+(5).JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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There are signs of trouble in the garden however. Here is the climbing burpless cucumber vine and you can see the bug holes in the leaves and the dried and discolored leaves on the plant. I am not sure if it is vertasiliam wilt, which I know is in the soil or the fungus from the potato bugs that I know have been plaguing these plants since they got about 2 inches tall. Either way the bugs and diseases are winning.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0J-i2FPRTEmohYApwKuEPuXDsIKjHnWnIPMIapamHVgSrsuhJzqbbs7jsL7ALZfqrrDFDE0sbTmkwO72Cnyd6N-5YPr3vusbFqM2Riir5On_iuZhrCo4ko4UdloR8b4aaVDAUlR5C6ZYr/s1600/Patch+8-14-14+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0J-i2FPRTEmohYApwKuEPuXDsIKjHnWnIPMIapamHVgSrsuhJzqbbs7jsL7ALZfqrrDFDE0sbTmkwO72Cnyd6N-5YPr3vusbFqM2Riir5On_iuZhrCo4ko4UdloR8b4aaVDAUlR5C6ZYr/s1600/Patch+8-14-14+(6).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Musk Melon</td></tr>
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A mold called powdery mildew, has also formed on all the squash plants including the acorn squash and the zucchini.<br />
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After the great harvest we had previously the plant now struggles to produce one zucchini at a time.<br />
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My melon which was slow to germinate and slow to prosper is covered with this same powdery mildew.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJ6Ll58PdgpSlU1STAl_OK5oKSQzBCOYuybqIhlG2QhKmp_gdCdylHlNJ4Jtb1Tvg3lWgrkeOswIPCij_-61WtxEX8qtRBq33VBC4JhsWU7WVghqf-A7wPSNWoQaZvrDJro_P5ZZOycaQ/s1600/Patch+8-14-14+(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJ6Ll58PdgpSlU1STAl_OK5oKSQzBCOYuybqIhlG2QhKmp_gdCdylHlNJ4Jtb1Tvg3lWgrkeOswIPCij_-61WtxEX8qtRBq33VBC4JhsWU7WVghqf-A7wPSNWoQaZvrDJro_P5ZZOycaQ/s1600/Patch+8-14-14+(7).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Acorn Squash also has yellowing and drying leaves</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwx1d5ywaK5r4LKGlVd_OmuZURED6Bg4MJ4J6VyeR0yYs0zdLiXdTo3RYjG-AnNMnSd1ZGx3PhNVKzOSQdplTuEkzIO5r8YzocmtXxCCLvu3rKOJXDaNdkzhbdjSL5IRCkNjxe3lnK6tg/s1600/Patch+8-14-14+(8).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwx1d5ywaK5r4LKGlVd_OmuZURED6Bg4MJ4J6VyeR0yYs0zdLiXdTo3RYjG-AnNMnSd1ZGx3PhNVKzOSQdplTuEkzIO5r8YzocmtXxCCLvu3rKOJXDaNdkzhbdjSL5IRCkNjxe3lnK6tg/s1600/Patch+8-14-14+(8).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zucchini</td></tr>
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The herbs, however, are doing very well. The thyme is in need of harvesting, but I forgot the paper bags, so I will do it next time I visit. The Dill and fennel have already started to produce seed. I have decided to let them go to seed as I have other plants so I can save the seed for next year as I will lose all these plants at the end of the season when the community garden shuts down. Even after harvesting them last week they have grown and filled back in like they were hardly cut.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7-zQlApiY9Wz8S00Jca1dA6q1Q-f5WLGPewZ5m0pIdtXEpHoZ5LSyEU6zwXsmR2kb8T1clu_hKGEpx6dAf1bm53ZPELpf2z-tI6Dg0-p5-0xs5PHFVUcoCJ5wdLp2gbBzO67wD5A5N6Q/s1600/Patch+8-14-14+(16).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7-zQlApiY9Wz8S00Jca1dA6q1Q-f5WLGPewZ5m0pIdtXEpHoZ5LSyEU6zwXsmR2kb8T1clu_hKGEpx6dAf1bm53ZPELpf2z-tI6Dg0-p5-0xs5PHFVUcoCJ5wdLp2gbBzO67wD5A5N6Q/s1600/Patch+8-14-14+(16).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver thyme</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDEcHSTzZImlyaxEeh_VPxldKDCZGhZDOzpb9VOJwdgjEqN3MZJYf8gasQx_pMwVjzyl9gsudbt5kl4CT4JgRNoghJfl1top3Asxdg0njz7L5qUW3Yex6uw0un8frXCe_WIU9p9xtnq6n/s1600/Patch+8-14-14+herbs+to+east.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDEcHSTzZImlyaxEeh_VPxldKDCZGhZDOzpb9VOJwdgjEqN3MZJYf8gasQx_pMwVjzyl9gsudbt5kl4CT4JgRNoghJfl1top3Asxdg0njz7L5qUW3Yex6uw0un8frXCe_WIU9p9xtnq6n/s1600/Patch+8-14-14+herbs+to+east.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking to the east (rather bright because of sun angle at 8 PM)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gb_kzi8Fkoy763ZCChXaZdxF-Qdbl-6hvzrkS9xtLqREDwVD1B6u6zuWjSz4k6-meO-GinQczs8ecLhLwaZyTPgbp9J2wYfrNgJ4m5KvdSWnZ2J-hGtdQ1M1VFh_GzjWD9eWPcFJRaZE/s1600/Patch+8-14-14+herbs+to+west.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gb_kzi8Fkoy763ZCChXaZdxF-Qdbl-6hvzrkS9xtLqREDwVD1B6u6zuWjSz4k6-meO-GinQczs8ecLhLwaZyTPgbp9J2wYfrNgJ4m5KvdSWnZ2J-hGtdQ1M1VFh_GzjWD9eWPcFJRaZE/s1600/Patch+8-14-14+herbs+to+west.jpg" height="400" width="392" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking to the west Mint int he foreground trimmed back so you can see the tri color sage.</td></tr>
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In the next few weeks I will harvest these again, allowing some of the calendula as well as the bronze fennel go to seed and perhaps the oregano and savory as well so I can save the seed from those plants which did very well this season.</div>
Marcy Lautanen-Raleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09057923031393045279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490364165382451118.post-64538755363451186392014-08-14T17:46:00.002-05:002014-08-14T17:46:29.299-05:00Weekly update - August 11 Preserving Herbs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This week in the garden we were weeding and harvesting herbs. There were some other vegetables, but with cooler nights they are growing more slowly, while the herbs were enjoying the extra rain and some previous trimming to sprout out with lots of new growth.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesJ7OCjNHdukflb-RlrZEv6xnCOk6NwSHv-6BpdkTkRanxqwyZ688VP9SivmXmWLXluYXaictxUNbW1Ml3QAwbY-xPoVACxrZakqD6jV6yWLUwXziG5n-7WG5lO7AZ_lEoQzkZ45xlscI/s1600/Patch+8-9-14+(76)%2Btomatoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesJ7OCjNHdukflb-RlrZEv6xnCOk6NwSHv-6BpdkTkRanxqwyZ688VP9SivmXmWLXluYXaictxUNbW1Ml3QAwbY-xPoVACxrZakqD6jV6yWLUwXziG5n-7WG5lO7AZ_lEoQzkZ45xlscI/s1600/Patch+8-9-14+(76)%2Btomatoes.jpg" height="320" width="228" /></a><br />
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You can see how the herbs have spread and grown together. In a couple of cases you have to move one plant aside to see another.<br />
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The tomatoes are still producing, but not has fast or as much as we would like. <br />
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The sunflower blooms have finally begun to open. and the Zinnias are blooming in a riot.<br />
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These are a dwarf variety that stands no more than 3 feet tall, so you look down at, rather than up at the blooms.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQ14DRYRd144xPg8gT8v7ipy_opPgcMNM-_bzmyUv4xrZiw8uIp2UJ7XTQ9Czqluj8tCgnC3C9OGN_RAh_e2VjrQwBMnWntVQjFWetiCBrzbUqAgMMMblMs1iotClH5pPGhBiV1Xxkjip/s1600/Patch+8-9-14+(76)%2Bsunflowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQ14DRYRd144xPg8gT8v7ipy_opPgcMNM-_bzmyUv4xrZiw8uIp2UJ7XTQ9Czqluj8tCgnC3C9OGN_RAh_e2VjrQwBMnWntVQjFWetiCBrzbUqAgMMMblMs1iotClH5pPGhBiV1Xxkjip/s1600/Patch+8-9-14+(76)%2Bsunflowers.jpg" height="270" width="320" /></a><br />
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The calendula I planted from seed late in the spring is reaching blooming stage. The first flower appeared this week. Considering I kneeled on them and raked them when they were seedlings, forgetting I planted them along the front edge of the garden, they are doing rather well.<br />
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We needed to tie up the grape and cherry tomatoes as the branches have outgrown the first two sets of ties.<br />
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The<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> <span style="color: #222222; line-height: 115%;">Kohlrabi i</span>s m</span>oving beyond leafy branches to producing a bulb at the base. They should be ready to harvest in late September. They generally only need 8 weeks of growth to be able to harvest so we might actually be able to dig them sooner.<br />
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The broccoli rabe is still producing. And we got one large zucchini this week to add the mountain of them from last week.<br />
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After surveying the garden I decided that while hubby watered I could get most of the herbs harvested which would set the plants up for even better harvest in the next few weeks.<br />
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Once I cut herbs and brought them home I found that there were stowaways on the fennel. This Swallowtail butterfly caterpillar came home with me. I gave him the fennel and we will see if he becomes a butterfly!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Harvesting / Preserving Herbs</span><br />
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Here is the harvesting basket this week. The tomatoes and zucchini are on the bottom and then I filled in over them with herbs. Since next week I will cut a few sunflowers, I thought this week I would cutthe zinnias for the vase int eh kitchen.<br />
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The dill went to seed weeks ago, due to the heat spell we had. I did not do what I normally do with dill which is seed a row every two weeks to give me a continuous crop of dill weed. I have that in the regualr herb garden so i just planted one plant here and decided I would harvest the seeds for pickling as they ripened.<br />
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Here is a photo identifying most of the herbs in the basket.<br />
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I took the savory, mints and lemon balm and bundled them and hung them to dry. You just pull of the leaves off the bottom of the stems, then bind the stems with a rubberband. Then I loop the band over the arms or base of a hanger and hang them out of the sun in a place with good air circulation.<br />
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Always remember to label your herbs, because one plants looks the same as another once they are dry. (The herbs in front are lemon balm)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4pgJ8nzDU36q7Fwk-xMex7NpuJOIIoa-q-ek_U1sLwcGQerczQEJ5dMKn2L_hvIo87URGK1jZQN9EGrMmrMevITdixchgrNmUeaXfjDX00aCZgB6MotVcwtXgxvla2HhUh_9oZLF1J7l/s1600/Patch+8-9-14+(76)%2Bdried%2Bmint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4pgJ8nzDU36q7Fwk-xMex7NpuJOIIoa-q-ek_U1sLwcGQerczQEJ5dMKn2L_hvIo87URGK1jZQN9EGrMmrMevITdixchgrNmUeaXfjDX00aCZgB6MotVcwtXgxvla2HhUh_9oZLF1J7l/s1600/Patch+8-9-14+(76)%2Bdried%2Bmint.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Here are the herbs after a week of drying (this is spearmint.)<br />
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I also dry herbs on trays of plates. I have a plate stand (the kind you use for confections and tea service. I place old plates on it and line them with paper towel. I spread out the smaller herbs or loose leaves on those to dry.<br />
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Thyme with its tiny, thin stems cannot be bundled. But it drys very easily, so I toss the thyme into a brown paper lunch bag with the variety of thyme written on the outside and stack them, open ends out to the room, on a shelf. In a week the thyme is dry and I can transfer it to a jar and refill the paper bags.<br />
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Once you have dried the herbs until they crumble in your hand, can take two weeks or more if it is humid, less if it is not. The you are ready to strip them from the stems and place them in storage jars.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-kb2YRpn_ItZfNlTJva0vYYyuNMZd_4B7WPtZ2XNIk2BnES1m0v8j2Wei9pPFMHkTk9ptXDlpIpGNealL2F1o6koFTdmLzO6b6ubmLsAs8EiK-m3AIqE6Cr7fY-hAa8k_I3TqfCxcYau/s1600/Patch+8-9-14+(68)%2Bsavory.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-kb2YRpn_ItZfNlTJva0vYYyuNMZd_4B7WPtZ2XNIk2BnES1m0v8j2Wei9pPFMHkTk9ptXDlpIpGNealL2F1o6koFTdmLzO6b6ubmLsAs8EiK-m3AIqE6Cr7fY-hAa8k_I3TqfCxcYau/s1600/Patch+8-9-14+(68)%2Bsavory.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fresh cut savory spread on towels on a plate</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlzNjwbRAHh0DRp6XWiB372TSvANjK9xZmOtsM8ojUwLqajDjoQU1qExpoBUQ1GPRme9yey8Vrmjdcul-E65alhT4lEWPEWeTGio5h_z48TB6yoXY_gbyemiUG6T2uCZGp5-m5zh5j9aHn/s1600/Patch+8-9-14+(68)%2Bdried%2Bsavory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlzNjwbRAHh0DRp6XWiB372TSvANjK9xZmOtsM8ojUwLqajDjoQU1qExpoBUQ1GPRme9yey8Vrmjdcul-E65alhT4lEWPEWeTGio5h_z48TB6yoXY_gbyemiUG6T2uCZGp5-m5zh5j9aHn/s1600/Patch+8-9-14+(68)%2Bdried%2Bsavory.jpg" height="336" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dried savory ready to be stripped</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEFM7j-5TBOoiNvRYV7gqAlq5lbhQ8b-DcCRqrW1DCsyr2ayA1bSUdZ_Jzk_LkfinLXlZsxI95riakbMuu9hFQ79JwnaQfLhg_u9Fz82APhnZy5q71fSjpb0ecwZZYa_caigckpiaj7ft/s1600/Patch+8-9-14+(68)%2Bcrumbled%2Bsavory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEFM7j-5TBOoiNvRYV7gqAlq5lbhQ8b-DcCRqrW1DCsyr2ayA1bSUdZ_Jzk_LkfinLXlZsxI95riakbMuu9hFQ79JwnaQfLhg_u9Fz82APhnZy5q71fSjpb0ecwZZYa_caigckpiaj7ft/s1600/Patch+8-9-14+(68)%2Bcrumbled%2Bsavory.jpg" height="336" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stripped and ready for storage</td></tr>
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In addition to drying the herbs for later use. I also made some herbal vinegar. This is one of the simplest and best ways to preserve the fresh herb flavors. There was not much tarragon, so I decided the best way to capture it was to craft a vinegar. Tarragon is a great complement to wine vinegar. With other herbs I use a plain distilled white vinegar.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRkAQ-SJYghgeC3dm-FFcGqoBlZRaenV8r6IxfQgwB1aOEvDPYIfuhhfdd7nXRgHW-mvVmogvEWTMk0oIg6ug8xOGA34yTg_qviLxDzICj7gkPnXSADQ4mF3hiHdmbZGHjxzKnDemr8hE/s1600/Patch+8-9-14+(57).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRkAQ-SJYghgeC3dm-FFcGqoBlZRaenV8r6IxfQgwB1aOEvDPYIfuhhfdd7nXRgHW-mvVmogvEWTMk0oIg6ug8xOGA34yTg_qviLxDzICj7gkPnXSADQ4mF3hiHdmbZGHjxzKnDemr8hE/s1600/Patch+8-9-14+(57).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tarragon in white wine vinegar</td></tr>
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For details on <a href="http://backyardpatch.blogspot.com/2011/09/how-tues-day-making-herbal-vinegar.html">how to make herbal vinegar</a>, check out this how to post.<br />
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We also used some of the herbs fresh. Here is a fruit salad with mojito mint ribbons.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0H99RbcwlwVLlhm6gBT9RuRNLAxrnn-457QPpUE4GnH4B1X_4MncuiyOchBuQB81qpxJA3PqAvBbTyFK8LS9pz69RHkHAQK3Oj1Pe9WRpNMY0TUQGVeja38ujFeUzwTvc2QvOekSDTSIk/s1600/DSCN5220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0H99RbcwlwVLlhm6gBT9RuRNLAxrnn-457QPpUE4GnH4B1X_4MncuiyOchBuQB81qpxJA3PqAvBbTyFK8LS9pz69RHkHAQK3Oj1Pe9WRpNMY0TUQGVeja38ujFeUzwTvc2QvOekSDTSIk/s1600/DSCN5220.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is the herb garden and some of the other garden after we finished harvesting and weeding. You can see how much more tame the herbs are now.<br />
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Marcy Lautanen-Raleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09057923031393045279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490364165382451118.post-17665893801777430912014-08-09T12:55:00.000-05:002014-08-09T13:37:07.719-05:00Tomato Disease Issues in the Garden<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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As I have posted in the weekly updates we have several tomato issues in the garden. I have been researching these issues and have come up with the following information.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">GROWTH CRACKS</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Growth cracks result from extremely rapid fruit growth. This may be brought on by periods of abundant rain and high temperatures, or can occur when water is suddenly available to the plant through rain or irrigation after a period of drought. Cracks may radiate from the stem end of the fruit or may encircle the fruit. Cracks are often invaded by secondary fungi and bacteria that further rot the fruit.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirX83r6ylvlILmy-v9js48HOCr1y9btozJ2V4-o2R-o8s7r_3SWkHRJ27omMMBUpnsIT6GWgS2C88g2X8qeQjQ21J5wZF9BN_No3g2kU5EBB-vpmOvTbtG-Wnd9qyBRysAkcGEPxDzYb1O/s1600/patch+7-26-14+growth+cracks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirX83r6ylvlILmy-v9js48HOCr1y9btozJ2V4-o2R-o8s7r_3SWkHRJ27omMMBUpnsIT6GWgS2C88g2X8qeQjQ21J5wZF9BN_No3g2kU5EBB-vpmOvTbtG-Wnd9qyBRysAkcGEPxDzYb1O/s1600/patch+7-26-14+growth+cracks.JPG" height="133" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #191919;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Maintaining even moisture by watering regularly and mulching the soil around the tomato plant can help reduce growth cracks. Varieties differ in susceptibility to cracking, and variety descriptions may be helpful in choosing a plant less likely to crack. Heirloom tomatoes are most susceptible to growth cracks. I still like them even though,due to our heavy rains, we have many growth cracks this year.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">BLOSSOM END ROT</span><br />
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Among the problems we have seen with our tomatoes is blossom end rot. This is very common among Roma tomatoes. <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #191919;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Affected fruit have a tan to black flattened spot at the blossom end of the fruit. Secondary fungi and bacteria can enter the blossom end rot area, resulting in further decay of the fruit. Blossom end rot can appear on fruit in any stage of development, but it is most common when fruit are one-third to one-half grown. The first fruit produced by the plant are often most severely affected. Fruit that develop later in the season on the same plant can be unaffected. I generally, in the past, ignored this problem unless it became so rampant that I did not get enough fruit. I was warned that some people believed there were calcium problems in the soil of the Community Garden and the cause of blossom end rot is </span></span></span><span style="color: #191919; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">calcium deficiency in the tomato plant. Although blossom end rot means that the plant does not have enough calcium within the developing fruit, it does not mean that there is a lack of calcium in the soil. Often blossom end rot occurs as a result of several cultural or environmental factors that affect the plants ability to take up calcium. Fluctuations in soil moisture, heavy applications of nitrogen fertilizer, and injured roots can all predispose tomato plants to blossom end rot.</span></span><br />
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<img alt="blossom-end-rot" src="http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/vegetables/disorders-of-tomato/img/blossom-end-rot-2.jpg" height="150" style="border: 0px; max-width: 100%;" width="200" /><br />
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Blossom end rot, M. Grabowski</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The amount of calcium salt available to the plant decreases rapidly in the presence of excessive salts such as potassium, magnesium, ammonium, and sodium. Extreme fluctuation in moisture can also reduce the availability of calcium salts needed by the plant. Heavy applications of nitrogen fertilizers and abundant rain cause rapid and luxuriant plant growth and predispose the fruit to blossom-end rot, especially during periods of dry, hot weather.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Blossom-end rot can be minimized by maintaining a uniform supply of moisture through regular watering and soil mulches, applying fertilizer according to the results of a soil test, and avoiding root injury by not cultivating within 1 foot of the base of the plant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Although we have blossom end rot on a few plants it is not wide spread and can be linked to the heavy rains we had so is not unexpected. I just pick the damaged fruit and dispose of it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">VERTICILLIUM WILT</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwTCgxG8JG0sggxTyHFKSHUnDhnFmZUgwliR6kPXgZWETzisDiyoBUdUHyAC8mC4aJ3p6SwMMALWAjURWEUygU3xicAHxnrbIqK64Uo8TPpR9W3RRraT9lhkhzAvjNR21kz36bkNpkXxs/s1600/patch+7-31-14+(7)+verticillium+wilt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwTCgxG8JG0sggxTyHFKSHUnDhnFmZUgwliR6kPXgZWETzisDiyoBUdUHyAC8mC4aJ3p6SwMMALWAjURWEUygU3xicAHxnrbIqK64Uo8TPpR9W3RRraT9lhkhzAvjNR21kz36bkNpkXxs/s1600/patch+7-31-14+(7)+verticillium+wilt.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Probably verticillium wilt</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">However
among the plants we have other symptoms such as spotted and dying leaves.
So my first thought was we might have </span><span style="color: #191919; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Verticillium<i> </i></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">wilt.
This is a common fungus and I have seen it before in my herbs and my
maple trees.</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #191919; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The fungi causing this disease
overwinter in the soil as mycelium or on plant debris as microsclerotia. The
fungi infect a susceptible host through wounds in the roots caused by
cultivation, nematodes (microscopic worms), or the formation of secondary roots.
This disease is considered a cool-weather disease, developing between 65° and
83°F. Since we had a very cool start to the season I thought this was a
great disease to start with in my research.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2HL-esiU1HRBgdlsBeFeeJJgX5z-oC1OQYtzaxzWL9GIB0ZiFCC_2wjnLmh0LX9z3j0s_aFEmo5oVQWszNsVf941ZVLg7i4rlSf9hA9HWH0dye-jusGYXX03FUiY7kCzyKo2P2FWhOWd/s1600/vertacillium+wilt+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2HL-esiU1HRBgdlsBeFeeJJgX5z-oC1OQYtzaxzWL9GIB0ZiFCC_2wjnLmh0LX9z3j0s_aFEmo5oVQWszNsVf941ZVLg7i4rlSf9hA9HWH0dye-jusGYXX03FUiY7kCzyKo2P2FWhOWd/s1600/vertacillium+wilt+1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">verticillium wilt<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6r91t0ujwe_XIiVmTjPslvO-xT_tfwM2j2dP4iTXaxygFgVxNNyPxpX7kbGPVmQBtwXOCQtACnop2U994PqErrdHx6L5nGPUseWLSTPl3mmkcvZJm-p0QCzNbieJZ1M_rFnEZhZKZZ3Nn/s1600/Verticillium_wilt_dahliae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6r91t0ujwe_XIiVmTjPslvO-xT_tfwM2j2dP4iTXaxygFgVxNNyPxpX7kbGPVmQBtwXOCQtACnop2U994PqErrdHx6L5nGPUseWLSTPl3mmkcvZJm-p0QCzNbieJZ1M_rFnEZhZKZZ3Nn/s1600/Verticillium_wilt_dahliae.jpg" height="209" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Diseased
plants often have only a portion of the plant wilting, such as one or two stems
rather than the whole plant, but it will be a whole section of a
plant, not a few leaves or branches. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The look of my
tomato plants is a bit different than what is expected in </span><span style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Verticillium </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">wilt. </span><span style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">However, my search here took we to other fungal diseases that lay dormant in the soil
and that was when I discovered early blight.</span><b><span style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">EARLY BLIGHT</span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TUnFpV-6AtHhfX1nIN9VRwx460RcEjqKAjM2bSWDIBV7VSwFPmYNjtvmbVEsoNUbJfv0EoEx3Rdm81sTrKe0S4VsyyJDKHffQG9LkfjFGsFM7nET4YKyDe0d2QRyRdS37J4zF0PYgsJT/s1600/early+blight+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TUnFpV-6AtHhfX1nIN9VRwx460RcEjqKAjM2bSWDIBV7VSwFPmYNjtvmbVEsoNUbJfv0EoEx3Rdm81sTrKe0S4VsyyJDKHffQG9LkfjFGsFM7nET4YKyDe0d2QRyRdS37J4zF0PYgsJT/s1600/early+blight+(2).jpg" height="288" width="640" />
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<span style="color: #191919;">Early blight is a common tomato disease caused by the
fungus Alternaria solani. It can affect almost all parts of the tomato plants,
including the leaves, stems and fruits. The plants may not die, but they will
be weakened and will set fewer tomatoes than normal. Early blight generally
attacks older plants, but it can also occur on seedlings. Stressed plants or
plants in poor health are especially susceptible. Early blight is also a
problem with potatoes.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #191919;">Symptoms: Dark spots with concentric rings develop on
older leaves first. The surrounding leaf area may turn yellow. Affected leaves
may die prematurely, exposing the fruits to sun scald.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #191919;">Early Blight fungus
overwinters in plant residue and is soil-borne. It can also come in on
transplants. Remove affected plants and thoroughly clean fall garden debris.
Wet weather and stressed plants increase likelihood of attack. Copper and/or
sulfur sprays can prevent further development of the fungus. </span><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #191919;">The best treatment for this
is to rotate crops. It can take 4 to 6 years to work out of the soil.
And it comes from infected plant material not being removed as well as
coming in on seedlings and compost materials imported from other locations.
In other words all the ways people grow plants in a community garden
increases the potential for this disease to be present. There are no good
ways to treat for this fungus in a home garden so the best treatment is disease
resistant plants. </span><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TUnFpV-6AtHhfX1nIN9VRwx460RcEjqKAjM2bSWDIBV7VSwFPmYNjtvmbVEsoNUbJfv0EoEx3Rdm81sTrKe0S4VsyyJDKHffQG9LkfjFGsFM7nET4YKyDe0d2QRyRdS37J4zF0PYgsJT/s1600/early+blight+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<u1:p></u1:p>
</a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #191919;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #191919;">Here is a list of some resistant plants: </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #191919;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #191919; padding: 0in;">Aunt Ginny's Purple</span></b><b><span style="color: #191919;"> </span></b><span style="background: white; color: #191919;">- Heirloom, indeterminate, beefsteak (16 oz.)</span><span style="color: #191919;"> </span><span style="color: #191919;"><br />
<b><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Big Rainbow</span></b></span><b><span style="color: #191919;"> </span></b><span style="background: white; color: #191919;">- Heirloom, indeterminate, bi-color beefsteak
(16 oz.)</span><span style="color: #191919;"> </span><span style="color: #191919;"><br />
<b><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Black Plum</span></b></span><b><span style="color: #191919;"> </span></b><span style="background: white; color: #191919;">- Heirloom, indeterminate, plum (2 in.)</span><span style="color: #191919;"> </span><span style="color: #191919;"><br />
<b><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Juliet</span></b></span><b><span style="color: #191919;"> </span></b><span style="background: white; color: #191919;">- Hybrid, indeterminate, cherry (1 ounce)</span><span style="color: #191919;"> </span><span style="color: #191919;"><br />
<b><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Legend</span></b></span><b><span style="color: #191919;"> </span></b><span style="background: white; color: #191919;">- Open-pollinated, determinate, beefsteak
(14-16 ounces)</span><span style="color: #191919;"> </span><span style="color: #191919;"><br />
<b><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Manyel</span></b></span><b><span style="color: #191919;"> </span></b><span style="background: white; color: #191919;">- Heirloom, indeterminate, yellow globe (8-10
ounces)</span><span style="color: #191919;"> </span><span style="color: #191919;"><br />
<b><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Matt’s Wild Cherry</span></b></span><b><span style="color: #191919;"> </span></b><span style="background: white; color: #191919;">- Heirloom, indeterminate, cherry (1/2 inch)</span><span style="color: #191919;"> </span><span style="color: #191919;"><br />
<b><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Mountain Supreme</span></b></span><b><span style="color: #191919;"> </span></b><span style="background: white; color: #191919;">- Hybrid, determinate, globe (6-8 oz.)</span><span style="color: #191919;"> </span><span style="color: #191919;"><br />
<b><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Mountain Fresh Plus</span></b></span><b><span style="color: #191919;"> </span></b><span style="background: white; color: #191919;">- Hybrid, determinate, globe (12 ounces)</span><span style="color: #191919;"> </span><span style="color: #191919;"><br />
<b><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Old Brooks</span></b></span><b><span style="color: #191919;"> </span></b><span style="background: white; color: #191919;">- Heirloom, indeterminate, globe (6-8 ounces)</span><span style="color: #191919;"> </span><span style="color: #191919;"><br />
<b><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Tigerella</span></b></span><b><span style="color: #191919;"> </span></b><span style="background: white; color: #191919;">(aka Mr. Stripey) - Heirloom, indeterminate,
globe (4-6 oz.)</span><span style="color: #191919;"> </span><span style="color: #191919;"><br />
<b><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Tommy Toe</span></b></span><b><span style="color: #191919;"> </span></b><span style="background: white; color: #191919;">- Heirloom, indeterminate, cherry (1 inch)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #191919; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #191919; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 25px;">Resources</span></span><span style="color: #191919; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 25px;">:</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 12.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #191919; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #191919; padding: 0in;">Identifying Diseases of Vegetables</span></b><span style="color: #191919;">, by
MacNab, Sherf and Springer, Penn State, 1983</span><span style="color: #191919;"> </span><span style="color: #191919;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 12.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #191919;"><span style="line-height: normal;"> </span></span><b><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #191919; padding: 0in;">University of Minnesota Extension service
website </span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 12.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #191919; padding: 0in;"><b> </b>http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/vegetables/#tomatoes</span><span style="color: #191919;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #191919; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 25px;"><b>Texas A&M Agrilife Extension website</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #191919; line-height: 25px;"> </span><span style="color: #191919;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/vegetable/problem-solvers/tomato-problem-solver/</span></span></span></div>
Marcy Lautanen-Raleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09057923031393045279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490364165382451118.post-54120964549875769452014-08-05T18:12:00.000-05:002014-08-14T18:12:58.938-05:00weekly update - August 4 Art in the garden<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrept-XQ5iAM1ONuXLPjfx2aDr_GRj69QEhEv5Q7Z614ECS5O4JvyPbxLxLQ3dsom9sjk1J8mgVmUW64GiDwyPnrnLAb4cLop2XDojyX-v39kwabqFwPpMWM3oh_SiveGBG0JOPVFEPoT/s1600/Patch+8-4-14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrept-XQ5iAM1ONuXLPjfx2aDr_GRj69QEhEv5Q7Z614ECS5O4JvyPbxLxLQ3dsom9sjk1J8mgVmUW64GiDwyPnrnLAb4cLop2XDojyX-v39kwabqFwPpMWM3oh_SiveGBG0JOPVFEPoT/s1600/Patch+8-4-14.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Chas is always jumping in to water before I get any work done in the garden and this week was no exception. We did not get much rain this week, so as a result the weeds are more tame.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6MruEDk7ZBK6QP5UzC7hSIcTojjPs6xOmqnOkDLvsZ4AKrK2J-nI2qu9ypenaZBBLZDsDM7KrnvA7cZw5Q-24rzOI3cAtR644hA_yCVhJ_Nk4X5Ri-eIK26KHYaEgcpZqG_9um0zgVnF-/s1600/Patch+8-4-14+(26).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6MruEDk7ZBK6QP5UzC7hSIcTojjPs6xOmqnOkDLvsZ4AKrK2J-nI2qu9ypenaZBBLZDsDM7KrnvA7cZw5Q-24rzOI3cAtR644hA_yCVhJ_Nk4X5Ri-eIK26KHYaEgcpZqG_9um0zgVnF-/s1600/Patch+8-4-14+(26).JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looking from left to right</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I was feeling rather artsy as I took pictures this week. Besides there was no weeding to do so I had some time on my hands as he hogged the watering wand. Here are a few close ups of the plants:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrVhYyqFtOkVHfX5hA2XDYCNdb1CfNgfJfp05R805iUM9GRXDuNohB4it9lQJ9n1QX401A3qzwRW0C3XzeEHOF7UxFqB9OcXX7m1fYLGeD-sTSq971F5iCe_MNzg3q8gYgActjXPfwLhQ/s1600/Patch+8-4-14+sunflower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrVhYyqFtOkVHfX5hA2XDYCNdb1CfNgfJfp05R805iUM9GRXDuNohB4it9lQJ9n1QX401A3qzwRW0C3XzeEHOF7UxFqB9OcXX7m1fYLGeD-sTSq971F5iCe_MNzg3q8gYgActjXPfwLhQ/s1600/Patch+8-4-14+sunflower.jpg" height="391" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A single sunflower, but more are on the way!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzdLUDz47j7qrO4iEjvlLUhHWJEEvq0UNcr63Cmax9vT3LawE3OuQfILduvjJ7OHt0NmFx1TFXPlmVBJH2pqtlZcgQRJD4WY6cI_BTdcr-9f9Gysq_6W4orqsAxgm1e88ppi-t371BNjS/s1600/Patch+8-4-14+christmas+lima+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzdLUDz47j7qrO4iEjvlLUhHWJEEvq0UNcr63Cmax9vT3LawE3OuQfILduvjJ7OHt0NmFx1TFXPlmVBJH2pqtlZcgQRJD4WY6cI_BTdcr-9f9Gysq_6W4orqsAxgm1e88ppi-t371BNjS/s1600/Patch+8-4-14+christmas+lima+2.jpg" height="246" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Lima Bean pods, not beans yet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfi-8JuxneRgC9O9VDMDxJUxPnRSBWYuQrJk0x12o8o8X87ObPsQatWp1pkvRkp8c-r_5VviyZ8lbufVXFhk8wZPm3JVB7sVQxCOlO-N2kxYYX2U9nPMqQkI6OpNQObraPS9X0Jx4RBuw-/s1600/Patch+8-4-14+zinnias+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfi-8JuxneRgC9O9VDMDxJUxPnRSBWYuQrJk0x12o8o8X87ObPsQatWp1pkvRkp8c-r_5VviyZ8lbufVXFhk8wZPm3JVB7sVQxCOlO-N2kxYYX2U9nPMqQkI6OpNQObraPS9X0Jx4RBuw-/s1600/Patch+8-4-14+zinnias+2.jpg" height="281" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zinnias (the flower of the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Mensgardenclubvillapark?ref=hl">Men's Garden Club of Villa Park</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDXo2xeaF0Q6_9Ltd0bavrYbNncxIWn8UquED-G9L_BuUWyA_AhEoEN5gxkP3qhM9Z28Ah62eW_a9L593p9bcKvR8IaAfcQxCxebNvHagJFs0rTJ8qOkiQzSbCV1kSkNHCXLHgWoQp1Hu/s1600/Patch+8-4-14+hyssop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDXo2xeaF0Q6_9Ltd0bavrYbNncxIWn8UquED-G9L_BuUWyA_AhEoEN5gxkP3qhM9Z28Ah62eW_a9L593p9bcKvR8IaAfcQxCxebNvHagJFs0rTJ8qOkiQzSbCV1kSkNHCXLHgWoQp1Hu/s1600/Patch+8-4-14+hyssop.jpg" height="400" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional Hyssop pollinators love it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iICM419dU909aOkPME0lfDj3QdgpnP9VAKE2jM04wm-ToriRSaO1c1iuAl06f6_N3qi1vwR_YdioiCfqxgTnfhsblHAvl0lHgehjVsZtgTTcSMsfQIyVnaukufgSYpsLzPjKQ5wp1S4Q/s1600/Patch+8-4-14+just+mustard+seed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iICM419dU909aOkPME0lfDj3QdgpnP9VAKE2jM04wm-ToriRSaO1c1iuAl06f6_N3qi1vwR_YdioiCfqxgTnfhsblHAvl0lHgehjVsZtgTTcSMsfQIyVnaukufgSYpsLzPjKQ5wp1S4Q/s1600/Patch+8-4-14+just+mustard+seed.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mustard seed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3S4IOo81Ns6oCOc5mhtIphyzyfVBRBIHVnuQY9YtmMWO4wyn5bW2WOi2ub5yCIv2bJlfcK7_OUe2DGmUtU2lxXcI0iW46qej7jCWo0EIGLITBfipy15GX1f4k0r5ILQk0D7Dc8tR83rb-/s1600/Patch+8-4-14+celeriac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3S4IOo81Ns6oCOc5mhtIphyzyfVBRBIHVnuQY9YtmMWO4wyn5bW2WOi2ub5yCIv2bJlfcK7_OUe2DGmUtU2lxXcI0iW46qej7jCWo0EIGLITBfipy15GX1f4k0r5ILQk0D7Dc8tR83rb-/s1600/Patch+8-4-14+celeriac.jpg" height="400" width="375" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celeriac or root celery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIaK4tA1bxzalBzBoqzgHe1GjQJLi3C7vhX-nPuQeiXjEGUtII7mDwrbTl4C70OLnyT-ie-LasbpviEThwwCHFgPsshg90V5GJXd97D8vaOIASdvuv5FoRM0j3IgFy4IbRTu4VC2B15M2m/s1600/Patch+8-4-14+calendula.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIaK4tA1bxzalBzBoqzgHe1GjQJLi3C7vhX-nPuQeiXjEGUtII7mDwrbTl4C70OLnyT-ie-LasbpviEThwwCHFgPsshg90V5GJXd97D8vaOIASdvuv5FoRM0j3IgFy4IbRTu4VC2B15M2m/s1600/Patch+8-4-14+calendula.jpg" height="640" width="520" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calendula</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8Y6YgMrLOL4OgXn3E2nEMG20tPgUD04hOhylHW_UGWM9UGVZeILz3hs_zhmRNU_zEw61GhBcHbh1O2BAeMkBKjtlA7lQfsIRgU_pRz17_hm67U6O4Pp-AJc4xMrE9mBs_8P4zhGb9SJA/s1600/Patch+8-4-14+artful+watering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8Y6YgMrLOL4OgXn3E2nEMG20tPgUD04hOhylHW_UGWM9UGVZeILz3hs_zhmRNU_zEw61GhBcHbh1O2BAeMkBKjtlA7lQfsIRgU_pRz17_hm67U6O4Pp-AJc4xMrE9mBs_8P4zhGb9SJA/s1600/Patch+8-4-14+artful+watering.jpg" height="640" width="380" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artful watering!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7-WoscZnFEUEjsMw2lGvBw5p7swUwUw9xKx73MKKALwPTR5JCyh7-kLGuNLjY_Bb8GzzEyAvtys8-oFtS-fVfpYWUEMM7nrG0IwNR0e_rcAqJ6_YPoApnf9vBXuQxIqU0c_GUad_awYf/s1600/Patch+8-4-14+(29).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7-WoscZnFEUEjsMw2lGvBw5p7swUwUw9xKx73MKKALwPTR5JCyh7-kLGuNLjY_Bb8GzzEyAvtys8-oFtS-fVfpYWUEMM7nrG0IwNR0e_rcAqJ6_YPoApnf9vBXuQxIqU0c_GUad_awYf/s1600/Patch+8-4-14+(29).JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A look at the thyme bed</td></tr>
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Marcy Lautanen-Raleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09057923031393045279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490364165382451118.post-6735122958249383642014-08-03T13:57:00.001-05:002014-08-03T13:57:34.101-05:00Recipe - Zucchini Oatmeal Bread<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
With six Zucchini sitting on the counter I knew I needed to do something to use them up so I decided on Zucchini bread. It is a quick and tasty way to use zucchini and its easy too. I have collected many recipes and tried out three, the best we made more of. This recipes caught my eye because of the oats which would give it more substance and make it a good bread to freeze.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9Hioru51zclbmYX8TMufqgmeV5IpEDN8pKXzXXxMJ2DXzwCo1ElVq26B0_U6wLKxipjVrk1jydOP8jHTNK9mmT2xPY8V_q5DcxPo6nlFosgo3oVhOMoWaai7gvwLSQXj0vvF8EeA4S6j/s1600/patch+7-26-14+(26).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9Hioru51zclbmYX8TMufqgmeV5IpEDN8pKXzXXxMJ2DXzwCo1ElVq26B0_U6wLKxipjVrk1jydOP8jHTNK9mmT2xPY8V_q5DcxPo6nlFosgo3oVhOMoWaai7gvwLSQXj0vvF8EeA4S6j/s1600/patch+7-26-14+(26).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZD4_0fahEiI1JLpIIR97GIz3mfaqUPT6P1YBBcw0a10V9W2Oe4U3x2K5W-RLtHPB2OGih4GZHYQ-gVCjth8C4Sr2B44_E5ubuhMF_2gxthXh8FsmyLHpoq2ZGxyvIwmA5fziEKs-indDx/s1600/zucchini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZD4_0fahEiI1JLpIIR97GIz3mfaqUPT6P1YBBcw0a10V9W2Oe4U3x2K5W-RLtHPB2OGih4GZHYQ-gVCjth8C4Sr2B44_E5ubuhMF_2gxthXh8FsmyLHpoq2ZGxyvIwmA5fziEKs-indDx/s1600/zucchini.jpg" /></a>I made six loaves of this recipe along with two loaves each of two other recipes. All were tasty and perfect with a bit of butter and glass of lemonade. This version was our favorite however, so I decided to share it with you. I have several other recipes for zucchini bread yet to try and since I made 10 loaves and only used 4 zucchini we still have plenty left to experiment with.<br />
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<b>Zucchini Oatmeal Bread</b><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #303030; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">3 eggs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #303030; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">2 cups sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #303030; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">1 cup vegetable or
canola oil<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #303030; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">1 Tbls.Vanilla
extract<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #303030; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">1 cup quick Rolled
Oats<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #303030; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">2 cups flour<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #303030; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">¼ tsp. baking
powder<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #303030; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">1 tsp. baking soda<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #303030; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">1 tsp. salt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #303030; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">2 cups grated zucchini<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #303030; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">1 cup chopped nuts
(optional)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #303030; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Beat eggs and
sugar. Add oil and vanilla. Mix in oats, flour, baking soda, salt and baking </span><span style="color: #303030; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">powder. Add
zucchini and nuts. Mix well. </span><span style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Pour </span><span style="color: #303030; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">into two greased
and floured 8 x 4 loaf pa</span><span style="color: #747474; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">n</span><span style="color: #5b5b5b; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">s. </span><span style="color: #303030; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Bake at 350 for 1 hour.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #303030; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRrA38kXG2Esk_ejWVLsnQTMttQ3Ctn6kK7uPsbbIZQ4OEBTQPnb6aftCBw5sDUuB2chmJ1Q5KP2CfV1KU01FtbnHXTy0jf87Qpk8CchGokwygbjhWWsiRO37VodnMRyaDt0_Vioyo6wO/s1600/DSCN4807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRrA38kXG2Esk_ejWVLsnQTMttQ3Ctn6kK7uPsbbIZQ4OEBTQPnb6aftCBw5sDUuB2chmJ1Q5KP2CfV1KU01FtbnHXTy0jf87Qpk8CchGokwygbjhWWsiRO37VodnMRyaDt0_Vioyo6wO/s1600/DSCN4807.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two quick full-sized loaves</td></tr>
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Marcy Lautanen-Raleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09057923031393045279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490364165382451118.post-32082817402634428672014-07-29T14:10:00.000-05:002014-08-14T18:14:51.650-05:00weekly update - July 28<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBUBHTQ0UXKtnBE1jXOvqGQ5TY34HW2wEdIhw6HIszbnutCx_f__znrcyb0HWjgf5mk82XlygL9MzGYtFwZvI0Koiy7H6gr3YB1E3-0h4NXAvxMC0IoKLZuXrzDJbo0Y9w9_8Z0ZUcYWRV/s1600/patch+7-26-14+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBUBHTQ0UXKtnBE1jXOvqGQ5TY34HW2wEdIhw6HIszbnutCx_f__znrcyb0HWjgf5mk82XlygL9MzGYtFwZvI0Koiy7H6gr3YB1E3-0h4NXAvxMC0IoKLZuXrzDJbo0Y9w9_8Z0ZUcYWRV/s1600/patch+7-26-14+(2).JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">taken 7/26/14</td></tr>
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The rain has stopped. In fact this past week we had to stop by and water the garden several different days as it has not rained at all. We also finally had several warm nights so that the Tomatoes which were on the vine staying green and orange finally turned that robust red you want them to be. The zinnias are in bloom, the sunflowers are almost ready to bloom and the herbs are growing so quickly I could harvest them everyday.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0vNl3cgyMgVpm9O1JDBTuSe4Fvfb2oG2mWNmO0ad5e2FWL_au-HLg3TY6Z51CuYHHol_pYxJV-S1JuT23aAcClF48q6KQZskaDUrdfsHn0-RnPSKHNyUThewOZNvE76Qc33OzENoweBe/s1600/patch+7-26-14+zinnias.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0vNl3cgyMgVpm9O1JDBTuSe4Fvfb2oG2mWNmO0ad5e2FWL_au-HLg3TY6Z51CuYHHol_pYxJV-S1JuT23aAcClF48q6KQZskaDUrdfsHn0-RnPSKHNyUThewOZNvE76Qc33OzENoweBe/s1600/patch+7-26-14+zinnias.jpg" height="266" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zinnias</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IEXHFWfnPc1KMBvu_alUhYeCAOJkH2zUXijsJJUMbPzQ-YguHZG57GL8slxQPy2KKVJclJVYCx2WXoZs6AjIWQ07GRPNYL3fUPcMhWvS3cF8MhwYFYG47R9w8n_-q2qQC5wpTXwX6JIc/s1600/patch+7-26-14+peppers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IEXHFWfnPc1KMBvu_alUhYeCAOJkH2zUXijsJJUMbPzQ-YguHZG57GL8slxQPy2KKVJclJVYCx2WXoZs6AjIWQ07GRPNYL3fUPcMhWvS3cF8MhwYFYG47R9w8n_-q2qQC5wpTXwX6JIc/s1600/patch+7-26-14+peppers.jpg" height="186" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green peppers</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKN3x21Jmi_jgnGf8sG0bNAHseWuBAhsgnPG1NUrOMKhuZZM9PdZ6Rtby7vHiCYj48NSPiSAQnwZJYq3jC1k6vCcCIhM_q6mo-9cv-qtVEgy9wjD9xEJvf1qQ_1Yhp1Z7_dmufSMibKE1N/s1600/patch+7-26-14+(23).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKN3x21Jmi_jgnGf8sG0bNAHseWuBAhsgnPG1NUrOMKhuZZM9PdZ6Rtby7vHiCYj48NSPiSAQnwZJYq3jC1k6vCcCIhM_q6mo-9cv-qtVEgy9wjD9xEJvf1qQ_1Yhp1Z7_dmufSMibKE1N/s1600/patch+7-26-14+(23).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>This material coupled with zucchini, broccoli rabe, cucumbers, beans, peas and peppers and a wonderful selection of herbs all coming ripe made the garden a place of bounty this week. <br />
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Although we have harvested previously, this was the first time we filled that basket while at the garden. Here is a view in the basket.<br />
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I spread everything out on a table so you could see all that we retrieved on our water and harvest run on Saturday.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1WoZ-eXdL3UPJRVCxPdR9fLjn60Xp9YxnHMy_SFxwLtS5cCQdmgn_9CvgTAviF0CDcNGtYREHd6lCdObWnCnp46tQTUIir3xiZxoph9ZXNsLdpkqov3IXeBGOIhuNnZlka4ZofyNsKoW/s1600/patch+7-26-14+cut+basil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1WoZ-eXdL3UPJRVCxPdR9fLjn60Xp9YxnHMy_SFxwLtS5cCQdmgn_9CvgTAviF0CDcNGtYREHd6lCdObWnCnp46tQTUIir3xiZxoph9ZXNsLdpkqov3IXeBGOIhuNnZlka4ZofyNsKoW/s1600/patch+7-26-14+cut+basil.jpg" height="320" width="189" /></a>The purple basil to the left has been turned into herbal vinegar (check out this post if you want to make an herb flavored vinegar yourself.) The lemon balm (above photo, top left) was bundled and hung up to dry. The genovese basil (front left) became a caprese sandwich with ham, mozzarella cheese, fresh tomatoes and a drizzle of olive oil on toasted bread. It was marvelous!<br />
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There were enough beans to fill a pint basket (the square wood basket you see at the farmers market) which means we have at least a pound and can make a full recipe of a green bean dish. Now to decide which one. I will post the recipe once we decide what to make.<br />
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The broccoli rabe (just above the tomatoes in the above photo) is the sweetest broccoli I have ever tasted and as a result it rarely makes it to be cooked. I eat it raw as a snack during the day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHvpZ6RZvXdFFDyBJPb3HLkslS_Spx-jmzIgb2rdbwBpnQU38gqJ5DDDeOl1MHbEjhFFQs2_ezPOYxizLJlJq-l_ZNMtWL-Lcjmyffqw1sSIrknpLDXeBDcBJLL7IB3a4KrAEw4OQRVsz/s1600/patch+7-26-14+(30).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHvpZ6RZvXdFFDyBJPb3HLkslS_Spx-jmzIgb2rdbwBpnQU38gqJ5DDDeOl1MHbEjhFFQs2_ezPOYxizLJlJq-l_ZNMtWL-Lcjmyffqw1sSIrknpLDXeBDcBJLL7IB3a4KrAEw4OQRVsz/s1600/patch+7-26-14+(30).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">orange thyme with needle-like leaves</td></tr>
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The peppers have been coming in 1 or 2 a week for a month so each generally ends up in a salad, but this week I think we will make kabobs. I have a great recipe for a Greek yogurt dip for kabobs that will be tasty!<br />
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I also cut orange thyme (far right by the peas.) This is being left to dry in a paper bag like the thyme I have harvested before (see July ___) I generally cut only one thyme per day so I can remember which one I cut and keep them from getting mixed together in the harvesting basket.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzRKZrXzmyx7C4nlGf8pbEr-5VDHoPz4bcdSm8wip0eYcN94OHcNWqA5tnmlR0oFVrC3h1YFB3c5kv8CypGYqn-nEyqrIQac3IXACd7lR2pInfzeWChLBGUVeROKcwWA9o1Fn8rKbz2IT/s1600/patch+7-26-14+(21).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzRKZrXzmyx7C4nlGf8pbEr-5VDHoPz4bcdSm8wip0eYcN94OHcNWqA5tnmlR0oFVrC3h1YFB3c5kv8CypGYqn-nEyqrIQac3IXACd7lR2pInfzeWChLBGUVeROKcwWA9o1Fn8rKbz2IT/s1600/patch+7-26-14+(21).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lemon balm before harvesting</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lP1QqmxFk_QwNwjM8D9VtfqfFZif6Zy53r2b6RxT2X_bnihZONdlTKq4pl6H9zgtSUkvE8n978rC6YddTigqJ8s-eQhehCbB7jmowXO9_wciB9QyG2CN1yzcbbpYGRptFBT1IYvFcOBP/s1600/patch+7-26-14+(9).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lP1QqmxFk_QwNwjM8D9VtfqfFZif6Zy53r2b6RxT2X_bnihZONdlTKq4pl6H9zgtSUkvE8n978rC6YddTigqJ8s-eQhehCbB7jmowXO9_wciB9QyG2CN1yzcbbpYGRptFBT1IYvFcOBP/s1600/patch+7-26-14+(9).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cucumbers - you have too look for the fruit, it is hidden under the large leaves. <br />
You think you have none, then pull back and leaf and find more than one.</td></tr>
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We grew a burpless cucumber which is very thin with few seeds. We are going to turn this week's cucumber into a cucumber salsa and serve it over chicken and fish.<br />
<br />
We harvested the bush beans today and have been debating harvesting the pole beans, but I know that both pole and bush beans will continue to produce until the vines die int he fall, so I think I will harvest the pole beans and save a later collection for drying to use in the winter.<br />
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<b>From Bounty to Problems</b><br />
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Most of the issues this week are simple and not too upsetting or difficult to overcome. The tomatoes still have the dark spot and the blossom end rot I have mentioned before. This is due to the cooler wet weather.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCuJJStasfXy08ymreKFGhM59SknmviqsHVra4ScYzx9FTDWo4hnkDGAP3NR629m6FUrYCxesrvbN5TPShcBZVpaEUGovG6_e6Kwh0GkUMtqAWXP63xtPWiu6am6HPNGgxCOC1BvVlLnXn/s1600/patch+7-26-14+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCuJJStasfXy08ymreKFGhM59SknmviqsHVra4ScYzx9FTDWo4hnkDGAP3NR629m6FUrYCxesrvbN5TPShcBZVpaEUGovG6_e6Kwh0GkUMtqAWXP63xtPWiu6am6HPNGgxCOC1BvVlLnXn/s1600/patch+7-26-14+(3).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see the black spot on this non-ripe tomato</td></tr>
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And the peas have already started to dry so this will be the only harvest we get from them. I will remove the plants and sow another row of peas for fall harvest.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtww-lADDO9I8_Kidrnr0DSFsYET8Noj0xJ_BYtTpxeujAQZGsy5BYxofU0OrUH3_1zXk9DNvIws9aS0B3dxrpoD7AIRHpR7m8dSJzBeBPqtgW6XD2mykXd3B6NgSiG3YWpXrQ1kG0a2iD/s1600/patch+7-26-14+(8).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtww-lADDO9I8_Kidrnr0DSFsYET8Noj0xJ_BYtTpxeujAQZGsy5BYxofU0OrUH3_1zXk9DNvIws9aS0B3dxrpoD7AIRHpR7m8dSJzBeBPqtgW6XD2mykXd3B6NgSiG3YWpXrQ1kG0a2iD/s1600/patch+7-26-14+(8).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">peas turning brown </td></tr>
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Marcy Lautanen-Raleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09057923031393045279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490364165382451118.post-18107165381627913872014-07-22T13:30:00.000-05:002014-08-14T18:16:34.269-05:00Weekly update - July 20<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Now you can really see a difference in the garden from last month to this month. The beans are growing up the trellis, the cucumbers have covered their trellis and the herbs have doubled in size even with harvesting. the nice neat patch of greens has turned into a tall unruly collection that shades the remaining lower growing greens protecting them from summer heat and giving me a longer harvest. And the tomato plants have filled in their cages and are starting to produce fruit.<br />
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<b>JUNE</b></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>JULY</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2tHLxhYKZy5R9sMv6JxQH21C6LslRrQIgOT_Q3Qz18gEjxS2VTp-BjvBTUchpPqRhYhWES7JGfh1P2x8VaqYRxb-6eSJ131hmT5IdyyshxsDVSAHpQKv556KbokXtT_Opg_MQtPQln93/s1600/Patch+7-17-14+(51).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2tHLxhYKZy5R9sMv6JxQH21C6LslRrQIgOT_Q3Qz18gEjxS2VTp-BjvBTUchpPqRhYhWES7JGfh1P2x8VaqYRxb-6eSJ131hmT5IdyyshxsDVSAHpQKv556KbokXtT_Opg_MQtPQln93/s1600/Patch+7-17-14+(51).JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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This week I focused on watering the garden as needed and weeding the herb garden. Herbs compete well against weeds, so I tend to weed them last, plus I can enjoy the scents and fragrance while weeding so it is my favorite part of the task. I always weed the rest of the garden first as a result.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNiGqTNquU8ctnPw64CUr26I9yREXqVYd2AX8Ee6fn7TlweDsSac1gYWS17q5t_3vPTRAeo79QGvQ99VCEzrEJSWLN19bDLEEi5ZZ6oFmVzhSxhw4Z2VoHQ7dN262pE5ze_zeCVRSXaJXa/s1600/Patch+7-17-14+(19).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNiGqTNquU8ctnPw64CUr26I9yREXqVYd2AX8Ee6fn7TlweDsSac1gYWS17q5t_3vPTRAeo79QGvQ99VCEzrEJSWLN19bDLEEi5ZZ6oFmVzhSxhw4Z2VoHQ7dN262pE5ze_zeCVRSXaJXa/s1600/Patch+7-17-14+(19).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I started with the raised bed of thyme. Weeding thyme is a chose, as the thick mat of branches and leaves on the plants hid weeds well and reaching in to removed the plants at the base can be difficult. As a result i weed the thyme bed every time I visit the garden. It takes about 2 minutes to putt the dozen or so plants that stick up in and around the thyme, but it keeps them from taking root and becoming harder to pull later.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSfjRnYDDUe4aOCgl5fJAidGsdGhyXPP05atWCGpzfIWxMcfPJOfCiKBF280LvdpO1wpRzUzmzxTyqhf06Kz66mxZMSSjr-R4P7bm4Lt1KppE0ozlVsOBIPXOM9lb7QgYMNc1lZjyI-zE/s1600/Patch+7-17-14+thyme+bed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSfjRnYDDUe4aOCgl5fJAidGsdGhyXPP05atWCGpzfIWxMcfPJOfCiKBF280LvdpO1wpRzUzmzxTyqhf06Kz66mxZMSSjr-R4P7bm4Lt1KppE0ozlVsOBIPXOM9lb7QgYMNc1lZjyI-zE/s1600/Patch+7-17-14+thyme+bed.jpg" height="236" width="320" /></a></div>
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You can see how they plants are spreading into one another which is my favorite look. You notice the variation in leaf shape along with flower and stem color more when they are closer together.<br />
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<b>Progress</b><br />
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The zinnias are now blooming. I took way to many pictures of this.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAAYCRN3it8CUhdZ8MQrJJya3zMA0lJ_xjJzkBWTMxV2L_wHgpesZLTL7BlX_S8mWA0e2MrwZyMohfmSSLM13lc3kpCztjj9doWkafU8vTkdQqFbzyKB9DKToX0DDEQfQzfBAih-hS7Wp/s1600/Patch+7-17-14+zinnias.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAAYCRN3it8CUhdZ8MQrJJya3zMA0lJ_xjJzkBWTMxV2L_wHgpesZLTL7BlX_S8mWA0e2MrwZyMohfmSSLM13lc3kpCztjj9doWkafU8vTkdQqFbzyKB9DKToX0DDEQfQzfBAih-hS7Wp/s1600/Patch+7-17-14+zinnias.jpg" height="320" width="286" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4k2tqevWpzsAwtsd-Eq9YVdewDsSfv34yG6EOCYARiwlrKeOUFt0ifBQPlI3O-xJLS8Wk5L_R-MCu-DEI08ZXUzcg2TH-yIHFLaStelmbYY403GvXeoZvbnhVIrasJ3wqRR-hUifQng4/s1600/Patch+7-17-14+lemon+basil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4k2tqevWpzsAwtsd-Eq9YVdewDsSfv34yG6EOCYARiwlrKeOUFt0ifBQPlI3O-xJLS8Wk5L_R-MCu-DEI08ZXUzcg2TH-yIHFLaStelmbYY403GvXeoZvbnhVIrasJ3wqRR-hUifQng4/s1600/Patch+7-17-14+lemon+basil.jpg" height="320" width="254" /></a>The lemon basil has started producing<br />
seed heads which are hard to contain<br />
on this smaller leaf basil plant.<br />
<br />
You have to clip off the seed heads on<br />
basil as soon as you see them. Once<br />
they put energy into seed production<br />
the flavor and quality of the leaves<br />
deteriorates.<br />
<br />
As a result I now carry the scissors and<br />
snip off the tops of all the basil plants during<br />
each visit to the garden. It gives me a fist full<br />
of leaves I can use in tonight's salad or main dish.<br />
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<br />
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Overall we are in waiting mode. The plants are just about ready to begin producing items we can harvest in larger abundance. Just one more week and I will start getting more than one tomato at a time and a handful of beans.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsh_re_dUxLF3ra59Gv8B-eps4Sz-KjL59GTRG4AaOrphBlN4ctvcllaYu6ay9PRsO42qeHrx2wZEPoH9gjW1Lh-ZGyuafhjFcKoAtx-1YjodGlFRPrfptWtPDsTapziqLOB8cmJkL2bUU/s1600/Patch+7-17-14+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsh_re_dUxLF3ra59Gv8B-eps4Sz-KjL59GTRG4AaOrphBlN4ctvcllaYu6ay9PRsO42qeHrx2wZEPoH9gjW1Lh-ZGyuafhjFcKoAtx-1YjodGlFRPrfptWtPDsTapziqLOB8cmJkL2bUU/s1600/Patch+7-17-14+cropped.jpg" height="252" width="320" /></a></div>
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Marcy Lautanen-Raleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09057923031393045279noreply@blogger.com0