What did you do in the garden today?

[NewBoots]

@Sueby, that dahlia is gorgeous! The pink shading into the yellow is just perfect! @Wee Farmer Sarah, if endive is the only thing available, your chipmunk friend might not be so picky. But aren't toads toxic? @drstratton, I am envious of your litter, so far our cinnamons have only had 6 at a time. And I love when the hens do the chase thing and I've found it's a great way to introduce a new food I want them to like. If I can get them wound up, someone will grab whatever I'm trying to introduce and run with it, and then the chase is on.

I have about 10 pounds or so of fresh ripe tomatoes so today will be canning tomato chunks day. I wouldn't mind playing with the mill/grinder again to make more sauce as well, and then again, more salsa sounds great. The first batch of tomato salsa I made came out pretty runny but I strained off the liquid and drank it and it was the best! I might make that one again and puree it and can that as tomato/vegetable juice. It would doubtless have to be shaken before drinking it but the more I think about it the better I like the idea.

I have onions browning on the stove now for liver and onions with home grown mashed potatoes. New recipe for me, we just ate and it was the best batch I've ever made.

 

[drstratton]

@Sueby, that dahlia is gorgeous! The pink shading into the yellow is just perfect! @Wee Farmer Sarah, if endive is the only thing available, your chipmunk friend might not be so picky. But aren't toads toxic? @drstratton, I am envious of your litter, so far our cinnamons have only had 6 at a time. And I love when the hens do the chase thing and I've found it's a great way to introduce a new food I want them to like. If I can get them wound up, someone will grab whatever I'm trying to introduce and run with it, and then the chase is on.

I have about 10 pounds or so of fresh ripe tomatoes so today will be canning tomato chunks day. I wouldn't mind playing with the mill/grinder again to make more sauce as well, and then again, more salsa sounds great. The first batch of tomato salsa I made came out pretty runny but I strained off the liquid and drank it and it was the best! I might make that one again and puree it and can that as tomato/vegetable juice. It would doubtless have to be shaken before drinking it but the more I think about it the better I like the idea.

I have onions browning on the stove now for liver and onions with home grown mashed potatoes. New recipe for me, we just ate and it was the best batch I've ever made.

I never want to have another litter of 13, it's way too many and we are having a hard time getting enough food into them. I am away from home for a few days and one of them is not doing well. I'm the only one that can handle the mama, so hopefully I will be able to get home tomorrow & the baby makes it. I have some special nipples on order, but they won't arrive until Monday...

 

[drstratton]

@NewBoots My husband just called & told me that he & my youngest son decided to brave Daphne & hold her so the kits that aren't getting enough milk could nurse. He said it went pretty well, except the babies squirm to much. I told him that maybe there isn't much milk, so they are looking for a better source. It really will be a miracle to keep them all alive!

 

[NewBoots]

I told him that maybe there isn't much milk, so they are looking for a better source. It really will be a miracle to keep them all alive!

We try to get two does pregnant at the same time for just such an emergency though with the size of our litters it hasn't been an issue so far.

 

[drstratton]

We try to get two does pregnant at the same time for just such an emergency though with the size of our litters it hasn't been an issue so far.

That was my plan too, but my other doe was not receptive, even with help, so I waited until the following week to try again...if she's pregnant, she's due now. Best laid plans...

 

[NewBoots]

Hopefully then these will hang in there till your other doe kindles.

 

[igorsMistress]

Good afternoon gardeners. I got the society garlic planted after work today. Not in the original locations I’d selected but I’m happy I could dig a couple of holes without dripping sweat. I still need to transplant the rose, will do that in a couple minutes. I dunno if the shade garden is enough shade for the elephant ears, but the bird of paradise plants seem pretty happy. I have some Shasta daisy seeds I need to plant and from what I’ve read they definitely need shade here so I might throw some seeds under the trees out front and see what happens. I also have some Glads that I’m going to soak and put in as well, but I don’t think the shade garden is the best place for them so I’m still deciding on those. I wish I knew whether the chickens will eat them or not, I have a spot where I think they’d do well in but it’s in raptor country. I plan to get the wood chips finished off tomorrow and I need to get the coop ready for more chicks, I have Turken eggs in my incubator that are due to hatch on Wednesday. They were shipped and amazingly, more than half have made it past 14 days. Gotta get back to work, have a great night all.

ETA I checked on the fairy dusters and they’ve already sprouted!! First pic is the climbing rose newly transplanted

 

[Battles house]

@drstratton I sure hope it all goes well with the babies.

 

[Compost King]

My Cayenne Peppers started to slow down production so I figured now was a good time to cut them back for new growth. They showed signs of calcium deficiency on their new growth too but it wasn't extreme. I have more than what is pictured, I believe 11 plants in total. These will regenerate and over winter in the green house. I actually go through a lot of these. Sometimes I ferment them to make hot sauces, sometimes I cut them into rings and soak them in Apple Cider Vinegar and spoon them out and use them as a replacement for hot sauce. Tastes better and no HFCS or other unhealthy ingredients that I used to get in my favorite Taco Sauce. I put them in eggs, put them in chili... This is by far my favorite pepper. I like Jalapeños for cooking because of how thick they are and they do not taste bad at all. My Jalapeños are still producing heavy so I probably won't be cutting them back for another 2 to 4 weeks. I have one Carolina Reaper and one Ghost pepper, they will be wintered in the green house too. I will likely be taking clones/cuttings of my Carolina Reaper plant because its a hybrid and seed saving will not produce the same outcome. Although I did save some seeds just to see what I get.

 

[drstratton]

Hopefully then these will hang in there till your other doe kindles.

Thank you!