What did you do in the garden today?

[chickengr]

Hello gardeners. It’s almost 0200 and I’m up/ can’t sleep so thought I’d catch up here. I second or third starting canning with the water bath method and graduating to pressure canning. I recommend the Ball book as a great resource for beginners, at least it helped me. I also dehydrate, but to be honest I can’t stand dehydrated vegetables when they’re reconstituted, especially peas. I like to dehydrate herbs, meat and some fruits, also thick sauces like chipotle’s in adobo…purée a can full, spread and dehydrate, then use for cooking etc. Don’t forget the tomato chips It’s also fun to dehydrate cake and reconstitute as desired for a snack here and there. I’m pretty sure it was Here that I mentioned for my dads sake I hoped I wouldn’t see him last Thursday; he passed Wednesday morning. Yesterday I went to the crematory with my mom to make arrangements and pick out a tube for his ashes, then we went to his favorite Mexican restaurant and I had a margarita in his honor. Today I really need to get out and water before my mom comes over. Next weekend I’m taking a gardening class at the worm farm and plan to take another look at their fruit trees and how those are set up. Anyway, I’ve rambled enough.

may he rest in peace and my deepest sympathies to you and your family.

 

[WthrLady]

What does this do?

I already have loads of egg shells saved up as slug deterrent so if they do something else useful that's great .

Tomatoes are heavy feeders. The additional calcium in the soil helps ward off the dreaded blossom end rot ::cue eerie, suspenseful music:::

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

Morning all. So the most exciting thing yesterday was that DH nearly passed out in Walmart when we went to pick up his prescription (antibiotics of course). Sat himself in a chair and managed to hand over the prescription for filling before he did the whole cold clammy and pale thing. Didn't actually pass out, thank goodness, because there's no way I could have physically kept him off the floor. He's much bigger than I am. The pharmacy ladies, bless them, slapped a critical priority on the meds and got it done in about five minutes flat despite having a line waiting.

So I haven't had to fight to keep his butt relaxing in a chair. The shock to his system has done that for me. The actual extraction was very easy and quick though. Only took them about fifteen minutes to pull all four and then we were on our way. So, I may have to putter on the chicken coop all by myself this weekend if there's to be any progress. But first, need a big roll of hardware cloth. I want the whole run predator proof against everything.

I'm toying with the idea of planting the plants out today, but Monday night is supposed to hit 36 so... eh. Maybe not. Maybe I'll wait until Tuesday and just be patient. However the plants brought those annoying little black gnats in with them so I've been keen to get them out of the house and back outside. There's nothing quite like a cat throwing themselves four feet up the wall at 2AM because they want that dang gnat!

I pass out a couple times a year since I was 11. They can find nothing wrong with me even after a ton of testing. I have migraines occasionally, and after the last MRI I had a migraine for 5 days straight! So, I'm done.
I think it's anxiety. I don't want to take prescription drugs for a variety of reasons including bad reactions to drugs, being given the wrong drugs, being given the wrong dosage etc. etc.
So I learn to deal with it. My 3 boys have passed out at different times too, just not frequently and in fact rarely.

 

[karenerwin]

@igorsMistress I’m so sorry for your loss but I’m glad your Dad is no longer suffering. Hugs for you and your family

 

[karenerwin]

Yesterday I burned a bunch of the invasive honeysuckle that grows in our woods. I’ve been pulling it up and cutting it down as I’ve been working on the chicken run expansion. I had to stay outside with the fire the whole time as I was burning it in the midst of the woods and didn’t want to burn the entire woods down.
Today is bitterly cold. Currently 13 outside but feels like 7. Supposed to get up to 35. The chickens don’t care, the sun is out so they are happy!
My sister-in-law gave me a heat mat for my birthday. So I need to figure out how to use it and find a spot to start some hot peppers ( and maybe more tomatoes ).

 

[WthrLady]

We're so dry at the moment that just having warm thoughts would set half the state on fire.

Went to label solo cups for tomato seedlings and all I have left are the ones I purchased last year from the grocery, off brand, with no where to write and they were too fragile to drill holes and had to be melted with a nail for holes.

I'll get decent cups in town next trip. The nowhere to write bugs me the most. LOL.
Still only 20 feels like 0., which is better than the chill of -20 I woke up to. Heading for 65 tomorrow. Hens can't wait to get out!

 

[igorsMistress]

Thank you all for your condolences, I appreciate you all! We were sort of ready for it and he’s no longer hurting. Hanging out with my mom was pretty good and we laughed so even better.

On a happier note

Dehydrated cake... oh, do tell! How long, what temp, what kind of cake, and how in the world would you rehydrate it?

I would never have thought of drying cake. This blows my mind. Awaiting info...

Just make whatever cake you like, cool and cut into thin strips that you can dehydrate, I use the highest temp in my dehydrator and just check it after four hours and go from there. Then put some in a cup and add hot water to desired consistency. Sprinkle in whatever you like, add some sauce or whatever. Keep in mind this is from our hiking days. Dehydrating cake makes it last up to a couple of weeks max, except angel food which can go a bit longer. We added dehydrated fruit, nuts, maybe some chocolate or caramel chips, whatever. Dehydrated apples and a little cinnamon in a white cake or the apples and a little caramel sauce are delicious. Dehydrated bananas and walnuts are also really good. We do this for our bonfires in our backyard. Make the cake and dehydrate, then put out various mix ins and everyone can customize dessert.

Took some pics in the garden this morning. The aloes will open soon!

 

[jerryse]

Tell me about starting mums from seed wthrlady .

 

[karenerwin]

@igorsMistress I took a screenshot of your dehydrating cake instructions and sent them to my brother and his wife. They are big hikers and campers and I know they have a dehydrator ! I hope they try this.

 

[TJAnonymous]

Today's feedbill....