What did you do in the garden today?

[TJAnonymous]

That's insane about the fires. We had 2 enormous Sycamore trees in our front yard and we were celebrating Easter, I had just gotten the grandkids out from under them and a big branch came down and landed right where they were just sitting. That's why I said we're going solar for all the good that's done us. The public utilities commission is supposed to stop PGE from jacking up the rates but they have already done 6 in the last 2 years I think. I was so happy to see those trees go because another branch came down and I was in bed and I felt it lift the house off the foundation and back down. There's always a consequence for doing what appears to be the right thing though. How big are your holy basil plants

I'm glad you listened to your spidey senses and your family is safe! How scary... The winds aren't expected to die down here until tomorrow evening.

They are still very tiny... Just popped up through the starter mix a few days ago. I'll take a picture tomorrow and post it. All my seeds have come up except for my peppers and some marigolds.

On a sad note, this wind shredded my 3 baby pomegranate seedlings. They've lost all their leaves... Hoping they will bounce back.

 

[Molpet]

Red sky from TX dust before the rain here.
I was out trying to convince chickens to go in when hail started and tornado sirens went off.

I'm in the top circle. Fortunately the tornado didn't get to the ground. The bottom circle blew over some semis and trees.

 

[Jenbirdee]

Turned the compost &
Added soil from old dead pots

 

[Justagalwithchicks]

Pray you are all doing ok! We have had our power out all day! It is allll you said! All night long and all day! Glad it's mostly done except the winds! Stay safe

Popping in before we loose power, internet, or both again.
HOLY CRAP on a handbag. Thunderstorms, hail, sleet, graupel, freezing rain, snow, thunder snow, blizzard. Winds hit 75mph this morning. We fed livestock at 5am in the dark, so we only had to deal with sleet.
You can only see 80 feet out since dawn.....expecting 8-12 inches of the HEAVY stuff. BLEH. But moisture is moisture.
Have a good one all.

 

[igorsMistress]

Red sky from TX dust before the rain here.
I was out trying to convince chickens to go in when hail started and tornado sirens went off.

View attachment 4077339
I'm in the top circle. Fortunately the tornado didn't get to the ground. The bottom circle blew over some semis and trees.

I hope that’s the worst of it for you!

 

[Minanora]

I don't think my mother used corn starch at all. it looked like thick tomato sauce.

@cj2024

Grapes contain pectin, which would naturally thicken the ketchup after it cools and sets up. I would presume. That makes perfect sense to me. I've never thought to use grapes/raisins. I will try this next time I make ketchup to see what happens to the thickness! I usually just add a ton of tomato skin powder

 

[chickengr]

High winds just ripped a giant limb off the dogwood tree next to my house. Thankfully it didn't damage house or any vehicles....
View attachment 4077023

if I remember well this is 2nd time it happens. please don't wait for the 3rd time, cut that tree down and plant something else. next time you might not be that lucky.

 

[chickengr]

There are a lot of videos on YouTube on how to make ketchup.
I like the homestead ones with real tomatoes, some others use tomato paste from the can.

I was a kid when my mother made ketch up so it was looooong time ago. the recipe was the homestead one with real tomatoes. some cousin got it from US. we did not make any ketch up in europe in the past (before 1980's or so).

 

[chickengr]

we had frost. plastic tote with holes on the lid (my little green house) was covered with frost. I hope the seeds in the pots will survive.

as I live in fire hazard zone there are no trees near the house. I planted kiwi for shade (can't wait it grows).

both my persimmon trees are alive! I had bad luck with 3 previous ones. hope they survive.

 

[Sally PB]

All I can say is, we didn't get the rain they thought we would. We could use it.

<-- me

I watch the news and realize I have NOTHING to complain about.