What did you do in the garden today?

[Sueby]

Morning. Just did a small batch of 8 pints of tomatoes. 4 quartered & 4 crushed.

Penny I stopped growing the early girls, they never got very big or produced much for me. As far as how I can...I hot waterbath can. This batch I did today I had just thrown whole, washed San Marzano tomatoes in the freezer then thawed them. The skin slipped off, I put them in a pot & boiled for 5 mins, put them in pint jars in the canner for 35 mins. These were the crushed. The quartered I did were brandywines & some fresh SM. I blanched, peeled, deseeded, quartered & cold packed in pints, then processed for 45 mins. Sounds like a lot of work but once you figure out an efficient process it goes really quick.

I love black eyed susans! I have them planted everywhere. They spread nicely & require nothing.

@Wee Farmer Sarah I had 5 cups of cherry tomatoes, not enough to make salsa (plus no corn) so I washed, quartered & froze them to make salsa with when I have more. You haven't used frozen, have you? I hope it works ok.

@WthrLady you make me tired just reading that! I grew up with horses so I know what hard work is, but I was a kid & didn't have a household to run on top of it!

 

[IamRainey]

Gorgeous garden, caveman rich!

I just love Black-Eyed Susans and nasturtiums too! Such unassuming cheerful flowers. And I especially love watering the nasties and watching the droplets bounce off the leaves until only 1 shining drop is left looking like a jewel. So sweet!

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Nothing to pick, no particular developments in my veggie patch today so I spent a couple hours reorganizing my shed so I could move a big contraption that holds my tools inside there. That left a nice spot to position that bargain chair I bought a week or so ago so I can sit and enjoy my efforts from time to time.

Next big job to work up a head of steam for is sanding and sealing the wooden handles of the tools that were outside on the concrete getting all rough and splintery. Then it's time to sharpen and clean off the metal parts.

 

[WthrLady]

Sueby, it's a process. Once I get in the groove it goes quickly, but it's a LONG day.

 

[pennyJo1960]

I did weed out a few brussle sprouts plants the smaller of them as the larger ones are close to ready to harvest anyone been freezing them take them off the stalk blanch? before freezing

 

[cavemanrich]

I did weed out a few brussle sprouts plants the smaller of them as the larger ones are close to ready to harvest anyone been freezing them take them off the stalk blanch? before freezing

We don't grow them so cant help you with the freezing,,,,, but we pretty much only get frozen brussels from store . They are less cash, and often the fresh ones, I would have to throw out portions as I was cleaning them.

 

[pennyJo1960]

The pair here will eat them I boil the little buggers get a small skillet of any oil, peanut is my favorite for it about half way up the sprouts takes like 6 minutes I roll them around pretty good all sides when I haven't had any here I will get them from Schwans

 

[WthrLady]

The whole day went off the rails and ended up with me helping a fellow beekeeper capture and relocate a 10,000 bee swarm. So, I need to cram today's chores into the rest of the weekend.

 

[pennyJo1960]

oh isn't life fun huh there @WthrLady if weren't for bad luck I have no luck at all days

 

[karenerwin]

Thought to share some of my flowers.
These are Black swallow tail caterpillars. I saw a few butterflies about a weak earlier. They were flying around my dill container.
When I saw these, I knew it was over for dill. Next day,,,, there was no dill left, and have no IDEA what happened to caterpillars
Next year I will plant more dill, so I may have some for myself
View attachment 1886380 Nasturtiums, I like this large variety. Planted seeds. Mixed color package. Yes,,,, there is a surprise corn in this pot also


View attachment 1886381
I call this SURPRISE CORN. it is growing out of a flower pot. Planted by my friendly squirrels.
View attachment 1886382
Surprise sunflower also. I have a bunch growing out of different flower pots. I just let them grow. I know in short time the squirrels will chomp of the heads.
View attachment 1886383 Ivy geraniums, one of my Favs
View attachment 1886384 My Black Eyed Susan's really bloomed nicely. I think the much rain in spring really did them good. In previous years with not as much spring rain, I would have half the number of blooms
View attachment 1886385 Spinach.
View attachment 1886386 I like the mixed zinnia assortment. Seed planted after no more frost danger.
View attachment 1886387 These are Perennial Hibiscus. They are not the woody stem type. Everything comes up from the root each year. Had these for many years now.
View attachment 1886388

Blackeyed Susans are my favorite!!

 

[karenerwin]

The pair here will eat them I boil the little buggers get a small skillet of any oil, peanut is my favorite for it about half way up the sprouts takes like 6 minutes I roll them around pretty good all sides when I haven't had any here I will get them from Schwans

One of the cases of canning jars came with a recipe for Pickled Brussels Sprouts. If you are interested I will copy it here for you.

Pickled Brussels Sprouts
makes about 6 pint jars

3lbs. small Brussels sprouts
5 cups white vinegar (5% acidity)
2 cups water
1/3 cup Ball Salt for Pickling & Preserving
24 black peppercorns
6 dill heads
12 garlic cloves, smashed
1 jalapeno pepper, cut into 12 (1/4 inch) slices
1 lemon, cut into 6 (1/4 inch) slices

1). Prepare boiling water canner, jars & lids
2). Remove discolored leaves from Brussels sprouts. Cut off stem ends and cut a shallow X in the bottom of each sprout. Cut large sprouts in half. Cook in boiling water to cover 4 minutes; drain.
3). Combine vinegar, water, and salt in a 3 quart stainless steel or enameled saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and simmer while filling jars.
4). Place 4 peppercorns, 2 garlic cloves, 1 dill head, 2 jalapeno slices, and 1 lemon slice in a hot jar. Pack tightly with Brussels sprouts, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Ladle hot pickling liquid over Brussels sprouts, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles. Wipe jar rim. Center lid on jar. Apply band to jar and adjust to fingertip tight. Place jar in boiling water canner. Repeat until all jars are filled.
5). Process jars 10 minutes, adjusting for altitude. Turn off heat; remove lid and let jars stand 5 minutes. Remove jars and cool 12 - 24 hours. Check lids for seal.


I have never made these. I am just passing on the recipe.
Today I harvested 1 medium eggplant and 2 small eggplants; a good sized handful of partially ripened cherry tomatoes;1 small green bell pepper and about a 1/4 pound of green beans.

I also canned 8 half pints of peach marmalade. Marmalade is a lot of work! LOL.
Tomorrow morning I am going back to Eckert's to pick Honey crisp apples ( and a few more peaches) I've almost finished canning all the peaches I got last time!

I used the eggplants to make baked eggplant for dinner! I had to buy the tomatoes to slice on them though.