What did you do in the garden today?

[WthrLady]

Lots of talk about InstaPot about pressure canners. My MIL have is a pressure canner that sits on the stove. I used it twice now. I'm not great with it yet because it has a gauge instead of a pressure weight, so I have to watch it and adjust the heat and vent accordingly. It's a learning process. I would love an All American, but the price... We have an InstaPot too. We use that for cooking. Used it today actually for a stew of mayo coba beans, Italian sausage, kale, brussel sprout greens, onion, fresh herbs and plenty of seasoning. The bean stew is one of my favorite things to make in it and it came out great. Always different, but always great. The Brussel sprout greens were a first. I well definitely eat them more though. They hold up well through cooking, not turning to mush like cabbage. They are like collards. I'll probably even try to freeze or can some for future meals when the season is over.

Anybody freeze their corn? I was in a hurry the other day because a crate of corn was starting to mold. I peeled the leaves of them all, broke them in half, blanched in boiling water and then froze in gallon zip bags. It's this what you do? Well they taste ok (at last freezer aisle quality) later when we cook them?

It's exactly what I do! OC all frozen corn can be a little gummy on the reheat, but honestly, in January, WHO CARES!

 

[karenerwin]

Sound like you getting back in swing of things

Some, but still super busy trying to get the Poplar Bluff house finished. We weren’t able to go work on it this past week because our AC has been out and that makes the house too hot to leave the dogs inside all day.
Good news is that the AC guy is coming at 8:00 tomorrow morning to fix the AC !!

 

[WthrLady]

Whoot and yippie!

 

[gtaus]

I ordered a strawberry tower that was gonna be delivered a month later. I immediately tried to cancel the order, but got a notice that it had already shipped - in seconds of ordering at 2am. After a month or so, I got a notice that unfortunately they were unable to fill the order and refunded my money. Sheesh.

Yeah, that happens.

I once ordered a product and discovered that it was going to be shipped from China, which meant weeks of waiting. I swear the description and estimated delivery of that product was within a week from the US before I completed the transaction. Anyway, I tried to cancel the order and was not able to either because, like you, it was reported as already shipped. So, credit card charged immediately and item never shows up weeks after order. Contact company and no response from them. After about 2 months, Amazon credits my account in full but what a pain in the rear end. I suspect it was a sham company collecting orders, charging the credit card, and then disappearing after a number of weeks.

 

[chickengr]

I've taken things to Kohls before because they have an Amazon return station but this return didn't indicate I could take it there. It insisted on shipping it back. I suppose I could have called and asked but I was super busy with work and didn't get around to taking care of it (because I didn't have a box) before the return period was up. Now I'm stuck with it.

I try REALLY HARD not to buy things from Amazon anymore for several reasons but I will probably renew my Prime because we watch a lot of Prime TV. For everything else, I try to buy local unless I absolutely HAVE to get it from Amazon. However my DS and DH both got new cell phone cases this weekend and they were delivered within a day.

things from amazon mostly are chinese. try https://www.aliexpress.com/ you might find the same things 100 times cheaper. some wateres that they sell here about 3 euro each I got for 0,5 euro (offer) and the usual price is 0,65 euro. shipping time is longer (if you choose free shipping).

 

[gtaus]

Need some help/direction here. Very little rain this year and my main garden plants are suffering. I don't have access to running water for the main garden. I am thinking about building some type of 5 gallon bucket gravity fed system for my raised beds. Been watching a few YouTube videos on the concept and willing to give it a try. I could buy a Rain Bird® Drip Irrigation Repair and Expansion Kit like this at our local Menards....

That kit at Menards costs about $30.00. Don't have a clue if that is a good deal or should I look elsewhere? Any recommendations on starter kits, or what to buy to build a kit on my own?

I have maybe 60 plants in raised beds that could use drip irrigation. I am thinking that I should have a 5 gallon bucket for each raised bed. Just wondering if anyone can tell me how many plants I could water adequately per day from a 5 gallon bucket. Mostly tomatoes and peppers. Also, if this is a bad idea, don't be shy and let me know before I blow some money on a lost cause. Thanks.

 

[chickengr]

I went out to check the rain gauge to see what we got while I was gone, it goes up to 5 inches but it was overflowing so I have no idea how much we actually got, just that it was more than 5 inches!

send some to us, lol.

 

[chickengr]

I went out to the hoop house this morning to hand pollinate my squash and tomatoes. Discovered one of my small squash plants in a wilted heap on the ground.... Hoping it doesn't spread to the others. Also battling mildew on top of squash bugs. About the only thing NOT attacking my squash are the vine borers who have found my pumpkins, I think. I'll be lucky to get 1 pumpkin, I think....

I keep placating myself with thoughts of what I can do better NEXT YEAR to fight the battle.... But in all honesty, I wonder what wisdom my ancestors had around growing food that allowed them to get enough to survive because I'm definitely hit and miss.

I always have mildew on zucchini. at the beginning I pick up leaves that get it. at some point almost all the leaves are affected so I leave them alone. even like that they manage to finish the season and I have plenty of zucchini. the ones that don't grow well I chop for my chickens.

 

[chickengr]

Lots of talk about InstaPot about pressure canners. My MIL have is a pressure canner that sits on the stove. I used it twice now. I'm not great with it yet because it has a gauge instead of a pressure weight, so I have to watch it and adjust the heat and vent accordingly. It's a learning process. I would love an All American, but the price... We have an InstaPot too. We use that for cooking. Used it today actually for a stew of mayo coba beans, Italian sausage, kale, brussel sprout greens, onion, fresh herbs and plenty of seasoning. The bean stew is one of my favorite things to make in it and it came out great. Always different, but always great. The Brussel sprout greens were a first. I well definitely eat them more though. They hold up well through cooking, not turning to mush like cabbage. They are like collards. I'll probably even try to freeze or can some for future meals when the season is over.

Anybody freeze their corn? I was in a hurry the other day because a crate of corn was starting to mold. I peeled the leaves off them all, broke them in half, blanched in boiling water and then froze in gallon zip bags. Is this what you do? Will they taste ok (at least freezer aisle quality) later when we cook them?

I sometimes freeze corn and find it ok.

 

[Sally PB]

I used it twice now. I'm not great with it yet because it has a gauge instead of a pressure weight, so I have to watch it and adjust the heat and vent accordingly. It's a learning process. I would love an All American, but the price

My pressure canner has a dial too; it's a 7 quart monster. At least it's aluminum; it sure is heavy when it's full. (I never cook in it; it's only for canning.)

I remember the one my mom had that would do 4 quarts had a weight. The ssshhhhhhhhhhh rattle-rattle-rattle noise it made is one of my favorite summer memories. I wish I'd taken that when she died; was offered, but I didn't.

My neighbor found one for me at an estate sale for $10, but it's not tall enough for quart jars. But for that price, I thought it was a bargain.