WHAT YA GOT SWAP Chat Thread

[kiwijean83]

I grow my own ginger. I ususally candy it for baking. Then I use the leftover syrup from candying it to flavor and sweeten my applesauce when I make it. It's also great for homemade ginger ale. We eat candied ginger for upset stomachs and my sister in law uses it for morning sickness.
so far so good. I set 12 8 days ago and candled them at 5 days. I already had a stinker that was completely black at only 5 days so I think I was given an old egg. 3 look clear but the rest are developing nicely. I also set 8 more shipped and 4 more of mine yesterday. All the shipped ones had the detached air cell but I am hopeful after letting them settle.

I hope you have a great hatch! Looking forward to duckling pictures.

Is ginger hard to grow? If not...may have to add some to the farm this year

 

[shannondee12]

It's easy. The first few times, I just got some root from the grocery store and cut it into pieces and planted it in a big pot. Took off like crazy. This year I am ordering baby ginger and am going to see how much better it is compared to store bought.

 

[eggorthechicken]

I'm jealous. You have all kinds of goodies! I'd like to know if ginger is hard to grow too.

 

[shannondee12]

I guess some people have a hard time with the grocery store stuff because some are treated to prevent sprouting, but I had no issues. I have gotten some at the local farmers market as well and it really is super easy to grow. I have planted in pots so far just to make sure we had a need for it before I use premium garden space but this year I am actually getting a garden bed ready for it, right next to the bed for horseradish.

 

[chiqita]

I'm jealous. You have all kinds of goodies! I'd like to know if ginger is hard to grow too.

I dont know that it is hard to grow I DO know it is hard to keep chickens from eating it.

 

[eggorthechicken]

I dont know that it is hard to grow I DO know it is hard to keep chickens from eating it.

Well chalk it up to everything I have tried to grow since having chickens. I am revamping my garden this year to keep them out lol.

 

[yinepu]

Thank you, glad you liked them. Have you tried the wild violet yet?

I miss the wild violet jelly that we used to make when I lived up North.. darn violets hate our soil here in Texas... so I'm going to have to keep an eye on your swaps!

 

[shannondee12]

a few tips first. Gather the dandelions in the mid morning, after the dew dries. I go for fully opened or half opened flowers. They are easier to remove the heads. This recipe can also be used for other edible flowers. With wild violets you can use the white, yellow or purple. We only seem to get purple ones here. It's all the same principal, steeping the petals to get the tea.

Dandelion jelly recipe

Gather dandelions and remove yellow petals only, no greens. You need 4 cups of yellow petals. Pour 3 cups boiling water over petals and let steep overnight. Strain the petals and reserve the dandelion tea. If you don't have enough liquid to equal 3 cups, add water.

3 Cups dandelion tea

4 1/2 Cups sugar(I use 4 cups)

2 Tbsp. lemon juice (bottled is best so the acidity is uniform)

1 box powdered pectin(I don't like the liquid pectin, never works for me)


I follow the directions on the sure-gel box of adding the tea, lemon juice and pectin to a pot and bring to a boil then add the sugar all at once and bring back to a boil for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and pour in jars. Process in hot water bath for 10 minutes. I think I get 7 half pints out of this recipe.

I only use raw cane sugar in my recipes (because hubby brings it home in 50 lb bags for free) but I am sure white processed sugar was what was used originally.

 

[eggorthechicken]

Ok great! Taking notes!

 

[kiwijean83]

a few tips first. Gather the dandelions in the mid morning, after the dew dries. I go for fully opened or half opened flowers. They are easier to remove the heads. This recipe can also be used for other edible flowers. With wild violets you can use the white, yellow or purple. We only seem to get purple ones here. It's all the same principal, steeping the petals to get the tea.

Dandelion jelly recipe

Gather dandelions and remove yellow petals only, no greens. You need 4 cups of yellow petals. Pour 3 cups boiling water over petals and let steep overnight. Strain the petals and reserve the dandelion tea. If you don't have enough liquid to equal 3 cups, add water.

3 Cups dandelion tea

4 1/2 Cups sugar(I use 4 cups)

2 Tbsp. lemon juice (bottled is best so the acidity is uniform)

1 box powdered pectin(I don't like the liquid pectin, never works for me)


I follow the directions on the sure-gel box of adding the tea, lemon juice and pectin to a pot and bring to a boil then add the sugar all at once and bring back to a boil for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and pour in jars. Process in hot water bath for 10 minutes. I think I get 7 half pints out of this recipe.

I only use raw cane sugar in my recipes (because hubby brings it home in 50 lb bags for free) but I am sure white processed sugar was what was used originally.

Thank you!