VickiLynn - Finding The Balance

[VickiLynn]

Its hot and humid and Im cranky today. I dont feel like going out to the garden to gather up the latest offering of zucchini and green beans, let alone drive over and take care of my sons garden while he and his wife are on vacation. But I did promise.

 

[VickiLynn]

My Garden is a Mud Pit

It's been raining for days and days. I'm worried about the potatoes. A couple of weeks ago, I dug up a plant and found some nice, big potatoes under it. Since the tops had not died down at all, I thought it was too early to dig them. Now I have visions of them rotting in the ground. And I don't even want to think about the carrots! The broccoli and cabbages really stink - I think they are rotting. The corn and sunflowers can't hold on any longer. Those that aren't leaning over have just given up and laid down on the ground. Big mess!

I finally spotted a few ripe tomatoes, so I had DH put on his knee-high barn boots and wade out to get them. This is the wettest year I can remember.

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

yep. we were complaining about the same thing. i have several flats for my fall garden.. but i'll be danged if the stupid ground will even dry out enough to plant them!

sheesh!

but thanks for the reminder - i should check my 'maters

 

[VickiLynn]

The weather has finally cleared up and dried up. I dug a few potatoes and only about 1/4 of them are rotten - so not a total loss. The carrots are pathetic, though. I feel fortunate to live in a time when I can buy produce. If this was a couple centuries ago, and my family had to rely on my gardening skills to get us through the year, we'd be in big trouble.

After hearing all the raves about "Nourishing Traditions" on this site, I finally checked into it. With my Kindle, I can download the first chapter of any book for free. After reading the first chapter, I was hooked. So I ordered the book in paperback format, since it looks to be something I would use in the kitchen.

Last night I finished-up dehydrating all the zucchini that has been hogging my kitchen counter space. Feeling pretty pleased with myself, I went out to the garden to pick tomatoes, and there were two giant green monsters lounging under the zucchini leaves! Someone had to sneak them in and glue them to the plants. I KNOW they weren't there yesterday!

 

[TanksHill]

Just stopping in to say hello.

You dehydrated zucchini? How did yo cut it and what will you use it in?

sounds interesting.

gina

 

[VickiLynn]

Hi Gina - sorry to hear about your turkeys.

I shredded all the zucchini. I processed 2 cups at a time, blanching and spreading each load on its own tray. When it was dry, I dumped each tray into its own sandwich bag. So later I can put one bag full into a 2 cup measure and fill it up to the 2 cup mark with water to dehydrate, and have the right amount for recipes that call for 2 cups of shredded zucchini. I've never actually tried this before, but in theory it should work.

 

[TanksHill]

Sounds like it would. Right after I posted my question to you I was reading MEN and they have a big article on dehydrating. They also talked about zucchini and squash.

Looks like I will have to give it a go.

Thanks for the condolences. Animals have such a learning curve. Or is it me that does? Anyways I hope the others will be better off for it.

gina

 

[VickiLynn]

We got an egg!

We got an egg!!

We got an egg!!!

DS called me at work today all excited that we got our first egg!

 

[lorihadams]

Mine used to like to lay in an old metal washtub with straw in it.

 

[framing fowl]

First eggs! That deserves a celebration!