Perpetual Greens

I believe that I am going to make it through this whole summer with a constant supply of lettuce from the garden.  Most of the greens in the main garden have bolted, but I’m replanting in some shade and thanks to the power of the rolling earthbox, I’ve got shade whenever I need it for arugula and some buttercrunch.

While I’m on the subject, earthboxes rule.  I’ve had mine for three years now and have bought one for my dad and my father in law.  I tend to grow peas in mine and then move to greens.  Next year I’m getting at least one more.

To see it in action, check out the shibaguyz in a post devoted entirely to the earthbox.

Filed under: Uncategorized , arugula, earthbox, greens, lettuce

Vole And Mole Are Friends

Mr. Vole looked himself over in the mirror. “What a fine figure I cut, don’t you think so Mr. Mole?”

“Hmmph,” said Mr. Mole from beneath his blankets.

Mr. Vole turned slowly about, admiring the cut of his cuffs.

“There’s much to do today Mr. Mole.  You’ll not get anywhere by staying in bed.”

“Hmmph,” said Mr. Mole settling deeper into his pillows.

“Well I’ve made us a list you see. A list that tells us all the things we must do,” said Mr. Vole adjusting his reading glasses.

“A List By Mr. Vole,” he said and cleared his throat.  “Number 1.  Wake up,” he said.  “And I have done that.”  Mr. Vole placed a checkmark next to number 1, glanced toward Mr. Mole and began erasing.

“Hmmm. No matter.  Number 2.  Dress,” he said.  “And I have done that.”  Mr. Vole placed a checkmark next to number 2.  “Are you listening Mr. Mole?  This is where the list gets very, very good.”

“Hmmph,” said Mr. Mole turning on his side.

“Number 3.  Use Mr. Mole’s tunnels to feast at the upside-down vegetable buffet,” Mr. Vole said.  “Oh very good!  Very good. I shall have to be random in my eating so as to confuse the gardener, don’t you agree?”

“Hmmph,” said Mr. Mole.

“Number 4!” said Mr. Vole.  “Return with grubs for Mr. Mole and drink tea. Excellent!  What a day Mr. Mole, what a fine, fine day.”

“Hmmph,” said Mr. Mole.

Filed under: Uncategorized , garden pests, moles, voles

Garlic Harvest

I am back from an excellent vacation in NY.  I had some friends watching the garden for me (gotta keep picking beans… don’t stop… keep picking) and they enjoyed beans, peppers, and onions.  In fact, they got some nice local peaches and made a peach salsa that I can’t wait to try.  Best of all, they go away this week and I get to watch their chickens!!

I let the garlic sit the extra week.  This is late for garlic, but the weather has been so weird that I’ve stopped paying attention to normal harvesting times.  I harvested yesterday and some may have gone a little long as there was some clove separation, but no big deal.

All in all, the harvest was pretty good.  I got 80 bulbs and of those about 40 are in excellent shape, large, skins forming, lovely.  Another 25 or so are in good shape.  The rest are very small or cracked, but I’ll just use them right away.

For me harvesting is easier and safer by hand.  I don’t have that many to pluck and I can be easier on the garlic.  Most people use a garden fork, but I didn’t want to stab anything so I just reached in, cleared around the bulb a bit and worked underneath to get the roots out.  Garlic can be pretty delicate so I used my gentle hands as opposed to my very strong hands of crushing.  Stop laughing.  I have very strong hands of crushing on account of my incredible strength.

After gettting them out of the ground, I cut the necks off down to about half an inch.  I washed most of the dirt off, but did it very carefully.  I want the skins to cure and they are in a delicate state right now.  Too much scrubbing and I’d take the skin off and that will hurt my chances of storage.

I will hang the bulbs now in my garage, out of the sun, out of the heat, but not too cool.  After a couple of weeks of hanging and even airflow, they should have pretty good skins going and I can store them in a cupboard.

Filed under: Uncategorized , garlic, garlic harvest, harvesting garlic