Durgan's Garden Journal 2008

Sugar Baby Watermelon

2008-09-04T18:23:00.005-04:00

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?VYXVZ 4 September 2008 Sugar Baby Watermelon

This plant was started indoors about the 15 of May, and placed in the garden on 1 June. One smaller melon was picked yesterday and found to be ripe, so the larger one was picked today. It is excellent in taste and texture. Usually four plants are grown, for 8 to 12 melons.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?BWPNT Summary: Sugar Baby Watermelon

Easter Egg Radishes.

2008-09-04T17:09:00.004-04:00

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?OIXPR 4 September 2008 Easter Egg Radishes

My Spring radishes of two long rows were a disaster due to the flea beetle, so I planted a fall crop on the 10 August 2008, and the radishes thrived with little insect damage. The next point is what are Easter Egg Radishes? Read all about them here. http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?KQVXB

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?SBATE Summary: Easter Egg Radishes

Sambucus canadensis (American Elderberry)

2008-09-02T14:04:00.003-04:00

Sambucus canadensis (American Elderberry)
http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?GXAIE 25 August 2008 Sambucus canadensis (American Elderberry)
There were some elderberry bushes growing along a local path, a few bunches were picked today, and added raw to some previously made juice. There are many way to prepare these berries, and the next bunch collected will be made into a pie.

There were many berries not ripe. Ripeness is determined by the berry being almost black in colour. The berries branches were cut with pliers, and at home the berries were simply pulled off the branches. This is easy if the berries are fully ripe.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?YZEVA 2 September 2008Sambucus canadensis (American Elderberry) Pie Utilizing the fruit of the Elderberry.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?DYLBB 4 September 2008 American Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) Picked today.
I found an area of Elderberry bushes today and picked 21.5 pounds, by cutting the small cluster off the bush with scissors. the clusters were taken home and the berries removes. Total time 4 hours. The berries were in pristine condition, and perfectly ripe.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?WQLGT Summary: Sambucus canadensis (American Elderberry)

Grape Juice

2008-09-01T13:55:00.005-04:00

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?SYLHD 1 September 2008 Grape Juice made today

One of my four vines produces green grapes, which are pleasant eating, but too many for the table, so I decided to make juice. Procedure is to remove the grapes from the cluster, mash in a pot, bring to a gentle simmer for ten minutes, strain through a colander, then stain again through cheese cloth, then store. This juice is as pure as one can get. The name of the grape is unknown, but it is sweet tasting with only a bit of a tart taste. Total time 2 hours and 20 minutes.

One pound of grapes produced about a cup of juice, or 400 ml of juice. Total from the vine was 8 lbs so just over quart of juice.

The media periodically opinions that a daily glass of wine is good for people, since there is some ingredient in grapes that protects the heart. No doubt sponsored by the wine industry.

Soy Beans

2008-08-26T09:23:00.006-04:00

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?VJAIO 26 August 2008 Soy Bean preparation

They are prepared in the following manner. About five cups of dried beans are washed, boiled in water for 10 minutes to remove dirt, washed again, placed in the pressure cooker for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Boiled for about 5 minute to mix with a sweetener, stefia, and some molasses for colour. The mixture is the blended and stored in liter jars. Five cups of beans make 3 to 4 liters depending upon the size of the soy beans and the amount of water added for blending. The jars are then stored in the refrigerator, and one liter is about four days supply for one person.

Like all human food, soy beans are an addition, not a complete replacement for other foods. Another attraction is some independence from the offerings of the centralized, mega-food processing industry.

Soy beans are eaten every day for breakfast, along with a bowl of rolled oats.Very simple, low cost and nourishing. As prepared, I find the beans easy to digest, and they supply a major portion of my food requirements each day. I have been eating soy beans for many years.

You wont see this on a TV cooking show. Eat to live-not live to eat.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?ZRVRZ Summary: Soy Bean preparation

Preparing Garden for Spring 2009

2008-08-22T18:52:00.009-04:00

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?SJQOX 22 August 2008 Preparing Garden for Spring 2009
A portion of the vegetable garden was cleared of spent vegetation, potatoes, beans, carrots, beets,and prepared for the planting of annual red clover cover crop, which will be surface seeded just prior to a rainstorm. The area was rototilled, using the small Honda FG110, in both directions and raked relatively smooth. The area prepared is 26 feet by 16 feet.

Red annual clover will grow until frost, then be winter killed and rototilled in early Spring. The cover crop feeds the earthworms, and fixes soil nitrogen, and reduces streamlet erosion, and adds fiber (aeration).

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?KJOTX Summary: Preparing Garden for Spring 2009

Russian Blue Potato

2008-08-21T14:00:00.007-04:00

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?PRMZO 21 August 2008 Russian Blue Potatoes

One plant was dug today. the total weight of the tubers was 1800 grams or about 4 lbs. The vegetation was still green, so it is a bit early to remove from the ground for full production. A few of the tubers were cooked in a Dutch Oven at 400F for 50 minutes. The texture is more fine grained than most potatoes, and the tuber heavier than most potatoes of the same size. I ate skins and all, and other than the colour one would hardly know the difference from our normal potato. This potato originated in South America, and only in recent years is it becoming more popular. I have six more plants and will dig after the vegetation dies.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?DLIZU Summary: Potato Growing experience.

Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina, synonym: R. hirta)

2008-08-19T20:08:00.009-04:00

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?NJUIA 19 August 2008 Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina, synonym: R. hirta)
Native to eastern North America. The plant flowers from May to July and fruit ripens from June to September. The foliage turns a brilliant red in autumn. The fruit lasts through winter and into spring. Staghorn sumac spreads using its seeds, and by spreading rhizomes. It grows quite aggressively. It can grow under a wide array of conditions, but is most often found in dry and poor soil on which other plants cannot survive. The fruit of sumacs can be collected, soaked and washed in cold water, strained, sweetened and made into a pink lemonade.

Pruned it makes a large canopy shade tree. I dug a small piece from along the road in 2004, and the tree thrived. Most people disdain this tree, and purchase some exotic that is marginal for our climate. The vegetation is a bit open and grass grows well under the tree. The roots spread for long distances just under the surface. Small trees shoot up long distances from the main bush, and are simply cut off with the lawnmower. I like to sit under it in the shade. No bugs attack this native tree.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?UHMXL 2 September 2008 Utilizing Sumac Berries. Method.
This is a method of making a drink from the berries of the Staghorn Sumac. I chose to make the mixture in cold water, but boiling the berry is also utilized, but more tannin is extracted when boiled. The drink may be sweetened for taste, but I drink it unsweetened, and it is close in taste to lemonade, meaning it has an acid flavour. The extract comes from the outer coating of the berry, so do not wash before stripping the berries, by rubbing the horns together. The extract is water soluble, so the berries should be picked before any heavy rainfall.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?BLEHO Summary: Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina, synonym: R. hirta)

Home Cooked Meal

2008-08-17T14:33:00.008-04:00

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?WVSZH 17 August 2008 Home Cooked Meal

The vegetables were pulled from the garden, washed, and baked in a Dutch oven at 400F for one hour and served. The lentil soup and dried beans were cooked previously and stored in the refrigerator. The frozen blueberries were thawed previously. Drink was whole milk, which was also used on the blueberries. Condiments were pepper, and butter, and stevia on the blueberries.

You wont see this on those silly TV cooking shows.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?IIPNM Summary: Home Cooked Meal

17 August 2008 Garden views.

2008-08-17T10:34:00.007-04:00

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?CDXBO 17 August 2008 Garden views.

Garden views on 17 August 2008. This stae of the garden on this date. There has been much rain over the last two weeks, and the day temperatures have been rather cool.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?VICVM Summary: Garden views

Lentils

2008-08-16T21:42:00.002-04:00

http://www.dspdirect.ca/lentils.php Lentils
Lentils are a much over-looked source of good food. They are dirt cheap and most nutritional. I never use a recipe, only follow my inclinations.

Periodically I make soup using lentils. They are easy to cook and make an excellent soup, utilizing about two cups of lentils, whole onion, whole garlic bulb, three carrots, and a large potato, an two large tomatoes, and any other vegetables lying around, and some salt to taste if desired. I chop up the vegetables and pressure cook for about 15 minutes, and have the basis for a meal in about half an hour. They may be cooked on the stovetop, or in a slow cooker, which I have never done.

Lentils (Lens culinaris) are an ancient crop that have been grown since the Stone Age. Approximately 60% of current world production of lentils is from India and Turkey. Canada is the world's third largest producer and second largest exporter of lentils. About 80% of Canadian lentils are grown in Saskatchewan.

Canadian-grown lentils have an average protein content of 29%. Lentil is the vegetable with the highest level of protein after soybeans and hemp, and are used in soups and stews. The seeds should have a short cooking time, cook uniformly, and be firm, not mushy.

Sure beats junk food.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?AYKQY Summary: Lentils.

Chinese-lantern (Physalis alkekengi)

2008-08-15T14:58:00.004-04:00

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?GDQEI 15 August 2008 Chinese-lantern (Physalis alkekengi)
This plant is grown as an ornamental. I have never eaten the fruit, but apparently it is acceptable when ripe.
Chinese-lantern (Physalis alkekengi) is an outdoor ornamental grown for its lantern-shaped fruit cover (pericarp). The enclosed immature fruits contain sufficient quantities of solanine (the same substance in green potatoes exposed to light) to cause gastroenteritis and diarrhea in children. The mature fruits are apparently edible (Lampe and McCann 1985).
http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?XBOMU Reference.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?KQTRP Summary: Chinese-lantern (Physalis alkekengi)

More consumption of Fruit and Vegetables.

2008-08-14T18:03:00.008-04:00

Making real juice from fruit and vegetables.

There are many media articles advocating the consumption of more fruit and vegetables. After due consideration, I arrived at the opinion, that the commercial juice offered has to be almost a fraud. I suggest in essence, canned juice is no more than mostly water, flavor of the fruit selected, and a vitamin pill, hence I decided to make my own "juice". For example, if the juice is beneficial, then the whole fruit or (vegetable) has to be better. The blended method utilizes all the fiber, which contains about 35% of the subject nutrients. The texture may be controlled with water, such that one can chew the mixture or by drinking.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?UIKBD 29 June 2007 Making Juice

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?FGMSG 8 December 2007 A method of consuming more fruit and Vegetables.

The selection can be anything that is available. My consumption is about a liter a day of a current mixture. The mixture keeps in the refrigerator in a sealed jar with no sign of deterioration for about a week. Often a glassful is taken with meals. Conversely, one could make it fresh at each serving, since the effort is minimal.

This method makes real juice. Fruit and vegetables from the garden are utilized if available. Others are purchased as necessary. I use what is available at any given time. Enough water is added to make the mixture possible to drink. I consume about one liter per day and use the blended mixture sort of like a thirst quencher. Healthy?

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?EVOII 24 August 2008 Making Juice.
Various available fruits and vegetables were made into juice.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?QPQOE Summary: Juice Making.

Garden meal based on beans.

2008-08-12T17:46:00.005-04:00

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?POHTS 12 August 2007 Meal based on beans.

The vegetables were from the garden. A potato, tomato, and a few carrots were baked in a iron porcelain pot in the oven. A fresh tomato was sliced and a cucumber served in white vinegar.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?RGRUG Summary: Meal based on beans

Pressure cooking dried beans.

2008-08-12T13:07:00.006-04:00

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?LCBMN 12 August 2007 Pressure cooking dried beans.

This is the first time stevia was utilized as a substence for sweetening dried beans. The objective is to reduce the sugar content. There will be sugar in some of the spices used, but hopefully significantly reduced. Two cups of dried beans make a lot of finished product. The finished product has a most pleasant taste, probably a bit more sweet tasting than I desired.

Dried beans make a good substitute for meat and makes and pleasant and nourishing meal, along with normal vegetables.

The variety of dried beans can be anything available, I find they mix well together.

Beans are washed, boiled for about 10 minutes to remove dirt, and possibly the ingredients that cause flatulence in some people, and rinsed again. The beans are installed in the colander, and placed in the pressure cooker with sufficient water just below the bean level. Cooking time is about 1 hour. The beans are then placed in another pot and the spices mixed, and water added to cover the beans, then boiled again to reduce the mixture to the consistency desired. Total time 2 hours and 15 minutes, from start to finish.

The colander prevents ingredients from boiling up and clogging the venting valve, thus preventing the rubber safety valve from blowing off, and creating a mess.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?IUZZI Summary: Pressure cooking dried beans

Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana)

2008-08-10T13:27:00.008-04:00

The Cultivation of Stevia, "Nature's Sweetener"

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?IOMUB The Cultivation of Stevia, "Nature's Sweetener" The stevia plant belongs to the Compositae (sunflower family of plants). Centuries ago, Natives of Paraguay used the leaves of this small, herbaceous, semi-bushy, perennial shrub to sweeten their bitter drinks.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?HSFHW RICHTERS CATALOG
A place to order the Stevia plants or seeds.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?MWNBW 12 August 2007 Stevia Seedlings (Stevia rebaudiana)
Twelve plants ere received from Richters. They were ordered on 7 August and received on 12 August 2008. The cultivars were planted in pots, since the season is advanced.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?IACAS Summary: The Cultivation of Stevia, "Nature's Sweetener"

Sealed container with gasket

2008-08-10T12:16:00.002-04:00

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?QJPVN 10 August 2008 Sealed container with gasket

Recently these (Pictures) containers have arrived on the scene in varioous sizes. I use them for many things, particularly when camping to stop food from leaking. May I suggest they would make good freezer containers, since they are well sealed.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?GNDRC Summary: Sealed container with gasket

Japanese Beetle Trap

2008-08-10T06:40:00.003-04:00

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?WRWGK 10 August 2008 Japanese Beetle Trap

The picture speaks for itself. One cup off sugar, One cup of vinegar, one banana peel, add water in pail and place in garden to trap Japanese beetles.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?SXKBQ Summary: Japanese Beele Trap.

Anjou Pear

2008-08-07T19:30:00.004-04:00

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?MOUPD 7 August 2008 Anjou Pear

This single Anjou pear tree was planted in May of 2005. It produced four pears in 2007. This year it appears the tree is in full production. The fruit is green when ripe with a slight red shadow, which is also present when growing to ripeness.

Ripeness is determined by gently pressing the neck end and a slight give of the flesh indicates ripeness. If the pear is soft in the middle the fruit is approaching an over ripe condition. Pears ripen from the inside out.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?AGWSG Summary: Anjou Pear

The Small Roto-tillers. My Experience

2008-08-06T10:23:00.013-04:00

The Small Roto-tillers. My Experience

Small Cultivators Honda FG110G.
I bought mine last year 2005 (Honda) and it has to be my most valuable tool in the garden. I use it like a shovel, hoe and rake combined. To plant trees, shrubs and to make a simple hole for some plant, for edging, and working established beds, and for breaking up chunks of earth it cannot be beat. The tine shaft runs about 180 RPM, which is much much faster than larger tillers. Note: No rototiller made will break up sod sufficiently to prevent grass growth.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?JHCQU 7 April 2006 Honda FG 110 mini-rototiller Cultivating the main vegetable garden.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?ESYUK 4 May 2006 Adding compost. Working compost into underlying soil.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?YGOHE 26 May 2008 Planting Redhaven peach Tree.

The Honda FG110 was used to work reasonably good soil, clay with much compost with no rocks. The area worked was over 1000 square feet. This little tiller did a perfect job. If the tiller got clogged with fibrous plant strings, simply removed the outer tines and clear the obstruction within one of two minutes. The tiller engine starts with one or two pulls of the starting cord.

To plant onions, and other vegetables, I removed the outer two tines and pointed the remaining two inwards and got a perfect row for planting about 4 inches wide. I use the tiller by gently pulling backwards without the drag bar. All the work was done at full throttle as it should be with such a small engine. I consider the operation to be effortless, and the result on the soil is simply not achievable with hand tools.

The noise level is for all intents and purposes not noticable, since it is a four stroke engine. It is well built, and has no appearance of fragility or poor workmanship. I simply carry the tiller from place to place as required.

To use this small tiller amongst large rocks is misuse in my opinion, but hitting a few rocks the bouncing is controllable-not like a larger machine. I have no rocks. Used with common sense, and not attempting to work it in conditions where a larger machine is clearly required this little machine should last a long time.

To make a small bed, I remove the sod with a kick sod cutter, spade the compacted earth to the proper depth, rototill with the larger machine, then put the Honda tiller to work to condition the soil. On large chunks it jumps around a little, but that is to be expected, and it reduces the chunks. A larger machine simply kicks larger chunks out without beating them into small pieces. The result is near perfection.

Worrying about turning a garden into flour like soil is probably little to worry about. I have spend my life trying to get the chunks small enough for a good garden. Usually I have had clay, but by adding compost and composted wood chips the soil is friable.

I also have a larger tiller but hardly use it anymore.

Since writing this summary, I have had the experience of using the much touted Mantis. The Honda is superior in every way, but the Mantis is also a good unit in some applications.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?IATNA 6 August 2008 Rototiller. Honda versus Mantis.
The double tines on the mantis make removing vines and stones difficult if between the first and second tines, and much effort is sometimes required. The Honda has separate tines, so obstruction removal is relatively easy, by removing the tines from the drive shaft. If the obstruction is between the inner tines and the drive housing, both units are about equal.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?CDUIT 7 August 2008 Comparison of Honda and Mantis minitiller tines.
There are four tines on the Honda, and the outer two can be removed for making a row to plant seeds, or cultivating between close rows. The Mantis width is fixed, due to the tines on each side being one piece. To me this is a distinct advantage for the Honda over the Mantis.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?SJQOX 22 August 2008 Preparing Garden for Spring 2009
A portion of the vegetable garden was cleared of spent vegetation, potatoes, beans, carrots, beets,and prepared for the planting of annual red clover cover crop, which will be surface seeded just prior to a rainstorm. The area was rototilled, using the small Honda FG110, in both directions and raked relatively smooth. The area prepared is 26 feet by 16 feet.
Don't garden without it.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?KQADS Summary: The Small Roto-tillers

Muskmelon (Cucumis melo)

2008-08-04T18:01:00.006-04:00

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?WEXHV 4 August 2008 Muskmelon (Cucumis melo)

Ripeness is determined by the colour change from sort of green to yellowish=orange, and when touched the stem breaks away from the fruit. The final arbitrator is Neena, who sniffs her approval. If left in the patch for a couple of days after ripe, the stem connection is infested with some small black beetle.

The four plants are in their own bed away from the main garden, and the vines are allowed to spread over the lawn. A couple of cuttings after the vines are removed and the grass is back to normal.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?ZSZUA 24 August 2008 Muskmelon (Cucumis melo)
Six fruit pickled today. The vines were attacked by Downy Mildew due to ideal conditions from foliage being rained on almost every day for two weeks. Self-seeded ground cherries are growing in the bed.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?GOYRX Summary: Muskmelon growing experience.

Article about Gooseberries.

2008-08-03T18:24:00.004-04:00

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?BZHXJ Article about this much neglected fruit in North America.
In my garden there is an American, and European Gooseberry bush. Production each year is about 12 liters.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?BZHXJ Summay: Article about Gooseberries.

Liatris spicata (Blazing Star)

2008-08-01T20:14:00.003-04:00

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?AIMWF 1 August 2008 Liatris spicata (Blazing Star)

A perennial Liatris spicata is strongly drought-tolerant. I have both the Floristan white and Floristan violet, not quite in full bloom. Aka Gayfeather.

Composting.

2008-07-31T20:36:00.013-04:00

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?RZASZ 31 July 2008 Composting

If there is one secret to composting, it is chop the vegetation into small pieces, place it on the pile and forget it. A machete on a block of wood works just fine, and gives a small workout. Once or twice in the season mix it with a fork or rototiller. No silly container, or starter is utilized. The microbes will do their job. This pile will added to as required, and placed on the garden in early Spring 2009.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?QUIGD 8 August 2008 Chopping vegetation for composting
The compost pile will be ready come Spring about April 2009. I keep addding until about the end of October.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?KQATV 13 August 2008 Mixing compost pile
Using rototiller to mix vegetation in the compost pile.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?RYRSF 23 August 2008 Adding vegetation to compost pile.
Total time 15 minutes.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?AWMOS 28 August 2008 Reducing vegetation for composting.
Some spent plants were removed from the garden, and chopped for efficient, timely composting.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?KFBMX 6 September 2008 Removing and chopping spend vegetation from the garden. Total time 25 minutes.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?FHVJI Summary: Composting experience.

Gladiolus

2008-07-30T11:05:00.003-04:00

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?CNDHV 30 July 2008 Gladiolus
There are two flowering groups of plants ( red and white). It is noticed that white always flowers first. The corms are planted in the Spring.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?LTEXC 5 August 2008 Gladiolus
The red type is blooming. I had to supply some support, due to some heavy rainfall.