July 10th, 2019
A look back at history of gardening:
When the pioneers started their gardens the food of thought was necessity, which was food. They planted Russet potatoes, Detroit Beets, Scarlet Nantes carrots, Early yellow globe onions, Chicago cucumbers, Scarlet runner beans and various other vegetables. Cabbage and cauliflower took some time as white moths would get to them. As people ate them they were used to seeing green worms in their dishes. They also grew various berries and fruit trees. Strawberries were a fruit which required lots of tending due to weeding. As freezers were not available, most dug root cellars or pits to place their precious stores in. Canning or jarring was another necessity. Some root crops they left in the ground until use. They were laid with straw or anything they could get their hands on. Seed packets were 3 or 4 cents each, some like cabbage were 15 cents which was why they worked so hard to save them. If they had flower gardens they were very small only having one type of seed.
Skipping to the 50's:
With soldiers coming home and automobile companies flourishing, money was flowing. Food was affordable and people were turning to what looked nice. Flowers were planted at varying levels with garden gnomes and pink flamingos spreading like weeds. To keep their gardens and lawns looking nice there were fertilizers and feeding products springing up like Scotts, which would cause problems with the environment. In turn people looked to the government to regulate.
Happy weeding through your thoughts.
Hoeman
June 4th, 2019
So I'm looking out at the back yard and it is a sea of dandelions. What are we going to do? Well I immediately recall my uncle Ken (not really a uncle, just what we called him) anyway he was into making wine, and he did make dandelion wine when they were in season. Now the thought of making wine never stuck me as fun so I thought I'd tell you about a few WEEDS that you my like to try.
Obviously the Dandelion which you can put the leaves in salad and here's the kicker, they are loaded with Beta-carotene. Next for your salad try Lambs Quarters. They act as a wild spinach. Now add some Purslane which will give you vitamin A, C, and Omega 3 fatty acids.
Let's see you've had your salad and feeling good, but what about ailments. We've got that covered in part by starting with a cup of tea made with Kudzu. Now I realize it's the scourge of the south but back in the day the tea gave relief for allergies, colds, and fever. Not as bad as you thought. My last one is Red Clover which has it's accolades in treatment of both prostate and colon cancer. Now I'm not claiming it's a cure but these home remedies your doctor will tell you are worth the try.
I've only covered a few of the edible weeds here. Have fun researching the others that may be out you back door.
Happy weed collecting.
Hoeman
May 28, 2019
NICOTENE: THE GOOD AND THE BAD
Starting with the bad:
Anyone with common sense knows that nicotine will destroy plants.
The extract is considered a botanical pesticide, and toxic.
The. good:
If you have a large enough garden and can scarify a few plants.
Farmers use a nicotine spray to control Aphids, Thrips, and Spider Mites.
WATCH WHAT YOU USE.
HOEMAN OUT!
May 12, 2019
I think it's time to clean up things. For next year's Christmas I was thinking about LUFFA SPONGES. Here's a brief tutorial. It takes 140-180 days to grow them. Once they are grown they dry on the vine, You simply cut them off. You have a couple days to remove the outer skin with a vegetable peeler and remove the seeds. You grow them on a strong trellis. They love hot weather. Squeeze and rinse the gourd until it is clean. It's done.
Have fun staying clean.
Till later,
HOEMAN OUT
October 15, 2018
You may have read that our group visited the Duke Gardens. One thing struck me. They had used terraced gardens where originally water runoff would flood and ruin their plantings. Now you know in the orient they have used this for planting rice paddies and Japanese gardens (also at Duke). This has also been used in the UK and else where when they have hilly or rocky terrain.
At my second house I had terraced gardens put in by the previous owner who had a gardener so my property was viewed at by those in the know, spring summer and fall. With over two hundred trees plus numerous shrubs and flower beds, many with labeled stakes. She had semi loads of fill dumped in the back so a portion was 3' higher than my neighbors and she had a pond that was 6-7' deep with a large pump to recirculate the water. Down another 15' hill was a stream that crossed the property. Unfortunately the DEC made her fill in the pond to a 3' depth because the koi fish could get into the stream during a flood. Now my neighbors built a koi pond and brought the fish indoors for the winter. So I understand the lure of water running and watching fish. in the right setting.
If you want this too, just PLEASE DON'T build a hill on flat land. You are better off building a reflecting pool with a fountain. You can still enjoy the visual and sound that it gives. It's better for resale too.
Are you digging it?
Hoeman