Shame on me..but here I am now..Let's Talk about Trees

Shame on me for not having posted here in a while. Please forgive me. I've been a wee bit busy as of late. But..here I am again.:0)
And here are a few gardening tips for you!
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Let's talk about Trees:
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This is the time of year when those that have had a garden this Spring and Summer have begun the process of either sowing their Fall gardens in areas that still have not encountered freezing temperatures(things like broccoli,snow peas, and lettuces), or for those that have already encountered frosty evenings or even snow those gardens have been laid to rest for the year.
What has been leftover has been either tilled under, or uprooted and cast into the compost bins to become soil addends for next Spring.Or quickly canned up to use for the winter pantry.
So, what to do when the garden season has drawn to a close?
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Start planning for the next season!
If you had the joy of planning and planting out your first garden this past year you have no doubt learned quite a bit through the process. A few of the what to do's and what not to do's. Write these things down in a garden journal. Yes!... you should create a garden journal if you have not done so yet.
In another post I will share with you how to start a garden journal, so don't panic if you hadn't thought of that... you can just start one for next year. No worries.
Anyhow..back to the topic... So..now that the garden has been put to rest you can start planning for next year.
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I'd like to suggest that you start thinking about trees.
Do you have trees in your garden area,or in your yard that are actually dual purpose trees? Trees that provide both shade and food?
If not, this is the time to start thinking about expanding what you grow to include fruit or nut bearing trees.
Gardening does not just include a vegetable plot, but gardening also includes fruit and nut producing specimens as well.
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Early Spring is a good time to purchase and plant fruit trees and nut trees. Why? Because if you live in an area prone to freezing temperatures and you try to plant trees right ahead of frosty temperatures or snowy nights...well your trees will suffer. The young trees will not have had a chance to get their roots established well enough to withstand the elements. Where as trees planted in early spring have a little bit better chance to slowly get themselves established for the seasonal changes to come.That is not to say that some specimens can't be planted in the Fall, you just must be very careful that the tree has plenty of time to begin to get established before cold and freezing weather sets in.Root systems on young saplings/young trees are tender.
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When choosing a fruit or nut tree variety do your research!
Look at the growth descriptions of the plant. How tall does it grow? How wide do the branches spread out? How long does the tree live?
Also an important thing to consider..what zone does this plant grow best in?
What are the water requirements? Does it need fertilizer, or any soil amendments to grow at its best?
Does it need another tree to help pollinate it to bear fruit?
Is it actually something that you and your family will enjoy eating the fruit from?
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These are all factors to consider in your choices.
Then, by all means..when your tree or trees arrive from the nursery..that is if you have ordered them from a catalog or other source. Make sure that you follow the planting directions. Don't get in a hurry and think that you can just plop a tree in the ground and be done with it, and that you will have stellar results. It doesn't quite work that way.
Take your time and read the planting instructions.Make sure that you dig the hole properly. That you have the root ball at the correct depth. That you have adjusted the roots properly to allow them to spread out and to be able to grip the soil.
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One thing that folks tend to do with young trees is they plant them, then forget them.
Please do not do this. Your young trees will need plenty of water for the first several months to 6 months, to even a year after being planted to establish their root systems properly.Of course do not drown them either. If you notice any curling of the young tender leaves, chances are your tree could use a bit of water.
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Now where to find sources for good nut and fruit trees?
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Here are some places to get you started.
Now is the time to request catalogs from these companies. It is always fun to start getting gardening catalogs in the late Fall and early December when the gardens have been laid to rest..that is the time when we can fight a bit of the cabin fever that winter chill brings by pouring over lovely photos of things that we wish to grow and plotting and planning out next years gardens.
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STARK'S BRO'S:
Provides some heirloom varieties of Apple Trees, also dwarf varieties for those with small yards.Cherry trees, blackberries, blueberries and more.
http://www.starkbros.com/access?action=category&categoryID=3&currentPage=2
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WILLIS ORCHARDS:
Provides Banana trees, and fig trees,pomegranates and more.
http://www.willisorchards.com/category/Fruit+Trees?gclid=COOcgs7XzZ0CFRQhnAod23uUsQ
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~The Victory Gardener!~

New Issue of Small Town Living e-zine on website

Just a note to let you know that

the new Oct./November 2009 issue of Small Town Living e-zine is now available online at:

http://www.stliving.net/

Featured in this issue:

Buckeye Chickens

What We Learned Through Our CSA Adventure (one families adventure with their first year of having started a CSA(community supported agriculture)highly recommend this article if any of you are thinking of starting a CSA type farm)

My Journey To Veganism

Soap Making 101

The Do's and Don't's Of Moving To A Small Town

Gifts From the Pantry
....and more.

Please feel free to share the e-zine with family and friends. Thank you and Happy Fall!

A few Garden Quotes to share with you

I recently found a darling little book filled with garden quotes from different poets/writers from ages past. I thought I'd share a few of them here.

Some of these would look very cute embroidered on a tea towel, or used in artwork, or on handmade note cards or tags.
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The love of gardening is a seed that never dies.

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Who loves a garden still his Eden keeps,

Perennial pleasures plants,

and wholesome harvest reaps.

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I wish everyone had a garden,

And would work in it himself.

The world would grow sweeter tempered at once.

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To cultivate a garden is to walk with God.

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The man who has planted a garden

feels that he has done something

for the good of the whole world.

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Scatter seeds of kidness

Everywhere you go:

Scatter bits of courtesy-

Watch them grow and grow.

Gather buds of friendship:

Keep them till full grown:

You will find more blessings

Than you have ever known.

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~The Victory Gardener!~

More about Growing Greens...with Recipes and Storing Tips

Growing Collard Greens:

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Collard greens require a well draining soil as well. You can prepare the soil for your collard greens by either turning in a good compost matter at least 4 inches deep into the soil, or by using a fertilizer that is a 10-10-10 variety.

Rake the fertilizer or compost into the soil. Create mounds that are at least six inches tall, as the collards can have roots that reach about two feet in depth.Space the rows at least two and a half to three feet apart.Sow the seed at a depth of 1/4 of an inch. Keep soil moistened. Seeds will germinate in about 7 days.

Once the plants reach about 6 inches tall thin them out to a spacing of at least 1 1/2 to 2 feet apart.If you notice the leaves on your collard plants starting to have a paler green color to them instead of a rich deep green color, you will need to add a side dressing of fertilizer to each row of plants.Add only one teaspoon of fertilizer per plant, mix the fertilizer into the soil well and water in. This may need to be done every 6 weeks as the plants grow.

Begin harvesting the leaves from the plants when the plants reach about 10 inches tall. Harvest from the bottom of the plants,discard the leaves at the very bottom (the first 3-4 leaves), as they can be tougher, then harvest the others,leaving the upper leaves on the plant.You can also choose to harvest all at once, by simply cutting the plants down when they are about 12 inches tall.----------------------------

Growing Mustard Greens:

------------------------Mustard greens are a fast growing green that pack plenty of nutritional value.Being ready to harvest in about 45 days from seed sowing.

Mustard greens can be eaten either raw or cooked.They add a bit of pep to the salad, and are a great winter time green that freezes well for use in soups, or as an accompaniment to meats like pork chops,ham, and other hearty winter time fare.

Mustard greens are a "cut and come again" crop, meaning you can cut what you need from the plants as you need it, through to winter frost.

----------------- Direct sow the mustard seed into the garden. No need to make rows for the mustard greens really, as they can be grown rather close together.You can even create a raised bed specifically for this variety.

Sow the seed at a depth of 1/3 to 1/2 inch deep. Allow to grow until the plants reach about 2 inches in height then thin to 3 inches to 5 inches apart.

Begin harvesting the outer leaves on your plants when they are 4 to 5 inches tall.If you choose the "cut and come again" method of harvesting remember to cut frequently for a steady harvest through to frost.If you choose to harvest the plants all at once, remember that they reach full maturity at about 45 days if you wish not to use them as a "cut and come again" variety of plant.

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Storing of Greens:

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With any of the greens make sure that you wash them thoroughly, checking the leaves over for any bugs or worms that may have attached themselves to the leaves. Swish in water very well and rinse until the leaves are clean. Wrap the greens in paper towels and store in plastic bags in your refrigerator for 3-5 days.

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Freezing for later use:

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All of these greens can be used for later dishes by freezing.

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You will need to do a fast blanch of the greens to prepare them for freezing.With any of these greens remove the stem ends and cut the leaves into smaller pieces.Make sure that the greens are all rinsed very thoroughly and free of bugs(unless of course you like the added protein...ha)

Separate the greens into one pound increments.You will need two very large stock pots.Have a large stock pot in your sink filled with 5 quarts of ice cold water.

Yes, using ice cubes in the water is a good idea, you want this water to be very cold.Using another heavy stock pot with a tight fitting lid fill this pot on your stove with 5 quarts of water.Bring to a steady rolling boil.Have a timer handy as you will need it.

Place the greens into the boiling water and immediately put the lid on and begin timing the greens immediately. Let them boil for 3 minutes exactly.Remove at the 3 minute mark and immediately dunk into the cold water bath.

Let set in the cold water bath for a full five minutes. Drain and pack into freezer bags,remove as much air as possible from the bags, and label.Immediately place into your freezer.Frozen greens will keep in your freezer for up to a year.

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Recipes:

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Turnip Greens With Pot Likker

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(A good old Southern staple, this recipe comes from a War time era cookbook."Pot Likker" is the vitamin rich water that is left in the bottom of the pan after cooking the greens, this water has a good flavor from the greens, and is generally poured back over the greens prior to serving , and it is usually what the cornbread served alongside the greens is dipped into...yumm... good eatings!)

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1/2 pound salt pork

1 quart cold water

4 quarts fresh turnip greens

1/4 teaspoon salt

Dash of pepper

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Place the salt pork in cold water,heat to boiling and cook for 45 minutes.Wash the turnip greens in several waters and clean well.Put into the pot with the pork and cook for 1 hour.

Drain water from the greens and meat Reserving 1 1/2 cups of the water. Chop the greens rather fine and season well.Place greens on hot dish.

Arrange the pork over the top of the greens.Pour the 1 1/2 cup of hot water in which the greens were cooked over top of the greens and meat.

Serve with corn bread.

Makes 4 servings.

(***Hog jowl can be substituted for the salt pork) (****You can also cut up the root into small chunks and use in this recipe)

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Mustard Greens With Bacon

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Fry 6 slices of bacon in a large frying pan.Remove from pan, drain and crumble. Set aside. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the bacon drippings in the frying pan.

Meanwhile clean 1 pound of fresh mustard greens thoroughly.Remove stems and cut the greens into small pieces. Add the greens to a large saucepan of water until just covered.Bring to a rolling boil and let boil for about 8 minutes.

Remove from heat and drain.Add the greens to the skillet and add the bacon back in to the pan.

Now add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar.

Simmer all together over a low heat for 5 minutes.Salt and pepper to taste.

Serve with black eye peas and corn bread.

Makes about 4 servings.

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Collards & Lentils

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6 slices bacon

1 small onion,diced fine

1 garlic clove,chopped fine

1 pound fresh collard greens, cleaned and cut into small pieces,inner stems removed.

Salt and pepper to taste

2 cups cooked lentils

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Fry bacon in a large skillet until crisp.Remove from pan, drain and crumble. Set aside.Reserve 3 tablespoons of the bacon drippings.Add the onion and garlic into pan and saute until onion and garlic are tender and translucent.

Add the collard greens into the skillet and toss. Let cook until greens are tender, about 12 minutes.Add lentils and salt and pepper into pan, let heat through.

***Serve over steamed rice if desired.Goes well with pork chops or ham dishes.

Makes 4 servings.

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~Happy Gardening!~

~The Victory Gardener!~

Time to plant a Fall Garden

Have you planned your Fall Garden?Still time to get varieties like greens(turnips, collard, mustard) in the ground...also things like bush beans, peas, lettuces, chard, endive going...also radishes, it is also the time to start planting garlic.

You'll find seed available for some of the above mentioned items at http://www.myvictorygarden.etsy.com/

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I'll be planting some bean varieties tomorrow in our raised beds in the back yard, although our home is currently for sale I figure I might as well try growing something for our freezer that is a fast grower..the bush beans take only about 2 months from seed to harvest to grow and if the house does not sell within that time frame at least I'll be assured that I have a couple of varieties to freeze for winter use.
And if the house does manage to get sold within a 60 day period then the new owners can enjoy some fresh veggies..I won't mind...smiles...but I'll at least have a chance to get to "play in the dirt" a little bit more this year. :0)
I'll be planting some of the following varieties of bush beans:
Royal Burgundy, Provider, Jackson Wonder Butterbean, and Queen Anne Blackeye Pea...all fast growers and all of them grow no taller than about 26 inches tall.
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I am also going to stop back by our local Kmart and check to see if any of their plastic garden pots remain on sale at 70 percent off! I managed to score a great deal last week on 11 plastic pots that were normally priced at $9.99 each..I snagged them for only $3 each..saving myself a total of $77 dollars! wow!
I used 8 of those big pots to pot up 39 varieties of bearded iris rhizomes that I had received from Stoney Creek Iris (which by the way sells lovely varieties of beareded iris)..so do check them out next Spring if you are in the market for irises. Absolutely lovely varieties offered there.
Anyhow..back to the pots..I'm hoping to be able to snag about 3 more large pots if they are on sale, and use them to get some cut and come again lettuce varieties started for Fall and winter salads.
I have some nice varieties I want to get planted..like the Tom Thumb mini lettuces, and some mache corn salad, and oak leaf lettuce.
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Wishing you all an absolutely lovely week, and Happy Gardening!
~The Garden Goose!~

Growing Turnip Greens

Growing Turnip Greens:
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Turnip greens offer you a "two for one" benefit. Not only are the green leaves edible, but the roots of the turnip are also edible, and can be cooked similar to potatoes.
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Turnips will grow best in a well draining soil with a PH level of about 6.5 .
Create a row by mounding the soil up to about 4 inches tall.Space rows twelve inches apart. Plant the seeds at a depth of 1/2 inch.Keep the soil evenly moist. The seedlings should germinate in about 4 days.
Once the seedlings begin to emerge thin the plants to 4 inches apart when they reach about 2 inches tall.
Once the leaves start developing, you'll want to harvest them when they reach about 4 to 5 inches in size for the best flavor.You'll want to remove the leaves from the outermost sections, leaving the inner leaves. If you are wanting to harvest the root of the plant, do not harvest from the plant a second time, as doing so takes away from the development of the root itself, as the plant then has to put its growth effort into producing new leaves instead of allowing the root to develop more.If you'd like to use the root in cooking, harvest it when it is about 3 inches in diameter.
If you'd like to just harvest the leaves from the plant, then you should be able to obtain at least 2 leaf harvests from the plant during its growth.Just remember to harvest from the outer leaves,and when the leaves are 4-5 inches in size.
~Happy Gardening!~
~The Victory Gardener~

Happy 4th of July!

Wishing you all a lovely Holiday weekend!

Happy 4th of July!

~The Victory Gardener!~