Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Friday, September 2, 2011
I told you so
Well.....I've been raving about the tomato Goose Creek for years!! Telling everyone that would listen how it is small but the best tasting tomato ever! So...it was voted best tasting tomato out of I believe 250 varieties at the 5th Annual Buffalo-Niagra Tomato Tastefest. Ha! And who told you first?? I hate saying I told you so but.....I TOLD YOU SO! Yes, if you haven't grown Goose Creek maybe this will convince you. Edit: for accuracy, the photo belongs to Laurel at http://heirloomtomatoplants.com/

o use them to make acorn squash bread (instead of pumpkin bread). Sooooo gooooood! The flavor reminds me of chestnuts. This is a definate grow again. Sunday, July 10, 2011
Scones and other new obsessions
The garden is on auto-pilot for now with the exception of weeding. So now is as good a time as any to update the blog.
Annnnnd....Maple Butter or Maple Cream. Ohhhh yes. Also another find from Seb's sister (yes, she's cool). It looks like creamed honey, Same concept except maple. Use it in oatmeal and on toast. So good I'm sure there are a million other uses for it also. Order online unless you are fortunate enough to live near a maple farm.
not the real way. With clotted cream. Seb and I stayed and a B&B in Niagra on the Lake and the owner served scones with Clotted Cream. Never eaten it that way before. What a great combination. Made a good scone into a fantastic scone. So today I am going to make maple oat scones. Going to tweak the recipe so it has no dairy. (Trying very hard to eliminate most dairy from my diet. Yes, I know clotted cream is dairy) After I make my scones I can use my French coffee bowl to dunk them. Maple Oat Scones
For The Scones
1 cup oats (quick or old-fashioned)
1 1/2 cups flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 1/2 tablespoons cold butter (small pieces)
1 large egg
1/2 cup half-and-half or 1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2-3/4 teaspoon maple extract
2/3 cup coarsely chopped pecans
Maple Glaze
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon maple extract
5 teaspoons water
Change Measurements: US Metric
Directions:
Prep Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
1 Preheat oven to 425°F.
2 Using a food processor or blender, finely grind oats.
3 In a mixer, mix flour, oats, sugar, salt and baking powder.
4 Add maple syrup and butter and mix well.
5 In a small bowl, beat the egg with the cream and maple extract.
6 Pour the egg mixture into the flour mixture and mix well.
7 Add pecans and mix just to incorporate.
8 Place dough on a floured surface. Knead and pat dough into a 8 to 10 inch circle and cut into 8 wedges.
9 Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Place wedges on top and bake for 13 to 15 minutes, or until light brown.
10 Remove scones from oven to wire rack. Let cool about 3 to 5 minutes.
11 Mix glaze ingredients until smooth. Adjust the amount of water to get to the desired consistency. I like the glaze to be rather thick. Spread lots of glaze over each scone and dry about 15 minutes before serving.
Friday, June 3, 2011
All About Beans
This year, I am growing two new Greasy Beans... Whitey Swanger Greasy and Lazy wife Greasy. Also, a yellow pole bean called St. Fiacre or Buerre de St. Fiacre (Thanks Seb). Pretty obscure bean. I would post a photo of it but they are pretty non existant. You guys will have to wait a couple of months until I can snap a few.
So in my research..I come across 2 beans I had to have. One is called Blue Jay Bush bean. The following is a copy paste from Two Wings Farm:
by a couple of growers (ourselves included) and by the work of our friend Shirley Bellows of Seeds of Diversity Canada. When we looked into the parentage of the Blue Jay bean, we found the Comtesse de Chambord a tiny bean from France, and before that Scotland. However, the more I searched, the more I came up with a blank. There apparently is only one source for this bean that I could find –anywhere-in the world! That is very close to extinction," 
Many people are quite startled by its miniature size when they see a rice bean for the first time. The tiny, young 4-inch pods are so tender and sweet that you can eat them raw or toss them in a mixed bean salad. They make a beautiful garnish, too. The small, dry beans resemble rice when cooked, although the flavor is richer and nuttier, and the texture is much more appealing. Best of all, you dont have to soak rice beans before cooking them, because they take only about 20 to 25 minutes to cook."
ound some fresh at the new Earth Fare store by my house. Soooooo Gooooood! Has a very mild peanuty taste. The French have been enjoying it since the 17th century. Twice as much vitamin C as normal lettuce and chocked full of other vitamins. Fairly un-known to U.S. growers. If you haven't tried it..a must!Friday, March 18, 2011
2011 Grow List
Beans
Pink Tip Greasy
NC Speckled Long Greasy Cut-short
Whitey Swanger Greasy
Lazy Wife Greasy
St. Fiacre
Garlic
French Rose
Giant from Medina Fair
Peppers
Ancient Sweets F3
Peppadew
Chocolate Ghost Chili
Doux de Landes
Cuerno de la Cabra
Piment Gernika
Piment Espelette
Piment d’ampuis
Sucette de Provence
Yellow Cherry Pepper
Corn
Mirai White
Mirai Yellow
Turnips
Navet de Nancy
Navet jaune Boule d’ or
Navet Boulette de Champagne
Summer Squash
Benning's Green Tint Patty Pan
Striato di Napoli Zucchini
Grey Zucchini
Winter Squash
Long Pie Pumpkin
Sweet Dumpling
Thelma Sanders Sweet Potato Acorn Squash
Sweet Keeper
Tomatoes
Red
Marmande Garnier Rouge
Pepe Jose
Oncle Remi
Zeke Dishman
Stump of the World
Mr. Sids
Pomodoro Banana Marino
Yellow/Gold
Claude Brown’s Yellow Giant
Wisconsin 55 Gold
Chicken Pen Persimmon
Buckeye Yellow
KBX
Green
Absinthe
Green Giant
Marmande Verte
Maurine Verte
Pink
Norcarolina Pink
Olive Hill
White Mate Giant
Purple/Black
Noire Charbonneuse
Carbon
Indian Stripe
Grosse de Bordo
Spudatula Black
Cherry
Marizol Gold cherry
Butterball cherry
Black Cherry
Green Doctor’s Frosted
Bi-Color
Pamplemousse du Grand Pere
Marzipan Gold
Captain Lucky
Scabitha
Serendipity
White
Jack White
White Wonder
Fairytale F3
Claude’s Coral F2
Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes
Eggplant
Fairy Tale
Black Beauty
Basil
Red Osmin
Napoletano
Petra
Poppy Joe’s
Shallots
Catnip
Sunflowers
Marigolds
French Breakfast radish
Groundcherry Goldy
Onions
Brussel Sprouts
Rutabaga
Chinese Lanterns
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Mary Gardens

St. Benedict had a rose garden ("rosary") at his monastery in the 4th c., but the first garden we know of that was specifically dedicated to Mary was one created by the Irish St. Fiacre in the 7th c. The earliest record of a garden explicitly called a "Mary Garden" involves a "fifteenth century monastic accounting record of the purchase of plants "for S. Mary's garden" by the sacristan of Norwich Priory, in England."
I like this idea. I have to admit I consider my garden my church. Feel much more comfortable there than I do in a pew. Hahaha.
Here's a link about them and it includes a list of all plants associated with Mary. Too long to post on the blog. http://www.fisheaters.com/marygardens.html
Monday, January 17, 2011
A Long Winters Sleep
Friday, November 12, 2010
Blog fatigue
Updates:
I will be posting my all-stars list this week. My website is still being worked on. The delay... Me. I need to submit a lot of copy and have been way too busy.

s. These things are sooo cool looking. Stole the seed from a garden in France with my partner in crime Sebastien. I guess they are self seeding and multiply so plant once and forget it. Just decorative but very catchy!!Friday, September 24, 2010
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Mirai Corn and Tomato news
"It was bred on the Ahrens family farm in Illinois by J. David Mackenzie, a plantsman from Cornell University. As the economy worsened for family farms in the early 1990s, the Ahrenses hired Mackenzie to research new strains of sweet corn for market use. When he discovered Mirai®, he was really just trying to create a more disease-resistant variety. But one taste changed all that.
At first, the new corn didn't seem marketable. It needs to be hand-picked, which ruled out production by the huge commercial farms in the U.S. So Mackenzie introduced it instead to Japan, where small "boutique" farms are common, and many crops are still picked by hand. Within a few years Mirai® had become the bestselling sweet corn in Japan, capturing an amazing 35% of the market from all other varieties! (That's where it got its name, too. Mirai® (pronounced mee-RYE) also means "taste"!)
Once small American farms and roadside produce operations heard of Mirai's success in Japan (where it made headlines), everyone wanted the seed. But until now, the breeders have wisely released only a small amount of seed, continuing to test and trial it. The results have been spectacular -- and those farmers' markets lucky enough to grow Mirai® have been besieged by long lines all season long! It's not uncommon for folks to drive 100 miles or more to wait in line for Mirai® -- and it is especially popular with older corn-lovers, because it is so gentle on the teeth or dentures. " (copy and paste from Park Seeds)
The one I bought is called mini-Mirai, or "baby corn" as the customers in line kept calling it. There is also a full size yellow Mirai and a white Mirai.
ve shared the good stuff, let me tell you about my new tomato cross! I have a Kumato x Absinthe cross. Calling it "Fairytale" Alan Bishop made a good point about the name... he said it made sense because Absinthe, being one of the parents, is called "the green fairy". So it's child being called Fairytale is perfect! Thanks Thursday, July 22, 2010
Morning Glorys
previous year. I always have them climbing up a huge pole to my bird condo. Hehee.. Not a single bird family unit.. but houses many birds. Wednesday, July 21, 2010
My favorite time of the year.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Too Many Zucchini
2 (1 oz) squares unsweetened chocolate (2 oz. total)
3 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 cup oil
2 cups of grated zucchini (salted and water squeezed out)
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups of flour
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¾ cup of chocolate chips
1 cup of chopped nuts
Preheat oven to 350 F ( 175 C) Lightly grease two 9x5 inch loaf pans. (bread pans). Melt the unsweetened chocolate. Stir until chocolate is smooth.
In a large bowl, combine eggs, sugar, oil, grated zucchini, vanilla and melted chocolate. Mix well. Stir in the flour , baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Fold in the chocolate chips and nuts. Pour batter into prepared pans.
Bake in oven for 60-70 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center of loaf comes out clean.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Zucchini and making Basil Jelly
It's zucchini time again. Just trying to keep up with them can be a major job... I like to sautee them, grate them, squeeze the water out and vacuum seal them for winter. I also like to make zucchini fritters and Chocolate Zucchini bread. Just a few ideas of how to use it.
Purple Basil Jelly
2 heaping cups of fresh purple basil leaves (or Green Basil)
2 C boiling water ( or 1 cup of water 1 cup of Apple Juice)
1/4 C well-strained, clear lemon juice
4 C sugar
3 oz liquid pectin (Certo)
You can also add a bit of natural food coloring if you like. Purple or Green
Wash leaves well, (if necessary), drain and place in heat-proof glass or nonreactive bowl. Pour boiling water over leaves and let steep from 30 minutes to 24 hours. I prefer to let it sit overnight, for best flavor and color.. Strain through a fine sieve, reserving the clear, purplish liquid or infusion. If not using
immediately, refrigerate up to 24 hours.
Place jars and lids on rack in pan or stockpot deep enough to cover them with about two inches of water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer, keeping the jars hot until ready to fill.
To make the jelly, stir lemon juice and sugar into reserved infusion in a two-quart nonreactive or stainless steel pan. Bring to a full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down. Add the liquid pectin and continue to boil two minutes, skimming any foam that may rise to the surface.
Ladle quickly into jars to within about 1/8 inch from the top; clean each rim and threads of the jar as it's filled, and place flat lid and ring on each before filling the next. Screw band on tightly and invert jar on tea towel for about five to 10 minutes. Jars should seal and lids should pop shut within 10 minutes as they cool. If they do not seal, you can place them in a hot water bath for 10 minutes or place in the refrigerator.
Sealed jars will last up to one year in a cool, dark place. Put any unsealed jelly in the refrigerator. It should keep about three weeks. Makes four or five half-pint jars.
This makes a delightful purple, licorice/herb flavored jelly that is delicious on toast or biscuits, but is also wonderful with cold meat sandwiches, as a glaze or part of a marinade, or melted down with a bit of orange juice and used as a dressing for a fruit salad.
You can also try experimenting with other kinds of basil – Holy Basil, African blue basil, or lemon basil are especially delicious!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
More to come
Julen...I only have pics of Doux des Landes from last year. As soon as my new Basque peppers are done growing I will take photos for you. (I know you don't call them Basque peppers hahaha).
Website is being worked on by my new awesome designer. Woot! Up in October.
Hope the growing is going well for everyone else. I can't wait to have my first garden tomato of the year.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Here are my two new meat eating plants. Woot! I never really thought about them until my frien
Got the teepee up for the Scarlet Runner Beans.. I think this is going to be my garden masterpiece this summer.
Most of the seedlings are doing alright but I did lose a few :-( Grrrrrrrrrrrr.. I'm gonna try and make up some of the ones I lost at the nursery but I doubt they are going to have much of what I am looking for..
Lastly I did finally find a web designer for my web
site. Will be up in October but you'll have to keep quessing about it until them.
Okay, that is just a quick up-date for now but I will do better next time LOL promise!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
LOL... I would love to say these are my lambs but they are not. They belong to my friend Lucine in France (I want them). Born over the Easter holiday.
ep. Wednesday, April 7, 2010
1930's tomato farming
This video is crazy... It's from 1930. Subtitles are in French but it shows the back-breaking work of tomato farming then.
P.S. Thank You Sebastien Prunet!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Marigolds
MarigoldsDid You Know Marigolds were first discovered by the Portuguese in Central America in the 16th century?? "Marigold" is derived from "Mary's Gold", and the plant is associated with the Virgin Mary in Christian stories. Because of the flower's heavenly association it was thought to be a bringer of good luck and to ward off evil and witchery.
Planting Marigolds amongst your tomatoes is considered "companion planting". Annual Marigolds can be used anywhere to deter Mexican bean beetles, squash bugs, thrips, tomato hornworms, and whiteflies. They are also known to repel harmful root knot nematodes (soi
l dwelling microscopic white worms) that attack tomatoes, potatoes, roses, and strawberries. Marigolds omit an odor that many insects find offensive so when you plant marigolds you are actually helping keep insects away from the area you are planting the marigold flowers in. Insects do not like to be around marigold flowers.The root of the Marigold produces a chemical that kills nematodes as they enter the soil. If a whole area is infested, at the end of the season, turn the Marigolds under so the roots will decay in the soil. You can safely plant there again the following spring.
Marigolds are easy to grow and have a long flowering period. African marigolds have a upright growth and can reach a height of 30-40 inches, while French marigolds grow to only 8-16 inches. African marigolds come in shades of yellow and orange, while French marigolds are often multicolored in shades of orange, yellow, mahogany and crimson. Both are suitable for massed plantings or pots. They are attractive as cut flowers if the scent isn't a problem. Change the water in the vase frequently.
Marigolds are grown from seeds. They like full to partial sun. Marigold seeds can be directly sowed into your flower garden, or seeded indoors for transplanting later. I recommend planting Marigolds in pots and containers indoors, then transplanting them outdoors. This allows you to make the proper spacing without the need for thinning seedlings.
Sow Marigold seeds early in the season and cover lightly with soil. Water thoroughly once. They germinate easily and will grow quickly, producing their first of a continual display of blooms by mid-summer.
Transplant Marigold plants into your garden after the last frost date for your area. Spacing depends upon size with miniature varieties spaced four to six inches apart, and Giant varieties one to two feet apart. Around mid-summer, your plants will begin to produce flowers and will continue to do so up to the first frost. You do not need remove dead flower blooms, except for appearance. Sunday, March 14, 2010
Seed Bombs

How they Work
A seed bomb is a little capsule with everything you need to grow a plant all bundled up. The clay has lots of root-encouraging nutrients. The Worm Castings will give the seeds a nice fertilizer, good for land that hasn't been cultivated or worked on for a while. The indigenous seeds are custom made for your area. They will know how to grow given the conditions.Now all they need is a nice rain. The perfect time to throw these is right before a light rainy season. The rain will melt the clay to expose the seeds, and your seed bombs will grow.
Seed Bombs Ingredients
1) powdered clay
2) worm castings
3) wildflower seeds indigenous to the area
4) water

5) mixing container
6) stick
How to Make a Seed Bomb
1) mix 5pt powder clay, 5pt worm castings, 1pt seeds in a mixing container.
2) add just enough water to make a nice muddy clay consistency
3) roll up the mixture into little balls like gum balls
4) let dry in a cool dry place for like 3 days
5) throw them in empty fields.






