Friday, August 12, 2016

Amaranth


A weed, cereal grain, leafy vegetable, and ornamental describe species of the family amaranthaceae. Most gardeners are probably already growing the weed species, much to their dismay, which is commonly called pigweed.  If you have trou


ble with this summer annual weed then maybe you should look at growing a species with a purpose.  Amaranth is cultivated for a leafy veggie or for seed used as a grain cereal. 



Unfamiliar with amaranth?  At first glance it looks like bird seed but prepared right it is delicious and nutritious. Anciently amaranth was grown by the Aztec and considered sacred. Amaranth is an ancient grain but new to a lot of people. In Asia, Amaranth tricolor has been grown throughout history as a leafy green.  Leaves from all amaranth considered healthy.  They are high in calcium and iron but have high amount of oxalic acid which can make the calcium less available to the body. 

Probably a reason amaranth is of interest to the health conscience consumer is because it is a valuable protein source.  The seeds of amaranth have the amino acid lysine that is absent in many grains. If amaranth is combined with other grains, it makes a complete protein and therefore a great option for the home gardener to grow.  Recipes are becoming more popular for the small seed grain.  So give it a try.  It can be used in edible landscape or grown in the food garden.

Grain amaranths are a beautiful plant.  They can grow from 6-9 feet tall and 3 feet wide.  The flowering seed heads are colorful and beautiful with golden, orange and burgundy colors.  They deserve consideration in a flower bed as well as in the vegetable garden.  The arananth grown for a leafy green is shorter reaching a height of 3 feet.


Both grain and leaf amaranth are tender plants that will not tolerate frost. The seeds germinating in warm soils of 70-75 degrees.  The seeds are very small and must be direct seeded in a sunny spot. The seeds do not need to be covered but can be lightly covered.  You can plant like corn in rows to avoid the need to thin or broadcast the seed then thin the plants to one per 18 to 24 ".  Amaranth needs good fertile soil rich in organic matter with a dry organic fertilizer mixed in.  It appreciates an occasional feeding of fish emulsion for needed nitrogen.  I have found that grasshoppers like the leaves.  You can protect them with row covers as seedlings.  The deer also like amaranth.

The seeds mature at different times on the flower head starting at the bottom of the flower head and working up.  Since the seed is small you can cut the flower when the majority of seeds have matured.  Place the seed head out of the sun on a tray to finish drying.  When removing the seeds gloves are helpful because the flowers are somewhat spikey.  Rub the seed head allowing the grain to fall into a bowl or tray.  You can also rub seeds off into a bucket as they ripen if you prefer to no harvest the whole flower head.


Once the seeds are in a bowl you need to remove the chaff and flower heads.  Try swirling the seeds in the bowl.  The seeds are light and tend to move to the bottom and flower parts move to the top and can be picked out.



Amaranth seed is becoming easier to find.  I have listed a few places you can purchase seed:

  • Bountiful Gardens
  • Seeds of Change
  • Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
Varieties of Amaranth
  • Burgundy Grain Amaranth- white seeds
  • Golden Giant Amaranth- white seeds
  • Elana's Rojo Amaranth- grain seed
  • Hopi Red Dye- red seeds used as dye and  young leaves used as greens, beautiful ornamental
  • AGreen Calaloo Amaranth- used as a green
  • Love Lies Bleeding- ornamental flower


Sunday, March 20, 2016

Pruning Apples & Pears: Before and After Shots


Today we pruned our apples and pears.  Pruning can be intimidating for the beginning gardener.  I've done a few posts that I think are very beneficial to help you understand where fruit grows on apples and pears.  Understanding the fruiting habits of different fruit trees is essential before you prune because one of the goals of pruning is to increase fruiting not prune it all off.


After you understand where apples and pears bear fruit you are ready to prune.  I've written a post that I hope is simple yet includes enough information that you can confidently go out and prune with good results.



Here are the before and after shots of the apple and pear trees I pruned.

Before:

This is a Gala before pruning.

 After:  Notice how open the tree is after pruning allowing light in to develop the fruit.

The Gala after pruning
Before:


 After:




 Before: This is a Sungold with a very upright growth habit. It has lots of congestion in the center with crossing and rubbing branches. Half the tree suffered deer damage.



After:  I pruned this tree very heavily and opened up the center. I'm trying to encourage a more outward growth habit. The deer damage has left it lope-sided unfortunately.


Before:  
After: Once again opening up the center to allow light in.


Before: A pear with lots of growth that needs pruning.  Pears tend to grow tall and upright. The fruit will bend down some of the branches.


After: Taming the pear tree.  Lots of thinning.


 

Monday, January 25, 2016

Smoked Pork....Brine & Rub


For Christmas, I got my husband an inexpensive smoker.  This year was also the first year we raised pigs so we have a freezer full of pork.  What a great combination...smoked pork.  I thought I would share a brine and rub recipe from our first attempt at smoking meat.



Pork Loin Brine
1 gallon water
2 1/2 cups canning salt
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp ginger
1 Tbs powdered garlic
1 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp ground pepper
1 tsp basil
1 tsp rosemary
(Capper's Farmer Summer 2014)

Combine all the ingredients and stir until sugar and salt are dissolved.  You can freeze portions of this until you need it.  






A sirloin pork roast




We placed a pork roast in a plastic bag with some of the brine and refrigerated it overnight.  Brining adds flavor and results in a moister meat.  Basically you are placing the meat in a salt solution which results in a scientific process called osmosis. This process seeks to equalize the amount of salt on the outside of the meat with the amount on the inside. The salt and seasonings are drawn into the meat fibers adding to the flavor of the meat and keeping it moist.

After the brining, we rubbed all the sides with this dry rub.


Carolina Dry Rub
1/4 cup ground black pepper
1/4 cup paprika
2 Tbs sugar
1 Tbs salt
1/2 Tbs chili powder
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 1/2 tsp onion powder
 (Capper's Farmer Summer 2014)

Mix the rub and store in a sealed container.


After a rub you could mop the meat with your favorite BBQ sauce.  We decided to try it without sauce.  


We smoked the meat at 200 degrees until the internal temperature was 170 degrees. It was delicious and moist.  We are excited about trying new recipes.  Please share your wealth of knowledge about brines, rubs, sauces, and smoking meats.



Our side dish was roasted root crops  from our garden.....potatoes, golden beets, beets, and carrots. 


Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Meet the "Not So Popular" Spring Crops




We all have our garden favorites.  Rutabagas and kohlrabi never seem to make the list.  While I wouldn't go hog wild in planting these, maybe you could try  and squeeze a few of the lesser known cool season crops in some corner of the garden.  I'm a firm believer that all it takes is the right recipe and then you'll be friends for life.

So let me introduce you to some cool season crops that get very little mention or attention in the garden spotlight.  Considering their nutritional value and storage potential they are important for those trying to grow year round and be self-reliant.



Kohlrabi


Kohlrabi is a beautiful plant and unique.  It looks like a small round green or violet space ship resting on the garden bed among frilly, broccoli-like leaves.  The green or violet bulb is actually a swollen stem. It's taste is mild, sweeter than a turnip, and similar to the heart of a cabbage.  Kohlrabi is in the Brassica Oleracea family.  It is in the same family as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, collards, and kale; therefore it needs similar growing conditions as these crops. The are quick growing and ready to harvest in 55-65 days.  Like all Brassicas it is an anti-cancer veggie. It's leaves and bulb have Vitamin C & A, potassium and fiber.



Culture



  • Kohlrabi likes soil rich in organic matter
  • Sow in early spring as soon as soil can be worked or as a fall crop
  • They can tolerant a frost and temperatures down to 20 degrees but protect during a hard frost.
  • I usually plant around St Patrick's Day which allows them time to be harvested before the heat sets in.
  • Plant 4 / square foot
  • Avoid water stressing kohlrabi.  It has shallow roots and water fluctuations cause the stem to become woody.


Harvesting



  • The most tender and best flavored kohlrabi are harvested at a diameter of 2 - 3 inches
  • Leaves can be harvested when young and used like cabbage.  Your goats and chickens will also love the leaves if you choose not to harvest them.
  • Pull the bulb up and trim off root and leaves
  • To eat peel the outer skin off.  
  • They can be eaten raw and are a crisp treat in your favorite dip or cooked in dishes with other root crops.
  • They store 2-3 weeks in the refrigerator 


Pest and Disease



  • They are victims of the same pests as cabbage
  • Cabbage loppers can be controlled with spinosad or Neem oil or just pick them off
  • These are very easy to grow as long as you plant them in the proper season
  • Row covers are helpful if you have problems with cabbage loppers 

 

Varieties


I think the purple varieties are the most stunning. Try planting the white and purple varieties in a staggered pattern for a beautiful presentation.
  
  • Purple Vienna
  • White Vienna


Seed Statistics and Seed Saving



  • Seeds store well for 4-5 years
  • Kohlrabi is biennial and those for seed saving are planted in the fall.  The plants are dug up after a frost.  Remove the leaves and trim the root to 4-6 inches.  Store in damp sand or sawdust. Replant the best roots in the spring for seed production.
  • If you have mild winters and protection you can over winter kohlrabi for seed.




Seed Saving in the Brassica Family



  • All members of the B. oleracea will cross pollinate that includes broccoli, cauliflower, collards, kale, kohlrabi, cabbage, and Brussel sprouts.
  • The have perfect flowers containing both male and female parts but require insects for pollination
  • They are self-incompatible meaning they need the pollen from another plant to be carried by native pollinators and bees to produce seed.
  • In this family it is always wise to save seeds from a variety of plants
  • Many are biennials needed 2 years to produce seed


Rutabagas Brassica napus


Rutabagas are also known as Swede turnips although they are not in the same family as turnips.  They have white or yellow flesh.  There are 3 subspecies:  those grown for their roots, those grown for leaves (Siberian Kale), and rape varieties grown for seed oil. The are higher in nutrition than turnips being high in vitamin A and C, iron, and fiber.





Culture



  • If summer temperatures exceed 75 they are unhappy.  I plant them as a fall crop.
  • Direct seed in soil with organic matter
  •  Even moisture is important
  • 4/ square foot
  • Plants are frost tolerant and can be mulched well through winter or put under a low tunnel
  • Mature in 90-100 days  


Harvesting



  • Frosts sweeten up the roots by increasing the sugars
  • Dig up the roots after a few frosts and trim the tops to 2 "
  • The can keep for 2-4 months at 32 degrees and with humidity
  • They store fine in the fridge, or in a root cellar in damp sand
  • They can be cooked and mashed with potatoes,  roasted, or added to soups with carrots and other root crops.  They are very good roasted with other root crops.
Joan rutabagas

 

Varieties



  • Joan and Magres



Turnips (Brassica rapa)

Turnips seem to be enjoyed by both European and Asian cultures.  It is used for both it's leaves and roots. The mustard like leaves are slightly hairy. Tiny white turnips are increasing in popularity and can be eaten raw.  The larger roots are used as storage crops.  There are various shapes and colors.


Culture



  • The turnips are best grown as early spring or fall crops.
  •  A fall crop will produce a better tasting crop with frosts sweetening the roots.
  • Plant 2 months before first frost date
  • Evenly moist soil produces fast growth and better flavor
  • The exposed top of the root will develop color of green or purple


Harvesting



  • Harvest greens when young
  • Pull, trim tops to two inches and store in a cool humid place
  • Smaller bulbs of 2-3" will be tenderer  
  • The small radish size turnips can be eaten raw in salads 
  • The larger turnips are good roasted or used in stews and soups


Varieties



  • Purple Top for larger root
  • Hakurei for small white turnips
  • Golden Ball


Broccoli Rabe or Raab


If you are expecting a broccoli head you will be disappointed.This veggie is actually in the turnip family.  It is grown for its leaves and unopened flower stocks. It is a newcomer in American gardens but an Italian favorite.

 
Sprouting broccoli and broccoli raab

Culture

  • Direct seed in early spring or late summer for a fall crop
  • Since this is a leafy crop fish emulsion will assist in leaf growth
  • Rather quick growing so do not water stress



Harvest



  • Leaves can be harvested as cut and come again lettuce cutting the outer leaves as needed
  •  Harvest when flower buds first appear because it bolts quickly. 
  • Young plants are entirely edible but older plants get tough
  • The leafy greens can be cooked as other greens and mixed with other greens

 

Radishes


A crisp addition to salads and veggie trays, radishes come in a variety of shapes and sizes.  There are small red, white, pink or purple varieties. And the daikon radish which can grow to more than 20" long.



  • Radishes can be seeded directly in the garden when soil temps are 40 degrees
  • If grown in warm weather they will be hot and pithy.
  • It's best to grow them quickly in cool weather so maintain even moisture.
  • A great early spring and fall crop.
  • Radishes are often planted around cucumbers and squash and allowed to go to seed to deter the cucumber beetle
  • Since they mature quickly you can succession plant through the cool seasons


Brussels Sprouts


Brussels sprouts are a beautiful 3' plant with baby cabbages growing along the stem. They are not technically  baby cabbages.  They are a bud growing in the axils of each leaf. They are a slow growing crop needing a long season.  The baby cabbages or edible heads develop the first year and the flower and seed the second year.  They are in the same family and cross pollinate with cabbages, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and collards.





Culture

  • No hot summers for Brussels sprouts.  Give them cool weather, frosts, and even light snows to develop.
  • Warm weather will cause the sprouts to open and taste poor
  • A good three months is needed to reach maturity.  I start them indoors in August and plant out in fall or buy transplants
  • Add a dry organic fertilizer to the planting hole 
  • Will tolerate shade
  • Fertile soil with lots of organic matter and even moisture are necessary are necessary to maintain growth.
  • While small plant a crop in between such a peas for pea tendrils


Harvest



  • Sprouts mature from the bottom up
  • Harvest when they are the size of large marble and tightly closed
  • Open sprouts become bitter and large sprouts will split
  • Remove the leaf below the sprout and twist the sprout off 
  • Brussels sprouts will store for 4-6 weeks in 32 degrees with 80-90% humidity.
  • Check for rot frequently in stored crops


Pest and Disease



  • The same pest and disease problems as cabbage.
  • If planted in the right season few problems.


Varieties



  • There are green and red varieties
  • Rubine is a red heirloom with smaller yields but good flavor
  • Bubbles F1 tolerates heat better
  • Long Island Improved OP


Celery

Want a challenge?  Plant celery.  It needs a long growing season but is both sensitive to heat and cold.  
Celery inter-planted with Marigolds.


Culture



  • Start celery indoors 10 weeks before last frost
  • Seeds are very small so thin to healthiest plants in planting trays
  • Celery needs only morning sun and prefers shade in the afternoon
  • Temperatures must be above 50 degrees before you plant it out in the garden
  • It will not tolerate drought but wants plenty of moisture 
  • Celery needs a rich fertile soil.  Add plenty of organic matter and a dry fertilizer.  It also likes fish emulsion as it gets established.


Harvesting


To blanch celery mound dirt around base a few weeks before harvest. It is not necessary but more for cosmetic appearance



Varieties

 

Utah Improved









Soil Preparation for all Spring Crops

I prepare all my bed in the fall so when spring arrives they are ready to plant.  A prepared bed has plenty of compost incorporated in the soil.  Come spring mix a dry organic fertilizer into the bed and put in planting holes of transplants.  Use fish emulsion throughout growing season for leafy crops.  Even moisture is essential for all crops.