In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Gardening Gardening

Discussion in 'Hobbies and Interests' started by mattjm1017, Jan 18, 2014.

  1. bear 1998

    bear 1998

    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2017
    Messages:
    2,016
    Likes Received:
    16,251
    Location:
    S.C.Pa
    Thats true...the wife tells me that all the time..:D
     
  2. bear 1998

    bear 1998

    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2017
    Messages:
    2,016
    Likes Received:
    16,251
    Location:
    S.C.Pa
    Spent most of the day with farmer steve today......this is what i came home with....
    0906191600.jpg

    not the canner..:D
    Gathered some white n orange pumpkins for him to take to auction. It was a very good day !!
    Canned maters tomorrow...:thumbs:
     
    BCB, Loon, Midwinter and 8 others like this.
  3. The Wood Wolverine

    The Wood Wolverine

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2015
    Messages:
    15,675
    Likes Received:
    96,550
    Location:
    Gettysburg, PA
    My watermelon is fantastic!!
    IMG_0207.JPG
     
    Loon, TurboDiesel, Woodwidow and 8 others like this.
  4. billb3

    billb3

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2013
    Messages:
    9,799
    Likes Received:
    50,301
    Location:
    SE Mass
    Oh yeah that looks good.
     
    Loon, TurboDiesel, M2theB and 5 others like this.
  5. farmer steve

    farmer steve

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2016
    Messages:
    1,929
    Likes Received:
    14,031
    Location:
    top of the hill york co. PA.
    Just for the record he didn't get that "Lite" beer from me.:rofl: :lol:
     
    Loon, TurboDiesel, M2theB and 5 others like this.
  6. bear 1998

    bear 1998

    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2017
    Messages:
    2,016
    Likes Received:
    16,251
    Location:
    S.C.Pa
    Cant afford that expensive stuff......:faint:
     
    Loon, TurboDiesel, M2theB and 4 others like this.
  7. Midwinter

    Midwinter

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2017
    Messages:
    19,846
    Likes Received:
    130,461
    Location:
    Nashua, NH
  8. M2theB

    M2theB

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2017
    Messages:
    2,989
    Likes Received:
    19,074
    Location:
    Central Massachusetts
    I had the watermelon talk with a friend of mine at work this week.
    He told me that when the curly cue opposite the fruit, on the vine, dies back up to the vine, it’s time to pikm.
    I’ve never gotten far enough to have a curly or a fruit. But this afternoon I was picking a son up from work and his boss wanted to show me his Mellon patch. I shared that tid bit with him. And was he excited!
    Although it looks like an October harvest based on what we saw.

    That does look great!
     
  9. M2theB

    M2theB

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2017
    Messages:
    2,989
    Likes Received:
    19,074
    Location:
    Central Massachusetts
    A36130B0-2C6B-4F1A-B421-B1DBA286D03E.jpeg
    The Three Amigo’s
    Hurricane Dorian kicked krap out of the leave stems. I think future growth rates have been diminished.
    On the positive, now I can see them.
    I think the one in the background, on its own plant, has some potential left. It’s done really well in the last week.
     
    Loon, Chvymn99, Midwinter and 4 others like this.
  10. hovlandhomestead

    hovlandhomestead

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2018
    Messages:
    1,944
    Likes Received:
    15,396
    Location:
    MN
    Anyone else doing any fermenting?

    I have my fourth crock of garlic dill cukes going right now. They are my family's favorite way to make pickles for flavor and eating.

    I also usually do a batch or two of sauerkraut.
     
    Loon, Midwinter, bear 1998 and 3 others like this.
  11. billb3

    billb3

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2013
    Messages:
    9,799
    Likes Received:
    50,301
    Location:
    SE Mass

    That's what I've used to pick green or orange melons when I've grown them in the past . Also the fruit "lets go" readily when that little curly cue thingy is all dried up.
     
    Loon, Midwinter, M2theB and 1 other person like this.
  12. M2theB

    M2theB

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2017
    Messages:
    2,989
    Likes Received:
    19,074
    Location:
    Central Massachusetts
    I’m interested in the process but know little about it. If it’s like canning, I’m less interested.
     
    Loon, bear 1998, Midwinter and 2 others like this.
  13. hovlandhomestead

    hovlandhomestead

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2018
    Messages:
    1,944
    Likes Received:
    15,396
    Location:
    MN
    It is pretty simple.

    Add 4 tablespoons canning or sea salt to 2 quarts water. Add cukes, fresh dill, a whole head of crushed garlic, and one hot pepper (optional).

    Cover everything so contents are under the brine. I use a 2 gallon crock. Place container on in 65-70f temperature in dark cool spot in basement or home, and let it ferment for 4-7 days for desired flavor. Transfer to quart jars and place in fridge until gone. They will keep a long time this way, not sure how long because we eat them quickly, usually within 2-3 months, depending on how much I make.

    For sauerkraut, shred cabbage mix in 1 tsp canning or sea salt per average 2 lb head of cabbage, and massage or pound cabbage (I use a wooden baseball bat) and salt mixture until there is enough liquid to submerge cabbage. I use a 5 gallon crock. Place weighted lid or cabbage leaves on top to submerge cabbage under brine. Place in dark cool place in basement for at least 5 days, or as long as desired for preferred flavor. Transfer to quart jars and refrigerate, or water bath can for 20 minutes to make it self stable.
     
  14. The Wood Wolverine

    The Wood Wolverine

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2015
    Messages:
    15,675
    Likes Received:
    96,550
    Location:
    Gettysburg, PA
  15. farmer steve

    farmer steve

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2016
    Messages:
    1,929
    Likes Received:
    14,031
    Location:
    top of the hill york co. PA.
    That's a big 'un. Farmers Fair in Dillsburg has a watermelon contest that pays $100 for heaviest melon in October.
     
    M2theB, Loon, Midwinter and 4 others like this.
  16. The Wood Wolverine

    The Wood Wolverine

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2015
    Messages:
    15,675
    Likes Received:
    96,550
    Location:
    Gettysburg, PA
    Am I in the ballpark weight wise? I picked it and thought for sure I had 40lbs.
     
  17. TurboDiesel

    TurboDiesel

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2013
    Messages:
    16,048
    Likes Received:
    95,626
    Location:
    Hollidaysburg Pa
  18. farmer steve

    farmer steve

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2016
    Messages:
    1,929
    Likes Received:
    14,031
    Location:
    top of the hill york co. PA.
    I thought I had a pic (not) of the winner last year because I knew the lady that grew it. She had called me to ask when to pick her melons as it was her first year growing them. I'm thinking it was in the 35-45 lb range. All I have is my pumpkin pic.
    20181018_180710.jpg
     
    M2theB, Loon, Midwinter and 6 others like this.
  19. farmer steve

    farmer steve

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2016
    Messages:
    1,929
    Likes Received:
    14,031
    Location:
    top of the hill york co. PA.
    Workin on the last patch of sweet corn for the season.:( Almost to nice to put in the freezer but it will sure taste good in chicken corn soup when the snow is flying.
    20190915_132810.jpg
     
    M2theB, MikeInMa, bear 1998 and 6 others like this.
  20. The Wood Wolverine

    The Wood Wolverine

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2015
    Messages:
    15,675
    Likes Received:
    96,550
    Location:
    Gettysburg, PA
    Did I mention my peppers are doing well this season?
    0C40285E-FDAA-4338-A967-75AFD2D03B8F.jpeg
    B88EB4A1-D416-458D-B99A-9282C644E94C.jpeg
    906A4832-886E-4025-8285-22F5A22DC929.jpeg
    FA468543-6BA6-4D43-AC70-FDA8D0D50FF8.jpeg
    610CCCE0-F58D-4001-9B3A-235E22BDE439.jpeg

    And the melons, ohhhh the melons.
    BA3FC34C-02D9-4817-9462-4598F25AE430.jpeg
    445A3AFD-ABE7-4C0A-B7B1-F49EC298D925.jpeg
    8033FBB8-53C7-4D08-9297-6FCD6DB79497.jpeg
     
    Chvymn99, M2theB, Midwinter and 6 others like this.