tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84440216882489670262024-02-18T18:58:03.247-08:00Cultivating on the RidgeFortheshephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18292673573195078978noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8444021688248967026.post-19759362727328845872017-06-13T09:26:00.000-07:002017-06-13T09:26:01.788-07:00Garlic<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_7">
<h2>
Plant of the Week - Garlic </h2>
<h4>
originally posted on Knoxville Area Gardening Tips- June 30, 2016</h4>
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If you have never grown garlic, it is one of the easiest crops to grow
and you can grow a year's supply in a relatively small area. And you
can even save your own "seed".<br />
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There are two main types of garlic and multitudes of varieties within each type.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy2DX8Ov1fZIc2oOg7EqnLZ11f4iSf9ZXd8iFPEZa-KpWjVedSQZzjsx4O5OT0kVrr8exu58HDCRSJtyT_Mor0UatqPtZV7z0ZXbyh2X_a6g4VY9rOw3Ji1RWAZiZztHo_dn15oTZI9gQ/s1600/hardneck+garlic.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy2DX8Ov1fZIc2oOg7EqnLZ11f4iSf9ZXd8iFPEZa-KpWjVedSQZzjsx4O5OT0kVrr8exu58HDCRSJtyT_Mor0UatqPtZV7z0ZXbyh2X_a6g4VY9rOw3Ji1RWAZiZztHo_dn15oTZI9gQ/s320/hardneck+garlic.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj807vx6Niw1oODy3IVHUI-vFVINGcQeJvFQKJ0w7AOMFjbKjSt0W5cwm-NeFmVpydykDQlIaXGdKUVIbTALGIUZVOdTxUZkFQOaHJ3Rg18b2ScsodhHY49RVpcq3NMu6SaqhGfibzQZEM/s1600/garlic+scapes.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="156" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj807vx6Niw1oODy3IVHUI-vFVINGcQeJvFQKJ0w7AOMFjbKjSt0W5cwm-NeFmVpydykDQlIaXGdKUVIbTALGIUZVOdTxUZkFQOaHJ3Rg18b2ScsodhHY49RVpcq3NMu6SaqhGfibzQZEM/s320/garlic+scapes.png" width="265" /></a><b> </b><br />
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<b>Hardneck Garlic</b> has a tough inner stalk in the center of a ring of
usually, quite large cloves. This type of garlic is usually recommended
for further north, but I have not had any trouble getting good
harvests. Hardneck garlic also gives you a harvest of the developing
flower heads, aka. garlic scapes, in the spring. You rarely see
hardneck in stores because they only keep well for 3-4 months. This
type is said to have some of the more interesting flavors.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLwBWhVZTC-P0oHju4x4V_4kmmRn8Y77FKudgrGb8gyUn0DyMNh93myF-g5Mb-PEgq6H4-tUK4Tfvs-urCzvBbnCPNu47yVX-Q4R58VzJrlGDpInQEtAdAFAGxqXm3IrngYMbXBWqSXc/s1600/softneck+garlic+braid.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1180" data-original-width="1600" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLwBWhVZTC-P0oHju4x4V_4kmmRn8Y77FKudgrGb8gyUn0DyMNh93myF-g5Mb-PEgq6H4-tUK4Tfvs-urCzvBbnCPNu47yVX-Q4R58VzJrlGDpInQEtAdAFAGxqXm3IrngYMbXBWqSXc/s320/softneck+garlic+braid.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Softneck</b>- does have a soft stalk and is perfect for making garlic
braids. There are more cloves per head, but they are smaller than those
of hardneck varieties. This type keeps quite long. I current have two
heads left from last year's harvest, and they are a little dried out,
but definitely in usable condition, though I have little motivation to
use them. This year's harvest of fresh, juicy garlic has just finished
curing.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujxKSNi9d8fpJAuXy_ZmmrTuoHAVYZwuOF4Mf5TwWt5Ezz_AioKlyqSrjfWc6VXjjuE7Mig7_1QP58XMcQdjg7bpWvVjn_-oRJMHA6os2BgqZqwoSDLL3CQ8sdJFERQwj5pDcjlJd5mE/s1600/6.19.14+Garden+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujxKSNi9d8fpJAuXy_ZmmrTuoHAVYZwuOF4Mf5TwWt5Ezz_AioKlyqSrjfWc6VXjjuE7Mig7_1QP58XMcQdjg7bpWvVjn_-oRJMHA6os2BgqZqwoSDLL3CQ8sdJFERQwj5pDcjlJd5mE/s320/6.19.14+Garden+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2014 Garlic & Shallot Harvest</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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It is best to order your garlic online, or purchase it
from a local grower. If you purchase it locally be sure to ask what
variety it is. So, if you catch the garlic growing bug, you will know
what you already have.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfElt8MldX0iHSkroFl4jrmX9-f-fsUudQJhPTJRGqHgZTnnkb4YHfxKkFBGC3TK0HllqVfxd6KsRZgryUYH31T2Uw_FB6GWpyyvS3GLYDQVM3_lrMv6ca02NczgBRbRBspLBRkmsqTzk/s1600/6.12.15+Garlic+and+Shallot+Harvest+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfElt8MldX0iHSkroFl4jrmX9-f-fsUudQJhPTJRGqHgZTnnkb4YHfxKkFBGC3TK0HllqVfxd6KsRZgryUYH31T2Uw_FB6GWpyyvS3GLYDQVM3_lrMv6ca02NczgBRbRBspLBRkmsqTzk/s320/6.12.15+Garlic+and+Shallot+Harvest+%25285%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2015 Garlic & Shallot Harvest</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now for a little information on growing
garlic.<br />
<br />
It does like soil that is fairly loose and has a moderate
amount of fertility. Some compost added to the bed a month or so before
planting is what I have seen most often recommended. You can use a
spading for to loosen the soil, the big issue is, you don't want to
break the leaf stalk off of the bulb when you are harvesting. You
plant in October. Putting the cloves 6 inches apart and about 4 inches
deep. Mulch with straw or something simular to prevent weeds. The
garlic will start to grow green straplike leaves. Don't worry if there
are freezes, even if the tops are frozen the growing garlic in the
ground will be fine. When spring comes the leaf growth will accelerate
dramatically. If you have hardneck, keep an eye out for scapes and
harvest them after the have made a full circle. This will keep you
plant from putting energy into making a flower. In June or early July
you will see the leaves dying from the bottom up. When about half the
leaves have turned brown, dig up a test head to make sure the head has
divided into cloves. If they have, harvest your garlic. You then need
to cure it so it will store well. Put it in a well ventilated,
sheltered place out of direct sun for a week or so. After that select
the best, unblemished heads to save for "seed" for next years crop and
store it all in a relatively cool location. I store my seed garlic in a
dry room in our basement and my cooking garlic, on my kitchen walls.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKpQEPDvOS9_q3XI6avzCCfG8S38WB5Kvny2tx4YVRD8qy7yY-KLpqq5QxwKZqhfSsxSK-RpGFKNXUga1Mi0vha2JdByJVsA64lWuhd1yCYJgC7VrPQTbcfvt9lKXRpn_WowF3otatgk/s1600/6.17.16+Garlic+Harvest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1600" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKpQEPDvOS9_q3XI6avzCCfG8S38WB5Kvny2tx4YVRD8qy7yY-KLpqq5QxwKZqhfSsxSK-RpGFKNXUga1Mi0vha2JdByJVsA64lWuhd1yCYJgC7VrPQTbcfvt9lKXRpn_WowF3otatgk/s320/6.17.16+Garlic+Harvest.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2016 Garlic & Shallot Harvest</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I am able to grow over 100 heads in a 10'X 3.5' bed in which I also
grow shallots as they have the same growing cycle and needs. This
gives our family a year's supply of garlic, with "seed" for next year
and a little to give away.<br />
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Here is a link to a website with lots of good information on growing garlic and different varieties of garlic. <br />
<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gourmetgarlicgardens.com%2Fgrowing-garlic.html&h=ATOG2w4jNRTxUIOV6xVsXrXoRiuzupkYZE0H3NNqFiZ0eIrFjZXTRhu1Mon8uRTJqKddh1rMWwQH2LRWr0hYgvyVW-I6mXqT8t7q4r5aKi18fmUV0SShp-WQjGtisDSHL1gH_8IhoMN1fTTMI_c&enc=AZMlMWOtreyf_XiUKaGL3VsMZSKkbsyW85V8ltZb7ZuJHyuWJQV1NCy7AxdrWSAGjRPri-Fg3ykCISal0YBvj4atPIEwIIUJaokslF3I8ki_hFqLt_Db4bEFCaD9ZlXgTx9pGR2GmgoGii9VH-dpTBDXhg60_NWNpNhpAHdwxc6IRg&s=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.gourmetgarlicgardens.com/growing-garlic.html</a><br />
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</div>
Fortheshephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18292673573195078978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8444021688248967026.post-71768502602869664732017-01-02T19:08:00.001-08:002017-01-02T19:08:11.502-08:00My Seedstarting Journey - Repost form March 2008Here is a writeup of my history with seedstarting from March of 2008. When I have a moment I will do a step by step through the process I started using then and still use today.<br />
<blockquote>
Seed starting has been
another area of learning through failure. Four years ago I tried to
start seeds without a fluorescent light, put one seed in each 2" soil
block. I had poor germination and leggy plants which meant a lot of
wasted space. The transplants were decent but it took a lot of energy
to set them out every warm day. <br />
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The next year I got a
2 tube four foot long shop light and a timer for it. I still did most
everything else the same. Wasted space where seeds did not germinate
and took a lot of time making the soil blocks and gently watering them.
Had very good transplants. I did a lot of setting plants out on warm
days to harden them off and let my peppers get too cold but had good
plants and good crops that year.<br />
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Last year I got a
second shop light, decided to use yogurt cups we had saved instead of
soil blocks and had read about germinating seed in paper towel. These
steps considerably reduced the time and space need and produced
transplants that looked better than you could buy. I also had read
about the one thing a week and heard that you should not set tomato
plants and pepper plants out until night time temperatures are
consistently 50 and 55 degrees respectively.<br />
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This year I
have taken all the learning from previous years and worked on fitting
seed starting into small bits of time here and there. I have also been
thoughtful about how many transplants I want to raise. I will plant 10
pepper plants and 14 tomato plants, so I want to grow on about twice
that number and will only pot up that many sprouted seeds. <br />
<br />
I'm really looking forward to Spring and Summer this year.
</blockquote>
Fortheshephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18292673573195078978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8444021688248967026.post-50928231373961533492016-05-17T13:39:00.001-07:002018-12-27T17:14:17.712-08:00Favorite Seed Sources<div style="margin-left: 40px;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> I originally posted this to Knoxville Area Gardening Tips on January 17, 2016. It was modified and posted here on May 17, 2016</span></div>
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Here are some of my favorite seed sources, three catalogs(free on request from each company) and one on-line only seed company</div>
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<a href="http://www.superseeds.com/">Pinetree Garden Seed</a>- They sell smaller quantities than most, at an <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HzRVxLUMcu3IWeWHC2I8cVyN-7AOrDadEkbR65HsR53dtLNmTACKQeOuxYOPB9TZLCedytsEOGKEOe6cm4QM-Db_EL7F9V67VMXMxy1-DRuDO5FRoJOGvPi1wUXqpl0IWJmsu6fe_fo/s1600/Favorite+Garden+Catalogs+2016.png.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>equally smaller price. Great for someone just starting out and/or wanting to try a lot of different varieties.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HzRVxLUMcu3IWeWHC2I8cVyN-7AOrDadEkbR65HsR53dtLNmTACKQeOuxYOPB9TZLCedytsEOGKEOe6cm4QM-Db_EL7F9V67VMXMxy1-DRuDO5FRoJOGvPi1wUXqpl0IWJmsu6fe_fo/s1600/Favorite+Garden+Catalogs+2016.png.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HzRVxLUMcu3IWeWHC2I8cVyN-7AOrDadEkbR65HsR53dtLNmTACKQeOuxYOPB9TZLCedytsEOGKEOe6cm4QM-Db_EL7F9V67VMXMxy1-DRuDO5FRoJOGvPi1wUXqpl0IWJmsu6fe_fo/s320/Favorite+Garden+Catalogs+2016.png.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.territorialseed.com/">Territorial Seed Company </a> - They have lots of great varieties and good reference information and charts in their catalog and online.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HzRVxLUMcu3IWeWHC2I8cVyN-7AOrDadEkbR65HsR53dtLNmTACKQeOuxYOPB9TZLCedytsEOGKEOe6cm4QM-Db_EL7F9V67VMXMxy1-DRuDO5FRoJOGvPi1wUXqpl0IWJmsu6fe_fo/s1600/Favorite+Garden+Catalogs+2016.png.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.rareseeds.com/">Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds</a> - This is one of the places to go, if you want open pollinated seeds and heirloom. Their catalog has beautiful pictures of diverse varieties. They do produce several different versions of their catalog, some that are sold on magazine racks, just to confuse everyone.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVe1-723GluVGt23p2wE2cHAYDttnsLbBBmQSPbDjkBD0EBpkcj7Rruzz-laTKh4SGDomo0EwCtuA0l54SM74p2LXDS6nX80aVvnJnaSaAEPlovwOK2PNVNQzC0LzoYKVvQZgldVJasQ/s1600/Image.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVe1-723GluVGt23p2wE2cHAYDttnsLbBBmQSPbDjkBD0EBpkcj7Rruzz-laTKh4SGDomo0EwCtuA0l54SM74p2LXDS6nX80aVvnJnaSaAEPlovwOK2PNVNQzC0LzoYKVvQZgldVJasQ/s320/Image.png" width="259" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.reneesgarden.com/">Renee's Garden Seeds</a> - This is a delightful website with lots of interesting varieties and multi-variety packages. Her gardening help section is also very good.</div>
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These are just a few of my personal favorites, there are many more wonderful seed companies. Add your favorites to the comments.<br />
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Other Great Seed Sources:</div>
<a href="http://www.johnnyseeds.com/">Johnny's Selected Seeds</a><br />
<a href="http://www.southernexposure.com/">Southern Exposure Seed Exchange</a><br />
<a href="http://www.seedsavers.org/">Seed Savers Exchange</a><br />
<a href="http://www.sampleseeds.com/">Sample Seed Shop</a> <br />
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Fortheshephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18292673573195078978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8444021688248967026.post-47845084040518658482016-05-12T07:07:00.001-07:002016-05-12T07:07:23.586-07:00<h2>
Plant of the Week- Lambs Quarters- </h2>
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<i>Chenopodium alba and Chenopodium berlandieri</i></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBK1_ht-JdEZOD0XMASeo5Ghsr9hwwiIy14ccPoj9ieE8tJyjt6Tdqmta7IfeS9S-BrVydx9hUaIYz7yUsDEZvP0Rk_f5DxFkE4euaB9IIc1txXIIU8mfpGqOzsBwLq6wHkcgu-IpuOA/s1600/5.12.16+medium+lambsquarter.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBK1_ht-JdEZOD0XMASeo5Ghsr9hwwiIy14ccPoj9ieE8tJyjt6Tdqmta7IfeS9S-BrVydx9hUaIYz7yUsDEZvP0Rk_f5DxFkE4euaB9IIc1txXIIU8mfpGqOzsBwLq6wHkcgu-IpuOA/s400/5.12.16+medium+lambsquarter.jpeg" width="400" /></a>For
many years, I knew Lambs Quarters as only a weed in my garden. Then I
read that it's leaves made a great spinach-like green that could be used
fresh in salads when raw and as a cooked green. When I tried it I was
amazed. Why doesn't everyone in the South use this plant. I suspect
the problem is, it has been around too long.<br />
<br />
I learned
recently that lambs quarters(aka , goosefoot, Aztec red spinach, fat
hen, Huauzontle) was cultivated by Native Americans in North America
before corn was introduced to this part of the hemisphere. In a very
interesting presentation earlier this year, Dr Gary Crites, a Paleo
Ethno Botanist from the McClung Museum explained that, over 4,000 years
ago, plants in the goosefoot family were being cultivated and harvested
for seed. The plant is closely related to quinoa though the seed is
quite a bit smaller. They are not able to tell if the leaves were used
though they probably were.<br />
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As with all plants that come
up on their own, you need to positively identify Lambs Quarters before
you eat it. The leaf shape is very distinctive, but the most obvious
thing is the waxy, powder that is very heavy on the newest leaves and
lighter, but still present on older leaves. Make sure you have someone
who definitely knows this plant, show it to you. <br />
<br />
I
don't really like it raw, but use Lambs Quarters as a nearly direct
substitute for spinach in cooking. It cooks down much less than
spinach, so for most recipes I find it is best to use between 1/3 and1/2
as much as the spinach called for. It also freezes well after
blanching. <br />
<br />
As far as cultivating it, I generally
just leave some plants in places where they will not be in the way. The
plant starts small and can grow to five feet or more. I find that the
biggest leaves are a little tough, but even fairly large leaves cook
down well.<br />
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Here are a couple of links if you want to learn more. <br />
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<a href="http://www.mofga.org/Publications/MaineOrganicFarmerGardener/Summer2011/Lambsquarters/tabid/1929/Default.aspx">Lambsquarters: Prince of Greens</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.ediblewildfood.com/lambs-quarters.aspx">Edible Wild Foods: Lambs Quarters</a>Fortheshephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18292673573195078978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8444021688248967026.post-71227424511627046832015-04-22T19:34:00.000-07:002020-05-12T13:07:35.099-07:00Rhubarb<div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">2012</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">For the past several years I have been experimenting with growing rhubarb. In the spring of 2012, I purchased a rhubarb plant variety McDonald, I potted it when it arrived as I did not have the space prepared. It was almost dead when I received it and put out a couple of very sad leaves before it completely died. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">2013</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">The company replaced that plant in the spring. I started Victoria rhubarb from seed, planted two plants in the ground, amended soil with Blackcow cow manure. Didn't harvest anything from them this year. The winter 2013-14 had a couple of periods of below 10 F temperatures, which is not a regular occurrence in this area.</span>
Our winter are typically warmer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2014</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Spring, topdressed each plant with 10-15 lbs of Black Cow. Victoria Rhubarb came up first with the McDonald showing signs of life several weeks later. All grew to a point where I was comfortable harvesting some. I harvested __ lbs in ?month. Was able to make strawberry rhubarb jam and something<span style="font-size: small;"> baked</span>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2015</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The three rhubarb plants are planted on the north east side of the house and are sheltered from the wind. They get morning sun until almost noon. I dug and divided the one plant that was closest to the house. It is a Victoria and it did not seem to be doing as well as the one that was further from the house, the air vent from our gas water heater is near there and probably adds more heat to the area than the rhubarb likes.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWk06F60xv_hJ4XL4WU6nfw8gZGL6XA31lPsQqOA5EpHYNcLeU4ngpys5yVtVm97-SLb5BlELacpDkppFpXu1QsRv53nO7SF8hWM3UrmRe06fO_f0nkH0mBI9JhX_KHh-AKWIsdkmo5Q/s1600/3.22.15+early+spring+garden+(12).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWk06F60xv_hJ4XL4WU6nfw8gZGL6XA31lPsQqOA5EpHYNcLeU4ngpys5yVtVm97-SLb5BlELacpDkppFpXu1QsRv53nO7SF8hWM3UrmRe06fO_f0nkH0mBI9JhX_KHh-AKWIsdkmo5Q/s1600/3.22.15+early+spring+garden+(12).JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">3-22-15 The larger Victoria</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When I dug and divided the rhubarb it had taproots that went down probably in excess of a foot and a half. I ended up breaking those to get it out of the ground. I divided that plant into two and planted one further out from the house and gave one away. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I don't know if the results I'm seeing will be characteristic as we have had colder winters look normal, with periods of time in the single digit temperatures but we will see. Each year I have given each plants at least 10 pounds of composted Blackcow, and will continue this practice. This experiment seems to be going well so far and I will be able to harvest quite a bit. I will harvest 1/3 or the stalks and will report here when I have done that.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4uw6Vin2IAy555O3WQ4LKtQT3BNfefHON9SOVB7IjbBH8QJcESeHn3AKDlolCQUCQ3BVZpL8q8LjqCjHd6C4dehgbpUUDR_musaeyt6v1FKJmaYYbe3sdaWvyZBM67dV66On1twJoUw/s1600/4.16.15+Rhubarb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4uw6Vin2IAy555O3WQ4LKtQT3BNfefHON9SOVB7IjbBH8QJcESeHn3AKDlolCQUCQ3BVZpL8q8LjqCjHd6C4dehgbpUUDR_musaeyt6v1FKJmaYYbe3sdaWvyZBM67dV66On1twJoUw/s1600/4.16.15+Rhubarb.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4-16-15 Mcdonald on the Left, the other two are Victoria</td></tr>
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Fortheshephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18292673573195078978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8444021688248967026.post-66009659914450362772015-04-03T08:08:00.000-07:002015-04-03T08:08:02.886-07:00This is a quick into to my new blog. It will be about cultivating, growing, planting, learning and living on a suburban half acre near Knoxville, TN. Fortheshephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18292673573195078978noreply@blogger.com0