by Noel | Nov 23, 2013 | CobraHead, Gardening
It was 19 degrees today with a low of 2 predicted for tonight. I knew it was time to harvest the leeks before they froze into the ground. We’ve had a lot of below freezing temperatures, but I had the leeks well covered with a layer of agricultural fabric topped over with a layer of polyethylene. I was hoping they were doing alright. To my pleasant surprise, the earth under the cover was soft and moist even though the ground surrounding the leek bed was...
by Noel | Nov 17, 2013 | CobraHead, Gardening
Comfrey and Compost PilesI can’t remember how comfrey (Symphytum officinale L.) got introduced into my garden, but it probably came from Geoff when he worked at Nokomis Gardens in East Troy, Wisconsin, about sixteen years ago. It’s now firmly established just north of the garden beds and west of the compost area. The plants are gradually expanding their area of control and comfrey can become a pest with its ability to spread, but I’m welcoming...
by Noel | Sep 24, 2013 | CobraHead, Gardening, Recipes
I planted beets the last week of August for a late fall harvest. I had used old seed so I planted them thickly, but they still germinated heavily. So we’re now thinning them and using the baby beets in salads, as a vegetable side, and in drinks. The greens are looking great. Here’s a plate of them. We use roots and all, just wash the whole plant. Judy took half the beet greens, and added half a frozen banana and some raspberries we picked last...
by Noel | Aug 27, 2013 | CobraHead, Gardening
Last year I had a harvest of carrots and beets that continued into December. I used a low hoop tunnel to protect the crop from frosts and freezes and the results were great. (You can read about it here). I hope to do the same this year, but I took some big chances because almost all the seed I used was really old. As most gardeners know, seeds do have a shelf life. In spite of the stories of seeds germinating after being unearthed in an ancient Egyptian tomb...
by Geoff | Jul 28, 2013 | CobraHead, Environmental Issues, Gardening
Today I finally built some nesting logs for native bees. I got inspired by the frequent postings of Gail Eichelberger about native plants and native polinators on her blog Clay and Limestone. I then used some instructions from the Xerces Society (PDF), grabbed some old oak logs and got to work. Most native bees build solitary nests. Some nest in the ground and others nest in holes in wood or other cavities. According to the Xerces Society, holes for wood...
by Judy | Jul 20, 2013 | CobraHead, Gardening, Recipes
Ortolana di Faenza and Raven ZucchiniThis year we are growing two new (to us) varieties of zucchini compliments of Renee’s Garden. One is a dark green zucchini ‘Raven’ and the other is a pale green heirloom Italian zucchini ‘Ortolana di Faenza’. Both are delicious in their own way and are extremely tasty when grilled. Here’s a recipe we tried with great success: Recipe 4 small zucchinis – about 6-7 inches long, sliced in half lengthwise ¼ cup shredded fresh...
