HuntingCountry.com

1.) DParker - 05/06/2020

After clearing a bunch of out-of-control foliage from my backyard I decided to to dedicate a 35'x45' chunk of the now-empty ground to vegetable gardening. Since the "soil" is mostly clay (AKA "black gumbo") and I don't want to spend the next 10 years amending it with compost before I can make use of it, the plan is to build 4 enormous (4'x29') raised beds. Space not occupied by the beds themselves, used for composting and a small utility storage unit for holding tools and supplies will be covered with heavy-duty weed control fabric, and maybe some paving stones or gravel on top of that. That's a fairly big and pricey project that I'll need to do in phases, and I've gotten such a late start that the first phase of beds and ground cover will have to wait until the fall. In the meantime I've gone ahead and put a few things directly in the clay (except for two tomatoes and some carrots I planted in large containers I had sitting around) just as an attempt to have something this year. I'm hoping for the best, but have little expectation of much success until I have beds full of actually loose soil to plant in. So here is what I have so far:

6 Tomatoes (2 San Marzano, 2 Brandywine, 1 Celebrity and 1 Better Boy, with the latter 2 being in containers) The container plants are doing well. Those in the ground are surviving, but not growing vigorously so far.
2 Jalapeños. 1 has taken off pretty well, while the other seems to be a bit stunted for some reason.
2 Poblanos. Similar to the Jalapeños, 1 is growing well and already has 1 pepper on it, while other is stunted.
1 Habanero. Fairly healthy with some blooms just now coming in.
1 Soy Bean. Seems healthy, with 1 pod produced so far.
12 Lima Beans. Doing surprisingly well, they're about 10" tall with huge leaves.
1x2' row of carrots sown in the ground, and about another 2' sown around the perimeter of the larger tomato container. They just now have true leaves. This was the wrong time to plant them, and I don't have a lot of hope for them...especially the ones in the heavy clay.

I also got a 2'x4' cedar raised planter for the wife to grow some kitchen herbs in. I've dubbed this the Simon & Garfunkel garden, as it's planted with Parsley (Flat Leaf), Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (Lemon)...in addition to Fern Leaf Dill, Garlic, Greek Oregano and Chives. All of this is growing quite well.

I know some of you guy grow edibles every year. What do you have going this season?

2.) bluecat - 05/06/2020

I planted tomatoes on Sunday. Seems late but we aren't guaranteed frost free until about this time. Planting sooner simply puts you behind the 8-ball and knocks the tomatoes back. I have 12 Romas. Planted the San Marzano last year and you will like them.
With things being the way they are I didn't get to choose but order by phone and then pick them up. Couldn't remember the name except Roma.

I have 4 peppers. Can't remember the name except they were supposed to be sweet. Two of the cherry type tomatoes (sun sweet?). I eat those while I garden...lol

I planted potatoes mid-March. Planted beans on Sunday. Already have the blackberry bushes, red raspberry, boysenberry bushes. I've let the asparagus grow to seed now as I'm done eating on it. Garlic went in, in October and it is about a foot and a half tall. Vidalia (not really but same species) went in with the potatoes.

My residence prior to now had clay soil. Don't be too upset, clay soil are rich in good stuff. Just a little harder to work. My suggestion would be (if you can get your hands on them) is to get some hay bales. Use the hay for weed control and then it will decompose into the soil leaving you with a better soil in the future.

I've tried the weed mats and they work great on certain things. I've also tried newspaper and it really leaves your garden looking pretty trashy.

Glad to see you are jumping in full force. Now we can share sob stories about how our crops were wiped out due to (wind, rain, hail, poor nutrients, frisky dogs, clumsy wives etc.) lol

3.) bluecat - 05/06/2020

You will like your raised beds. Good drainage. Easy to keep your dogs out of it.

4.) DParker - 05/06/2020

My original garden (same house) was a 90'x14' stretch along the rear-most fence. About 24 years ago I had 8 cu. yds. of sandy loam trucked in and I roto-tilled it into the clay (I was much more ambitious and in better shape back then), making it at least fairly workable. It was good enough for most everything except root crops. Although I was able to grow good amounts of potatoes, garlic and onions they were a real pain to harvest. I worked that for a few years, including a portion of it that was repurposed for a small vineyard (24 vines) until they were infected by Pierce's Disease and had to be torn out. But then I got lazy and just let it go, and also planted a fig that has taken over much of that area. The ground I'm turning into a garden now has never been worked, and is still pure clay. I decided if I'm going to have more soil trucked in so I can grow food I might as well do it right and just use the good dirt by itself in raised beds with all the advantages that come with that instead of trying to turn more crappy clay into semi-useful soil. Beds that big will allow me to grow more than we can eat, and covering the rest of the area with weed barrier means that much grass I don't have to mow.

5.) bluecat - 05/07/2020

Send pics. Always fun to watch the progress. I'll take few after I assault the weeds more.

6.) DParker - 05/10/2020

The stuff in the ground is nothing to look at yet. But the wife's raised herb garden is looking good. The signs on the right are where Chives, Oregano and Sage seeds recently went in, as well as some garlic bulbs we haven't put up a sign for yet.

([URL="https://i.imgur.com/oUKkjS7.jpg"]Full Size[/URL])

7.) bluecat - 05/10/2020

Looking good!

8.) bluecat - 05/11/2020

From right to left, asparagus, garlic, onions, tomatoes and potatoes at bottom

blackberries

strawberries with a wall of raspberries and other crap that shouldn't be there.

9.) Swamp Fox - 05/11/2020

:tu:

I haven't tried a garden in many years. You need the right girlfriend to help since you'll be off hunting or fishing most of the time, and the capacity for both of you to eat a lot of 'maters quickly for long stretches of time doesn't hurt either, LOL.

What's a good berry that grows thick and tall and doesn't need a lot of sun?

10.) DParker - 05/11/2020

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;60894]What's a good berry that grows thick and tall and doesn't need a lot of sun?[/QUOTE]

Blackberries are good if you don't mind them eventually taking over your land and you losing a quart of blood every time you pick them.

11.) DParker - 05/11/2020

bluecat, it looks like you're prepped for the zombies. Good job.

12.) bluecat - 05/11/2020

[QUOTE=DParker;60896]Blackberries are good if you don't mind them eventually taking over your land and you losing a quart of blood every time you pick them.[/QUOTE]

My blackberries are thornless, my red raspberries will cut you good.

13.) DParker - 05/11/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;60898]My blackberries are thornless[/QUOTE]

Good choice. Arapaho, Apache, Navajo, Ouachita or Triple Crown? Or some combination thereof? I grew some Arapahos and Navajo canes back when I had my original garden. The don't produce like the thorned varieties, but they're a lot easier to deal with.

14.) bluecat - 05/11/2020

None of those sound familiar. They do expand their territory.

15.) DParker - 05/23/2020

Finally, the beginnings of some limited initial progress in this nasty clay ground.

The first block of sweet corn. ([URL="https://i.imgur.com/tJSExDf.jpg"]Full size[/URL])

A couple rows of okra. ([URL="https://i.imgur.com/vl4T6cD.jpg"]Full size[/URL])

The only lima beans that germinated. ([URL="https://i.imgur.com/GQsUrYQ.jpg"]Full size[/URL])

'Maters! ([URL="https://i.imgur.com/FogBJD7.jpg"]Full size[/URL])

Soy beans. ([URL="https://i.imgur.com/SqdFyYJ.jpg"]Full size[/URL])

Poblanos. ([URL="https://i.imgur.com/xl36Irx.jpg"]Full size[/URL])

I also had a couple watermelon seedlings break through yesterday, but they're still too small to bother taking pics of yet.

16.) bluecat - 05/23/2020

What no pot?

Lookin good.

17.) crookedeye - 05/23/2020

im sure he does have pot in there..he's just using the okra as a decoy...

now over this fence.

18.) DParker - 05/23/2020

I mean, I guess if you were already stoned when you looked at them....

19.) bluecat - 05/24/2020

Your plants are growing fast.

20.) DParker - 05/24/2020

That's what [i]she[/i] said!

21.) Swamp Fox - 05/24/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;60998]What no pot?

Lookin good.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=crookedeye;60999]im sure he does have pot in there..he's just using the okra as a decoy...

now over this fence.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=DParker;61000]I mean, I guess if you were already stoned when you looked at them....

[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=bluecat;61001]Your plants are growing fast.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=DParker;61003]That's what [i]she[/i] said![/QUOTE]

LOL ... +3 to all y'all ...

22.) bluecat - 05/25/2020

You're not fooling anyone with those poppies.

23.) crookedeye - 05/25/2020

i think im going to get me a pellet grill.. things are so expensive though..

24.) DParker - 05/26/2020

Tell me about it. I've been helping my son try to find one that'll work OK on his apartment balcony, and even the little portable ones are pricey.

25.) Swamp Fox - 05/26/2020

Sorry, but gonna have to drum y'all out of the corps if not burning wood, chunks, or briquettes ....

:wave:

26.) crookedeye - 05/26/2020

299.00 for the scout i think its called..

27.) bluecat - 05/26/2020

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;61004]LOL ... +3 to all y'all ...

[/QUOTE]

+ 5

Reminded me of an old favorite

28.) crookedeye - 05/26/2020

i made about 5lbs of deer and elk jerky this weekend..i probally ate 4lbs of it, felt like i was shitting razor blades this morning

29.) bluecat - 05/26/2020

Does this camo pattern make me look fat?

30.) Swamp Fox - 05/26/2020

[QUOTE=crookedeye;61011]i made about 5lbs of deer and elk jerky this weekend..i probally ate 4lbs of it, felt like i was shitting razor blades this morning[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=bluecat;61012]Does this camo pattern make me look fat?[/QUOTE]

LOL ....

31.) bluecat - 05/26/2020

[QUOTE=crookedeye;61011]i made about 5lbs of deer and elk jerky this weekend..i probally ate 4lbs of it, felt like i was shitting razor blades this morning[/QUOTE]

Did you take the bones out?

32.) Swamp Fox - 05/26/2020

LOL ....

Bones, schmones....

Back in my day, we shit the bones out and we liked it!!!

33.) crookedeye - 05/26/2020

bones?

34.) crookedeye - 05/26/2020

how can bob and jon not like listening to this stuff..its golden jerry

35.) Swamp Fox - 05/26/2020

LOL ... :wave:

36.) DParker - 05/27/2020

Finally, a little (and I do mean little) something to show for all my playing in the dirt.

([URL="https://i.imgur.com/5y1zIow.jpg"]Full size[/URL])

37.) bluecat - 05/27/2020

For those things, size doesn't matter.

38.) DParker - 05/27/2020

Eh, they're the "Mild" variety created by TX A&M years ago. All of the flavor of a jalapeño, but with very little heat. They're the only ones I can get my wife to eat. They're also good for my chili, since habaneros supply all the heat needed.

39.) Swamp Fox - 05/28/2020

[QUOTE=DParker;61026]Eh, they're the "Mild" variety created by TX A&M years ago. [/QUOTE]

Texas A&M? !!!!?

40.) bluecat - 06/02/2020

Here's an update

When the blackberry bushes were planted. I ran into so much rock I had to use a pick axe to bust through.

41.) bluecat - 06/02/2020

We've had timely rains so progress is good.

42.) bluecat - 06/02/2020

This little kitty was under my mailbox. I guess he/she was expecting a package?

43.) bluecat - 06/02/2020

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;61015]LOL ....

Bones, schmones....

Back in my day, we shit the bones out and we liked it!!![/QUOTE]

+ 4 for the King of Queens Reference.

44.) DParker - 06/02/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;61051]

We've had timely rains so progress is good.[/QUOTE]

Nice. I got a late start, so yours is way ahead of mine. What's the really tall stuff in the upper-right corner?

45.) bluecat - 06/03/2020

Asparagus

46.) DParker - 06/03/2020

Damn. I had no idea that asparagus got that tall. It's my favorite vegetable but I've never grown it. Still, I'm embarrassed that I didn't know that.

47.) crookedeye - 06/03/2020

thats gotta be dill..or herion.

48.) bluecat - 06/03/2020

Dill is a good guess. When asparagus goes to seed it gets frondy. Can I say frondy?

49.) DParker - 06/03/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;61060]Can I say frondy?[/QUOTE]

50.) bluecat - 06/03/2020

[QUOTE=DParker;61056]Damn. I had no idea that asparagus got that tall. It's my favorite vegetable but I've never grown it. Still, I'm embarrassed that I didn't know that.[/QUOTE]

It wasn't a good picture to tell what it was. Also, most people just let it grow but I like to put a cage around it because it will get tall and flop over and with wind, will break. So I like to keep it supported. It's just now starting to leaf out. I'll try to take a closer picture when it's in full glory.

51.) bluecat - 06/03/2020

[QUOTE=crookedeye;61057]thats gotta be dill..or herion.[/QUOTE]

We are not allowed to grow herion. I think you can grow it in Colorado though.

52.) DParker - 06/03/2020

While the in-ground tomatoes, soy beans and one of my jalapenos are struggling, everything else is faring better than I expected. I have just over 100 corn stalks that are enthusiastically growing, as are the 28 okra plants. 2 planter tomatoes have set a little bit of fruit (only 5 so far), and my lima beans have finally flowered. I've harvested a couple of jalapenos with more on the way, as well as about a dozen poblanos so far. And I even have 16 Sugar Baby watermelon seedlings that have popped up in the past week along with 9 sugar pumpkin plants (I don't know the exact variety, as I saved the seeds from a couple of small store-bought sugar pumpkins I bought to make pie from last November).

53.) bluecat - 06/03/2020

One hundred cornstalks! Have you thought about setting up a stand?

54.) bluecat - 06/03/2020

How do you eat your soybeans? I've never heard of someone growing them in their back yard.

Not that there is anything wrong with that.

55.) DParker - 06/04/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;61065]One hundred cornstalks! Have you thought about setting up a stand?[/QUOTE]

I staggered the planting so that we'll get production spread out over a couple months rather than all at once. Between the two of us and family we'll eat it all.

[QUOTE=bluecat;61066]How do you eat your soybeans? I've never heard of someone growing them in their back yard.

Not that there is anything wrong with that.[/QUOTE]

Boiled in salty water and popped right out of the pod as a snack. What the Japanese call "edamame".

56.) bluecat - 06/04/2020

Do you take them out of the pod to boil or do you boil the whole thing?

57.) DParker - 06/04/2020

They're boiled whole, then you just pop them out of the pod when you eat them. The easiest way to so it is to just stick the pod in your mouth, barely touch it with your teeth and pull it out. The beans will just pop right out.

Sushi bar 101.

58.) bluecat - 06/04/2020

[QUOTE=DParker;61067]I staggered the planting so that we'll get production spread out over a couple months rather than all at once. Between the two of us and family we'll eat it all.

Boiled in salty water and popped right out of the pod as a snack. What the Japanese call "edamame".[/QUOTE]

"What have the Japanese ever done for us?"

59.) DParker - 06/04/2020

I bought 2 of those little sugar pumpkins back in early November and was going to make a pie out of them, but never got around to it...so they just sat on my fireplace hearth until I cut them open weekend before last, scooped out the seeds and put 10 of them in the ground near my watermelons. 9 have germinated and are growing enthusiastically.

I took this pic of one of the groups just yesterday morning, and when I went outside about an hour ago they all already had true leaves.

([URL="https://i.imgur.com/o6SO0ZP.jpg"]Full size[/URL])

60.) bluecat - 06/04/2020

All of those vine plants love to spread. That whole area is going to be full. Keep taking pics of their progress.

61.) DParker - 06/05/2020

Yeah, I've raised melons before and recall the ground being covered by them. I'll end up thinning them to 2 or 3 plants per hill.

62.) bluecat - 06/05/2020

You said melons.

63.) DParker - 06/05/2020

And melons require huuuge...tracts of land. Coincidence? I think not.

64.) DParker - 06/05/2020

I'm impressed with how quickly these pumpkin seeds germinated and are putting out true leaves.

([URL="https://i.imgur.com/3oQ1YGy.jpg"]Full size[/URL])

65.) Swamp Fox - 06/05/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;61051]

We've had timely rains so progress is good.[/QUOTE]

That timely rain left standing water in my yard for days, and likely killed all the male wild turkey poults in both Carolinas .... LOL

Bring on the skeeters!

66.) Swamp Fox - 06/05/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;61052]

This little kitty was under my mailbox. I guess he/she was expecting a package?[/QUOTE]

How far are you from water?

Next time you see him,, ask him to pull your finger ... LOL

67.) Swamp Fox - 06/05/2020

[QUOTE=crookedeye;61057]thats gotta be dill..or herion.[/QUOTE]

LOL ... +4

68.) Swamp Fox - 06/05/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;61060]Dill is a good guess. When asparagus goes to seed it gets frondy. Can I say frondy?[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=DParker;61061]

[/QUOTE]

LOL ....

+ 5 to each member of the Laurel and Hardy team ...

69.) Swamp Fox - 06/05/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;61060]Dill is a good guess. When asparagus goes to seed it gets frondy. Can I say frondy?[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=bluecat;61062]It wasn't a good picture to tell what it was. Also, most people just let it grow but I like to put a cage around it because it will get tall and flop over and with wind, will break. So I like to keep it supported. It's just now starting to leaf out. I'll try to take a closer picture when it's in full glory.[/QUOTE]

So you're sayin' your boys need a house ...

70.) Swamp Fox - 06/05/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;61066]How do you eat your soybeans? I've never heard of someone growing them in their back yard.

Not that there is anything wrong with that.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=DParker;61067]....popped right out of the pod as a snack. What the Japanese call "edamame".[/QUOTE]

First time I heard someone mention edamame, I thought "WTF--- They're baby soybeans, you pretentious dillweed!" ---But I think there is a small, technical and arguably irrelevant difference between soybeans and edamame... Which to me doesn't really matter because I refuse to eat edamame if it's got anything to do with Japan, at least until they fully and properly apologize for war crimes and helping the Germans bomb Pearl Harbor...

Is that wrong??

71.) Swamp Fox - 06/05/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;61071]"What have the Japanese ever done for us?"[/QUOTE]

If your office is a cubicle, I think you know ... LOL

72.) Swamp Fox - 06/05/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;61076]You said melons.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=DParker;61077]And melons require huuuge...tracts of land. Coincidence? I think not.[/QUOTE]

+4s all around ...

I knew we were going there ... :grin:

73.) bluecat - 06/06/2020

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;61080]How far are you from water?

Next time you see him,, ask him to pull your finger ... LOL[/QUOTE]

According to my divining rod, there's a pond about 100 yards away.

74.) Swamp Fox - 06/10/2020

That's just a hop, skip and a jump for a snapping turtle ...

75.) bluecat - 06/10/2020

Well, at least an excruciatingly long crawl.

76.) bluecat - 06/10/2020

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;61085]If your office is a cubicle, I think you know ... LOL[/QUOTE]

I sleep in a chest of drawers, does that count?

77.) DParker - 06/10/2020

Progress.

([URL="https://i.imgur.com/IG85bH1.jpg"](Full size, needed if you want to read the labels)[/URL]

Everything that's green but doesn't have a label is a weed that escaped my last exercise in mass murder via Roundup.

78.) bluecat - 06/10/2020

Your tract is enormous.

(That's what she said)

79.) bluecat - 06/10/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;61071]"What have the Japanese ever done for us?"[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;61085]If your office is a cubicle, I think you know ... LOL[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=bluecat;61106]I sleep in a chest of drawers, does that count?[/QUOTE]

:ach:

80.) DParker - 06/10/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;61108]Your tract is enormous.

(That's what she said)[/QUOTE]

I like to think of it in terms of how much grass I don't have to mow.

81.) bluecat - 06/10/2020

carnac: "I see a brand spankin' new roto-tiller with a big bow on it under the tree."

Envelope please

"What DP's wife is getting for Christmas this year."

82.) DParker - 06/10/2020

LOL! Fat chance...at least not until I build a storage shed outside. We can barely get a car in the garage now as it is.

83.) Swamp Fox - 06/11/2020

[QUOTE=DParker;61107]Progress.

([URL="https://i.imgur.com/IG85bH1.jpg"](Full size, needed if you want to read the labels)[/URL]

Everything that's green but doesn't have a label is a weed that escaped my last exercise in mass murder via Roundup.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=bluecat;61111]carnac: "I see a brand spankin' new roto-tiller with a big bow on it under the tree."

Envelope please

"What DP's wife is getting for Christmas this year."[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=DParker;61113]LOL! Fat chance...at least not until I build a storage shed outside. We can barely get a car in the garage now as it is.[/QUOTE]

[I]Dallas Is A Hard Row To Harrow[/I] ...

[Parody of [I]Songs of the CSA [/I]... [I](Richmond Is A Hard Road To Travel[/I])]

Don't @ me ....

84.) Swamp Fox - 06/11/2020

Oh, and also ... Tell your neighbors to dial down their solar panels to 11 ...

Take video when you do it ...LOL ...

85.) DParker - 06/11/2020

Hell, I'm just mad that solar hardware has finally come down in cost enough that you can actually recoup your initial investment and maintenance expenses after a couple of decades and start turning a profit on it...and I'm too old to take advantage of it. I have toyed with the idea of equipping the aforementioned future storage shed with solar to power a couple of led bulbs, cordless tool battery chargers, etc. It wouldn't take much, and would ultimately be cheaper and easier than running a line from the house out to a shed at the back of the yard (my preferred location).

86.) Swamp Fox - 06/11/2020

You forgot the mini-fridge and the small flat-screen that's bigger than my first three TVs ...

Pretty soon you'll be living out there ...

87.) Swamp Fox - 06/11/2020

I want to know where Farmer Alex is while all this is going on ...

#Luv2bowhuntBatSignal

88.) DParker - 06/16/2020

I continue to be amazed by how quickly these mystery pumpkins are growing. The first two pics are from June 5th, and the third is the same 9 plants from yesterday. They're averaging about a foot tall each, with stalks as thick as my forefinger at the base. And a couple of them are sporting tendrils that are 10"-14" in length. I think that by next week they're going to become self-aware and begin plotting world domination.

([URL="https://i.imgur.com/AUI6LlI.jpg"]Full-size original[/URL])

([URL="https://i.imgur.com/JZSM4PG.jpg"]Full-size original[/URL])

([URL="https://i.imgur.com/haZ6YBU.jpg"]Full-size original[/URL])

89.) bluecat - 06/16/2020

Whoa!

If they ever look like this then we've got a problem.

90.) bluecat - 06/16/2020

Hopefully you are understanding the whole process. :-)

91.) bluecat - 06/16/2020

It also is nice when you are away that someone comes in during the night and plants, waters and weeds.

92.) bluecat - 06/16/2020

If you ever get stuck, I know Michelle Obama has done some extensive gardening and has a book out that might provide some tips. Just trying to help.

93.) Swamp Fox - 06/17/2020

It all happened while she was away ... LOL

Next Up: [B][I]AOC Discovers Where Meat Comes From[/I][/B]

It will be a Double Rainbow Moment ...

94.) DParker - 06/17/2020

I wonder if she ever got over her amazement over and fear of her garbage disposal.

95.) Swamp Fox - 06/17/2020

It's possible that voters in that part of the Bronx and Queens don't know what's going on, or are on drugs ....

Those are the charitable explanations ...

96.) bluecat - 06/18/2020

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;61137]It all happened while she was away ... LOL

Next Up: [B][I]AOC Discovers Where Meat Comes From[/I][/B]

It will be a Double Rainbow Moment ...[/QUOTE]

It wasn't the Forest Service this time coming in at night planting grown vegetables but probably a bunch of Birkenstock wearing, man hatin', Patachouli smelling, hairy legged Chai drinkers who wanted to earn some leverage.

97.) DParker - 06/19/2020

Gittin' there...

[URL="https://i.imgur.com/48c5vXX.jpg"]Full sized original[/URL]

98.) bluecat - 06/21/2020

It ain't a garden if there are no weeds.

-2, lol

99.) DParker - 06/21/2020

That's why I provided a link to the full-sized original pic, where the pest plants in question are visible in all their weedy glory.

100.) DParker - 06/27/2020

I haven't seen many honeybees or bumblebees in the yard the past few years, at least compared to our first 20 years here. So I was pleasantly surprised when I went out back yesterday morning prepared to hand-pollinate the watermelon blooms that have just appeared, only to find that there was no need. There were a bunch or orchard mason bees working the blooms with great enthusiasm. This is the first time in our 28 years in TX that I've seen mason bees, or at least the first time that I've noticed them. A little reading reveals that they're actually much more efficient pollinators than honeybees, so I'm glad to see them out there.

101.) DParker - 06/27/2020

Apparently the bees have been on the job for longer than I thought. I found this (about the size of a golf ball) and 5 more more like it this morning, and I'm sure there are quite a few more that I just didn't see because the foliage is so thick. I have 14 plants, so we're likely going to be up to our eyeballs in watermelon this year.

([URL="https://i.imgur.com/YY16h1e.jpg"]Full size original[/URL])

102.) crookedeye - 06/27/2020

very interesting...

103.) crookedeye - 06/27/2020

you no youre getting old when you take a close up of a bee..

104.) Swamp Fox - 06/27/2020

[QUOTE=DParker;61226]... This is the first time in our 28 years in TX that I've seen mason bees, or at least the first time that I've noticed them ...

[/QUOTE]

That's because mason bees are sworn to secrecy ... Somebody slipped up.

105.) crookedeye - 06/27/2020

looks like a blue fly to me.

106.) crookedeye - 06/27/2020

mason bee... who's the genious that came up with that name?

107.) Swamp Fox - 06/27/2020

[QUOTE=crookedeye;61229]you no youre getting old when you take a close up of a bee..[/QUOTE]

LOL ...

Pretty soon we'll all be taking classes at the community college and the pool at the YMCA ...

108.) Swamp Fox - 06/27/2020

[QUOTE=crookedeye;61231]looks like a blue fly to me.[/QUOTE]

"Must be a blue fly... "

"Why?"

" 'e's got shit all over 'im ... "

109.) DParker - 06/28/2020

I stole that pic from Google Images. Does that mean I'm not old yet?

110.) Swamp Fox - 06/28/2020

I'm thinkin' that's a no ....

LOL

111.) DParker - 06/30/2020

OK, now I'm old. Mason bees are still on the job. This one got ambitious and took on a pumpkin bloom.

([URL="https://i.imgur.com/olmUAgP.jpg"]Full-size original[/URL])

112.) DParker - 06/30/2020

We have silks.

([URL="https://i.imgur.com/XiR6MIe.jpg"]Full-size original[/URL])

113.) bluecat - 06/30/2020

Damn, when you said silks I was thinking of something else.

That's cool too though.

114.) Swamp Fox - 06/30/2020

OK, boomer ...

LOL .... The kids have so much to learn.

:tap:

115.) Swamp Fox - 06/30/2020

Silk stockings shortage:

uh oh ,,,, Nylons too ...

This is a bonus for bluecat :

116.) Swamp Fox - 06/30/2020

Silk stockings shortage:

uh oh ,,,, Nylons too ...

This is a bonus for bluecat :

117.) Swamp Fox - 06/30/2020

So nice I posted it twice ..

118.) bluecat - 07/01/2020

Not complaining.

119.) DParker - 07/02/2020

The backyard grocery store finally has some produce in stock.

([URL="https://i.imgur.com/9nCDrHA.jpg"]Full-size original[/URL])

And soon...

([URL="https://i.imgur.com/B4iikfp.jpg"]Full-size original[/URL])

120.) bluecat - 07/02/2020

Looking good DP.

I ran out this morning and took a few pics before my phone locked up. I was in the middle of taking a picture of the asparagus.

Tomatoes are just around the corner.

Onions and garlic are ready to come out.

121.) DParker - 07/02/2020

Nice. You must be up to your eyeballs in tomatoes. And asparagus is next on my "must grow" list, just as soon as I can cobble together some raised beds.

122.) bluecat - 07/02/2020

Haven't picked a single tomato yet but they are forming. I mostly make salsa from the Romas and eat the cherry tomatoes in salad. I don't eat tomatoes plain. Go figure.

You plant the asparagus crowns in spring. Don't harvest for first two years then gradually harvest more each year. It's a little bit of a wait but worth it.

123.) DParker - 07/02/2020

That said..woe is me, for evil incarnate hath descended upon paradise. It looks like some biological warfare is in order.

([URL="https://i.imgur.com/DcfKLlo.jpg"]Full-sized original[/URL])

124.) bluecat - 07/03/2020

Trade you all my Japanese beetles for that horsefly. Can I say Japanese?

125.) DParker - 07/04/2020

I'm not sure which would be worse, since it's not a horse fly. It's a clear wing moth, the larval offspring of which is the dreaded squash vine borer, which can decimate entire gardens of squashes, melons, okra, et al.

126.) bluecat - 07/04/2020

Well then you must nuke it. It's the only way to be sure.

127.) DParker - 07/04/2020

I would, but I can barely drag my ass out of my recliner right now, let alone get it into orbit.

128.) crookedeye - 07/05/2020

I have centipedes in my basement that could take that fly out in 2 seconds

129.) Swamp Fox - 07/06/2020

PM Alex to see if he nos how to set up a pay-per-view, or even something free ...

I vote for free ...

130.) crookedeye - 07/06/2020

do you think the redskins should change there names

131.) crookedeye - 07/06/2020

im moving to sweden

132.) bluecat - 07/06/2020

There are probably more Swedes in Stromsburg Nebraska than the country now.

133.) Swamp Fox - 07/07/2020

[QUOTE=crookedeye;61312]do you think the redskins should change there names[/QUOTE]

LOL ... Better hoard the merch while you can ... The suits are caving fast. Just a year or three ago, Dan Snyder was saying they would never change their name.

Well, never say "Never."

In a gutless move, we're heading toward the "Washington Weasels."

[QUOTE=crookedeye;61313]im moving to sweden[/QUOTE]

Aside from the Bikini Team, I don't understand the attraction. It's a collectivist sauna culture.

Oh, wait ... :wink

Have you considered Estonia, or Poland? ... Both bastions of freedom... :grin:

[QUOTE=bluecat;61315]There are probably more Swedes in Stromsburg Nebraska than the country now.[/QUOTE]

LOL .... Did you get that stat from Garrison Keillor?

:wave:

134.) DParker - 07/11/2020

Pumpkins? It's practically fall! You can almost feel a chill in the air. Almost.

([URL="https://i.imgur.com/2Jbx1h8.jpg"]Full-sized original[/URL])

Everything is pretty out of control now. I don't think I'm in charge anymore.
([URL="https://i.imgur.com/TdTMcNB.jpg"]Full-sized original[/URL])

135.) Swamp Fox - 07/12/2020

[QUOTE=DParker;61380]

([URL="https://i.imgur.com/2Jbx1h8.jpg"]Full-sized original[/URL])

Everything is pretty out of control now. I don't think I'm in charge anymore.
([URL="https://i.imgur.com/TdTMcNB.jpg"]Full-sized original[/URL])

[/QUOTE] ................

136.) bluecat - 07/13/2020

Wow, I'd like to go ahead and place my order now before the rush. Are you planning on having kids ride on your lawn tractor out to the pumpkin patch while their parents wait in your garage buying apple pies and jelly?

137.) bluecat - 07/13/2020

There is one lesson in veggie gardens. You are not in control. The other lesson is - there are two lessons. Always, no, never, underestimate the size of the, there are three lessons in gardens. You are not in control, there's always more lessons and wear your sunscreen. Those are the five lessons - three lessons in gardening. Thank you.

138.) bluecat - 07/13/2020

I strongly object to the previous post. It is confusing and downright offensive to think there are only four lessons - three lessons in gardening.

139.) DParker - 07/13/2020

I have just issued a formal declaration of war with the neighborhood squirrels.

([URL="https://i.imgur.com/x3LDvxB.jpg"]Full-sized original[/URL])

140.) bluecat - 07/13/2020

How are your pellet gun skills?

141.) DParker - 07/13/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;61398]How are your pellet gun skills?[/QUOTE]

We're about to find out. And I just informed my staff squirrel assassin that I'm docking her a full day's kibble for dereliction of duty.

142.) bluecat - 07/13/2020

I'll be waiting for a smoked squirrel thread forthwith.

143.) DParker - 07/13/2020

My son got a pellet smoker last weekend as a belated birthday gift (pardon me...I'm a little verklempt...talk amongst yourselves). Maybe I'll let him do the job for practice.

144.) bluecat - 07/13/2020

Twice smoked squirrel?

145.) Swamp Fox - 07/14/2020

[QUOTE=DParker;61397]I have just issued a formal declaration of war with the neighborhood squirrels.

([URL="https://i.imgur.com/x3LDvxB.jpg"]Full-sized original[/URL])

[/QUOTE]

Skwirls gotta eat, same as Texans ...

:wink

146.) DParker - 07/14/2020

The difference being that some Texans gotta' eat skwirls.

147.) DParker - 07/14/2020

Well, this was a nice little surprise. Local temperatures have been in the 90s for weeks now, and triple digits the past couple of days, so I wasn't expecting to see any more tomatoes until things cooled back down a little bit, since they generally don't even pollinate successfully, let alone set fruit at those temps. But when I went out this morning I found that my two San Marzano and one Brandywine plants...both of which looked like they weren't even going to survive after I planted them, but took off growing a few weeks ago...suddenly decided to start earning their keep.

San Marzano ([URL="https://i.imgur.com/ESVLTAm.jpg"]Full-sized original[/URL]):

148.) Swamp Fox - 07/15/2020

[QUOTE=DParker;61407]The difference being that some Texans gotta' eat skwirls.[/QUOTE]

Can't we all just get along?

149.) bluecat - 07/15/2020

[QUOTE=DParker;61408]Well, this was a nice little surprise. Local temperatures have been in the 90s for weeks now, and triple digits the past couple of days, so I wasn't expecting to see any more tomatoes until things cooled back down a little bit, since they generally don't even pollinate successfully, let alone set fruit at those temps. But when I went out this morning I found that my two San Marzano and one Brandywine plants...both of which looked like they weren't even going to survive after I planted them, but took off growing a few weeks ago...suddenly decided to start earning their keep.

San Marzano ([URL="https://i.imgur.com/ESVLTAm.jpg"]Full-sized original[/URL]):

[/QUOTE]

That looks like a male plant.

150.) bluecat - 07/15/2020

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;61409]Can't we all just get along?

[/QUOTE]

Was it over when the Germans dubbed Josey Wales?

151.) Swamp Fox - 07/15/2020

LOL ...

Well, yeah ... Kinda ...

LOL

152.) Swamp Fox - 07/16/2020

[QUOTE=DParker;61408]

San Marzano ([URL="https://i.imgur.com/ESVLTAm.jpg"]Full-sized original[/URL]):

[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=bluecat;61410]That looks like a male plant.[/QUOTE]

"Is that a tomato in your pocket, or are you just glad to be gardening?"

153.) Swamp Fox - 07/16/2020

You boys should grow some spinach.... That stuff's like gold every few years for one reason or another: pandemic, tornadoes, the rain in Spain ...

Probably Popeye Re-Run Marathons, too.

It's crazy ...

154.) bluecat - 07/16/2020

duly noted

155.) DParker - 07/20/2020

Gee, I have all these freshly picked poblanos and jalapeños that I have no immediate use for.

([URL="https://i.imgur.com/cOucfLW.jpg"]Full-sized original[/URL])

If only I had a smoker and a food dehydrator. Oh, wait...I do.
([URL="https://i.imgur.com/ApG58yD.jpg"]Full-sized original[/URL])

After 3 hours in the smoker at 175°F I had smoke poblanos and chipotles. Then 12 hours in the dehydrator at 140°F and I have crispy dried anchos and chipotles. These will last for months until chili weather is here again, at which point they should powder up nicely in my spice grinder and, when combined with some other dried peppers and spices make for a good chili powder.
([URL="https://i.imgur.com/O0z6dFL.jpg"]Full-sized original[/URL])

156.) Swamp Fox - 07/20/2020

Or, you could run to the Piggly Wiggly, grab something off the shelf, and be back in about thirty-three minutes ...

:wink

157.) DParker - 07/20/2020

Pfffffffft

158.) bluecat - 07/20/2020

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;61436]Or, you could run to the Piggly Wiggly, grab something off the shelf, and be back in about thirty-three minutes ...

:wink[/QUOTE]

Are you taking into account the time you spend traversing up and down the aisles looking for Miss Wright who is struggling to put a 50 pound sack of dog food in her cart?

You dog you.

159.) bluecat - 07/20/2020

[QUOTE=DParker;61435]Gee, I have all these freshly picked poblanos and jalapeños that I have no immediate use for.

([URL="https://i.imgur.com/cOucfLW.jpg"]Full-sized original[/URL])

If only I had a smoker and a food dehydrator. Oh, wait...I do.
([URL="https://i.imgur.com/ApG58yD.jpg"]Full-sized original[/URL])

[/QUOTE]

Looks great DP. Those chilis will flavor up those beans nicely.

160.) Swamp Fox - 07/20/2020

LOL ...

161.) Swamp Fox - 07/21/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;61439]Are you taking into account the time you spend traversing up and down the aisles looking for Miss Wright who is struggling to put a 50 pound sack of dog food in her cart?

You dog you.[/QUOTE]

It's funny you say that.

I was debating running up there anyway for some beer, gunpowder, ham hocks and guitar strings when your post pushed me over the edge.

"I gots to go..." I said to myself.

What's the first thing I see when I pull into the parking lot? Two hotties in Daisy Dukes and those bustier tops that make you want to chew through a screen door so you can say, "I like your outfit, ma'am. Tequila?" while gazing right into their eyes ...

It took me a lot longer than it should have to get my life-sustaining supplies, 'cause I went down a lot of aisles and made some detours I didn't need to, if you know what I mean, and in the end I couldn't get the self-service check-out machine to work properly because I was too distracted scanning ... um ... [insert a lot of cross-out text here]... Well, you know ...

So I have to say, thanks for the encouragement, LOL.

162.) Swamp Fox - 07/21/2020

Catherine Bach searches are spiking right now ... So to speak ...

163.) Swamp Fox - 07/21/2020

12 users browsing this thread right now ... LOL

That's gotta be a record ....

164.) Swamp Fox - 07/21/2020

......

165.) Swamp Fox - 07/21/2020

This thread's got it all, except one thing ...

166.) Swamp Fox - 07/21/2020

Maybe two things, now that I think about it ...

167.) Swamp Fox - 07/21/2020

Three?

*No one* expects the thread to be multi-layered ....

168.) Swamp Fox - 07/21/2020

169.) bluecat - 07/21/2020

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;61446]This thread's got it all, except one thing ...[/QUOTE]

Melons?

A fanatical devotion to the pope?

170.) bluecat - 07/21/2020

Dug potatoes several weeks ago. These are Yukon Golds. I end up canning all of our potatoes so they can be enjoyed throughout the year.

The blackberries, beans and such are in full force now.

171.) DParker - 07/21/2020

Nice spuds. Root crops are my primary motivation for wanting to build raised beds this fall. The clay makes that difficult at best.

172.) Swamp Fox - 07/22/2020

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;61446]This thread's got it all, except one thing ...[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=bluecat;61450]Melons?

A fanatical devotion to the pope?[/QUOTE]

That's two things ....

LOL

173.) bluecat - 07/22/2020

[QUOTE=DParker;61452]Nice spuds.[/QUOTE]

Swampy, I think we've got your pick up line at the Piggly Wiggly. Lurk around the produce section till you see Miss Wright near the potatoes.

174.) Swamp Fox - 07/22/2020

[QUOTE=DParker;61452]Nice spuds.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=bluecat;61454]Swampy, I think we've got your pick up line at the Piggly Wiggly. Lurk around the produce section till you see Miss Wright near the potatoes.[/QUOTE]

Completely anecdotal and personal experience, rather than scientific study but: Sad to report that most girls don't know spuds. You get the same vacant look we all no from [I]Three Stooges[/I] marathons when you mention them:

"Look, Sugar Pie, the Three Stooges are on!" = "Howdy, Miss ... Nice spuds ... "

It might be the carbohydrates thang ...

Dairy/Frozen is where it's at if you ask me ...

[url]https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/13090/why-are-potatoes-called-spuds[/url]

175.) bluecat - 07/23/2020

And sadly she'll have no knowledge of this.

176.) Swamp Fox - 07/23/2020

LOL ...

No, that's way out of her galaxy of comprehension ... LOL

+ 5

Wimmins ... :omg::p

177.) Swamp Fox - 07/23/2020

I have to say I might have been too hasty in dismissing the female acquaintanceship with potatoes.

Come to think of it, I have seen some girthy German gals and some stout Midwestern types who seem to be pretty familiar with them, just guessin' ... :dig:

:shh:

178.) Swamp Fox - 07/23/2020

And no, that is not permission to post one of your pictures of a girl sitting "around the house" ....

LOL

179.) bluecat - 07/23/2020

Damn!

180.) Swamp Fox - 07/23/2020

I know how your mind works ...

181.) Swamp Fox - 07/26/2020

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;61446]This thread's got it all, except one thing ...[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=bluecat;61450]Melons?

A fanatical devotion to the pope?[/QUOTE]

182.) Swamp Fox - 07/26/2020

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;61480]I have to say I might have been too hasty in dismissing the female acquaintanceship with potatoes.

Come to think of it, I have seen some girthy German gals and some stout Midwestern types who seem to be pretty familiar with them, just guessin' ... :dig:

:shh:[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;61481]And no, that is not permission to post one of your pictures of a girl sitting "around the house" ....

LOL[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=bluecat;61482]Damn![/QUOTE]

[B]
And NO! ... Still no permission ... [/B]

LOL

183.) Swamp Fox - 07/26/2020

184.) DParker - 07/28/2020

Not to self: Thin out the damned okra next year. Today's crop w/steak knife for scale...

[URL="https://i.imgur.com/tmgCo0C.jpg"](Full-sized original)[/URL]

I already have 2x-3x that much in the fridge waiting to be blanched,vacuum packed and frozen, and there's no end or even slowing down in sight for production. There are 2 out there that I missed the past 2 days that are already as long as my forearms, so I'm going to leave them to fully mature and dry out and be my source for next year's seeds.

185.) bluecat - 07/28/2020

Yeah, if you miss one in the morning by afternoon it's too big.

186.) DParker - 07/28/2020

The best part is that my wife doesn't even like okra.

187.) bluecat - 07/28/2020

I really like pickled okra. I haven't grown it successfully for a few years. I just remember that I had to watch it like a hawk or I couldn't use it.

188.) bluecat - 07/28/2020

So what dishes do you use it in? I'm guessing you would use it in your gumbo recipe.

189.) DParker - 07/28/2020

Yeah, I'll certainly use it in some gumbo. I've already had a batch of basic fried okra. I experimented a little by using panko bread crumbs instead of corn meal, which gave it a texture and crunch that I really liked. I might pickle some too. Beyond that, I'll have to see what YouTube suggests.

190.) Swamp Fox - 07/28/2020

Okra is the shrimp of the soil ...

191.) DParker - 07/28/2020

I know most everything there is to know about the okra'in bizness.

192.) Swamp Fox - 07/28/2020

LOL ...

i have a few friends I can't put okra in anything for... They think it's slimy.

I think they're effeminate. (A couple of them have a biological excuse.)

People say you don't need file powder if you're using okra and vice versa ...

You know what I say?

193.) DParker - 07/29/2020

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;61520]People say you don't need file powder if you're using okra and vice versa ...[/QUOTE]

People say a lot of things. I use both, because....'Murica, that's why.

194.) Swamp Fox - 07/29/2020

You're a great American....

Wanna fight about it? :wink

195.) bluecat - 07/29/2020

Before you guys get your lasers (making quotation marks with fingers) out and start fighting, what is file powder?

196.) DParker - 07/29/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;61528]Before you guys get your lasers (making quotation marks with fingers) out and start fighting, what is file powder?[/QUOTE]

Someone has already forgotten their own entry in the great gumbo thread. Geez, it was only 6 years ago.

[URL="http://forums.huntingcountry.com/forums/showthread.php?1200-Let-s-talk-Gumbo-ayeeeee!&p=21919&viewfull=1#post21919"]http://forums.huntingcountry.com/forums/showthread.php?1200-Let-s-talk-Gumbo-ayeeeee!&p=21919&viewfull=1#post21919[/URL]

197.) bluecat - 07/29/2020

Wow, that wasn't too embarrassing! :-)

198.) bluecat - 07/29/2020

Don't know if this would work or not, but every year I harvest tomatos and stick them in the freezer till year end. That way I can make and can salsa with a large number of tomatoes.
The freezing of the tomato breaks down the cell wall so it produces a lot of water when thawed. Therefore my salsa turns into more of a soup than a salsa. I've searched a lot of forums for the answer to this without anything concrete.
Most people buy their tomatoes in a large quantity and can them so they don't run into this issue.

I'm wondering if adding okra would solidify the salsa more without affecting the taste too much. I attempted to add cornstarch last year but that was not doing the trick. I would have had to add boxes of the stuff.

199.) DParker - 07/30/2020

What temperature is your freezer generally running at?

200.) Swamp Fox - 07/30/2020

Wait.... Your freezer is running?

[Insert [I]Family Guy[/I] clip here.]

201.) bluecat - 07/30/2020

Not sure, but I know that water freezes in there.

202.) Swamp Fox - 07/30/2020

Is that what you want?

If not, stop doing that . :wink

203.) Swamp Fox - 07/30/2020

Okra with the tomatoes has to be a good bit thicker, I would think.

I expect you'd smooth out a little bit of the acid taste as well.

It's worth a shot ....

204.) DParker - 07/31/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;61537]Not sure, but I know that water freezes in there.[/QUOTE]

Try getting it to around 0F (zero). The faster things freeze the less their cells rupture. It has to do with an inverse relationship between the speed of water freezing and the growth of ice crystals.

205.) Swamp Fox - 07/31/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;61532]Don't know if this would work or not, but every year I harvest tomatos and stick them in the freezer till year end. That way I can make and can salsa with a large number of tomatoes.
The freezing of the tomato breaks down the cell wall so it produces a lot of water when thawed. Therefore my salsa turns into more of a soup than a salsa. I've searched a lot of forums for the answer to this without anything concrete.
Most people buy their tomatoes in a large quantity and can them so they don't run into this issue.

I'm wondering if adding okra would solidify the salsa more without affecting the taste too much. I attempted to add cornstarch last year but that was not doing the trick. I would have had to add boxes of the stuff.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;61539]Okra with the tomatoes has to be a good bit thicker, I would think.

I expect you'd smooth out a little bit of the acid taste as well.

It's worth a shot ....

[/QUOTE]

Wait? ... What? ... I think I misunderstood.

I was thinking you were gonna freeze okra with the tomatoes.

It's worth a shot. See what happens. I'm no meteorologist ...

But now that I read again, I think you're just putting okra in a fresh salsa?

As far as I know, fresh okra uncooked isn't gonna thicken anything on its own.

Maybe freeze less-watery varieties?

BUT.... If you ARE cooking your salsa, then absolutely try okra.

Or file powder. :wink Or both. :grin:

xanthan gum is also a possiblity.

But it can be a little farty... or worse ... LOL

[url]https://www.reddit.com/r/Canning/comments/5j16dh/xanthan_gum_in_salsa/[/url]

206.) bluecat - 07/31/2020

[QUOTE=DParker;61541]Try getting it to around 0F (zero). The faster things freeze the less their cells rupture. It has to do with an inverse relationship between the speed of water freezing and the growth of ice crystals.[/QUOTE]

I did not know that. I will stick one of those thermal reading things in there.

207.) bluecat - 07/31/2020

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;61542]Wait? ... What? ... I think I misunderstood.

I was thinking you were gonna freeze okra with the tomatoes.

It's worth a shot. See what happens. I'm no meteorologist ...

But now that I read again, I think you're just putting okra in a fresh salsa?

As far as I know, fresh okra uncooked isn't gonna thicken anything on its own.

Maybe freeze less-watery varieties?

BUT.... If you ARE cooking your salsa, then absolutely try okra.

Or file powder. :wink Or both. :grin:

xanthan gum is also a possiblity.

But it can be a little farty... or worse ... LOL

[url]https://www.reddit.com/r/Canning/comments/5j16dh/xanthan_gum_in_salsa/[/url][/QUOTE]

Just trying to thicken up salsa. Probably would freeze my okra too as that harvest is incremental like the maters.

Canning anything is fairly labor intensive. Pressure canning is especially time intensive. There is the processing time but additionally you have to let the steamer sit and depressurize on it's own. Bringing it up to temperature and having it blowing steam before you begin the steaming process is also time consuming. To justify doing it you need to first have plenty of whatever it is your canning on hand. Having 6 or 7 tomatoes ripe and ready to can is not feasible. Therefore, I harvest my tomatoes throughout the growing season and then process everything at once.

So I put the tomatoes in the freezer and hold them that way. The freezing process (ice crystals) ruptures the plant cell walls and therefore a lot of liquid comes out of the tomato - good for soup, good for juice, not good for salsa.

When you visit forums you are typically conversing with people that go to farmer's markets and purchase all the tomatoes they need at once so they can't understand the dilemma.

"Get a rope"

208.) bluecat - 07/31/2020

I bought an attachment that hooks on to my grinder that separates the skin and seeds from the meat. It's a life saver. To get the skin off of a tomato you typically have to blanch them and then give them an ice bath to slip the skins off. Then you need to remove the seeds. It's labor intensive for such a small tomato (Roma or San Marzano).

This gadget allows you to feed tomatoes as fast you can.

209.) DParker - 07/31/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;61544]Probably would freeze my okra too as that harvest is incremental like the maters..[/QUOTE]

My okra has kicked into overdrive and I'm now having to pick it twice per day, every day. I've eaten about 1 lb, given away a couple lbs to family, frozen about 2 lbs and currently have 3.25 lbs sitting in the fridge, some of which I plan to pickle this weekend, as well as some cucumbers. I'm also up to my eyeballs in jalapeños and poblanos, with a smattering of habaneros, so some of those will be used to spice up the pickles. I finally got one of my little sugar baby watermelons to ripen. Tasty and juicy, but a LOT of seeds.

210.) Swamp Fox - 07/31/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;61544]Just trying to thicken up salsa. Probably would freeze my okra too as that harvest is incremental like the maters.

Canning anything is fairly labor intensive. Pressure canning is especially time intensive. There is the processing time but additionally you have to let the steamer sit and depressurize on it's own. Bringing it up to temperature and having it blowing steam before you begin the steaming process is also time consuming. To justify doing it you need to first have plenty of whatever it is your canning on hand. Having 6 or 7 tomatoes ripe and ready to can is not feasible. Therefore, I harvest my tomatoes throughout the growing season and then process everything at once.

So I put the tomatoes in the freezer and hold them that way. The freezing process (ice crystals) ruptures the plant cell walls and therefore a lot of liquid comes out of the tomato - good for soup, good for juice, not good for salsa.

When you visit forums you are typically conversing with people that go to farmer's markets and purchase all the tomatoes they need at once so they can't understand the dilemma.

"Get a rope"[/QUOTE]

LOL ... I understand. DP's suggestion for rapid freezing makes sense, and then I guess you could look at tomatoes that are less watery to begin with.

I know I'm not standing around canning anything in this lifetime ....

I'll just make multiple trips to the Piggly Wiggly when I need something ... LOL

211.) bluecat - 07/31/2020

Yes, Romas and San Marzano's are considered the salsa tomatoes with more meat to juice ratio than others.

212.) bluecat - 07/31/2020

I will say this though, the watery salsa I make is the best starter for veggie soup you could ever possibly want. Just add some meat (can I say meat?) your favorite veggies and wow.

Can I say Wow?

213.) DParker - 07/31/2020

I hate it when my okra gives me that pitiful "Are you really going to use those pruners on me?" look when I'm about to cut some pods off it.

([URL="https://i.imgur.com/WfrjiUZ.jpg"]Full-sized original[/URL])

214.) Swamp Fox - 07/31/2020

Awwww....

215.) Swamp Fox - 07/31/2020

I reckon canning would be one g̶o̶o̶d̶ borderline reason to get a wife and have some kids ...

It's getting harder and harder to get all the work done that needs doing around here ...

Not sure how Crookedeye manages to get so much accomplished by himself, either .... LOL

:-) :wave:

216.) DParker - 07/31/2020

I'm finally getting some ripe ice box watermelons ("Sugar Baby"). Tasty and juicy as hell, but way too many seeds.

([URL="https://i.imgur.com/TI1tYhp.jpg"]Full-sized original[/URL])

217.) DParker - 07/31/2020

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;61552]I reckon canning would be one g̶o̶o̶d̶ borderline reason to get a wife and have some kids ...

It's getting harder and harder to get all the work done that needs doing around here ...

Not sure how Crookedeye manages to get so much accomplished by himself, either .... LOL

:-) :wave:[/QUOTE]

Can't get the cats to pitch in?

218.) Swamp Fox - 07/31/2020

[QUOTE=DParker;61553]I'm finally getting some ripe ice box watermelons ("Sugar Baby"). Tasty and juicy as hell, but way too many seeds.

([URL="https://i.imgur.com/TI1tYhp.jpg"]Full-sized original[/URL])

[/QUOTE]

Back in my day, we spit the seeds out AND WE LIKED IT!

219.) Swamp Fox - 07/31/2020

[QUOTE=DParker;61554]Can't get the cats to pitch in?[/QUOTE]

LOL ...

I'm [B]their[/B] borderline reason for hanging around the place ... I accomplish giving them Friskies and water and tablescraps ... I assume they also appreciate scritches behind the ears, but I'm not sure .... LOL

220.) bluecat - 07/31/2020

[QUOTE=DParker;61550]I hate it when my okra gives me that pitiful "Are you really going to use those pruners on me?" look when I'm about to cut some pods off it.

([URL="https://i.imgur.com/WfrjiUZ.jpg"]Full-sized original[/URL])

[/QUOTE]

You didn't plant those seeds that China is sending out did you? Something ain't right.

221.) bluecat - 07/31/2020

+ 3's all around.

222.) DParker - 07/31/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;61557]You didn't plant those seeds that China is sending out did you? Something ain't right.[/QUOTE]

223.) Swamp Fox - 07/31/2020

That's the ugliest bat I've ever seen ...

LOL .....

[Reference the joke about acute angina ......]

LMAO ....

:wink

224.) Swamp Fox - 07/31/2020

Watermelon porn:

225.) Swamp Fox - 07/31/2020

Those kids need to get out in the sun more ... LOL

226.) DParker - 07/31/2020

White people. Pffffft.

227.) Swamp Fox - 07/31/2020

LOL ...

228.) Swamp Fox - 07/31/2020

Several varieties:

......

229.) Swamp Fox - 07/31/2020

They cancelled the State Fair here for this year :re:, so I'm burning my Competition Garden to the ground ...if I had one ... And my prize hog is now personal bacon...

230.) bluecat - 07/31/2020

Damn, you had that drawing of uncle Jake you were going to show too.

231.) Swamp Fox - 07/31/2020

So nice I'ma play it twice ...

232.) Swamp Fox - 07/31/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;61567]Damn, you had that drawing of uncle Jake you were going to show too.[/QUOTE]

I'ma miss seeing the cows ....

I just hope rodeo is back by October ....

Otherwise I might have to go hunting .

233.) DParker - 07/31/2020

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;61569]I'ma miss seeing the cows ....[/QUOTE]

Why do you have to pitch slow-balls like that right over the plate to bluecat?

234.) Swamp Fox - 07/31/2020

LOL ...

Sorry ... Sorry ....

LOL

235.) bluecat - 07/31/2020

Btw, I got a call today from North Carolina stating I've been involved in criminal activity. I was supposed to call a number before they start the proceedings. I accidentally deleted it. Do you have that number Swampy?

236.) bluecat - 07/31/2020

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;61569]I'ma miss seeing the cows ....

[/QUOTE]

You might have to dig out the old security camera footage.

237.) Swamp Fox - 07/31/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;61573]Btw, I got a call today from North Carolina stating I've been involved in criminal activity. I was supposed to call a number before they start the proceedings. I accidentally deleted it. Do you have that number Swampy?[/QUOTE]

I do not recall that ... :wink

238.) bluecat - 07/31/2020

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;61569]I'ma miss seeing the cows ....

[/QUOTE]

How many hours of community service have you completed so far?

239.) Swamp Fox - 07/31/2020

Almost none ... LOL ...

240.) DParker - 08/02/2020

And now we wait for 2 weeks...give or take.

([URL="https://i.imgur.com/EC7Cck1.jpg"]Full-sized original[/URL])

241.) bluecat - 08/02/2020

Yes!

242.) crookedeye - 08/02/2020

i thought pickles grew on trees... nice looks good

243.) Swamp Fox - 08/03/2020

Pickle trees are my favorite trees ...after white oaks, live oaks, and most of the other oaks ....

Don't @ me .....

244.) DParker - 08/03/2020

[QUOTE=crookedeye;61583]i thought pickles grew on trees... nice looks good[/QUOTE]

The okra plants are just over 6' tall now with trunks that are about 1.5" in diameter, so you're not far off.

245.) bluecat - 08/03/2020

[QUOTE=DParker;61585]The okra plants are just over 6' tall now with trunks that are about 1.5" in diameter, so you're not far off.[/QUOTE]

Do you live next to a nuclear facility?

246.) DParker - 08/03/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;61587]Do you live next to a nuclear facility?[/QUOTE]

That's funny....my other head and I were just wondering the same thing.

247.) DParker - 08/05/2020

OK, okra. You win. Over 1 lb from you per day...every day...is more than I can keep up with.

Anyway, like I was sayin', okra is the fruit of the garden. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. Dey's uh, okra-kabobs, okra creole, okra gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There's pineapple okra, lemon okra, coconut okra, pepper okra, okra soup, okra stew, okra salad, okra and potatoes, okra burger, okra sandwich. That- that's about it.

([URL="https://i.imgur.com/N01LhMp.jpg"]Full-sized original[/URL])

248.) DParker - 08/05/2020

BTW, my new favorite way to cook okra (believe me, I'm trying everything I can) is actually just about the simplest. A very light dusting with some seasoned flour (I use some Tony Chachere's, pepper, paprika and cumin...but whatever) and then just sautéed in garlic-flavored olive oil until the flour is lightly browned. It eliminates the "sliminess" and leaves with a texture I can best compare to a toasted marshmallow. Just on the verge of becoming crisp on the outside, but with a soft interior. I still dearly love it with cornmeal and deep-fried, but I'm trying to be a little less damn-your-arteries-full-speed-ahead about it. Here it is with some beef tamales that I ordered from an outfit in Ft. Worth, covered in some chili with a bunch of queso blanco melted into it. OK, so I'm easing into this whole eat-healthier thing.

([URL="https://i.imgur.com/MA2AhRg.jpg"]Full-sized original[/URL])

249.) bluecat - 08/05/2020

Those look fantastic. The tamales are calling my name.

I'm going to have to try okra again next year.

I did have an okra pod at my desk until recently that had a pipe cleaner 'do' and some funny eyes that I called Okra Winfrey.

Those were back in the days when you could laugh at stuff.

250.) DParker - 08/05/2020

Racist.

251.) bluecat - 08/05/2020

...I'll let myself out.

252.) bluecat - 08/05/2020

[QUOTE=DParker;61611]BTW, my new favorite way to cook okra (believe me, I'm trying everything I can) is actually just about the simplest. A very light dusting with some seasoned flour (I use some Tony Chachere's, pepper, paprika and cumin...but whatever) and then just sautéed in garlic-flavored olive oil until the flour is lightly browned. It eliminates the "sliminess" and leaves with a texture I can best compare to a toasted marshmallow. Just on the verge of becoming crisp on the outside, but with a soft interior. I still dearly love it with cornmeal and deep-fried, but I'm trying to be a little less damn-your-arteries-full-speed-ahead about it. Here it is with some beef tamales that I ordered from an outfit in Ft. Worth, covered in some chili with a bunch of queso blanco melted into it. OK, so I'm easing into this whole eat-healthier thing.

([URL="https://i.imgur.com/MA2AhRg.jpg"]Full-sized original[/URL])

[/QUOTE]

There are some dishes you might want to consider - okra pancakes, okra sorbet, okra thermidor (Swampy please check spelling on that), spam eggs sausage and okra, okra in a mango reduction with rosemary, okra spam eggs spam spam spam spam spam and okra and last but not least okra jerky.

253.) bluecat - 08/05/2020

[QUOTE=DParker;61610]OK, okra. You win. Over 1 lb from you per day...every day...is more than I can keep up with.

Anyway, like I was sayin', okra is the fruit of the garden. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. Dey's uh, okra-kabobs, okra creole, okra gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There's pineapple okra, lemon okra, coconut okra, pepper okra, okra soup, okra stew, okra salad, okra and potatoes, okra burger, okra sandwich. [B]That- that's about it.[/B]

([URL="https://i.imgur.com/N01LhMp.jpg"]Full-sized original[/URL])

[/QUOTE]

Not so fast Chef Boyardee. There are some dishes you might want to consider - okra pancakes; okra sorbet; okra thermidor (Swampy, please check spelling on that); spam, eggs, sausage and okra; okra in a mango reduction with rosemary; okra, spam, eggs, spam, spam, spam, spam, spam and okra and my personal favorite; Belgian chocolate caramel cheesecake with whipped madagascar vanilla bean and white chocolate pudding center with roasted, sugared, slivered almonds and marinated in an orange and grapefruit zest honey bourbon sauce dribbled with an okra glaze and those little sprinkles on top.

254.) DParker - 08/05/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;61616]Not so fast Chef Boyardee. There are some dishes you might want to consider - okra pancakes; okra sorbet; okra thermidor (Swampy, please check spelling on that); spam, eggs, sausage and okra; okra in a mango reduction with rosemary; okra, spam, eggs, spam, spam, spam, spam, spam and okra and my personal favorite; Belgian chocolate caramel cheesecake with whipped madagascar vanilla bean and white chocolate pudding center with roasted, sugared, slivered almonds and marinated in an orange and grapefruit zest honey bourbon sauce dribbled with an okra glaze and those little sprinkles on top.[/QUOTE]

+a boat-load

255.) bluecat - 08/10/2020

Picture of asparagus. My garden went rogue around mid April.

256.) bluecat - 08/10/2020

Asparagus close up.

257.) bluecat - 08/10/2020

Tomatoes have kicked into overdrive.

258.) DParker - 08/10/2020

Nice! San Marzono 'maters?

My "farm" is completely out of control too. The okra is over 6' tall now, and producing between 1.25 - 1.75 lbs every single day. Squash vine borers have killed a few pumpkin plants, and possible a couple of cucumbers, but they've all spread about 4'-5' outside of their beds in every direction.

259.) bluecat - 08/10/2020

These are all Romas but only because the San Marzanos were sold out. I don't know if I can tell a difference.

Here is what I did. Got some food grade diatomaceous earth. Filled up an empty apple juice plastic bottle and drilled multiple holes in lid. Went out the evening and squeezed the bottle which dispenses (puffs) the diatomacous earth over and around the leaves. Those squash borers will get that on them and it will dessicate them as they are cut by the sharp edges. You will need to reapply after a rain.

It works for all insects so I do it at night when bees are gone. Bees shouldn't be on the leaves anyway.

260.) bluecat - 08/10/2020

My blackberries and raspberries are a forest right now. It's embarassing. I guess if you have problems, those are the ones to have.

I wish I had some of your okra.

Planted beets on Sunday where the potatoes had been. I love me some pickled beets.

261.) bluecat - 08/10/2020

[QUOTE=DParker;61644]Nice! San Marzono 'maters?

My "farm" is completely out of control too. The okra is over 6' tall now, and producing between 1.25 - 1.75 lbs every single day. Squash vine borers have killed a few pumpkin plants, and possible a couple of cucumbers, but they've all spread about 4'-5' outside of their beds in every direction.[/QUOTE]

I'm assuming your office mates are getting a little tired of okra too?

262.) DParker - 08/10/2020

Beats me. We've all been working from home since the zombie apocalypse started.

263.) DParker - 08/19/2020

I hereby declare it to be Fall. You should probably put on a sweater.

([URL="https://i.imgur.com/Ma8i2Ap.jpg"]Full-sized original[/URL])

264.) Swamp Fox - 08/19/2020

Be careful what you wish for.

Lowe's will have their Halloween shit out before Labor Day ... :re:

[QUOTE]Beam me up, Scotty![/QUOTE]

:bang:

265.) bluecat - 08/19/2020

[QUOTE=DParker;61689]I hereby declare it to be Fall. You should probably put on a sweater.

([URL="https://i.imgur.com/Ma8i2Ap.jpg"]Full-sized original[/URL])

[/QUOTE]

Silly, it ain't fall until you see a 25-foot inflatable ghost on someone's lawn. Scary stuff right there.

266.) Swamp Fox - 08/20/2020

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;61693]Be careful what you wish for.

Lowe's will have their Halloween shit out before Labor Day ... :re:

:bang:[/QUOTE]

Sad to report this is not satire.

Lowe's has their Halloween shit up today...:re:

[Let the record show that means August Freakin' Twentieth in the year 2020 of the Common Era --- In case aliens invade and this becomes time-capsule material, or something ... ]

267.) crookedeye - 08/21/2020

does everyone have there salt licks out and game cameras hung up in the trees like luv2 does it?? i think season is right around the corner for me..

268.) crookedeye - 08/21/2020

i havnt hunted early season in years

269.) crookedeye - 08/21/2020

plus ive been watching critical mass are whatever that show is by the dury brothers..just to pick up on some tips..if 10% of there knowledge could rub off on me by watching there shows..i could only dream

270.) Swamp Fox - 08/21/2020

[QUOTE=crookedeye;61703]i havnt hunted early season in years[/QUOTE]

Is it time for me to try to resuscitate the Fishing vs Hunting Early Season poll?

271.) crookedeye - 08/22/2020

this is about the time we got the deer hunting contest going. everyone was excited, talkin stand placement. dparker was making a spread sheet, we were all talkin smack.. then at the end of the year looking at the spreadsheet, it was like..
0
0
0
0
0
0
no deer for the year

272.) Swamp Fox - 08/22/2020

LOL ...

What's the biggest thing you learned fro the Drury show?

:pop:

273.) Swamp Fox - 08/22/2020

[QUOTE=crookedeye;61706]this is about the time we got the deer hunting contest going. everyone was excited, talkin stand placement. dparker was making a spread sheet, we were all talkin smack.. then at the end of the year looking at the spreadsheet, it was like..
0
0
0
0
0
0
no deer for the year[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE][B][I][SIZE=2]8-year-old hunter drops Allendale County trophy buck[/SIZE][/I][/B]
[/QUOTE]

That headline caught my eye earlier today as I was wrasslin' with the idea of starting a 2020 pictures thread, like the one I did in 2019 that got no love, either ... LOL

We're underway here ...

274.) crookedeye - 08/23/2020

what have i leared?? mark dury is an athlete..probally will go down as the best bowhunter ever

275.) Swamp Fox - 08/23/2020

[QUOTE=crookedeye;61709]what have i leared?? mark dury is an athlete...[/QUOTE]

I see guys doing DIY crap looking for the magic bullet and trying to make 24-inch step gaps happen for tree climbing and I go, "Daay-um! .... Bo nos nobody's knees were built for that!" ...

:wave:

276.) Swamp Fox - 08/23/2020

I also like the "Nice shoes" commercial he did, but here's the one everyone except millennials probably remembers ... LOL

277.) crookedeye - 08/23/2020

you should start a fishing and hunting pic thread, i forgot how to post pics

278.) crookedeye - 08/23/2020

i kinda miss dparkers pre world war 1 rifles he uses

279.) crookedeye - 08/23/2020

////

280.) Swamp Fox - 08/24/2020

That boy's been the pit master at 14 different BBQ joints since he was 16 years old, and put every one of them out of business eatin' the profit ...

LOL ...

281.) Swamp Fox - 08/24/2020

[QUOTE=crookedeye;61713]i kinda miss dparkers pre world war 1 rifles he uses[/QUOTE]

Especially the Russian ones .... That's gotta mean something ... :wink

282.) bluecat - 08/24/2020

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;61715]That boy's been the pit master at 14 different BBQ joints since he was 16 years old, and put every one of them out of business eatin' the profit ...

LOL ...[/QUOTE]

LOL,

I always put the fat on the top so it perculates through the meat. I also don't trim as much as he did. I figure you can always trim after it's done. Why not let the fat work for you.
I also shy away from commercial rubs where you don't know the quantities of the ingredients. I like to season it all myself. I cook with real wood also.

Other than that, I do it exactly like he does...

283.) bluecat - 08/24/2020

So my neighbor gives me some okra that are way too big to eat. I'm wondering if I can use the okra to thicken up the salsa without actually leaving any of the okra in there. Suggestions?

284.) DParker - 08/24/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;61718]I cook with real wood also.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, BBQing makes me excited too.

[QUOTE=bluecat;61719]So my neighbor gives me some okra that are way too big to eat. I'm wondering if I can use the okra to thicken up the salsa without actually leaving any of the okra in there. Suggestions?[/QUOTE]

Good question. I've just saved all of my too-big-to-eat pods for seed stock for next year. I've also never used okra in salsa. Are you cooking it (the salsa)?

And I haven't used a store-bought spice rub in years. It's far too easy to make your own, and it's cheaper too.

285.) bluecat - 08/24/2020

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;61710]I see guys doing DIY crap looking for the magic bullet and trying to make 24-inch step gaps happen for tree climbing and I go, "Daay-um! .... Bo nos nobody's knees were built for that!" ...

:wave:[/QUOTE]

I don't watch a lot of outdoor shows, but the other night there wasn't anything "good on" and had to resort to the Outdoor Channel. I'm watching this guy who can't string two sentences together without mentioning one of the products he's shilling - Heater Body Suit, a broadhead and some sort of deodorant spray. So I almost can't stand listening to him because it is so contrived.

He's talking about how cold it is and how he wouldn't be able to hunt without his Heater Body Suit. Clearly it is early September - no breath visible, leaves are completely green. But he has to carry on like it's cold so he can shill the Heater Body Suit (HBS). He has to have this HBS on to keep up the charade. I know he's cookin' in that thing.

So he finally manages to kill a buck with a hard quartering shot that was only possible with broadhead X and the fact that the buck couldn't smell him because of spray X. So the next frame is him looking for his buck with the HBS strapped to his back so he can get some brand recognition. Most people look for their deer with backpack on or HBS on their person...

I really can't stand most of these shows. They are just basically infomercials.

286.) bluecat - 08/24/2020

[QUOTE=DParker;61720]Yeah, BBQing makes me excited too.
[/QUOTE]

I see what you did there.

[QUOTE=DParker;61720]
Good question. I've just saved all of my too-big-to-eat pods for seed stock for next year. I've also never used okra in salsa. Are you cooking it (the salsa)?

And I haven't used a store-bought spice rub in years. It's far too easy to make your own, and it's cheaper too.[/QUOTE]

Yes I'm water bath canning it and will put it all in a pot and bring it up to speed to cook some of the water out of it. I guess I could just fish it out.

287.) Swamp Fox - 08/25/2020

My understanding is that whatever thickening okra does comes from cooking it and so once that's done, you can turn out the lights ...The party's over ...

Fish out the okra and the little woman will never know you put it in there ... So to speak ... :shocked:

288.) Swamp Fox - 08/25/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;61721]I don't watch a lot of outdoor shows, but the other night there wasn't anything "good on" and had to resort to the Outdoor Channel. I'm watching this guy who can't string two sentences together without mentioning one of the products he's shilling - Heater Body Suit, a broadhead and some sort of deodorant spray. So I almost can't stand listening to him because it is so contrived.

[...]

I really can't stand most of these shows. They are just basically infomercials.[/QUOTE]

I was thinking more of youtube videos and channels, and forums.

There's no innovation going on on TV outdoors shows, but a lot percolating at the lower level. Most of it is impractical and/or unwatchable except in small doses, but a lot of guys think they're building a better mousetrap (most are not) and even more want to do "reviews" of the results.

289.) bluecat - 08/25/2020

[QUOTE=crookedeye;61713]i kinda miss dparkers pre world war 1 rifles he uses[/QUOTE]

I miss all the pictures of him kneeling by his deer with his Russian flap hat on.

290.) bluecat - 08/25/2020

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;61723]

[/QUOTE]

Do you remember his Lipton tea commercial?

291.) DParker - 08/25/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;61729]I miss all the pictures of him kneeling by his deer with his Russian flap hat on.[/QUOTE]

My son and I each have one of those in blaze orange that we wear when things get really cold. We look like idiots with them on, but they do an absolutely amazing job of keeping your whole head warm.

292.) Swamp Fox - 08/26/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;61730]Do you remember his Lipton tea commercial?[/QUOTE]

He did a bunch of them.

Do you remember what makes Lipton so different?

The leather jacket and the big sweaters are too easy ... :-)

293.) bluecat - 08/26/2020

It looks like Sunday I'll be making salsa. Lucky for me that I have a some canning lids to use. I'm down to about 20. All the stores are out and they are almost impossible to get. The Amazon stores are listing them for around 12.00 per dozen. Normally they are around 2.00 per dozen.

Gouge much?

294.) DParker - 08/26/2020

Regular, or wide-mouth jars?

295.) bluecat - 08/26/2020

I use regular.

If you need to escape Dallas you can come stay with us. Bring a machette though, my garden needs a trim.

296.) bluecat - 08/26/2020

lol...

297.) DParker - 08/26/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;61735]I use regular.[/QUOTE]

Damn, you're right. Mostly out of stock, and expensive to boot.

[QUOTE=bluecat;61735]If you need to escape Dallas you can come stay with us. Bring a machette though, my garden needs a trim.[/QUOTE]

Will do.

298.) Swamp Fox - 08/27/2020

lol ...

299.) Swamp Fox - 08/27/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;61736]

lol...[/QUOTE]

:applause::clap::applause::clap::applause::clap::applause::clap::applause:

300.) bluecat - 08/31/2020

Shifting my focus to salsa, I deskinned my romas, added onions, garlic and peppers from the garden. The salsa has a great consistency in the picture. When I started cooking it then it became watery. I let it simmer for 6 hours with some slight difference but not enough. I also added chopped okra in a tie bag and let that perculate with the tomatoes. I didn't notice much difference. I finally put the lid on the pot and stuck it in the refrigerator. I will add tomato paste tonight and hope that that is the ticket.

One thing I thought of for next year is to smoke a portion of the tomatoes to manipulate the water. Adding more smoked tomatoes as necessary.

301.) DParker - 08/31/2020

But how does it taste?

302.) bluecat - 08/31/2020

Awesome!

303.) bluecat - 09/01/2020

Last night I added tomato paste to the mixture and it made my stick stand up.

Queuing DParker in 3, 2, 1...

Anywho, the consistency was much better which led me to think that if I dehydrated a portion of the tomatoes, I could add them back to control salsa thickness. I've canned 9 quarts and am about half done.

304.) bluecat - 09/01/2020

Maybe it needs a touch more bat.

305.) Swamp Fox - 09/03/2020

[QUOTE][B]The Better Generation[/B]
--by Swamp Fox

[I]Bluecat thinks his salsa is runny.
Arthur Spooner was right on the money:
Way back in his day,
They ate come-what-may.
Chinese bats in the pot made it funny. [/I][/QUOTE] .......

:wave:

306.) bluecat - 09/09/2020

:applause:

Over the weekend, I pulled all my plants. They were still producing but I don't like to let the bugs and critters linger too much after main growing season.
I ended up with 18 quarts of salsa so I'm good for a month or so. The last batch I dehydrated some tomatoes and added them back in thinking it would help the consistency. I think it works but you have to dehydrate so many tomatoes and it is really not a fun process. It's messy and sticky and not worth the effort. If you were to sun dry tomatoes that would work better except it takes a while for tomatoes to reach the dry stage. Not ruling it out for the future though.

Fall is here, deer season is a week away and the mead is bubbling. Life is good.

307.) Swamp Fox - 09/13/2020

^^^ Veggie Garden ^^^

This is why a Meat Garden is best.

:-)

"I like pig butts and I cannot lie ..."

[I]Bacon In My Beans [/I]

.....

308.) DParker - 11/22/2020

Here we are 3 weeks into November and my peppers are still going nuts. I only have 1 jalapeño plant, 2 poblanos and 1 habanero but I still can't keep up with them. I picked these 34 habaneros just today, and there are still about 4x that many still on the bush that will be ready over the next couple of days. Fortunately I have a recipe for mango habanero salsa that makes the best damned salsa I've ever had.

309.) bluecat - 11/22/2020

That is one colorful array.

310.) DParker - 11/22/2020

A bowl full of Scovilles.

311.) bluecat - 11/22/2020

If you make that, I'd want to see your recipe. Asking for a friend...

312.) DParker - 11/22/2020

[URL="https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/chili-pepper-recipes/salsas/roasted-mango-habanero-salsa/?fbclid=IwAR0BVGN9GSX-17N0rSrUFRs2eg3AT7Gx-691Kaky0NRpQaT0pSFK6zyiZVM"]https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/chili-pepper-recipes/salsas/roasted-mango-habanero-salsa/?fbclid=IwAR0BVGN9GSX-17N0rSrUFRs2eg3AT7Gx-691Kaky0NRpQaT0pSFK6zyiZVM[/URL]

Tell your friend that I went with the base of 2 habaneros, though I might go with 3 for my next batch because the ones I picked yesterday run a little on the small side. I also substituted a poblano for the jalapenos because I prefer their flavor, and the habaneros already bring plenty of heat.

313.) bluecat - 11/22/2020

I just spoke to my friend and he said thanks.

314.) DParker - 11/23/2020

Ask him if he's interested in the roasted poblano, corn and chicken cream soup I'm making right now.

315.) Swamp Fox - 11/23/2020

No pics, please. I've hardly eaten all day.

I might have a Red's Burrito here in a minute...

316.) DParker - 11/23/2020

Pro tip: Like most other capsicum, poblanos develop more heat if you leave them to begin ripening before you pick them...like I did. This soup has some kick.

ETA: It's better than it looks

317.) bluecat - 11/23/2020

..well my friend says it must be pretty damn good then. I'm he's wanting that corn chowder recipe too.

Why do people eat cilantro? Same friend was asking.

318.) DParker - 11/23/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;62343]..well my friend says it must be pretty damn good then. I'm he's wanting that corn chowder recipe too.[/QUOTE]

There are a lot if variations on the basic theme, and the best ones involve roasting whole ears of corn, cutting the kernals off and then boiling the cobs to make a corn stock. But I didn't feel like venturing out and trying to find halfway decent frozen ears of corn, so just did the bestI could with what I had on hand:
- 40 oz canned sweet corn (generally 1 lg & 1 small can)
- 2 lg poblanos, or 3-4 smaller ones
- 1 medium white onion
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 tbsp olive oil (or butter, or whatever you like for sauteing)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 lb skinless roasted chicken
- 2-3 cups chicken stock
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- salt and pepper to taste

1) Roast the poblanos, let cool then remove the charred skin. I assume you know how to roast peppers, so I won't bore you with the details.
2) Heat the oil in your soup pot over medium heat.
3) While the oil is heating, dice the onion and mince the garlic.
4) Saute the onion, stirring frequently until transluscent (~5 minutes.)
5) Add the garlic and stir for another 30 seconds or so.
6) Open the canned corn and separate the kernels from the water, saving the water. That's going to be the basis for your lazy man's instant corn stock.
7) Add the corn kernels to the pot and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
8) While the kernels are heating up, deseed and chop your roasted poblanos and add to the pot.
9) The water from the cans of corn likely comes to somewhere between 2-3 cups in volume. Add enough chicken stock to bring the total to 5 cups and add it all to the pot.
10) Add the spices and stir to combine.
11) Simmer the mixture for 30 minutes.
12) While the simmering is going on, shred the chicken meat. If it doesn't lend itself to shredding, chop it into small bite-sized pieces.
13) After the 30 minute simmer puree the soup until fairly smooth using either an immersion blender (easiest) or a conventional blender (smoother results, though you'll have to do this in a couple of batches unless you've scaled the recipe down a bit.)
14) Return the soup to the pot (if you used a blender) and add the chicken and heavy cream. Stir to combine and let heat through for about 5-10 minutes.
15) Fill up a bowl, grab your big-assed soup spoon, put on a good movie and enjoy.

[QUOTE=bluecat;62343]Why do people eat cilantro? Same friend was asking.[/QUOTE]

I was lucky enough to be born without the gene that makes cilantro taste like soap (or with the gene that prevents it from tasting that way...I'm not sure which is the case).

319.) bluecat - 11/23/2020

Excellent, I'm going to try this for my friend.

Cilantro has the most bitter taste for me. I can detect the smallest sliver in salsa or soup.

320.) Swamp Fox - 11/23/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;62346]Excellent, I'm going to try this for my friend.

Cilantro has the most bitter taste for me. I can detect the smallest sliver in salsa or soup.[/QUOTE]

You sure do have a lot of friends for a guy from Kansas ....

321.) DParker - 11/24/2020

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;62351]You sure do have a lot of friends for a guy from Kansas ....

[/QUOTE]

I'm guessing his friend is from New Jersey, since he was the one asking all the questions.

322.) bluecat - 11/30/2020

I'm assuming I can substitute smoked turkey for the smoked chicken in the corn chowder recipe.

323.) bluecat - 11/30/2020

I purchased the ThermoPro probe and am very satisified. Instant read. Thanks for your suggestion.

(Yes, I said probe)

324.) DParker - 11/30/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;62395]

I'm assuming I can substitute smoked turkey for the smoked chicken in the corn chowder recipe.[/QUOTE]

Damn, that looks good.

[QUOTE=bluecat;62396](Yes, I said probe)[/QUOTE]

Was it good for you too? I assume so, since you had a smoke afterward.

325.) bluecat - 11/30/2020

I ditched the pot of water next to the bird as per your suggestion. Also, with my snazzy briner I don't have to 'flip the bird'. I just put it in the fridge for a day and a half.

It was so moist. I usually wrap the legs but didn't have to this time due to the low heat. Was able to keep it at 200 for about 8 1/2 hours. Perfectly cooked.

326.) DParker - 12/01/2020

Bring it on by, we'll make some tomato sauce to go with it.

(Full size: [URL="https://i.imgur.com/22hEJqo.jpg"]https://i.imgur.com/22hEJqo.jpg[/URL])

With a the first freeze moving in tonight I decided to go out back just a little bit ago before it got dark so I could strip the San Marzano and Celebrity vines of all of the fruit that I've been waiting to ripen for the past few weeks. I got just a hair over 13 lbs before the sun set...not counting all the ones I left because they were either too small or I just couldn't see them because the vines are so thick. If the San Marzanos behave like other tomatoes all of these should ripen up in the paper bags I'm going to put them in. With a lot of luck, tonight's freeze won't kill the plants and the ones I left out there will grow a little more.

327.) bluecat - 12/01/2020

If you've got some old sheets, you could lay them over those plants which would keep them from freezing.

328.) DParker - 12/01/2020

If I put the old sheets in my garden how am I going to make a fort in the living room?

329.) bluecat - 12/01/2020

Good point. +2

330.) DParker - 12/21/2020

Yesterday I ended up with just over 9 lbs of San Marzano tomatoes that finally ripened, an event which came with a mandate to get them the hell out of the refrigerator so as to make room for stuff that's not tomatoes. Time to make some Sunday "gravy" (fuggedaboudit)....

I'll also need this BAO (big-ass onion). Garlic too, but not pictured.

Sautee them and then fry up some tomato paste.

Dried herbs. There was fresh basil too, but I forgot to get a pic. The whole house smells like an Italian grandmother's kitchen.

Several hours later, put it through a food processor until smooth. Brown some Italian sausage, boil some spaghetti until al dente and then drown it all in gravy and freshly grated parmigiano reggiano. Mangia.

No liver or fava beans, but I did have a nice Chianti.

331.) Swamp Fox - 12/22/2020

How do you say "That's a spicy meatball!" in Spanish?

332.) DParker - 12/22/2020

Pffffft Gringos.

333.) bluecat - 12/22/2020

That looks really really good. How did it taste?

I didn't think tomatoes ripened in the refrigerator.

334.) Swamp Fox - 12/22/2020

You probably don't know how to tell when an elephant has been in your refrigerator, either ...

Don't worry, though.

Lack of refrigerator knowledge is a common human failing. I'm told that as a species we only caught on to the color blue relatively recently as well.

So throw in the electricity and the coolant and the insulation and the black stainless steel and it all becomes very confusing ....

[url]https://www.iflscience.com/brain/when-did-humans-start-see-color-blue/[/url]

335.) bluecat - 12/22/2020

They leave tracks in the butter. Everybody know that.

336.) Swamp Fox - 12/22/2020

LOL....

Don't try to fool me. You googled that...

Either that or I will have to ask your for the secret password and a video of the secret "handshake" to verify your membership in the Brotherhood Of Guys Who Know The Best Jokes ...

337.) Swamp Fox - 12/22/2020

Elephant Jokes ... Refrigerator Jokes ...

It's a fine balance ...

338.) Swamp Fox - 12/22/2020

Do y'all realize that this thread has a ridiculous views -to- replies ratio? ... nearly 70x

I no it's not because people have been looking for cucumber jokes, which is sad ...

339.) Swamp Fox - 12/22/2020

My girlfriend left a note on my refrigerator saying "This isn't working. Goodbye."

I opened the refrigerator and it's working just fine.

340.) bluecat - 12/22/2020

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;62500]LOL....

Don't try to fool me. You googled that...

Either that or I will have to ask your for the secret password and a video of the secret "handshake" to verify your membership in the Brotherhood Of Guys Who Know The Best Jokes ...[/QUOTE]

C'mon, you have to give me more credit than that. I used to own a book of elephant jokes.

341.) bluecat - 12/22/2020

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;62502]Do y'all realize that this thread has a ridiculous views -to- replies ratio? ... nearly 70x

I no it's not because people have been looking for cucumber jokes, which is sad ...

[/QUOTE]

Who knew Don McClean could act as well.

342.) Swamp Fox - 12/22/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;62506]C'mon, you have to give me more credit than that. I used to own a book of elephant jokes.[/QUOTE]

Howdy-ho, Brother! :wink:grin:

[I guess they'll let anyone down in the sewer ... LOL]

343.) Swamp Fox - 12/22/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;62507]Who knew Don McClean could act as well.[/QUOTE]

Possibly a little obscure or too hard to connect the dots for the kids ... Still, I'll give it a +4 for slyness.

344.) bluecat - 12/22/2020

Well let's give Shirley Maclaine some kudos too!

345.) Swamp Fox - 12/22/2020

She's a certified loon ....

346.) Swamp Fox - 12/22/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;62513]Well let's give Shirley Maclaine some kudos too![/QUOTE]

You get those holes a-leakin', Imonna whup you with a knotted plow line.

347.) bluecat - 12/22/2020

Yeah, well, I always heard there were three kinds of suns in Kansas: sunshine, sunflowers, and sons-of-bitches.

348.) Swamp Fox - 12/22/2020

LOL ...

349.) DParker - 12/23/2020

[QUOTE=bluecat;62497]That looks really really good. How did it taste?[/QUOTE]

It was really good. It was slightly acidic for my tastes at first, so I tried a trick I picked up from YouTube videos. I mixed a teaspoon of baking soda in with a tiny bit of hot water and tossed that in. If bubbled and foamed like hell for a couple of minutes, but when it was done the acidity was perfect. Normally you'd add a little sugar to counteract the acidic flavor, but that only masks the acidity, while this actually neutralizes most of it, and it allows the sugars already in the tomatoes to come through more. I like it.

[QUOTE=bluecat;62497]I didn't think tomatoes ripened in the refrigerator.[/QUOTE]

They don't (at least, not in anything like an acceptable amount of time). I left them on racks on the counter, and as individuals ripened I put them in the fridge to keep them from going bad while the slow-pokes caught up.

350.) bluecat - 12/23/2020

Gotcha, just curious.

351.) bluecat - 12/23/2020

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;62510]Howdy-ho, Brother! :wink:grin:

[I guess they'll let anyone down in the sewer ... LOL][/QUOTE]

So how do you keep an elephant from charging?

352.) Swamp Fox - 12/23/2020

Take away his credit cards, of course ...

[This is scary, is what this is ...]

353.) bluecat - 12/23/2020

If you can't come to an archery forum and not pick up some cooking tips and a good elephant joke where can you go? One stop shopping.

354.) Swamp Fox - 12/23/2020

This place is the last best hope for mankind.

Dissatisfied? It's like people who say they're leaving the country if so-and-so wins an election:

No you're not, you knucklehead.

There's nowhere else to go.

:wink:-):wink

355.) bluecat - 12/23/2020

....

356.) bluecat - 02/25/2021

Decided to try something different this year. I planted 60 Roma seeds last week in these milk jugs. The milk jugs have been cut so that they flap back like a clamshell. Holes have been created below (drainage) and above (transpiration). I put four seeds per jug which was not an easy thing to do as I had to use tweazers. Certain seeds actually benefit by having cold periods. My thought is that when soil temperatures are suitable the seed will germinate and be in its own little greenhouse. They will grow until frost free danger is over (around May 6) and then transplanted.

There are other things planted in the jugs (spinach, brocolli, brussel sprouts and perennials). I figured it was worth the experiment. I'm out 4.68 if it doesn't work and will still have time to purchase plants from the nursery.

I hate my grow light - produces leggy and non-hardy plants.

357.) DParker - 02/25/2021

I like it. I might have to scrounge some milk jugs and try this.

358.) bluecat - 02/25/2021

pm sent

359.) DParker - 02/25/2021

Ah, cool. Thanks!

I need more plum tomato variety plants this year. We were so pleased with the Italian tomato sauce I made with last season's harvest that my wife gave me this LEM grinder juicer attachment for my birthday. I've seen quite a few videos of people using it for that very purpose and singing it's praises, so I'm looking forward to trying it out.

[URL="https://www.lemproducts.com/product/big-bite-juicer/butcher-meat-grinder-attachments"]LEM "Big Bite" Juicer Attachment[/URL]

(Photo I stole from the interwebz. My fingernails aren't that pretty.)

360.) bluecat - 02/25/2021

I have that same attachment. I bought it two years ago for my salsa making. What I found out was feeding the tomatoes into it just gummed it up (screens). My solution was just to take the tomatoes out of the freezer and within 5 minutes of ambient temperature, the skins slipped off easily. I then started using it again thinking I could remove all the seeds. Again, it seemed to be gumming up the works. So made salsa without removing the seeds.

1. I found that the over-attention to seed removal is unjustified. I don't even notice the seeds.
2. Romas are very fleshy tomatoes and so I was removing a lot of the meat with the juicer.
3. I think the juicer would work well for other varieties of tomatoes, maybe not Romas.

I would be interested in your findings. I might have been doing it wrong. It's a great unit though.

361.) DParker - 02/25/2021

My main goal was really just to avoid having to take an immersion blender to the sauce after cooking it, with the elimination of the seeds (with their slightly bitter tannins) and skins as a secondary benefit. But we'll see how it works out for me. I still have some of the sauce from my last batch in the freezer. Once that's used up I'll probably buy some Romas from the store and try them out before I have anything from the garden ready.

362.) bluecat - 02/25/2021

Do post up your results as I'm always in the learning mode.

Going to do potatoes this year in grow bags. My sister did it and raved about it so will try it. It will eliminate the need to dig and the mess involved and also free up some garden real estate. Will need to water consistently though.

363.) DParker - 02/25/2021

I'm probably not going to put too much work into any non-portable modifications to the garden this year. We're starting to kick around the idea of moving to a place that is only 1 story (my wife is starting to have a difficult time with stairs) and is a little more semi-rural so we can have a little bit of land (and I do mean little, as in somewhere between 1/2 to 1 acre). That way I can have as big a garden as I can handle, she can start the dog rescue activity that she wants to take up when she retires next year and...if I play my cards right...have a place to keep a boat.

364.) bluecat - 03/30/2021

These are 7-gal woven bags filled with garden dirt, potting soil and peat moss. There are four or five potato chunks in each bag. The Yukon Golds won't poke their head out for awhile yet. I'm interested to see if this all pans out. The nice part so far is that I don't have to take up a lot of garden real estate to grow and moved these to the sunniest spot I could find. The bags are reusable and should make for an easy harvest. I'll save all the dirt in my compost pile and be ready to roll next year as well.

Already picked a little asparagus on Saturday.

365.) bluecat - 03/30/2021

I looked in the milk jugs on Saturday and I have some Romas that are an inch tall at this point. Pretty amazing when you think about it. Those seeds endured -21 degree temps.

366.) DParker - 03/30/2021

Pics of jugs, or....

367.) bluecat - 03/31/2021

368.) DParker - 03/31/2021

I guess it happened.

369.) bluecat - 05/03/2021

It happened in a big way.

370.) bluecat - 05/03/2021

Normally I buy a couple of flats of tomatoes and a flat of peppers and pay about 30.00 or so for the 12 tomato plants and 6 peppers. Yesterday I planted about 24 tomato plants and maybe 10 peppers for around 5.00. The plants were very strong and ready to be planted as they have spent their whole life outdoors - even the -21 temps in February. I had to start planting the tomatoes in flower pots as I ran out of cages.

I also planted about 10 different varieties of perrenials for the landscape. I probably had about 50 perennials that I planted. Would have cost me hundreds of dollars for those things at a greenhouse.

371.) DParker - 05/04/2021

So it looks like you can declare this one to be an unqualified success. I'm going to need to give it a try next season.

372.) bluecat - 05/04/2021

There were a lot of unknowns from all of this. So far so good. The next unknown is can I harvest viable seeds from these?
I could be fairly self sufficient if so.

The potatoes are just now poking up.

373.) DParker - 05/04/2021

[QUOTE=bluecat;63700]The next unknown is can I harvest viable seeds from these?[/QUOTE]

They'll be viable in that they'll produce plants, but if they're from F1 hybrid varieties they likely won't produce plants that are true to (having the same characteristics as) the parent plants.

374.) bluecat - 05/04/2021

I looked around online and found an heirloom Roma that can be planted endlessly. So I'll probably give that a try next year.

375.) DParker - 05/04/2021

If the supply issues caused by the 'rona have taught me anything it's that the more you can reduce your reliance on having to buy things like that...especially when you need to have them by a given time of the year...the better.

376.) bluecat - 05/04/2021

Yes.

I had enough lids to do a lot of canning over the 'rona period but ran completely out for the upcoming season had to grovel to purchase them recently. I used to get a 12 pack for a couple of bucks. Now they are outrageous.

I purchased some lids from Amazon and they were Chinese knock-offs that branded themselves as "Ball". I reported them and got my money back. Beware.

377.) Swamp Fox - 05/04/2021

[QUOTE][Music] So, you all preppers:
He's a prepper...
And you're a prepper, too ... [Music][/QUOTE] .....

378.) DParker - 05/04/2021

Wouldn't you like to be a prepper too?

379.) Swamp Fox - 05/04/2021

via GIPHY

380.) Swamp Fox - 05/05/2021

[QUOTE=DParker;63375]Ah, cool. Thanks!

I need more plum tomato variety plants this year. We were so pleased with the Italian tomato sauce I made with last season's harvest that my wife gave me this LEM grinder juicer attachment for my birthday. I've seen quite a few videos of people using it for that very purpose and singing it's praises, so I'm looking forward to trying it out.

[URL="https://www.lemproducts.com/product/big-bite-juicer/butcher-meat-grinder-attachments"]LEM "Big Bite" Juicer Attachment[/URL]

(Photo I stole from the interwebz. My fingernails aren't that pretty.)[/QUOTE]

So yer sayin' it IS alright to buy the future Mrs. Swamp Fox a vacuum cleaner for her birthday ...

381.) DParker - 05/05/2021

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;63709]So yer sayin' it IS alright to buy the future Mrs. Swamp Fox a vacuum cleaner for her birthday ...[/QUOTE]

Well, I bought my wife a robot vacuum and matching robot mop for Christmas and lived to tell about it.

382.) Swamp Fox - 05/05/2021

Key word being "robot," I'm guessin' ...

383.) Swamp Fox - 05/05/2021

My future happiness could depend on your analysis, so choose wisely ...

384.) bluecat - 05/05/2021

As long as there is something shiny and metal hangin' off the end of the vacuum, I think you're fine.

385.) Swamp Fox - 05/05/2021

You mean like a drapery attachment?

Also, any good blind-cleaning attachments you know of? My blinds are a horror show...

Please provide links.

386.) bluecat - 08/09/2021

Potato bags used. Makes growing and harvesting so easy. Reusable. Potatoes are ready to be harvested.

Only got about a 1/4 of the potatoes I thought I'd get. People told me to plant four plants per bag. I thought that would limit the production as it would be overcrowded. Next year I'll plant one per bag and see if I'm right. I would never plant potato plants that close together normally.

These are the tomatoes I grew from seed back in January and February. Have been solid producers and will have a good salsa batch in a month or so.

387.) DParker - 08/09/2021

I've been wanting to try growing potatoes in a new (clean) garbage can for a while because it's so easy and space efficient. But I have so much room now I don't think I'll bother with it. Your tomatoes look good. Are those San Marzanos or some other plum variety I see?

388.) Swamp Fox - 08/09/2021

[QUOTE=bluecat;64402]
Potato bags used. Makes growing and harvesting so easy. Reusable. Potatoes are ready to be harvested.

Only got about a 1/4 of the potatoes I thought I'd get. People told me to plant four plants per bag. I thought that would limit the production as it would be overcrowded. Next year I'll plant one per bag and see if I'm right. I would never plant potato plants that close together normally.

[/QUOTE]

[COLOR="#008000"][FONT=Century Gothic]We used to *dream* of growing potatoes in bags ... [/FONT][/COLOR]

:wink

389.) bluecat - 08/09/2021

Lol, Swampy.

They are all Romas.

390.) Swamp Fox - 08/10/2021

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;64404][COLOR="#008000"][FONT=Century Gothic]We used to *dream* of growing potatoes in bags ... [/FONT][/COLOR]

:wink

[/QUOTE]

Alternative history: Irish middle- and under-class learn to grow potatoes in bags. The Great Famine never happens. Massive Irish emigration to America never happens. Federal authorities in Northern population centers never recruit Irish lads just off the boat to join the Union army, and the desperation of first-generation Irish-Americans to volunteer is greatly reduced. Resistance to the draft burns New York and Boston to the ground. Lincoln is deprived of some of his best and most numerous troops.

(Much Southern feistiness is deflated, as well.)

The war is fought to a draw because manufacturing capacity and force size are not shields against willing fighters, ideology, and defense of a homeland.

American chattel slavery continues until it doesn't. The Chinese take over the railroads. Most everything else is left to the ethnic Scots because the WASPs are too busy fending off the Germans, the Italians and the Jews.

Basically, America becomes a great big Robert Burns festival...

391.) Swamp Fox - 08/10/2021

LOL:

392.) Swamp Fox - 08/10/2021

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;64406]Alternative history: Irish middle- and under-class learn to grow potatoes in bags. The Great Famine never happens. Massive emigration to America never happens. Federal authorities in Northern population centers never recruit Irish lads just off the boat to join the Union army, and the desperation of first-generation Irish-Americans to volunteer is greatly reduced. Resistance to the draft burns New York and Boston to the ground. Lincoln is deprived of some of his best and most numerous troops. (Some Southern feistiness is deflated, as well.)

The war is fought to a draw because manufacturing capacity is no shield against willing fighters, ideology, and defense of a homeland.

American chattel slavery continues until it doesn't. The Chinese take over the railroads. Most everything else is left to the ethnic Scots because the WASPs are too busy fending off the Germans, the Italians and the Jews.

Basically, America becomes a great big Robert Burns festival...[/QUOTE]

I'm very sorry... I know the Polacks are in there somewhere, especially in construction and roofing and that kind of shit, and I did mean to mention them ...

393.) bluecat - 08/10/2021

Aside from the roofing, the pickles and the jokes, what have the Polish ever done for us?

394.) Swamp Fox - 08/10/2021

Well, they are apparently formidable resistance fighters, because CroOkEdYe seems never willing to give up his brother's pirogue recipe to me ....

I'moanahaftaticklehisass with a feather ...

I mean, it sure has been nasty weather ....

395.) Swamp Fox - 08/10/2021

......

396.) Swamp Fox - 08/10/2021

It's important to mention this in a thread named Veggie Gardens ....

397.) Swamp Fox - 08/10/2021

I'm looking into whether there were any _ _ _ _ _ at the Little Bighorn ...

398.) bluecat - 08/10/2021

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;64412]It's important to mention this in a thread named Veggie Gardens ....[/QUOTE]

Duly noted, we've all been awarded -2 points and a stern look of disapproval by the webmaster.

I think the real question is how do we move forward from this?

399.) Swamp Fox - 08/11/2021

[QUOTE=bluecat;64415]Duly noted, we've all been awarded -2 points and a stern look of disapproval by the webmaster.

[/QUOTE]

What do you mean "we", Kemosabe? :p

400.) Swamp Fox - 08/11/2021

I get all my demerits on other threads... Not sure why I should be dinged on this one ... LOL

401.) bluecat - 08/12/2021

I misinterpreted your post.

I can give you a greatly runza recipe if you want. Aren't they the same?

402.) Swamp Fox - 08/12/2021

I don't know ... I've never been exposed to runzas ... I would love to have a recipe ... Friggin' Volga Germans ... How am I supposed to improve my heart health now? ... LOL ... :grin:

I always think of pirogies as Polish dumplings, or comic miniature Cajun boats ...

I've had some Polish food ... Still pursuing something that demands [I]zjedzmy

I know .... That's a mouthful ....

[/I]

403.) Swamp Fox - 08/12/2021

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;64423]

I've had some Polish food ... Still pursuing something that demands [I]zjedzmy

I know .... That's a mouthful ....

[/I][/QUOTE]

And not a lot of vowels ....

404.) Swamp Fox - 08/12/2021

[QUOTE]"I'm not a pervert, I'm just Italian ..."[/QUOTE]

[url]https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/3377826/all-time-spin-zone-andrew-cuomo-defends-himself-against-allegations-claiming-im-not-a-pervert-im-just-italian[/url]

405.) Swamp Fox - 08/12/2021

Part I

.......

406.) Swamp Fox - 08/12/2021

Part II

....

407.) Swamp Fox - 08/12/2021

Watch both parts all the way through, and I'll see you on the other side ...

408.) Swamp Fox - 08/12/2021

....

409.) DParker - 08/12/2021

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;64423]I don't know ... I've never been exposed to runzas ...[/QUOTE]

I had runza once. A little Kaopectate took care of it.

410.) bluecat - 08/12/2021

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;64424]And not a lot of vowels ....[/QUOTE]

There are no vowels in the polish language.

411.) bluecat - 08/12/2021

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;64428]
I don't know ... I've never been exposed to runzas ...[/QUOTE]

Once you've been exposed you should build up an immunity.

412.) Swamp Fox - 08/13/2021

LOL ... You two ... :tap: .... :wink

413.) bluecat - 08/13/2021

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;64427]Part II

....[/QUOTE]

Swampy, I watched all the way to the end. What, no Chinese jokes? I thought he hated everyone equally? What's this world coming to?

414.) DParker - 08/13/2021

[QUOTE=bluecat;64440]What, no Chinese jokes?[/QUOTE]

Sorry...best I can do is a Korean joker. Close enough?

[video=youtube;6fx3i4Stx98]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fx3i4Stx98[/video]

Remember when it was OK to laugh at stuff that's funny?

"I'm only looking for an ex-GI who still owes my girlfriend 5 bucks."

415.) bluecat - 08/13/2021

I'll let it slide...lol

416.) Swamp Fox - 08/14/2021

[QUOTE=bluecat;64440]Swampy, I watched all the way to the end. What, no Chinese jokes? [/QUOTE]

That's alright ... I've got like 600 million of them ...

[QUOTE][I]Narrator:[/I] The last I heard, you had a billion of them ...

[I]Swamp Fox [tossing flammable adult beverage in the campfire in disgust]:[/I] I did.
[/QUOTE]

417.) Swamp Fox - 08/14/2021

[QUOTE=bluecat;64440]Swampy, I watched all the way to the end. What, no Chinese jokes? I thought he hated everyone equally? What's this world coming to?[/QUOTE]

I thought his closing remarks [Part 2 if you're playing at home and ride the short bus] went right to the heart.

418.) Swamp Fox - 08/14/2021

[QUOTE=DParker;64441]Sorry...best I can do is a Korean joker. Close enough?

[video=youtube;6fx3i4Stx98]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fx3i4Stx98[/video]

Remember when it was OK to laugh at stuff that's funny?

"I'm only looking for an ex-GI who still owes my girlfriend 5 bucks."[/QUOTE]

There's some clever stuff in there.

Too bad the audience didn't know what to do with it ... :bad:

The last time I saw an an audience that uptight, it was a '70s Golden Earring performance in Germany ...

I don't think the Krauts had loosened up sufficiently at that point ... Still pretty puckered, like someone had kicked a Pikelhaube up an incorrect place in their anatomy somehow...

Let me see if I can find it on Youtube ....That's a warning .... I've played it before ....

BTW: Do you know how many people have clicked on a thread called Veggie Gardens?

A little disturbing for HuntingCountry ...

419.) Swamp Fox - 08/14/2021

[QUOTE] Swampy sez:

A Chinese guy walks into a bar...

He sits down next to an Irishman, and has a drink.

The Irishman says to him, "Do you know phuckin' Kung Fu?"

The Chinese man says, "Why? Because I'm Chinese? That's just racist!"

The Irishman says, "No, I just wanna know, 'cause you're drinkin' my beer..."[/QUOTE]

[B]
[SIZE=2][COLOR="#008000"]And that's when the trouble began ...

LOL ... [/COLOR][/SIZE][/B]

420.) Swamp Fox - 08/14/2021

Mills Brothers ... Limehouse Blues

.....

421.) Swamp Fox - 08/14/2021

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;64446]There's some clever stuff in there.

Too bad the audience didn't know what to do with it ... :bad:

The last time I saw an an audience that uptight, it was a '70s Golden Earring performance in Germany ...

I don't think the Krauts had loosened up sufficiently at that point ... Still pretty puckered, like someone had kicked a Pikelhaube up an incorrect place in their anatomy somehow...

Let me see if I can find it on Youtube ....That's a warning .... I've played it before ....

BTW: Do you know how many people have clicked on a thread called Veggie Gardens?

A little disturbing for HuntingCountry ...[/QUOTE]

it's almost as if the audience was under orders not to participate ....

The only other thing I can think of is somebody mentioned the war, just before the show began ....

BTW: In this version, somebody added "psychedelic" graphics just to try to drag the original video up from the dirt .....

422.) bluecat - 08/14/2021

Veggie Gardens participation? The Mango thread has that beat.

423.) Swamp Fox - 08/14/2021

Oh, hell no ... Unles you're talkiig about diversity of participants ...

Veggies 68K - Mangoes 22K

A funny thing happened on the way to the forum: I was shocked to see that

[B][SIZE=2][SIZE=3][COLOR="#00FFFF"]Pretty Girls in Dirndls Bringing Beer--Official Thread [/COLOR][/SIZE][/SIZE][/B] has stalled at under 19,000

[url]http://forums.huntingcountry.com/forums/showthread.php?2271-Pretty-Girls-in-Dirndls-Bringing-Beer-Official-Thread&highlight=pretty+girls[/url]

and that

[SIZE=3]
[B][COLOR="#00FFFF"]Crookedeye and Swampy Answer Your Questions About Love -- For Free[/COLOR][/B][/SIZE] is struggling to top the 4300 mark ...

I can't access the Luv Line .... If someone finds it, please post the link ... And be careful out there ....

424.) Swamp Fox - 08/14/2021

I didn't think it was all about diversity, until it became obvious that it was ...

425.) Swamp Fox - 08/14/2021

I got yer diversity rahcheer... [Grabbing motion]

426.) Swamp Fox - 08/15/2021

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;64453]

A funny thing happened on the way to the forum: I was shocked to see that

[B][SIZE=2][SIZE=3][COLOR="#00FFFF"]Pretty Girls in Dirndls Bringing Beer--Official Thread [/COLOR][/SIZE][/SIZE][/B] has stalled at under 19,000

[url]http://forums.huntingcountry.com/forums/showthread.php?2271-Pretty-Girls-in-Dirndls-Bringing-Beer-Official-Thread&highlight=pretty+girls[/url]

and that

[SIZE=3]
[B][COLOR="#00FFFF"]Crookedeye and Swampy Answer Your Questions About Love -- For Free[/COLOR][/B][/SIZE] is struggling to top the 4300 mark ...

I can't access the Luv Line .... If someone finds it, please post the link ... And be careful out there ....[/QUOTE]

[url]http://forums.huntingcountry.com/forums/showthread.php?2663-Crookedeye-and-Swampy-Answer-Your-Questions-About-Love-For-Free&highlight=questions+love[/url]

427.) bluecat - 08/15/2021

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;64451]it's almost as if the audience was under orders not to participate ....

The only other thing I can think of is somebody mentioned the war, just before the show began ....

BTW: In this version, somebody added "psychedelic" graphics just to try to drag the original video up from the dirt .....[/QUOTE]

That's a little hard to watch.

It kind of reminded me of when our band played a gig and the only people there were the waitresses.
They said we rocked though.

428.) bluecat - 08/15/2021

It's all about diversity.

Part of the infrastructure money is going to make sure there are more women truck drivers.

429.) bluecat - 08/15/2021

Go Joe, you are so woke.

430.) DParker - 08/15/2021

[QUOTE=bluecat;64458]That's a little hard to watch.

It kind of reminded me of when our band played a gig and the only people there were the waitresses.
They said we rocked though.[/QUOTE]

It's hard to believe that's the same culture that produced The Scorpions.

431.) bluecat - 08/16/2021

One is a venomous crustacean, the other is decorative jewelry.

432.) DParker - 08/16/2021

[QUOTE=bluecat;64462]One is a venomous crustacean, the other is decorative jewelry.[/QUOTE]

433.) bluecat - 08/16/2021

Lol, I can't find a pic of a scorpion wearing an earring.

434.) Swamp Fox - 08/17/2021

Try just a scorpion earring ... You know some circus chick has one and has posted a pic ...

435.) Swamp Fox - 08/17/2021

[QUOTE=bluecat;64458]That's a little hard to watch.

It kind of reminded me of when our band played a gig and the only people there were the waitresses.
They said we rocked though.[/QUOTE]

You know they make their money on tips, right? ... LOL

436.) Swamp Fox - 08/17/2021

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;64465]Try just a scorpion earring ... You know some circus chick has one and has posted a pic ...[/QUOTE]

Or maybe some circus ... dude? ....

437.) Swamp Fox - 08/17/2021

LOL ....

438.) Swamp Fox - 08/17/2021

Tell me what he's thinking about...

It's obvious from the pic he's deep waters. You don't project that level of intensity in a stock image without meaning something ....

I feel no need to start a separate thread to discuss this, but if others would find it distracting to discuss it on this thread, and if we had any sticklers around here, I suppose we could do it ...

439.) Swamp Fox - 08/17/2021

Using the rules of the ancient Irish claddagh rings, I surmise that the skull on the left hand facing toward the dude (?) means that his fate is sealed as a dead man (soon-to-be?) and he knows it, assuming everybody is serious about skull imagery.

I guess I would accept death too, if I had a soul patch, a massive scorpion earring and collarbone tattoos ...

Not that there's anything wrong with that ...

440.) Swamp Fox - 08/17/2021

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;64469]Tell me what he's thinking about...

It's obvious from the pic he's deep waters. You don't project that level of intensity in a stock image without meaning something ....

[/QUOTE]

One potential answer:

[QUOTE]
"If I could find a shirt in crimson, it would make me pop more ..."[/QUOTE]

441.) Swamp Fox - 08/17/2021

Supply your own answers in the box below ....

442.) bluecat - 08/17/2021

I think he is contemplating whether to set up a ground blind next to the cedars leading into the bedding area or set up a stand in the oak by the cornfield.

443.) bluecat - 08/17/2021

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;64467]Or maybe some circus ... dude? ....

[/QUOTE]

Would the holy grail be a pic of a bandmember wearing a scorpion earring? These guys are too clean cut. I can't find anything.

444.) DParker - 08/17/2021

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;64469]Tell me what he's thinking about...[/QUOTE]

"I wonder if Riverdance will ever tour again."

On another note, watch YouTube for my video series on my "No Gardening" method of growing okra. In short it involves doing...well...nothing, really. I think it will be enormously popular with lazy folk the world over. This is after throwing away at least 1/3 of the pods because they'd been let go to get too big and tough, and making 2 meals already.

([URL="https://i.imgur.com/yr7XSXm.jpg"]Full-sized original[/URL])

445.) bluecat - 08/17/2021

Those look good. Congrats. A lot more to come I suppose, they love hot weather.

446.) bluecat - 08/17/2021

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;64451]it's almost as if the audience was under orders not to participate ....

The only other thing I can think of is somebody mentioned the war, just before the show began ....

BTW: In this version, somebody added "psychedelic" graphics just to try to drag the original video up from the dirt .....[/QUOTE]

It reminds me of when my second grade teacher called all the kids around as she sat and played the autoharp.

447.) DParker - 08/17/2021

[QUOTE=bluecat;64476]Those look good. Congrats. A lot more to come I suppose, they love hot weather.[/QUOTE]

Probably. Despite my efforts to kill them via sheer neglect (I've never once given them so much as a drop of water) they keep growing...and it's raining right now.

448.) Swamp Fox - 08/17/2021

[QUOTE=bluecat;64473]I think he is contemplating whether to set up a ground blind next to the cedars leading into the bedding area or set up a stand in the oak by the cornfield.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=DParker;64475]"I wonder if Riverdance will ever tour again."

[/QUOTE]

Two winners, but surely there are more ... :wink

449.) bluecat - 10/18/2021

Sunday was processing day for the tomatoes grown over the summer. The two-pack of seeds for 5.00 yielded 59 pints.

450.) DParker - 10/18/2021

That's a good return on investment. I'm jelly, having had to completely skip any gardening this year. But for next season...I challenge you to a duel!

451.) bluecat - 10/19/2021

I pretty much doubled what I normally do because I just couldn't throw perfectly good tomato plants in the compost. Next year, I will. It took 12 hours to peel and process all of that. Way too much.

I pledge to grow Okra next year to see if that will thicken things up a bit. I found a peeling method that is second to none. Take the frozen tomato and pop it in a bowl of warm water. About 30 seconds is all you need. The skin slips right off. The tomato is still frozen which gives you a good grip. Awesome.

452.) DParker - 10/19/2021

[QUOTE=bluecat;64993]It took 12 hours to peel and process all of that. Way too much.[/QUOTE]

You need a little old Italian guy on your team.

[video=youtube;mfANZyY2fDU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfANZyY2fDU[/video]

453.) Swamp Fox - 10/20/2021

This man would know what-a ta-do with-a tomatoes ...

"First they do it to-a Mr. Bill, now the Pope ..." ---LOL

[url]https://www.bing.com/videos/search?view=detail&mid=08ACD4C14877993343A408ACD4C14877993343A4&q=find[/url] the pope in the pizza

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