Boiling brine is only used to fill the jars usually. Its not meant for the fermenataion process. If they are too big, it could have caused the problem you describe. Also, because a few cukes can be bitter when pickled (you can never tell by color, size, etc), the only way to really know is to taste one before its pickled or fermented. Gasses do build up inside a bigger cuke, especially if its got a hollow center with a seed cavity that is open at the middle. Another thing is to always cut off the tips at BOTH ends before you soak in brines. Doing so, ensures that all of the insides are going to get brined. Besides that, the tips (usually the stem end) can be very bitter to begin with. This is the main reason you cannot tell of the whole cuke is bitter, as some can be that way all the way out to the blossom end, while others may only be bitter very close to the stem. I have forgoten the name or chemical involved, but its whats in every cuke, no matter the type, its just tat a few will inherit this bitter tatse all the way through it. Suggest that you remove the biggest cukes, and let the rest stay in for the recommended amount of time. If there is debris in the brine, then you may waht to halt the fermentation and allow it to go to completion early.

I am surprised the lady was storing the chutney in the fridge - I think there is more to this story than meets the eye. It didn't appear in the quality press or in the broadcast media. Normally we would not use canning jars for chutney so there wouldn't be any rings. Chutney and jams are not normally canned here except commercially. The usual cover is a cellophane/plastic circle and an elastic band. Personally I use screw tops over the cellophane to prevent evaporation. I am wondering if this was a fresh chutney as opposed to the high vinegar, long cooked chutneys we normally make, hence it's being kept in the fridge.

Crystabel, I checked my Victory Garden book, and it says no to asparagus in Florida :-( However, I did see a post by one woman who says she grows it "Asparagus will grow in Florida. It may take a little more work depending on where in the state you are. In northern Florida it does really well in the cooler months but it seems to struggle in the heat. I live in the Panhandle. You can check with your local AG Center or Farm supply store for specific instruction for your area." The zone just previous to yours gives planting dates (for crowns, not seeds) as Feb 1-Mar 10 and Nov 15-Dec 31. Maybe a November planting would give them time to establish before the heat gets to them. I do think you'd have to give a lot of attention to keeping them well watered. Granny Here is a link that might be useful: Annie's Kitchen Garden

I have one of Mike Shoup's books, I'll have to see if I have the one with that picture of Felicia. I think it's the "Empress of the Garden Book". The coffee table book. I'm glad she is growing so well, but I didn't quite expect this kind of habit either. I hope she doesn't out grow her space. This is a very prominent front of the house bed, with lots of well planned annuals and perennials interspersed. I will need to tie her to the trellis a bit and maybe do a bit of careful cutting back of some canes after the flush to keep her in check. We had a good rain yesterday and I'm pleased with how well her blooms held up. Lisa