My first spring harvest

annie1992

6 years ago

No, it's not rhubarb, although I thought it would be. I took a walk to the garden to check on my strawberries in their new raised beds and found this:

I was so excited, I snapped ONE stalk and took it to Elery. I'll be picking asparagus for Mother's Day when my Mother comes for dinner, but her rhubarb pie will have to be made from frozen rhubarb, that's only about 6 inches tall right now.

Elery and I made these this weekend for the strawberries. Notice the netting on the box on the left, to keep the deer from eating the plants and the birds and squirrels and mice from eating the berries, in the event we get some this year.

I'm so excited for planting season. I have a porch full of garden plants, a pair of fig trees in the front window and I just found a Carolina Reaper plant for Elery, but first, there's asparagus.

Annie

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annie1992
Original Author

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Robin, your boy could grow Ajvarski or sweet bells, LOL. For me, the Reaper is just a challenge. It didn't do well the first time, and I learned something hopefully. Now we'll see....

2many, I fence everything. The first year we were here I planted raspberries and asparagus, was told the deer "didn't like them". Well, our deer did, so we fenced that space. The bears ate the cherries from the cherry tree, the turkeys ate the Oaxacan Green corn I was growing to grind for meal, the geese ate the blueberries, the groundhogs got all the cabbages and brussels sprouts, eating just the centers so nothing got a head. When the deer ate the small pear trees I fenced those. Live traps for the groundhogs, electric fence around the garden for the deer. Raccoons killed baby chickens. It's just one big buffet. Our little calico barn cat is a ferocious hunter and keeps the mice, the voles, the gophers, the moles and such away, but one little cat can only do so much. The barn owl helps the cat and we have a den of foxes that pitch in.

A fight with either the bear or the raccoons is why we now have a house cat instead of two barn cats, and why that house cat has no tail.

So, for strawberries, I tacked bird net on one side of the box, and rolled out a length, then tacked a piece of narrow trim board left from our remodel job on the other end of the net. I just pick up the trim board and roll it back to work in the bed, then pull it forward and over the edge of the bed when I'm done. The weight of the board keeps the netting pulled taut and keeps it from tangling. It works pretty well and was easier than my initial idea of making hinged lids with screen that I could open and close.

I have lots of space, about 85 acres, but 15 of that is taken up with overgrown spruce trees from the prior owner who had a Christmas Tree farm. Another 10 is wooded and that's where the guys have their deer blind. 30 is pasture, can't plant anything there unless the cows can eat it and 20 is hay field, that's more untouchable space needed for cow food.

So, by the time you add fruit trees, 2 pole barns, a house and garage here, another 3 barns at the other end of the property and my garden, I have to look for places to plant! Oh, and three ponds. We did plant fish so hopefully we'll be eating home grown bluegill this year too, here in Michigan fish is expensive and mostly must be shipped in.

Annie

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Comments (32)

seagrass_gw Cape Cod
6 years ago
Annie - what is a Carolina Reaper?
dcarch7 d c f l a s h 7 @ y a h o o . c o m
6 years ago
Carolina Reaper, if eaten, can burn on its way in and also on its way out.

dcarch
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annie1992
Original Author
6 years ago
Seagrass, Carolina Reaper is a hot pepper, supposedly even hotter than a ghost pepper, possibly the hottest pepper in the world, at 2,200,000 Scoville Units. Yup, that's 2 million. For perspective, a jalapeno clocks in at 3,000 to 5,000. So, what do we do with them? Darned if I know, but I've never grown one successfully. Elery bought seeds once and I got a plant that was 5 feet tall, grown in a pot so I could keep it inside all winter. Got two tiny little half-fingernail sized peppers, and that was all. So, now it's a challenge, I just have to try again.

I also have jalapeno and serrano for cowboy candy and hot pepper relish, and some habaneros for Habanero Gold. I grew a couple of poblanos for eating and another new pepper called "Sugar Rush Peach Hot Pepper", the description says the pepper is sweet but the seeds have a "smoky heat". I don't even like very hot food, LOL, but Elery loves the stuff, the hotter the better.

I'm not sure the Reaper is going to be good for anything at all, but if I get one, maybe I can put it into a batch of hot sauce or something.

So, are you ready for rhubarb? It'll be a couple of weeks, but it's growing fast!

Annie
2ManyDiversions
6 years ago
Annie, for someone who can't handle spice (like myself) you are a brave one!

How exciting you have asparagus, and great work on the strawberry boxes! I'm admittedly envious of all your space. I'd love to eventually plant 'too much' and we've just not got the room.

We have a huge issue with rabbits and birds eating our veg's. The deer are skittish (for now!). DH even had to surround my only existing garden - herbs - with chicken wire, burying it as well to keep the diggers out.

Our new veg garden will be fully enclosed as the birds destroy tomatoes, peppers, beans, everything! Last one had netting over all, but that was such a pain to open, close, and it kept going lax making for a good tripping hazard. We plan to just use chicken wire. Hopefully I can have some 'exposed' area for things like garlic and... not sure. Slugs are eating my baby herbs now : ( dcarch explained how to solve that but don't want to set it up until we re-do the herb garden as it's 15 years old and needs work.

I bet you're excited about those figs too! I have such garden envy! : )
rob333 (zone 7b)
6 years ago
Annie,

Looking good! My son has decided he must grow peppers every year. It's his one and only must for the garden. I'll have to get him a Carolina Reaper. So far, he grow them, but barely uses them. He thinks jalapeno is too hot for his quesadillas? So I don't know why he picked Thai Dragon and cayenne? Boys and their peppers!
sleevendog (5a NY 6aNYC NL CA)
6 years ago
That is a good sign of Spring! Nothing like fresh asparagus!

I started from seed last year and have not had any signs of success...I'll get some crowns this year. I have lots of good signs with trees finally leafing out in just one short week. Lots of rain and now a sunny warm week.

Hostas and fiddleheads...and I'm not eating them, lol. I have plenty of salad greens.
bcskye
6 years ago
Oh, lucky Annie! Wish I'd put in asparagus and rhubarb years ago. So many delicious ways to fix them. Can't wait for the farmers markets to start up so I can buy or trade for whatever I don't grow.

I have several different types of peppers this year to use in some of the ways you mentioned.

Should be out in the woods hunting morels, but instead I'm trying to make room for the freezer that will be delivered tomorrow a.m. The wonderful start of a wonderful time of the year.

Madonna
dcarch7 d c f l a s h 7 @ y a h o o . c o m
6 years ago
"---Slugs are eating my baby herbs now : ( dcarch explained how to solve that but don't want to set it up until we re-do the herb garden as it's 15 years old and needs work.---"

There are two or three birds that stays in the garden, not sure what kind, walking around in the garden all day. They pick on seeds and insects. I have the feeling that they enjoy "escargot". :-)

Forget about all those miracle slug control methods (don't waste your beer). If you don't want to use chemicals, the 100% non chemical sure way is electric. I will have special electric slug control for my strawberry patch. It is actually very easy. I will show my system in the near future. Too busy now.

dcarch
carolb_w_fl_coastal_9b
6 years ago
For snails and slugs, this is the most effective thing I've found...

Other companies make the same product - it's iron phosphate, and it breaks down into fertilizer.
laceyvail 6A, WV
6 years ago
I use Escar-Go or Sluggo against slugs and they work great. No danger to pets or wildlife and acceptable for organic gardens.
pkramer60
6 years ago
Great harvest but you better protect it tonight as I just saw that you have a freeze warning!
annie1992
Original Author
6 years ago
Peppi, the weather channel is still saying 34F as a low, but I don't trust them. So, I went out and picked everything that was ready and raked the mulch up over top everything that was a couple of inches or less. I'll go out and uncover it tomorrow, if I get a break between the raindrops that are supposed to be going on all day. Or Saturday, I guess.

I did pick enough for Mother's Day and it's in the fridge right now, about three pounds:

Thanks for the reminder, I'd have left it outside and Mother would have been disappointed on Sunday!

Annie
pkramer60
6 years ago
That looks so good. That fat one is calling for me.

We are going to hold in the low 50's. I have some of the tomato plants in the ground and the basil in a pot. The chard and collards should be ok. I may have to get some of the water walls on them. Not my favorite job, I get wetter than the plants.
annie1992
Original Author
6 years ago
Thankfully, my tomatoes are still on the porch, although I put the basil outside. It's right by the house, protected, so hopefully it'll be OK. It's never safe to plant anything outside here until about Memorial Day, and sometimes that's "iffy".

Happy Mother's Day, from Emma. (grin)

Annie
2ManyDiversions
6 years ago
Annie, your harvested asparagus looks amazing! I know everyone will enjoy it and the rest of the meal! You've got quite a larger farm with more going on than I imagined. I know it's hard work, and I must say I admire you for keeping up with it, and all the wildlife. I enjoyed reading about everything - thank you so much for elaborating!

Temp today is expected to reach 91 F. Ugh. Better than losing anything more to freezing, though, so I'm not complaining (too much, LOL!).
sleevendog (5a NY 6aNYC NL CA)
6 years ago
Just returned from 3 days off-grid in the Catskills. I think it is Spring! Hopefully not a 'false Spring'. Fruit trees are budding. Tree leaves are just about ready to leaf. Lots of rhubarb. Even delivered a few clumps to a neighbor and helped them pick a spot less boggy than before...(they are welcome to our 20 massive plants but we try every year so they can have their own right out their kitchen door). Rhubarb does not like wet feet or any attention after the first couple months getting established.
party_music50
6 years ago
oh, wow, great photos of spring! I barely opened this thread the other day and immediately ran to check my asparagus patch. :) Nothing... so back to the thread and I saw carolb's recommendation on using sluggo, so ran off to order that. I usually use a 10% solution of ammonia/water and spray the buggers. :) I scattered some sluggo yesterday even though I haven't seen any slug activity yet, but I figure they're out there looming.... waiting for the hostas to come up. I saw my first hummingbird back on (cold) May 10, and by May 11 there was a steady stream to the feeders. Yesterday was nice but very windy and my rhubarb is finally starting to grow! Trees started leafing out a couple days ago. My pear tree is in full bloom and cherry tree getting going too... no bloom on the apple trees yet.

So.... we're supposed to finally have some nice temps this week and I'm tempted to plant my windowboxes today. Impatiens grown from seed that I've saved. Again. They're north-facing boxes, so nothing is as bright and pretty as impatiens. Like Annie, my 'last frost' date is June 1. :p

And the forget-me-nots, violets, and grape hyacinths are finally opening!!!!
annie1992
Original Author
6 years ago
Well, I managed to measure the tallest spear:

I'll have more to pick in just a couple of days, and the rhubarb will be ready in a few days too.

PM, the flowers are lovely. I have some daffodils blooming here, and lots of dandelions. The columbine is up, though, and has buds and the bellflower is growing tall too.

sleevendog, that forsythia is lovely, mine hasn't blossomed yet, it's been a late spring here.

2many, I just can't help myself, I've got to plant something pretty much everywhere, LOL. Then, if it does well, I come here for ideas how to use it all!

Peppi, that big fat spear was MINE, and I thought of you when I ate it.

Annie
2ManyDiversions
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Party_music... oh my what beautiful flowers - and those forgetmenots... makes me miss my cottage garden at my old house. Wonderful!

Annie, LOL! "that big fat spear was MINE" Those are fighten' words, or the words of a very determined woman! Don't blame you! That's one long asparagus spear!
lisaw2015 (ME)
6 years ago
I am sooooo jealous, I have planted asparagus crowns twice with no success. They are my absolute favorite spring vegetable!
sleevendog (5a NY 6aNYC NL CA)
6 years ago
Just got a text from my market that the NewJersey asparagus is in. : )

For some reason it is the best every year. As good as garden fresh.
sleevendog (5a NY 6aNYC NL CA)
6 years ago
Food grade DiatomatiousEarth works great for slugs and some other pests. Beer works great as an additional killer if your trap has a lid so no rain enters and dilutes it. (and keeps the pups out)...boozers. For my raised beds I put copper tape on the top edge. Just needs seasonal steel wool to freshen.

Lots of methods to 'electrify' all over youtube. Using a battery or a cheap solar light. Too fussy for my needs. I have 14 raised beds but just my two main salad beds need some minor protection.

At first planting I use slugo, then a bit of DE around the outside edge. The copper does a good job for the rest of the season. DE around my hosts and a couple beer traps.
Jasdip
6 years ago
This pic is for you, Annie!!!
party_music50
6 years ago
LOL at that asparagus server!

sleeve, why food grade? I had previously read that DE was basically just ground tiny crustaceans.... wikipedia says it's powdered sedimentary rock. The point is the texture, isn't it?
bragu_DSM 5
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
food grade DE. don't over think it.

re: reapers. longer growing season. bring it inside (basement) in the fall and trim it back (like a bonsai). Bring it out in the spring, second season will produce. Even the tip of one of those reapers demand a gallon of milk to cool off the mouth/gullet, but it don't help on the opposite end … good for jellies.
party_music50
6 years ago
ah, I researched and the choices are food grade or pool grade (which is processed differently).
annie1992
Original Author
6 years ago
bragu, I'm a wuss, I won't even think of trying the Reaper! Elery, though, he'll want it made into something, so thanks for the growing instructions. My problem, I think, is that I didn't prune the first one back. it got nearly as tall as me, but never did get peppers. After the second year, I pitched it, it was looking pretty pitiful.

LOL, Jasdip, Bud will LOVE that picture!

Peppi, I got some more today, managed to put five quarts in the freezer:

Lisa, I'm sorry yours didn't grow. I've never grown asparagus before and wasn't sure how well it would do, but it's doing very well. I have some very thin first year spears, but the crowns I planted the year before are as thick as my thumb and I'm getting five or six spears per crown, at least. I picked this today and managed to put five quarts in the freezer, so I'm very happy!

Annie
party_music50
6 years ago
Lisa, a friend from work bought New Jersey asparagus crowns one year and gave me some of his extras, so I added them to my patch with my Martha Washingtons... Mine grew great but his did nothing. I soaked mine before planting, but he did not, so that may be your problem?
cathyinpa
6 years ago
Oh, I love fresh asparagus, Annie. Isn't nice to be pleasantly surprised by a new plant in the garden? I have such a small, small garden and I'm battling a vole. Gosh, he's kind of cute but overstaying his welcome:)

Jasdip, that is my smile for the morning! Whoever did that has a GREAT sense of humor!

CathyinSWPA
dcarch7 d c f l a s h 7 @ y a h o o . c o m
6 years ago
This picture has not been Photoshopped, or modified in anyway.

I passed by NYC Grand Central Terminal where there are food vendors and had to take this picture.

For scale, all the other asparagus spears are regular sizes.

dcarch
2ManyDiversions
6 years ago
Jasdip, also love the asparagus truck!

Annie, I just met a woman here in eastern TN who is in her 3rd year of growing reapers. I knew about them only because of this thread : ) She said from seed she had no luck, but from plants which she ordered online they 'went wild' and grew prolifically. She gives them away to anyone who'll take them after giving some to her son, whom she grew for. She nor her DH will even attempt to eat them. They've watched others eat slivers, and be in misery. According to her, and this might not be accurate, but apparently someone ate a whole one and ended up quite sick in the hospital. Anyway, she had photos, and they are very pretty, but obviously very evil!