Salt-curing olives, a question
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right place for olive tree questions?
Comments (8)Bass: I know you go to considerable lengths to grow exotic fruiting trees and plants, but in the case of olives, do you ever actually see fruit on the trees after all the inning and outing, and, if so, is it of any culinary value? Many of the producing olive trees I have seen in Europe are big, gnarly old things that look to be more than 100 years old. We had a fairly large producing age tree in our backyard in Lisbon, Portugal, where winter temps rarely fell below 35 F. But the olives were small, mostly seed, and we never found a use for them. I suppose they could have been pressed for oil, but we weren't set up for that and olive oil was cheap in Portugal at the time. I guess what I am driving at is: Is it really worthwhile to try to grow an olive tree in a northern climate, except as a pet? California is a different story, as it is for many fruits, and an olive tree could, at a minimum, be an attractive and drought resistant addition to a landscape. Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA...See Moresoil test question about salt
Comments (18)Marshall, most of what you stated is true - but is only a small part of the picture. I do send samples off for analysis as far from Texas as Oregon - because I know how to corelate the information resulting from my sample to my 'little piece of earth' (or compost). And I desire the highest quality results - be it nutrition, condition/texture or microbe population count - for the same dollar. Yes, different test methods produce different results (identified at the bottom of most test reports). Test results can still be correlated to a different type of test result. Still 'apples to apples'. Still only a matter of education based on a person's degree of interest. This thread subject is important, in my opinion, simply because education is important. We should never stop asking questions, to learn more about improving our own piece of earth, for which we have accepted responsibility. In the main, soil tests ARE 'sacred' to state-run soil laboratories and to the thousands of U.S. county agricultural extension agents who are continuously called upon to render professional services to the commercial harvest business community - based on such science-based tests. Your grocery store depends on them. See, it is still "all about the money". Most plant/soil related research is focused toward, and paid for by commercial agriculture and the companies that support that industry, which feeds our growing population. So I think that tests based on regional soil conditions is a good thing - but tests should be also be sufficiently complete to offer insight into specific planting needs in MY piece of earth - which anyone can easily learn to do by reading. Finding the best test is important to me. Unfortunately, most people who receive soil analysis reports are not also told that they can take that report to their county agricultural extension agent for interpretation to their specific needs. Agreed, the resulting written piece of paper is worthless without knowing how to apply the information. But the public service Ag.Agent is trained in how to do that (and local Master Gardeners). Anyone can research what the relationship of CA is to MG based on given factors. Education IS the Agent's primary focus (and the state land-grant university that supports them), even to the homeowner - which is why the Master Gardener program is supported. Granted, home-style agriculture/horticulture does not usually operate on commercial scale. But science-based soil information is not usually about 'scale'. Scale is a matter of applied mechanics based on time and money. As a soilmaker/nurseryman/landscaper in south central Florida many years ago, I learned (the hard way) to find out what the soil conditions were (in advance) and to ensure proper plant-specific moisture, before installing a variety of plants in someone's property - particularly gardens, shrubs and trees (soil test for nutrients/pH/salt is only part of that gamut). Some of my Florida client's soils received different amendments before certain plantings took place because different plants do have different needs - to thrive (not just survive). Replacing dead plants cost me money, and was bad for my business. Soil tests were simply one means by which I made decisions that SAVED me (and the property owner) time/money. Learning to decipher soil analysis results is not difficult, but is (unfortunately) one of the things many gardeners are reticent to investigate, even after problems are encountered. An ounce of prevention is STILL worth a 'pound of cure', and having a base of reference on which to make improvements to soil (and compost) - is important to me, in what I do. And agree that 'organics' still takes a 'back seat' to the chemical industry - regretably. But that 'world view' is changing...Slowly, but surely - because that's about human survival on this planet. Robert...See MoreAnnie or whoever - salt pork question
Comments (2)Use the basic dry cure from Charcuterie. I much prefer to use the pink salt (Instacure #1, Prague Powder, etc.) Some do, some don't. Up to you. Cut the pork into chunks (max about 2" or however small you want them), dredge with the dry cure (about 1/2 cup per pound of meat) making sure they are coated well, put into a non-reactive container - glass or stainless steel are the two I use - then into the fridge for about a week. Stir well, again making sure they are coated well. Leave for another week. Rinse off the meat and pat dry. I freeze mine in vacuum sealed bags. It doesn't last nearly as long in ziplock-type freezer bags (about 4 months tops). Pork fat (in my experience) absorbs lots of "smells/tastes" from the freezer, just like my ice cream (that's my excuse to DH for not buying it anymore :-) Anyway, salt pork is basically unsmoked bacon. Have fun!...See MoreOlive Drab, Sea Salt Update and ???
Comments (29)katrina: I like your idea about using more solid pillows or pillows that read like solid. I pulled a creamy patterned pillow from my bedroom and tried it on its solid reverse side. Looks pretty good! patricia and raven: Neither of you would whitewash the trunk - what do you think about whitewashing the chunky stand? isabel: If I got the larger pillows, would you use them in place of the matching ones on there now - or in addition to them? nosoccer: That is one gorgeous rug but I do like the one raven pointed me to and it fit my budget. I think with the sea salt I just need to decide which color to nudge it toward. I think I'm going blue. Thank you everyone for your help so far. One more quick question? I found a glass cylinder lamp on sale (the kind you can leave empty or fill with stuff). The price on it is great. It looks a lot like the photo I've attached. Do you think it would look ok in my room? Filled with shells, empty, or filled with something else?...See MoreRelated Professionals
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