Since we are pretty sure that there will not be any more frosts, we decided to go ahead and put all of our plants in the garden beds. I used the Gardner's Supply Company's garden planning tool to lay-out the garden ahead of time. I wish I could figure out how to post my diagram. Each 6x2 bed contains 12 square foot plots. In the first bed, we have 2 peas (planted a few weeks ago and growing well!), 2 cucumbers, a pole bean and a bush bean on one end, and 6 tomatoes on the other end. The second bed contains two more tomatoes and 4 peppers on one end, and a mix of herbs -- basil (2), cilantro (2), dill, green onion -- on the other end. All of the herbs, as well as the beans and cucumbers, we planted from seed. We obtained the tomato and pepper plants from a local nursery. This is all a big experiment for us, so we are excited to see the results. Crossing my fingers that everything grows :-)
On another note, I need to post about my ongoing craft projects. I just started knitting a shawl this morning, and I'm still working on my sweater. I also have started sewing an easy skirt, but I need to swing by Mama K's to get additional instructions.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Tomato Plants
My main gardening goal for this year is to can tomatoes. We go through a ridiculous amount of canned tomatoes throughout the year, and I would love to have a homemade stash on hand. Lately, we've been buying canned San Marzano tomatoes because they are supposed to be the best for sauce (and that's what all the Food Network chefs use!). Luckily, Grow Pittsburgh is offering San Marzano starts this year, so we took a trip to a nearby nursery yesterday to pick up a few. They only had 5 plants, so we cleaned them out. We also got an Italian Sweet, a Brandywine and a Green Zebra. One the pepper side, we got two Bounty Sweet Banana Pepper plants and one each of New Ace and Gourmet Orange. I had planned to grow heirloom peppers from seed, but it didn't work out for me. The lack of direct sunlight coming into our house should help keep it cool this summer, but it's not good for growing things. We are waiting until next weekend to plant them outside just to make sure we are really truly frost-free.
In other garden news, the pea seeds I recently planted in our garden box sprouted this week and are growing quickly. Also, our lettuce is doing well, but I should have planted much more. I'll have to expand for the fall crop of lettuce.
In other garden news, the pea seeds I recently planted in our garden box sprouted this week and are growing quickly. Also, our lettuce is doing well, but I should have planted much more. I'll have to expand for the fall crop of lettuce.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Cloth Bags and Napkins
I hope to start using my sewing machine more in the upcoming weeks. I bought 3 patterns on sale at JoAnn Fabrics yesterday, and maybe I can convince Mama K to help me get started next weekend. In the meantime, I've been refreshing my sewing skills with a few projects.
Last weekend I stitched up two produce bags to use at the grocery store instead of those clear plastic bags that the store provides. About a year or so ago, I made two by combining instructions from a few different sites. This time, I tried to take my lessons learned and improve the end product. I used sheer fabric leftover from last time and just cut it into 2 equal rectangles. I did a double-fold hem along each short edge (top of the bag) and then folded the fabric in half and did a french seam along the sides. I inserted a piece of bias tape into the seam to use as a tie. I'm very pleased with the results. If I make any more, I intend to re-purpose old sheer curtains instead of purchasing new fabric.
This weekend I finished up a cloth napkin project I started around the same time as I made the original cloth bags. Although we've been regularly using the napkins I made back then, they are a bit too small. For this batch, I cut the fabric into 16" squares -- unfortunately, I only had enough for two napkins -- and then I did a double-fold hem along each edge. The finished products are about 15" square and just the right size.
Just because I think it's cool, check out my vintage green Singer sewing machine. It even has a lid that goes over it and snaps on to form its own carrying case.
According to my Google search, these machines were made between 1955 and 1964. The copyright on the machine manual is 1958. Also, please notice my awesome vintage pink plaid sewing basket. Inside, the markings on my measuring tape indicate it was made in West Germany (fyi - the wall fell in 1989). The trick to getting these ancient goodies? You need relatives who purchase things at yard sales and Goodwill just because they are in good condition and someone they know might need/use them some day. I believe my grandmother gave the sewing machine (along with many other "treasures") to my mother years ago just in case one of us girls wanted one. Turns out she was right this time. I'm pretty sure all my other sewing supplies were purchased under similar circumstances.
Last weekend I stitched up two produce bags to use at the grocery store instead of those clear plastic bags that the store provides. About a year or so ago, I made two by combining instructions from a few different sites. This time, I tried to take my lessons learned and improve the end product. I used sheer fabric leftover from last time and just cut it into 2 equal rectangles. I did a double-fold hem along each short edge (top of the bag) and then folded the fabric in half and did a french seam along the sides. I inserted a piece of bias tape into the seam to use as a tie. I'm very pleased with the results. If I make any more, I intend to re-purpose old sheer curtains instead of purchasing new fabric.
This weekend I finished up a cloth napkin project I started around the same time as I made the original cloth bags. Although we've been regularly using the napkins I made back then, they are a bit too small. For this batch, I cut the fabric into 16" squares -- unfortunately, I only had enough for two napkins -- and then I did a double-fold hem along each edge. The finished products are about 15" square and just the right size.
Just because I think it's cool, check out my vintage green Singer sewing machine. It even has a lid that goes over it and snaps on to form its own carrying case.
According to my Google search, these machines were made between 1955 and 1964. The copyright on the machine manual is 1958. Also, please notice my awesome vintage pink plaid sewing basket. Inside, the markings on my measuring tape indicate it was made in West Germany (fyi - the wall fell in 1989). The trick to getting these ancient goodies? You need relatives who purchase things at yard sales and Goodwill just because they are in good condition and someone they know might need/use them some day. I believe my grandmother gave the sewing machine (along with many other "treasures") to my mother years ago just in case one of us girls wanted one. Turns out she was right this time. I'm pretty sure all my other sewing supplies were purchased under similar circumstances.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
First Seeds in the Ground!
Today was a beautiful warm and sunny day. When I came from the Urban Dare race, I found that J had erected the fence we were planning around our raised beds. It's just made out of 4' metal stakes and some heavy duty chicken wire, but we think it will be enough to keep the wildlife out. We get deer, rabbits and even turkeys wondering through our yard regularly.
We took (another) quick trip to Home Depot to pick up mulch for our flower bed and enough topsoil and manure to finish filling up our raised beds. Once we got the raised beds ready to go, I planted our first seeds in the ground -- two squares (9 seeds each) of sugar snap peas. For everything else, we will wait a few more weeks until the threat of frost is gone. I am trying to start our peppers (both bell and banana) inside, but no sprouts yet. I was worried that the pods weren't getting enough (or any?) sun in our office window, so I moved them downstairs. Sadly, our house doesn't get much natural light because of trees and the proximity of our neighbors.
This year I ordered most of our seeds from PA Seed Savers. There is apparently some restriction on the buying/selling of heirloom seeds in PA unless you are part of a club. Consequently, $2 of the shipping fees we paid actually purchased our annual membership. Kind of weird. I'm very excited about the seeds though. According to the website, PA Seed Savers serves to make more varieties of heirloom seeds legally available to PA residents, and heirloom varieties consistently grown here should adapt to our environment and become more fruitful.
We took (another) quick trip to Home Depot to pick up mulch for our flower bed and enough topsoil and manure to finish filling up our raised beds. Once we got the raised beds ready to go, I planted our first seeds in the ground -- two squares (9 seeds each) of sugar snap peas. For everything else, we will wait a few more weeks until the threat of frost is gone. I am trying to start our peppers (both bell and banana) inside, but no sprouts yet. I was worried that the pods weren't getting enough (or any?) sun in our office window, so I moved them downstairs. Sadly, our house doesn't get much natural light because of trees and the proximity of our neighbors.
This year I ordered most of our seeds from PA Seed Savers. There is apparently some restriction on the buying/selling of heirloom seeds in PA unless you are part of a club. Consequently, $2 of the shipping fees we paid actually purchased our annual membership. Kind of weird. I'm very excited about the seeds though. According to the website, PA Seed Savers serves to make more varieties of heirloom seeds legally available to PA residents, and heirloom varieties consistently grown here should adapt to our environment and become more fruitful.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Yogurt Chronicles II
I've been pondering yogurt...how on earth did people keep up with making yogurt before they could order the cultures in neat little packets from www.cheesemaking.com? I know in theory that the previous batch can be used to culture a new batch, but my understanding is that the cultures will eventually die out. Plus that means you need to continually make a new batch before the old batch is gone. Hmm...
Anyways, this led me to my little experiment. As usual, I divided 1/2 gallon of creamline milk between two mason jars and followed my usual method. I followed the directions on the yogurt package and added the whole thing to one jar (previously I used 1/2 and 2/3 of the packet). To the other jar, I added about 2 T of my previous yogurt batch, strained to make it a bit thicker. I then let the yogurt culture for about 16 hours. Of course, I forgot to add more hot water before I went to bed, but I don't think it made a difference. One less step...
The yogurt made from the culture packet was noticeably thicker than my previous batches but still not as thick as store bought yogurt. The yogurt made from re-cultured yogurt turned out exactly the same as the previous batch - relatively thin. So that answers one question -- yes, the cultures can be reused. I wonder how long that will continue to work? Regardless, that should save a few pennies on purchased cultures. If I use a full packet in each jar and then reculture it at least once, that should yield a thicker yogurt for the same price as using only a half packet in each jar. Who said I wasn't frugal??
In the photos above, you can see that the yogurt made from re-cultured yogurt (left) has quite a bit more whey visible.
Anyways, this led me to my little experiment. As usual, I divided 1/2 gallon of creamline milk between two mason jars and followed my usual method. I followed the directions on the yogurt package and added the whole thing to one jar (previously I used 1/2 and 2/3 of the packet). To the other jar, I added about 2 T of my previous yogurt batch, strained to make it a bit thicker. I then let the yogurt culture for about 16 hours. Of course, I forgot to add more hot water before I went to bed, but I don't think it made a difference. One less step...
The yogurt made from the culture packet was noticeably thicker than my previous batches but still not as thick as store bought yogurt. The yogurt made from re-cultured yogurt turned out exactly the same as the previous batch - relatively thin. So that answers one question -- yes, the cultures can be reused. I wonder how long that will continue to work? Regardless, that should save a few pennies on purchased cultures. If I use a full packet in each jar and then reculture it at least once, that should yield a thicker yogurt for the same price as using only a half packet in each jar. Who said I wasn't frugal??
In the photos above, you can see that the yogurt made from re-cultured yogurt (left) has quite a bit more whey visible.
Flower Bed
During a trip to Home Depot this weekend, we got sucked in by all the pretty flowers on display. We walked in planning to purchase a propane tank and walked out with a cartful of flowers (and the propane tank).
We live in a rental with a large yard, but much of it is covered in overgrown shrubbery and scraggly trees. However, there was a patch of dirt to the right of our front door where someone clearly had a garden at one point. J did a great job clearing it out, pulling up old roots and turning up the soil. Much of the patch only gets partial sun, so we had to be strategic in picking a variety of plants that would flourish in these conditions.
I'm most excited by the peony plant in the back right corner that was an Easter gift from my mother. Once we get some mulch down and the plants establish themselves, I think the front of our house will look pretty respectable.
We live in a rental with a large yard, but much of it is covered in overgrown shrubbery and scraggly trees. However, there was a patch of dirt to the right of our front door where someone clearly had a garden at one point. J did a great job clearing it out, pulling up old roots and turning up the soil. Much of the patch only gets partial sun, so we had to be strategic in picking a variety of plants that would flourish in these conditions.
I'm most excited by the peony plant in the back right corner that was an Easter gift from my mother. Once we get some mulch down and the plants establish themselves, I think the front of our house will look pretty respectable.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Seedlings
I was so excited to see my first little sprouts poking up through the dirt this afternoon. My lettuce is making an appearance. See the little green specks? I swear they are there!
I'm getting a little antsy for the seeds I ordered to come in the mail. I ordered them a week and a half ago. I need to get my peas in the ground and my pepper seeds started inside. Maybe they'll show up tomorrow...
I'm getting a little antsy for the seeds I ordered to come in the mail. I ordered them a week and a half ago. I need to get my peas in the ground and my pepper seeds started inside. Maybe they'll show up tomorrow...
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