Seeds, Seeds, and More Seeds

I cannot tell you how grateful Treehugger Organics is to Seed Savers Exchange and Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. These 2 great companies sent us about 50 packages of seeds each. Every type imaginable....Thank you and we look forward to some community gardens full of great plants.

Seed Savers Exchange

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange

Fall is here!!!

I have been remiss on my blog for a while but now that Fall has arrived, it is time to get going. Magun and I planted our Fall Home Garden last weekend. Here is what is planted and where. In the north part, we planted Bull's Blood and Detroit Dark Red Beets, Atomic Red and Miami F1 Carrots, and Purple Top Globe Turnips. The beets and carrots were put in rows covered about 1/4 to 1/2 inches. The turnips were broadcast for the greens and hopefully some big turnips. In the raised bed, we planted some Winter Bloomsdale Spinach (we can build a hoop for winter cover.) In the South Home Garden, we planted some Renegade F1 Spinach, Bergam's Green, Jericho Romaine, Parris Island, and Pirat Butterhead Lettuce. In the Summer Garden, we are planting Purple Top Turnips, Winter Bloomsdale Spinach, Beets, and Mustard and Collard Greens. Pics will follow in the next couple of days.

Soooo Long Summer Days

Both gardens have blessed us with a bounty of produce this summer and now the time for fall planting is near. Stephanie, Magun, and Buddy the Amazing Farm Dog went to the Summer Garden with me and we picked the cucumbers, okra, tomatoes, and peppers. We cleared out the beans and corn and will clean out the cucumbers, okra, and melons this weekend. The small plot of tomatoes and peppers will stay for a while because we won't use that space again until Spring. The hits of our first year were Silver Slicer Cucumbers, Yellow Brandywine Tomatoes, Arkansas Traveler Tomatoes, Rattlesnake Beans, Clemson Spineless and Burgundy Okra, National Pickling Cucumbers, California Wonder Bell Peppers, and Giant Green Zucchini. We are ready for the fall planting--we are planting Jericho, Parris Island, Pirat, and Bergam;s Green Lettuce, Renegade F1 and Winter Bloomsdale Spinach, Atomic Red and Miami F1 Carrots, Detroit Dark Red and Bull's Blood Beets, and Purple Top White Globe Turnips. We have never had a fall garden so this will be a learning experience. Hopefully a Good One!

 

Magun, Stephanie, and Buddy at the Summer Garden

The Home Garden ready for Fall

Summers End

Well, Labor Day has come and gone and the same with most of our gardens. The Summer Garden is still producing a lot of tomatoes, peppers, and okra but the corn, cucumbers, melons, and beans have stopped as with the Home Garden. I guess it is time to pull up the plants, till up the soil and look towards lettuce and spinach. We are still getting some mighty good tomatoes. The Yellow Brandywine are the best tomatoes ever. Buddy, the amazing cone-headed farm dog, and I went to the Summer Garden on Sunday and picked a lot of tomatoes, okra, and the last of the beans. It sure is nice to have some company when I go to the Summer Garden. Hopefully, all the paperwork will be completed tomorrow on the 3 Treehugger plots and then we will be off to the races. Fingers crossed--and thanks to everyone who donated to this cause. You are the BEST!!!

Magun with a huge Yellow Brandywine tomato from the Summer Garden

 

Buddy, The Amazing Cone-headed Farm Dog

Summer Garden tomatoes and mini bangle peppers

Baskets for Friends

Luba, Magun, and I went to the Summer Garden last night and did some picking. We filled an entire half bushel basket with Clemson Spineless and Burgundy Okra. We picked several (12-15) Arkansas Traveler and Yellow Brandywine tomatoes and  few California Bells. It was quite a haul and boy does that okra make a person itch like crazy. Anyway, we had so much last night that I delivered a couple of baskets to some dear sweet women at work......Enjoy Ladies.

Salsa

We tried our hands at "canning" salsa last night. We used ripe Arkansas Traveler, Yellow Brandywine, and Hillbilly tomatoes and some green Brandywines all from the Summer Garden. We used California Wonder Bell Peppers from the Summer Garden. We added some fresh cilantro, Anaheim and jalepeno peppers. Only time will tell if it is any good. On a side note, I never understood using the word "canning." Isn't it more like jarring or bottling? I know the phrase has been around forever but just a thought.

 Zesty Salsa!

We've Only Just Begun.....

Treehugger Organics is preparing to get larger. We will go and sign the papers next week to get 3 pieces of property donated by the Shelby County Land Bank to create 3 new community gardens in an area between Sam Cooper and Broad east of Tillman. There is one on Lipford and two a block away on Carpenter. We are going to make these self-sustaining, organic gardens with water reclamation systems that are solar powered. It is going to be a lot of work and timely, but I am sure we will get there. If all goes well, there is an old store between the two garden streets that would make a great organic, locally-grown store and CSA distribution center. It may be a couple of years, but we have to keep our eyes toward the future. Here are some pics of the properties. Anyone who would like to make a donation to the gardens feel free, it is tax deductible.

 

The Thankful Garden (588 Lipford) 47'x125'

 

The Little Buddy Garden (526 Carpenter) 40'x113'

 

The Peace Garden (533 Carpenter) 40'x113' 

The "Future" Garden Store hopefully. It is a great space and there is a large open plot next door for chickens and bees.

Eggtraordinary

We have great news. The 3 "baby" chickens (5 months old)-Nugget, Lila, and Oreo (finally a new name for the Barred Rock that fits, thanks Gabi Stein)-have started laying eggs. We have not figured out who, but we got 3 little eggs over the weekend. Look out world, the O'Dells are going to have a lot of eggs!

 

Stepahnie and Magun with the first 2 baby eggs.

The Little Buddy Pepper

My Little Buddy has a green thumb. With some expert watering skills, he has some exceptional bell peppers.

One Tomato, Two Tomato, Three Tomato, Four

The tomatoes are here in a BIG way. The Summer Garden is putting out the tomatoes. We are getting 15 or 20 a week. We planted Arkansas Traveler (Red), Yellow Brandywine, and Hillbilly (tri-color). The Arkansas Travelers are putting out 15 tomatoes a week (on 10 plants) about the size of a tennis ball and they are good. Yellow Brandywine (10 plants) are putting out about 5 to 10 tomatoes a week and they are big (the size of a softball) and meaty. The Hillbilly is a disappointment. I fell in love with the name at the start but the plants are not very good producers. Next year we will plant Arkansas Travelers and Brandywines for sure. I love the look and taste of heirlooms so if you have any variety suggestions, let me know. At home, the tomato plants are over 6 feet tall but taking their time giving us ripe fruit. However, the Sugar Cherry Tomatoes are great. they are about the size of a marble and always have a few ripe tomatoes on the plants. They are great to pick and eat. They will be back for sure next year.

 

Arkansas Travelers on the vine. This plant had four ripe tomatoes last week. (see below)

 

We have 10 plants and get 15 fruits a week

 Sugar Cherry Tomato-they are great!

Family Visit

This past weekend brought a lot of people to the Summer Garden. My dad and sister were in town. My dad, Ken O'Dell, has been in the plant business for over 60 years and he took a tour of the garden on Saturday. My sister, Virginia, brother-in-law, Bill, niece, Lilli, and nephew, Everett, went to the Garden on Sunday morning. The Hornbuckles took home some okra, beans, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Lilli was a champ at tomato picking. The boys picked beans and Virginia cut okra. When Lilli and Everett get bigger, maybe they can come help at the Treehugger Organics Gardens #1 (The Thankful Garden), #2 (The Little Buddy Garden), and #3 (The Peace Garden).

 

The Hornbuckles and no them ain't Easter Baskets

Carrots and Melons

So we never made it to the Summer Garden yesterday. Homework and all. Anyway, Magun and I kicked around the Home Garden-actually, I dug some carrots while Magun showed me her skills on her Razor Scooter. We got a handful of odd carrots. It should be more, but I did not plant them correctly. I planted the seeds too deep to start and probably too late or too early. Next year, we will go with a good orange carrot and be happy. These were a Rainbow Blend and though Magun likes them, the Red ones are not very good. Also, we picked out first Hale's Best Melon yesterday. The size of the melon compared to the mini Sivan can be seen below. I must say though...to be able to walk in the kitchen and see a basket of okra, tomatoes, a bunch of carrots, some melons, and a basket of beans and cucumbers sure is nice....and to be able to send a basket full of fresh produce to others is even better.

A Bunch of Rainbow Mix Carrots

 What's Up Doc!!!

Sivan F1 Melon (left) and Hale's Best Melon (right)

 The end of the day and a basket of fresh produce

Okra and Maters

Well, the okra has come in. We have a ton of Burgundy and Clemson Spineless Okra. Man does that staff grow fast. Magun and I went over on Sunday morning and cut about a half of bushel and Luba and I are headed back this afternoon to cut some more. We are finally getting some good sized tomatoes. Hillbilly and Yellow Brandywine. The corn ears look odd, but have good taste. There are some Black Beauty Eggplant almost ripe and more cucumbers for sure. Cucumbers-Silver Slicer, Marketmore, and National Pickling-the fruit that just keeps on giving. Oh yeah-Kentucky Wonder Green Beans are here. Luba will be working this afternoon!!!!

 Clemson Spineless Okra--picked with care by Magun O'Dell

 Burgundy and Clemson Okra-picked while Magun scratched bug bites

 Hillbilly and Yellow Brandywine Tomatoes-finally some sizable fruits

Big News and some notes as well

Last night, Magun and I went over to the Summer Garden and picked some tomatoes. I must say the Arkansas Traveler is a strong producer. We will definitely plant those again next year. Buddy the Amazing Farm Dog came along and stood guard. We checked the beans, corn, okra, cucumbers, eggplant and melons. Magun discovered a Moon and Stars Watermelon. It is small but surely does have a moon on it. When we got back home, there was some more canning done. We have been fortunate to have some gorgeous zucchini come from the Home Garden. Last night, we made a dozen half pint jars of sweet zucchini relish. It is supposed to be a lot like pickle relish and it sure did smell and look good--so we will keep our fingers crossed for some good relish this fall. Now for the Big News, I rode around with my Little Buddy--my father-in-law Dick Simons--and looked at some vacant properties owned by the Land Bank. We are acquiring six plots of land close to our house and will be establishing community gardens for the neighborhoods. These will be self-sustaining with the bounty going to the neighbors!!! Go Treehugger Organics!!!

 Magun and her Moon and Stars Watermelon

 Sweet Zucchini Relish in half pint jars

A weekend of new things

Well, it was a big weekend. Buddy the Farm Dog came to stay. In the Summer Garden, Magun, Buddy, and I picked some Clemson Spineless and Burgundy Okra-still about 5 or 6 days out from the big pick I think. We picked some Kentucky Wonder Green Beans. They are great. I remember eating them as a kid with my grandparents and they were so sweet, fresh and raw...still are. Magun loved them. We picked some smaller National Pickling Cucumbers and Stephanie and I made some Half Sours. 3 Big Half Gallon Jars! They will be ready in about 4 or 5 days. Our corn is slow to develop, but the kernels are big and moist but the ears are only half the normal size. I think we were late getting it planted but I have my fingers crossed. Next year, we will plant earlier and be prepared for the raccoons that ate all the corn in our Home Garden because it was planted on time. We picked 3 fair size California Bells (2 from Summer and 1 from Home) to use in Sweet Zucchini Relish we are making tonight hopefully. Below are a couple of pics of the Bells and the Half Sours--grow on!!!

 My Belle with some Home Garden California Bells for Sweet Zucchini Relish

 My girls with half gallon Half Sours

Buddy the Farm Dog

A quick post...more this afternoon. I would like to introduce--Buddy the Farm Dog. Buddy came to us over the weekend. He is about 18 months old. We had a struggle with a name-Ed? Riley? Baxter? but Buddy seem to fit. Welcome to the O'Dell and Treehugger clan. He has gone to the Summer Garden and was a great help and so was Magun!

 Buddy- I bet he is a dirt monster, no need for a tiller anymore

Pass the Butter Please-Oh and Bread Too!

Last night, we cut up about 16 cups of cucumbers-National Pickling and Silver Slicers. We "put up" 12 pints of Bread & Butter Pickles with a twist. Three hours of "chillin'" some sugar, cider vinegar, and secret spices and now it is a waiting game. Stephanie and Magun were the keys to the operation so I know the pickles will be wonderful. Now, we just have 10 lbs. of cucumbers left. Half/halfs anyone? Any other types?

2 Shades of Purple

Yesterday, Luba and I went to the Summer Garden to water. While we were there, we thought we would walk through and see if any produce was ready to pick. Luba spotted some young corn-not ready yet and then she discovered some Burgundy Okra ready for the harvest basket. We got a few pods of Burgundy and Clemson Spineless, but the big "pick" will probably be this weekend. We picked about a half a peck (I always wanted to say "peck") of Rattlesnake Beans-they are through for the season.There were some more Marketmore and National Pickling Cucumbers ready. We also got a few Mini Bangles Bell Peppers and a couple of Hillbilly and Arkansas Traveler tomatoes. Yes, Luba is a great spotter-better than me- she spotted our first Black Beauty Eggplant as well yesterday. It was a joy to spend some time with Luba in the Garden. She even asked about her own plot for next year. I guess seeing some actual fruit come from hard work can be inspiring. Back at the Home Garden, we picked 2 big zucchini. All in all, the Gardens are producing more than I hoped...there will be a lot of work this weekend!

Luba picking some Burgundy Okra pods-The first of the season, but many more to come!

The first Black Beauty Eggplant in all its purple majesty!

Home Again Home Again Jiggity Jig

We are back from our final trip of the summer and the gardens are great--thanks Kathy for all your help! We got a few plants while we were away for a cut garden.

The Summer Garden is flourishing. Yesterday, I went over and did some watering. While I was there, I picked a half a bushel (that's right a half a bushel) of cucumbers-Marketmore, National Pickling, and Silver Slicers. I love Silver Slicers-they are great tasting, excellent producers, and easy to find on the vines. If you have ever tried to find green cucumbers in a bunch of vines, you know what I mean. Stephanie and I are going to can some bread and butter pickles with a twist and some half/halfs. I also picked a half a bushel of Rattlesnake Beans-one more pick and they should be done for the season. These we will freeze for chili this winter. The Jacob's Cattle beans are done for the year. The Kentucky Wonder Pole Beans are coming on and we should get our first pick in the next 7-10 days. We have several Sivan F1 Hybrid Melons coming on. One was off the vine so I brought it home. The smell was wonderful and it was very pretty on the inside but not quite ripe enough to be sweet. There are some pics below. The Sivan is a single serving melon about the size of a softball. We have our first 2 Hale's Best Melons. These are going to be big cantaloupes. I picked a few Bangles Mix Mini Bells. They are cute and colorful but small. We have a bunch of tomatoes coming on. Corn is doing well. And now for the big news. Okra is finally coming and there is A LOT of it. Burgundy and Clemson Spineless have hundreds of pods just starting. We will have bushels by the end of the season. I fertilized all the melons, tomatoes, and peppers yesterday with Garden Tone. I almost forgot, we have blooms on the Black Beauty Eggplant-they got a shot of Garden Tone and a good weeding.

Now the Home Garden-Stephanie, Magun, and I picked 2 zucchini.-one was average and one was the size of my arm from the elbow down. It was huge. Magun calls it a baseball bat. Stef is going to make zucchini-blueberry bread. We picked a few cucumbers and our first tomato from the raised garden. The tomatoes here are huge plants but not producing. I used Garden Tone to add more potash and phosphate and now they have a lot of small fruits. Thanks Garden Tone-you did the trick. If you are looking for a good organic fertilizer-Garden Tone is great. We have 2 big California Bells almost ready to pick. There is a small Blacktail Mountain Watermelon at Home and should be some good eatin' very soon.

We are planning to add a completely self-sustaining Urban Garden on another plot for next year. It will be irrigated by a rainwater collection system powered by solar energy-the produce will be given to the community around the garden. Check out our Kickstarter to see more about it and join us if you wish. 

So Melons, Cukes, Beans, Zoo-chee-knee (shout out to Suzanne)-summer is in full swing.

Burgundy Okra Blooms-

Okra Rows-Clemson Spineless (left) and Burgundy (right)

  

Kentucky Wonder Pole Beans comin' on

The Rattlesnake Beans-get to shellin' kids

Clemson Spineless Okra Pods (sorry about the blur)

A half a bushel of cucumbers, Rattlesnake Beans, and a couple of zucchini

 

Hale's Best Melon 

Blacktail Mountain Watermelon-should get about 8-10" and 10 pounds

 A Sivan Melon-to judge the size, that is Magun's hand on the left and Stephanie's on the right

The Hat

I could not pass up the opportunity to keep the sun off my ears in the Memphis heat. An Amish Hat from Intercourse, PA...now I just need a team of horses to work the ground...or maybe Stephanie will get me a couple of goats.