Caterpillars and chiggers and slugs, oh my!

The last few weeks, the camp garden has become overrun with pests! And by overrun, I mean, I couldn't even walk down there without having chiggers all OVER me, the cabbage is covered with little green caterpillars, and there were more slugs down there than... well, there were a LOT of slugs. You're just gonna have to trust me on this.

So I bought some diatomaceous earth, ordered some beneficial nematodes, and did some extra companion planting to discourage the bugs. Two bags of food grade diatomaceous earth later, the chiggers were under control (I can't tell you how happy I am about this!). Today, the summer staff came up to the garden to get oriented, and I put them to work doing a few small projects, including picking slugs and tossing them into soapy water. AND, while they were working, the UPS man delivered the nematodes - hooray!

So this evening, I watered them in and whispered sweet nothings to them, in the hopes that they will put their voracious little appetites to work REALLY SOON!

I know, I know, they just moved and I'm not giving them ample time to get settled in, but they'll get paid in a large bonus of bug food, so don't feel too sorry for them... I'm counting on them, and their millions of microscopic children, to be my main line of pest defense!

I'm hoping that between them, the D.E., and herbs planted strategically around the garden (ie. dill next to the patty pan squash to keep squash borers away) that we will be covered totally organically in the pest department.

In other news, the dandelion wine is progressing nicely. Remember when I told you that it was AWFUL smelling? It's been sitting in the fridge "settling", and once a week I take it out, filter it again, and put it back, and it actually smells like... ta da, WINE! It's still pretty murky looking, but getting a bit better. I'll keep you posted.

Have a lovely week!

Jean

Garden Pictures and Wine Update

Here are some pics of the camp garden that I took the other day during a break in the rain.  It’s really coming along!  I picked some lettuce and spinach and a few chives for a salad to go with dinner the other night.  It’s SO satisfying to be able to go pick something and take it right to the table!

Strawberries, Spinach and Onions

 

 

Cherry and Roma Tomatoes and Lettuce

 

Bell Peppers, Lettuces, Onions, Herbs and Cherokee Yellow Bush Beans

 

This is the same bed as the previous one, just a bit closer.

 

Patty Pan Squash and Variegated Oregano

 

This picture is the dandelion wine, now strained, but still murky…  I am unsure about it’s color, but am pleased to report that it at least has begun to smell like wine!  I think I’ll strain it a few more times with some coffee filters to see if I can refine it bit more.  I have not been brave enough to taste it yet!  Maybe tomorrow…?

Garden Update and Adventures in Winemaking... sort of.

The garden is nearing completion a stopping point, all the vast majority of the dirt is dumped/mixed/ammended, and all MOST of the plants are in. It's really taking shape! Now to sit back and relax, enjoy the fruits of my labors, mulch between the beds... I'll post pics later so you can see how it's going!

Another wild hair that I had was to try making some dandelion wine. Actually, I had this idea last year, but had no idea the sheer VOLUME of dandelions needed for this process! Plus, then someone told me it was not a good idea, which just meant that I HAD to do it this year... FYI - telling me NOT to do something does not always work to your best advantage people!

SO, this year I convinced (by way of bribery!) the two small people that live in my house to help me pick the many, many flowers we needed. And my Mom and my Nana said, "don't bother, it's gross!"

Which means, of course, that I must proceed with my diabolical plan...

SO, I boiled water, poured it over the washed flowers, and let it sit. Today, I strained it through cheesecloth, and while it looked rather murky, it didn't smell unpleasant, just sort of reminiscently grassy. Then I added the other ingredients that the recipe that I'm using called for (some juices, sugar and yeast) and stirred and frankly, now it smells...GROSS!

Like some horribly yeasty weed juice, which, I guess, it is...

It has to sit for a week to ferment before it can be bottled. Bottled?! It better smell a WHOLE lot better by the end of the week for me to go that far!


Just don't tell my mom, ok? ;)