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Post by bixaorellana on Sept 4, 2010 0:43:15 GMT
This time of the year we usually have excess tomatoes (not so this year though) and courgettes. Mrs Cactus cooks those down with onions and other spices into a sauce which we freeze and then use as a base for winter stews. Oh joy ~~ Mrs. Cactus is a worthy mate for the noble Mr. Cactus and the recipe for that base is exactly what is needed in this thread in The Galley. Do you think she'd consent to share it? we have to hide them when they come round or we get nothing... Somehow, I don't believe they get hidden from the boys. ;D
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Post by mickthecactus on Sept 6, 2010 12:59:42 GMT
This time of the year we usually have excess tomatoes (not so this year though) and courgettes. Mrs Cactus cooks those down with onions and other spices into a sauce which we freeze and then use as a base for winter stews. Oh joy ~~ Mrs. Cactus is a worthy mate for the noble Mr. Cactus and the recipe for that base is exactly what is needed in this thread in The Galley. Do you think she'd consent to share it? we have to hide them when they come round or we get nothing... Somehow, I don't believe they get hidden from the boys. ;D The recipe changes every time she does it. I'll see what I can prise out of her.. Bixa, already you know me too well................
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Post by mickthecactus on Sept 6, 2010 13:07:56 GMT
Yesterdays harvest -
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Post by bjd on Sept 6, 2010 13:12:42 GMT
This year I planted 6 tomato plants, of 3 different varieties. Zip. Nada. I think I have had about 10 cherry tomatoes. Lack of water, mostly. Too hot after too cool weather. I won't bother next year.
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Post by mickthecactus on Sept 6, 2010 15:28:24 GMT
That's a shame bjd. I thought you'd grow tomatoes like footballs down there.
What varieties were they?
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Post by bjd on Sept 6, 2010 16:28:34 GMT
Tomatoes need lots of water, so it's not really that good a place for them. The varieties have French names other than the cherry tomatoes: coeur de boeuf (oxheart) and noir de Crimée (Crimean black).
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Post by mickthecactus on Sept 7, 2010 9:56:16 GMT
Crimean black we have here as Black Krim or Black Russian and it's a superb tomato.
I also grow Marmande which is a French variety (but I'm sure you know that).
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Post by bixaorellana on Sept 9, 2010 14:02:31 GMT
The garden suffered through another heat wave last week: day after day in the high 90s and no rain. ... I garden with a heavy heart. The earth is parched, and the leaves of shrubs and trees turn brown early because of lack of water. I water my beloved vegetable garden carefully, praying that our well doesn’t run dry. As soon as I read those words, I thought of Bjd and her present garden woes, and of course the struggles I have throughout the dry season here. But the method explained in the book Weedless Gardening by Lee Reich, is not only for people with heat and water problems. It's about ... starting a new garden the no-till way — which basically means using newspapers to smother the grass and weeds without resorting to herbicides, and then adding a few inches of compost and planting right through it.
After wetting the newspapers, I shoveled about four inches of compost onto the beds (Mr. Reich suggests at least two inches), ... Then, I planted the broccoli seedlings, without having to dig a hole through the newspaper. ... not only could I plant seeds on the same day I transformed my piece of old lawn, but I could also set transplants, like broccoli or currant bushes, into the beds. ... “Just make a hole in the newspaper big enough to plug in the plant,” he said. “But don’t excavate a wide hole, because you would be exposing more underlying soil where there are going to be weeds.” When weeds do grow — as they inevitably will, blowing in on the wind, or sprouting from less-than-perfect compost — Mr. Reich suggests spritzing them, while they are still sprouts, with a homemade solution: a gallon of vinegar mixed with 2 tablespoons canola oil (other oils will gum up) and 1 tablespoon liquid Ivory dish detergent. <--click for full text
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Post by tod2 on Sept 19, 2010 13:01:05 GMT
I am simply overjoyed at finding my favourite green beans in Paris of all places! I first saw LONG BEANS or SNAKE BEANS in Singapore. There I was able to buy the seeds in proper hermetically sealed envelopes and bring them home to South Africa. Over the years seeds got lost and I thought I would have to go back to Singapore if I was ever to see them again. Three weeks ago I was enjoying a walk in the ethnic area between Gare de Nord & La Chapelle when I spotted them in a grocery/veg store. I bought a bunch exactly as you see then on the link: www.harvestwizard.com/2008/08/long_beans.htmlI cut them open and removed the seeds and posted them home. Now I am interested to find out if anyone here has these fantastic beans?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2010 14:17:56 GMT
I have eaten them regularly in Thailand, and I sometimes hover over them at the store, but I have not gone the final step yet. Here is another view of them.
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Post by tod2 on Sept 19, 2010 16:02:09 GMT
WoW - Thats them exactly! Thanks for putting up the photo for me. One thing I did notice with the ones I bought - they were definitely past their best. Too spongy and pale. But that was OK as I only wanted the seeds! I think they are wonderful in stir-frys but cut into shorter little pieces.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2010 16:10:59 GMT
I have actually often eaten them raw, chopped into Thai salads. They don't taste all that great raw, but they have an interesting texture, so I don't mind at all -- I want things to taste exotic, not familiar!
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Post by bixaorellana on Sept 19, 2010 21:09:41 GMT
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Post by tod2 on Sept 20, 2010 6:30:09 GMT
Thank you Bixaorellana for giving me the link to Rare Seeds! I have ordered some of each and should receive my order in about 10days. I am very happy! You are probably right about the seeds I brought back being too immature. I will be planting some soon as the have dried - will see if they come up.
Once agin thank you enormously!
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Post by tod2 on Oct 2, 2010 13:55:23 GMT
Hey great news! Those snakebeans I bought at a grocery shop at Chapelle and chopped up into little strips and posted home, have come up! I have planted them in a large tub and have them near the house so I can keep an eye on them. Must be all this 39C weather and lots of water that did it. I am very very happy!
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 2, 2010 16:30:25 GMT
Oh my gosh ~~ that is SUCH a thrill! I am totally tickled on your behalf. Each and every seed that comes up always seems like such a miracle, but in this case, much more so. I can almost see them spreading their little primary leaves and singing out "Mommy!"
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Post by Deleted on Oct 3, 2010 11:29:00 GMT
Planted the usual fall/winter crop yesterday,with more going in today. Radishes,carrots, arugula,spinach,several lettuces,(these will be staggered so as to not get in all at the same time ). Tomorrow I am putting in the brassicas, (may forgo the cabbage this year,actually,may only do brussel sprouts...)turnips,and beets. Cool weather herbs, dill,cilantro,anise,fennel.
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Post by mickthecactus on Oct 4, 2010 12:04:48 GMT
Wish I could grow that variety for winter.
I've got Chard, Japanese Onions, Broccoli, Savoy cabbage and leeks.
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Post by tod2 on Oct 4, 2010 15:50:32 GMT
More good news! I received my been seed order from Baker Seeds, Creek Road, Mansfield, MO 65704 ( wherever that is?) and written on the invoice was a personal message:
Dear Tod, Please drop me a line to let me know that you received this package. "Ek is 'n oud Oos-Kaaper en is verbaas om te sien hoeveel Suid Afrikaners van ons besigheif bestel". Translated from Afrikaans(dutch): I am an old Eastern Cape person and am flaberghasted to see how many South Africans order from our business. I wish you great success with your garden and would really like to hear from you., Kind regards, Danielle (Shipping Dept.)
Now isn't that so sweet and what a SMALL world we live in! Here I am ordering seeds from someone who knows exctly where I am from and exactly where I live.
Good gracious Miss Molly is all I can say!!
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Post by mickthecactus on Oct 4, 2010 16:07:57 GMT
In this frantic world that's good to hear Tod.
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Post by tod2 on Oct 4, 2010 16:42:21 GMT
I meant to say BEAN seeds of course! Thanks Mickthecactus, it is amazing isn't it?!
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 4, 2010 18:17:30 GMT
Oh, good golly, indeed those were "kind regards"! A couple of times in my life I've had shipping personnel attach personal notes to my order, and it always made me feel good, plus enhanced my confidence in the company. But this ~~ this was amazing, under the circumstances.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 4, 2010 21:57:47 GMT
I did plant some chard as well,and tons of parsley seeds.
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Post by tod2 on Oct 13, 2010 9:33:05 GMT
Bixa - I have ordered more seeds and am hoping that this plant is the one that I experienced in my glass of champagne - (mentioned in the Galley - It was only mentioned as a Hibiscus flower ) so this being of the same family may be the one! rareseeds.com/cart/catalog/Roselle-83-1.html
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Post by mickthecactus on Oct 13, 2010 12:39:29 GMT
That's a great site Tod. Love the tomatoes. Might well order for next year...............
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 13, 2010 15:32:21 GMT
That's the right one, Tod2! Expect great results in your climate, including self-seeding. It will also root from cuttings, so you might want to take some for insurance. Depending on your weather, it might be a perennial. That is a very seductive site. I desperately want a wider range of herbs. I'll order from them & have the stuff sent to my mother or sister in the US. What is this, please, Tod2? rareseeds.com/cart/products/Lion_s_Tail_or_Wild_Dagga-872-87.html
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Post by tod2 on Oct 14, 2010 10:13:40 GMT
Bixa- Wild Dagga (Dagga pronounced da- gar with the 'g' sounding like you have cleared your throat - again ;D) is an indegenous plant found in the wilds of the bush or veld ( prncd:felt) and available in local nursery's to plant in one's garden. It grows very tall something like a hollyhock, and is a great favourite of the Humming birds because of the nectar it produces. Besides bright orange, it also can be found in white flowers, but that is not very common.
Now, dagga itself is simply Cannabis. The reason this plant is called Wild Dagga is because the leaves look like cannabis leaves ( and I am sure is a strong relative). I am going to try an find a plant to photograph. Unfortunately all mine have been cut back for the new spring growth. They re-produce flowers from the same plant every year but I cut mine right down to about a foot off the ground. I think this thickens the bush.
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Post by tod2 on Oct 14, 2010 13:57:43 GMT
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 14, 2010 15:12:15 GMT
Thanks for that, Tod! The first picture looks exactly like something that grows as a weed around here, & I'm pretty sure in Texas as well. The second link shows a more formal, ornamental flower. The last link gives a common name from Mexico. When I googled "marihuanilla" I got pictures of the pink/purple varieties. But when I googled "orange marihuanilla" the hits sure looked like the weedy orange plant I know. toptropicals.com/cgi-bin/garden_catalog/cat.cgi?uid=LEONOTIS_LEONURUSI am going to keep my eyes open for the weed now.
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Post by lola on Oct 14, 2010 15:47:15 GMT
More good news! I received my been seed order from Baker Seeds, Creek Road, Mansfield, MO 65704 ( wherever that is?) and written on the invoice was a personal message... Now isn't that so sweet and what a SMALL world we live in! Here I am ordering seeds from someone who knows exctly where I am from and exactly where I live. Hi, Tod. I've been to Mansfield MO a few times. It's a mecca for fans of Little House on the Prairie books, which I never had read until snuggling up to them with my daughters at least twice each, now love and reread occasionally when in need of comfort literature. Laura Ingalls Wilder and her husband Almanzo settled there, built a sweet frame house that stands as a museum, and Laura wrote all her books there. My biggest thrill was seeing the actual violin that Pa used to play. We wouldn't have made a big detour to see the house, but it lies on the route between where my mother lives and my old home town on the edge of the Ozarks. Little House tourism has no doubt helped the economy there, and the local library is named after Ingalls Wilder. I'm glad to read further unrelated good things about the town.
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