I have to confess, I am a lazy gardener. So it’s no surprize I’ve never bothered to test my garden’s soil pH or nutrient level. My beds and containers where filled with bags from the nursery. I don’t use local city soil. I am afraid it is contaminated. The pH of my beds was fine to start out with.
Knowing that many nutrients tend to be over-applied resulting in imbalances in the soil and harmful effects on the environment, I’ve only used compost and organic fertilizers in my beds. My fruit, flowers and vegetables grow so well I am under impression testing my soil is obsolete.
What Can Affect pH
I am no expert only observant and curious. I haven’t seen garden soil become alkaline unexplained but I have seen it become more acid. Many things can lower the pH of soil over time. Peat moss, excess animal manure, pollutants, rainfall, harvest of high yielding crops, decomposition of organic matter. That’s why gardening sources always stipulate to add well compost organic matter.
Why My Soil’s pH Is Fine
As I said earlier I only use compost and compost teas. Did you know compost acts like a buffer. It can have a marked influence on acid soils. For example an EPA study showed that water with a pH of about 2 discharged from a mine had risen to a pH of 5 by the time it passed through a compost filter. So my pH maintains itself in an acceptable level.
My test is the visual aspect and productivity of my garden. I’m stubborn and had grandparents that use to farm to subside and they never used chemical fertilizers nor soil tests because there wasn’t any around, Their farm and garden fed 3 generations of folks, so they had to be doing something right.
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People ask me all the time if we actually eat our chili peppers. The answer is yes of coarse. Some are dried, frozen or ground. Others are stuffed or pickled. I like spice foods but my son is worst than me. His food is so spicy it gives me hick ups. Here are a few hot sauces and chili peppers we like.
A- DA BOMB Ground Zero
Ingredients: habanero, pineaaple juice, water, tomato paste, jerk spices, chipotle puree, water, salt, lemon juice.
B-Captain Bravo’s Habanero & Garlic: Garlic Gourmet Habanero Hot Sauce is elaborated with select habanero peppers and raw material of high quality, to create a 100% Home-Made sauce with an exceptional flavour for any kind of meal. You can combine with any kind of dishes for that spicy delicious touch for all the tastes. With the heat of the habanero and the goodness of the Olive oil, and yet soft on your palate Captain MyBravo Garlic brings you great flavour. Capitan Bravo Garlic Gourmet Habanero Hot Sauce is a healthy and tasty product you can rely on. Captain Bravo Garlic Gourmet Habanero is the Hottest. To use with seafood, fish, shrimp, lobster, ceviche, calamar.
I love this hot sauce. The burning sensation is not insane, most who like hot sauces can eat this. I also like to use it to spice up any dish and sauce. 4$ in some store in Montreal’s Gay Town. I can’t find any in my town an well Montreal has it all.
Ingredients: habanero, garlic, water, olive oil, salt, pepper, sugar and a few other weird things.
C-Pain Is Good Batch #218 Louisiana Hot Sauce
I had never had cajun food so I have nothing to compare with. The sauce is super hot but still eadible. Only for serious chili lovers. I thought the taste was slightly like anchovies but there isn’t any in it. One thing’s for sure, my sun is gobbling it down with anything ranging from hot dogs, spaghetti to steak. I’m surprised he hasn’t put any on his ice cream. Personnally I like to add a dollop of this hot sauce in marinades.
Ingredients: Water, habanero peppers, cayenne peppers, malt vinegar, worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, dark brown sugar, liquid smoke and spices.
What I Cook With
1- Bhut Jolokia, +1000000 SHU
2- Filius Blue,2 0000-30000 SHU
3- Bolivian Rainbow, 5000 to 3000 SHU
4- Calabrese Piccante, 5000 SHU
5- Black Cobra, 125000 to 200000 SHU
6- Black Prince, 30000-50000 SHU
7- Cayenne, 60000 SHU
8- Orange Habanero (Fresh frozen slices), 577000 SHU
I just placed them for a photo and put them back. By right eye lid has been burning for the last half hour while my lips have been ok since about 10 minutes. I did not eat any, I just touched them slightly. I’ll never learn. So no nose picking for me this afternoon.
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]]>Transplanted Wild Strawberries
I picked 2-3 whole tufts of wild strawberries at a friend’s place and planted them by my fence. I prepared dug a hole in the gravel and filed it with the same soil from my raised bed. No special care was ever given to these strawberry plants aside from watering and an occasional heap of compost and mulch.
The patch doubles every year. We now have wild strawberries all along the fence. The funny thing is, there is now wild strawberries in all of my neighbour’s yards! They produce one harvest in late June. These wood strawberries are much smaller than commercial varieties. It takes a long time to collect but tastes so much better.
Alpine Strawberries
Alpine strawberries are unique because they are day neutral. They flower and set strawberries whenever the temperature is between 35 and 85 degrees. This fall has been particularly mild and my strawberries where producing until the first few days of November.
My alpine strawberries produced a good deal of strawberries the first year they where planted. I started the plants from seed early, indoors. Fragaria vesca, this Italian everbearing, heirloom strawberry produces aromatic, delightful, miniature berries the size of the tip of your little finger.
Everbearing Strawberriese
First I have to say, everbearing strawberries are not really everbearing. They can produce 3 harvests of strawberries. One in the spring, summer and fall. In my zone 4b it is more like two harvests. One in June and another in August.
The berries where big, deep red and sweet. They lasted longer in the fridge than the smaller varieties. They where perfect for freezing and using in jams and pies. I had many strawberries to eat daily and to preserve.
My Favourite Strawberries
My all time favourite strawberries to grow are Alpine Strawberries. The fruit is sweet and delicious. The plants are prolific and bear fruit the first year. The growing season can be extended by bringing the plants inside. A bright window sill is enough to keep the plants producing. I have one under my jump start light and it is still producing. I wonder if it can live this way or if all strawberry plants need a cold period to rest.
Strawberries are as good fresh, dried or frozen. They are easy to freeze and preserve and they are loaded with vitamin C.
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]]>I have a few extra seeds to swap. I’ve made a seed list that will be updated regularly. As you can see I only have one trade in a few categories. All my seeds are home grown and organic. I have pictures of most of plants but not all unfortunately.
Before Trading
Before requesting a trade you should be familiar with the following points, to avoid any future frustrations. Usually seed swapping is fast and easy. Remember it is your responsibility to label your seeds and give a description, package aappropriately and ship within reasonable time.
1-Make sure your seeds are thoroughly dry. They should break not bend when folded. Humidity in the seed can be fatal during extreme cold. Dry seeds on the other hand can be storred in the freeer for years.
2-Use padded envelopes or bubble wrap to send seeds by mail. Make sure your envelope is atleast 1/4 of an inch thick so it will get sorted manually. Thin envelopes pass through rollers and the process crushed many seeds. The bubble wrap also acts as an isulator.
3-Make sure the seeds you are sending or requesting is not on the Prohibited Plant List of either country involved.
4-If you did not get your seeds within 10 days or they arrive dammaged, please contact me so I can send more a.s.a.p
5-Please identify and describe seeds. How frustrating it is to get a bunch of seeds and have no clue as to what it is.
What Seeds I Am Looking For
I want all open pollinated seeds. No hybrids (F1) please as we want to save seeds. I adore heirlooms but what I need is compact/dwarf or fast maturing crops. I could use some culinary herbs. I am open to all suggestions. Contact me with the link at the bottom of the page or comment here for more info.
Donate Seeds oe Cash
Some folks would love to start a garden but the initial cost of raised beds or containers, soil and additives adds up. Others just don’t have access to many varieties of seeds. We try to accommodate requests for free seeds when we can. So your donations are more than welcomed.
We will never sell donated seeds. First and foremost donated seeds where meant to be free and shared with other gardeners. We also have a strict policy to only sell seeds we grow. That is the only way I can guarantee the quality of my seeds. Contact me if you have any extra seeds to give. We’ll send a self addressed padded envelope.
Terms Of Use
Possession of some seeds are illegal in many countries. Be informed before you trade. By trading, you are indicating that you have reached the age of majority where you live, and are aware of your local laws. You also waive any liability towards Uber Gardener or myself if you act outside your laws.
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]]>Many poeple ask me what container size to use for vegetables. I like to pull their leg and say, small, medium or big containers of coarse! I love the look on their face, as if i’m nuts.
But it’s not far from the Truth. I’ve always used 1,2 and 3 gallon containers. Nothing bigger, because I don’t have the space. Keep in mind that I have listed the minimum size of containers possible. It did take rich soil and frequent waterings. An extra gallon wouldn’t hurt.
Anyhow here is my list of some varieties of vegetables that grow well in containers.
I have found that most of what grows well in small gardens will grow well in containers.
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As the Christmas shopping season has begun I began to notice the food baskets for donations. I thought it was odd they contained almost no goodies compared to the previous years.
After a short reflection I realized what a wonderful idea it was to distribute healthy non-perishable goods. Healthier foods last longer and often cost the same price as junk food. Flour, sugar and a bag of dried raisins makes far better cookies than any store bought one.
Like many people I have donated junk food. Sugar coated cereal, crappy juice and soft drink, cookies and chocolate where my type of treats. I thought if I was broke it would be nice to have some treats…They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
I went to have a look at my local food bank. Most people where seriously overweight. Young and old. I was told by some one there that many of these people do not have cars and buy junk food regularly because it is easy access. They are also trying to cut back on the junk food to promote healthier eating habits for all.
The season of giving has started, with schools, churches and businesses kicking off food drives that have become annual holiday traditions. But many food banks are asking donors to think twice before dropping ramen noodles and frosted cereals in donation barrels.
Many commonly donated foods are high in salt, sugar or calories, making them poor choices for people with high blood pressure, diabetes and other diet-related health problems. With more people turning to food banks and for longer periods of time, agency officials say they need donations but they’d like to see people give the kind of healthy and nutritious items they’d serve to their own families.Sherrie Tussler, the executive director of the Hunger Task Force’s Milwaukee office, said people tend to donate cheap foods without paying much attention to the nutrition content – and they may do so with the best of intentions. For example, people who fondly recall living off of ramen noodles in college tend to donate them to food banks, even though a single serving can have half the recommended daily allowance of sodium.
“We say, if that’s what you’re going to give, turn around and get a bag of rice,” Tussler said. “It’s just as good a value, it lasts for more meals and there’s no salt.”
Pantry officials also say they receive plenty of soups, along with processed foods such as ravioli. Many varieties are heavy on calories and salt and light on nutrients. Better choices would be low-sodium soups and bags of whole-wheat pasta.
Tussler also recommended avoiding fruit packed in heavy syrups and drinks that aren’t 100 percent juice – which are often diluted with sugar water…Read More
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My eldest son never misses the evening news. He called me over to the living room a couple of days ago. I thought I had heard it all. But this tops it. Pizza is a vegetable?! WTF is wrong with some people.
First kids where saying on tv that french fries where their favorite vegetables, now they can add pizza to their list. What is next delicious and healthy “potato” chips?
Here is an excerpt from Mail Online:
It has given us the iced doughnut, the burger and the fattest people on Earth. But now America is outdoing even itself when it comes to unhealthy food, by trying to claim pizza is a vegetable.
A school lunches Bill going before Congress aims to reclassify the junk food due to the tomato paste on the dough.
Despite lacking significant nutritional content, this thin coating would be enough for pizza to go towards a daily count of fruit and vegetables.
The move has been derided as a cost-cutting drive so the U.S. government will not have to spend so much on fresh food for school lunches. Subsidised school meals must include a certain amount of vegetables. Read more
How can they do that to kids? Because it saves them a few dollars? How about health costs in the long run? How about every school have a small garden. We need to teach our children at a very young age the importance of healthy eating. Or else how can you expect them to just develop a healthy life style out of the blue. They will have grown up to believe misconceptions. We are not evolving, we are regressing in the name of economy?!
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One man’s unusual yard is causing some dispute in a northeast Edmonton neighbourhood. The man is fighting to keep the city from moving in to clean-up his yard, which consists of a checkerboard lawn, a satellite dish garden and other loose odds and ends.
Just about every inch of Kevin Zaruk’s yard is covered with something. And most of it is re-used.
“Gallon drum, milk crate, kitty litter pail, chair with no back. But i need those. I use them,” he said.
And while this man’s unusual taste for yard decorating is admired by some neighbours, others have had enough. Jose Opazo says after living next to Zaruk for the past 25 years, he is willing to move over it, but he claims it’s not that easy.
“Real estate agents were appalled. They said ‘we cannot sell the house with the situation here,’” he said.
So now the city is stepping in ordering Zaruk to clean it up by the end of June.
“The city does have the ability to enter the property and take any action necessary to remedy the nuisance condition,” said Ryan Pleckatis, with the City of Edmonton.
Zaruk admits his yard is messy, but he argues it’s his property. But then again I am slightly nuts.
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I was under the impression that if one could legally live in a self sustainable manner on their own turf. Apparently I was wrong. There was a court decision in Wisconsin where Judge Patrick J Fiedler said that we do not have a fundamental right to consume the food you grow or raise.
“no, Plaintiffs do not have a fundamental right to own and use a dairy cow or a dairy herd;” “no, Plaintiffs do not have a fundamental right to consume the milk from their own cow;” “no, Plaintiffs do not have a fundamental right to produce and consume the foods of their choice…”
He goes on to say:
…only “a license holder” or an individual “who has a bona fide ownership interest in the milk producer” can make milk available.
Wow, you really know there is something seriously wrong with this world when a man tells another he can not eat what he grows on his own land?!
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]]>So, why not grow your own? However, Bass’ garden is a little unique because it’s in her front yard.
“We thought it’d be really cool to do it so the neighbors could see. The kids love it. The kids from the neighborhood all come and help,” she said.
UPDATE: Story becomes internet sensation around the world, click here.>>
Bass’ cool garden has landed her in hot water with the City of Oak Park. Code enforcement gave her a warning, then a ticket and now she’s been charged with a misdemeanor.
“I think it’s sad that the City of Oak Park that’s already strapped for cash is paying a lot of money to have a prosecutor bothering us,” Bass told FOX 2′s Alexis Wiley.
“That’s not what we want to see in a front yard,” said Oak Park City Planner Kevin Rulkowski.
Why? The city is pointing to a code that says a front yard has to have suitable, live, plant material. The big question is what’s “suitable?”
We asked Bass whether she thinks she has suitable, live, plant material in her front yard.
“It’s definitely live. It’s definitely plant. It’s definitely material. We think it’s suitable,” she said.
So, we asked Rulkowski why it’s not suitable…Read more.
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