Jailbreak, Sound the Alarm

I'm not certain, but I think these Mirliton may be planning a jailbreak.  And I am going to let them.  Into the pots they go, for planting in the spring.

Can't Quite Put My Finger On It

It really didn't seem like I did anything all that different, other than making rows, but this year's fall garden has been nothing short of incredible.   This head of Broccoli is nearly twice the size of a basket ball, and it is the second one.  On the first, we ate fresh Broccoli, made Broccoli Soup, and froze 3 pints of blanched Broccoli.  And that was all from one head of Broccoli.  This is the second one, even bigger than the first, with several more on the way.  Beats everything I have ever grown, or even seen.

Everything is Burning

My pepper are fully dehydrated, to the point of having just a slight roasted taste. In spite of the fact that I had 1 tray of Bell Pepper (no heat), 3 trays of Banana Peppers (no heat), and only a half tray of my little Tabascos, this stuff will kill ya. As I was pouring the powder into my recycled shaker can through a funnel, I could taste the heat on my tongue from the airborne dust.  My nose started to burn next.  Wowza, this stuff is blazing.  

Another Super Wet Winter, I Hope Not

I got my rain gauge mounted last week, just in time to measure 3.5 inches of rain.  I had hoped for little rain on my newly tilled and planted rows.  After 3.5 inches I only hoped the seeds might still be in the near vicinity of where they were planted.   It was tough on them for sure, and on the new rows as well.

Last night, today, and tonight I suspect we will be well over 2 inches, many more.

I sure hope this is not the beginning of another year like last year, when over the 3 months we call winter, we got as much rain as an average whole year total.

Oh, our nomadic skunk was back.  Smelled so strong when I opened the front door, I feared he might be under the front porch.  Needless to say, I didn't stick my head under to look.  Anyway, I call it nomadic because I only smell it every 2 or 3 months.  Then its gone again.

Mixed Palette Today Signaled the Season End

Today was a mixed bag of activities.  I put out the last batch of compost tea for the season.  Temps are getting too cool for the stuff to cook effectively.  I'll wash it all up in the next few days and it'll go into storage till March.

I dehydrated some Bell Pepper, Banana Pepper, and Tabasco Peppers till they had a lightly roasted smell, and ground them up into a rough powder, and added a tad of salt.  I haven't done this in years, and may even get around to making a bit of hot sauce this year as well.  Its been nearly a decade since I've done that.

Also, used my Cajun Tipsy Cooker today.  Got a nice Smart Chicken at the grocery store, too.   The chicken was awesome.   Then I took the stock that the chicken produced and used that along with the last of the Yellow Squash of the season to make a new soup.   Assuming you like the taste of squash, that too, was awesome.

First frost should be showing up any week now, and that will bring big changes in the garden, opening up nearly a third for replanting when the melons, peppers, eggplant, and tomatoes come out.

Mixed Results/Mixed Emotions in the Garden

We narrowly missed an early frost in the garden last week, then as abruptly as that cold front swept
through, the heat returned.  To say that this is caused a bit of confusion with the plants in the garden, and the plants in the landscape as well, is a bit of an understated.

On the good side, the Tomatoes, Bell Pepper, Banana Pepper, Hot Peppers, Eggplant, Melons, etc. are still with us and still producing.   It sure is nice to run out to the garden to grab a fresh pepper when preparing a meal.  And to still taste a fresh tomato is great, cause when ther're gone it will be nearly 6 months before they return.

On the other hand bugs are taking their toll on the winter crops that are growing, and the ones that are just starting are hesitating.  The spinach is coming along OK, but the carrots and beets are sitting in a holding pattern. 

I think everything wish the weather would just go one way or the other.  I guess that is the norm for every spring and fall here in Louisiana, and some winters as well.

Is This The End, The End of the Fall Garden, That Is.

Its a nice cool crisp evening out there.  It dropped into the 40s pretty early on.  I've been sitting out on the back patio with my brother-in-law just soaking it in.  Its heading for a low of 33, according the weather service, but I sure hope they're wrong.  I fired up the bbq to a little extra warmth, and cooked some Sweet Potatoes while we were at it.  And there's no wind, so frost is likely, too.  I'm already mourning the loss of the fall garden.  I did throw some old blankets over the Tomatoes, but is about all I could do.  I will miss walking out during meal prep and just grabbing peppers, squash, etc. whenever needed.

A Little Spaghetti Anyone, Spaghetti Squash That Is?

Just prepared my first Spaghetti Squash. They are some cool to deal with, so I've got to grow some next year. Of course, I saved the seeds from these.  That means, except for a little labor, that will be a free effort next year.  Now, I'll have to get some seeds from a reputable seed source, too, as these may be hybridized, so who knows what may come out.  Seeds are a minimal expense anyway, so one way or the other, or both, I'll be raising some Spaghetti Squash next year.

Pumpkin Ain't That Scary, But It Is Delicious

I "put up" the Halloween Pumpkin today, in the freezer, that is. Well, at least I did the large one. I still have 3 more to do, but all together they are not as big as the big daddy.

Now, on to find some Pumpkin Soup, Pumpkin Pie, etc, recipes for a future nice cold day in January.