Duck's New Ragtag garden, Version 2020

[Zeedman]

I too have learned a lot of good things from various Extension offices over the years. When I was gardening in California & was looking into growing chayote squash, UC Davis provided me with a very helpful growing guide. The Master Gardener class I took 20 years ago was sponsored by the Extension, and taught both conventional and organic methods... which was pretty progressive back then. I first learned of the Seed Savers Exchange through them, which set my feet on the path to seed stewardship. And I spoke to the local Extension agent for tips when I first began growing & evaluating soybeans.

There is no doubt that many if not all of the Extension agents are experts in their fields, and my comments should not be misconstrued to demean them. To the contrary, I continue to recommend them as a reliable knowledge base... which is the reason I was so taken aback by such obviously-wrong comments regarding squash seed saving. Regardless of whatever expertise this particular panelist may have had, it appears they were operating outside their knowledge base. I really wish I could have viewed that webinar, so I could have evaluated the information presented in its proper context.

 

[ducks4you]

I too have learned a lot of good things from various Extension offices over the years. When I was gardening in California & was looking into growing chayote squash, UC Davis provided me with a very helpful growing guide. The Master Gardener class I took 20 years ago was sponsored by the Extension, and taught both conventional and organic methods... which was pretty progressive back then. I first learned of the Seed Savers Exchange through them, which set my feet on the path to seed stewardship. And I spoke to the local Extension agent for tips when I first began growing & evaluating soybeans.

There is no doubt that many if not all of the Extension agents are experts in their fields, and my comments should not be misconstrued to demean them. To the contrary, I continue to recommend them as a reliable knowledge base... which is the reason I was so taken aback by such obviously-wrong comments regarding squash seed saving. Regardless of whatever expertise this particular panelist may have had, it appears they were operating outside their knowledge base. I really wish I could have viewed that webinar, so I could have evaluated the information presented in its proper context.

AS SOON AS she posts both Webinars, I will post the links on this thread.

 

[flowerbug]

the comment about organic gardening being a lot of work is funny, but that would be true for people who think they have to do full tilling every season and doing all sorts of gimmicky things. if you keep it simple i've found that it is less work. that's really the only way i can do as much area as i am doing each season. if it were more work i'd not be getting it done.

 

[ducks4you]

The two Webinars have not been posted yet, but here is the link to their Webinars that ARE currently posted:

University of Illinois Extension Horticulture

The Four Seasons Gardening Series is a seasonal series of gardening topics offered virtually throughout the state of Illinois. Members of the University of I...

www.youtube.com

 

[Zeedman]

Thanks @ducks4you , I've bookmarked it for later viewing.

 

[ducks4you]

Had to harvest before several frosts/freezes. Here are the red sweet peppers I harvested on Sunday. We made the penultimate stuffed peppers with these red ones, and will have one more meal with the others. All that are left will go into chili making tomorrow, then be dehydrated.

 

[Trish Stretton]

Ohhhh, I am so looking forward to getting my garden up and running properly. Those peppers.....

 

[ducks4you]

Used my pressure canner...SUCCESSFULLY!!!!! I canned 10 jars of Saturday night's batch of chili, in pints. I wanted to can in quarts, but I decided to use brand new jars, and I couldn't find the quarts.
We ate two stuffed pepper meals, and I am now running my dehydrator with the rest. Then, I will be dehydrating banana and jalepanoes.

 

[ducks4you]

The box was toast, so into the burn barrel it went. Cleaned up the pressure canner and stored, every piece with it, including the instruction manual.

 

[baymule]

I put the instruction manual, weight jiggle thing and extra tray inside for storage. I named mine The Beast and The Beast lives in a lower cabinet that is tall and deep enough to accommodate it.