DoubleDogFarm
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 6113
Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm

gardenbean,

Nay, You are over half way there. Planning is a big part of gardening. If you plant a everbearing variety, fruit the first year. :D

James,

What variety are you growing? How do you store?

**Looking at the Shuksan photo, looks like my tool shed is sinking into the pond. :shock: Just a bad photo. **

Eric

User avatar
applestar
Mod
Posts: 30550
Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 7:21 pm
Location: Zone 6, NJ (3/M)4/E ~ 10/M(11/B)

Looking GREAT! :D

DoubleDogFarm
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 6113
Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm

July 1st 2011

More strawberries. Are we sick of them yet? :D
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/Double%20Dog%20Farm%20produce/StrawberriesJuly1st2011005.jpg[/img]

Eric

User avatar
SPierce
Greener Thumb
Posts: 732
Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2011 9:57 am
Location: Massachusetts

AHHH! all the strawberries- so jealous! That's it, I'm planting some seascapes, instead of the littler june bearing variety I ended up with. Grr!

User avatar
jal_ut
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 7447
Joined: Sun Jan 18, 2009 10:20 pm
Location: Northern Utah Zone 5

James,

What variety are you growing? How do you store?
I am growing two varieties of everbearers. I have long since forgotten their names. We freeze them. I had some June bearers and they were great in June, but the patch got overun with grass. The June bearers had larger fruit than the everbearers.

User avatar
applestar
Mod
Posts: 30550
Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 7:21 pm
Location: Zone 6, NJ (3/M)4/E ~ 10/M(11/B)

I like freezing strawberry and other berries not touching each other on parchment-lined cookie sheet. Once frozen solid, I just scoop them into gallon and quart-size freezer bags. They are easy to use for smoothies, pancake and muffin additions, or making jam and preserves when I'm ready.

DoubleDogFarm
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 6113
Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm

July 2nd 2011

Apple, I was having trouble vacuum sealing the strawberries. The juice kept interfering. Now I freeze the berries first, then vacuum.

Kale this evening. 6 of us for dinner, hope this is enough.
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/Double%20Dog%20Farm%20produce/KaleJuly2nd2011001.jpg[/img]

Eric

User avatar
gixxerific
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 5889
Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 5:42 pm
Location: Wentzville, MO (Just West oF St. Louis) Zone 5B

Nice DDF keep 'em coming

garden5
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 3062
Joined: Fri Aug 07, 2009 5:40 pm
Location: ohio

I like that bowl you've got, Eric, it makes your vegetables look even tastier!

What do you do about all of the weeds in the strawberry patch? Do you wait until the plants die back and pull them, or do you just let them go?

DoubleDogFarm
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 6113
Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm

What do you do about all of the weeds in the strawberry patch? Do you wait until the plants die back and pull them, or do you just let them go?
I pull a few of the larger weeds while I'm harvesting. This is year 2 for these two patches. This fall I will lift divide and replant in a new location.

Eric

DoubleDogFarm
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 6113
Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm

July 22nd 2011

Even with the hard ground and the weeds took over, I still harvested a descent crop of Music garlic.

I'll let these dry for a few days, then clip.
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/Double%20Dog%20Farm%20produce/GarlicMusicJuly22nd2011011.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/Double%20Dog%20Farm%20produce/GarlicMusicJuly22nd2011009.jpg[/img]

Eric

User avatar
gixxerific
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 5889
Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 5:42 pm
Location: Wentzville, MO (Just West oF St. Louis) Zone 5B

looking good there DDF. Nice haul 8)

hockeymom519
Full Member
Posts: 26
Joined: Wed Jun 30, 2010 1:40 pm
Location: Eastern Shore, MD

I haven't had a problem vacuum sealing my strawberries. I have strawberries in my garden but my dogs love to eat them just as they ripen. I went to a local strawberry patch and picked approx 60 quarts. Made strawberry sauce and strawberry jam with some. The rest that we didn't eat got frozen. I freeze whole and sliced. I do set the vacuum sealer on moist and it works great. Used some of the sliced ones 2 weeks ago for strawberry pretzel salad and everyone said it was the best pretzel salad they've had.

User avatar
applestar
Mod
Posts: 30550
Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 7:21 pm
Location: Zone 6, NJ (3/M)4/E ~ 10/M(11/B)

8) I've never heard of pretzel salad. please post the recipe in the Recipes Forum. 8)

hockeymom519
Full Member
Posts: 26
Joined: Wed Jun 30, 2010 1:40 pm
Location: Eastern Shore, MD

@Applestar...posting in recipes now

DoubleDogFarm
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 6113
Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm

Here's another bowl of goodies. :D

August 3rd 2011

Copra onions, Belstar broccoli, Red Russian winter kale and Yukon Gold potatoes.
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/Double%20Dog%20Farm%20produce/HarvestAugust3rd2011003.jpg[/img]
Very little if any wire worm damage on the potatoes. Not sure if I can credit the used coffee grounds or just crop rotation. Last year I had major wire worm and some rodent damage.

Eric

DoubleDogFarm
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 6113
Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm

August 7th 2011

First Millionaire Eggplant for the year. I have a few eggplants growing in the greenhouse.
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/Double%20Dog%20Farm%20produce/MillionaireEggplantAugust7th2011003.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/Double%20Dog%20Farm%20produce/MillionaireEggplantAugust7th2011001.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/Double%20Dog%20Farm%20produce/MillionaireEggplantAugust7th2011005.jpg[/img]

Eric

User avatar
lakngulf
Greener Thumb
Posts: 1294
Joined: Mon May 10, 2010 4:34 pm
Location: Lake Martin, AL

DoubleDogFarm wrote:August 7th 2011 First Millionaire Eggplant for the year. I have a few eggplants growing in the greenhouse.
Eric
Looking good, Eric. This year has not been so good for me with eggplant. For some reason the plants looked good but little fruit. However, I planted some of the same plants in my Mom's garden and she is getting an abundant crop (plants from the same seed). We do not eat a lot of eggplant but I think it is one of the prettiest fruits, such a rich color.

Did a little work in my greenhouse over the weekend. I have a half dozen tomato plants that have taken over all the space. The vines grew and grew trying to find some sunshine. During the winter the leaves will be off the trees and there will be more light. For now the sun passes over the greenhouse, but is blocked during the morning by the front building, and in the late afternoon by trees. But the little house is serving its purpose.

I took out all but two of the viney tomatoes to do a little more work on the greenhouse and to make room for some fall / winter items. Not sure what those will be just yet. I do have a few tomato seed sprouting. And may try some lettuce. Any other suggestions?

DoubleDogFarm
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 6113
Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm

Greenhouses help with extra warmth but we still have the short day light hours issue in the winter.

I will be growing mostly lettuce and Asian greens. Maybe spinach and beet greens.

Eric

User avatar
applestar
Mod
Posts: 30550
Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 7:21 pm
Location: Zone 6, NJ (3/M)4/E ~ 10/M(11/B)

Looking good!
I love hearing about how well the greenhouse is working out for you. :D

bogydave
Senior Member
Posts: 197
Joined: Wed Apr 27, 2011 11:11 pm
Location: Alaska

Looking great.
Awesome eats!!!
you guys are getting a nice summer now, you earned it.

gardenbean
Senior Member
Posts: 251
Joined: Wed Apr 13, 2011 8:47 pm
Location: Westminster Colorado

DoubleDog I eny your garden and the veggies that come out of it :lol: However, I know someday mine will look like that too :lol: :lol:

DoubleDogFarm
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 6113
Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm

DoubleDog I envy your garden and the veggies that come out of it However, I know someday mine will look like that too
You keep dreaming! :P I'm kidding. You know I'm kidding right? Why doesn't anyone believe me. :lol:

Harvest August 24, 2011

I picked a few things from the garden this evening. Frost peach, still a little green, Straight Eight and Alibi cucumber, Yellow crookneck and Sunburst patty pan squash.
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/Double%20Dog%20Farm%20produce/ProduceAugust24th2011003.jpg[/img]


Eric

DoubleDogFarm
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 6113
Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm

Do you have a favorite recipe with eggplant and basil? I pick these this afternoon Aug 26 2011. I also have onion, garlic and Golden Nugget tomatoes. Anything come to mind?
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/Double%20Dog%20Farm%20produce/EggplantandBasil002.jpg[/img]

Eric

User avatar
applestar
Mod
Posts: 30550
Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 7:21 pm
Location: Zone 6, NJ (3/M)4/E ~ 10/M(11/B)

First I thought you're almost there for ratatouille, but I think I'd go Asian -- Eggplant, onion, and Garlic with Pork or (in your case maybe duck :wink:). I would go ahead and add the tomatoes and basil (also green onions for more green) at the very end-- just enough for the tomato skins to slip and green onions and basil to wilt. I think I prefer Japanese miso or Chinese Ten Men Djan (black bean) but you could go with Tobanjan (hot pepper paste) if you like hot/spicy.

garden5
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 3062
Joined: Fri Aug 07, 2009 5:40 pm
Location: ohio

Great pics, Eric....you're onions look fit for the cover of a magazine. I got a decent onion harvest this year, but they were smaller than usual. I'm thinking this is either due to planting them too close in a grid-like formation, or else it's because they were planted in sandy, marginal soil.

Anyway, I didn't know you had peach trees as well! Do you grow any pawpaws?

How have your blueberries done this year?

DoubleDogFarm
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 6113
Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm

Apple, Thanks for the suggestions, I'll see what I can do with them. :)

garden5 wrote:Great pics, Eric....you're onions look fit for the cover of a magazine. I got a decent onion harvest this year, but they were smaller than usual. I'm thinking this is either due to planting them too close in a grid-like formation, or else it's because they were planted in sandy, marginal soil.

Anyway, I didn't know you had peach trees as well! Do you grow any pawpaws?

How have your blueberries done this year?
Grid like pattern. https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=192848#192848
I'm thinking it's your sandy, marginal soil. How far apart did you plant them?

Peaches and ducks. https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=220829#220829

No Pawpaws and my blueberries are to embarrassing to show off :(

Eric

DoubleDogFarm
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 6113
Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm

and here are some of the Golden Nugget tomatoes.
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/Double%20Dog%20Farm%20produce/GoldenNuggettomatoes002.jpg[/img]

They are like candy. :D

Eric

User avatar
lakngulf
Greener Thumb
Posts: 1294
Joined: Mon May 10, 2010 4:34 pm
Location: Lake Martin, AL

DoubleDogFarm wrote:and here are some of the Golden Nugget tomatoes.
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/Double%20Dog%20Farm%20produce/GoldenNuggettomatoes002.jpg[/img]

They are like candy. :D Eric
Wow, those look great. I have always favored the Sweet 100s but may have to venture out a bit in the future. Great pictures of all your harvest. Thanks for sharing with us, and making us folks down this way remember when.....It is has been too hot for anything other than okra, eggplant and pepper...But, hey, those are pretty good too.

garden5
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 3062
Joined: Fri Aug 07, 2009 5:40 pm
Location: ohio

I plated mine just like you did (well, I didn't have a handy spacer grid), 4 in. apart. However, when I look at yours in the picture you linked to, mine looked like they were closer than that...so perhaps your 4 in. was farther than mine :lol:.

However, I'm inclined to agree with you that it's probably the sandy soil.

I know how you feel about the blueberry bushes. I had one and the deer ate it in the summer and winter, so I moved it to the garden....when a loose dog came by and munched on it (I have no idea why).

This year, the animals left it alone, but I was hoeing and accidentally knocked off a branch :lol:.

Still, I did mange to get a blueberry or 2 off of it :).

DoubleDogFarm
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 6113
Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm

but I was hoeing and accidentally knocked off a branch .
sheesh, If isn't one animal, it's another. :wink: :lol:

Eric

DoubleDogFarm
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 6113
Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm

Here are a few Frost peaches that I harvested this evening. It was a little dark at 8:15 so I shot in high sensitivity / low light without a flash. The picture is a little washed.
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/Double%20Dog%20Farm%20produce/PeachesAugust312011003.jpg[/img]

I will probably slice and vacuum seal this bunch.
Any favorite peach recipes.

Nom Nom
Eric

User avatar
lakngulf
Greener Thumb
Posts: 1294
Joined: Mon May 10, 2010 4:34 pm
Location: Lake Martin, AL

DoubleDogFarm wrote:Any favorite peach recipes. Nom Nom
Eric
Well, peaches are a June/July thing down here and we have some good ones in Chilton County, Ala. My favorite recipes go something like this:

(1) Pull ripe peach from tree, hold in hand at stem and bottom, eat

(2) Cut up ripe peach (skin on, skin off, does not matter) in thin slices, place slices on top of blue bell ice cream, eat

DoubleDogFarm
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 6113
Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm

So I picked a couple more peaches today Sept. 6th 2011. I believe this is a 16 quart bowl, so a 5 gallon bucket of ice-cream will be needed. :D
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/Double%20Dog%20Farm%20produce/PeachesSept62011001.jpg[/img]

Eric

User avatar
lakngulf
Greener Thumb
Posts: 1294
Joined: Mon May 10, 2010 4:34 pm
Location: Lake Martin, AL

DoubleDogFarm wrote:So I picked a couple more peaches today Sept. 6th 2011. I believe this is a 16 quart bowl, so a 5 gallon bucket of ice-cream will be needed. :D
Eric
Works for me !!

j3707
Green Thumb
Posts: 306
Joined: Sun Jul 12, 2009 10:11 pm
Location: Pacific Northwest, Zone 8, 48" annual rainfall, dry summers.

Man oh man, I can't wait until my peach trees start producing! Never had a peach fresh from the tree. Hope I get a few next year anyway. I have a 4 in 1 that has Frost. Is it just the picture, or do they always have a bit of green tint?

DoubleDogFarm
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 6113
Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm

j3703,

Welcome to the forum. Where in SW Washington are you? I was born In Longview and moved to Auburn in 1969.

I tried 3 in 1 and even grafted some of my own 2 in 1. I have to say, I don't like them. One variety always seems to try to out grow the others. One is usually more accessible to diseases and affects the others.

The green tint on my Frost Peach is my fault. I should be more selective while picking. If they are too ripe, they bruise very easy.
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/Double%20Dog%20Farm%20produce/Peaches.jpg[/img]

Eric

DoubleDogFarm
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 6113
Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm

Onion Time!
A 3ft x 8ft space can grow a lot of onion. 6" on-center. Copra onion, a very good long storage onion. Looks like I will have about 3 1/2 buckets full. These will be laid out to dry, then stored in mesh bags.

Sept 9th 2011
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/Double%20Dog%20Farm%20produce/CopraOnionsSept9th2011004.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/Double%20Dog%20Farm%20produce/CopraOnionsSept9th2011006.jpg[/img]

Eric

User avatar
gixxerific
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 5889
Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 5:42 pm
Location: Wentzville, MO (Just West oF St. Louis) Zone 5B

Nice Eric.

I am probably going to try some Copra next year.

User avatar
soil
Greener Thumb
Posts: 1855
Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2009 8:40 pm
Location: N. California

very nice, I wish I could plant onions. they are gopher food #1 here. planted about 500 a couple years ago. I ended up with 3 and a patch nicely tilled by the gopher.



Return to “Vegetable Gardening Forum”