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Weekly Garden Thread - September 12-18, 2020
September 12, 2020 | Diana in Wisconsin/Greeneyes

Posted on 09/12/2020 6:00:32 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin

The Weekly Gardening Thread is a weekly gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you.

If you have specific question about a plant/problem you are having, please remember to state the Growing Zone where you are located.

This thread is non-political respite. No matter what, you won’t be flamed, and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked.

It is impossible to hijack the Weekly Gardening Thread. Planting, Harvest to Table Recipes, Preserving, Good Living - there is no telling where it will go - and that is part of the fun and interest. Jump in and join us! Send a Private Message to Diana in Wisconsin if you'd like to be added to our New & Improved Ping List.

NOTE: This is a once a week Ping List. We do post to the thread during the week. Links to related articles and discussions which might be of interest to Gardeners are welcomed any time!


TOPICS: Agriculture; Food; Gardening; Hobbies
KEYWORDS: food; garden; gardening; hobbies
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To: metmom

I just checked my canning but. It says in all caps do not add liquid when you raw pack.

I guess I don’t read directions very well, I’ve always added some!


101 posted on 09/16/2020 8:10:00 AM PDT by CottonBall (A Republican's power comes from your prosperity. A Democrat's power comes from your poverty.)
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To: greeneyes

“Sometimes I would want a recipe from her—it was funny trying to figure out measures with a hand full of this that and the other or a pinch or smidge. LOL”

I have a bunch of my grandmother’s recipes that say things like add enough salt, or add the right amount of oregano. Not terribly helpful!


102 posted on 09/16/2020 8:11:11 AM PDT by CottonBall (A Republican's power comes from your prosperity. A Democrat's power comes from your poverty.)
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To: MomwithHope

Thank you for the basil freezing recipe.

I am going to try this.


103 posted on 09/16/2020 8:34:08 AM PDT by TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig (Today I remember BCM and his brother's royal Irish ass.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Thanks!


104 posted on 09/16/2020 8:59:20 AM PDT by Flaming Conservative ((Pray without ceasing))
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Not long ago someone posted their pepper jelly recipe. If someone has it. Please repost. I have several incredibly large and hot jalapenos i need to do something with. All suggestions welcome and truly appreciated.


105 posted on 09/16/2020 9:30:18 AM PDT by TianaHighrider (God bless President Trump)
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To: Liz

Yet another way to hide kale from Beau, LOL! He did like that Sausage and Kale Soup I made last week, though. ;)


106 posted on 09/16/2020 9:30:44 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: MomwithHope

Got the basil cut - now on to rinsing, spinning and the grand chiffonade!


107 posted on 09/16/2020 9:32:42 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: TianaHighrider; Qiviut

Qivuit! Your Pepper Jelly Recipe is requested!


108 posted on 09/16/2020 9:36:57 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin; TianaHighrider

NOTE: The original source for this recipe is Page 59 of the
Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving. I am posting the recipe I’ve saved for myself with some notes from several years of canning this recipe. This recipe & the Blackberry Merlot Wine Jelly recipe are the two most requested by family & friends. If you have any questions on the recipe, I’ll do my best to answer them.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Jalapeno Pepper Jelly

Ingredients:

3/4 pound jalapeno peppers before cleaning (use mostly red jalapenos for pretty color)
2 cups cider vinegar (5% acidity)
6 cups sugar
2 3-ounce pouches Ball Liquid Pectin [or 1 box ‘dry’ Sure-Jell ‘original’ - box color is yellow]
Green food coloring (optional if using green peppers)

Yield:
about 5 half-pint jars (I typically get 6 jars for sure)

Prep:
Wash peppers under cold running water drain.
Remove stems & seeds.
Puree peppers with 1 cup cider vinegar in a food processor or blender - I cut them into chunks before putting in processor.

Cook [LIQUID pectin]: Original BALL RECIPE uses liquid
Combine pepper puree, 1 cup cider vinegar & sugar in a large saucepan.
Bring mixture to a boil over high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.
Boil 10 minutes, stirring constantly.
Add Pectin (liquid).
Bring to a rolling boil that cannot be stirred down.
Boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Remove from heat.
Skim off foam if necessary.

Cook [DRY pectin]: METHOD I USE - CHEAPER, WORKS GREAT!
Do not add the sugar in the first boil, but added the DRY pectin instead
Bring mixture (vinegar, pepper puree, pectin) to full rolling boil (a boil that doesn’t stop bubbling when stirred) on high heat, stirring constantly.
Add the sugar, pre-measured, all at once.**
Return to full rolling boil and boil exactly 1 min.,
stirring constantly.

** Do NOT have a heart attack when you see the sugar clumps - stay calm & keep stirring & breaking the clumps up against the side of the pot. You will have time to break them all up before the mixture returns to that full rolling boil!!

Fill:
Ladle into jelly jar leaving 1/4 inch headspace

Process:
Half-pint jars for 10 minutes at a rolling boil, covered.
Turn off heat, remove cover, let jars cool for 5 minutes.
Cool 12 hours, check seals, label & store.


109 posted on 09/16/2020 12:46:00 PM PDT by Qiviut ("I have never wished death upon a man, but I have read many obituaries with pleasure" Mark Twain)
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To: CottonBall

Thanks!

Halfway sounds about right.


110 posted on 09/16/2020 12:46:55 PM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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To: CottonBall

I did add only a little and there’s a lot of headspace and a very unappetizing looking glob of meat and gelled broth in the bottom of the jar.


111 posted on 09/16/2020 12:48:04 PM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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To: freemama

Most seeds* are fine in just a cool, dry place. Except for a few species, most seeds will keep for years that way. I grew tomatoes this year from seeds that were 20 years old, that were stored in a box in the corner of my bedroom. No special treatment needed. If you live in a hot climate, or one with high humidity, you might need to take special precautions, like keeping them in a jar with a desiccant packet, in a cool corner of the basement.

*There are exceptions of course, which are best kept in the fridge or freezer. They’ll usually say so on the package.


112 posted on 09/16/2020 2:34:54 PM PDT by Ellendra (A single lie on our side does more damage than a thousand lies on their side.)
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To: metmom

I imagine it will look better when you get it out of the jar. As long as it stays the same color, it’ll be fine!


113 posted on 09/16/2020 3:37:59 PM PDT by CottonBall (A Republican's power comes from your prosperity. A Democrat's power comes from your poverty.)
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To: Qiviut; Diana
thank you both so very much! I can hardly wait to use this. If I wasn't so best tonight I would be right on it! I thought about this recipe right off for the best use of my peppers❤ So appreciated.
114 posted on 09/16/2020 5:17:32 PM PDT by TianaHighrider (God bless President Trump)
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To: Qiviut
Ps, you know, that blackberry wine jelly sounds pretty awesome too. Would love to peek that one if I could talk you into posting it😁
115 posted on 09/16/2020 5:25:56 PM PDT by TianaHighrider (God bless President Trump)
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To: Qiviut
p.s.s. Bookmarking this awesome jalapeno pepper jelly❣❣❣❣❣
116 posted on 09/16/2020 5:27:23 PM PDT by TianaHighrider (God bless President Trump)
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To: TianaHighrider

Here ‘ya go:

Blackberry Merlot Wine Jelly

https://highlandsranchfoodie.com/blackberry-merlot-jelly-recipe-holiday-gifts-from-the-kitchen/

Notes: instead of ‘one package of certo’, I use one package of Sure-Jell low sugar pectin. This is the pink box of Sure-Jell. The ‘original’, which you use for the Jalapeno Pepper Jelly is in a yellow box.

If you use the boxed Sure-Jell rather than the liquid, follow the same directions as I gave you on the jalapeno pepper jelly. She’s added the alternate dry pectin instructions at the bottom of the blog post since I first started making this, too. No problems with my jelly setting up.

I buy blackberries in season in 1-2lb amounts. Pick through & wash the berries, then blot dry with a paper towel. I put them on a cookie tray & freeze whole, than vacuum pack them in 4 oz packages (use a kitchen scale to weigh) & keep in the freezer. When they thaw, they’re basically “mush” which works well for this recipe! If you have your own blackberry patch, so much the better.

Wine - I use “Oak Leaf” Merlot found at Walmart. It’s $3 for 750 ml & $6 for 1.5L. Unfortunately, with the 750 bottle, you cannot get 2 batches - it’s 1/2 cup short. If you get the larger bottle, you can get 2 batches & have a couple of glasses left for “sipping” while you’re canning :-) This merlot comes through nicely with a bit of a wine taste in the jelly - I’ve had people ask what wine I use & they’re surprised it’s the “cheap stuff” from Walmart. If you have your own favorite wine, that’s fine, but I’d definitely not use an expensive bottle.


117 posted on 09/16/2020 7:01:51 PM PDT by Qiviut ("I have never wished death upon a man, but I have read many obituaries with pleasure" Mark Twain)
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To: TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig

we’ll be down in ‘24...hope you have enough bathrooms...


118 posted on 09/16/2020 8:51:00 PM PDT by cherry
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To: Qiviut
Thank you so very much! I am excited to my new jelly projects here. Bookmarking BlackBerry wine jelly!!!! ❤❤❤❤❤
119 posted on 09/17/2020 9:05:44 AM PDT by TianaHighrider (God bless President Trump)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Thought you might enjoy this video. It’s about Deep Water Cultivation indoors. Results are amazing and equipment is low cost. (The grow tent is not essential; you can gerry rig one.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mYqZh97dztI


120 posted on 09/17/2020 10:44:31 AM PDT by Flaming Conservative ((Pray without ceasing))
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