Squash Pie...Don't laugh, This is Good!

If you're still looking for ways in which to use up all the excess Summer Squash...here's a recipe that will knock your socks off.

This recipe calls for Summer Yellow Squash, but Zucchini will also work just as well.

If you like Custard Pies at all, then this one will greatly surprise you. This pie has a wonderful filling that is much like the texture and taste of custard with a little bit of a twist.

The only way to really explain it...is to bake it. I won't include a pie crust here because there are so many variations and most folks have their own special way of making those anyway. I've never tried this in a Graham Cracker crust, but I think that's next on my list, so without any more ado...here is the filling.


Pie Filling Ingredients:

2 1/12 c. summer squash (with the peelings and seeds)
cut, cook & drain
1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c. sour cream
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. nutmeg

Place all ingredients, except nutmeg into blender or your mixer. Blend until thick and frothy. Pour mixture into uncooked pie shell. Sprinkle liberally with the nutmeg. Sprinkle edges of the pie crust also. Bake at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes or until a knife inserted comes out clean. Cool thoroughly and enjoy.Read more!

Monsanto...Devil in Disguise

Monsanto claims to be an agriculture company who contends to help the farmers by offering seeds with the best possible germ plasm for improved genetics for a higher yield. They claim to deliver superior genetics to allow farmers to get more from each seed that they plant. However, a lot of concerned Americans are afraid that their true intentions lies elsewhere. According to Peter Montague in his article "The Bad Seed the Monsanto Corp. of St. Louis has been maneuvering to dominate the worlds supply of seeds for staple crops. "

One point that Mr. Montague points out in his article is that farmers who use these patented seeds must buy new seed from Monsanto every year. A farmer who fails to retain traditional seeds of his own would become solely dependent upon Monsanto for their seed every year.

An investigation by Donald C. Barlett and James B. Steele as released by vanity Fair in May of 2008, tells of Monsanto's threats to anyone who is even suspect of planting their G.M. (genetically modified) seeds.

An article printed by Organic Consumers Association states that Monsanto is putting normal seeds out of reach.


There are also two other companies that are coming into a close second to Monsanto. Dupont and Syngenta is also a forward thinking group that is also aligned to make an impact in seed market domination. I chuckle when I go to the feed store, or a large department store and I see Northrup King seeds as the predominate seed that the common gardener picks up to plant in their garden.

Folks...Northrup King seeds is not the same company that it was back in 1940. Northrup King seeds is a division of the Syngenta company. If you look on the package of most every seed that they put out...it uses the label Hybrid. These seeds are genetically modified to resist bugs, weather and certain chemicals. It seems that they can resist everything but a tornado or flash flood.

If you are not familiar with Hybrid seeds, then it would be in your best interest to research what the term Hybrid means. In most cases it is lower nutrient content and your ability to glean seeds from the plant is futile. They will produce seeds, but in most cases they are dormant.

Monsanto does seem to have more than just controlling the worlds seed supply as their goal; they are also the makers of Roundup. This product has been the best selling herbicide for the last 30 years. Now (to make it easier on the farmer) Monsanto has now even genetically modified their soybeans to be resistant to Roundup. This seems like a match made in heaven.

The Roundup can be sprayed directly onto the soybeans with the intention of killing the weeds that's growing in and around them without harm to the beans. Aren't you happy for the farmers that grow these beans? They get to save some time and money and you get to eat the Roundup. And we wonder why Cancer is on the rise!

I could go on about Monsanto, Dupont and Syngenta for pages; however, the point that I make with this article is to start planting your garden with Heirloom Seeds. Heirloom Seeds has a great assortment and they are reasonable. You can click on their site right here and see that they have a full assortment of heirlooms. You can purchase heirlooms from them and then start saving your own seeds from your own crops.

I've been asked the question about what Heirloom Seeds are. The best way to explain it is that they have been around for centuries and are what God created. And personally I don't think that Monsanto can top that...no matter how hard they try. Don't be fooled by seeds that promote faster growth, bug-resistant and earlier crops. More than likely these are Hybrids and they won't give you the nutrition that your body really needs.

GO HEIRLOOM!" Read more!

Heirlooms...Saving Your own Seeds

This gardening year marked the advent of my first seed saving year from the garden. Not all has turned out as I expected, but…this is gardening.

I have wanted to accomplish this feat for years, but because of past obligations concerning time; I just never did. And I suppose that many of you hobby, and even fanatical gardeners are much the same way. However, if you can at all swing the time…I think you would find it very satisfying.

The most important aspect of saving your own seeds is that you will contribute to saving some of the many species of fruits and vegetables that are disappearing every year due to lack of interest. After all, it’s the grocery stores that determine most of the world market in both supply and demand. And if the Purple Potato is not selling well in your local produce department, then next year the farmer will not grow them and produce something else that will sell; which of course, is the more popular Russet Potato. This is happening more than you may realize. There is an excellent article on Sustainable Nutrition that will open your eyes to the fact that we have lost many of the heirloom fruits and vegetables just because there is not enough of a market to sustain them.

You and I have the unique opportunity of sustaining many of the heirlooms that are available today and we will profit in many ways from their special heritage.

One of the most valuable traits is the fact that we won’t have to buy all of those expensive seeds anymore. Don’t think they are that expensive? Think again! You could be paying as much as $2500.00 a pound for carrot seeds. Here is an interesting comparison by Robert Wayne.

A Quick Comparison of Vegetable Seeds to Silver Dollars

The small seed envelopes available for sale at hardware stores and supermarkets are generally priced between $0.97 to $1.69 per package. Each individual package usually contains somewhere between 100 mg to 3.5 g of seed, with an average of 900 mg of seeds per package. 1000 mg equals 1 gram and 1 gram equals 0.035 standard ounces. Therefore 900 mg equals approximately 0.0315 standard ounces or 0.0287 troy ounces. If the average seed package contains 900 mg of seeds and cost $0.97 then that is equivalent to $33.80 per troy ounce, which far exceeds the current market price of a one-ounce United States Silver Eagle. (Note: $0.97 / 0.0287 troy ounce = $33.80 per troy ounce.)


Therefore, in today’s normal global economy, seeds are more expensive per ounce than pure refined silver. And history has repeatedly demonstrated that during serious worldwide famine conditions, food and seeds eventually become more valuable than gold.

We look at that $0.99 on a package of seeds and think…“ that’s not really to bad” until we look at Robert Wayne’s comparison and then think “ maybe I could save a few of my own seeds”, however; that is not the only benefit. According to Mother Earth News the value could far exceed the initial cost of seed.

Let me first say that in order to save your own seeds, you first have to plant Heirloom Seeds. The main reason of course; is because the big seed companies like Mansanto and a couple others, have genetically changed many of our seeds that have taken both flavor and nutrition from our tables. This is called Genetically Modified Foods. They make the seed this bug proof, and that disease proof along with producing earlier and yielding more until you have a product that looks good…but has little value. And the main point in fact is that these seeds cannot reproduce themselves. They come up once at that's it!

This year I ordered most of my seed from an online Heirloom Seed Company. Now Heirlooms are not that much more expensive than the department store seeds, but the great part is that you only have to buy them once. The initial cost is a little more expensive, but next year I don’t have to buy near as many seeds and because of how seed saving works; I will only have to buy a few packages next year. This is because it takes two years for some of the seed saving process.

If you are just getting started (as I am ) in the seed saving process, then I would go online and look for some books on the subject. There is no end to the supply or information on this art.

Anyway, I had a few problems to start off with some of the seed. They were certainly alright, but some of them were packaged incorrectly which gave me a bit of a surprise, but…that was really quite alright. I would look online, or order some of the Heirloom catalogs and make your choice based upon guarantee and not on price. Some companies will give you a guaranteed growth and some will not even mention it. Look for the obvious!

So far I am very happy with the production and the taste of my Heirloom Veggies. The flavor is fantastic and in my opinion…the yield has been no less from the hybrid junk. I fought off a few bugs, horn worms and a little blossom end rot, but that’s to be expected with Heirlooms.

My advice…plant enough for both you and the bugs and you’ll have more than enough for all of you. Of course, if you use my bug juice; you won’t lose to awful much.

I’ll write a little more on this subject a little later because my garden is just now starting to come to an end and I’m just now starting the seed saving process.

Go Heirlooms!




Read more!

Great Zucchini Bread Recipe

This is a fantastic way to use up some that extra Zucchini Squash that's coming up in the garden now. And the great thing about this idea is that you can prepare it now and have it ready for the holidays. This bread; when wrapped properly will freeze very well and makes a great Christmas gift too.


Ingredients

* 3 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
* 3 eggs
* 1 cup vegetable oil
* 2 1/4 cups white sugar
* 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
* 2 cups grated zucchini
* 1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

1. Grease and flour two 8 x 4 inch pans. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
2. Sift flour, salt, baking powder, soda, and cinnamon together in a bowl.
3. Beat eggs, oil, vanilla, and sugar together in a large bowl. Add sifted ingredients to the creamed mixture, and beat well. Stir in zucchini and nuts until well combined. Pour batter into prepared pans.
4. Bake for 40 to 60 minutes, or until tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on rack for 20 minutes. Remove bread from pan, and completely cool.

Nutritional Information open nutritional information

Amount Per Serving Calories: 223 | Total Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 26mg
Powered by ESHA Nutrient Databas

To freeze the bread:

Let the loafs cool naturally to room temperature. Then double wrap with saran wrap with foil on the outside. This loaf will keep about three months in the freezer. Just about time for Thanksgiving.

Good eating!Read more!

Cants on the Vine

Cantaloupe is doing very well These Cantaloupe have matured a little early with the recent heat in the mid-west, but I won't complain. We look forward to some fine eating.Read more!

Why Drip Irrigation

Watering the garden is not just a luxury...it is an integral necessity. However, the way in which we water our gardens is purely the decision of its owner. For countless years the chosen methods of watering has been either flood or over-head watering. Each method will certainly accomplish and fulfill the need; however, I daresay that both methods can lead to a lot of extra work. Since the advent of water pumps, the American gardener has given up the process of flood irrigation, so for the sake of space; I will address the main source of watering for the modern day gardener.


Water is the sustainable element to any garden. Crops must have it to grow, but how the water is delivered to our gardens can be causing about as much harm as good. A fairly daring statement I know, but ask yourself a couple of questions.

What happens when water is put where it's not supposed to be?
What is the long-term result?
Of course we have to think about where water is not supposed to be. If you have a leak in your roof for an extended period of time, then you will end up with destroyed ceilings and structures and if water gets into walls it will rot your wall Joice's and cause some nasty molds.

Water works the same way in your garden when it gets to places in your garden where it's not supposed to be. When you use an over-head sprinkler system, then you are watering your entire garden site. My question is why would you want to do this? The water will sometimes stand in your plants for days on end. If you have a few days of lower temperatures, then you stand the risk of that water causing mold, bacteria and mildew which; of course, causes disease. And if you are watering your Tomato plants foliage..then be prepared for disease. Always water your tomato plants at the root.

Also understand, that bugs need water. Now grant you; they don't need much, but if you have water standing in the crevices of your corn and lettuce it only stands to reason that you will help draw them to your garden for a fresh drink. Now starts the bug infestation!

The next bad omen to over-head watering is the fact that when you water...you are watering everything. Again I will ask...Why? It's the corn, tomatoes, beans and lettuce that you care about...why water the weeds and give them the ability to take over? Weeds already have everything that they need to flourish in your garden. They have nitrogen, phosphorus and calcium. If you add water, then the weeds will flourish and you have to be out in the garden on your knees pulling weeds.

With a drip irrigation system; the drip line goes right down your garden rows alongside your fruits and veggies. You turn the water on and the drip emitters will drip at about 1GPM (gallons per minute) which means that your veggies is all that's getting watered. Your not watering in the isles of your garden, or around its edges...just the plants that you intend to water.

There is also other benefits to using a drip system. It will save you hundreds or maybe even thousands of gallons of water throughout your gardens growing season. And if you are watering with city water...that could cost you a lot of unnecessary money.

In using a drip system...the water goes directly to the root of your plants from where they drink from anyway. They do attain some water through their foliage, but let your plants get it from the early morning dew...not a sprinkler system. If your not watering over-head, then there will be no water sitting on your plants for an extended period of time; thus giving molds and disease no place to begin growing. You will have also done a great dis-service to the local bugs of your community which has relied on you in the past for a cool drink of water.

Another added benefit of drip irrigation is the fact that you can directly fertilize your garden plants through it. Now if you've fertilized your garden site according to my book Simple Gardens Exposed...then you won't have to fertilize through it, but it's good to know that that option is there.

Drip Irrigation systems can be expensive. However, in my book Drip Irrigation Made Simple...you can build one yourself with less than half the cost of conventional systems. The choice is up to you, but if you want to cut down on the weeding, the bugs and the disease in your garden and save lots of money in the process?...then install a drip irrigation system.

Save yourself a lot of time. With a drip system you can turn on one valve and water your entire garden in about an hour. You don't have to go out and move the sprinkers anymore or fuss with the hoses. A drip system just makes gardening more SIMPLE.

Wishing you gardening success!Read more!

Japanese Beetle Help

The Japanese Beetle is here to stay says The U.S. Department of Agriculture and they are spreading.

But for those of you that have some precious rose bush's or garden vegetables that you want to protect from being eaten, there is a natural way to help keep them off.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup dried cayenne peppers
1/2 cup jalapeno peppers
1 gal. water

Bring the water to a boil and add the peppers. I would suggest that you have the fan going above the stove or the steam will bring you to tears.

Let the mixture boil for approx. 30 min. and then remove from the heat and let steep all night. Strain the mixture with cheese cloth and place it in your hand held sprayer and spritz anything that you want to protect.

Make sure that you cover completely and re-spray after a rain or watering. I would suggest washing if you get any on your skin. It won't really hurt you, but it's doggone uncomfortable. Read more!

Great Way to Freeze Strawberries

To freeze berries,remove the stems and rinse carefully so as not to bruise. You can dry in a colander or on paper towels. Then put them on a sheet pan or tray in the freezer. The berries should freeze fairly hard in about an hour. Then you can remove the berries and place them in either quart or gallon size freezer bags. This way they won't stick to each other and you can measure what you need at the time you need them.
Great idea for your morning cereals, pies and ice cream toppings.

Here is an odd, but great Strawberry Recipe.
Strawberries with Balsamic Vinegar and Black Pepper

Ingredients:
1 quart strawberries, washed and hulled
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
4 tablespoons or more cane or brown sugar, depending on the sweetness of the berries
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper


Instructions:

1. Halve strawberries if large. Cut in thirds or quarters if very large. Put in a mixing bowl and sprinkle with sugar. Toss and set aside for 30 minutes.

2. Sprinkle vinegar and pepper on berries and toss again. Serve immediately!

This may sound very strange, but if you're ever in the mood for something different...this will please the pallet.Read more!

Picking the Perfect Pineapple

When it comes to tropical fruits; the Pineapple is second in sales directly behind the Banana. The fruit is sweet and when eaten will give you a burst of flavor like no other fruit. It is as if there is an explosion of sweet freshness that over-whelms the senses.

The Pineapple is not just tastee, but it is packed with nutrients that is extremely important to the internal organs and muscle health. And although this article is not necessarily about the health benefits of the little miracle...I think they are worth looking into. Therefore, if you will will go to Nutrient Data you will fined out just how vitamin packed the Pineapple really is.

Now that we know that the Pineapple is good for us...we can discuss the best method for picking out the little jewel.

In my thirty or so years in the Produce business, there was not a week that went by without some sweet little lady coming to me asking me to pick her out the perfect Pineapple. I was of course; perfectly willing to do so, but I always felt just as obligated to instruct her on learning the task herself. I finally realized that some of those wonderful ladies already knew how to pick out their Pineapple, but what they really wanted was just someone to talk to. And usually the joke was on me, because I never really ever seen it coming.

Pineapple is like most all other fruits...they are picked too green for human consumption. They are picked this way because of the need for in-store shelf life. They are gassed to kill insects and to excite the enzymes of the fruit to continue the ripening process. I am not one whom agrees with this particular process; however, I am also not anyone who can change it.

Therefore, one might say that "we just have to go with the flow" and in most cases the delectable fruit will finally come to ripen. And of course, it then becomes our responsibility to find that mature point of edibility. And of course; your question about the subject is...when is that?

The best way to pick out that perfect Pineapple is to navigate your way to the top of the leaves (also known as the crown) and reach into the very top of the crown and try to pull a leaf from the very center. You should not have to pull hard in the least. Give the leaf a slight tug and if the Pineapple is ripe...the leaf will come out very easily.

In some cases the leaf you touch might even just fall out. If this happens, take a second look at the Pineapple itself and make sure it is not bruised in any way. You don't want the Pineapple over-ripe.

A second method is to look on the bottom portion of the Pineapple and observe the core. If you have small amount of mold just starting to grow on the core...this is a good sign that the sugar content of the fruit is high. This type of mold needs two sources in which to grow and they are moisture and sugar. Therefore, if you've got a little mold, then it must have a fairly good source of sugar available. Don't be afraid of the mold, but don't consume it either. It will wash and or cut off without doing you any harm.

Now if you pick a Pineapple where the top center leaf plucks out easily and when you turn it over and find a small amount of mold on the core, then you've hit paydirt. That Pineapple will be both juicy and sweet. When you peel the fruit for eating just cut the mold from the core and then enjoy. But don't throw that core away!

There is probably two dozen things you can do with that core, so don't waste it. Here's just a few.

Blend it up to make a delicious smoothie
Use it for your Pina Colada
Use it for a meat tenderizer
Rub the core and the Pineapple on your skin to reduce the signs of wrinkles and aging. See Pineapple Face Mask
Put the core into a chicken and roast it (delicious)
Put them into a punch bowel
Slice up the core and put a chunk into your tea or lemonade

You get the idea here? In other words...you paid for it so by-all-means utilize the core. Why throw it away? Do some research and find out the many other uses for your Pineapple core and skins. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Good Luck!Read more!

Early June...Garden off to a good start

After the hard rains in May; the garden finally gets off to a good start. May was a very rough start for the mid-west as far as gardens are concerned. After the heavy rains, I had to replant my Green Beans and Corn twice. The rains washed out the seed and some just plain rotted right in the ground. This was my first year planting in my home state of Missouri, but overall...I'm very happy.

This has been a tremendous learning curve coming from the South Coast of Oregon. Many different bugs to contend with here. A lot more destructive insects, but thank the Good Lord for my bug prevention tonic. It has certainly been a blessing this year.Read more!

The Trouble with Tomato's

I have met a tremendous amount of friends and acquaintances throughout my years and many of them because of a common interest...the fun of gardening. However,out of all the conversations that I have engaged in about gardening, the most talked about has been growing the Tomato. And the most important thing that I think I can tell anyone about the trouble with growing the Tomato is that there is to much human intervention

When these acquaintances found out that I was a farmer and avid gardener they immediately assumed that I might know everything there was to know about growing the Tomato. And I would like to make one point perfectly clear...I don't. Of course most of us know the common element of the species... and that is that they like lots of sun and they seem to be susceptible to every disease and bug on the planet. This of course is the reasoning as to why many folks have went to growing the Hybrid Tomato.

Some has resolved to the fact that since we seem to be incapable to growing the sensitive fruit on our own, then we can turn to science for all the answers.

But I daresay that science has not done that great of a job in and of itself. Science in its quest to answer and solve every question of the world; has decided that they can do a far better job than nature, or in my belief; God himself. They figure that nature has not done a good enough job on its own; therefore they can improve by genetically changing the way the tomato grows.

They modify and try to create a seed that is resistant to bugs, will produce earlier, attain greater yields, grow in cooler climates and have better nutrition. And it's all well and good just as long as we continue to purchase and plant the seeds that science creates for us. However, in depending upon science, we seem to lose our own ability to sustain ourselves. These Hybrid seeds will not reproduce themselves; which means you are now completely dependent upon someone else for your gardening endeavors.

I do have a somewhat reserved appreciation for science, but not when it comes to messing with our food. Science has unlocked quite a few doors about the questions we have always had about why things go wrong. They have taught us about the PH factor of our soils, they have explained what's in soil and what makes it produce the foods that we consume and science has helped reveal the type of nutrition that is available in those foods. And as far as I'm concerned...that's as far as science needs to go. The growing process should then be left to us.

I believe that we as gardeners should take the common sense approach to growing the Tomato. And of course; my common sense approach is to first get away from the Hybrid seed. You do have the ability to grow the old fashioned, been around for thousands of years Tomato. Just use common sense. And since I have opened my mouth; I will do my best to explain how I do it.

The first step is to plant Heirloom seeds. These seeds have been around since time began. They are strong and have adapted themselves to growing in places that we thought a Tomato could never grow. Nature is like that...it survives if left alone.

The first consideration to growing any plant in the garden is the soil. There again; science offers us so many quick fix's and easy solutions. But here again; I use the common sense solutions. Your soil has most of every thing it needs to grow good Tomatoes; however, if we nurture the soil a little, then we can produce great Tomatoes.

Always remember that your soil is alive. It is a living element that has good minerals and bacterium that feeds the plants that you grow. Therefore, if you take care of your soil...it will take care of you. Amend the soil with an all natural compost, you can grow cover crops in the fall of the year, you can till in roughage such as wheat or oat straw to help make your soil loamy and you can stop using chemical fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides which destroys the good bacterium in your soil. You can also prepare your soil in the way in which I describe in my book Simple Gardens Exposed and you will help build a soil to its ultimate abilities.

Now for the common sense approach to successful Tomato yields. The human make-up is to nurture. We do it with our children when they are babies. It's in our DNA. We want to make sure that a baby has everything it needs to grow up healthy and strong and productive; therefore, we nurture it. But sometimes we have a tendency to go a little to far.

Let's use an example or hypothesis of what I'm speaking of. If you were to have a child, and let's say that you carried that child constantly. You would never let it down because you were always affraid to let that baby crawl or learn to walk because of the fear you would have of it falling and getting hurt. Then by reason; you would have over-nurtured and done that child a great dis-service by never letting it strengthen its muscles and grow. Therefore, it's a possibility that your child would always be sickly and unable to care for itself. Even into adulthood.

I'm going to say that the Tomato is much the same way. We're so afraid that it's going to hurt itself, that it's going to take a fall and get a bruise or bump. We want to nurture that plant because we are afraid of the risks involved in its learning process. Here's my advice to you...leave the poor thing alone and let it learn to walk and crawl with minimal assistance. When a child is learning to walk, we might aid in that child's endeavor by holding its hands while its learning and gaining strength in its limbs, but eventually that child's instinct is going to take over so it can walk by itself.

If we do what is right for the soil, then that Tomato plant will have most all the assistance that it needs from us to prevail. But our nurturing instinct tells us that we have to water it, feed it, help support it all the way through its growing and producing life. And most of the time all we are doing is aiding in its ability to become sick.

If you take a look at all the disease's that can affect the Tomato, most of them is caused by our need to over nurture. Allow me to explain...

Problem: Plant producing more foliage than fruit.
Cause: To much Nitrogen/Lack of Calcium

Problem: Early Blight:
Cause: Usually to much water

Problem: Gray Leaf Spot
Cause: Usually from over-head watering

Problem: Verticilium Wilt
Cause: Lack of good bacteria in soil


Problem: Anthracnose
Cause: To much water/Over-head watering

Problem: Blossom End Rot
Cause: Not enough calcium/Phosphorous

Take a look at just a few of these diseases and causes. Most of the causes are because we are doing either to much nurturing or we're going about the nurturing in all the wrong way. Two of the most damaging reasons for sick Tomato's is because we haven't taken care of the soil properly, or we are watering incorrectly.

If you are using an over-head sprinkler system to water your Tomatoes...you are inviting disease and bugs. If you are watering properly-that is to say at the root or ground level, then you're watering correctly, but possibly to much.

I don't use over-head watering with none of my gardens, but especially the Tomato. Now you can't help it if it rains and the plants get wet. That, of course, is nature and you can't control that. However, if you do end up with a problem on your plants because of to much rain, then you can help out a little, but only if it's absolutely necessary.

My method of watering for many years now has been a drip irrigation system, but I'm very watchful not to over-water. I watch my plants and if I see that the foliage is just starting to droop a little, then I know that it's time to water. My drip emitters are 1 gph (gallons per hour) emitters, so I will water them for about an hour and then turn the water off. One gallon of water will do a large, healthy tomato plant for at least 4-5 days. Now if you are in extremely hot conditions...you will be different. But let your plants tell you when they are ready for water.

Now I always prep my soil to make sure that there is all the Nitrogen, Calcium and Phosphorous that my garden needs before I plant, but there is one thing that you can do for your plants that won't harm in any way.

Save your eggshells and throw them into a container that is stored out of the house. The garage would be good! Let the eggshells dry. Then when your plants just start to put on blossoms, take the eggshells and crush them up and bury them around your Tomato plants. They don't need to be deep. Just a couple of inch's should do it. Eggshells are full of Calcium. Putting the eggshells around your plants will give them a little Calcium injection which aids in the production and health of your fruit.

Now we might discuss when we might need to do a little more nurturing. The Tomato isn't unlike any other fruit tree. And of course I'm assuming that everyone knows that the Tomato is a fruit and not a vegetable. Fruit trees have to be pruned for maximum yield and so does the Tomato. They produce suckers that extract and take nutrients away from maximum fruit bearing potential. Suckers need to be removed. If you don' know how to accomplish this, then a great article by Frank Ferrandino can be very helpful and I would encourage you to visit his site.


There are times when your best efforts are somewhat detoured by the on-set of a rainy, moist, cool week and you see your plants become a little stressed. This is a time when they are susceptible to disease and predators. In aid to this condition the following is two natural recipes that have helped me and my Tomato's greatly. These two concoctions can be sprayed on your plants with great success.

Excessively wet plants can bring the on-set of Aphids. Here's a recipe that will help. Aphids and other bugs hate it.

2 cups water (preferably distilled)
1 cup dish soap
1/2 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
1 cup canola oil

Mix together into a garden sprayer and spray the plants. The oil helps to protect the plants from more moisture, the dish soap allows the solution to help stick to the plant and the Cayenne Pepper will give the bugs a very hot pallet. They don't like trying to eat the Cayenne.

This is a recipe that I have used on my fruit trees and garden plants for years and have been very happy with it. This helps to keep the scale off from my apples.

3 bulbs Garlic
1 small onion
1/2 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper
2 gallons of water (filtered or distilled)
1/4 cup dish soap

Place the water into a large pan and bring to a boil. Peel and chop the Garlic and onion and add to the water. Boil for approximately twenty minutes. Remove from heat and add the canola oil, Cayenne Pepper and dish soap and let steep over night. Strain the liquid through some cheese cloth or old towel. When ready to use, add a half gallon of water per gallon of the solution and spray onto your plants.

This concoction will not only deter bugs, but will also help to protect the plants from disease. The Garlic acts as a anti-bacterial and helps to ward off disease. Both of these recipe's are great, but of course, the best solution is and always will be... prevention.

Take care of your soil, stop the over-head watering and excessive watering, clip off the suckers, if you smoke...wash your hands before you handle the toms and don't over-nurture your plants. Tomato's will tell you when they need your help, but if they don't tell you...then leave 'em alone.

There is a lot of information that I could continue to share here, but for lack of space...I'll call it good. But if you have any more questions like how to stop cut worms or how to build a drip irrigation system, then you can leave a comment on one of my blogs or contact me at simplegardens121@gmail.com

Good Luck & Great Gardening!Read more!

Take the Labor out of Gardening

This 31 page booklet will tell you how to
increase YOUR FRUIT YIELDS up to 30%

Hello… I’m Gary Brill…
author of SIMPLE GARDENS EXPOSED.

I have been a Farmer and a
Produce Department Manager
for most of my life, so you could say
that veggies are my business, but…

MY PASSION IS GARDENING…
With Farming and working a full time job,
there never seemed to be enough hours
in a day in which to grow a great garden.


I finally developed a METHOD OF GARDENING where I no longer fight the weeds, battle the disease, or compete with the bugs just to have my favorite fruits and veggies.


AND YOU CAN TOO…at http://www.simplegardensexposed.comRead more!

. Sunflowers growing well. This pic about the middle of June.Read more!

Give Bugs a Heartburn

The bite that burns.
If you are anything like me (and let's hope you're not)you don't like using chemicals on you're food.

Here is a recipe that will give many bugs a heartburn that they'll never forget.

8 qts water
1 large onion
1 bulb garlic
1 tbsp red Cheyenne pepper
1 tbsp dish soap

Peel and cut up a large yellow onion, one bulb of garlic and place them into the water. Add the red pepper and bring to a boil. Let simmer for approx. 15 minutes. Remove from the stove and let it steep over-night.

Filter the solution through a cheese cloth and pour into your garden sprayer. Add approx. a gallon and a half of water and the dish soap. Shake well and spray on everything.

This spray is completely natural and can be sprayed on everything; including flowers and Roses. Be sure to spray on top of the leaves as well as underneath.

Do you think this concoction would give you a heartburn? Think what it would do for the bug!Read more!

July Heralds Harvest

This is my first year with growing a garden in the mid-west state of Missouri and I've never had such a harvest so early. Growing in the Northwest for so many years has lent me to believe that you don't really get much of a harvest until August or September. With the Cooler climate there, you don't plant until late May or early June, and depending on how your summer fares will depict your harvest.

I knew that the Mid-West would give me a far superior harvest, but I didn't expect it so soon. I've already canned up my Beets, most of my pickles and will be canning up Green Beans tomorrow. Of course, I've been eating Lettuce, Radish's, Greens and squashes since early June.

What has surprised me is how fast the Corn is coming on. And I'm now growing Watermelon and Cantaloupe of the which I have never grown on the coast of Oregon. However; all has not been exactly perfect.

Beginning in June I began harvesting in direct competition with the Japanese Beetle
( a new adversary ), but for the most part I am winning with the help of my bug detracting recipe. But I must admit...even my famous bug detractor doesn't discourage these ferocious eaters much.

Another pest that I am not used to fighting is the Tobacco Horn Worm. Over-night they almost destroyed 5 of my Tomato plants. I have found that wood ash helps to detour them tremendously.

Overall though...I am excited about the Watermelons, Cantaloupe and Corn on which I will soon feast. More to follow! Read more!