The biggest question I ever get is how to get rid of white flies...I have written on this before but I have been doing a little research on how to get rid of them and here are a few more ideas.....
Murphy's oil soap will kill white flies on house plants: mix equal parts of soap and water and place in spray bottle mist affected plants.
How about mixing garlic powder and dish washing liquid? Mix 3 teaspoons garlic and 1/2 teaspoon dish washing liquid to 1 quart water. Put this in a large clean jar and shake very hard until all ingredients are mix together. This will be a concentrate so you will have to mix this with water....2 ounces to 16 ounces of water. Place into a spray bottle. ***remember garlic will also kill beneficial insects so spray carefully)
Hot Pepper sauce and Vegetable oil... 2 teaspoons pepper sauce and 1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil add 16 ounces of water into a spray bottle.and shake well before spraying each time.
I hope this helps those with white fly problems.
Always use a small amount to see if it works on your plants...
Did you know? White flies excrete a sticky honeydew that tends to attract black mold to plant leaves....its true!
Happy Gardening....
Lynn
I would love to hear if you ever try different ingredients to help with insect problems?
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Green Apple Chutney
It is almost apple season which I enjoy...we have two apple trees but the birds usually get them before we do. We have a local apple orchard we visit every year. We usually bring home a few baskets full and then I set up the kitchen to make apple chutney. Here is my recipe for Apple Chutney. It is so good on ham!
Apple Chutney
2 1/2 lbs green apples (chopped) (leaving the skins on)
1 small bulb garlic (chopped)
4 cups malted vinegar
1 pounds dates (chopped)
a small stem of ginger (chopped)
2 1/2 cups raisins
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon salt
In a large pan place apples and enough vinegar to cover apples...gently boil until soft.
Place chopped dates and ginger and garlic.... after apples have soften up a bit. Then place the rest of the ingredients stirring well.
Simmer for about 45 minutes...spoon in to warm sterilized jars and then seal jars. (check in your hot water baths instruction guide on the set timing for chutneys)
* A reminder on how to sterilize preserves in a water bath.... ( always make sure you use clean undamaged jars) (keep jars full of hot water before placing warm preserves in them)
1. Use a special sterlizing pan or a large sause pan. I line mine with a a folded cloth to keep my jars from banging against each other.
2. Place jars with lids fasten in the pan and I fold the cloth around each jar to prevent them from touching.
3. I then fill the pan with cold water to cover jars...at least 1 inch over the jars. I simmer for the required time.
4. Once the sterilizing time is complete and the jars have cooled check seal. Store in cool dark place.
Happy Gardening...
Lynn
Apple Chutney
2 1/2 lbs green apples (chopped) (leaving the skins on)
1 small bulb garlic (chopped)
4 cups malted vinegar
1 pounds dates (chopped)
a small stem of ginger (chopped)
2 1/2 cups raisins
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon salt
In a large pan place apples and enough vinegar to cover apples...gently boil until soft.
Place chopped dates and ginger and garlic.... after apples have soften up a bit. Then place the rest of the ingredients stirring well.
Simmer for about 45 minutes...spoon in to warm sterilized jars and then seal jars. (check in your hot water baths instruction guide on the set timing for chutneys)
* A reminder on how to sterilize preserves in a water bath.... ( always make sure you use clean undamaged jars) (keep jars full of hot water before placing warm preserves in them)
1. Use a special sterlizing pan or a large sause pan. I line mine with a a folded cloth to keep my jars from banging against each other.
2. Place jars with lids fasten in the pan and I fold the cloth around each jar to prevent them from touching.
3. I then fill the pan with cold water to cover jars...at least 1 inch over the jars. I simmer for the required time.
4. Once the sterilizing time is complete and the jars have cooled check seal. Store in cool dark place.
Happy Gardening...
Lynn
Friday, August 21, 2009
Open Face Onion Sandwich
We have onions drying for the winter monthes...but it is hard not to use a few each week. I hope we have enough left for the winter monthes. I love making open face onion sandwiches.....just thought I would share the recipe.
Open Face Onion Sandwich
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup Mayonnaise or Miracle Whip
4 slices of fresh bread remove the crusts (you can also use store bought)
1 very nice sweet onion cut into 4 very thin slices
Preheat the broiler
In a small bowl, mix together cheese and Mayo. Spread evenly on bread slices. Place onion in the middle of the square.
Broil 4-5 inches from heat until light brown. Serve immediately.
I sometimes add a slice of tomato too! Yum!
The garden is still doing pretty good....can't wait to plant our fall veggies.
Happy Gardening..
Lynn
Open Face Onion Sandwich
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup Mayonnaise or Miracle Whip
4 slices of fresh bread remove the crusts (you can also use store bought)
1 very nice sweet onion cut into 4 very thin slices
Preheat the broiler
In a small bowl, mix together cheese and Mayo. Spread evenly on bread slices. Place onion in the middle of the square.
Broil 4-5 inches from heat until light brown. Serve immediately.
I sometimes add a slice of tomato too! Yum!
The garden is still doing pretty good....can't wait to plant our fall veggies.
Happy Gardening..
Lynn
Friday, August 14, 2009
What Zucchini in my Salsa??
I was asked what part of the scape should you use... I asked my friend and she said use everything that is tender. Puree the pods in the blender...use the stalks by peeling it like broccoli stems. I can't not recommend enough to try this it was so Good!
We have had so much zucchini that I have been trying to find ways to cook it and I have this great salsa recipe... I though I would share it with you...so Good and Crazy! What until your friends find out what is in their salsa.
Zucchini Salsa
1 cup zucchini finely chopped
1 tablespoon salt
2 cups fresh tomatoes
1 cup sweet corn
1 red bell pepper
1/2 chilies finely chopped
1/4 cup red onion
2 tablespoons oregano ( tablespoon if dried)
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Mix together the zucchini and salt let this sit for about an hour in refrigerator then drain stir in the remaining ingredients. Enjoy!!
Happy Gardening...
Lynn
We have had so much zucchini that I have been trying to find ways to cook it and I have this great salsa recipe... I though I would share it with you...so Good and Crazy! What until your friends find out what is in their salsa.
Zucchini Salsa
1 cup zucchini finely chopped
1 tablespoon salt
2 cups fresh tomatoes
1 cup sweet corn
1 red bell pepper
1/2 chilies finely chopped
1/4 cup red onion
2 tablespoons oregano ( tablespoon if dried)
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Mix together the zucchini and salt let this sit for about an hour in refrigerator then drain stir in the remaining ingredients. Enjoy!!
Happy Gardening...
Lynn
Thursday, August 13, 2009
What is a Garlic Scape?.... glad you asked!
Well it has been a while since I have posted..the summer garden is still slowly producing. We have been getting many potatoes, tomatoes, green beans, onions, zucchini, cucumbers and many other veggies. We are getting ready to plant our fall garden.
I really wanted to write about going to a friends house and what she served me...garlic scape. This is very new to me and I was really surprised how good it was. What is a garlic scape?
Scape's are the flower stalk found on onions, garlic, chives and leeks. Most people cut these off and throw them into the compost pile. My friend cuts them off and uses them or freezes them.
When the Garlic scape's are full and become a full curl she snaps this off just like you would asparagus. Make sure you pick these at least two weeks before budding they will not taste as good after they bloom.
You can use these in soup or salads or just about in any of your favorite recipes.
My friend made a Garlic Scape Pesto which she did use frozen scape which was good but I would imagine fresh would have tasted even better!
Here is her recipe:
Garlic Scape Pesto
1/4 pound garlic scapes
1/2 cup olive oil
1 cup grated paresan cheese
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
a bit of salt
Puree garlic scape's and olive oil in a blender until smooth.
Stir in Parmesan cheese and lime juice and salt if you like.
She put this over pasta and it was so good!!
Next year I will be growing garlic and I will cut off the scape's for me to use in my kitchen and not the compost bin!
Happy Gardening...
Lynn
I really wanted to write about going to a friends house and what she served me...garlic scape. This is very new to me and I was really surprised how good it was. What is a garlic scape?
Scape's are the flower stalk found on onions, garlic, chives and leeks. Most people cut these off and throw them into the compost pile. My friend cuts them off and uses them or freezes them.
When the Garlic scape's are full and become a full curl she snaps this off just like you would asparagus. Make sure you pick these at least two weeks before budding they will not taste as good after they bloom.
You can use these in soup or salads or just about in any of your favorite recipes.
My friend made a Garlic Scape Pesto which she did use frozen scape which was good but I would imagine fresh would have tasted even better!
Here is her recipe:
Garlic Scape Pesto
1/4 pound garlic scapes
1/2 cup olive oil
1 cup grated paresan cheese
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
a bit of salt
Puree garlic scape's and olive oil in a blender until smooth.
Stir in Parmesan cheese and lime juice and salt if you like.
She put this over pasta and it was so good!!
Next year I will be growing garlic and I will cut off the scape's for me to use in my kitchen and not the compost bin!
Happy Gardening...
Lynn
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
My Favorite Zucchini Bread Recipe
We have been eating zucchini for weeks now...we love it fried with onions just until it's a little soft Yum! I made my favorite zucchini bread and I thought I would share it with you. Enjoy!
My Favorite Zucchini Bread
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
3 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 cups of zucchini (shredded)
In large bowl mix the flour, sugar, salt,baking soda,and baking powder. In small bowl add eggs, oil, vanilla and cinnamon. Use a hand mixer and mix together....then add dry ingredients a small amount at a time. Blend in zucchini at the very end...( batter will be a little thick)
This makes two 8-in x 4in x 2 in loaf pans Bake at 350 for about 1 hour.
Don't forget you can add Chocolate chips to this recipe but reduce the flour to 2-3/4 cups.
I have also added Apple pieces....reduce sugar to 1 cup and add 1 cup brown sugar...and replace cinnamon with 1/4 teaspoon on nutmeg....Yum!
Happy Gardening....
Lynn
My Favorite Zucchini Bread
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
3 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 cups of zucchini (shredded)
In large bowl mix the flour, sugar, salt,baking soda,and baking powder. In small bowl add eggs, oil, vanilla and cinnamon. Use a hand mixer and mix together....then add dry ingredients a small amount at a time. Blend in zucchini at the very end...( batter will be a little thick)
This makes two 8-in x 4in x 2 in loaf pans Bake at 350 for about 1 hour.
Don't forget you can add Chocolate chips to this recipe but reduce the flour to 2-3/4 cups.
I have also added Apple pieces....reduce sugar to 1 cup and add 1 cup brown sugar...and replace cinnamon with 1/4 teaspoon on nutmeg....Yum!
Happy Gardening....
Lynn
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Storing Tomatoes Through The Winter....
We are getting tomatoes everyday now...and we will not be able to eat them all. We usually can a few jars of salsa and I like to make spaghetti sauce.....but did you know that you can freeze and dry tomatoes?
Yes you can...... the easiest way to freeze tomatoes is by putting them whole in freezer bags. I usually put tomatoes into two freezer bags to prevent freezer burn. Just take them out of the freezer and warm them in some warm water you can use these in Chili on a cold winter day. ( the skins will slip right off if you put them in hot water) You can also puree them and put into freezer bags this is great in pasta sauce. ( always use blemish free tomatoes)
If you have a food dehydrator you can dry tomatoes....you can fully dry them and then store them in jars. To dry tomatoes you cut them in half lay them on the drying rack...sprinkle salt on the up turned half. The drying time can take up to a day or longer....remove them when they feel firm and dry.
I love having the fresh taste of a tomatoes in the cold winter months. I know that they don't taste exactly the same but the flavor is still there!
Happy Gardening....
Lynn
Yes you can...... the easiest way to freeze tomatoes is by putting them whole in freezer bags. I usually put tomatoes into two freezer bags to prevent freezer burn. Just take them out of the freezer and warm them in some warm water you can use these in Chili on a cold winter day. ( the skins will slip right off if you put them in hot water) You can also puree them and put into freezer bags this is great in pasta sauce. ( always use blemish free tomatoes)
If you have a food dehydrator you can dry tomatoes....you can fully dry them and then store them in jars. To dry tomatoes you cut them in half lay them on the drying rack...sprinkle salt on the up turned half. The drying time can take up to a day or longer....remove them when they feel firm and dry.
I love having the fresh taste of a tomatoes in the cold winter months. I know that they don't taste exactly the same but the flavor is still there!
Happy Gardening....
Lynn
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