[gardeners] filling in
Margaret Lauterbach (gardeners@globalgarden.com)
Sat, 17 Oct 1998 14:59:20 -0600
Well, my heirloom squash plant bit the dust early last summer. The only
winter squash I was going to grow because I wanted pure seeds. The only
thing I can think of is that the soaker hose was clogged with hard water
deposits and didn't let enough water through. I watered it as often as
other crops on the same connection, and nothing went water starved except
the squash.
To attempt to make up for the lack, I bought 6 butternut squashes (some
huge) and two acorns at the farmers' market this morning for 50cents each.
Some of those butternuts will feed the two of us for a week. Same farmer
had selected baking size taters, and since I've raced through most of the
baking sized potatoes from my own garden, I bought a 50 pound sack of
Kennebecs for $7.50. Yum. They bake up mealier than russets, which he
also had, or Yukon Golds which are on the moist side. Red Pontiacs are
even moister when baked, but they have an earthy taste to them that I find
pleasant. I usually do a lot of muttering when I have to pay 50 cents per
pound for baking potatoes in winter and spring. Green Mountains make
excellent baking potatoes but they're never for sale in this area.
Boy Scouts used to sell 50 lbs. of spuds for $5 and make a profit. I'll
bet you could get field run potatoes for less than that this year,
unfortunately. The Asian economic woes are hitting Idaho farmers pretty hard.
I dug plenty of smaller potatoes -- Yukon Golds, Kennebecs and Red Pontiacs
-- from my garden, so these bakers will fill out. I do love potatoes.
My pup dog got a bath and a haircut today, so he's recovering from the body
insult. At least today the groomer didn't shave the top of his feet like
she did last time. Uggggg---ly! He's a mixed breed, terrier and
schnauzer, looks like a (mostly) intact schnauzer with ears and tail the
way they were meant to be. He's just missing a couple of jewels.
Margaret