[gardeners] Thursday in the garden
George Shirley (gardeners@globalgarden.com)
Thu, 30 Mar 2000 09:11:40 -0600
Taking a cool down break from picking Swiss Chard, been at it for about
45 minutes and only have half the row done. That's a 24-foot row if
you're interested. I only pick the big leaves and then only until I get
two five-gallon buckets full. I then pull the stems and put the leaf
parts in another five-gallon bucket until its full. I was gonna wash
leaves in the kitchen sink but decided the second bathroom tub would be
better. Just cleaned it really good yesterday (my day to do bathrooms)
so in that tub they went. Got a shower massage in there with a hose on
it so that's how they're gonna get washed. Look out friends and
neighbors, here comes the Chard Man.
I have been really pleased with this variety of chard. I found the
Fordhook attracted way too many bugs whereas this stuff that looks like
regular beet greens, red veins and stems and all, doesn't seem to
attract any bugs at all. The stems are nearly two inches across at the
bottom and the leaves are about 18 inches to 2 feet long and 12 to 16
inches across and the stuff is still tender. The pot liquor is a pale
red when they are cooked.
Wasn't kidding about the friends and neighbors though. I have about 20
bags of the stuff in the freezer and the freezer is full. I can make a
little room by cooking that last turkey that's in there and then
whacking it up into cold cuts but that's about all.
Later today I'm going to sow my basil seeds in their own prepared bed
and then plant the okra where I've chosen it to go this year. The chile
plants are finally going to get set out in the soil as they are
overloading their six inch pots. Have some minature roses to repot for a
friend and then I should be able to rest again.
Life is good.
George