Drip Irrigation Sytems and Container Gardens

The nemesis to container gardening isn't only insects or disease but it very often is watering or moisture control. I have been using containers for vegetable gardening for years and they seem to do well until the heat of July and August hit. Within a day, you can actually have a container dry out and damage your plants. Tomatoes are especially susceptible to moisture damage which shows up as cracked fruit or blossom-end rot.

This year I am determined to find an irrigation system that works for both my earth gardens and container gardens. I tried going to my local do-it-yourself stores but it was just too expensive or difficult to find what I needed.  That lead me to go on line to find a specialty shop.  I searched  irrigation supplies and found the Irrigation Supply Outlet.

When I say they have everything, it is not an exaggeration. You can buy individual supplies and parts for drip systems, lawn irrigation systems,  landscape supplies and even landscape lighting. What I like about them is I can research a design on-line and decide what kind of drip irrigation system I want to create. They have every part or piece you could need for designing your own tailor made system. They even have parts and supplies for hydroponics which I might look into for the future. My plan is to use the Winter to figure out the best design for a container irrigation system and  build it during the cold months. There is always something to do for the gardener. Irrigation system this year and hydroponics next year!

Flowers for Every Occasion with International Delivery

There is a common connection we all share through gardening. Recognizing the beauty that comes from the earth and how create with seeds and plants is universally shared. There are times when you want to send the beauty of the garden to friends and family during those difficult times and shared grand occasions. Sometimes you even need to send flowers across the ocean. We wanted to trust the flowers we ordered would arrive and found a flower shop that has won awards for ease of use, value, and choice.

Finding the right flower arrangement or gift, for the right occasion shouldn't be an exercise on settling for the small selections of what many shops have available. Serenata Flowers offers 100's of options and arrangements for your needs.  They are located in England but offer international flower delivery and can deliver the next day to the United States. You can find the perfect arrangement to meet your needs. Their selection is enormous.

Consider them your local flower shop. They use a network of floral partners throughout the world and this allows you to send flowers wherever you want, at a great price. You can search for flowers by occasion, by sentiment or by flower variety. You will be amazed at the 100's of options that are available. Not only do they have flowers but they have plants, chocolates, wines and hampers or gift baskets. Who wouldn't want flowers and a bottle of wine? Or chocolates and bouquet?

They are more then just a flower shop and have world-wide delivery reach. Payments can be made from your standard credit cards, Google Checkout, Paypal and with many other options. This is a site you have to visit and bookmark. It will become your international delivery site  for all occasions when you want to send flowers or gifts. They offer a full money back no hassle satisfaction guarantee. And they make it easy to get in touch with them. You can easily find their phone numbers and email addresses to order and talk with them. They strive to make ordering an easy and enjoyable process.

How to Oven Dry/Dehydrate Cayenne Peppers from the Garden (In Pictures)

Cayenne peppers have grown extremely well for me in Maryland, every year, for the last 10 years. Just plant and forget them. Neglect them. They grow and grow. I planted 2 plants this year and somewhere around mid September when I got my garden interest back, I found 100's of red cayennes. What to do? Oven dry them for crushed red pepper of course. I needed something to compliment all my frozen heirloom tomato sauce. The process of oven drying/dehydrating cayenne peppers is easy. I'll keep the blog entry short and sweet.

Red Cayenne Peppers: Gary Pilarchik

The first step is to grow two or more cayenne pepper plants and let the peppers turn red. You can see I collected a pretty large bowl of cayenne peppers. They do get a bit sweeter when they turn red from green.

Picked Cayenne Pepper for Oven Drying/Dehydration: Gary Pilarchik

Wash the peppers if you are concerned. I didn't wash mine. Set the peppers up on foil, spaced out like you see. You do not want them touch too much. It slows the drying process. And the process already takes 6-8 hours. To prepare the peppers, you need to break the stem tips off as below. You do not want dried stems in your crushed red pepper.

Remove the Stems for Oven Drying: Gary Pilarchik

Cayenne Peppers Ready for Drying: Gary Pilarchik

Most oven drying recipes state you should dry vegetables at about 130-140 degrees. I would agree that is good  temperature for vegetables and herbs. Too much heat can cook them or remove oils. If you are drying green beans, squash or kale (for example) , you would want the lower temperatures. For hot cayenne peppers, I feel 175 degrees is fine. Any higher and they will cook. Somewhere between my temperature and theirs is probably just right. My finished product tastes great and has no over cooked taste to it. So for me, 175 degrees.

Half Oven Dried Cayenne Peppers: Gary Pilarchik

The process is low and slow. About 6 to 8 hours slow.  Above are the cayenne pepper halfway through the dehydration process. Below are the dried cayennes at around 7 hours. You can mix and move the cayennes every 2 hours or so, to help with drying. I recommend you dry them on foil. Don't use oil, or seasoning or anything. Just let them dehydrate and dry.

Fully Oven Dried Cayenne Peppers: Gary Pilarchik

Once completely dried, they will crumble when you crush them. You might want to use gloves when you crush any hot pepper. Whatever body part you touch after crushing the cayennes will feel the heat. SO beware!

Oven Dried Cayenne Peppers Become Crushed Red Pepper: Gary Pilarchik

Garden Fresh Crushed Red Cayenne Pepper: Gary Pilarchik

About 7 hours later and a Summer's growth of cayenne peppers and I have an ample supply of crushed red cayenne peppers to compliment the sauce I made with all  my heirloom tomatoes. Try it! Crushed red cayenne pepper beats any store bought brand.

Crushed Cayenne Red Pepper for the Win: Gary Pilarchik

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Collecting Squash, Zuke, Melon and Cuke Seeds

This is how I save seeds for melons, squash, zukes and cukes. I keep them off the ground to prevent bug damage and infestations. This works well. The rain is an issue too. Using these slats the vegetable dry out quickly. Believe it or not these vegetables have been there 4 - 6 weeks. The decayed vegetable on the right is the remains of an 'Armenian' cucumber. I missed getting to it before it rotted. There are actually viable seeds in the remains but I have enough.

The remaining vegetables will be split and I will dry the seeds indoors for about a week. The seeds do not need to be fermented like tomatoes.

Seed Saving Squash and Melons: Gary Pilarchik

My Sweet Potatoes: What is Underneath and Are They Ready?

I didn't have great success with my standard potatoes. Here is my sweet potato patch. The original transplants were very hardy. When I bought them in June, I left them on the ground and rabbits ate all - all the leaves off them, leaving only stems. I kept them in the cell trays for about 10 days and new leaves grew. Later, I transplanted them below. They are doing well.... but I don't know how to tell when they are ready to dig.

Who can tell me when to dig sweet potatoes up and is there a way to save the patch for next year too?

Sweet Potato Patch: Gary Pilarchik