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Hello Kraft Community, we are very excited to share some great news with you. As loyal Kraft Community members we have heard your desire to do more fun things in the community and we are happy to announce in January 2010 we will be making some changes so you can connect and share food ideas in more ways than ever!
We want to let you know we will not be transferring the existing discussions to the new enhanced message boards so if there are discussions that you would like to save please make sure to either print them or copy and paste into a document that you can save to your personal files.
We will remind you again before the transition occurs but wanted to let you in on the exciting news!!
If you have any questions on how to do this please contact Customer Care at Contact Us
Moderator_Deanne
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1,706
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Re: "How does your garden grow?"
Posted:
Aug 5, 2008 9:25 PM
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> I am from Texas, and it is very HOT here. The only
> thing left in our garden is green bell peppers, hot
> peppers, banana peppers, everything else is gone. The
> peppers love the heat.
This made me grin. The difference between Texas and NH. My tomatoes are just gearing up and the corn is starting.
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97
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Re: "How does your garden grow?"
Posted:
Aug 5, 2008 4:09 PM
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I am from Texas, and it is very HOT here. The only thing left in our garden is green bell peppers, hot peppers, banana peppers, everything else is gone. The peppers love the heat.
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493
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Re: "How does your garden grow?"
Posted:
Aug 5, 2008 11:22 AM
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>my green peppers will not grow for me here in MInnesota. What am I doing wrong?
I have trouble with peppers too. I'm just north of you in Minneapolis. Have you seen what the U of M recommends? I'm too lazy a gardener to fuss this much with them, but....
http://www.extension.umn.edu/projects/yardandgarden/ygbriefs/H210pepper.html
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Moderator_Jane
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1,656
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Re: "How does your garden grow?"
Posted:
Aug 5, 2008 7:16 AM
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> From what I've read peppers don't like being over
> watered, they're a heat loving plant. If you're
> plants are getting too dry between rain then
> definitely water them, but try holding off using the
> sprinkler so much and see how they do. They also
> like acidic soil. Is your soil rich top soil? You
> might have better luck planting them in buckets.
Our pepper plants hated all the rain we had earlier in the summer. They looked very sickly. Since it's turned hot and dry, they are starting to perk up, but I doubt that they will do much.
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59
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Re: "How does your garden grow?"
Posted:
Aug 5, 2008 1:07 AM
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I know the media has been dumping on Michigan, in particular our un-emloyment rate...
We in the "if you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you" state, seem to be growing tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, and other things quite well...
And on a side note, living in Detroit (living in the "D" as so we call it), isn't as bad and/or scary as people say it is :p
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Moderator_Deanne
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1,706
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Re: "How does your garden grow?"
Posted:
Jul 31, 2008 7:25 PM
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From what I've read peppers don't like being over watered, they're a heat loving plant. If you're plants are getting too dry between rain then definitely water them, but try holding off using the sprinkler so much and see how they do. They also like acidic soil. Is your soil rich top soil? You might have better luck planting them in buckets.
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12
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Re: "How does your garden grow?"
Posted:
Jul 31, 2008 5:19 PM
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> > We are starting to get some produce from ours,
> cherry
> > tomatoes, a few pea pods, onions, zucchini. I
> have a
> > question for all those gardeners-my green
> peppers
> > will not grow for me here in MInnesota. What am
> I
> > doing wrong? I followed instructions on the
> plant,
> > and last year they got to the size of plums;
> this
> > year? Smaller than golf balls and are starting
> to
> > turn red. Holy moly, I just want some peppers!
> Any
> > suggestions?
>
> Are you getting a lot of rain, or not enough? My
> cucumbers grew funny last year but are doing fine
> this year.
It has been off and on with the rain. We go from having no rain for several days and I have to use the sprinkler, to getting rain 3 days in a row. I did pluck the little bell pepper golf balls and used them in a steamed veggie dish for my hubby and he said they tasted fine, but I would like to be able to at least make some stuffed peppers 
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Moderator_Deanne
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1,706
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Re: "How does your garden grow?"
Posted:
Jul 22, 2008 9:03 PM
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> We are starting to get some produce from ours, cherry
> tomatoes, a few pea pods, onions, zucchini. I have a
> question for all those gardeners-my green peppers
> will not grow for me here in MInnesota. What am I
> doing wrong? I followed instructions on the plant,
> and last year they got to the size of plums; this
> year? Smaller than golf balls and are starting to
> turn red. Holy moly, I just want some peppers! Any
> suggestions?
Are you getting a lot of rain, or not enough? My cucumbers grew funny last year but are doing fine this year.
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12
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Re: "How does your garden grow?"
Posted:
Jul 22, 2008 7:50 PM
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We are starting to get some produce from ours, cherry tomatoes, a few pea pods, onions, zucchini. I have a question for all those gardeners-my green peppers will not grow for me here in MInnesota. What am I doing wrong? I followed instructions on the plant, and last year they got to the size of plums; this year? Smaller than golf balls and are starting to turn red. Holy moly, I just want some peppers! Any suggestions?
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Moderator_Deanne
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1,706
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Re: "How does your garden grow?"
Posted:
Jul 15, 2008 7:56 AM
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> Yes, last winter was "wicked" as we say here in
> Maine. We had 100" here on the coast, which is rare.
> If a person winters over the first year, that person
> is a true Mainer.
> If that same person winters over a second year and
> suceeding years, that person is a "Maniac".
>
> I'll end on that!
We had 118", second highest in our history, and felt like we lived in a snow cave. I hope you're season lasts a long time, to keep winter at bay!
Oh, we call you Maniac's, too, with all good humor.
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424
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Re: "How does your garden grow?"
Posted:
Jul 14, 2008 3:12 PM
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High Jane,
It is good to be back but as I said, it will continue to be hectic until the 21 week season has run its course, after the Columbus Day weekend.
Here is a very slight departure from the, "How does your garden grow?" thread; however, our guests will be able to eat overlooking the gardens as they enjoy the following choices tomorrow. Also, some of our Kraft family members will be able to get the produce from their gardens and fresh eggs from their coops.
Tomorrow, I'm cooking breakfast for thirty guests and since it's an egg day here is what they will get besides applewood smoked "baked" bacon, baked at 325 degrees for about 15 mins per side then turned over and continued for 15 mins more until golden brown. Remove from oven, drain on paper towels and store until ready to serve in a 170 degree oven that has been turned off
Now your egg choices:
1.Scrambled eggs mixed with a dash of Tarragon Leaves and S & P. I use 2-3 eggs per person and every sixth egg add a half shell of water...no milk. No tarragon leaves...use parsley.
2.Finely chop up some green and red peppers, each in a separate bowl, and the same with a yellow onion. Add 1/2 pat of butter in each bowl along with a 1/4 tsp of sugar. Put in a microwave oven, cover with a paper towel, and micro for 30 seconds two times stirring between heatings. Set aside.
3. In another medium bowl put 1/2 C of shredded cheddar and 1/2 C shredded Swiss (or your choice of shredded cheeses), mix around until blended.
4. In a final bowl put a good dollop of catsup and equal amounts of medium salsa. Blend with a spoon. (Your mix can be 50/50 (best) each, 70/30 each, what ever you like).
5. Now...your choices. Make omlettes as usual adding peppers, onions, and cheese mix as desired, finally put under a broiler until cheese is melted, fold and serve with the sauce on the side. Do not try to flip the omlette unless you have lots of experience. There is no need to flip it anyway if broiled.
6. Or...scramble the eggs, when almost set, sprinkle in some peppers and onions, top with cheese mix and serve with sauce on the side.
7.Or...if you are good at making crépes, fill them with your scrambled eggs, drizzle a cheese sauce lightly over the eggs then roll up and top with more cheese sauce. Finally, sprinkle paprika on top. (Lookup a béchamel sauce recipe and add some of your shredded cheese mix to it to make a fine cheese sauce.)
Obviously these are not a detailed recipes, but ideas. The finer points such as making crépes are usually available in a cookbook.
Have a great breakfast and a wonderful tomorrow!
Chef Bill
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Moderator_Jane
Posts:
1,656
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Re: "How does your garden grow?"
Posted:
Jul 14, 2008 5:17 AM
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Chef Bill!
Welcome back! We've missed the great recipes from your inns.
Jane
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424
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Re: "How does your garden grow?"
Posted:
Jul 13, 2008 4:54 PM
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Hi D,
Yes... raised beds are a great idea and if not too large can be kept mobile. Also, as you say, black plastic is another way to not only lengthen the growing season but also keep weeds down and moisture at a proper growing amount..
Yes, last winter was "wicked" as we say here in Maine. We had 100" here on the coast, which is rare. If a person winters over the first year, that person is a true Mainer.
If that same person winters over a second year and suceeding years, that person is a "Maniac".
I'll end on that!
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Posts:
424
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Re: "How does your garden grow?"
Posted:
Jul 13, 2008 4:45 PM
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Glad to be back again jen,
Besides being busy cooking during our short 21 weeks, or so season, at our now two inns, I have been preparing a presentation on the sinking of the RMS TITANIC which went down on 15 April 1912 with the loss of 1,513 souls. I have spoken for years on disasters at sea, in addition to being a chef, on RMS TITANIC. I have been researching for months from every conceivable source and my first SRO group will be in late September. Even though RMS TITANIC rests at the bottom of 13,100 feet of water, she keeps re-surfacing. but not on the Kraft network. Sorry!
Back to gardening! One thing I failed to mention about my container gardening is it may be necessary to water your garden several times a day and the bigger the garden pot the better. The question of whether a clay pot or a plastic pot is better also arises. I prefer clay as not only can you water your planting mix but you can also water the clay which soaks in and helps keep the soil mix cooler. I also use the reddish plastic type very large pots and seem to get as good results but they do need more watering. Someone once mentioned to me if I wrap plastic pots in HD aluminum foil, shiny side out, it helps to reflect the heat away. Sounds logical to me but I have not tried it as I'm home to water the entire growing season.
Container gardening is also a neat thing on the deck of an apartment. Nothing like homegrown tomatoes and as I said before, stick to cherry tomatoes ...less fuss, less muss.
Also, don't forget herbs on that balcony, or sunny window.
All for today. It's pea pick'n time. 
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Moderator_Deanne
Posts:
1,706
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Re: "How does your garden grow?"
Posted:
Jul 13, 2008 9:23 AM
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> Good to meet you, Deanne,
>
> I agree with what you say about Maine. It is truly
> beautiful and the lobsters are the best. Ooops! That
> may open several discussions as there are so many
> beautiful places in our wonderful country. Our state
> motto says it all, "Maine, the way life should be!"
>
>
> Getting back to gardening. Because of the short
> growing season here in Maine caused by an early Fall
> and a late Spring along with the corresponding sort
> periods of daylight in the winter because of our
> latitude, growing vegetables has it's limitations
> except for our great Maine potatoes from Aroostook
> and other northern counties.
I'm a forever "Live free or die" but Maine has always been my second favorite. Come fall I don't think there's a place in the world that can beat the northeast. Now winter, especially after last winter, that's another story.
You are very right on the short growing season. Black plastic is our way around it, and there are quite a few farm stands in the area that use greenhouses. We've talked about having one, but since he's got "stuff" in every barn/attic/shed around, I'm not ready to put the time/money into it and have it be another place to collect stuff. Maybe one day, if he learns to throw things away. =D
Another way I've seen used is raised and layered beds, both for flowers and veggies.
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