Category Archives: Gardening

Spot for you to do some reading on gardening and staying healthy. Also a great place to put your feet up and relax for a bit.

Homegrown Zucchini Relish

My lovely wife just got done making up our Zucchini Relish for the cold months ahead. I even snapped a picture of a couple of them lovely jars she filled. She usually whips up ’bout six jars, just enough to keep us well-fed through winter. But every now and again, she gets a hankerin’ to make a few more.

Let me tell y’all, that relish of hers is like a dollop of sunshine on a gloomy day. Come wintertime, when them veggies cost an arm and a leg, and don’t even get me started on the lack of flavor, this relish truly saves the day. It’s like bottlin’ up a bit of summer to enjoy when the world outside is all frosty and gray.

Click on pictures to enlarge!

Garlic

Well, it’s that time of the year when I’m kept quite busy tending to my garlic for the freezing season. What I do is, I first give ’em a good knock to brush off all that dirt, then I snip the tops and the roots. After that, I peel away the outer layers and separate all them cloves. Once that’s done, I tidy things up and start peeling each individual clove. Once I’ve finished that task, I seal ’em up in small bags using the vacuum sealer and pop ’em in the freezer for the winter ahead. They’ll keep well for a good year or even longer, if need be. And you know what’s just wonderful? When we finally use ’em, they taste just as delightful as if they were fresh from the earth. And the cherry on top is that none of ’em go to waste by goin’ bad. Now ain’t that just the best thing you ever heard?

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Carbon Tax In Canada ??

According to Canadian sources, Canada possesses significant carbon sinks, which include 990 million acres of forests, 370 million acres of wetlands, and 167 million acres of crop-yielding farmland. These carbon sinks absorb carbon from the atmosphere.

Biologists state that trees absorb around 2.6 tons of carbon per acre. By multiplying the forested area by this figure, we find that Canada absorbs approximately 2.574 billion tons of carbon annually.

When we consider the global emissions of about 36 trillion tons and Canada’s share of 1.67% (0.0167) of these emissions, it amounts to 601.2 million tons. Remarkably, in the forests alone, Canada absorbs nearly four times the carbon it emits.

It’s essential to remember that this calculation doesn’t account for carbon absorption by wetlands and farmland.

Despite being a significant carbon sink, Canada faces carbon taxes. It is perplexing why politicians pursue these measures, especially when Canada deserves recognition for its carbon-absorbing efforts.

English Cucumbers For Sale

Hi Folks, I just picked a box of Organic English Cucumbers Seedless and put them on our trailer out front. All sizes only $2.00 each.

My wife is making relish today and found we have lots to spare. And more will be up to size in a couple days.

Self-service. Take what you need and leave your money in the plastic container. They sure are tasty this year. GW

Small Trailer For Sale

Hi Folks, I have a small trailer for sale. The box is 4 1/2 Feet Long by 3 1/2 Feet Wide. Tires are good. It is a nice trailer, great to go behind an ATV or a Riding Mower, or you can put it on the road. All it needs is to be wired and lights. As a matter of fact, I have two lights that will fit it and will throw them in with the deal. I am asking $500.00. As you can see in the pictures, it has all new sides and floor, and it has a removable tail gate. I even greased the wheel bearings. What more can you ask for.

You can reach me at [email protected]

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Niagara Peaches

While in Niagara, we picked up some Sun Haven peaches from a farmer friend of ours. Close to our old farm. We used to grow a lot of them, along with some Red Haven’s. When doing up, they fall right off the pit. Which makes things a lot easier. Took a picture of a couple trays of them. I had them take them out of the bushel and put them in these trays. Saved them getting all bruised up on the trip back home. We bought a bushel and my lovely wife is in the process of getting them ready for the freezer today. They sure will be tasty come winter.

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Old Driveway New Driveway

Well, my lovely wife and I have had a couple busy days attending to customers that visited our gift shop. We also decided to see if I could fix up our driveway, so it looks better. I was going to buy a truck load of new stone but got to thinking. Why do that when I know there are tons of old stone hidden away under the grass? So using a bit of ingenuity, I came up with a plan. What I did was, I took an old mower deck I had, put a couple cement blocks on top of it and then hooked it up to my 4 Wheeler and drug it up and down the driveway, which in turn loosened up the old stone. End results it now looks as if I put in a new driveway and the best part is it didn’t cost me a cent. The top picture is the old driveway, of course ha ha.

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It’s That Time of Year … Garlic Scapes

Don’t throw them garlic scapes away. My wife takes them in the house, cuts them into small pieces and puts them onto trays in our dehydrator. Once dry, she grinds them up and puts it in small glass jars and stores them in a cool, dry dark place. Come winter she adds a dash here and a dash there in her soups, stews, spaghetti sauce or what ever. It makes things taste just that much better along with having tons of health benefits. This Dehydrator works quite well.

What more can you ask for?

Click On Images to Enlarge!

Supper Last Night

My lovely wife prepared a delightful supper last night, which you can see in the picture below. It was not only delicious but also a healthy meal choice. The plate consists of sweet potatoes, mixed vegetables, and a mouthwatering homemade meatloaf. To add some extra flavor, there are a few pieces of aged three-year-old cheese. And, of course, there’s a dollop of ketchup, as I simply can’t enjoy supper without it. Although during tomato season, I would forgo the ketchup. It won’t be long before we can savor the homegrown tomatoes once again.

Click on picture to enlarge!

Our Vegetable Garden

Growing your own vegetables may seem difficult to some, but it’s actually quite simple. If you have a little bit of space, which doesn’t require much, you can grow the same vegetables that I am growing in the pictures below. And the best part is, you’ll save money because you won’t have to buy them from the grocery store every week, where you don’t know where they were grown or what chemicals were used on them.

Another great benefit of working in your own garden is that it keeps your body active, strong, and healthy. Instead of spending money on drugs or visiting the doctor every month, you can find the solution right outside your back door.

Food for thought.

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Garlic Scapes

Click on image to enlarge!

For those that haven’t removed their Scapes from the garlic, this is the time to do it. But don’t throw them away, cut them off, bring them into the house, chop them into small pieces and put them in a dehydrator, if you have one. Then once dry take out your coffee grinder and grind them up into a powder and come winter you will have an abundant supply of garlic powder for your soups and stews. There isn’t anything more tasty than them, and not to forget how healthy they are for you. But wait, there’s more! These Scapes aren’t just ridiculously delicious; they’re also great in an Avocado Dip, or you can add them to your Spaghetti dinner with a touch of Olive Oil. Makes me hungry just thinking about them.

Here’s a recipe for an old-time avocado dip with Garlic Scapes:

Ingredients:

  • 2 ripe avocados
  • 1-2 garlic scapes
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 tomato, diced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: chopped cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Begin by preparing the garlic scapes. Trim off any tough ends and chop them finely.
  2. Cut the avocados in half, remove the pits, and scoop out the flesh into a bowl.
  3. Mash the avocados with a fork or a potato masher until you achieve a smooth consistency.
  4. Add the chopped garlic scapes, onion, tomato, lime juice, cumin powder, salt, and pepper to the mashed avocados. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.
  5. Taste and adjust the seasoning as per your preference. You can add more lime juice, salt, or pepper if desired.
  6. If you like a spicier dip, you can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some finely chopped jalapeños.
  7. Once the flavors are well combined, transfer the dip to a serving bowl.
  8. If desired, garnish with chopped cilantro for added freshness and presentation.
  9. Serve the avocado dip with tortilla chips, crackers, or vegetable sticks for dipping.

Bon appétit, my garlic-loving friends!

What We Should All Be Thinking of Doing These Days

Some have asked. George, why not rustle up some good ol’ farmer advice with a pinch of humor for y’all!

Alright then, so listen up, Canada! It’s high time we put on our gardening gloves, grabbed a shovel, and started growing our own veggies and fruits. Why, you ask? Well, let me tell ya!

First off, let’s talk self-reliance, folks. We Canadians are known for our maple syrup, hockey skills, and, of course, being polite. But it seems lately that we have become too dependent on other countries for our grub? What we need to do is take matters into our own hands and grow our own darn food!

Now, imagine this: you step outside your door, pluck a juicy tomato straight off the vine, take a bite, and savor the explosion of flavor. There is no way that store-bought tomatoes can compete with that freshness! You’ll be saying, “Move over, ketchup, I’ve got my own homegrown goodness!” Trust me, your taste buds will thank you.

But hey, it’s not just about taste. It’s about knowing what goes into your food. When you grow your own produce, you’re the boss of your garden kingdom. You decide whether to go all organic or add a little somethin’ to keep the critters away. No more mystery chemicals or pesticides. You’ll be the captain of your own pesticide-free ship!

And let’s not forget the savings. Money doesn’t grow on trees, but fruits sure do! By growing your own veggies and fruits, you’re saving those hard-earned loonies and toonies. Sure, there might be some initial costs for seeds and tools, but think about the long-term savings. Your wallet will be thicker than a lumberjack’s beard! Actually, there are a lot of folks growing beards these days, and I am not sure why. Ha ha

But here’s the kicker: we’re not just talking about being self-reliant here, we’re talking about a full-blown gardening adventure! Picture yourself with your overalls, straw hat, and an abundance of veggies. You’ll be part farmer, part superhero, providing for yourself and your loved ones. It’s like having your own personal farmers’ market right in your backyard!

So, folks, let’s roll up our sleeves, grab a shovel, and get down and dirty. Let’s grow our own fruits and vegetables and show those other countries what we’re made of! Remember, with a little humor, a lot of love, and some good ol’ Canadian spirit, we’ll be harvesting the sweetest, juiciest produce this side of the North Pole. Happy gardening, eh?

What’s Happening In Cottage Country On July 3/2023

Good Morning!

It looks like another beautiful day shaping up for us here in Cottage Country. Other than the heat, that is. But in saying that where we live, there are a lot of trees, which in turn means … there is a lot of shade. At the moment the sun is shinning, and I suspect it will continue on that way all day. It will also get even warmer for the next few days.

Highway 522 is getting busier and busier every day, as is our gift shop. Yesterday was a very busy day with folks dropping by one after another. It is nice to see folks out and about.

Bug Report: Other than a few of them pesky deer and horse flies along with a few lingering mosquitoes, things are pretty good these days. I am not complaining, by no means.

Yesterday with dealing with the customers we didn’t have much time to do much outside work, but that is okay as I didn’t feel like doing much outside work. Ha ha.

On another note, our vegetable gardens are growing leaps and bounds now. We are eating fresh garlic and lettuce from it every day. And it won’t be long before our cucumbers are ready. It sure is nice to be able to walk out to the garden and bring some in for the table when ever we want it. All organic and fresh.

Also for those that does have a garden it is time to hill up the tomatoes, peppers, garlic and potatoes. I will get at mine tomorrow or the next day. In doing so, it loosens up the soil around the base of the plants and protects them from the hot, dry weather that we will be having for the next two months. So … sharpen up your hoe and get to work. Early morning is the best time to do it.

With that, I am off for a piece of toast that my lovely wife is making for me for a change, and will then see what the day has in store. I never know.

Have a good day!.