Comments on: Autumn Update: Gearing the Garden Down

By: Sayward

Sayward — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:40:38 +0000

@ Lisa Hoffman – Yup, I think you can eat the blossoms, I think people fry them (though I have not yet tried). Happy fall to you too! Talk soon!

By: Lisa Hoffman

Lisa Hoffman — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:59:24 +0000

That IS the cutest pumpkin I have ever seen! Hey, can’t you eat the flowers? I think I’ve had them in salads. The peppers look pretty and tasty. LOVE the egg cups! What a beautiful display. Happy Fall!!
Mom

By: Sayward

Sayward — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:22:27 +0000

@ Poookie – Yeah I decided to forego the pickling and panfried instead. Thanks for the link! Deeeelicious!

By: Poookie

Poookie — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:34:15 +0000

I think the peppers are Japanese shishito peppers which are great grilled, pan-fried, or tempura’ed. Saw them on this website: http://foodlibrarian.blogspot.com/2009/06/shishito-peppers-japanese-treat.html

By: Sayward

Sayward — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:43:34 +0000

@ Dylan – Yay! I was waiting (hoping) to hear from you. =)

I remember when you said that about the pumpkins! And I thought, ‘well, I’ll just prove him wrong’, haha. I didn’t realize you were our resident expert, back then! (but I’m me, so I still would have tried . . . )

That’s great news about the chilis! What a lovely lucky find. And I think I’ve tasted them here at the PSU Saturday farmer’s market. But, I’m still thinking I may pickle them. I’m dying for a pickling project!

I’ve been doing a bit of bird watching out my windows lately, as well. I don’t know any of the species but they sure are cute. Isn’t it nice to just let go of the garden reins and let nature do it’s thing for a while? I love this time of year. =)

By: Dylan

Dylan — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:05:44 +0000

Sayward, re: pumpkins- you planted too late. I don’t remember exactly when but I think you said in an earlier post that you planted starts in June or July. April is not too early if the soil is warm (a week of sunny weather) but July is definitely too late. I remember thinking at the time (if I didn’t say) that you would get nice plants but no fruit. Two notes: In my experience the first flowers never set fruit and squashes/pumpkins set male flowers first (I think they are less costly to produce so that when the more ‘expensive’ female flowers come on with their ovaries and thick stems they are not wasted because of a lack of male flowers present).

Re: chilies. They look a lot like chile padron/padrones ( http://www.happyquailfarms.com/padrones.html ). Pepperoncinis is also a good guess. Both are hard to come by so you should be proud to have either. In the article linked above they claim they sell theirs for $6.00/1/4lb! I have paid $6.00/lb wholesale for them and have had them as wonderful tapas at Pata Negro here in town (NW Portland).

Re:how is my green getting on and honeybees-my garden tends to be green in spring and brown in fall. The good part of this is that many , if not most of my plants are allowed to go to flower in the summer and are especially good for honeybees: Melissa (Bee Balm), Caryopteris (Bluebeard, Chinese Mint), Inula (Elecampane, Elf Dock), Dipsicus (Teasel), mustards and rapini, and chicories (Red Rib Dandelion, Radicchio, Blue Sailors, Succory). Now, they are popular with the little seed eating birds (Lessor Goldfinch, Juncos, and numerous others I can’t identify) along with Evening Primrose seed heads, and Lactuca serriola (Blue Lettuce, Compass Plant). So I feel good about my contribution to the local ecology while at the same time totally enjoying the view.

By: Sayward

Sayward — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:05:18 +0000

@ Minna – That sounds like difficult work, but what an amazing experience. And they better hook up the free mangoes! =D

@ Obiben – Interesting, thanks for the info. I’ll definitely research that and give it a shot next year.

@ Kelly – I did *not* know that! I’ve heard of squash blossoms, but never pumpkin vines . . . hmmm, this sets my brain to scheming . . . Thanks!

@ Christa – I definitely think it could be a fertilization problem, but I’m not so sure about pollination. I swear I saw bugs and bees all up in those flowers every single time I was out there. I’d be pretty surprised if they didn’t get pollinated.

But I agree, save the honey bees!

@ Austin – Isn’t it wonderful!? And I bet it is a learning curve. I feel like for me, every year just gets better and better, and I’m still pretty much a beginner (at least compared to many others). But congrats on the November bounty. So rewarding! =)

By: Austin

Austin — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:45:56 +0000

My covered balcony garden is still growing greens(kale, green chard, sorrel, and some lettuce) quite well, despite the cold weather. I cut back my oregano down to the ground runners and it’s a happy camper too. This is the first time I’ve actually been able to keep my garden this far into the year. Maybe I’m finally learning. :)

By: Christa

Christa — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:50:07 +0000

Hmm, in relation to your pumpkin problem, I had the same issue this year. I had 2 big pumpkin plants and one butternut. And all I got was one very large pumpkin and one very nice butternut. And while their bounty was much appreciated, there should have been much more.
I work at a farm back home on Vancouver Island, and they told me that what seemed to be happening was the flowers were not being fertilized… Which means, we need more pollinators! Save the honey bee!!!!! They are actually classified as endangered on Vancouver Island… so plant bee attracting flowers and let the clover grow!
Get rid of all chemicals in your lawns and gardens!(though I’m sure you already do that…)

By: Kelly

Kelly — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:38:07 +0000

Did you know you can eat pumpkin vines and leaves?? Just saute them up with a little olive oil and garlic and…yum! My sweet Cambodian colleague introduced me to them last year. I never even realized… :o)