Friday, August 25, 2017

Aero Garden Reservoirs Are Back Here is Ours Plus More

Aero Garden Reservoirs are back in stock and we got one:)

Setting  it up with the tomato garden took some time.  The instructions said I did not need the supplied lifting base.  However, I found I did need it so I am glad they added the option to the kit.


Also working on a traveling garden.  Here is what I have so far for the RV.  I cut out a piece of 1/2 inch plywood cut a hole for the garden and the tub to set it in, as well as a can/bottle holder.  Put two "L" brackets on the end to fit between the table and the wall to help hold it and painted it white.  Will probably use adhesive sealer around the tub and add a bungee cord or two.   I will keep you updated on how it works.



Three weeks later we have a tomato plant:)  Found I can not drive down the road as set up the water will splash out.  The water stays in the tote I have the garden in but it could short out the unit.  So we set the lift off garden and water tub and set it in the sink while driving.  Once at the next stop we top off the water and set it back on the aero garden base.

Friday, August 18, 2017

Aero Garden Update

Another Aero Garden Update



Production

Herbs and Lettuce let us start harvesting in 4-6 weeks.  Four lettuce plants give us on average four small salads a week and keep good production for months.   Harvesting one leaf at a time (every third full leaf) is our best picking approach.  I tried cutting the whole head (one plant) it took two weeks to grow back to harvest stage.  Once in production we need to add water every 2-3 days.

One Tomato  plant in production needs water every two days and took 90 days to start good production.  Looking to add at least one water reservoir once they get back in stock.

Just got an update on the water reservoir they are in stock now and we have at least one on the way.  Also below is our plant in full production.


Finally received a aero water reservoir and it works:)  Took a trip and stayed away four nights so hooked it up to our tomato plant.  When we came home there was still a quart of water in the reservoir and the garden tank still was full.  This tell's me we can go away four up to 6 nights and the full production plant will be fine.


 If we split the reservoir between two gardens we can generally expect 3 days/nights away for each.  We have two 6 hole harvest gardens and one 3 hole sprout garden that will not be hooked up to this resivor.


Friday, August 11, 2017

Bear Awareness

Bear awareness is always a concern in Black Bear Country (below) as well as other bear areas, a lot is similar and a few things are different.  From my readings we should fight back if attacked by black bears or mountain lions.  If these two attack you they see you as food and want to eat you! When it comes to Grizzly Bears however if attacked playing dead is often the best option.  They often attack us to defend not to eat us. You need to read up on the information in this post and other sources and make up your own mind.


Bear dumpsters like below are good examples of reducing bear visits.  If they can not get to the food they tend to move on.


On one visit there was a Black Bear just over the river so the following sign went up as a warning.  Talked to a Ranger and they advised they regularly go back and forth through the river it is not very deep in spots (only 2 foot or so in areas).


Friday, August 4, 2017

Yucca and Cacti Make a Meal

Yuca and Cacti Make a Meal

Here our son is scraping a Cacti we bought at a store.  The store does a quick scraping but you need to do your own final scrape and trim around the edges.  Then rinse it well and cut into green bean size.


He is chopping the Yuca root then he will cube them up and put them in a pan to cook, like we do breakfast potato's.


The Yuca is nearly cooked, he used salt, pepper and butter for the seasoning which added to the flavor.


He decided to fry up some of the Cacti as well.  We ate some Cacti with oil and vinegar like a salad before cooking the rest.


http://www.wikihow.com/Eat-Prickly-Pear-Cactus

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/prickly-pear/harvesting-prickly-pear-fruit.htm

 http://www.wikihow.com/Eat-Yucca


 http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/cook-serve-yucca-root-8371.html