Aphids, Herbs, New Tools & Blotonical
Friday, February 20, 2009
Aphids, Herb Seedlings, New Tools & Stuck on Internet!
The greenhouse spinach was cut down to the bone to remove aphids (aphids again!) I’m wanting to be in the kitchen preparing spinach and eggs, yum. But I’m glued to the screen of my computer, working on communications to people I’ve met on a gardener blog community. I’ve spoken to many people in the past who are devoured by “social networking” on the web. But this great place, www.blotanicals.com is more than social, it ties in to my strong focus on growing food.
See, the title indicates I’m going to tell you about the new sprouts that came up in the last two days and the cool tools that came by UPS, but no, I’m getting right to the blotanical focus, so just to proove I can, I’m signing off Blotanical and going to the kitchen, n o w.
Its such a delight to connect with gardeners who love to grow from myriad perspectives, flowers, food, native biospheres and suburbs. All supporting and communing and reading each others’ blogs.
An example of how much I am enjoying this creative web family is what happened when I returned home from a long day trip to the nearest city. I left garden and greenhouse supplies in the car and brought inside the edible delights. In the hallway was a big box containing long awaited garden tools. The box label read “Haws.” Wow, my watering can and garden knife. And for the last 3 hours, the box is unopened!
I went right away to the computer, opened my mail. I was faved! (That means a reader on Blotanical wants to continue reading my posts. I feel very honored and excited.) Soon I was deeply involved with editing and publishing today’s blog. Then I remembered that there was an excellent snack which I’d brought from town. Blotanical is so delightful I forget to eat my goodies, that’s quite amazing.
All gardening friends are invited to check it out. Its a safe, well-lit place for the plant oriented people. Welcome!
The greenhouse spinach was cut down to the bone to remove aphids (aphids again!) I’m wanting to be in the kitchen preparing spinach and eggs, yum. But I’m glued to the screen of my computer, working on communications to people I’ve met on a gardener blog community. I’ve spoken to many people in the past who are devoured by “social networking” on the web. But this great place, www.blotanicals.com is more than social, it ties in to my strong focus on growing food.
See, the title indicates I’m going to tell you about the new sprouts that came up in the last two days and the cool tools that came by UPS, but no, I’m getting right to the blotanical focus, so just to proove I can, I’m signing off Blotanical and going to the kitchen, n o w.
Global Growing Inspiration and Information in a friendly sharing web environment is a reality in a network of garden bloggers called Blotanical.com
Its such a delight to connect with gardeners who love to grow from myriad perspectives, flowers, food, native biospheres and suburbs. All supporting and communing and reading each others’ blogs.
An example of how much I am enjoying this creative web family is what happened when I returned home from a long day trip to the nearest city. I left garden and greenhouse supplies in the car and brought inside the edible delights. In the hallway was a big box containing long awaited garden tools. The box label read “Haws.” Wow, my watering can and garden knife. And for the last 3 hours, the box is unopened!
I went right away to the computer, opened my mail. I was faved! (That means a reader on Blotanical wants to continue reading my posts. I feel very honored and excited.) Soon I was deeply involved with editing and publishing today’s blog. Then I remembered that there was an excellent snack which I’d brought from town. Blotanical is so delightful I forget to eat my goodies, that’s quite amazing.
All gardening friends are invited to check it out. Its a safe, well-lit place for the plant oriented people. Welcome!
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Zaatar from the Richters Catalog
Saturday, February 14, 2009
More about Zaatar and Zataar
Yes, Zaatar is also the name for a tasty combination of spices and herbs, and sometimes sesame that is wonderful sprinkled on almost everything. It is a Middle Eastern joy which transcends political boundaries. In addition to the obvious ethnic stores which have not migrated to the Ozarks yet, the spice mixture can often be found in ethnic sections of larger, enlightened markets. Below is product information from the source of my Zaatar plant. Yes, I spelled it differently, as do many others. I’m glad that I was asked to look it up, as I had forgotten its hardiness level. I’m glad that it was safe and comfy in the greenhouse even when it went down to 30 degrees. The source is Richters in Canada. They stock a wonderful supply of medicinal and culinary herbs. Their catalogue is great in that they do not shy away from listing the actual medicinal uses, not just as “folklore” or “hearsay” either. They can be found at richters dot com. Here’s the link to the page. The content is below that. |
Drying Zataar Herb
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Here’s another “figure it out as I go along” method of greenhouse solutions.
How does one dry an herb that tends to disconnect from the stem while drying?
How lovely the Zataar herb bunches, tied with twine on the cedar table.
The twine is suspended from a ceiling hook.
Zataar bunch is hung from the twine. If it slips, the double knots in the twine should hold it up.
Hanging one below the other the zataar becomes a garland.
Below you see a basket lined with linens, to catch the falling dried leaves.
Dried or fresh zataar on goat cheese. Very delicious.
Zataar of the Oregano Family
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
There seems to be no exactly correct spelling of the word “Zataar”. Sometimes spelled za'atar or zahtar, Its origin is in the Mediterranean, and its original language is spelled with other than these “latin” style letters you are looking at here. I was first introduced to the plant growing wild on hillsides and thought it was like marjoram. It is indeed. And like oregano.
The leaves are a bit thicker, broader and stronger. One little plant survived years of bad potting to come to thrive in the greenhouse, even through the winter.
Here it is in its fullness, next to the spinach in the shallow bed.
The zataar plant was growing too boisterous and thick and needed to be repotted. Someone else might like a taste of Zataar, so I decided to tame it into eighteen 2.5 inch pots. It however, decided that it would not like to be limited to that. We did cooperate.
A careful harvest was accomplished into a half-bushel basket. Just a day after Garden Club. Two days earlier, these rootable cuttings would have made lovely gifts. Sorry.
The leaves are a bit thicker, broader and stronger. One little plant survived years of bad potting to come to thrive in the greenhouse, even through the winter.
Here it is in its fullness, next to the spinach in the shallow bed.
The zataar plant was growing too boisterous and thick and needed to be repotted. Someone else might like a taste of Zataar, so I decided to tame it into eighteen 2.5 inch pots. It however, decided that it would not like to be limited to that. We did cooperate.
A careful harvest was accomplished into a half-bushel basket. Just a day after Garden Club. Two days earlier, these rootable cuttings would have made lovely gifts. Sorry.
And the plant is still entrenched in the bed, ready to expand again, with fresh worm castings to feed it.
Next posting will be on how the zataar was hung to dry.
There are nineteen 2.5 inch pots of Zataar with roots getting ready to be shared when Spring comes. After they grow a bit and fill out I’ll show you a picture. Right now, they are a bit ragged looking.
