What's Growing in the Garden

[vegas urban lumber]

I did some looking into that with high fertilizer prices. It is urea, and people are using it as fertilizer. However, it is not manufactured/formulated as a fertilizer and there is potential for contaminants that you might not want on your plants, or possibly consume.

since it goes into your vehicle, the standards are pretty high, since other contaminants would be expelled as pollution. my understanding is it's urea and water

from the internet

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is a non-toxic, colorless liquid made of exactly 32.5% high-purity synthetic urea and 67.5% deionized water

 

[DLJeffs]

I've never heard of this DEF stuff. But it makes me wonder - urea is primarily carbon and nitrogen with hydrogen molecules filling the open spaces. Burning it (in a piston full of diesel fuel) would most likely result in combustion products like ammonia and any number of oxides of nitrogen, none of which would be beneficial. The water would obviously be turned to steam. What's the purpose of DEF?

 

[trc65]

since it goes into your vehicle, the standards are pretty high, since other contaminants would be expelled as pollution. my understanding is it's urea and water

from the internet

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is a non-toxic, colorless liquid made of exactly 32.5% high-purity synthetic urea and 67.5% deionized water

I don't disagree, but some sources I read said that DEF is made under different standards than fertilizer, so reporting of potential contaminants, even in trace amounts is different than the stricter standards for fertilizer. I don't know enough about the manufacture of either to know what the truth is.

Bottom line, most people aren't going to be using enough urea, or DEF to make that much of a difference in the pocket book, especially with fertilizer now coming down in price.

 

[Webb]

Urea is great for melting snow and ice on a walkway.

 

[sprucegum]

The sugar snap peas are ready, I picked a few this morning. It looks like a lot more coming. Many are almost ready and lots of blossoms. Very sweet and crunchy.

 

[vegas urban lumber]

I've never heard of this DEF stuff. But it makes me wonder - urea is primarily carbon and nitrogen with hydrogen molecules filling the open spaces. Burning it (in a piston full of diesel fuel) would most likely result in combustion products like ammonia and any number of oxides of nitrogen, none of which would be beneficial. The water would obviously be turned to steam. What's the purpose of DEF?

it is injected onto the catalytic converter insides to eliminate pollution particulates from exhaust. it is not used in the engine

all diesel vehicles in the US after 2008 are required to use it for emissions control

 

[Mike Hill]

Well harvested my garlic yesterday. Not unhappy, but sure lost a lot for some reason. The elephant did best though a couple are getting soft at the top of the cloves. Must have some hardneck, as i have some bulbils to play with for future garlic.

 

[sprucegum]

Our garlic has been pretty disappointing for the past couple of years. Last fall my wife did a little research and ordered a hard neck variety that is supposed to do well here. Most of it came up and is looking really good, I have harvested all of the scapes and the leaves are starting to die. Here's hoping.

 

[djg]

Good looking cherries, Tim. We contemplated planting some apple and cherry trees in our yard, but have decided not to and rather go with something ornamental.

But we're also on the doorstep of Door County, WI, with a good number of cherry and apple orchards within a 30 minute drive, so finding a place to pick cherries and apples for a reasonable cost is not difficult.

After you pit the cherries, make some cherry pit syrup before you toss the pits out. Mix 1c of cherry pits with 1/2c sugar and let sit, covered, until the sugar has dissolved - probably 12 to 24 hours. Sugar is hydroscopic, so it will draw water out of the pits, along with a lot of good cherry flavor. After the sugar is dissolved, strain through a fine mesh strainer. If you want to get any sugar, etc. left on the pits, a teaspoon or two of water will help. Mix a pinch of salt into the syrup to balance the flavor. And then you've got a delicious cherry syrup great for mixing into drinks, a little over ice cream, etc.

We like using it to make Old Fashioneds with - a splash of the cherry pit syrup over ice, brandy or bourbon (my wife prefers brandy, I prefer bourbon), and then we use lemon or lime flavored sparking water in place of the Squirt or 7up.

We also like making cherry bounce. Put 1c cherries into a quart mason jar, 1/2 to 1c sugar, depending on how sweet you want it, and top up the jar with your booze of choice. I like it with bourbon. Brandy is also good. Some do vodka. I have heard rum is good and want to try that. Let sit on the shelf for 4 to 6 months, then it's ready to drink - and the cherries to eat.

Old post I know, but I didn't know how to link it without a quote. I've included it so you wouldn't have to guess as to what I was asking about.

I bought some cherries and am going to make cherry preserves or syrup which ever turns out. In 2024, I had a few sweet cherries on my tree that i wanted to make Cherry something from since I had lost my Montmorency trees.

Which brings me back to your post. I'm guessing the flavor comes from the residual flesh stuck to the pits? Even though I'm not a fan of a lot of sugar, I thought I'd try a small batch this year; sounds great over ice cream.

In 2024, I took the whole cherry and cooked them down with a little water and then 'pitted' them by straining the whole mess. It was a mess and this year, I plan on pitting first. The pitter you linked is no longer available (not surprising). Does anyone else have a pitter they like?

 

[djg]

The sugar snap peas are ready, I picked a few this morning. It looks like a lot more coming. Many are almost ready and lots of blossoms. Very sweet and crunchy.

View attachment 290602

The recent heat has pretty much done in my sugar snap peas despite watering. The telephone peas are holding their own for the most part.

 

[trc65]

Old post I know, but I didn't know how to link it without a quote. I've included it so you wouldn't have to guess as to what I was asking about.

I bought some cherries and am going to make cherry preserves or syrup which ever turns out. In 2024, I had a few sweet cherries on my tree that i wanted to make Cherry something from since I had lost my Montmorency trees.

Which brings me back to your post. I'm guessing the flavor comes from the residual flesh stuck to the pits? Even though I'm not a fan of a lot of sugar, I thought I'd try a small batch this year; sounds great over ice cream.

In 2024, I took the whole cherry and cooked them down with a little water and then 'pitted' them by straining the whole mess. It was a mess and this year, I plan on pitting first. The pitter you linked is no longer available (not surprising). Does anyone else have a pitter they like?

The pitter I use is the white plastic NORPRO for a out $7. It works, and have used it for a few years. Don't know if any of the fancier ones work better or last longer, but I haven't looked.

 

[Sprung]

Old post I know, but I didn't know how to link it without a quote. I've included it so you wouldn't have to guess as to what I was asking about.

I bought some cherries and am going to make cherry preserves or syrup which ever turns out. In 2024, I had a few sweet cherries on my tree that i wanted to make Cherry something from since I had lost my Montmorency trees.

Which brings me back to your post. I'm guessing the flavor comes from the residual flesh stuck to the pits? Even though I'm not a fan of a lot of sugar, I thought I'd try a small batch this year; sounds great over ice cream.

In 2024, I took the whole cherry and cooked them down with a little water and then 'pitted' them by straining the whole mess. It was a mess and this year, I plan on pitting first. The pitter you linked is no longer available (not surprising). Does anyone else have a pitter they like?

Yeah, it makes a very sweet syrup with good cherry flavor. I'd assume from the residual flesh stuck to the pits. We recently used our last jar from the freezer. So it's a good thing it's cherry season very soon in Door County - we'll have cherries again soon.

Looks like they've released an updated version of the pitter we have. It's been a real workhorse for pitting cherries. A couple years we've had 4+ gallons of cherries to pit and it made quick work of it.

 

[Nature Man]

The pitter I use is the white plastic NORPRO for a out $7. It works, and have used it for a few years. Don't know if any of the fancier ones work better or last longer, but I haven't looked.

Here is a link to the Norpro company.

5120 DELUXE CHERRY PITTER - Norpro, Inc.

Measures: 15" x 6.5" x 4.25 / 38cm x 16.5cm x 11cm Clamp width: 1.75" / 4.5cm Easily and snugly clamps onto counter tops. Features automatic feed tray and catch hopper. Speed up the tedious task of removing pits quickly without bruising or crushing cherries. No mess or wasted fruit. Sturdy...

www.norpro.com

 

[djg]

Yeah, it makes a very sweet syrup with good cherry flavor. I'd assume from the residual flesh stuck to the pits. We recently used our last jar from the freezer. So it's a good thing it's cherry season very soon in Door County - we'll have cherries again soon.

Looks like they've released an updated version of the pitter we have. It's been a real workhorse for pitting cherries. A couple years we've had 4+ gallons of cherries to pit and it made quick work of it.

I found this one at Rural King; suppose to be in stock (we'll see. Their web site sucks, never right).

Norpro Deluxe Cherry Stoner/Pitter - 5120 | Rural King

Norpro Deluxe Cherry Stoner/Pitter - 5120

www.ruralking.com

I could get a single one like @trc65 recommended, but hopefully my young Montmorency trees will be bearing in a few years and I'll have lots of cherries to pit. Should be worth the extra price when I have the volume.

 

[djg]

Here is a link to the Norpro company.

5120 DELUXE CHERRY PITTER - Norpro, Inc.

Measures: 15" x 6.5" x 4.25 / 38cm x 16.5cm x 11cm Clamp width: 1.75" / 4.5cm Easily and snugly clamps onto counter tops. Features automatic feed tray and catch hopper. Speed up the tedious task of removing pits quickly without bruising or crushing cherries. No mess or wasted fruit. Sturdy...

www.norpro.com

I think I found the same thing locally.

Norpro Deluxe Cherry Stoner/Pitter - 5120 | Rural King

Norpro Deluxe Cherry Stoner/Pitter - 5120

www.ruralking.com

 

[burlyfigured]

Potatoes are bushier than expected

 

[trc65]

They look nice and healthy.

 

[djg]

Potatoes are bushier than expected

View attachment 290655

Go rub it in lol. Seriously, nice. What variety?

 

[djg]

Well, it blue fingers season around here. Picked my first of the thornless blackberries. Front side facing East got zapped a little by the heat. There smaller. But the backside, protected by the weeds, are much bigger.



Had to pull all the weeds just to get to the vines. Don't know if we settled it, but these are my two most favorite weeds.

The first is the long vine with small 'thorns' along the stems. Quite ichy.


Second is bad pic.

And the second weed gets a real thick fuzzy stalk. Easy to pull, though.



Just curious.

And despite fertilizing with Miracle Grow and then watering, my potatoes continue to dry up.

 

[trc65]

The first I think is Japanese hops. The second weed is giant ragweed.

Very nice looking berries.

If the potatoes continue to dry up, nothing to do for them. However, doesn't mean you have to dig them. They will store in the ground just fine, and dig a few when you need them. My Norlands will die off in a few weeks and they stay in the ground until I want to eat a few. Other than some potential rodent eating a little, they will be fine until the ground freezes.