Gardening is not my first stunt in the circus but ORGANIC gardening is. First and foremost I want to say a big thank you to Grow Appalachia, and ARC&D for the tools, seeds, plants, fertilizer, staff enthusiasm, knowledge, and printed information in the BIU binder. THANK YOU. How nice it is to be on the receiving end of a well organized organization. I was surprised this year when I walked out to my raised beds. I had planted winter rye grass as my cover crop in the fall. I was so excited to turn over the lush green grass that over wintered. But wait. Half of this 4×8 bed was one huge ant hill. SURPRISE !!! So my first organic gardening lesson was how to get rid of the ants before they ruin my garlic!!
Step aside Terro! Water, sugar, Borax, and cotton balls is my go to for ants. (see the “recipe” at the bottom). I love gardening. It’s so satisfying and gives me a sense of accomplishment. When I have too much, I share with family and friends. How rewarding. Also, if anyone has extra produce of any amount Chef Mary, of Geeeneville, will be grateful to have it. She cooks more than 200 meals a week at the Greeneville Soup Kitchen for the food and home insecure.
It’s hard to say what any one thing I’ve learned in BIU. For me, insect identification and what insecticide to use are the most beneficial knowledge items I appreciate. I love growing green beans. In past years my personal record of processing of green beans is 34 pints. I still have 3 pints left from last year. The hardest thing about gardening for me is the time necessary to garden successfully. Getting up early in the morning helps. It’s cooler and you might even be able to identify the good bugs and the bad. It’s a very peaceful time of day and your garden will tell you what it needs. Oh, that’s another thing organic gardening has taught me. PATIENCE!! Am I crazy?? HAPPY GARDENING!!!!
RECIPE Anthill disappearance : Ingredients: 1 1/2 Tbls borax 1/2 cup white granulated sugar 1 1/2 cups warm water 6 Cotton balls Method: Dissolve borax, sugar in warm water Place cotton balls in plastic container (yogurt containers with lid works good) drill a few holes in top Add solution and cover Place near ant hill. Wait 2-3 days. Ants should be gone.
SLOW COOKER ROASTED RED BEETS: Ingredients: 6-8 Fresh red beets Olive oil Salt and pepper Aluminum foil Method: Place foil on bottom and up the sides of cooker (for easy cleaning) Coat beets with oil Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Skins will easily slip off after roasting. Cook on high or low depending how soon you want to eat. Beets are done when soft in middle.
