HOPS; Not Just for Beer Anymore

Hops are a gorgeous plant to behold; with vines that grow vertically creating a cascading curtain of shade and beauty to any yard.

10/20/12 These vines are just past their prime!

Fresh hop harvest  9/30/12

            I didn't know what to expect when John planted Willamette and Galena hops in the back yard earlier this year (Spring 2012) and I couldn't have been more pleased with the results, who would have thought, hops, the main ingredient in beer, that burp inducing, tough guy beverage would be such a lovely addition to my garden?

 Hops grow from Rhizomes, a root cutting about 12 inches long.  Hop Rhizomes come in several varieties (John used Willamette and Galena) bought at a Home Brew Supply store (also available online) here in USDA Gardening Zone 8b, A.K.A. Portland, Oregon.

Dig a trench 4" deep and roughly the length of the rhizome you are planting. Look for any whitish buds on the rhizome and position them skyward. If no buds are present look for roots and place them ground ward. The rhizome should be planted horizontally, not vertically. Cover and pack by hand with soil. Lightly water and introduce mulch if desired. Like varieties can be planted 2 -3’apart. Separate unlike varieties by l0' or more. http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/yhst-54334701386679/hoprhizomescaresheet.pdf

 Hop Rhizomes planted in the Spring will rapidly become small hop vines in a sunny spot that gets plenty of water. Once you have small vines you can give them a structure to grow on. Hops like to climb and have little fingers called tendrils that grab on to anything around them.

 Tent Stake and Twine

tent stake in  ground between 2 vines

John used 3 tent stakes for six hop plants, two vines per tent stake. Place tent stakes in the ground so the hook end is exposed.

Lattice Awning

One long piece of twine was started on the far end of lattice awning beam and then brought back down through the tent stake loop, brought back up over the top of the lattice beam then brought back down again to the next tent stake in position. 

One may have to train ones hop vines to climb the twine for a few days, but they will catch on quickly (literally.)

 Don't have a lattice awning? No problem, there are several ways to build a trellis for hops to grow on. Use a hefty rope or cable with metal pipe. (Please BE CAREFUL. Hope vines can grow to 25 feet and are very heavy!)

Hardware used to secure the apparatus below

10ft metal piping and hardware

10ft Metal pipe placed outside the fence on the far right.

For More Information on Growing Hops:
http://morebeer.com/brewingtechniques/library/backissues/issue2.3/montell.html 
www.oregonhops.org/culture2.html

September/October Planting: Trial and Error

Being an adventurous, "Trial and Error" kind of gardener, September the 19, 2012, I ambitiously planted Utah Improved Celery, Broccoli Raab, Marvel of Four Seasons Butterhead Lettuce, and Thyme. All from seed. As of 10/20, the only survivors (with the exception of the Thyme) are pictured below and I'm not even sure that is a celery plant.

1 survivor, Marvel of 4 Seasons Lettuce as of 10/20

Celery or weed? 10/20

 On October 10, 2012 I planted new crops in my garden; Winter Density bibb/Romaine Lettuce starts, Kale Lacinto Rainbow starts, Italian purple garlic cloves, and for the first time; Yellow Rock onion sets.

Lettuce 10/10

Kale photo taken 10/20

Garlic planted 10/10

Onion planted 10/10

 10 days later(10/20/12), the Winter Density lettuce is thriving, the hearty Kale is doing well, UNLIKE, the  seeds I planted earlier this month. the Broccoli Rabb had a good start but when I checked on it today it looked sallow and crumpled. One lettuce plant made it out of four (4 patches of seeds), this surprised me because I have planted Marvel of Four Seasons STARTS in the past and they have been an excellent producer. I shouldn't be surprised, in general I have been pretty unsuccessful planting from seed (with the exception of carrots and herbs.)

Hops act as a beautiful natural curtain in ones yard.

This weekend I am going to try out how some dying hop vines perform as a cover for my onions and garlic that I just planted. I think that they will give back to the soil more nutrients than the hay I have used in the past.

I am a trial and error gardener, I learn from my mistakes and the advice of others. Let me know what has worked for you!

Sun Dried (Oven Dried) Tomatoes

I am sad to say that tomato season is over for me now that it is late October.  In June, I planted two tomato plants in my sunny yard this year a "Roma" (my favorite) and an "Early Girl" variety. Only a few weeks ago I had so many delicious tomatoes I was cooking a tomato dish everyday.

One day I made sun dried tomatoes, or a more appropriately "Oven Dried" tomatoes. I found that there are a lot of different methods that one could use to make these tasty morsels but this is what I did.

A made a big batch and used probably around thirty tomatoes. It takes about 10 tomatoes to make 1 ounce of sun dried tomatoes.
Oven on 200 degrees F
Cut the tomatoes vertically in at least 1/4 inch slices ( I cut some thinner and they got way over done.)
Place on cookie sheet (I didn't grease mine.)

I sprinkled a little sea salt and herbs on some of the tomatoes but after tasting the results,I don't think they needed any additional flavor. The tomato flavor alone gets super concentrated in this drying process.

I cooked my tomatoes for about 6 hours total, flipping the slices at the half way mark.

When the tomatoes are done they should have the consistency of a plump raisin while maintaining their rich color like in the picture above. I lost a lot of slices in the process due to being cut too thin and being over cooked. Keep an eye on the tomatoes while they are cooking, I cooked three cookie sheets at a time and switched there placement on the oven racks when I saw the top rack was getting more heat that the others.

Let the tomatoes cool completely when they are done.  I put my tomatoes in a ziplock bag to store and found that this wasn't an efficient way to preserve them for the long term, some of them got a little moist. For long term storage I would suggest another method like in a jar with olive oil or another air tight method.

But really, these tomatoes are so delicious that you probably won't need to store them for long. I have bought sun dried tomatoes in the grocery store and have enjoyed them but not half as much as these homemade ones. The store bout tomatoes have a distinct smokey flavor, the garden fresh "oven dried"  tomatoes are all intense tomato flavor. For more ideas and cooking methods see the link below.
http://homecooking.about.com/od/howtocookvegetables/a/sundriedrecipe.htm

I'm a new blogger, would love to hear your comments, and suggestions. 

Onion Sets: Tips and Tricks

On October 10th I planted onion sets for the first time. I bought Yellow Rock onions for about $4.99 per pound at Portland Nursery.

Onion Sets are mini onion bulbs like the one in the picture. According to the folks at Portland Nursery they are easier to grow that onions from seed, produce 3 weeks earlier than from onions planted from seed, and sprout eatable scallions quickly. Now (Fall) is a great time to plant onion sets. The thing is about these cuties is that they are known to bolt before the bulb has a chance to grow larger. I found a great article on what bolting is and how to prevent it: http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/vegetable/onion-bolting.htm

I planted my onions 2-3 inches apart in 1 inch deep soil (points up like the picture.)  I thoroughly worked the soil in my garden bed before I planted (with a shovel and rake)to break up the earth to insuring sufficient drainage. For more specifics about preparing, planting, and harvesting check out this link: http://www.essortment.com/plant-yellow-onion-bulbs-106510.html

The day after I had planted I went to check on my handy work and realized that my arch nemesis', A.K.A. Squirrels had been at my bulbs! Later when I was venting to an acquaintance he suggested a concoction that would keep menacing squirrels at bay. Animals hate the smell of red pepper, the squirrel repellent consists of a tablespoon of red pepper flakes, water, and a little dish soap for sticking power. After you let the pepper color the water, drain the liquid into a spray bottle and spray it on the soil, repeat as necessary. It seems to be working for me so far!

What is A Nouveau Homesteader?

What is a Nouveau Homesteader?

Definition of NOUVEAU : newly arrived or developed

HOMESTEADER: The term may apply to anyone who follows the back-to-the-land movement by adopting a sustainable, self-sufficient lifestyle. While land is no longer freely available in most areas of the world, homesteading remains as a way of life. According to author John Seymour, "urban homesteading" incorporates small-scale, sustainable agriculture and homemaking. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homesteading

 

What This Blog is About:

Like traditional homesteaders, the kind that broke ground here in Oregon after traveling the OR Trail from the various places (I grew up in Maine but moved to Oregon from Maui.). I’m trying to make a better life for myself by being resourceful, more efficient, and trying new things. Basically, taking advantage of the advantages I have right now. Advantages like: being able to grow vegetables year round in my back yard garden. Cooking whatever and whenever I feel like it. I also, have the advantage of time (I’m unemployed.) I have time to pursue and/or create a career that suits me.