Written by Matt Hughes on August 17th, 2010
Having returned from a visit to our community garden plots, Steph and I feel that it is necessary to publicize several rules requiring Community Garden Plots. (Click to enlarge all images.)
- Do Not Abandon Your Plot :
Gardening is not a Plant-And-Forget technique. It requires regular visits to remove weeds, prepare soil, tend to plants, etc. This takes time, sometimes four or five months. While the average American in this day and age barely has the patience to finish this sentence, we implore you – Do not abandon your plot.
Abandoned Plot with Squash, Potatoes, and more that will never see the table.
- Keep The Pathway Clear :
The pathway between your plot and any neighbors is all of your responsibility. Man-up and help keep it clear of weeds. Better yet, lay down a nice thick layer of straw to keep the weeds down.
Sorry, No, Your Squash Does Not Get the Walkway
- Supplementary Rule – Zucchini Harvest :
During Zucchini season, it is permitted (and strongly recommended) that you lock your car doors while working at the community garden. This prevents other miscreant gardeners from off-loading their abundance of extra zucchini into your vehicle.
Don't Forget to Secure the Windows
- Safe Guarding Your Perimeter (aka The “Possession is 9/10ths of the Law” Rule) :
If you find yourself having to actually remove/cut down actual plants (i.e. squash or beans) that has begun to infiltrate your plots perimeter or tear down your fence, you are permitted to take any produce from that plant.
Yes, the weeds on the left would classify as a threat to the perimeter.
- Machetes Are Not Garden Tools :
Should a machete is required to remove weeds, said plot owner forfeit all rights to any produce that emerges from that plot, however unlikely.
Right Side = Well Tended Plot, Left Side = Machete Playground
Posted in Daily Grind, Food | 4 Responses »
Written by Matt Hughes on August 14th, 2010
Between my Father-in-Law’s surgery and harvest season fast approaching, we’ve been spending a lot of our free time out at the farm. Even with us being out there as often as we are, it’s still a beautiful place. So for those who are curious what being on a family farm in Northeast Iowa is like, here’s a few pictures (click the image to enlarge):
Sunflowers – Lyle plans on having these processed for oil and seed. There’s about thirty acres or so that run along the crest of the hills. Weird thing about these – about half face west, the other half face east, no matter where the sun is. A bit on the unusual side.
The soybean harvest. Not sure how many plants we put in the ground but this is what it looks like when they’re harvested. Our haul (on the right) came out to be just under 29 pounds. The In-Laws took 30 pounds. Most of these end up as Edamame for stir-fry, salads, or dips. If you had told me a couple of years ago I’d enjoy these, I’d have laughed in your face.
A Puffball Mushroom that we found on the farm. The thing was huge and according to a knowledgeable friend, this is a small specimen. Some of these things get to over a foot in diameter. Ours was about 8 inches. We cooked it up in some breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, and pan-fried it in butter. Tasted like French Toast.
And last, how we unwind after a day at the farm. No, it is not staged. Steph really got those letters. And she STILL beat me! @#$!
Posted in Daily Grind | No Responses »
Written by Matt Hughes on August 12th, 2010
Walt Whitman has Leaves of Grass. Me? I have Blades of Grass.
Today was yet another day off of work (almost got all the vacation time burned) and I set myself the goal of mowing the lawn. It’s been getting a bit on the long side. Of course, today was also the day that Mother Nature set the goal for it to get upwards of 93 degrees.
Clearly, she and I need to get on the same wavelength.
That said, I leave you some choice quotes on the subject :
- Plans to mow the lawn delayed by the fact that it’s hot enough to melt the lawn mower.
- Tweet @ 3:54pm
- Me : Going outside to mow. If I die of heatstroke, I just want you to know …
Me : … you can’t have any of my stuff.
Jon : Bastard
- IM conversation with my brother @ 5:50pm
- I always learn something while mowing the lawn. Today I learned we have an underground bee’s nest in the backyard. #owstingow
- Tweet @ 6:30pm
Something tells me ol’ Walt has nothing to worry about.
Posted in Daily Grind | No Responses »
Written by Matt Hughes on August 9th, 2010
Feed by Mira Grant
Adventures in Sci Fi Publishing 2.0 has gone live and along with it, my review of Mira Grant’s Feed. Head on over there and check it out. When you’re done with that, go out and buy the book.
Us authors like to eat too. That whole ’starving artist’ thing is just for looks ya know.
If you have any comments or questions, please leave them in the threads over there.
Posted in Daily Grind, Reviews | No Responses »
Written by Matt Hughes on August 7th, 2010
Don't Bale On Me
While the Father-in-Law recovers from his heart surgery, I’ve been doing my best to help out at the farm. This week, that included making a bit of hay. I’ve done the raking before, but this week marked the first time I did it all – mowing, raking, and baling.
I shall confess to a bit of nervousness on the last item. There’s three objects to keep track of – Tractor, Baler, and Wagon. Fortunately, I seemed to have picked it up pretty quick. I was also assured the rule was that if the bale misses the wagon, you’re responsible for picking it up. I’m proud to say that out of 120* bales, not one missed the mark. That included one that ricocheted off the left post, over to the right side, and then down into the wagon. Boo ya.
I mentioned on Twitter what I spent the day doing and a friend asked ‘How was haying?”
I replied - “Haying is fun. Hard work but it catches on like a fever.”
Clearly I am a literary genius.
No, Mowing is Not Any More Fun on a Tractor
* My original estimate of 60+ bales was incredibly far off. Counted as we unloaded today and it came out to an even 120.
Posted in Daily Grind | 2 Responses »
