Garlic Planting 2015-2016

Garlic is planted in fall and overwinters to be harvested in July - in our Zone 4 - UpState NY.

we planted 15 rows for a total of 650 garlic bulbs to be harvested next summer!  We are trying to rebuild our seed stock.  Lots of people love our garlic - it is an heirloom italian hard neck variety.  Each year we replant the largest cloves from each garlic bulb.

...we sift horse manure - composted over 180 days - mixed with peat moss.  This is used in the rows ..the soil should be light and easy for the bulbs to expand as they grow.  We use the peat moss on a limited basis - directly where the plants/seeds are placed.  It is expensive and environmentally controversial due to the impact on peat bogs.  We have "muck" soil that needs to be "lifted".  I use a mix of dried leaves, compost, grass clippings, and peat.

Herb Salad

See this end of season salad with nasturtium flowers, dill, lettuce, arugula, parsley, cilantro - dressed with lime, dijon mustard, garlic, olive oil

Saying goodbye to a wonderful 2015 season - weather wise.  I will try to remain upbeat until the first summer day of next year!  All the nutrients I put up in the freezer will be a big help!

The last rainbow of the season reminds me of the spectacular days of summer!

Frozen Apple Sauce

We get apples all around the farm - Antique wild apples - plus those from an orchard.

We cut and cored the apples - steamed with some apple cider vinegar and green tea water.  Than placed in food processor until smooth.  Added cinnamon and nutmeg and some raw sugar to taste(cause I have a sweet tooth!).

Apple sauce is a great dietary source of carbohydrates, vit c , potassium, and fiber.

2015/2016 Skincare: Le Mieux Bio Cell Rejuvenation Cream+ Amara Organics Vit C Serum

These purchases are my attempt for have better skin/facial appearance without makeup.  I know the primary is water intake.  The cost of these products are significant  - so I should see noticeable changes. I will update this post with changes, if anything. 
Le Mieux Bio Cell Rejuvenating Cream
A recent purchase of this skincare product costs $34.54 
...  Hyaluronic Acid extracted from rooster combs or made by bacteria in the laboratory - a major benefit is retention of moisture. 
... Glycoprotein  assist in maintaining health of cellular proteins. It may help to manage dry skin.

Amara Organics Vitamin C Serum for Face 20% with Hyaluronic Acid & Vitamin E

A recent purchase of this skincare product costs 17.95

 "Vitamin C , which can help to boost the production of collagen that naturally diminishes as we age. As well, antioxidants fight free radical damage associated with the premature aging of skin
vitamins C & E have been proven to work particularly well together in neutralizing free radicals, moisturizing and brightening skin tone."
http://blog.pharmacymix.com

Heirloom Tomato Review

THE SANDWICH

these are beefsteak - tomato sandwiches that can't be beat!

I prefer Pantano Romanesco above all other slicing tomatoes, than I opt for any pink variety - they both have less seeds and more thick flesh for a rich slice...see the list below for varieties I planted that I would plant again!

THE PICKLED GREEN TOMATO

any tomato will do that is a beefsteak variety - smaller - like the Cour di Bue or the Pantano - the recipe calls for salting the tomato slices, doing a vinegar bath, placing in jars/no lid with oil, garlic, oregano, dried hot red pepper

TOMATO SAUCE

any tomato will do, if cooked properly, roasted paste tomatoes are the best, but any tomato, cooked, and drained in the refrigerator overnight, will equal a paste consistency.  we freeze lots of tomatoes for a frozen product I developed in 2005 - farmers market frozen foods!

MARKET TOMATOES

.............................................................our farm stand does sells few tomatoes locally - no one pays what it's worth to grow them - yet, I do it for the love of growing them.  Next year - we are taking a year off from tomatoes - after 25 years.  Here, I am selling them for only 50 cents each - less than $1 per pound.  

This is a list of varieties we planted this year and the ones that I would plant again - my favorites on this list are Pantano Romanesco, Pineapple, Cour di Bue

TOMATO VARIETIES - plant again - YES/NO
Pearly Pink - cherry YES
Pineapple - beefsteak YES
Amish Paste - paste YES
Pincipe Borghese - cherry YES
Martino's Roma - plum YES
Gezahnte - paste NO - pretty fluted look but not special taste
Cour di Bue - beefsteak YES
Pink Brandywine - beefsteak YES
Pink Ponderosa - beefsteak
Plum Tigris - plum NO - pretty stripes but tough skin
Pantano Romanesco - my favorite YES YES
Black Elephant - got seeds, no plants ?
Rio Grande - beefsteak YES
Beefsteak NO - more seeds and pulp than other varieties