tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post3570731903639868226..comments2023-08-26T08:35:59.375-04:00Comments on Incoming BYTES: Jack Frost and the Great 2012 Heap UpdateRaymond Alexander Kukkeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01347971987435644221noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-63644031487792741522012-09-20T09:21:50.010-04:002012-09-20T09:21:50.010-04:00Haha! Funny, Glory, why thank you, you are too kin...Haha! Funny, Glory, why thank you, you are too kind; thinking about it, I didn't do it, Mother Nature did! Rest assured, you're still the ultimate gardener by far!<br />It does appear that heap technology has GREAT potential, looking at it now--third year--and it seems to be getting better! I haven't even added any prepared compost to it to date, just green garden waste, ie. vines, tomato plants, bean plants etc. and burying them... ":))Raymond Alexander Kukkeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01347971987435644221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-66261778031176708792012-09-19T22:22:18.056-04:002012-09-19T22:22:18.056-04:00Holy fricken moly!That is astounding! I gotta get ...Holy fricken moly!That is astounding! I gotta get me a heap like that...or die trying. I bow to the master gardener.Glorygarden@msn.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05590509665833028919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-33177052247555544172012-09-18T19:36:40.698-04:002012-09-18T19:36:40.698-04:00Yes, Christyb, sunshiny thoughts are better, I don...Yes, Christyb, sunshiny thoughts are better, I don't appreciate the cold weather either, but 'welcome to Canada' and "Christyb smiles and believes in sunshine even when winter is coming"... ":)Raymond Alexander Kukkeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01347971987435644221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-20228532329016895722012-09-18T19:30:30.899-04:002012-09-18T19:30:30.899-04:00Mac, this crop actually is astounding. We were sur...Mac, this crop actually is astounding. We were sure surprised at the productivity of this heap. Actually I think there were possibly a couple of visits by a black bear, too thinking about it, it seems there were a couple of pumpkins missing relatively early in the ripening process and some flattened greenery --which even jacks up the count higher, I forgot about those too. Our two pups tour the yard regularly, so it's not a common problem. I certainly won't plant three or four pumpkin plants --or spaghetti squash,on the heap again... we have enough for three years now ":) Raymond Alexander Kukkeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01347971987435644221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-22703297702466101922012-09-18T17:06:49.365-04:002012-09-18T17:06:49.365-04:00Frost in the mornings - yes that is the changing o...Frost in the mornings - yes that is the changing of the seasons! Keep the sunshiny thoughts coming Raymond I don't like the cold weather as much!Christy Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11038079735340440318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-74437394975338078722012-09-18T14:48:56.417-04:002012-09-18T14:48:56.417-04:00A marvel! How do you keep black bears out of your ...A marvel! How do you keep black bears out of your sqashes and pumpkins?<br /><br />Gotta love that heap!Mac Pikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07309011587523287966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-55996628413881446052012-09-17T16:51:17.592-04:002012-09-17T16:51:17.592-04:00Hi Wendy, unfortunately they don't get deliver...Hi Wendy, unfortunately they don't get delivered from Canadian Tire either, you have to build one.<br /> You won't be sorry either, the concept has proven to be very effective and prolific. Warms up early in the spring, high organic content helps keep moisture, mulching protects it from heat--and I believe the healthier, prolific growth deters insects. Kick-start a heap with some topsoil and composted manure--and watch it go! ":) ~RRaymond Alexander Kukkeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01347971987435644221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-39566250316041399782012-09-17T10:24:43.701-04:002012-09-17T10:24:43.701-04:00I want a heap. Can I order one from L.L. Bean?
(Ju...I want a heap. Can I order one from L.L. Bean?<br />(Just kidding.) :)Wendy of BearHavenhttp://www.bearhaven.canoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-30798330284918675102012-09-17T09:52:44.931-04:002012-09-17T09:52:44.931-04:00haha, Sue, I knew that --although hoeing for weeks...haha, Sue, I knew that --although hoeing for weeks is possible in my garden, too--as well as weeds....":))Raymond Alexander Kukkeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01347971987435644221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-61025490235228609622012-09-17T09:51:30.463-04:002012-09-17T09:51:30.463-04:00Hi Sue, yes, this was a wonderful harvest--absolut...Hi Sue, yes, this was a wonderful harvest--absolutely unexpected, much, much greater than last year from the same 'heap'. We were astounded. The vines crawled into the grass and kept going,getting more squash and pumpkins as they went! The spaghetti squash produced on this heap was absolutely amazing--and they keep so well. In a milder climate you could clamp them on the ground under a mesh and straw to keep them. Here, I have to bring them in! ":) <br />I hope your garden does as well! Weeds love to visit home whilst you're abroad! Have a wonderful day, hope it doesn't freeze TOO early for you! ~RRaymond Alexander Kukkeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01347971987435644221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-45528991335892854752012-09-17T05:59:06.088-04:002012-09-17T05:59:06.088-04:00that should read ( Weeds) lol that should read ( Weeds) lol Dreamwalkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03163786163908666994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-68907233142687780492012-09-17T05:50:54.752-04:002012-09-17T05:50:54.752-04:00Wow!! wonderful harvest... Amazing... We grew a fe...Wow!! wonderful harvest... Amazing... We grew a few pumpkins a few years back and they are becoming more popular over here.. But Ive never in my life seen so many from a Heap! LOL... <br />Jack Frost not arrived Just get Raymond here, but he is lurking waiting to pounce.. <br />After a Holiday break abroad, I spent most of yesterday morning in the allotment with Hubby clearing and hoeing weeks, while Hubby dug us up some potatoes and he cleared away the peas rows.. <br />Its looking more ship shape again.. <br /><br />Great Photos, lovely to see them :-) ~Sue <br />Dreamwalkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03163786163908666994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-2929429687280261862012-09-16T22:22:08.540-04:002012-09-16T22:22:08.540-04:00Hi M.J., the storage of this squash is simple, jus...Hi M.J., the storage of this squash is simple, just keep it in a cool, dry place! Spaghetti squash is amazing in that respect. If you live in a hot area, it has to go into a basement where the temperature is cooler and even. Other squash varieties and pumpkins will not store as long either. With those, peel them, cut them into pieces, and freeze them directly. <br />About selling produce, distance to travel either for customers or for delivery- and 'location, location and location ' applies, I'm afraid. <br /> We're not in a great location to sell that way--keep that in mind if you ever do decide to get a farm! A 'roadside stand' is the ideal way to go. Thanks for posting, M.J. ! Have a wonderful day! ~R Raymond Alexander Kukkeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01347971987435644221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-62649920116258862132012-09-16T22:13:30.678-04:002012-09-16T22:13:30.678-04:00Hi, Mandy! Yes, people living in the city often mi...Hi, Mandy! Yes, people living in the city often miss much of Mother Nature and her beauty--and potential. Most are totally alienated from their own food supply--not a good thing at all. I hope readers do pick up on what is there--what can be done, and how they can become less dependent on the system. I'm glad you enjoy the pics! TTT is doing a fine job isn't she...":)) ~RRaymond Alexander Kukkeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01347971987435644221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-40800940893516802952012-09-16T19:53:08.349-04:002012-09-16T19:53:08.349-04:00And your next (or at least one in the not too dist...And your next (or at least one in the not too distant future) post will be on how to store squash for a year! I'm planting enough to fill my freezer (living in the city like Mandy, I'm afraid). I'm not even sure we'll have that much left over, because we'll be eating like kings for the next 3 seasons. Still, it's amazing what you can do with a decent sized city yard, and I'm determined to do it. Love the organic, fresh picked produce and not readily able to give it up very easily. <br /><br />Now I have to ask, do you sell to folks in town or anything? With a farm like yours, it seems reasonable to assume that you at least earn the price of upkeep and all. Just curious...I know I'd probably open my doors and invite people to come and pick fresh even...a seasonal income and "tourist" spot type thing... Happy Sunday, kind sir. Best to you and yours...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599994070177946721.post-23350045262379849392012-09-16T18:26:07.902-04:002012-09-16T18:26:07.902-04:00As a city girl, I don't get to see the beauty ...As a city girl, I don't get to see the beauty of nature's heart. Your posts are a great way to get back to the core facts of life and what we have around us and part of us. Love the pics... and the information is very interesting. <br /><br />I like the way TTT's staying guard. :Pmandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02387928144381653423noreply@blogger.com