Where I start retirement with a garden and begin foraging in Lower Queensbury, New Brunswick.
- Maple Sap Boil Down
Yesterday, 22 litres of sap were boiled down to produce this…
We had pancakes for supper.😋
About 100 litres more to boil.
- Maple Sap Collection – Day 3
Checked the maple sap buckets today and they were full. I commandeered cider containers that were destined for another project and collected 30 litres.
I think I’ll need to invest in more (and larger) containers.
- Maple Sap Collection – Day 1
It’s spring and I’ve decided to try my hand at making maple syrup. I borrowed unused buckets and spiles (taps) from my neighbour. After the buckets and spiles were cleaned, I drilled five maples, inserted the spiles and hung the buckets.
Dripping started immediately.
- Garden Production
The garden has been ‘wild’ this year. With most of my time focused on home-building, there has been minimal thinning, weeding and pest removal, only nightly watering.
The nasturtium and marigold flowers have been quite successful. Many bees.
Three tomato and one pepper plant sprouted randomly from last year’s garden. They were relocated and are starting to bear fruit.
I’ve been harvesting basil, chives, rosemary, garlic and Brussels sprouts & nasturtium leaves for the last couple months. Now peas, turnip, tomatoes, corn, carrots, and peppers (hot & sweet) are starting to be added to meals.
- Japanese Beetles
Shenanigans in the garden… An invasive species in these parts.
- Garden 2.0
This year’s garden is a little larger, better protected from deer and has a proper gate.
In the ground and now growing: golden beets, turnips, carrots, potatoes, onions, garlic, peas, beans, Brussels sprouts, peppers, corn, pumpkin, marigolds, nasturtiums, strawberry, chard, basil and rosemary.
- Tonight’s Side Dish
- Pear Trees
We planted two pear trees last spring. I can report that they survived the winter.
- Chocolate Mint
A few chocolate mint plants were acquired from Hayes Farm last spring. Healthy new growth is now spreading out in the planting area.
For tips on how to grow and care for this herbaceous perennial, check out The Spruce.
- Sprouting
Garlic cloves planted in late fall are poking up.
