{"id":696,"date":"2024-10-28T19:59:06","date_gmt":"2024-10-28T22:59:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sceith.net\/?page_id=696"},"modified":"2025-08-22T12:56:05","modified_gmt":"2025-08-22T15:56:05","slug":"gardening-foraging","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sceith.net\/index.php\/gardening-foraging\/","title":{"rendered":"Gardening &amp; Foraging"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Where I start retirement with a garden and begin foraging in Lower Queensbury, New Brunswick.<\/p>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__list has-dates wp-block-latest-posts\"><li><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/sceith.net\/index.php\/2026\/04\/09\/maple-sap-boildown\/\">Maple Sap Boil Down<\/a><time datetime=\"2026-04-09T20:19:07-03:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">2026-Apr-09<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-full-content\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":2311,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_20260408_141532380_HDR.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2311\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_20260408_141532380_HDR.jpg 900w, https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_20260408_141532380_HDR-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_20260408_141532380_HDR-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_20260408_141532380_HDR-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Yesterday, 22 litres of sap were boiled down to produce this&#8230;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2312,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_20260409_152922308_HDR-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2312\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_20260409_152922308_HDR-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_20260409_152922308_HDR-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_20260409_152922308_HDR.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>We had pancakes for supper.\ud83d\ude0b<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>About 100 litres more to boil.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/div><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/sceith.net\/index.php\/2026\/03\/25\/maple-sap-collection-day-3\/\">Maple Sap Collection &#8211; Day 3<\/a><time datetime=\"2026-03-25T17:29:55-03:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">2026-Mar-25<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-full-content\"><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Checked the maple sap buckets today and they were full. I commandeered cider containers that were destined for another project and collected 30 litres. <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2264,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_20260325_155543620_HDR-s.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2264\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_20260325_155543620_HDR-s.jpg 900w, https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_20260325_155543620_HDR-s-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_20260325_155543620_HDR-s-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>I think I&#8217;ll need to invest in more (and larger) containers.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/div><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/sceith.net\/index.php\/2026\/03\/21\/maple-sap-collection\/\">Maple Sap Collection &#8211; Day 1<\/a><time datetime=\"2026-03-21T18:26:31-03:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">2026-Mar-21<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-full-content\"><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>It&#8217;s spring and I&#8217;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. <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"lightbox\":{\"enabled\":false},\"id\":2244,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"custom\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/2s3g1kc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/P321000303212026_161821-s.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2244\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/P321000303212026_161821-s.jpg 900w, https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/P321000303212026_161821-s-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/P321000303212026_161821-s-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Dripping started immediately.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"lightbox\":{\"enabled\":false},\"id\":2245,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"custom\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/2s3kzrd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/P321003303212026_161946-s.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2245\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/P321003303212026_161946-s.jpg 450w, https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/P321003303212026_161946-s-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image --><\/div><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/sceith.net\/index.php\/2025\/08\/22\/garden-production\/\">Garden Production<\/a><time datetime=\"2025-08-22T12:48:47-03:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">2025-Aug-22<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-full-content\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":1547,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/P822000608222025_110600-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1547\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/P822000608222025_110600-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/P822000608222025_110600-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/P822000608222025_110600.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The garden has been &#8216;wild&#8217; this year. With most of my time focused on home-building, there has been minimal thinning, weeding and pest removal, only nightly watering. <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The nasturtium and marigold flowers have been quite successful. Many bees.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Three tomato and one pepper plant sprouted randomly from last year&#8217;s garden. They were relocated and are starting to bear fruit.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>I&#8217;ve been harvesting basil, chives, rosemary, garlic and Brussels sprouts &amp; nasturtium leaves for the last couple months. Now peas, turnip, tomatoes, corn, carrots, and peppers (hot &amp; sweet) are starting to be added to meals.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/div><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/sceith.net\/index.php\/2025\/07\/25\/japanese-beetles\/\">Japanese Beetles<\/a><time datetime=\"2025-07-25T22:53:01-03:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">2025-Jul-25<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-full-content\"><!-- wp:image {\"lightbox\":{\"enabled\":false},\"id\":1362,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"custom\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/2riQuSH\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/P7250022s-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1362\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/P7250022s-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/P7250022s-1-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/P7250022s-1-768x384.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Shenanigans in the garden\u2026<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>An invasive species in these parts.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thespruce.com\/controlling-adult-japanese-beetles-1402495\">Controlling Adult Japanese Beetles @ the spruce<\/a><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/div><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/sceith.net\/index.php\/2025\/07\/01\/garden-2-0\/\">Garden 2.0<\/a><time datetime=\"2025-07-01T15:20:22-03:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">2025-Jul-01<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-full-content\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":1253,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/W1010027.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1253\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/W1010027.jpg 800w, https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/W1010027-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/W1010027-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>This year&#8217;s garden is a little larger, better protected from deer and has a proper gate.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/div><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/sceith.net\/index.php\/2025\/05\/30\/tonights-side-dish\/\">Tonight&#8217;s Side Dish<\/a><time datetime=\"2025-05-30T19:37:08-03:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">2025-May-30<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-full-content\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":1169,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/P5290032.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/P5290032.jpg 600w, https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/P5290032-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thespruce.com\/how-to-plant-and-grow-asparagus-1402814\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Asparagus<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/div><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/sceith.net\/index.php\/2025\/05\/07\/pear-trees\/\">Pear Trees<\/a><time datetime=\"2025-05-07T14:26:04-03:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">2025-May-07<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-full-content\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":1136,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"675\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/W1070003.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1136\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/W1070003.jpg 675w, https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/W1070003-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 675px) 100vw, 675px\" \/><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>We planted two pear trees last spring. I can report that they survived the winter.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/div><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/sceith.net\/index.php\/2025\/05\/05\/chocolate-mint\/\">Chocolate Mint<\/a><time datetime=\"2025-05-05T12:48:16-03:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">2025-May-05<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-full-content\"><!-- wp:image {\"lightbox\":{\"enabled\":false},\"id\":1118,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"custom\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/2r2SUjy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/P5050003s.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1118\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/P5050003s.jpg 800w, https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/P5050003s-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/P5050003s-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>A few chocolate mint plants were acquired from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbchg.org\/hayes-farm\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hayes Farm<\/a> last spring. Healthy new growth is now spreading out in the planting area.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>For tips on how to grow and care for this herbaceous perennial, check out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thespruce.com\/chocolate-mint-plant-4176684\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Spruce<\/a>.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/div><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/sceith.net\/index.php\/2025\/05\/01\/sprouting\/\">Sprouting<\/a><time datetime=\"2025-05-01T15:46:46-03:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">2025-May-01<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-full-content\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":1114,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/W1010002.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1114\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/W1010002.jpg 800w, https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/W1010002-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sceith.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/W1010002-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Garlic cloves planted in late fall are poking up.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Where I start retirement with a garden and begin foraging in Lower Queensbury, New Brunswick.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":935,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-696","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sceith.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/696","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sceith.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sceith.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sceith.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sceith.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=696"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/sceith.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/696\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1554,"href":"https:\/\/sceith.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/696\/revisions\/1554"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sceith.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/935"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sceith.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=696"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}