Comments for Notes from Nonsuch Kitchen Garden

Comment on Principles of Dehydrating by Sara

Sara — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 19:30:32 +0000

“Consequently, if the fan was at the bottom blowing upward, only the bottom tray would get dry.”

No, all trays dry equally. Really. Air is blown up through a central open column, forced over each tray, around the sides, then up again. The air is *not* blown up through the trays.

Comment on Principles of Dehydrating by Home improvement

Home improvement — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 13:55:32 +0000

I have an ancient dehydrator that resembles the excalibur. But honestly I don’t waste the electricity to use it unless I am drying a LOT of things. If nothing else, I buy & slice a bunch of bananas to fill up the space. We’ve never had any problems with filling up the tray so that the contents are all touching – they shrink apart as they dry anyway. I usually put a full pound of thinly sliced apples per square tray, for example.

Consequently, if the fan was at the bottom blowing upward, only the bottom tray would get dry. I’m guessing that the fan at the back makes a huge difference if you’re really utilizing the dehydrator to its maximum potential.

Although I dislike the huge footprint of my dehydrator, too!

Comment on Some recipes by Grey Fedora

Grey Fedora — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 23:16:54 +0000

Haw Sauce

Just made the Haw Sauce, tweaked the recipe a little: I had four pounds of haws, so I quadrupled everything.
I also did not have any white wine vinegar, and had only about 600 ml of white (apple) vinegar, so I used half white and half regular cider vinegar.
Also rounded the sugar up to 750 g.

I found when I was procesing the haws through the foley mill, that if I added another 500 ml of water, a little at a time, it made things easier.

To finish it off, I added half a teaspoon of cloves, and half a teaspoon of cayenne, and set it in the oven at 200F for a couple hours.

The original recipe also says to “put into sterilized bottles and seal,” but I will probably water bath can it.

Cheers,
Grey

Comment on Some recipes by Grey Fedora

Grey Fedora — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:13:15 +0000

Thanks for the link to the mouli.

In the US, this is called a foley mill.

Comment on The Great Growing Begins Again … by Bronnie

Bronnie — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 21:55:13 +0000

Hollyhocks are one of my fave flowers, cant wait for the pics ..wonder if they’ll grow up here.Ooh and poppies ..but not in with the cats …my birdies are actually in the cat enclosure so no delicates in there ..lol
I am slower getting my beds up and running ..better get to it…

Comment on The Great Growing Begins Again … by Lorraine Wright

Lorraine Wright — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 01:32:19 +0000

As old as I am (72) I have never heard of a walking stick cabbage. Facinating. While in Melbourne in middle July I bought some Russell Lupin seeds and am going to have a go at growing them. Don’t know how they will go here in Brisbane but can only try.

Comment on It’s Raining, Finally … by Lorraine Wright

Lorraine Wright — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 01:16:07 +0000

Love the pots. I found an old webber BBQ in my garage and have just planted herbs and one lonely strawberry plant in it . It is sitting on my verandah and looks great.

Comment on The Great Growing Begins Again … by Davena

Davena — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 08:59:20 +0000

Walking stick cabbages? Too funny! TK was researching walking sticks for his TV and Film class, he’d be thrilled to grow one! Are the stalks dried out and lacquered?

Ross, TK and I were in Hobart a couple of weeks back and had a great time, although we had some unpredictable weather. We talked about contacting you to see if you needed help with anything, but found it hard to get past the not wanting to impose barrier.

Comment on The Great Growing Begins Again … by Sara

Sara — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 19:30:10 +0000

Great to hear from you Damien! My God, the destruction …. I would have sat down and cried.

Mid-August is the very earliest I can start tough things, September for more fragile or heat loving plants. I can’t even think of things like tomatoes or capsicums yet.

Comment on The Great Growing Begins Again … by Damien

Damien — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 12:59:33 +0000

Nice work Sara! You never cease to amaze! I was only thinking today that I should email you about what to start in the greenhouse and when (we’re probably a bit later up here - it’s been snowing every few days!).
Today, I completed the possum proofing of my Garden. I was away for a couple of weeks work in June and in that time the possums finally found my veggie patch!!! I returned home to leveled cabbages, broccolis and caulies; leafless carrots, turnips, beetroots and parsnips; spinach stubbs and felled herbs. It was a great gig, but devestating homecoming.
So, post-grief, I decided to defend and prepare for spring.
Thanks for the post - great to read you. Regards,
Damien