Garden Notes - September 10, 2010

The surprise harvest was the hops. I still have the ladder up where I picked them last week and spread out to dry in the tool shed. In fact, it motivated me to brew a long-overdue batch (which I haven't had the time to do all summer).

Todd's Octoberfest Recipe #1:

• 2 ea. Munton's Amber malt extract (3.3 lb. cans)


• 1 lb. Briess Vienna malt


• 1 qt. freezer bag of Todd's home-grown hops (2010 crop)


• 1 pkg. Fermentis Saflager S-23 yeast


• 5 gals. water from Bottom of the Barrel's tap


• Beginning specific gravity should be 1.044

As for the garden itself, the fall plantings of brussels sprouts, broccoli and cabbage plants have been struggling with dry conditions and plentiful caterpillar infestations. In fact, I was closely observing a brussels sprout plant when a little white butterfly landed right in front of me and deposited a tiny egg! Next season, I will make a habit of collecting little white butterflies.

The tomato plants had two or three early ripened fruits with mildew problems on the bottom and throughout the fruit itself. However, subsequent fruits have been awesome for eating and canning, even though the plants themselves look nearly dead.

The parsley finally took off and has provided plenty of greens for tabouli salad. Finally, I took time to do the tedious task of thinning carrots and they are doing well. The leeks and other fall crops are small. I will be surprised if they reach maturity by first snow!