Over the weekend I found California apricots in a local
(Colorado) greengrocer's on sale for 88 cents a pound.
I bought a flat (~20 pounds) and made 4 batches of regular
jam and one of freezer jam for a total 37 jars.
I used the SureJel lower sugar recipe and they all turned
out quite well.

The fruit was small and not terribly sweet although the
flavor was good. I found only 3 bad ones in the
~140 total count.

We go through a lot of apricot jam, our favorite, for our
own use as well as gifts.

gloria p

"Puester" > wrote in message
...
>
> Over the weekend I found California apricots in a local (Colorado)
> greengrocer's on sale for 88 cents a pound.
> I bought a flat (~20 pounds) and made 4 batches of regular jam and one of
> freezer jam for a total 37 jars.
> I used the SureJel lower sugar recipe and they all turned out quite well.
>
> The fruit was small and not terribly sweet although the flavor was good.
> I found only 3 bad ones in the
> ~140 total count.
>
> We go through a lot of apricot jam, our favorite, for our own use as well
> as gifts.
>
> gloria p

I've got 3 dozen figs still green on the new tree, 2 - count'em 2 tomatoes.
Still a bit early up here in the high desert for that iffn one didn't get up
off her hiney and start some leetle ones in January.
The dill came and went, dried piles of leaf & had seed to save & spread -
see y'all this comin' fall.
Still got some on-sale round steak in the freezer for my famous chipotle
or curry jerky, one of these days. And all those strawbellis for strawbelli
jam. Might be waiting for 4th of July to make Freedom Jam.
The basil's comin' up, I used the new tops in a new tortellini/eggplant
dish. Liked the commercially dried spinach-cheese tortellini well enough but
everything else tasted overcooked. Mighta been me? Can't wait to put away a
pile of pesto in the freezer. Homemade Pecan Pesto/home grown tomato/deli
turkey sammich on homemade whole wheat pita is to DIET for!
There's my report so fur.
Edrena, takin' it easy these days
_Cat hair - the "other" condiment!_

"Puester" > wrote in message
...
>
> Over the weekend I found California apricots in a local (Colorado)
> greengrocer's on sale for 88 cents a pound.
> I bought a flat (~20 pounds) and made 4 batches of regular jam and one of
> freezer jam for a total 37 jars.
> I used the SureJel lower sugar recipe and they all turned out quite well.
>
> The fruit was small and not terribly sweet although the flavor was good.
> I found only 3 bad ones in the
> ~140 total count.
>
> We go through a lot of apricot jam, our favorite, for our own use as well
> as gifts.
>
> gloria p

I went 'freezer diving' last weekend and discovered 2 large freezer bags of
strawberries, about 3 cups chopped rhubarb and about 3 cups chopped kiwi
fruit. So I made a batches of strawberry rhubarb jelly, strawberry rhubarb
jam, strawberry kiwi fruit jelly, and strawberry kiwi fruit jam. 6 jars of
each, using Low Sugar Certo. All I had to buy was the Certo and a box of 2
pc lids as I already had the sugar and jars. My gift recievers know that if
they want more, they have to give back the empty jars.

On another thread, Ross said Canadians could get Bernardin lids and
Dollarama for a buck. At my store, they had them for 2 bucks. Since I
needed both pieces, I didn't buy any there.

Yesterday I found 2 more bags of strawberries..... I'll have to buy more
jars, more Certo and more sugar before I can get to those.

Kathi

Dave Balderstone wrote:
> In article >, The Joneses
> > wrote:
>
>> "Puester" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> Over the weekend I found California apricots in a local (Colorado)
>>> greengrocer's on sale for 88 cents a pound.
>
> <snip>
>
>> I've got 3 dozen figs still green on the new tree,
>
> <snip>
>
> The Mayday trees are just starting to bloom, as are the Nanking
> Cherries, mock orange and double-flowering plum ornamentals. I'm hoping
> to get the garden in this weekend, we're at least three weeks late due
> to one of the coldest springs in living memory, praying for no frost
> before halloween, and I hate all of you in zone 5 or higher.
>
> :-P
>
> djb
>
You must really hate me Dave, USDA zone 9b. <G>

On Wed, 27 May 2009 19:03:35 -0600, Puester >
wrote:

>
>Over the weekend I found California apricots in a local
>(Colorado) greengrocer's on sale for 88 cents a pound.
>I bought a flat (~20 pounds) and made 4 batches of regular
>jam and one of freezer jam for a total 37 jars.
>I used the SureJel lower sugar recipe and they all turned
>out quite well.
>
>The fruit was small and not terribly sweet although the
>flavor was good. I found only 3 bad ones in the
>~140 total count.
>
>We go through a lot of apricot jam, our favorite, for our
>own use as well as gifts.
>
>gloria p

At Christmas my DIL sent me persimmons, frozen. She has a neighbor
with persimmon trees. I just stuck them in the freezer and took one
bag out a couple of days ago. I made a batch of persimmon jam. I
brought another bag up yesterday and just finished putting it through
the food mill. I have 12 cups of pulp from the 7.5 pounds. I decided
to bring the other bag up and get it prepped while everything is out
and before I clean up the food mill. This bag weighed 8.25 lbs. I
think I got a total of at least 20 pounds. I have 2 more recipes for
jam that I want to try. The kids will be here in a couple of weeks
and I will send plenty back with them for the donor of the fruit.
--
Susan N.

"Moral indignation is in most cases two percent moral,
48 percent indignation, and 50 percent envy."
Vittorio De Sica, Italian movie director (1901-1974)

The Cook wrote:
> On Wed, 27 May 2009 19:03:35 -0600, Puester >
> wrote:
>
>> Over the weekend I found California apricots in a local
>> (Colorado) greengrocer's on sale for 88 cents a pound.
>> I bought a flat (~20 pounds) and made 4 batches of regular
>> jam and one of freezer jam for a total 37 jars.
>> I used the SureJel lower sugar recipe and they all turned
>> out quite well.
>>
>> The fruit was small and not terribly sweet although the
>> flavor was good. I found only 3 bad ones in the
>> ~140 total count.
>>
>> We go through a lot of apricot jam, our favorite, for our
>> own use as well as gifts.
>>
>> gloria p
>
> At Christmas my DIL sent me persimmons, frozen. She has a neighbor
> with persimmon trees. I just stuck them in the freezer and took one
> bag out a couple of days ago. I made a batch of persimmon jam. I
> brought another bag up yesterday and just finished putting it through
> the food mill. I have 12 cups of pulp from the 7.5 pounds. I decided
> to bring the other bag up and get it prepped while everything is out
> and before I clean up the food mill. This bag weighed 8.25 lbs. I
> think I got a total of at least 20 pounds. I have 2 more recipes for
> jam that I want to try. The kids will be here in a couple of weeks
> and I will send plenty back with them for the donor of the fruit.
There are many on line recipes using persimmon pulp. I thawed the last
two cups of last years crop today and am making a persimmon bundt cake,
one of our favorites. I've also made persimmon pancakes/waffles, pies,
cookies, etc. Persimmon jam, unfortunately, has not become one of our
favorites. I may experiment with the jam recipe with this years crop.

The Cook wrote:

>
> At Christmas my DIL sent me persimmons, frozen. She has a neighbor
> with persimmon trees. I just stuck them in the freezer and took one
> bag out a couple of days ago. I made a batch of persimmon jam.


That sounds wonderful. I used to love persimmons but in
recent years
I haven't found any that are ripe enough to buy.

gloria p

<snip> . . . and I hate all of you in zone 5 or higher. <snip>

<snip> You must really hate me Dave, USDA zone 9b. <snip>

Okay, I am in zone 8b so Dave hates you more George than he hates me.

But, then, he probably hates us both.
: - )

My herb garden is growing steadily. Really should be doing more
harvesting and drying right now. My Hun Bun salvaged some wood fence
material from a job he did and made the raised beds look fabulous--and
very sturdy!!!

Only got 2½ gallons of dewberries. We were so busy with work, life,
that we didn't get out to pick as much as I wanted to.
: - (

Coming to the end of working at home for the past two weeks. Cranked
out three batches of smooth fig jam last week when work was slow.
This second week I've had more to do so, not much getting done around
the "old homestead". Made my Dad happy though--mailed him enough to
see him through for a while. He *loves* fig jam.

I've been promised muscadine grapes from a friend with 30+ acres of
land. Went and checked on the pears and figs at our *new* friends
place last weekend. They are lookin' good. Praying that I have the
time and energy to keep up with all of it when the time comes. Still
plan on picking mustang grapes on the 4th of July.

Amazon has remarkable timing. I ordered "The Joy of Jams, Jellies,
and Other Sweet Preserves: 200 Classic and Contemporary Recipes
Showcasing the Fabulous Flavors of Fresh Fruits" by Linda Ziedrich.
It arrived the weekend before the two weeks of working at home. I
feel like a school kid on vacation--I get to stay up a bit later than
I would if I had to go into the office so, been reading until I can't
keep my eyes open in bed every night. I like the book. Lots of good
tips / ideas and I am probably going to try the carrot-apple butter.
Hmmm . . . I wonder if pears would be a suitable substitute for the
apples???

I also got "Well-Preserved: Recipes and Techniques for Putting Up
Small Batches of Seasonal Foods" by Eugenia Bone. Haven't really
looked at it too much, just a thumb-through so far and nothing grabbed
my attention.

Shalom Y'all from Mimi in USDA Zone 8b
: - )

"Dave Balderstone" > wrote in message
news:280520091842180436%dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_Sbalderst one.ca...
> In article
> >,
> Mimi > wrote:
>
>> Okay, I am in zone 8b so Dave hates you more George than he hates me.
>
> Yer all bastids...
>
> But I finally got the irrigation system installed on the raised beds,
> and booked Friday off work so I can do some SERIOUS gardening.
>
> So perhaps "hate" is too strong a word.

"envy"..........that's the one I use.

All the stuff those guys do is way more interesting that what I could ever
do.....dewberries? figs? persimmons? sheesh ~ I missed out on a sale of
mangos this week - that's about as exotic as it gets around
here....sihivering in cold and wet zone 5A.......

I planted 3 tomato plants, 2 basil, 1 oregano and 1 rosemary, all in patio
pots this year. No time or money to start a new garden (old one is infested
with tomato blight or some such thing - not gonna plant anything THERE
anymore). Everything will be enjoyed fresh, unless there are extra herbs in
the fall - then I'll do something with them so that we can enjoy it through
the winter (still using last year's frozen basil). The day I got them all
planted, we had frost...had to cover everyhting up. That was easy enough to
do but neighbours thought we had ghosts on the porch....I used drop sheets.

Kathi




>
> :-D
>
> --
> Kiva - Loans that change lives.
> http://www.kiva.org/lender/david87375440

Mimi wrote:
> <snip> . . . and I hate all of you in zone 5 or higher. <snip>
>
> <snip> You must really hate me Dave, USDA zone 9b. <snip>
>
> Okay, I am in zone 8b so Dave hates you more George than he hates me.
>
> But, then, he probably hates us both.
> : - )
>
> My herb garden is growing steadily. Really should be doing more
> harvesting and drying right now. My Hun Bun salvaged some wood fence
> material from a job he did and made the raised beds look fabulous--and
> very sturdy!!!
>
> Only got 2½ gallons of dewberries. We were so busy with work, life,
> that we didn't get out to pick as much as I wanted to.
> : - (
>
> Coming to the end of working at home for the past two weeks. Cranked
> out three batches of smooth fig jam last week when work was slow.
> This second week I've had more to do so, not much getting done around
> the "old homestead". Made my Dad happy though--mailed him enough to
> see him through for a while. He *loves* fig jam.
>
> I've been promised muscadine grapes from a friend with 30+ acres of
> land. Went and checked on the pears and figs at our *new* friends
> place last weekend. They are lookin' good. Praying that I have the
> time and energy to keep up with all of it when the time comes. Still
> plan on picking mustang grapes on the 4th of July.
>
> Amazon has remarkable timing. I ordered "The Joy of Jams, Jellies,
> and Other Sweet Preserves: 200 Classic and Contemporary Recipes
> Showcasing the Fabulous Flavors of Fresh Fruits" by Linda Ziedrich.
> It arrived the weekend before the two weeks of working at home. I
> feel like a school kid on vacation--I get to stay up a bit later than
> I would if I had to go into the office so, been reading until I can't
> keep my eyes open in bed every night. I like the book. Lots of good
> tips / ideas and I am probably going to try the carrot-apple butter.
> Hmmm . . . I wonder if pears would be a suitable substitute for the
> apples???

I sub pears for apples all the time, hardly any apple trees in this
area, to hot for them I guess. Every where the recipe says "apples" put
in "pears."
>
> I also got "Well-Preserved: Recipes and Techniques for Putting Up
> Small Batches of Seasonal Foods" by Eugenia Bone. Haven't really
> looked at it too much, just a thumb-through so far and nothing grabbed
> my attention.
>
> Shalom Y'all from Mimi in USDA Zone 8b
> : - )

"Dave Balderstone" > wrote in message
news:280520091911164776%dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_Sbalderst one.ca...
> In article >, Kathi Jones
> > wrote:
>
>> "Dave Balderstone" > wrote in message
>> news:280520091842180436%dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_Sbalderst one.ca...
>> > In article
>> > >,
>> > Mimi > wrote:
>> >
>> >> Okay, I am in zone 8b so Dave hates you more George than he hates me.
>> >
>> > Yer all bastids...
>> >
>> > But I finally got the irrigation system installed on the raised beds,
>> > and booked Friday off work so I can do some SERIOUS gardening.
>> >
>> > So perhaps "hate" is too strong a word.
>>
>> "envy"..........that's the one I use.
>
> Envy... Hmm. A bit weak, I think. "Henvate"?

henvate? that's a blended word, right? I dunno - I still envy the warm
weather, but when George starts talking hurricanes, I find I'm quite happy
where I am.


>>
>> All the stuff those guys do is way more interesting that what I could
>> ever
>> do.....dewberries? figs? persimmons? sheesh ~ I missed out on a sale
>> of
>> mangos this week - that's about as exotic as it gets around
>> here....sihivering in cold and wet zone 5A.......
>
> Iv'e seen fig trees in some microclimates inVancouver when I lived
> there. You're in the Ottowa area, right? I'm in Saskatoon and it looks
> like spring has finally arrived. April was dreadful, the worst in the
> 15 years we've been here.
>

yup, just outside Ottawa


> Global warming can kiss my shiny metal ass...
>
>> I planted 3 tomato plants, 2 basil, 1 oregano and 1 rosemary, all in
>> patio
>> pots this year. No time or money to start a new garden (old one is
>> infested
>> with tomato blight or some such thing - not gonna plant anything THERE
>> anymore).
>
> I've cut back the tomatoes to fewer than 10 this year. Sob... But I
> still have jars in the cold room from 2007 and SWMBO even had The Boy
> working with her to discourage me from planting too many. In 2007 I
> harvested over 250 pounds... So it's BLTs for this year's crop, and
> there will be much rejoicing.
>
> Only one tomatillo this year, but that's because I put two in last year
> and didn't realize how farkin' BIG they get!

I tried growing them one year...nothing happened : (


>
> But lots and lots of basil and other herbs, and pickling cukes, and
> we'll see what else when I go shopping tomorrow morning.
>
> I'm even putting in catnip and catmint, though Spooky is quite old and
> starting to fail. She does love chewing on the fresh stuff, though.
>
>> Everything will be enjoyed fresh, unless there are extra herbs in
>> the fall - then I'll do something with them so that we can enjoy it
>> through
>> the winter (still using last year's frozen basil).
>
> I still have some pesto in the freezer from last year, but I'll find a
> way to use it at my birfday party in a couple of weeks. Half a
> century... wow.

wow is right - my hubby just celebrated his 48th on Tuesday.... all the
best!


>
> Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana.
>
>> The day I got them all
>> planted, we had frost...had to cover everyhting up. That was easy enough
>> to
>> do but neighbours thought we had ghosts on the porch....I used drop
>> sheets.
>
> We could still get frost here, but it's starting to FEEL like we won't.
>
> Sure hope not, the apple trees should be blooming in the next week.

the blooms on my apple tree got blowed off during a not-so-nice cold windy
hail filled rain about a week ago, but I think the fruit had a chance to set
first. I think...didn't see alot of bees in the tree before that

Kathi



>
> --
> Kiva - Loans that change lives.
> http://www.kiva.org/lender/david87375440

Dave Balderstone wrote:

>
> I'm even putting in catnip and catmint, though Spooky is quite old and
> starting to fail. She does love chewing on the fresh stuff, though.
>


We had a Spooky, too. She was small and black and lived to
be 23.
She loved catnip, too, but she didn't eat it.

We'd put some fresh branches of it in a cardboard box and
she'd climb in a roll around in it rapturously.
Our kids called it her "drug box". Our current cat couldn't
care less for catnip and we have it all over the yard,
quite large and lush.

gloria p

Dave Balderstone wrote:
> In article >, Kathi Jones
> > wrote:
>
>> "Dave Balderstone" > wrote in message
>> news:280520091842180436%dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_Sbalderst one.ca...
>>> In article
>>> >,
>>> Mimi > wrote:
>>>
>>>> Okay, I am in zone 8b so Dave hates you more George than he hates me.
>>> Yer all bastids...
>>>
>>> But I finally got the irrigation system installed on the raised beds,
>>> and booked Friday off work so I can do some SERIOUS gardening.
>>>
>>> So perhaps "hate" is too strong a word.
>> "envy"..........that's the one I use.
>
> Envy... Hmm. A bit weak, I think. "Henvate"?
>
>> All the stuff those guys do is way more interesting that what I could ever
>> do.....dewberries? figs? persimmons? sheesh ~ I missed out on a sale of
>> mangos this week - that's about as exotic as it gets around
>> here....sihivering in cold and wet zone 5A.......
>
> Iv'e seen fig trees in some microclimates inVancouver when I lived
> there. You're in the Ottowa area, right? I'm in Saskatoon and it looks
> like spring has finally arrived. April was dreadful, the worst in the
> 15 years we've been here.
>
> Global warming can kiss my shiny metal ass...
>
>> I planted 3 tomato plants, 2 basil, 1 oregano and 1 rosemary, all in patio
>> pots this year. No time or money to start a new garden (old one is infested
>> with tomato blight or some such thing - not gonna plant anything THERE
>> anymore).
>
> I've cut back the tomatoes to fewer than 10 this year. Sob... But I
> still have jars in the cold room from 2007 and SWMBO even had The Boy
> working with her to discourage me from planting too many. In 2007 I
> harvested over 250 pounds... So it's BLTs for this year's crop, and
> there will be much rejoicing.
>
> Only one tomatillo this year, but that's because I put two in last year
> and didn't realize how farkin' BIG they get!
>
> But lots and lots of basil and other herbs, and pickling cukes, and
> we'll see what else when I go shopping tomorrow morning.
>
> I'm even putting in catnip and catmint, though Spooky is quite old and
> starting to fail. She does love chewing on the fresh stuff, though.
>
>> Everything will be enjoyed fresh, unless there are extra herbs in
>> the fall - then I'll do something with them so that we can enjoy it through
>> the winter (still using last year's frozen basil).
>
> I still have some pesto in the freezer from last year, but I'll find a
> way to use it at my birfday party in a couple of weeks. Half a
> century... wow.

When I hit fifty I vowed to only celebrate every twenty years, guess
what! It will have been twenty years on September 23, 2009. DW says we
shall have a big shindig for my seventieth. I told her don't jinx me,
something might happen between now and September.

>
> Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana.
>
>> The day I got them all
>> planted, we had frost...had to cover everyhting up. That was easy enough to
>> do but neighbours thought we had ghosts on the porch....I used drop sheets.
>
> We could still get frost here, but it's starting to FEEL like we won't.
>
> Sure hope not, the apple trees should be blooming in the next week.
>
Don't envy our weather, we have one peach on the tree, three pears, no
plums, two quince, and about six dozen persimmons. The fig tree, as
usual, is loaded. Sometimes we get good crops, sometimes some Canadian
forgets to close the gate to the south forty-eight and we get a late
frost that fritzes everything.

Puester wrote:
> Dave Balderstone wrote:
>
>>
>> I'm even putting in catnip and catmint, though Spooky is quite old and
>> starting to fail. She does love chewing on the fresh stuff, though.
>>
>
>
> We had a Spooky, too. She was small and black and lived to be 23.
> She loved catnip, too, but she didn't eat it.
>
> We'd put some fresh branches of it in a cardboard box and she'd climb in
> a roll around in it rapturously.
> Our kids called it her "drug box". Our current cat couldn't care less
> for catnip and we have it all over the yard,
> quite large and lush.
>
> gloria p
We have a druggie dog, she loves a catnip mouse, chews on it and
slobbers and her eyes roll up. Maybe there was a tomcat somewhere in her
background.

"Mimi" > wrote in message
...
<snip> . . . and I hate all of you in zone 5 or higher. <snip>

<snip> You must really hate me Dave, USDA zone 9b. <snip>

Okay, I am in zone 8b so Dave hates you more George than he hates me.

But, then, he probably hates us both.
: - )

My herb garden is growing steadily. Really should be doing more
harvesting and drying right now. My Hun Bun salvaged some wood fence
material from a job he did and made the raised beds look fabulous--and
very sturdy!!!

Only got 2½ gallons of dewberries. We were so busy with work, life,
that we didn't get out to pick as much as I wanted to.
: - (

Coming to the end of working at home for the past two weeks. Cranked
out three batches of smooth fig jam last week when work was slow.
This second week I've had more to do so, not much getting done around
the "old homestead". Made my Dad happy though--mailed him enough to
see him through for a while. He *loves* fig jam.

I've been promised muscadine grapes from a friend with 30+ acres of
land. Went and checked on the pears and figs at our *new* friends
place last weekend. They are lookin' good. Praying that I have the
time and energy to keep up with all of it when the time comes. Still
plan on picking mustang grapes on the 4th of July.

Amazon has remarkable timing. I ordered "The Joy of Jams, Jellies,
and Other Sweet Preserves: 200 Classic and Contemporary Recipes
Showcasing the Fabulous Flavors of Fresh Fruits" by Linda Ziedrich.
It arrived the weekend before the two weeks of working at home. I
feel like a school kid on vacation--I get to stay up a bit later than
I would if I had to go into the office so, been reading until I can't
keep my eyes open in bed every night. I like the book. Lots of good
tips / ideas and I am probably going to try the carrot-apple butter.
Hmmm . . . I wonder if pears would be a suitable substitute for the
apples???

I also got "Well-Preserved: Recipes and Techniques for Putting Up
Small Batches of Seasonal Foods" by Eugenia Bone. Haven't really
looked at it too much, just a thumb-through so far and nothing grabbed
my attention.

Shalom Y'all from Mimi in USDA Zone 8b
: - )
We've planted our raised garden. Tomatoes, beans, cukes, lettuce. Garlic
went in last fall. Our walking onions are flourishing. I just planted
basil in my raised herb bed. I'm also planting flowers of course.


--
mompeagram
FERGUS/HARLINGEN
http://mompeagram.homestead.com

"George Shirley" > wrote in message
.. .
> Dave Balderstone wrote:
>> In article >, Kathi Jones
>> > wrote:
>>
>>> "Dave Balderstone" > wrote in message
>>> news:280520091842180436%dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_Sbalderst one.ca...
>>>> In article
>>>> >,
>>>> Mimi > wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Okay, I am in zone 8b so Dave hates you more George than he hates me.
>>>> Yer all bastids...
>>>>
>>>> But I finally got the irrigation system installed on the raised beds,
>>>> and booked Friday off work so I can do some SERIOUS gardening.
>>>>
>>>> So perhaps "hate" is too strong a word.
>>> "envy"..........that's the one I use.
>>
>> Envy... Hmm. A bit weak, I think. "Henvate"?
>>
>>> All the stuff those guys do is way more interesting that what I could
>>> ever do.....dewberries? figs? persimmons? sheesh ~ I missed out on a
>>> sale of mangos this week - that's about as exotic as it gets around
>>> here....sihivering in cold and wet zone 5A.......
>>
>> Iv'e seen fig trees in some microclimates inVancouver when I lived
>> there. You're in the Ottowa area, right? I'm in Saskatoon and it looks
>> like spring has finally arrived. April was dreadful, the worst in the
>> 15 years we've been here.
>>
>> Global warming can kiss my shiny metal ass...
>>
>>> I planted 3 tomato plants, 2 basil, 1 oregano and 1 rosemary, all in
>>> patio pots this year. No time or money to start a new garden (old one
>>> is infested with tomato blight or some such thing - not gonna plant
>>> anything THERE anymore).
>>
>> I've cut back the tomatoes to fewer than 10 this year. Sob... But I
>> still have jars in the cold room from 2007 and SWMBO even had The Boy
>> working with her to discourage me from planting too many. In 2007 I
>> harvested over 250 pounds... So it's BLTs for this year's crop, and
>> there will be much rejoicing.
>>
>> Only one tomatillo this year, but that's because I put two in last year
>> and didn't realize how farkin' BIG they get!
>>
>> But lots and lots of basil and other herbs, and pickling cukes, and
>> we'll see what else when I go shopping tomorrow morning.
>>
>> I'm even putting in catnip and catmint, though Spooky is quite old and
>> starting to fail. She does love chewing on the fresh stuff, though.
>>
>>> Everything will be enjoyed fresh, unless there are extra herbs in the
>>> fall - then I'll do something with them so that we can enjoy it through
>>> the winter (still using last year's frozen basil).
>>
>> I still have some pesto in the freezer from last year, but I'll find a
>> way to use it at my birfday party in a couple of weeks. Half a
>> century... wow.
>
> When I hit fifty I vowed to only celebrate every twenty years, guess what!
> It will have been twenty years on September 23, 2009. DW says we shall
> have a big shindig for my seventieth. I told her don't jinx me, something
> might happen between now and September.
>
>>
>> Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana.
>>
>>> The day I got them all planted, we had frost...had to cover everyhting
>>> up. That was easy enough to do but neighbours thought we had ghosts on
>>> the porch....I used drop sheets.
>>
>> We could still get frost here, but it's starting to FEEL like we won't.
>>
>> Sure hope not, the apple trees should be blooming in the next week.
>>
> Don't envy our weather, we have one peach on the tree, three pears, no
> plums, two quince, and about six dozen persimmons. The fig tree, as usual,
> is loaded. Sometimes we get good crops, sometimes some Canadian forgets to
> close the gate to the south forty-eight and we get a late frost that
> fritzes everything.


Tell her definitely NOT to jinx you. My dad was one of six boys, the
youngest. All died at 69. It was nearing Christmas and his birthday was in
February. He said if he made February he would be 70 and break the curse.
He died December 20th. Don't screw around with curses and jinxes. We
wuvs you too much around here.
-ginny

Dave Balderstone wrote:
> In article >, Kathi Jones
> > wrote:

> Iv'e seen fig trees in some microclimates inVancouver when I lived
> there. You're in the Ottowa area, right? I'm in Saskatoon and it looks
> like spring has finally arrived. April was dreadful, the worst in the
> 15 years we've been here.
>
> Global warming can kiss my shiny metal ass...

You've said that before, but that's exactly how global warming works.
The Arctic polar cap melts, releasing *cold* water into the Atlantic and
Pacific (leave an ice cube out and finger-test the water that forms. It
isn't even room temperature, much less warm now is it). The cold water
affects the ocean currents, which cools the air, and that in turn that
affects the jet stream, bringing colder air further south for longer.

B/

Virginia Tadrzynski wrote:
> "George Shirley" > wrote in message
> .. .
>> Dave Balderstone wrote:
>>> In article >, Kathi Jones
>>> > wrote:
>>>
>>>> "Dave Balderstone" > wrote in message
>>>> news:280520091842180436%dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_Sbalderst one.ca...
>>>>> In article
>>>>> >,
>>>>> Mimi > wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Okay, I am in zone 8b so Dave hates you more George than he hates me.
>>>>> Yer all bastids...
>>>>>
>>>>> But I finally got the irrigation system installed on the raised beds,
>>>>> and booked Friday off work so I can do some SERIOUS gardening.
>>>>>
>>>>> So perhaps "hate" is too strong a word.
>>>> "envy"..........that's the one I use.
>>> Envy... Hmm. A bit weak, I think. "Henvate"?
>>>
>>>> All the stuff those guys do is way more interesting that what I could
>>>> ever do.....dewberries? figs? persimmons? sheesh ~ I missed out on a
>>>> sale of mangos this week - that's about as exotic as it gets around
>>>> here....sihivering in cold and wet zone 5A.......
>>> Iv'e seen fig trees in some microclimates inVancouver when I lived
>>> there. You're in the Ottowa area, right? I'm in Saskatoon and it looks
>>> like spring has finally arrived. April was dreadful, the worst in the
>>> 15 years we've been here.
>>>
>>> Global warming can kiss my shiny metal ass...
>>>
>>>> I planted 3 tomato plants, 2 basil, 1 oregano and 1 rosemary, all in
>>>> patio pots this year. No time or money to start a new garden (old one
>>>> is infested with tomato blight or some such thing - not gonna plant
>>>> anything THERE anymore).
>>> I've cut back the tomatoes to fewer than 10 this year. Sob... But I
>>> still have jars in the cold room from 2007 and SWMBO even had The Boy
>>> working with her to discourage me from planting too many. In 2007 I
>>> harvested over 250 pounds... So it's BLTs for this year's crop, and
>>> there will be much rejoicing.
>>>
>>> Only one tomatillo this year, but that's because I put two in last year
>>> and didn't realize how farkin' BIG they get!
>>>
>>> But lots and lots of basil and other herbs, and pickling cukes, and
>>> we'll see what else when I go shopping tomorrow morning.
>>>
>>> I'm even putting in catnip and catmint, though Spooky is quite old and
>>> starting to fail. She does love chewing on the fresh stuff, though.
>>>
>>>> Everything will be enjoyed fresh, unless there are extra herbs in the
>>>> fall - then I'll do something with them so that we can enjoy it through
>>>> the winter (still using last year's frozen basil).
>>> I still have some pesto in the freezer from last year, but I'll find a
>>> way to use it at my birfday party in a couple of weeks. Half a
>>> century... wow.
>> When I hit fifty I vowed to only celebrate every twenty years, guess what!
>> It will have been twenty years on September 23, 2009. DW says we shall
>> have a big shindig for my seventieth. I told her don't jinx me, something
>> might happen between now and September.
>>
>>> Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana.
>>>
>>>> The day I got them all planted, we had frost...had to cover everyhting
>>>> up. That was easy enough to do but neighbours thought we had ghosts on
>>>> the porch....I used drop sheets.
>>> We could still get frost here, but it's starting to FEEL like we won't.
>>>
>>> Sure hope not, the apple trees should be blooming in the next week.
>>>
>> Don't envy our weather, we have one peach on the tree, three pears, no
>> plums, two quince, and about six dozen persimmons. The fig tree, as usual,
>> is loaded. Sometimes we get good crops, sometimes some Canadian forgets to
>> close the gate to the south forty-eight and we get a late frost that
>> fritzes everything.
>
>
> Tell her definitely NOT to jinx you. My dad was one of six boys, the
> youngest. All died at 69. It was nearing Christmas and his birthday was in
> February. He said if he made February he would be 70 and break the curse.
> He died December 20th. Don't screw around with curses and jinxes. We
> wuvs you too much around here.
> -ginny
>
>
It's all a matter of genetics, my Dad died at 71, his dad at 58, his dad
at 24, his dad at 36. Had one uncle died at 33, another made it to 76,
got one that is now 95, the oldest Shirley male in nine generations. Can
you spell heart disease, diabetes, atherosclerosis? When I left home at
age 17 Dad told me to marry young and breed early. Married at 21, two
kids at 23. Reckon I kept up my end of the deal.<G>

I've had some close calls, most recently in 2007, I'm not really worried
about my death, we don't get to choose when we go unless we suicide and
I am definitely not about to do that. Two kids that are good citizens
and love the work they do, five grandchildren, two greatgrands and
another on the way. We've done our share.

<snip> All the stuff those guys do is way more interesting that what
I could ever do.....dewberries? *figs? persimmons? *sheesh <snip>

It's interesting but also a lot of work--not that I am complaining--I
would call it a mixed blessing...

I've decided that it must be in my DNA to not let anything go to
waste.

And of course, staying busy keeps me out of trouble.

: - )

"Mimi" > wrote in message
...
<snip> All the stuff those guys do is way more interesting that what
I could ever do.....dewberries? figs? persimmons? sheesh <snip>

It's interesting but also a lot of work--not that I am complaining--I
would call it a mixed blessing...

I've decided that it must be in my DNA to not let anything go to
waste.

And of course, staying busy keeps me out of trouble.

: - )

.......................

I agree! I have the same outlook - nothing goes to waste. But I'm bored
with strawberry this and strawberry that...later it will be peach this and
peach that...people in 'higher gardening zones' get to do way more
interesting stuff, and for a longer growing season. My brother just bought
a house in Murrieta (sp?) California. He has several different citrus
trees, as rosemary BUSH...stuff grows differently there and I just wish I
could get my hands on it all....

Kathi

Dave Balderstone wrote:
> In article > , Brian
> Mailman > wrote:
>
>> Dave Balderstone wrote:
>> > In article >, Kathi Jones
>> > > wrote:
>>
>> > Iv'e seen fig trees in some microclimates inVancouver when I lived
>> > there. You're in the Ottowa area, right? I'm in Saskatoon and it looks
>> > like spring has finally arrived. April was dreadful, the worst in the
>> > 15 years we've been here.
>> >
>> > Global warming can kiss my shiny metal ass...
>>
>> You've said that before, but that's exactly how global warming works.
>> The Arctic polar cap melts, releasing *cold* water into the Atlantic and
>> Pacific (leave an ice cube out and finger-test the water that forms. It
>> isn't even room temperature, much less warm now is it). The cold water
>> affects the ocean currents, which cools the air, and that in turn that
>> affects the jet stream, bringing colder air further south for longer.
>
> So global warming makes things colder? Amazing.

Some places, yes.

> Except that arctic ice extents are not decreasing, and global
> temperature hasn't increased in a decade.

That's probably a "discussion" in a different group, not rfp.

B/

<snip> My brother just bought a house in Murrieta (sp?) California.
*He has several different citrus trees, as rosemary BUSH...stuff grows
differently there and I just wish I could get my hands on it all...
<snip>

I am finally having some luck with my rosemary. I've killed quite a
few in past years. I have the two plants (I wouldn't call them bushes
just yet) for about 4 years now. They are spreading out on thier
own. I figured out to just let it be, don't fuss over it and I think
I was over-watering it.

You could just happen to be visiting your brother when some of his
citrus is ready to be harvested??? And you could just happen to have
packed some jars / lids / bands to bring along??? No, just buy some
when you get there . . . and some bubble wrap and boxes to take the
bounty back home with you.

: - )

Mimi wrote:
> <snip> My brother just bought a house in Murrieta (sp?) California.
> He has several different citrus trees, as rosemary BUSH...stuff grows
> differently there and I just wish I could get my hands on it all...
> <snip>
>
> I am finally having some luck with my rosemary. I've killed quite a
> few in past years. I have the two plants (I wouldn't call them bushes
> just yet) for about 4 years now. They are spreading out on thier
> own. I figured out to just let it be, don't fuss over it and I think
> I was over-watering it.

The thing to remember about culinary herbs is that most are
Mediterranean plants, plants accustomed to growing on poor soil and with
little water. My herb garden is on a slight rise above the rest of the
property and in sandy soil. Rosemary grows like the weed it is as does
oregano. The only herbs I have problems with are sage and thyme, the
sage is finally growing well but the thyme struggles. I may have to
duplicate an area of the British isles or some part of France to have
thyme succeed.

>
> You could just happen to be visiting your brother when some of his
> citrus is ready to be harvested??? And you could just happen to have
> packed some jars / lids / bands to bring along??? No, just buy some
> when you get there . . . and some bubble wrap and boxes to take the
> bounty back home with you.
>
> : - )

On Sun, 31 May 2009 07:27:45 -0500, George Shirley
> wrote:

>Mimi wrote:
>> <snip> My brother just bought a house in Murrieta (sp?) California.
>> He has several different citrus trees, as rosemary BUSH...stuff grows
>> differently there and I just wish I could get my hands on it all...
>> <snip>
>>
>> I am finally having some luck with my rosemary. I've killed quite a
>> few in past years. I have the two plants (I wouldn't call them bushes
>> just yet) for about 4 years now. They are spreading out on thier
>> own. I figured out to just let it be, don't fuss over it and I think
>> I was over-watering it.
>
>The thing to remember about culinary herbs is that most are
>Mediterranean plants, plants accustomed to growing on poor soil and with
>little water. My herb garden is on a slight rise above the rest of the
>property and in sandy soil. Rosemary grows like the weed it is as does
>oregano. The only herbs I have problems with are sage and thyme, the
>sage is finally growing well but the thyme struggles. I may have to
>duplicate an area of the British isles or some part of France to have
>thyme succeed.
>

Must be the climate for sure. We don't have much luck with rosemary
because it can't stay out all year and seems to do poorly in a pot
that we move in for the winter. But, neither sage nor thyme are a
problem.
I had the worst "thyme" of my life last summer. Our thyme grows like
there's no tomorrow and has spread throughout a large section of the
lawn.
I was wearing shorts and had to kneel in it to make some repairs on an
eavestrough downspout.
A short time later I broke out in a rash on my knees and shins that
itched like the devil. It then started to blister up and got so bad I
ended up having to go to the doctor. It took a ten day regimen on
prednisone to finally clear. I avoid it like the plague now and, so
far, I've avoided using it as an herb on anything I'm going to eat.
I can't imagine that rash in my mouth, throat and stomach.

Ross.
Southern Ontario, Canada.

wrote:
> On Sun, 31 May 2009 07:27:45 -0500, George Shirley
> > wrote:
>
>> Mimi wrote:
>>> <snip> My brother just bought a house in Murrieta (sp?) California.
>>> He has several different citrus trees, as rosemary BUSH...stuff grows
>>> differently there and I just wish I could get my hands on it all...
>>> <snip>
>>>
>>> I am finally having some luck with my rosemary. I've killed quite a
>>> few in past years. I have the two plants (I wouldn't call them bushes
>>> just yet) for about 4 years now. They are spreading out on thier
>>> own. I figured out to just let it be, don't fuss over it and I think
>>> I was over-watering it.
>> The thing to remember about culinary herbs is that most are
>> Mediterranean plants, plants accustomed to growing on poor soil and with
>> little water. My herb garden is on a slight rise above the rest of the
>> property and in sandy soil. Rosemary grows like the weed it is as does
>> oregano. The only herbs I have problems with are sage and thyme, the
>> sage is finally growing well but the thyme struggles. I may have to
>> duplicate an area of the British isles or some part of France to have
>> thyme succeed.
>>
>
> Must be the climate for sure. We don't have much luck with rosemary
> because it can't stay out all year and seems to do poorly in a pot
> that we move in for the winter. But, neither sage nor thyme are a
> problem.
> I had the worst "thyme" of my life last summer. Our thyme grows like
> there's no tomorrow and has spread throughout a large section of the
> lawn.
> I was wearing shorts and had to kneel in it to make some repairs on an
> eavestrough downspout.
> A short time later I broke out in a rash on my knees and shins that
> itched like the devil. It then started to blister up and got so bad I
> ended up having to go to the doctor. It took a ten day regimen on
> prednisone to finally clear. I avoid it like the plague now and, so
> far, I've avoided using it as an herb on anything I'm going to eat.
> I can't imagine that rash in my mouth, throat and stomach.
>
> Ross.
> Southern Ontario, Canada.

You must be a Scot by heritage, they all have trouble with English Thyme.

ducking and running

On Sun, 31 May 2009 13:55:53 -0500, George Shirley
> wrote:

wrote:
>> On Sun, 31 May 2009 07:27:45 -0500, George Shirley
>> > wrote:
>>
>>> Mimi wrote:
>>>> <snip> My brother just bought a house in Murrieta (sp?) California.
>>>> He has several different citrus trees, as rosemary BUSH...stuff grows
>>>> differently there and I just wish I could get my hands on it all...
>>>> <snip>
>>>>
>>>> I am finally having some luck with my rosemary. I've killed quite a
>>>> few in past years. I have the two plants (I wouldn't call them bushes
>>>> just yet) for about 4 years now. They are spreading out on thier
>>>> own. I figured out to just let it be, don't fuss over it and I think
>>>> I was over-watering it.
>>> The thing to remember about culinary herbs is that most are
>>> Mediterranean plants, plants accustomed to growing on poor soil and with
>>> little water. My herb garden is on a slight rise above the rest of the
>>> property and in sandy soil. Rosemary grows like the weed it is as does
>>> oregano. The only herbs I have problems with are sage and thyme, the
>>> sage is finally growing well but the thyme struggles. I may have to
>>> duplicate an area of the British isles or some part of France to have
>>> thyme succeed.
>>>
>>
>> Must be the climate for sure. We don't have much luck with rosemary
>> because it can't stay out all year and seems to do poorly in a pot
>> that we move in for the winter. But, neither sage nor thyme are a
>> problem.
>> I had the worst "thyme" of my life last summer. Our thyme grows like
>> there's no tomorrow and has spread throughout a large section of the
>> lawn.
>> I was wearing shorts and had to kneel in it to make some repairs on an
>> eavestrough downspout.
>> A short time later I broke out in a rash on my knees and shins that
>> itched like the devil. It then started to blister up and got so bad I
>> ended up having to go to the doctor. It took a ten day regimen on
>> prednisone to finally clear. I avoid it like the plague now and, so
>> far, I've avoided using it as an herb on anything I'm going to eat.
>> I can't imagine that rash in my mouth, throat and stomach.
>>
>> Ross.
>> Southern Ontario, Canada.
>
>You must be a Scot by heritage, they all have trouble with English Thyme.
>
>ducking and running

Aye, that's trrrrrue!

Ross.

"George Shirley" > wrote in message
.. .
> wrote:
>> On Sun, 31 May 2009 07:27:45 -0500, George Shirley
>> > wrote:
>>
>>> Mimi wrote:
>>>> <snip> My brother just bought a house in Murrieta (sp?) California.
>>>> He has several different citrus trees, as rosemary BUSH...stuff grows
>>>> differently there and I just wish I could get my hands on it all...
>>>> <snip>
>>>>
>>>> I am finally having some luck with my rosemary. I've killed quite a
>>>> few in past years. I have the two plants (I wouldn't call them bushes
>>>> just yet) for about 4 years now. They are spreading out on thier
>>>> own. I figured out to just let it be, don't fuss over it and I think
>>>> I was over-watering it.
>>> The thing to remember about culinary herbs is that most are
>>> Mediterranean plants, plants accustomed to growing on poor soil and with
>>> little water. My herb garden is on a slight rise above the rest of the
>>> property and in sandy soil. Rosemary grows like the weed it is as does
>>> oregano. The only herbs I have problems with are sage and thyme, the
>>> sage is finally growing well but the thyme struggles. I may have to
>>> duplicate an area of the British isles or some part of France to have
>>> thyme succeed.
>>>
>>
>> Must be the climate for sure. We don't have much luck with rosemary
>> because it can't stay out all year and seems to do poorly in a pot
>> that we move in for the winter. But, neither sage nor thyme are a
>> problem.
>> I had the worst "thyme" of my life last summer. Our thyme grows like
>> there's no tomorrow and has spread throughout a large section of the
>> lawn.
>> I was wearing shorts and had to kneel in it to make some repairs on an
>> eavestrough downspout. A short time later I broke out in a rash on my
>> knees and shins that
>> itched like the devil. It then started to blister up and got so bad I
>> ended up having to go to the doctor. It took a ten day regimen on
>> prednisone to finally clear. I avoid it like the plague now and, so
>> far, I've avoided using it as an herb on anything I'm going to eat.
>> I can't imagine that rash in my mouth, throat and stomach.
>>
>> Ross.
>> Southern Ontario, Canada.
>
> You must be a Scot by heritage, they all have trouble with English Thyme.
>
> ducking and running

ROFLMBO

From a real Scot!


--
mompeagram
FERGUS/HARLINGEN
http://mompeagram.homestead.com

<snip> The thing to remember about culinary herbs is that most are
> Mediterranean plants, plants accustomed to growing on poor soil and with
> little water. My herb garden is on a slight rise above the rest of the
> property and in sandy soil. Rosemary grows like the weed it is as does
> oregano. The only herbs I have problems with are sage and thyme, the
> sage is finally growing well but the thyme struggles. I may have to
> duplicate an area of the British isles or some part of France to have
> thyme succeed. <snip>

I have two different sage plants going this year. The common is
doing better after re-locating it where it could spread out a bit--it
is a running type. Got it at Central Market down in Houston last year
and it managed to live through the winter. The other one, narrow,
light green, kind of fuzzy leaves, started from seed and it is
steadily growing.

My soil is somewhat sandy. I have raised beds. I direct sow all my
kitchen scraps (compost). I read about doing it that way in a book
called "Let It Rot". It breaks down pretty quick when it's warm
outside and I have lovely, fat earthworms slithering around. So, the
soil isn't rich but, it ain't real poor either. I guess it is middle-
class soil.
: - )

I bought 4 different types of thyme. This is my first time with it.
Everyone is doing okay so far. Of course, the blistering heat/
humidity hasn't really hit yet.

I don't even bother to water the rosemary. I probably have it
convinced I hate it and that is why it is still living. Secretly
though, I really *love* the smell of it.
: - )

My unofficially adopted daughter bought me two bay trees back in March
for my birthday. The lady she bought them from at the farmer's market
(in Austin) said to plant them in 1-gallon containers and then ignore
them--they thrive on neglect. They are doing okay. I'll probably be
dead by the time they are big enough to transplant into the yard.

Oregano and marjoram is spreading like crazy. I gave them some more
room this year.

I just planted some butternut squash. I hope it makes it. I love the
stuff and would be so pleased to serve it at Thanksgiving knowing I
grew it meself.

: - )

Mimi wrote:
> <snip> The thing to remember about culinary herbs is that most are
>> Mediterranean plants, plants accustomed to growing on poor soil and with
>> little water. My herb garden is on a slight rise above the rest of the
>> property and in sandy soil. Rosemary grows like the weed it is as does
>> oregano. The only herbs I have problems with are sage and thyme, the
>> sage is finally growing well but the thyme struggles. I may have to
>> duplicate an area of the British isles or some part of France to have
>> thyme succeed. <snip>
>
> I have two different sage plants going this year. The common is
> doing better after re-locating it where it could spread out a bit--it
> is a running type. Got it at Central Market down in Houston last year
> and it managed to live through the winter. The other one, narrow,
> light green, kind of fuzzy leaves, started from seed and it is
> steadily growing.
>
> My soil is somewhat sandy. I have raised beds. I direct sow all my
> kitchen scraps (compost). I read about doing it that way in a book
> called "Let It Rot". It breaks down pretty quick when it's warm
> outside and I have lovely, fat earthworms slithering around. So, the
> soil isn't rich but, it ain't real poor either. I guess it is middle-
> class soil.
> : - )
We've done that form of composting for over forty years, works fine as
long as you don't have wild critters that will dig it up. We just call
it pot-holing. I think I read about it in Mother EArth News, one of the
first issues.
>
> I bought 4 different types of thyme. This is my first time with it.
> Everyone is doing okay so far. Of course, the blistering heat/
> humidity hasn't really hit yet.

I've found that thyme doesn't do well in our heat and humidity, might
get most of a year out of it but a little thyme goes a long way.
>
> I don't even bother to water the rosemary. I probably have it
> convinced I hate it and that is why it is still living. Secretly
> though, I really *love* the smell of it.
> : - )

You could just as well sniff a pine tree, they smell the same to me. We
had one that was about ten or more years old that I chopped out of the
ground and threw away. I had cut it back annually and it still got four
by four feet in one year. DW planted another one and that damned thing
is growing like the weed it is too. Once more, how much rosemary can one
family use?

>
> My unofficially adopted daughter bought me two bay trees back in March
> for my birthday. The lady she bought them from at the farmer's market
> (in Austin) said to plant them in 1-gallon containers and then ignore
> them--they thrive on neglect. They are doing okay. I'll probably be
> dead by the time they are big enough to transplant into the yard.

I've got one that lived in a gallon bucket so long the roots grew up
instead of down. Finally planted it and sliced the roots so they would
spread. The thing is still only about three feet tall and it is about
fifteen years old. I think I'll prune it to see if I can scare it into
growing more.
>
> Oregano and marjoram is spreading like crazy. I gave them some more
> room this year.

Lucky you, I've never got marjoram to grow, the oregano appears to be
doing well at the moment. Oregano lasts about ten years here and then
seems to go into decline. I then buy some seed and replant and hope it
lasts another ten years. Got plenty of the Greek variety but all my
Spanish oregano died out, the Spanish is the one you mostly find in jars
at the supermarket.

>
> I just planted some butternut squash. I hope it makes it. I love the
> stuff and would be so pleased to serve it at Thanksgiving knowing I
> grew it meself.

It should do well for you, South Texas used to be well known for it's
truck gardens. We have just harvested two small white acorn squash,
sprouted from some seed and pulp we potholed last winter, seems to be
growing well though.
>
> : - )

On Wed 27 May 2009 06:03:35p, Puester told us...

>
> Over the weekend I found California apricots in a local
> (Colorado) greengrocer's on sale for 88 cents a pound.
> I bought a flat (~20 pounds) and made 4 batches of regular
> jam and one of freezer jam for a total 37 jars.
> I used the SureJel lower sugar recipe and they all turned
> out quite well.
>
> The fruit was small and not terribly sweet although the
> flavor was good. I found only 3 bad ones in the
> ~140 total count.
>
> We go through a lot of apricot jam, our favorite, for our
> own use as well as gifts.
>
> gloria p

Perhaps a stupid question, Gloria, but how do you prepare fresh apricots
for making jam? I've only made it from dried apricots.

TIA

--
Wayne Boatwright
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eggs Benedict is genius. Its eggs covered in eggs. I mean, come on,
that person should be the president. ~Wylie Dufresne

In article 7>,
Wayne Boatwright > wrote:

> Perhaps a stupid question, Gloria, but how do you prepare fresh apricots
> for making jam? I've only made it from dried apricots.
>
> TIA

Remove stone and chop. Do not peel. I'm not Gloria nor do I pretend to
play her on r.f.p. but you asked. . . :-)
--
-Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
http://web.me.com/barbschaller - good news 4-6-2009
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle."
-Philo of Alexandria

"Melba's Jammin'" > wrote in message
...
> In article 7>,
> Wayne Boatwright > wrote:
>
>> Perhaps a stupid question, Gloria, but how do you prepare fresh apricots
>> for making jam? I've only made it from dried apricots.
>>
>> TIA
>
> Remove stone and chop. Do not peel. I'm not Gloria nor do I pretend to
> play her on r.f.p. but you asked. . . :-)
> --
> -Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ

They's some of us go both ways (snicker).
Edrena

In article >,
"The Joneses" > wrote:

> "Melba's Jammin'" > wrote in message
> ...
> > In article 7>,
> > Wayne Boatwright > wrote:
> >
> >> Perhaps a stupid question, Gloria, but how do you prepare fresh apricots
> >> for making jam? I've only made it from dried apricots.
> >>
> >> TIA
> >
> > Remove stone and chop. Do not peel. I'm not Gloria nor do I pretend to
>
> They's some of us go both ways (snicker).
> Edrena

'splain yourself, Lucy.
You peel or you use dried? I don't peel but I've used dried to enhance
the mostly tasteless aps I have available to me.


--
-Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
http://web.me.com/barbschaller - good news 4-6-2009
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle."
-Philo of Alexandria

"Melba's Jammin'" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> "The Joneses" > wrote:
>
>> "Melba's Jammin'" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> > In article 7>,
>> > Wayne Boatwright > wrote:
>> >
>> >> Perhaps a stupid question, Gloria, but how do you prepare fresh
>> >> apricots
>> >> for making jam? I've only made it from dried apricots.
>> >>
>> >> TIA
>> >
>> > Remove stone and chop. Do not peel. I'm not Gloria nor do I pretend
>> > to
>>
>> They's some of us go both ways (snicker).
>> Edrena
>
> 'splain yourself, Lucy.
> You peel or you use dried? I don't peel but I've used dried to enhance
> the mostly tasteless aps I have available to me.
>
>
> --
> -Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ

I like to soak oh, about half a cup er so of them dried up aps in peach
brandy. I never peel fresh aps lessen' theys rilly tough skins. Mostly not
ever.
Edrena, faithful disciple of St. Vinaigrette, Holy Order of the Sacred
Sisters & Brothers of St. Pectina of Jella (HOSS&BSPJ)

Wayne Boatwright wrote:

>
> Perhaps a stupid question, Gloria, but how do you prepare fresh apricots
> for making jam? I've only made it from dried apricots.
>
> TIA
>




Wash the fruit, remove the seed, and chop coarsely. I do it in a food
processor. No need to peel, the skin dissolves. Proceed according to
pectin package directions.

I have, in previous years, added chopped. soaked dried apricots also
but I didn't have any handy this year.

gloria p