Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Linda G.'s secret recipe Dill Pickles

You will need:
7 pounds of young fresh picked cucumbers(small cucumbers)
2 cup Mrs. Wages Pickling Lime
8 cups apple cider vinegar
1 cup salt
dill seed
crushed red pepper
garlic
water (enough to cover cucumbers and wash them)

Wash cucumbers removing all dirt. Soak cucumbers over night in 2 cups pickling lime and water, enough water to cover. Stirring once in awhile to make sure pickling lime surrounds cucumbers. The next morning rinse cucumbers 3 times removing extra lime. Lay on a clean dry towel allowing cucumbers to dry. In large pot cook 2 quarts apple cider vinegar and 4 quarts water, add 1 cup salt. Cook to a hard boil.
Pack cucumbers into clean sterilize mason or ball canning jars. Add 1 teaspoon dill seed ,1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper, 1 1/2 cloves garlic to each jar.
Fill jars with boiling vinegar mixture, seal very tightly, turn jars up side down to seal (at least 24 hours) Then turn jars over and allow to rest for 7 days before trying one of your Linda G's Dill Pickles. If you enjoy store bought Dill Pickles you will Love these.

Truth in Thinking: Windowbox Gardening

Truth in Thinking: Windowbox Gardening: "A windowbox garden will enhance the view from any window. Open your windows and enjoy the beauty and pleasant aromas of the plants. From th..."

Windowbox Gardening

A windowbox garden will enhance the view from any window. Open your windows and enjoy the beauty and pleasant aromas of the plants. From the strong sweet Lavender to the subtle scent of the Diang-over nthus. That will last from Summer until the first frost. The combination of hang-over plants, up-right plants and fillers can brighten anyday. The deeper your windowbox the better.
A box that is at least 9 inches deep will allow flowers enough room for root growth and soil will not dry out as fast. If you are a do-it-yourselfer building your own window garden should be fun. You will need one piece of ply board, water sealant,finishing nails one 1/2*1 inch trim, and 2 or 3 supporting brackets. You will also need enough window screen to line the bottom of your box, gravel, sphagnum moss and a balanced fertilizer (preferably liquid), potting soil, and your plants. If you are not a do-it-yoursselfer there are some very nice windowboxes on the market.
Be sure to mount your new box garden so there is a large enough gap for proper air circulation. Moisture can be trapped between windowsill or siding causing wood rot.
Once your window garden is mounted in place you are ready to begin.
First place window screen inside flat on the bottom covering drainage holes. Second, distribute a layer of gravel ensuring proper drainage. Third, spread potting soil or top soil on top of gravel measuring up to 1 inch from the top.
There are many flowers that are both beautiful, alluring and fragrant that can thrive together, bringing much pleasure all summer long.
For example: Creeping Phlox, Iceland Poppies, Sweet Alyssum, Geraniums, Petunias, Ferns, vincas, the list goes on and on.

TIP 1: Water the soil not the plant. They can develope fungal diseases especially sense they will be exposed to night air.
TIP 2: Placing a windowbox garden at your kitchen window will enable you to grow fresh herbs.
Herbs are easy to grow and very fragrant. There are many herbs used everyday and you will be proud to show off your herb garden. Some herbs you may enjoy growing, Chives, Coriander, Chamomile, Dill, Basil, Oregano, Parsley, Thyme, Spearmint and Rosemary.
TIp 3: Try a mini salad garden. just follow the instructions on the packages, water fertilizer and watch your garden grow right outside of you window.