It certainly is… something else

We used to have Stroh’s at my grandparents’ tavern. Pabst & Old Style on tap, of course. Beers were $0.25/glass back then. I shudder to think how long ago that was!

JayneR13 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 19, 2024 3:35 pm We used to have Stroh’s at my grandparents’ tavern. Pabst & Old Style on tap, of course. Beers were $0.25/glass back then. I shudder to think how long ago that was!

The Gotch does LUV his beer!

Two Bits a glass? Howse about a thin dime (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Cent_Beer_Night)

The Gotch

Worst Waltham Butternut Squarsh crop EVAH! Some predator loss, but this *yield* sucked beyond that; no idea why.
These tubs were both FILLED last year: Even had a bunch which needed to be harvested before they were ripe; they're currently holed up in our south-facing raised planter (turtles standing guard below) and trying not to elbow out the late season Space Hybrid Spinach: Last year's crop supplied us with Squarsh 'til June, and that was after giving many away.

The Gotch

I hear you! The butternuts at the pantry garden were tiny, and there weren’t that many of them. It’s been a challenging year.

You remember dime beers, do you? You’re dating yourself!

wasn't a good squash year here either.
plants sat for a month chilling before it started to warm up
thelma sanders sweet potato was the best producer of them all.
scarchuks didn't show up. i got a few small butter nut, havent tried
them yet. one hubbard. a hubbard hybrid did pretty well. the squash
is a longish thing with a porpoise nose on the end. tetsukabuto hybrid
seeds one generation removed gave me 3 or 4 squash. they will be a
taste surprise. the monstah did not do well. small plants, and some small
squash. not sure if they are ripe enough. some years are just that way.
bad slug year, but very few cabbage worms. greens mostly look show room
perfect.


keith

JayneR13 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 19, 2024 6:26 pm I hear you! The butternuts at the pantry garden were tiny, and there weren’t that many of them. It’s been a challenging year.

The burning question...why?

Anywho, Waltham Butternut Squarsh, both a Jardín del Gotch staple and a FAVE of the lovely and long suffering Mrs. Gotch, has contributed to varied-n-many a casserole through our cold winter months; beyond, even.

On the grill? Fuggeddaboudit!

Just not this year.

The Gotch

Why? The never-ending question! Theories abound but none really answer the great questions of Life. I suppose it's because Mother Nature said so, that's why! There are three entities I never argue with: God, Mother Nature, and the IRS!

Happier Squarsh Times: The Gotch

rxkeith wrote: ↑Sat Oct 19, 2024 7:06 pm wasn't a good squash year here either.
plants sat for a month chilling before it started to warm up
thelma sanders sweet potato was the best producer of them all.
scarchuks didn't show up. i got a few small butter nut, havent tried
them yet. one hubbard. a hubbard hybrid did pretty well. the squash
is a longish thing with a porpoise nose on the end. tetsukabuto hybrid
seeds one generation removed gave me 3 or 4 squash. they will be a
taste surprise. the monstah did not do well. small plants, and some small
squash. not sure if they are ripe enough. some years are just that way.
bad slug year, but very few cabbage worms. greens mostly look show room
perfect.


keith

My recipe for tetsukabuto is to cut it in half, scrape out the seeds and a very thin layer next to the seeds, bake and eat on the half shell. It's the only squash that I add nothing to it, nor process it.

The Monstah did great, 35 foot vines with about 2 large squash per plant. If I can find my scale somewhere in a cluttered basement, I'll weigh them.

Summer squash was a weird year, having just one plant of Costata Romanesco. When the short leader finally flopped over, all of the female blossoms were on the underside of the short vine, almost laying on the soil. It only produced 3 zucchini, because most blossoms did not get pollinated.

Tormato wrote: ↑Sun Oct 20, 2024 9:22 amSummer squash was a weird year,

No weird here, our Summer Squarsh was OFF_THE_CHARTS great. Harvested the last bunch and put 'em in the fridge before our last trip up north on 08/28/2024; they were still good over five (5) weeks later.

The Gotch

Cornelius_Gotchberg wrote: ↑Sat Oct 19, 2024 4:50 pm The Gotch does LUV his beer!

...and you have an awesome one!

https://newglarusbrewing.com/

Now Gotch, I need you to convince these fine folks to share their wonderful product with the rest of us. Or, just with me is ok. I'll send a truck!

JayneR13 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 19, 2024 3:35 pmWe used to have Stroh’s at my grandparents’ tavern.

County & TWSP of that there WESconsin tavern, s'il vous plaît.

The Gotch

rdback wrote: ↑Sun Oct 20, 2024 10:20 am ...and you have an awesome one!

https://newglarusbrewing.com/

Now Gotch, I need you to convince these fine folks to share their wonderful product with the rest of us. Or, just with me is ok. I'll send a truck!

New Glarus' Spotted Cow was one of my favorites and a cool Leinenkugel's Berry Weiss was excellent refreshment after working in the garden.

Other than the Italian flat Leaf and Curly Parsley, the last Isigh!) remnants of the 2024 installment of Jardín del Gotch is the late-thriving Kale Patch: The Gotch

Beautiful... Gotch have you not yet been tempted to use those tomato starting lights for a little indoor winter fun? Have to say, the lettuce and greens grown under lights indoors are.. maybe the best kept secret. Tender, juicy, perfect taste, no bugs... indoor greens are a spoiler! (not that I don't love me some massaged kale salad!) You do need a cool place for greens, it doesn't work if the whole house is dry and warm

kale going strong here too, along with collards or kallards.
let a few go to seed next year, and you will never have to plant again.
i have flat leaf brassicas and some with curly lobed leafs that are some
kind of mix. brussells sprouts are still out there, but the sprouts are barely
there. the leaves can be cooked so not a total write off. couple cabbage
and broccoli still alive, and carrots, and beets, and thats it for me.
lacinato does not appear hardy enough to winter over here. the red russian,
and green russian kale are hardy. maybe cover with a bucket. they will be the
first thing to start growing in the spring. leaves can be picked when big enough
before flower stalks start to grow, and you can eat the buds, just as you would broccoli.
try it, if you haven't. yank em up later if you need the space.


keith

bower wrote: ↑Mon Oct 21, 2024 6:26 pm Beautiful... Gotch have you not yet been tempted to use those tomato starting lights for a little indoor winter fun?

Yes...I have...OBSESSIVELY...got the seeds-n-soil, but I'm still trying to noodle it out.

Everything winding down here so gosh darn fast has me twistin' in the wind; but THANKS for the pep talk!

The Gotch

rxkeith wrote: ↑Mon Oct 21, 2024 6:39 pm kale going strong here too, along with collards or kallards.


keith

This here (there too, I'm thinking) is bonus time.

Kale's a many splendored thing...it is in Jardín del Gotch, leastways.

The Gotch

I grow in dirt under lights all winter long - rest assured it is doable nine different ways.