Jardín del Gotch

[JayneR13]

We used to have Stroh’s at my grandparents’ tavern.

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

The Gotch

Oconto County in a little town called Klondike. The place burned down in 2014. My grandfather died in 1984 and we tapped Miller & Bud Lite starting in the early 2000s, I think. Maybe sooner. I really don’t remember, having hit the road in the 90s. There are better jobs in life than bartending, especially for bookworms.

[Cornelius_Gotchberg]

Oconto County in a little town called Klondike. The place burned down in 2014. My grandfather died in 1984 and we tapped Miller & Bud Lite starting in the early 2000s, I think. Maybe sooner. I really don’t remember, having hit the road in the 90s. There are better jobs in life than bartending, especially for bookworms.

Been to-n-thru Klondike many a time, back in the day. Had clients there, and in Pound, Coleman, Lena, Suring, Gillett, Oconto, Oconto Falls, and many, many others.

There were some GREAT Cheese Factories in those there parts, but just about all have closed.

The Gotch

[JayneR13]

Wow! Almost no one has ever even heard of it, except the locals. I haven't been up there in years myself; my parents (and pretty much everyone else I knew) have passed and old friends have moved as well. There's really not much up there anymore. Since the cheese factories have closed that leaves only a few places to find good work. It's all farms and lake cottages now.

[Cornelius_Gotchberg]

The last tray, with a coupla Orange Accordions and Young Stricklers Competition Tomatoes up top:

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Roasted for sauce:

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From left: The last of the Mountain Magics (groan), the last of the 2024 Garden Tomatoes (Young Strickler Competition Tomato [Groan]), and the 1st Store Bought (GROAN!!!)

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The Gotch

[JayneR13]

It's always hard, switching from actual food from the garden to the stuff we get from the store! Once you've had a home-grown 'mater the store bought stuff just isn't the same.

[Cornelius_Gotchberg]

It's always hard, switching from actual food from the garden to the stuff we get from the store! Once you've had a home-grown 'mater the store bought stuff just isn't the same.

Yup, while I do have two (2) great sources for off season vine-ripened beefsteaks, it ain't the same as slicing one you've known since you's planted the seed after witnessing its growth every step of the way.

The Gotch

[bboomer]

Since we are on the subject, is there a place that one can buy tomatoes that at least approximate the real thing? I've paid premium prices for some pretty bad tomatoes. Do we have to resign ourselves to living in a tomato desert until next summer?

[Cornelius_Gotchberg]

Do we have to resign ourselves to living in a tomato desert until next summer?

Yer (IMO) in a Sweet Spot; the Metro market just a few blocks from you's has above average Heirlooms for $3.49/lb., that's where I got the Purple one seen above.

Last year Woodman's was my Go To @the same, sometimes half the price of those from Metro Market; above average quality, too.

I'll be hitting Woodman's tomorrow and will report back.

The Gotch

[Cornelius_Gotchberg]

I'll be hitting Woodman's tomorrow and will report back.

The Gotch

Woodman's doesn't have vipe-ripened Heirlooms, yet; The Gotch will be yer Boots-On-The-Ground reporter, keeping an eye peeled 'til they do.

Meanwhile, I picked up a nice Purple and Yeller-Reddy Bi-Color @Metro Market yesterday, which will be featured on the November 25th edition of Monday Morning BLT Brunch.

The Gotch

[Cornelius_Gotchberg]

The Kale Patch soldiers on: Winterbor on the far right, Lacinato in the middle and partially obscuring the Red Russian in back, and Prizm lower left:

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The Gotch

[JayneR13]

I'm not a huge fan of kale, but it does grow nicely! And the food pantry clients like it, so I'll probably be growing some there next year. Rabbits don't like it so that's a plus. LOL

[Cornelius_Gotchberg]

I'm not a huge fan of kale, but it does grow nicely! And the food pantry clients like it, so I'll probably be growing some there next year.

We LUV it and include it on so many things, especially using it soups/stews/casseroles, and raw in Spud Salad! Try in on a pizza some time.

Rabbits don't like it so that's a plus. LOL

Please note the fencing; in their defense, them there wascally wabbits only go for the Lacinato.

Noticed definite critter predation on the Prizm in late August, and finally caught a dastardly ground hog climbing OUT_OVER_THE_FENCE.

It couldn't resist the bounty and returned shortly thereafter, but thanks to the quick deployment of a live-trap, was captured and relocated.

The Gotch

[ddsack]

I love your idea of raised beds with low wire fencing. Are the wire panels easily removable for planting and weeding, or do you just lean over the tops for access?

[Labradors]

Jayne, the rabbits around here haven't heard they're not supposed to like kale. I have to protect mine along with the rest of my greens, melons and cukes. They even eat the yuccas here, and they have very rough leaves!

[JayneR13]

Jayne, the rabbits around here haven't heard they're not supposed to like kale. I have to protect mine along with the rest of my greens, melons and cukes. They even eat the yuccas here, and they have very rough leaves!

You have my sympathy! When I had my community gardens plot, I planted both peas and kale, hoping the rabbits would go for the kale and leave my peas alone. They chomped my peas and left the kale alone. At the pantry garden, they seem to leave the kale alone but loved the peppers. Go figure.

[Cornelius_Gotchberg]

They chomped my peas and left the kale alone. At the pantry garden, they seem to leave the kale alone but loved the peppers. Go figure.

Wascally wabbits didn't start bothering my Peppers until 2023, and they're now fenced in.

I'm DAMNED GLAD, and they're DAMNED LUCKY, they don't bother Tomatoes!

The Gotch

[MissS]

They chomped my peas and left the kale alone. At the pantry garden, they seem to leave the kale alone but loved the peppers. Go figure.

Wascally wabbits didn't start bothering my Peppers until 2023, and they're now fenced in.

I'm DAMNED GLAD, and they're DAMNED LUCKY, they don't bother Tomatoes!

The Gotch

Just wait... They will learn to love the tomatoes!

[Cornelius_Gotchberg]

Sigh! The 2024 Jardín del Gotch State_Of_The_Art Garden Schematic will be...um...put to rest today.

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The Gotch

[GoDawgs]

Sigh! The 2024 Jardín del Gotch State_Of_The_Art Garden Schematic will be...um...put to rest today.
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The Gotch

Just putting it to bed in a file folder or switching to a spreadsheet?

[Cornelius_Gotchberg]

Just putting it to bed in a file folder or switching to a spreadsheet?

Cuttin' bait; the recyling bin.

The Gotch