Comments for WellPreserved.ca

Comment on Thinking of buying a dehydrator? Some considerations. by Joel

Joel — Sat, 25 May 2013 12:11:23 +0000

hahaha! I love the idea of drying cranberries being a sort of rite of passage like that! Well said friend. J

Comment on Thinking of buying a dehydrator? Some considerations. by Wonderland Kitchen (@WonderlandK)

Wonderland Kitchen (@WonderlandK) — Sat, 25 May 2013 11:33:01 +0000

To your excellent “know that it is a bit more involved than slicing” point, possibly also commit to a book or some serious online reading? I have a decidedly “never read the instructions” brain type–thanks, dad!–and Mary Bell’s book saved me from a few kitchen nightmares. But not the messing up the cranberries one. That must be a dehydrating rite of passage or something…

Comment on Square Foot Gardening: Mel’s Mix (The “Soil”) by Joel

Joel — Sat, 25 May 2013 11:08:06 +0000

Hi Susan; good to hear about your success with the raised beds; sorry to hear about the lack of success with ‘Mel’s Mix.” We’ll share our success or lack of it through the year and look forward to seeing what happens. Your idea of the keyhole method is FANTASTIC! Once we get a more permanent home for our gardens, I will need to design something like that; I can’t wait to try! Joel

Comment on Square Foot Gardening: Building the Frame by Joel

Joel — Sat, 25 May 2013 11:05:24 +0000

Very cool K.B.!

We’re removing the wooden slats, as you did and will be placing brackets along two sides of the boxes. We’ll use the brackets to hold pvc conduit when it’s cold to make coldframes; they could also be used for string or just as a marker to know where they are. So, like you, I think ours will be ‘incorrect’ soon! I hope we mirror your success of growing though! Joel

Comment on Square Foot Gardening: Mel’s Mix (The “Soil”) by Joel

Joel — Sat, 25 May 2013 11:02:46 +0000

Thanks Heather!

I had read a fair bit about coir too – I look forward to experimenting with variations on coming years once I’ve seen my ‘baseline’ results! It has been a lot of work to setup (far more than I expected) but I’m pretty exciting about the possibilities of the system – so thank you for encouragement, it’s nice to know we’re on the right path from someone with your experience!

Tracking things down has been, by far, the most difficult task with all of this. As someone who has been to many garden centers, this was the first year I really had specific items I was looking for. With the need to find specific things, I was surprised at how little many of the nurseries offered what I was looking for (including coir).

Cheers to a great growing season ahead!

Joel

Comment on Square Foot Gardening: A Preview of Our Parking Space Garden by Joel

Joel — Sat, 25 May 2013 10:57:00 +0000

Hi Elleen – I agree, plants are exciting! You have such an amazing climate to work with in Cali as well! Can’t wait till we all have bountiful crops this summer!

Comment on What To Do with Smoked Mackerel by Joel

Joel — Sat, 25 May 2013 10:55:51 +0000

Hi Aven!

Interesting idea in a pasta/ cream sauce. I wonder if it would dominate the flavor – then again, that might not be a bad thing! I’ve never broiled them – also a great idea. J

Comment on Preserving Spring – Dandelion Wine, Jelly and Coffee by Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Sat, 25 May 2013 10:55:23 +0000

I made dandelion wine last year. I found it too be too sweet for my taste but it was delicious.
You have just sealed a sweet memory so perhaps it is apt. A very touching tribute to your friend.

Comment on What To Do with Smoked Mackerel by Joel

Joel — Sat, 25 May 2013 10:54:48 +0000

OK Mosaica,

you make your mackerel over a campfire sound DEVINE. I love how you weaved this story – including the (fake) modest murmurings! When you pick up mackerel, you also pick up 4-foot fish. When I pick up mackerel, I get gum stuck to the bottom of my urban shoe.

Love your story (getting caught up on comments after recent travel).

Comment on What to do with Oyster Mushrooms by Joel

Joel — Sat, 25 May 2013 10:51:30 +0000

Hi Dawn!

I haven’t tried all the types of oyster mushrooms you mention but will keep my eyes open for them – sounds fantastic. I’ve never put them pn pizza but it’s a great idea and something we have to try soon. J