Deer Feeding

Deer have found my sweet potatoes. I need to get the bird netting out to protect the leaves so that they can feed the roots.

Tobacco Hornworm

Sorry for the poor picture. I have this tomato on my deck in an Earthbox and I was up against my wall to take the picture. It is a tobacco hornworm feeding on the tomato. Control is picking it off. Missing leaves and the fecal material are sure signs to look closely for the culprit.

Minor Measurement Mix-Up

Last week was the first ever Cooking Camp experience for 19 third-fifth grade students. Ginny and Andrea led the “Chefs” in designing aprons, games, cooking, measuring, kitchen safety, menu planning and a host of other culinary skills. Our young “chefs” quickly learned that a key to any recipe success is to read.

Our breakfast themed day involved work with eggs. Cracking eggs and separating eggs were listed as favorite activities by many of the young cooks. After practice with eggs, it was time to get down to business of completing the recipe for a creation. The recipe of “Sunrise Sandwiches” took on a little hint of night because of a measurement mistake.

The chef team quickly grabbed ingredients and added a ¼ cup of pepper and a ¼ cup of salt to their recipe of 6 eggs. Shredded cheddar cheese was thrown in to complete the mix. After a quick look in the bowl, the adults discovered that the recipe did not quite look right.

After a chat with the team, and a review of the recipe, it was discovered that the recipe actually required a ¼ teaspoon of both salt and pepper. Without enough eggs to remedy the large quantity of salt, we scrapped that batch and began again.

The second recipe was truly sunny – bright yellow and orange – and quickly gobbled up by some very hungry cooks!

Herbicide injury

This tomato, I've been growing in a 5 gallon bucket using only compost from the KSU beef unit compost. It has done poorly on account that there appears to be some residual herbicide in the compost. Note the distorted leaves. It does have a few tomatoes.

Summer Vacations

It doesn’t matter what we do or where we go on vacation, it’s just important that we get away. According to Joe Robinson, author of “Work to Live- A Guide to Getting a Life,” taking a vacation is as important as watching your cholesterol or exercising. Americans forfeited an average of four vacation days each last year. Approximately 574 million vacation days were lost. Don’t let your vacation days go to waste.

If you are searching for a low-cost vacation, a couple of options come to mind. Did you know that Rock Springs 4-H Center offers family camping opportunities? Yep, the entire family can stay for a weekend and experience the “Spirit of the Springs”. Family camps are offered:
July 3 - 5
July 10 - 12
July 31 - August 2
August 14-16
September 4-6

You can decide whether you want to rough it in tents or pamper yourself in Leadership Lodge. Rock Springs staff will take care of the cooking while you enjoy swimming, canoeing, horseback riding and the other fun activities that Rock Springs has to offer. More information is available at http://www.rocksprings.net/.

Another fun option for a stay-at-home vacation is the Riley County Fair, July 23-27 at CiCo Park in Manhattan. There’s lots of fun things for the whole family to enjoy. You can see 4-H exhibits and livestock, take part in the pedal tractor pull, or enjoy food on the mid-way. On July 23, 24 and 25 you can catch a performance of the Kaw Valley Rodeo. The Ottaway Amusements carnival will be at the fair and offer $20 wristbands each night. You can also check out local talent at the Riley County Idol Contest, July 24-26 in the entertainment tent. Live local entertainment will follow the Idol performance each evening. For a complete schedule and more detailed information, visit http://www.rileycountyfair.com/.

Whether you decide to check out one of these options or one of your own, travel safe and enjoy your summer!

Strawberry Harvest

Something had been harvesting my berries before I could. I first thought it was sowbugs (roly-polies). Some carbaryl products are labeled for use with only a 1 day waiting period which would be do able. I went out early in the morning and didn't find any so I haven't treated.

I got out the bird netting to eliminate that possibility. I ended up catching a garter snake in the netting. They aren't suppose to feed on strawberries. Any how, I'm getting to harvest.

Freezer Meal Save Time and Money

Monday I got home from work at 5:45 and had to be at a meeting by 7:00. Not much time to fix dinner. Tuesday evening the family had to be at the school for awards night by 7:00. Again, not much time to fix dinner. Wednesday night my husband had to be at a City Council meeting by 6:30. For the third night in a row, the meal fixing window was short. I could have run by the grocery store or through the drive-thru for takeout, but we don’t need the extra calories and it’s hard to feed a family of four takeout for less than $20, even if it is fast food. Lucky for me, I had a stock pile of meals prepared and in the freezer for weeks such as this.

Freezer meals are a great way to make sure my family gets a nutritious meal and that we have time to eat together. Usually about once a month I have a major cooking session, fill all the pans in my cupboards with food and stick them in the freezer. Some of our family favorites are beef stroganoff, lasagna, and chicken enchiladas. These meals are a life saver!

Would you like to learn how to prepare a stock pile of freezer meals for your family? Join me and Ginny Barnard for a Freezer Food Fiesta on June 18 from 6-8:30 pm at the First United Methodist Church in Manhattan. During the Fiesta, participants will learn the basics of once-a-week cooking and prepare a week’s worth of meals to take home. The evening will include a tasting dinner, games, and recipes for a $35 registration fee. It will be a perfect night out—so bring a friend. Register today at www.riley.ksu.edu .

I actually harvested three heads of broccoli last night. One was ready and I needed the other two to make enough to serve.

Harvest terminal heads while the floret is tight and of green color. The flowers are yellow and if that color is starting, harvest immediately. Smaller side shoots will develop after the main head is cut.

I never sprayed mine for cabbage worm since the row cover has been left on the whole time.