(DF) GETTING WHAT YOU PAID FOR? REALLY??

As the old saying goes, "you get what you pay for".  But do you really?  Is it always as advertised?  Not likely, at least not always.  There are many things that are not exactly as they appear or are advertised, and in many cases (unless we are very observant and read the labels carefully) we may not even know that we paid for something we didn't get.  It happens all the time with food labels, phone service, clothing and at least a bazillion other things that don't come so readily to mind.  But what about things more simple and straightforward, like garden plants?

Have you ever bought a tomato plant and found that it was really a pepper plant instead?  Me nither, but they look enough different that it would be hard to mistake one for the other.  What about one variety of tomato or pepper that turned out to be another?  This is something that could happen often and in most cases, most people would not be sure of the mistake.

Look carefully at the photos.  You will notice that the tomato is small and red, some variety of cherry tomato to be more precise.  Anna purchased this plant which was clearly labeled as a "Lemon Boy", and had a nice picture of medium yellow tomatoes on the vine.  The tomatoes it is producing are certainly not "Lemon Boy", or anything close.  The pepper plant is one I bought.  You might think it is a bell pepper, judging from the shape of the peppers.  In reality, the peppers are smaller than bell peppers and, though still green, they are obviously hot.  They appear to be a variety called "Cajun Bell", but whatever they are, they are absolutely not the "Cayenne" that they were clearly labeled to be, complete with pictures of beautiful "Cayenne" peppers.

If the tomato had been a different yellow variety than the one labeled, would we have known?  If the pepper had been similar to what was expected, would we have made the connection?  The answer is, probably not.  While surprises can sometimes be good, this disturbs me.  Not only because the varieties are different than advertised (in fact, I feel it is always good to try different varieties) but more because of how such little "mistakes" could be used.

Now to my main point.  It is no secret that the seed companies (among other entities) are always pushing their hybrid seeds, and would like nothing more than for the open pollinated, heirloom varieties to disappear.  It is also no secret that they are constantly developing genetically modified varieties and trying to push them on the consumer.  My question is simple.  At some point, how much trouble would it be to simply substitute a hybrid or genetically modified variety with similar characteristics to the one you think you are purchasing?  The frightening answer is that it would be quite easy to do, very hard to prove and a big chunk of the population would not know the difference for at least a year, and only then, if they saved seeds and planted them the next spring.  This would solve the seed company problem and our problems would begin in earnest.  The really scary part is that if someone like me could think of it, we can't expect that they haven't thought of it too.

I don't think of myself as paranoid, and I am certainly not trying to say that anyone is "out to get us".  The fact is simply that they are looking at the bottom line and if we save our own seeds, they can't sell theirs to us.  This gives me more incentive to grow heirloom varieties and save seeds.  I strongly encourage everyone else to do the same, if for no reason other than keeping the old varieties that our grandparents and great grandparents grew, from being lost forever.  Once you have saved those seeds, I encourage everyone to in some way, share them with others, whether it be giving a few to the neighbor down the road, swapping those you have for those you want, or selling your surplus to those who are having trouble finding them.

If you have purchased plants or seeds that are not what you expected, have fun with the surprise and we would love to hear the stories.  If you have heirloom varieties, we would also love to hear about the ones you enjoy. 

(DF) POTTING OF THE PEPPER

Remember the one surviving pepper plant from the recent frost? It is still alive and well, but with another frost not far in the future, the hope of fresh, hot peppers into the winter hinges on that little plant. With this in mind, and with the soil dampened by rain from the weekend, the time could not be better.

Yesterday afternoon I decided to take a break from preparing foraged pears and play in the dirt for a few minutes. The process of pushing a tile spade deep into the soil all the way around the plant, (out beyond the roots, of course), and gently lifting the plant from the ground took only a minute or two. The plant was then placed in a hollowed out space in the pot of rich, organic potting soil. Garden soil was then placed over the roots and filled in around the stem to the level it had been in the garden. After a good watering, the newly potted plant was left in the garden for the rest of the afternoon to soak up the available sunshine.

Early evening came around, and I expected to see some sign of transplant shock, at least a few drooping leaves. However, there were no signs at all, only a very healthy looking plant, which I moved into the house for the night.

The whole transplanting process took less than ten minutes. The prospect of fresh red peppers through the winter is more than ample payment for that amount of time, and the addition of such a bright, decorative plant to the home is an added bonus.

Now, it's back to the pears, but more on that later.

(DF) No Longer Just Frost

This morning found frost, not light or patchy this time, but serious frost at my place. By the time the animals were taken care of and the ice broken on the goat water, the remaining plants in the garden were looking a bit limp. The smell of frosted vegetation filled the air with it's pungent aroma and it was pretty obvious that the growing phase of gardening had ended for the season. The only plant unaffected is the pepper which had a bit better protection than the others.

With the forecast calling for warmer temperatures for a few days, I will let it warm up a little before potting the pepper. I have it on good authority that peppers will produce throughout most of the winter in the house and then start over in the spring for a head start on production. What I know absolutely nothing about, is how well full grown pepper plants transplant back into pots. With this in mind, I will try to give it time to adjust to one shock at a time, if the weather allows of course.

Now looking ahead, it is time for all the wonderful winter activities, in and out of the garden. We mustn't forget that spring will be here before we know it.

(DF) Frost

We all knew it would happen soon, but after the flood and drought, I was hoping for a few more ripe tomatoes. It is the season however and this morning, daylight revealed light patchy frost at my place. Only problem is that the "patches" were mainly in my little patch of tomatoes and squash. It is still too early to tell the amount of damage, but with the forecast for tonight calling for a freeze, there are a few things I need to do to salvage what is left.

Last night, in anticipation of frost, I picked all the squash that was ready, and a few of the largest green tomatoes for frying. The peppers, not yet ripe, are covered with a blanket along with the smaller of the tomatoes.

The one remaining pepper plant, with its little peppers, may spend the night potted and in the house, but that decision has not yet been made.

For now, it is time to cut one last bit of hay and enjoy the first real chill of fall.