Saturday, July 11, 2009

Garden oddities


Just checked the garden. That top picture is a weird fungus that turned an ear of corn into a knarly blob of fungi-grossness. It's a tumor. A corn tumor. And it's disgusting. But, that's Iowa, the humidity allows odd things to develop. This is a jungle. It only affected one stalk, I'll pull it out and burn it later, but, that, right there, is why big growers don't do the organic thing much around here.
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The second picture is a snake skin left by one of my reptilian friends who used the prickly vines of a Pumpkin to help it shed it's unwanted skin. Cool. Glad to help, buddy.
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I also came back with another armload of Zucchini. There's one plant out there that's producing 6 to 8 Zuch's every day. It's outrageous. Good thing I like them. I could start throwing them at passing cars.

14 comments:

Heidi said...

ROFL!
Dont send any MY way. I do not dislike zucchs but I can take them or leave them.
I like summer squash more. And the winter squashes (acorn and butternut). Mmm.

Have you ever planted Gourds? I am never successful at those. I can get maybe one or two if I am lucky.

Dirty Disher said...

I've grown gourds. I like the gourd bird houses because the birds like them. Didn't plant any this year. I have acorn squash that came up in the flower bed right by the front door. Crazy thinkg is making squash now. I have to mow around it.

Nadine said...

I always used to hear "Zuchinni" jokes while living in the states and never really believed the exagerations.... but now that you tell your stories of 6 of them growing overnight I guess everything I've heard is true....

Heidi said...

My oldest has a garden plot at the community garden. It was doing good but so-so a week ago. I looked at it yesterday and was shocked.
She has 4 heirloom tomato plants, basil growing between them, 4 corn stalks, beans growing up the poles (she needs a couple more to support), peppers, and summer squash.
This is her first garden by herself.
Mom is proud.

Acorn squash roasted with butter and brown sugar. Yummy!

Pat said...

That's awsome Heidi!

Nadine..it's no joke. They're nuts.

Pat said...

Oh, and I try and pick them everyday so they don't get too big. If I ignore them they get gigantic. They aren't as good then. I have found out they're good raw. I use them with dips. Good snackin'.

Nina said...

Pat,
They are also great stuffed with crabmeat and baked. If crab isn't to your taste you can use any stuffing you like.

I also eat them raw with dips. I read somewhere that they can be pickled and are suppose to be tastier than cucs...Never tried it though.

Dirty Disher said...

I love crab! Can't hardly get in in Iowa though. I found a bunch of easy Zuch ideas on the net. Martha has some good ones that aren't too hard. Surprisingly. I've never made pickles. My MIL did and OMG, she had these candied ones to die for. Cinnamon pickles. Red and green. Geez, I could eat a jar of them.

Dirty Disher said...

She also had this corn she canned, she called it Acid Corn. I don;t know what it was, but, man, it was good too. My MIL was the best cook ever.

Heidi said...

yes,
Pickled zuch is really good

Heidi said...

Wanted to share...
http://www.doriegreenspan.com/2009/06/i-seem-to-be-on.html

Garlic Scape(whistle) and almond pesto.
Going to make that today.

Dirty Disher said...

Thanks. I really suck at cooking.

coffeebean said...

YUM! I love them, especially in zucchini bread. You can't find them in the winter, so if I find them in the summer, I shred some and freeze it for bread in the winter.

Heidi said...

Pat,
I made that pesto. It was absolutely yummy!
OMG My breath stunk so bad but it was sooo good.
I am going to do that again.