Sanctuary Gardener Update ~ 11/24/14

I think our weather has schizophrenia. Midweek, we broke the record for low temperatures recorded here in November. The coldest morning was 22 degrees F. – in the South…in November! What?! Then, last night, we had thunderstorms and were under a tornado watch while today is supposed to be 76 degrees. Unlike back home in Rhode Island, where we dressed by the calendar, we have to dress by the weather report here. And if we have trouble knowing what to do with the weather, I can only imagine how my plants feel. Fortunately, most survived the frost and are enjoying the first soaking rain we’ve had in two months.

2014 County Fair Canning Competition Results

Here it is, everybody. The moment you’ve been waiting for. Well, I’m sure you weren’t sitting on pins and needles, gnawing your fingernails, waiting to hear the judges’ results of the canning competition. (That was actually me. 😉 ) However, I do know many of you have been wondering how I did in my county fair’s canning competition.

2014 Coastal Carolina Fair Canning Competition Submissions

I’m so excited! The 2014 Coastal Carolina Fair starts tomorrow, and I entered some of my canned produce in the competition. This is my second year competing, and I headed to the fairgrounds last Saturday to submit my goodies.

Sanctuary Gardener Update ~ 7/28/14

It seems the slight reprieve from the oppressive heat is over. We’re back into the 90s with high humidity. My stints in the garden are staggered between long water breaks in the air conditioning. I have quite a bit to do in the garden, but I’m having trouble getting it all done on schedule due to the heat. Welcome to gardening in South Carolina. Happily, however, we did get over an inch and a half of rain this week. I think the dry spell is over, and my garden is happy about that.

First Canning of 2014!

The first indication that summer is here is the first large basket full of the day’s harvest. But you really know it’s summer when you pull out your canning pot and utensils for the first time! Unfortunately, this happens to be one of the busiest times of the year for me at work (fiscal year end), and I’m working many 12-14 hour days. But the harvest won’t wait, so I’ve had to get creative.

2013 County Fair Canning Competition Results!

Today is the moment you’ve been waiting for – the results of the canning competition at our tri-county fair. I went to the fair on Saturday and ran straight to the Creative Arts Building to see if I won any ribbons. This was my first year canning, but I was still hopeful to win at least one ribbon. Did I get a surprise!

The Fair is Coming!

It’s October, and here in the Charleston, SC area that means it’s fair time. Every year, on the last Thursday of October, the Coastal Carolina Fair kicks off eleven days of fun. I’ve missed only a couple of years since I moved here eighteen years ago. It’s one of my favorite things to do in the fall. This year, however, I’m looking at the fair a little differently.

Hot Pepper Relish

The one crop I have that has been producing abundantly (even with the heat-induced slow-down) is my peppers. Both my sweet and hot peppers have been my most productive crop! But what to do with all those peppers? I’ve frozen some, dehydrated more, pickled a few jars, and eaten them fresh. But they keep coming! So, I decided to make some hot pepper relish. Yummy!

Sanctuary Gardener Update ~ 9/2/13

According to the calender, it’s September. But you wouldn’t know it by walking outside where I live! We are still experiencing sweltering heat and humidity with temperatures in the mid-90s and humidity levels to match. There is something incongruous with planting fall crops in this kind of weather, for sure. But I press on! This past weekend, I replanted my three varieties of leaf lettuce, kale, and brussel sprouts because they didn’t germinate. (Too hot??) I also planted head lettuce (Tom Thumb and Buttercrunch), beets (Detroit Red and Early Wonder), and carrots (Imperator and Scarlet Nantes). Turnips and radishes are next – if I can just survive the heat! At least my plants are hanging in there!