Harvest Time Knives!!

[jerryd6818]

What kind of critter does this. It's fresh & only one mater that has it.

[TripleF]

Looks like a tomato with cancer Mike.....

I gotta get me some beefsteak maters tomorrow!

[313 Mike]

What kind of critter does this. It's fresh & only one mater that has it.

Jerry, I get that on some of my low hangers and the ones that are on the ground...I figure it's from mice or voles or other such critters...

[bighomer]

My ole mama allowed it was tarpins ( terrapins) that did that to the low hangers, I spelled that the way she said it. Actually it's a eastern box turtle but we grow'd up calling them terrapins.

[jerryd6818]

Well that wasn't no tarpin (same thing we called 'em) unless he had a step ladder. That 'mater was up about belt high. I had a couple last year that got chewed on like that. Do tree rats like 'maters? As far as critters, right here in the heart of town we have groundhogs, squirrels, skunks and at least one fox (in 2013).

[313 Mike]

Golden beets looking good...

[jerryd6818]

Mike, do they taste different than the red beets?

[bighomer]

Jerry I just picked my maters and I had one up high like that same as yours, I believe it's a bird or maybe a slug, I got some of the biggest slugs I've ever seen this year. I don't know if they eat stuff like that or not.

[313 Mike]

Mike, do they taste different than the red beets?

Yeah Jerry they do have a different flavor, hard to describe but almost like another layer of flavor behind the normal sweetness you get with a red beet..
quite tasty, and visually very cool.

[313 Mike]

Bountiful harvest

[TripleF]

Good lookin' veggies Mike!

What's the yellow knife?

[313 Mike]

Thanks Scott...It's a GEC Northfield 66 jack in smooth yellow rose bone....It reminds me of my daughter Sofia Rose, and one day it will be passed down to her..

[treefarmer]

Mike,
We're still in the pepper business, but every thing else the summer sun and rain has finished off several weeks ago. / Always enjoy viewing your exotic varieties of vegetables and a good pocket knife. Even better are the pictures of your "crew" helping in the garden !
Treefarmer

[313 Mike]

Got the dehydrator filled up 4 trays deep with about 40 plump ripe chocolate Habaneros! Had to wait unt the wofe and kids were away for the night for this task...time to put some pepper fumes in the air

[Dinadan]

Mike - I like the way those zebra tomatoes look. I have never met one in person - would love to try one on Italian bread slathered with Hellman's mayonnaise!

[313 Mike]

Figured I oughta go ahead and can up a few jars of XX salsa as long as I'm on a roll....of course I had to eat up the portion that wouldn't fit into the jars, good stuff!

[TripleF]

Now that looks might fine my brother!! Knice work Mike!!

[philco]

Mike I'd love to try one of those chocolate habaneros. Never heard of them till your post.

[313 Mike]

And 14 hours later, 40 plump chocolate Habaneros fully dried and crispy....then after initial grinding in my cheapo little mini food processor, then after multiple re-grinds and a final sifting.
Alot of time and effort for a small little jar of powder...but it is pure and pungent!

[jerryd6818]

You forgot to label it Mike.

"CAUTION!! Atomic Dust. Use sparingly!"

[313 Mike]

.....looks like I've got some more canning to do...

I love the lingering smell of tomato plants on my clothes when I come in from the garden...

[treefarmer]

good lookin' 'maters!
Treefarmer

[313 Mike]

....and after a full day in the kitchen...16 pints of salsa in jars, some in Tupperware for the freezer, and a few little jars of pure hot pepper powder ...plus some beets cooked off and in the freezer too

[TripleF]

Man oh man Mike.....knice haul!

[313 Mike]

Behold....Smokin' Ed's Carolina Reaper...fully ripened and ready to be plucked from the vine! Ain't she purty?