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LSU Rural Life Museum

March 6, 2013

Bishop berrries, Gardening, Travel , , , Leave a comment

A few weeks ago I sneaked in a quick trip to Baton Rouge. I have wanted to stop by this museum and exhibit for several years. When we visit our son at LSU in the Baton Rouge area we usually stay at he Fairfield Inn off of Essen Lane just across the street from the entrance to the Rural Life Museum and grounds.

I only allocated 2.5 hours and would like to have had that much more! I had put my camera bag together prior to making the trip but left it on the kitchen table …… not much use to me that way. The photos were taken with my iPhone….I need to upgrade; I am using the iPhone 3 – several generations “old”.

The museum area has a good number of period buildings and quite a bit of plantation life history in artifacts as well. I had pictured cotton as being the dominant crop but it was grown along with lots of sugarcane.  The outbuildings included a facility for boiling the sugarcane juice, several homesteader cabins, plantation kitchen, blacksmith shop, slave quarters, corn cribs and more.

The museum is filled with the details and images of the slave labor used in both the cotton growing and the sugarcane growing. The work must have been hard and the hours long. There is a section of the museum that delivers a “no punches pulled” look at the slave trade.

The Rural Life Museum has several examples of homesteader dwellings and they are simple yet well-built structures. I like the Dog Run style – two separate rooms with a breezeway between them covered by a common roof. Photo below.

I stopped and took a good look at the strawberries being tested by the LSU folks on the property grounds….FYI, several big botanical gardens are also located on the sprawling property.  I need to find a source for the beautiful berries I saw growing….I kick myself for not snatching one as no one was around…..couldn’t do it so I left wondering about the taste! It is University of Florida development for winter strawberries that has all of the commercial properties and still retains a very good sweetness.

http://www.visitbatonrouge.com/lsururallifemuseum/

http://appl027.lsu.edu/rlm/rurallifeweb.nsf/index

Very large and early strawberries.

Very large and early strawberries.

Winter Star strawberries

Winter Star strawberries

A cotton patch.

A cotton patch.

Now those are real mud tires.

Now those are real mud tires.

An old feed trough hollowed out from a log.

An old feed trough hollowed out from a log.

More of the notching og the logs.

More of the notching og the logs.

The notching to join these logs was intriguing.

The notching to join these logs was intriguing.

Very interesting chimney construction.

Very interesting chimney construction.

Dog Run style building

Dog Run style building, living on one side and cookhouse kitchen in the other.

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Log building and farm implements. Must have been back breaking work.

Building and farming implements.

Homesteader’s house

Where they boiled the cane juice

Where they boiled the cane juice

One of the many old buildings.

One of the many old buildings.

Cook House and kitchen garden.

Cook House and kitchen garden.

A cloche that obviuosly was very old. The glass had begun to pick-up that purple tint as it ages.

A cloche that obviously was very old. The glass had begun to pick-up that purple tint as it ages.

I really loved hte brick work here. This was on the overseers house.

I really loved hte brick work here. This was on the overseers house.

Blacsmith shop

Blacsmith shop

IMG_0770

Grog gigs....too cool!

Frog gigs….too cool!

No need for Crossfit operating this washer!

No need for Crossfit operating this washer!

Now that is an egg carton!

Now that is an egg carton!

Civil War period plantation wagon

Civil War period plantation wagon

Old horse drawn cutter

Old horse drawn cutter

Into Hot Water from my Backyard Farming

February 28, 2013

Bishop berrries, Gardening, Philosophical, Relationships , 4 Comments

Holy cow who would have thought that my love of backyard farming would create that very warm water bath that I have found myself in – not recently, but it has happened. This latest incident  was totally  unanticipated and unexpected! It started in an absolutely innocent fashion, simply and effort to continue to expand my gardening horizons.

How did it start? I was looking around for information on strawberries with “real” flavor. So many varieties in the commercial sector are bred more for looks, size and shipping. I found something that caught my eye. It is a strawberry cultivar that tastes a lot like a pineapple and aptly named the “Pineberry”. It is almost white when ripe, shaped like a strawberry and you pick it when the seeds turn red. See photo.

Pineberry image - can't wait to grow my own.

Pineberry image – can’t wait to grow my own.

Now how can this land you in hot water? I have been traveling quite a bit lately and falling behind on my blogging but always looking for something to ad to my garden. I ordered 50 seeds of this variety of “strawberry” and went on about my business. In fact I had nearly forgot about placing the order until this morning. I fly in from Midland, Texas last night, ran errands this morning and upon returning to the house my wife approached/confronted me with an envelope.  What had her much more than curious were the return address and the fact that the addressee portion – my name – was handwritten in very nice handwriting. The letter was sent from Brooklyn NY, and the “sendee” had a very Russian looking and exotic, at least from the perspective of my wife, name…..I will not publish the name but when I read the name I will have to admit it did conjure up an image of a very Russian “looking” female! – very “Katerina” like…

Kathy told me that she was very tempted to open the letter before I returned from my trip but resisted the urge. She brought the letter into the kitchen where I was dealing with some freshly baked squash and just stood there. Have been married to this beautiful and loving woman for over 30 years I knew that she expected me to open it NOW! I was clueless about the contents but didn’t hesitate…I really don’t have a secret alternate life so……… “The envelope please!” – Out popped the Pineberry seeds along with a bit of relief….I wasn’t really worried but there are people out there that fish the old fashioned way….via snail mail!

I am off the hook and not suspect of any misdeeds but because of my “ancient past” of which my wife knows there may always be that tiny seed of doubt out there……. I think it just adds a bit of mystique to our amazing marriage! Isn’t that right Hun!

Strawberry Quickie

January 30, 2013

Bishop berrries, Composting, Gardening, Strawberry , , , , Leave a comment

Maybe not what you were thinking but I went out with the camera this morning after the storm front had passed to check on the garden and in particular, the strawberries. I was greeted by clear blue skies, much nicer temperatures … a nice break from the mid to high humid 70’s we have been experiencing and a seemingly happy garden. The sun felt nice, the shade was cool and the breeze was stirring up the leaves not yet sequestered in my compost bins. While out in the garden I attacked some of the never ending supply of weeds, checked on the carrots, yes-the strawberries too, made notes to pull out the remaining pepper plants and checked on the internal compost bin temperatures…..getting pretty darned warm.

Take a gander at my strawberry shots below….I suspect that I will break the old record…I should have my first ripe berry in just a few days. My guess is February 3rd +/-. I may be able to thank global warming for the bounty. I am continuing my reading and knowledge building with the issues around global warming….an opinion piece will be coming in the near future.

Now for the feature presentation; Strawberries.

January 30th - Should be ripe soon!

January 30th – Should be ripe soon!

One of the Strawberry tower pockets headed toward a bountiful harvest.

One of the Strawberry tower pockets headed toward a bountiful harvest.

A look at one of the ground based plants. I will have to watch for competitors...There are some bugs that also enjoy juicy red berries!

A look at one of the ground based plants. I will have to watch for competitors…There are some bugs that also enjoy juicy red berries!

Another ground based plant setting lots of potentially sweet berries!

Another ground based plant setting lots of potentially sweet berries!

TTFN

Bishop

 

 

 

 

Getting into the Garden – Again

January 29, 2013

Bishop Composting, Gardening, Healthy Lifestyle, Strawberry, Vegetables , , 1 Comment

My three weeks wandering across parts of the Western US is over and I can spend the next several weeks at home, recharging my personal batteries, prepping the garden for spring, investing in some needed family time and possibly brewing a new batch of beer – the beer doesn’t have anything to do with my gardening but it is one of my many vices/hobbies.

Sunday I pulled up a bunch of the purple carrots. My soil is still a bit heavy in one of the newer beds for best carrot growth. They tend to be short, stubby and prone to many forks in the root. Some of the deformations are pretty comical but it doesn’t seem to impact the taste at all! I usually cook them unpeeled….the skin is purple but the meat is carrot orange. When sliced cross cut, the carrot bits have that nice purple edge and the usual common carrot interior color. Adds nice color to the plate.

Freshly picked and rinsed off - interesting, eh?

Freshly picked and rinsed off – interesting, eh?

Oh yes....colorful carrots.

Oh yes….colorful carrots.

I have strawberries in all phases of development. In fact several appear to be showing signs of turning red. I shouldn’t be too surprised; two years ago I picked a beautifully red, heart shaped strawberry on Valentine’s Day – how appropriate! I may be able to share a few with my wife on or around Valentine’s Day. Fingers crossed for just enough rain but not too much – too much rain tends to mute the strawberry flavor – dry conditions seem to concentrate the sweetness.

Strawberry in the tower beginning to ripen!

Strawberry in the tower beginning to ripen!

I fired up the leaf vacuum and added close top another cubic yard of leaf litter to my compost bin. I have seen a few locations in the neighborhood where I can go out and round up another few loads to top off the bins. I will be adding some as mulch in the next few weeks to help keep the dad-burn weeds at bay!

Tonight I brought some of the colorful and yummy carrots into tonight’s menu. I cooked up a couple of Speckled Trout filets that the boys had caught a short while ago. I sautéed the carrots in a little butter and let them steam, no added sugar, they were sweet just as picked. The fish was simply prepared, fresh home squeezed lemon juice, a little olive oil, salt & pepper, a pat of butter then sealed up in foil and placed over medium heat on the grill. The rice was an experiment in a pouch – a lime flavored microwavable pouch – it was very limey and will probably not grace our table again. The fish was awesome, of course, and the carrots were like candy. Kathy had one of my home-brewed Pumpkin Ales and I tried a Breckenridge Brewery “After Rackin’ Autumn Ale” – after we swapped…..the Autumn Ale  – not too hoppy for her but the roasted malts imparted a bit of coffee and chocolate notes…..the coffee notes are not her thing.

My plate - Speckled Trout filet, my carrots and the limey rice.

My plate – Speckled Trout filet, my carrots and the limey rice.

Lettuce and Swiss Chard will be featured for tomorrow’s meal…….fresh from the garden.

A view down my newest bed...redone a year ago.Lettuce, Chard, cabbage, peas, carrots, brussel sprouts, turnips, garlic and a few beets.

A view down my newest bed…redone a year ago.Lettuce, Chard, cabbage, peas, carrots, brussel sprouts, turnips, garlic and a few beets.

TTFN

Bishop

 

The last of my Tomatoes

January 23, 2013

Bishop Gardening, Philosophical, Relationships, Tomato Growing , , , , 2 Comments

My last post was January 9th. Here it is the 23rd of January and I have only been home two and half days in that period of time. I am not sure who misses who more –  me missing the garden, the garden missing me or maybe me and the Mrs. missing each other? I better be careful how I order my responses! I really do miss my Mrs. – and Hun could you check on the garden for me and send me a couple of pictures? Thanks

The tomatoes, tomatoes I picked in early December, are now gone. I passed through Kingwood Texas, my home, this past weekend to repack my bags, took a quick peek at the garden and spent one night alone, my wife was in Austin watching our son play soccer. She returned Saturday evening, we spent a night together and then I was off to California early Sunday morning. While fending for myself Friday evening and for a big chunk of Saturday I snacked on the remaining Juliet tomatoes that had been sitting on the kitchen counter. I loved it….January in the Northern Hemisphere and I was able to snack on home-grown tomatoes, still full of real tomato flavor.

The green ones I talked about in an earlier post were just too green, too hard and too immature to ripen in the house…I just couldn’t toss them out without giving them a chance. They are headed off to the compost heap to add nutrients to my 2013 gardening efforts. Some of the mushy ones are being processed by my composting worms in their snug little home in the garage.

Part of my recent travels took me to a very different clime – it was minus 14 F up in Vernal Utah and nearly as cold over in Rangely Colorado. I taught a short class at the local college in Rangely. It was a beautiful shade of white on mostly white and very chilly. For a Houston boy, it is a bit of a treat to step into the snow, hear the crunch under my feet and marvel at how the winter snows transform the landscape. I captured a few photos of what I found to be lovely scenery……the locals seem to have a very different opinion of the snow-covered scenery!

Me and my shadow on the snow.

Me and my shadow on the snow.

A lokk form the school up on th ehill overlooking the town.

A look from the school up on the hill overlooking the town.

An ice climbing tower. A class offered during the winter. Looks like a cool challenge.

An ice climbing tower. A class offered during the winter. Looks like a cool challenge.

DSC_2682

A light dusting of snow overnight.

Looking forward to two full weeks at home with my wife and my garden. I have lots of work planned for the garden, a new batch of beer to brew and maybe crank out a few miles on my bicycle!

TTFN

Bishop

 

 

 

Rain, Rain – It’s Here to Stay

January 9, 2013

Bishop Gardening, Philosophical, Relationships, Vegetables , , , , 7 Comments

Wow, – we may get 6 or more inches out of this storm and we have another day to go! I have tried to get a little more compost spread today but it will have to wait. The ground is very soggy and the river is rising….now, we needed some of that, the lake has been about 3 feet low the last 4 or 5 weeks now. Hopefully with the saturated ground it doesn’t get up to flood stage!

With the little break in weather yesterday my little curious gardening buddy, Caleb, his new 4 month old brother Levi and mom Lizzie came down for a visit. I didn’t grab my camera and missed the opportunity to capture some of the fun. I had put together a little picking bucket for Caleb, already loaded with two jars of home-made jam. The big Meyer Lemons caught his eye first so we grabbed a few for the bucket. He wants to make some lemonade!!!

Then on to the main garden. He wanted to pick some of the turnips so I said “why not”. Lizzie wasn’t sure what to do with them…I offered a few suggestions. I had some short stubby purple carrots for him to pick as well as some Danvers orange carrots, also short and stubby. The peppers caught his eye next… most the Poblanos have turned a bright shade of red and they were like a magnet for him. The bucket was getting full now. Lastly we added some red Romaine and red leaf lettuce to the bucket.

I am always fascinated how there is so much wonder in the world of a curious three-year old.  On the way back to his house he sat the bucket down, something in the gutter and water running through it had caught his eye. I stooped to see what he saw…..same old stuff to me but new, different and fascinating for him. My lesson….slow down and see what we take for granted. As I looked a little closer I saw some little plants in the cracks were waving and wiggling in the water as it moved past. It was pretty cool! He poked his finger in amongst the plants, stirred them around for a bit and then spun away to see something else! Don’t you just love it.

A couple of years ago we had a similar steady heavy rain and the river really came up ! See photos below. Fingers crossed!

The creek by the soccer field during a flood event a couple of years ago. Normally you stand by tree in the foreground on the bank.

The creek by the soccer field during a flood event a couple of years ago. Normally you stand by tree in the foreground on the bank.

The walkway along the river where the kids can fish. Usually 3 feet above the water.

The walkway along the river where the kids can fish. Usually 3 feet above the water.

Hopefully the creek don’t rise much higher than that!

TTFN

Bishop

 

 

 

 

A Park Like Setting

January 5, 2013

Bishop Gardening, Philosophical, Relationships 4 Comments

I have written several times about the wonderful area of California where my mother lives, Los Osos on the central California coast. I may also  have mentioned that my mother in law;s place in Bakersfield has a nice selection of citrus trees. My mother in law, Joan is 85 and very active. She spends a portion of each day tending to her yard work in an almost park like setting. I stopped by this past November, November 20th to be exact and took a few pictures of the yard that I would like to share.

Looking back to the far corner of the yard with a grapefruit, a lemon and an orange tree - among other stuff.

Looking back to the far corner of the yard with a grapefruit, a lemon and an orange tree – among other stuff.

Near the back of the yard looking toward the house.

Near the back of the yard looking toward the house.

NMS_2280

A view of some of Joan’s ornamental touches to the yard – There is a story about the fountain!

The fountain is in three very heavy pieces. I think the current location is the final one! Joan has four healthy and athletic sons. I fit well with the group at 6’3″ and enough weight to keep my feet very firmly on the ground. It takes an assembly of the 5 men mentioned to relocate the fountain. It hasn’t been moved in probably 8 years now. We are all 8 years older, sometimes feel even older, since the last move. I think we will hire the job out on the next move! Here is a closer look!

The Mermaid Fountain. This is location number 4 or 5 in the yard!

The Mermaid Fountain. This is location number 4 or 5 in the yard!

TTFN – FYI – we have a very nice rain falling right now, mid 40’s and I am heading to the soccer field to watch my 17 year start his final High School soccer season….I’m sure in parts of the world this is “football” weather. Not so much here in Houston!

Bishop

 

 

2012 In Reveiw

December 31, 2012

Bishop Gardening, Optimism, Philosophical, Strawberry, Vegetables , , , , 5 Comments

 

This blog got about 4,600 views in 2012. Target for 2013 is to exceed 15,000 views – Lofty goal but I am going to broaden my exposure both with my reader’s help and by linking to others of similar outlooks.

In 2012, there were 90 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 154 posts. There were 379 pictures uploaded. That’s about a picture per day.

The busiest day of the year was August 7th with 76 views. The most popular post that day was Hands in the Garden – And Fishing. I will spend a little more time digging into the climate change issues, educating myself and sharing with others. Editorial remark – climate change is real, that shouldn’t surprise anyone, but we should recognize that the climate has always been changing and always will. I will continue to look into the past to help predict the future.

Coaching I have received from my better half and personal commitments for my 2013 Backyard Farm;

  • Grow what we will consume – i.e., things that the family finds yummy.
  • Do a better job of sharing the excess production – I took several large bags of Poblano/Ancho peppers down to the local farmers market in exchange for a couple of nice tomatoes – I’ll do a little more of this.
  • Log and or journal what is planted where, plant type, days to maturity, seed and/or plant source, production notes, quality feedback, soil quality notes and additions and maybe more……..or maybe zero in a few important ones from the previous list. That sounds a bit ambitious!
  • Continue some of my experiments, i.e., strawberry towers, potato barrels, sweet potato growing, canning, cooking and eating!
  • Influence others to grow for themselves and consider buying from local sources!
  • Have lots of fun doing what I do in the garden and to help others smile a bit!
  • Gather more leaves and less moss!
  • Explore keeping a beehive…..
  • Think about a grand plan for 2014!!!!!!
Look close...an out of focus lemon blossom is forming as of New Years Eve 2012 - Northern Hemisphere.

Look close…an out of focus lemon blossom is forming as of New Years Eve 2012 – Northern Hemisphere.

That little purple dot in the center is the first true blossom forming. I saw quite a number of very small buds that will become blossoms….should I treat them like the strawberries and pinch them off or ???????? It is sure early for citrus blossoms!  I still have some lemons to pick. I made lemon curd yesterday and it is so good! Claire, when you read this I want you to know I was thinking about you with the partially filled jar. I heard your advice in my good ear….”just dip the spoon and enjoy!” So, I did and I did….great advice! Thanks

Happy New Year to All Y’all!

TTFN

Bishop

 

Is It Global Warming?

December 27, 2012

Bishop Philosophical, Vegetables , , 1 Comment

I really do thinks it is. What the media and those that can profit by the hysteria, i.e. the governments of the world, don’t want you to know is that we are exiting a brief period of cooler climate, very conducive to the development and flourishment ( is that a word?) to “our species”!

ICE HOUSE or HOT HOUSE?

During the last 2 billion years the Earth’s climate has alternated between a frigid “Ice House”, like today’s world, and a steaming “Hot House”, like the world of the dinosaurs.

This chart shows how global climate has changed through time.

Ice House Or Hot House? I am a geologist and subscribe to the idea that the past portends the future.

Ice House Or Hot House? I am a geologist and subscribe to the idea that the past portends the future.

http://www.scotese.com/climate.htm

My garden is beginning to see the subtle chaanges…The eight years that I have been cultivating the current plot is not even a blip on the time scale above. The curve above has been smoothed to show the overall trend.  See one of my earlier global warming posts to see the variations.

https://bishopsbackyardfarm.com/2012/09/04/global-warming-yes-it-is-but/

So here is my current observation – my asparagus has been confused by the lack of a winter and as the picture below shows, so are my strawberries. It is December gall durnit! they are supposed to be quietly building root structure and not fruiting!

Just a representative sample of what I plucked yesterday...There may be more hiding!

Just a representative sample of what I plucked yesterday…There may be more hiding!

I decided to let this little guy continue bucking the winter . Let's see if he ripens up!

I decided to let this little guy continue bucking the winter . Let’s see if he ripens up!

An asparagus stalk that hasn't got the message! It is winter - sleep!

An asparagus stalk that hasn’t got the message! It is winter – sleep! It is December!

A beautiful glossy green Poblano Pepper on December 26th!

A beautiful glossy green Poblano Pepper on December 26th! Enjoyed a few yesterday in my fried potatoes!  Yum!

We, they human race needs to plan for the future… I think I will buy land quite a bit further north…the climate chaange may drive farmers that direction, eh…..need to learn to speak Canadian….My Australian friends may need to migrate a little further south, bloody well enjoy it mate!

TTFN

Bishop

Tomatoes – Goodbye, Farewell, Adieu – At Least Until Spring

December 26, 2012

Bishop Composting, Tomato Growing, Winter Chill , , , 1 Comment

I finally called it quits with my tomatoes yesterday, December 25th. You’d think I lived in Australia with how the tomato plants have done this year. I actually have some volunteer seedlings that are about 4-5 inches tall that have not succumbed to the little dab of cooler Houston temperatures.

My Juliett variety was loaded with green tomatoes, a few beginning to show signs of changing color as well as some that had ripened naturally. I brought them all in to the house and will attempt to ripen the green ones. I used to work at a produce warehouse in my student days. The trucks would come in and deliver boxes of tomatoes called breakers – the tint of pink color was just beginning to break. We would stack the boxes 5 or 6 high with room for air to circulate around them and them shut the room up tight and introduce ethylene gas to speed the ripening! A few days later the tomatoes are red but I wouldn’t call them ripe! That is why the store-bought tomatoes are so firm…..they haven’t been allowed to really ripen!

The tomatoes rescued and brought in on Christmas Day. Hope to ripen the green ones

The tomatoes rescued and brought in on Christmas Day. Hope to ripen the green ones

I decided to try to ripen the green ones here at home. I don’t have an ethylene gas ripening room so it is off to plan B! Two good natural sources of ethylene gas are ripe bananas and apples. No bananas on hand but I had some apples. An internet search shows using a container, a banana and a few green tomatoes to ripen. I used brown paper sacks, apples and the green tomatoes…..I will publish an update on the process in a week or so.

The plants are all pulled up and disposed of….I try to keep the tomato plants out of the compost heap but may try running them through my shredder and just live with any of the volunteer plants….My best cherry tomato plant this past year was one of those volunteers that did very well.

Let’s see, today is the 26th of December and I hope to have my 2013 tomato transplants in the ground before March 1st!

My daughter wanted my famous fried potatoes this morning so I included Poblano peppers that I stepped out and picked while the potatoes were cooking…..Yum!

TTFN

Bishop

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