Go, Vols!

We opened the last jar this week.  An experiment from last summer, squash pickles proved to be a family favorite and pantry shelf space is already dedicated to what, fingers crossed, will be another bumper crop.  Crisper than cucumbers, these squash pickles are tart and addictive.

Include Fresh Herbs & Peppers in Squash Pickles

 
After tilling farm fields, squash seedlings emerged, thousands of them, and even though we thinned hundreds, with good growing weather, we will harvest more than we can possibly use.  Since these "volunteers" chose their own spot, we added rich composted manure to surrounding soil to add nutrients. 

Early May, 2016, Squash Seedlings

If Squash Season, 2015, is any indication, this summer's fruit may look different from what most gardeners grow, due to cross-pollination of numerous species.  For more about squash reproduction, see earlier blog: The Sexy Garden

A Few Specimens From 2015

A recent trip to Knoxville included dining at Blackberry Farm, a culinary mecca that deserves every accolade heaped upon its beautiful shoulders.  Blackberry grows many of the restaurant's food ingredients in surrounding gardens and even though most Tennessee fans would claim the menu's first course as a tribute to UT's Volunteers, it also acknowledged an heirloom garden's volunteer plants, ultimate "free food."

Reseeding Heirloom Plants Made a Delicious Salad

If your summer garden includes a bountiful squash harvest, plan to make these pickles.  Pickling solution may be made and stored in the refrigerator until squash are ready to pick.  For those who do not grow heirloom squash, make a friend who does.  These productive plants require daily harvest and usually overwhelm gardeners.  With all those seedlings in the field, I am making a list of friends, family, acquaintances and strangers.  Is you name in the phone book?

Squash Pickles

For the pickling solution, in a large pot, heat 2 cups white vinegar, 1 3/4 cups water and 4 tablespoons kosher salt.  (For best results, do not use iodized.)  Stir until salt dissolves and cool to room temperature before storing in the refrigerator.  This is a great solution for any pickle and I make it by the gallon.  

Remove ends and slice tender young squash lengthwise, into spear shapes.  Pack tightly into pint or quart jars and add fresh herbs, a garlic clove and brightly colored peppers, sliced in half.  For herbs, I add dill, oregano, thyme and basil.  Jalapeno, Serrano or Fish peppers are good choices for heat, while Jimmy Nardello (in above photo) is an excellent sweet pepper.  
Heat pickling solution to boiling and pour over packed squash, leaving 1/4 inch head space.  Process 10 minutes in a boiling water bath.  

Honeybees and Their Keepers

Last year, while working at the farm, Richard and I witnessed one of Nature's most spectacular phenomena: a bee swarm.  Honeybee colonies are ruled by a single queen, but sometimes, a new queen hatches while the old queen still rules, so the colony divides itself and half the worker bees and one queen leave their home in search of new digs. 

Honeybees are Important Pollinators

 
Usually, the departing group, or swarm, will settle nearby, often in a tree or shrub, until suitable housing is found.  Last year's farm swarm was unusual because the bees left one hive to settle next door in a vacant box.  From start to finish, the entire fascinating process took about an hour and I filmed most of the action.  View the video here: Honeybee Swarm
While transplanting tomato and pepper plants to the farm last week, another large honeybee colony swarmed and settled into convenient housing next door, but due to the busyness of transplanting, we missed the show.  By the time I observed occupants in the hive box, empty that morning, the residents were working diligently to clean and tidy the new home.

Honeybee Swarm Captured by Richard

As beekeepers, Richard and I owe gratitude to others who teach us how to care for these fascinating creatures.  Tate Poarch, Willard, Howard and Richard Greene, Bruce Hamby, Scott Barlow, Pete Penley and others often share knowledge, time and resources with us.  Recently, a new generation of beekeepers is emerging and we rejoice to see young people include honeybees as part of the family.  Our son, Clark Barlowe, chef owner of Heirloom Restaurant, currently hosts ten rooftop honeybee colonies and the bees share honey with restaurant guests.  Bob Peters, master mixologist at The Ritz Carlton's bar, The Punch Room, also helps manage the hotel's rooftop hives and often includes honey in his unique and innovative concoctions. 

Clark Barlowe & Bob Peters With Honey Harvest (Photo: Peter Taylor)

Recently, Willard Greene shared three honeybee colonies with Drew Parrish, a young man who, along with his wife, plans to grow organic fruits and vegetables near Winston-Salem.  Eager to learn and excited to incorporate honeybees in his family's venture, Drew represents a growing population of young beekeepers who appreciate the balance of Nature and Human. 

Beekeeper Drew Parrish With Honeybee Hives

As we approach National Pollinator Week, June 20-26, plan to celebrate by becoming a beekeeper, befriending a beekeeper or just purchasing some of the magic elixir shared by honeybees.

Fresh Strawberry Bruschetta With Honey Drizzle

Fresh Strawberry Bruschetta With Honey Drizzle
Take advantage of strawberry and arugula seasons with this treat.  For best flavor, be sure to use local honey.

For each serving:
Simmer 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (I used strawberry infused) in a small pot until slightly reduced, about 4 minutes.  While balsamic is warm, add 1/2 cup chopped baby arugula leaves and about a tablespoon toasted pine nuts and stir to combine.
Heat 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil in a skillet, add 1 slice sourdough bread, brown both sides and drain on paper towel.
While bread is warm, spread a generous smear of fresh chevre (goat cheese) over one side. Top with the balsamic/arugula mixture and add fresh sliced strawberries.  Drizzle about a teaspoon of local honey over.  

Do Ladybugs Like Their Eggs Scrambled?

Childhood memories often emerge when I work in the garden.  Although I did not realize it at the time, as I helped my grandmother pull weeds, squash bugs, trellis vines and harvest fruits and vegetables, I learned valuable life lessons.  Last week, while protecting potato plants from Colorado Potato Beetles, defoliating machines, I discovered an army of small insects aiding my efforts and I recalled a nursery rhyme Granny taught me.

Lady Beetles Feast on Aphids & Potato Beetle Eggs

Ladybug, Ladybug, Fly Away Home,
Your House is on Fire, Your Children Are Gone!
As many nursery rhymes do, this one seems a bit scary for children, but examining its origins reveals the message was intended to protect this helpful insect.  

Colorado Potato Beetles Decimate Plant Leaves

First recorded in 18th century England, the original rhyme's main character was "Ladybird," rather than Ladybug and many sources refer to both religious and political basis, but my favorite historical reference is one that includes farmers.  In order to control pests and weeds, farmers burned fields and, appreciative of helpful lady beetles, as they lit fires, they would chant the nursery rhyme.  Although I found no reliable source to support my theory, perhaps parents taught children this rhyme to prevent them from squashing "good" bugs?

Lady Beetle on Potato Leaf Damaged by Potato Beetle

Unchecked, potato beetles lay eggs on the underside of leaves and hatch countless larvae that riddle entire plants within a few days. 

Colorado Potato Beetle Eggs

Fortunately, the Lady Beetle, with its distinctive red and black coloring, is a big fan of those tiny yellow orbs.  Noticing the abundance of lady beetles in this year's potato rows, I was intrigued by their work and their varied number of spots.  More research gave me a deeper appreciation for these tiny unpaid farm workers.

Asian Lady Beetle

When native lady beetle numbers declined in the 1980s, the US Government imported aggressive species, including the Asian ladybug from Japan.  Like the invasive kudzu plant, this species populated rapidly and, unlike native lady beetles, Asian ladybugs prefer to overwinter in human homes, making them unpopular with many homeowners, who are sometimes allergic to the insects' secretions, which also stain ceilings and walls.  

Native Lady Beetles Overwinter in Trees

In an attempt to enlist protective help for native species from US citizens, Cornell University entomologist, John Losey, created the Lost Ladybug Project
Losey's site encourages people to photograph lady beetles and send the images to the project.  As of May 5, 2016, over thirty-five thousand lady beetle images have been submitted and the site includes an identification guide for various species, some of which are considered endangered and very rare.  

Squashing Potato Beetle Eggs: Do Lady Beetles Eat Them Scrambled?

With beautiful weather forecast for the weekend, head to the nearest organic garden or your own backyard to observe lady beetles.  Capture photographs and compare the species you discover to an identification guide.  Perhaps you will be fortunate and observe a rare nine-spotted ladybug or the two-spotted native.  Regardless of the species you see, pause to be grateful for these farmer-friendly insects and the work they do to control pests.