I just officially opened my personal little mushroom growing season. I have already (even successfully, occasionally 🙂 ) made grain spawn by just propagating mycelium plugs in pasteurized grain in the past, but while this is a cheap and simple way to use up “leftover mushroom seeds”, it’s also unfortunately very prone to contamination and failure. I decided to try a more professional approach this time and got myself some liquid mycelium in a syringe and this time aimed for a sterile procedure.
Spring is Finally Coming and Plants Go in the Garden
Finally it’s time again to care for the garden, the various vegetables, fruit and herbs. I’m hoping bitterly that the upcoming summer will not turn out to be as much of a complete failure as last year.
Chilies and Red Bell Peppers
These are both going into pots on the patio in may. Each need a sunny spot and much light to grow. Bell peppers must be pruned for robust and bushy growth.
Wild Bee Hotel
I learned a little about wild bee hotels the past few days and decided it would be a nice winter project to make one for later installation in spring. My personal little “green hell” is presumably already pretty suitable for bees, but I like the idea of supporting the little fellows a bit – also against the (only just a little selfish 🙂 ) background of facilitating the pollination of my veggie plants.
Homemade Garden Weed Killer Spray Recipe
I made this weed killer spray in summer this year, applied it amply and didn’t have any issues with weeds anymore until now. It’s a simple mixture from household ingredients but indeed very effective and convenient. Mix in an ordinary spray bottle (though I, personally, prefer the pump type, like this):
Dried Tomatoes
Anyone like dried tomatoes as much as I do? They’re versatile and delicious and I like to use them mostly in pasta sauces, so it was time again for me to make some. It’s a simple process, especially with the aid of a food dehydrator, but it can also be easily done in your trusty old kitchen oven.
Growing Oyster Mushrooms on Straw – Bucket Method
Following the last two mushroom bags I made, I decided to eventually use up the leftover oyster mushroom spawn I was procreating then. It was sitting in a dry cool an dark place so I’m cautiously optimistic it might still be alive. This time, I wanted to try it with a straw growing substrate as shown in many internet publications and videos. So here’s a summary of what I did and in about a month’s time I hopefully can post an update on some progress.
Drying Herbs
I had to cut some side branches off the sage and rosemary bushes in the garden. I know it’s not exactly the right time now, but these guys were really just getting too big 🙂 I seem to be physically just not able to just throw away this aromatic, fragrant goodness so I dried them for further use in the kitchen.
Solar Power for the Greenhouse
It was already last year that I started planning a simple solar power system for the greenhouse, since the next power outlet is a tad bit away. After much back and forth, I finally dug up enough time and nerves to complete it by the end of may.
