After a period of prolonged drought, we are finally getting some rain. It’s tough for some of our neighbors who still are haying but boy was the ground getting dry. Our poor corn/pumpkin patch way out in the new forty was getting pretty stressed but it perked up and is setting ears and pumpkins. It’s strange to compare the growth out there, where our tallest corn is about five feet tall (Painted Mountain) and the Glass Gem popcorn in the berry patch which is now topping eight feet and growing taller every day. Of course the Glass Gem was planted in VERY fertile ground and did receive watering. I’m sure that helped.
Our “forty” corn patch was an experiment, mostly to see if the deer would eat it all down when it was a few inches tall. They didn’t. (But they did mow down the potatoes out there, regardless of the hot wire, peanut butter on aluminum foil.) We already have a huge compost pile of rotted manure ready to dump on the corn/pumpkin ground as soon as we harvest what we can this fall. As the ground is white clay with some manure worked in, I’m sure tons more manure will make a drastic improvement for next year. We homesteaders are always planning on “next year!” I’m real interested to find out if A, we get some Apache Giant squash and B, if the seed from our middle plant which shows pretty variegated leaves will breed true and its babies will have variegated yellow and green leaves as well. That would be cool!
God was busy planting sunflowers here and there all over our gardens and in my flower beds this spring. (I’m sure He had help from some little birds carrying seed from our bird feeders.) Those bright, happy sunflowers sure cheer up the place. We have them in our squash patches, flower beds, and even in our big garden. Some have big heads and some have multiple smaller heads. But all are sure pretty! — Jackie
Elizabeth,
Yep, deer first eat the leaves then dig the potatoes. So far they’ve just eaten leaves, but I expect to see holes any time now. We grind the Painted Mountain and did like the flavor of the corn meal. Yes, we will be gathering up any extra corn to feed to the chickens and livestock. Besides it’s pretty to hang on the wall.
DonnaB,
Well, yes, but it has to be eaten when in the milk stage and even then it’s kind of tough, as is most “Indian” corns. You might try grinding it as it will make excellent cornmeal.
zelda,
What’s a corn mother? I’ve heard of Indian ledgends regarding the Corn Mother, but not finding one in my patch.
Hmmm. I didn’t know deer would eat potatoes….did they eat the leaves or actually dig the potatoes out of the ground like they do tulip bulbs? Also, what do you do with the Painted Mountain corn? We’ve tried grinding it into corn meal (fair taste, nothing special) and parching it (that was a disaster…..bleck). The chickens like it so we grow it to off set our winter chicken feed bill.
Jackie, your garden is so beautiful. I just love the colours of the Glass Gem corn but don’t like popcorn. Can the popcorn-type corn just be boiled and eaten like regular corn on the cob?
Jackie, let us know and post a photo if you get a Corn Mother in your Glass Gem corn. You certainly have earned it and deserve it.
peanut butter / foil ? I’m sorry, but that is one deer deterrent that I’ve never heard of.
Tim,
I’m afraid the wolves would eat up that pack of terriers as that corn patch is over 1/4 mile from the house. Oh well…..
WOW! If your deer can still persist after the foil/peanut butter/zap treatment, they are tough bunnies!!! Maybe Mom’s last resort is your last line of defense. “Get a pack of Jack Russel Terriers” was her advice to me years ago. Never did it, but it would be fun to watch.
I am happy to hear that I am not the only one that has random sunflowers throughout my garden patches…one in the garlic, one in the carrots, one in the potatoes, one by the broccoli. And you are right, they are sure pretty! Adds a little with all the green! Have a great Wednesday!
Lisa
Glad you’ve finally received the rain you need! Thanks for the pictures and the update.
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