Catherine Guzovich

I have more garlic growing in my garden than I can use or give away. I clean it, put the garlic in a food processor and add olive oil. Process it, transfer to a wide mouth canning jar and store it in the refrigerator. As I use the garlic, I add more olive oil. Sometimes I use the garlic and oil, other times just the oil. What I am going to do next is process the garlic and add water. Divide this into an ice cube tray and store it in freezer. I got the idea of freezing the excess garlic from my ister in Texas who chops and freezes excess onions.

Hi Harry, thank you for the information. I did not think that the pvs pipes would become brittle when cold. I will not use them. So, I'm thinking that the steel pipes would be a better choice. Steel rope, did not know there was such a thing - where can I purchase it?

Hi folks - I am planning to rebuild my composting bin but instead of using wood (which is expensive and not long lasting), I'm thinking of using:

4" PVC pipes, cut into say 6 foot lengths,  pounded into the ground (about 2 feet deep) to make them stable (or use galvanized steel pipes);

wrapping chicken wire around 3 sides;

then wrapping landscape cloth on the outside of the chicken wire

I am also thinking of making raised beds using the same materials, make them 8 feet long, 2 feet high and wide.

What do you think, give me pros and cons, benefits and hazards of using the PVC or steel pipes, any suggestions about how to build raised beds and compost bins that last long and do not cost a small fortune.

Thank you, Catherine

One of my nieces and her family moved into a new home with a large yard and she wants to homestead. The property has many stand-alone ornamental beds and she wants to grow a mixture of ornamentals and vegetables, however, she noticed that most of the beds have very little direct sunlight which will severely limit what she can grow.

I'm thinking that many of the forest garden principles can be used when planning the vegetable gaden or perhaps I should say when choosing the vegetables that she can grow in the shade. Am I think correctly? My garden is in full sun most of the day so I have not had to think about forest gardening because there are no trees in my garden.

We are located in northern Illinois; I have not been out to her place yet, so I don't know if she has a wooded area that can be used as a forest garden.

Nancy, I would be delighted to share what I know about sewing. See you in the sewing forum.

Hi Nancy, I enjoyed your post. Here is what i do with socks that have holes in them - first, I cut off that tightly woven border at the very top, then I cut off the ribbing section and use it as ribbing for cuffs when I sew sweatshirts using polar fleece. Also, when Walmart or other big box stores have a reduced price sale of men's socks in various colors and patterns I purchase them and if no one in my family wants to wear them, I cut off the cuffs and use them as ribbing.

Several years ago, I planted garlic and forgot about it. Last Autumn, one of my nephews was cleaning out my garden and discovered large clumps of garlic. He asked if he could replant them and I said, "of course and thank you". I did not realize that there would be more than 200 of them growing in the back portion of my garden.

Today, I made garlic hot pepper paste. This is based on Mary Ann Esposito's recipe for Hot pepper garlic paste, it is in her 5-Ingredient cookbook. Here is her original recipe:

12 small hot peppers, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 t salt
1 t sugar
1 T vinegar
Olive oil

Put all the ingredients in a food processor pulse until roughly chopped; then drizzle in anough olive oil to make a thick paste.

I changed the recipe a bit:

2 cups of garlic cloves
1-1/2 t dried red pepper flakes, or to taste (grew the peppers last year and dehydrated them)
1 t of salt, or to taste
1 t sugar, or to taste
1 T apple cider vinegar, or to taste
Olive oil

Put all the ingredients in a food processor and puree, add with the machine running, olive oil. the more oil that is added the looser the paste/sauce. My family enjoys both garlic and hot peppers. Adjust the seasonings as desired.

Today I made 3 quarts of the sauce as writted. Next batch, which will be store in the freezer, will have frsehly grated Parmesan/Romano cheese. Should be yummy.

This sauce is good on pasta, pizza, in spaghetti sauce, as a dipping sauce for chips, toast, focaccia, etc.

Hope you enjoy this.

I was asked if I intentionally leave dishes or containers of water in the weedy border of my garden and the answer is Yes. Quite often I see birds, frogs, bees and other flying insects drinking water.  

Also, I grow Borage, it has thick hairy leaves and beautiful blue, bell-shaped hanging flowers and Arugula which has tiny yellow flowers. Both are enjoyed by bees. I have both of these plants growing on my property besides the garden. Arugula is usually covered with tiny bees. I leave them alone, they are enjoying the day.

As to eating Arugula, it does have a strong, pungent taste and smell. However, if it is cooked like you would cook spinach, the taste changes and it is almost sweet.

What I leave for the wildlife - I leave a border of "weeds" growing on two edges of my vegetable garden. These edges are along cyclone fencing and I have dishes of water placed in my garden and in the weedy borders for bees, birds, frogs and whoever passes by.

I do not grow comfrey but, after reading the posts about it, I googled it.

There is a plethora of information on the internet concern the plant. From what I have read, it is a great companion plant for organic gardening, attracts beneficial insects and those that prey upon destructive insects and enriches the soil. It should be planted in full sun, loamy, well-drained soil. It can be invasive due to its deep roots.

As I said above, while I do not current grown comfrey, it is a plant that will be giving serious consideration as to where to plant it in my vegetable garden.