Scape Escape!

Ahhhh Spring! We're up to our elbows in the Seedpod Farm to-do list! There aren't enough hours in the day. Thus far we've gotten the potatoes in (Yukon Gold, LaRatte Fingerling, Red Pontiac and Kennebec) and have a number of heirloom tomato, squash, lettuce, broccoli and pepper starts on deck to go in as well. All will be planted in the next few days.

I had set aside a number of seed potatoes from last year and was pleased to see that I had more potatoes than I had room in the garden to plant. I did plant twice as many as last year- so we should have more than enough for our CSA, some extra to sell and some to keep for seed stock next year.

Last weekend we focused on getting those spuds in the ground. They had only been in for a few days when two of the chickens discovered the beautifully mounded hills. They unearthed nearly every potato! In truth, having to re-do work is really, really frustrating and difficult considering all we have on our plates. But, there's no sense in whining as the chickens were being chickens. I was tempted for a time, to serve chicken for supper- but quickly turned to re-ordering the to-do list to include re-planting- which got done today. This evening all flight feathers are being trimmed to keep the girls a bit closer to home and out of the veg patch. Hopefully next year we can afford to fence the veg patch. It's on the list anyway.....the ever growing list.

In addition to replanting, I also spent some time checking out the garlic that was planted last fall. The Korean Hot Garlic scapes were ready for the picking- so off I went to snap them off, my mind going to the many recipes one can make with scapes. It didn't take me long to "feel the burn" as the fluid from the "hot" scapes coated my hands. You'd think I would have remembered this lesson from last year.

After a session of pepper picking last fall during which I gleaned the "hot" jalapenos and dragon chilis with bare hands, I was forced to spend quite a bit of time researching home remedies for burning palms due to chili oil. Milk, yogurt, baking soda slurry, ice, ice and ice, vinegar soap, dish soap, laundry detergent, olive oil, vegetable oil, coconut oil.....I tried them all. Not fun. As it turned out- time was the answer. The oil wore off after about three days. Until then, I tried to keep my hands out of my eyes. I didn't really think about that experience when picking these scapes though.

It's been a few hours since I picked the scapes and my right hand is still warm. Potent stuff! It's not near as bothersome as last year- but there is a reason folks pick hot stuff (like peppers and hot garlic) in the field with vinyl gloves on. I will add Korean Hot Garlic scapes to that category for next year.

I wonder how hot that garlic is going to be?? Any volunteer tasters? I guess I better include a warning on that one!