The Damsel in Dis Dress
Posted in gardening, Uncategorized on Jul 15th, 2010
One of the most annoying problems the Knight has faced in the Cottage Garden is spider mites. The chemicals farmers used to use for these sorts of pests are no longer available, and besides, we want a more natural solution. The Damsel was going to show you a magnified picture of a spider mite but [...]
Posted in gardening on May 31st, 2010
Students of the Old School know the Damsel loves old fashioned things–and that includes old fashioned flowers like Grandma had in her garden. And the flower she loves best is lilacs. There’s something sweetly innocent about these little blossoms. Cute, yes, but it’s their fragrance the Damsel loves so dearly. The Damsel has a few [...]
Posted in gardening on May 12th, 2010
If you live in the northern hemisphere and are lucky enough to have a raspberry patch, you may notice little babies growing amidst the bigger plants. Raspberries reproduce freely, even more than the humans at the Cottage by the Mountains. Some babies grow in line with the grownup plants. These are the good babies. But [...]
Posted in gardening on Apr 28th, 2010
The Damsel adores potatoes. They are her food of choice. You know how people talk about what food they’d choose to be stranded on a desert island with? The Damsel does not hesitate to say potatoes potatoes potatoes. And she especially loves new potatoes, which means freshly dug and not monstrous. She feels it a [...]
Posted in gardening on Mar 17th, 2010
The Damsel will be the first to admit she’s no expert on raspberries. She is highly expert on eating them, and getting mighty scratched up trying to fool with her raspberry patch. What little she knows, she is happy to share with you. Raspberries grow on long, willowy, prickly wands (properly called canes). They grow [...]
Posted in gardening on Oct 2nd, 2009
The process for saving tomato seeds is different than, say, cilantro or marigold seeds like we did on this page. Ever notice how tomato seeds have a jelly-like substance on them? Sort of goobery? There’s actually a reason for it. That gelatiny goober keeps the tomato seeds from sprouting inside the tomato. Intelligent design! So [...]
Posted in gardening on Aug 12th, 2009
How can you tell if corn’s ready to pick? You peek. Pull the husks back gently and see if the kernels look plump. It won’t hurt the corn if you pull it back a ways, far enough that you aren’t just seeing those little tiny kernels around the top. If they still look small, just [...]
Posted in gardening on Aug 11th, 2009
It’s still summer for a little longer, but some things are already going to seed. Besides the Damsel herself, that is. It’s been soooo hot, which often means a short life span in the Plant Kingdom. Take for example, this marigold, that usually would be going strong for at least another month: The blossoms are [...]
Posted in gardening on Jul 17th, 2009
When the Damsel saw this on her apple tree, she was excited. She’s waited a long time for this particular tree to mature. Then she found out this many apples is actually BAD for her tree. Too many babies make the momma tired, and could even make it so the momma won’t have any babies [...]
Posted in gardening on Jul 7th, 2009
The Damsel has a lot of sage growing in her herb garden. It makes her happy, but she’s been wondering how she’d use it. Her recipes calling for sage all specify “rubbed” sage, not leaves. Rubbed sage has a unique look. Sort of spongey. Not like dried leaves at all. So, the Damsel worried. How [...]
