The Weblog
This page contains news, event information, and other items added by Ian and Adam, the resident farmers at Old 99. We send out a message every week, but most are set with a delete date about two weeks later. I archive some of the posts if they have content other than weekly availability of produce and meat.
You can send me questions too, which if they are of a general nature, I can post to this Old99 blog.
Old 99 Farm, week of June 14 2015
The outdoor garden plantings of chard and kale are now harvestable, the early succulent leaves are delightful. We picked several liters of strawberries so I’ll have some this week. See attached list for full offering this week.
This sunday June 21, is our annual Strawberry solstice, 2pm families invited. For the potluck portion, please bring as follows:
If you last name starts with letter in first half of alphabet (up to M), please bring 2 quarts strawberries. If your in the last half, please bring refreshments for 4 to 6 people. I’m sure we’ll have enough. We will supply the cream and some fresh berries too. I will need an RSVP by email or phone with numbers coming. Pls bring a lawn chair and table setting for your family. We’ll have a haywagon ride, might see a newborn calf and of course lots of sheep and chickens.
Have you been following the Avian Flu debacle in the US? Its’ here too but very much under control so far, stateside already 40million chickens killed to try and eradicate the virus. Egg prices are going up sharply. Get our turkey orders in early this year; they are hit too.
A bit on rhubarb. Rhubarb has many uses. The most common is medicinal. Rhubarb has been used in medicines and folk healing for centuries.
Then there is cleaning pots and pans
Use Rhubarb to clean your pots and pans (no joke!) If your pots and pans are burnt, fear not! An application of rhubarb over the afflicted area will bring back the shine in next to no time. Environmentally friendly too!
Hair Color
This is a fairly strong dye that can create a more golden hair color for persons whose hair is blond or light brown. Simmer 3 tbsp. of rhubarb root in 2 cups of water for 15 minutes, set aside overnight, and strain. Test on a few strands to determine the effect, then pour through the hair for a rinse.
Insecticide
Rhubarb leaves can be used to make an effective organic insecticide for any of the leaf eating insects (cabbage caterpillars, aphids, peach and cherry slug etc).
Recipe 1
So, next time you pick some rhubarb stems to eat, you can put the leaves to good use rather than just composting them (which isn’t in itself such a bad use, I guess).
from http://www.rhubarbinfo.com/medicinal
For your home remedy cabinet: http://complete-health-and-happiness.com/the-best-first-aid-stops-the-bleeding-in-10-seconds/
answer: dried red pepper powder.
Healthy eating
Ian and Cami