Deux French Hens Home and Farm

07/26/2024

Mayhaw jelly

07/08/2024

Yep. Real butter. Lard, tallow, and schmaltz. AND it just plain tastes better!

Such a great guide of linoleic acid in cooking oils. Much or all of the damage done by frying comes from oxidation of linoleic acid, so lower is better.

I cook with -> https://anyavien.com/why-everyone-should-be-using-tallow/

07/07/2024

This is now my new favorite way to grow potatoes! 🥔 Filled 12 Dollar store baskets total.

I lined a few dollar store laundry baskets with cardboard until I realized paper bags was much easier. Filled 1/4 of the way with dirt, added seed potatoes, then covered. As the greens keep growing, I’ve been topping them with soil.

Looks like I’ll have to fill all of them to the top tomorrow and sit back and wait for harvest time.

These were planted June 9th and have been growing like crazy. Can’t wait to see what is in each basket!

06/16/2024

06/12/2024

06/11/2024

Docks (Rumex) can be found all over our planet. Two of the most commonly known varieties are Curly Dock and Broad-leaved Dock. We love using the young greens of Curly Dock’s vitamin-rich leaves in sautéd and / or pesto. From now until Late Summer, the seeds are starting to ripen. Now is a great time to stock up on this calcium rich grain for use year round! I hang bundles upside down in mesh bags to keep seeds together. The seed can be used raw, roasted, or ground into a flour. You can take the time to remove the chaff but we tend to leave it, as it adds quite a bit of fiber to breads and crackers.

Happy foraging friends!

06/11/2024

Tomato seeds germinating inside a tomato and bursting through its skin is a phenomenon known as "vivipary." This term describes seeds that begin to germinate while still inside the fruit, rather than waiting to be planted in the soil. Vivipary in tomatoes is relatively rare and occurs under specific conditions.

🍅 Causes of Vivipary

1. Overripeness: When tomatoes become overripe, the natural inhibitors that prevent seeds from germinating inside the fruit break down, allowing the seeds to sprout.
2. High Humidity: A humid environment inside the tomato can provide the moisture needed for seeds to germinate.
3. Temperature Fluctuations: Warm temperatures, especially if they are followed by a period of cooler temperatures, can trigger the seeds to start growing.
4. Genetic Factors: Some tomato varieties are more prone to vivipary due to their genetic makeup.

🍅 Process of Vivipary

1. Seed Activation: Normally, tomato seeds are dormant within the fruit. However, under the right conditions, they can break dormancy.
2. Germination: The seed coat breaks open, and the root (radicle) and shoot (plumule) start to develop.
3. Bursting Through: As the seedlings grow, they can push through the flesh of the tomato, emerging from the fruit's skin.

🍅 Implications

1. Plant Health: While vivipary is an interesting phenomenon, it is not typically desirable for commercial or home gardeners because the fruit is no longer in prime condition for consumption or sale.
2. Seedling Viability: The seedlings that sprout through vivipary are often weak and may not survive transplanting. They might lack the energy reserves usually provided by a seed sown in soil.
3. Fruit Quality: Tomatoes experiencing vivipary are often overripe and may have an altered taste or texture, making them less appealing for eating.

🍅 Prevention

1. Harvest Timing: Pick tomatoes when they are ripe but not overripe to reduce the risk of vivipary.
2. Storage Conditions: Store tomatoes in a cool, dry place to slow down the ripening process and prevent the breakdown of germination inhibitors.
3. Variety Selection: Choose tomato varieties that are less prone to vivipary if this is a recurring issue.

🍅 Conclusion

While vivipary in tomatoes is a fascinating natural occurrence, it typically signals that the fruit is past its optimal stage for consumption. By understanding the conditions that lead to vivipary, gardeners and farmers can take steps to prevent it, ensuring their tomatoes remain in the best possible condition for eating and selling.

♻️🌏🌎🌍♻️

05/31/2024

THIS is when you should pick your tomatoes. This is called the "breaker stage". It's when the tomato starts to turn from green to red, adopting a slightly pinkish hue. The tomato already has everything it needs to ripen off the vine - in fact the the exchange of nutrients and water from the plant to the fruit slows to almost nothing at this stage. This is due to a layer of cells in the stem that grow to slowly separate the fruit from the plant. Picking now reduces the weight on the branches and avoids heat-related issues for your tomatoes. It's a no brainer!

05/21/2024

Just wanted to share another local farm for hatching eggs, chick's and hens.
https://www.facebook.com/share/jonpL1o8DoFYffRb/?mibextid=qi2Omg