October 23, 2018 Kim’s Weekly Garden Blog

Hi Gardeners

They say you can smell the change in seasons. In spring microbes in the soil become active, producing a distinctive earthy odor that is supposed to be a cure for depression. The smell of mown grass, strawberries, violets and lilacs also invokes spring. In summer there’s the vanilla like smell of mown drying hay, ozone from thunderstorms, roses, raspberries, melons and peaches.

Fall brings the dying breath of leaves – it’s a real thing- gasses are being released as leaves die and fall off trees, mold and decay, burning leaves, pumpkins and apples. Winter brings the smell of snow- hard to describe but I think most of you have smelled it, woodsmoke, wet wool and cut evergreens.

I’m smelling fall still, but winter does not seem far off on some mornings.  We have had several nights with many hours below freezing and most of the garden plants have now died or gone dormant. I’m surprised that a few calibrachoa and petunias have managed to survive.  The garden mums and landscape roses are still blooming too.  I found some violas had popped up and were blooming.

Flocks of red winged blackbirds were migrating through this week, making for some noisy days as they emptied the feeders.  Our resident red winged blackbirds had already left, these must have been from somewhere further north. Chickadees and nuthatches are now prominent birds at the feeders.

I’m still planting bulbs.  It’s becoming hard to find a bit of ground where I don’t dig down and find another bulb already there. I don’t want to totally fill up the new garden area I developed this past spring because I will be transplanting more roses and perennials into it early next spring.  I’ve dug the dahlias from the new area because of planting bulbs there, but I still have dahlias to dig in my older beds.

I have things to trim back and things to be put away for winter.  We painted the porch, but it needs some touch ups.  I need to empty and clean the birdbath and the little water features. I’m still moving plants around inside to find the best place for them and repotting a few things. Fall is as busy as spring for me.

Last week while doing some research for the article on nutmeg I wrote in the blog, I came upon a lot of interesting information on the Netherlands and their surprisingly innovative and productive agricultural system. I wrote an article on this topic for this week’s blog.  It’s a long article but I hope you’ll find it interesting and be amazed at how the Netherlands impacts the gardening world.

Houseplants dropping leaves

If you brought your houseplants back inside after a summer vacation outside, you may be dismayed that some of them are turning yellow and all the leaves are falling off.  Don’t be alarmed.  It’s a good bet that it’s a harmless and normal condition.

When plants are put outside in the spring their leaves must adjust to stronger light and UV conditions.  Some plants will actually sunburn if they are exposed to full sunlight too quickly.  The sunniest window and most grow lights are never as strong as the sun outside.  Some of these plants will drop their leaves then and replace them, but the spring move outside leaf drop is not nearly as noticeable as the fall move inside leaf drop.

Plant leaves outside need a thicker epidermal layer to protect tissues inside the leaf and to help conserve moisture.  They can put more chloroplasts to work making food as energy is abundant and so they activate them.  The plant has resources to add more leaves and grow leaves larger.

Hibiscus and brugsmansia often drop leaves when
moved inside.

When we move plants back inside to lower and less intense light levels they immediately sense that they need to change the type of leaves they have so that they better suit the conditions. They don’t need that thick epidermal layer and they can’t support so many chloroplasts or maybe even so many leaves with less light.

Hormones cause an abscission layer to form where the leaf joins the stem and food and water are cut off from the leaf, which turns yellow or brown and falls off. At the same time the plant generally begins forming new leaf buds along the stem. The new leaves will be more suited to the new light conditions.

Some plants do this more dramatically than others, hibiscus and ficus are two notable species. These plants lose most of their leaves quite rapidly and cause alarm for their caretakers.  Other plants are subtler, replacing leaves gradually.  Some plant species also seem to be little affected by changing light levels. 

Other things can cause yellowing and leaf drop in plants. Exposure to frost or just too much cold for the species can do it. In this case leaves usually appear wilted and blackened more than yellow. If a plant is deciduous the shorter day length may prompt leaf drop.  Over or under watering and disease are two other possibilities.

If the plant owner notices yellowing and leaf drop, they should check the pot to see if it’s too wet or too dry. Plants may need watering more or less often than they did outside, depending on inside conditions. Then check the plant stems for signs of new leaf buds forming and to see if they feel pliable.  If it’s soon after they were moved back inside, and you see new leaves forming and the stems will bend without breaking, chances are pretty good everything will be all right.  Make sure to correct your watering practices if needed.

Plants that bloom all winter, like hibiscus, may need some fertilizer to keep them healthy and blooming all winter indoors. Use a fertilizer for blooming houseplants according to the label directions.  Do not use Epsom salts on indoor plants – (or any plants)- this can actually cause yellowing and leaf drop due to salt burn.

A month after the plants are back inside the problem in those drama queen plants should have mostly corrected itself.  The plant should have new leaves and look healthy again. If not the plant owner should examine their watering practices, the light level, (if the plants are getting too little light they may not put out many new leaves), and then get the plants diagnosed for disease.

Tips for carving a pumpkin

It’s that time of year, pumpkins are everywhere, and you may be considering turning one or two of them into Jack O Lanterns.  Here’s some tips to make that easier.

Larger pumpkins are easier to clean out and you want to chose a pumpkin with a sturdy stem for a handle.  Pumpkins with longer stems tend to last longer.

Not all pumpkins are orange anymore. Lighter colored pumpkins are said to be easier to carve, they tend to have thinner skin, but they will not last as long as the orange thick skinned ones. 

Pumpkins don’t change color after they are picked so whatever color your pumpkin is when you buy or pick it, that’s the color it will be when you carve it. You can use green pumpkins if you want for decorations.

Don’t carve your pumpkin too long before you want to display it, a week tops.  Keep it outside in the shade or in a cool spot until you do carve it.  Pumpkins should also be kept from freezing.  They can turn to mush if they freeze solid.

If you are going to carve the pumpkin don’t wash the outside until just before beginning.  Just wipe soil off with a dry rag.

Instead of cutting the top of the pumpkin off consider cutting a hole to clean it out on the bottom of the pumpkin. Most pumpkins sit on a flat surface for display anyway.  The hole can be larger, and you don’t have to worry about the top falling inside the pumpkin.

If you do open the pumpkin at the top and the top does tend to fall inside, add a small piece of cardboard to the back of the lid’s rim held in place with a toothpick.  This will wedge it in place.

A kitchen spoon makes a good cleaning and scraping utensil. After cleaning out the “guts” (save the seeds), scrape the “meat” away down to about one inch thick.  

You can draw your proposed cuts on the pumpkin with a marker.  Some people use patterns that you can buy in craft stores to trace a face on the pumpkin. 

Use your imagination and be creative.  Instead of a face you can carve a scene or a series of stars or other small openings that will glow when lit from inside.  Your name or address could also be carved into the pumpkin.

Once you have decided to carve use a serrated pumpkin carving knife (sold in most stores that carry Halloween decorations) or use a serrated steak knife for best results.  Be careful that you don’t add real blood to the scary face by cutting yourself.  Parents may want to let kids draw a face or design and then cut it out for them.

After cleaning and carving, soak the pumpkin in a mix of 1 tablespoon of bleach to a gallon of water for a few minutes.  Pat dry inside and out, or dry carefully with a hair dryer, and then coat your carving cuts with a thin layer of petroleum jelly.

Some people opt to paint the pumpkin instead of carving it.  Most acrylic craft paints will work and are non-toxic.  The pumpkin could be rinsed off after Halloween and used to make pie.

Black duct tape can be used to make a face on the pumpkin. If you can’t find black duct tape color a darker shade of tape with black marker.  Apply to a dry pumpkin.  Note: electrical tape won’t stick to pumpkins.

Another alternative to carving a pumpkin is to pin things like buttons, felt shapes, flowers or seed pods to the pumpkin.  You can still find straight pins in the sewing notions section of stores and toothpicks can even be used.  Kids enjoy this sort of pumpkin decorating almost as much as carving one and there is much less mess.

Using a battery powered light instead of a candle makes the Jack O Lantern last longer. Small twinkling Christmas lights can be stuffed inside, a battery powered string works great. 

Solar lights are an even better option. Many have a separate solar panel attached by a cord to the string or fixture.  That panel can be placed off the porch or deck into the sunlight.  Stuff solar light strings inside or leave the top of a solar stake light outside and the globe part inside.

If you do use a candle, you can coat the inside of the lid with cinnamon, cloves or other spices for a delightfully scented pumpkin. 

You may want to bring your pumpkin inside at night. Besides human vandals, deer, wild pigs, and squirrels may destroy your creation.

Alternates to a Jack O Lantern for using pumpkins is to hollow them out, insert a jar filled with water for a floral arrangement, dry flowers can also be used.  Insert a plastic liner or bowl and you can use the pumpkin to hold treats.  Small pumpkins can be hollowed out and used to serve soup.  

Votive candles can be placed inside small pumpkins for table top decor. Carve a scene or random shapes into the pumpkin. White pumpkins can be coated with glitter for a different look. 

Dispose of your pumpkin responsibly.  Chickens and most farm animals will devour them, you could put them out for the deer. They’ll also eat the goop you clean out of a pumpkin. Pumpkins can be composted but if seeds are left in the pumpkin they may sprout next year. That’s another reason not to toss them in the garden or lawn.

Roasting pumpkin seeds

Pumpkins make nice decorations, but they also have seeds which make an excellent tasty and nutritious snack. Clean the seeds out of one or more pumpkins and try to remove as much of the orange “goop” as possible.  Place the seeds in a colander and wash with cold water. 

Drain and spread the seeds on a foil covered cookie sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Lightly spray the seeds with cooking spray or toss with a bit of olive oil, and salt to your taste.  Put the cookie sheets in an oven set at 325 degrees and roast for about 20 minutes. Stir occasionally and keep checking on them, don’t let them get too brown. After roasting they can be stored in sealed containers.

For spicy pumpkin seeds try this recipe.  Mix 1 ½ tablespoons butter, ½ teaspoon seasoned salt, 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder and 2 teaspoons of Worchester sauce in a bowl and toss the seeds in it before roasting.  It will coat 2-3 cups of seeds.

Garlic salt, red pepper, parmesan cheese, and cinnamon are all good seasonings to try on pumpkin seeds.  There are various flavored popcorn seasonings on the market, caramel, cheddar, ranch and so on, that can be sprinkled on the pumpkin seeds also.

How the Netherlands is changing horticulture

If you have been planting bulbs this fall the chances are very high that those bulbs came from the Netherlands. The Netherlands grows about 75% of the flower bulbs sold in the world and another 20% or so grown elsewhere pass through the Netherlands on their way to other places. Many other plants sold bareroot including ornamental trees, will also come from the Netherlands. (Many US and European companies repackage and sell those products, so you may not guess where they originated from.)

And if you buy flower or vegetable seeds chances are also very good that those seeds originated in the Netherlands.  The Netherlands leads the world in seed production, with about $1.7 billion worth of exports in 2016. They produce no GMO seeds, where genes of other species are inserted in plants.  However, they are pioneers in using new genetic technology to identify favorable traits in plants like disease resistance and hardiness. They then use old fashioned selective breeding to make improved varieties. 

 

The Dutch also lead the world in the export of potted plants, both houseplants and gift plants, and cut flowers. The world’s largest flower and plant market is the Aalsmeer Flower Auction, which is near Amsterdam. The building is the largest in the world, covering 128 acres. Every day millions of flowers and plant products pass through the auction going to all parts of the globe. (If you would like to read more about this fascinating market read the book Flower Confidential by Amy Stewart, read a book review in this blog; http://gardeninggrannysgardenpages.blogspot.com/2018/04/april-3-2018-kims-weekly-garden-blog.html )

Aerial view of Aalsmeer, the worlds largest flower auction

And if those statistics don’t impress you consider this. The Netherlands is a tiny country, 270 times smaller than the US, and one of the most densely populated countries in the world.  Yet it also is second only to the US in the export of fresh vegetables. Tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers are top crops and are estimated to represent 1/3 of the global market for those crops.  That’s after the Dutch feed the 17 million plus people in their own country.

How did the Netherlands become the powerhouse of plant production? Today this small country is considered to have the most innovative and productive agricultural practices in the world. They weren’t always a leader in agricultural production though. You need to know a little about the history of the Netherlands to understand how they evolved into the country they are today.

Brief History of the Netherlands

Netherlands, sometimes referred to as Holland, is a country on the shores of the North Sea, with Germany on their East boundary and Belgium below them.  Most of the country is a river delta, where three major European rivers, the Rhine (Rijn), the Meuse (Maas) and the Scheldt (Schelde), empty into the North Sea.  It was inhabited early in mans history, there is evidence the Neanderthal lived there 250,000 years ago.  Nomadic hunters, fishermen, and some pastoral early people lived in the land at various times, but the population was sparse.

Bog iron was the first widely traded product from the Netherlands, and ironworkers who traveled around Europe fashioning weapons and other things were the first Netherlands craftspeople.  By 1100 AD people were developing more agricultural lands by digging drainage canals and building dikes and windmills to pump water.  Cities began to be form. By 1400 AD shipping and trading began to dominate Netherland culture.  The trading began partly to feed the burgeoning population because the land available couldn’t feed them with the agricultural practices of the time.

Amsterdam was the largest port in the world until modern times.  It’s still one of the largest. The Dutch people proved to be very adept at sailing and trading. They quickly became masters of the sea and controlled most of the European trade in commodities. The streets around the port were a vast marketplace where people from around the world came to pick up both common and exotic goods.

The Dutch were innovators.  When searching for food products and spices (see the nutmeg article in last weeks blog) they were quick to realize that other things, like tulip bulbs from Turkey, could also be profitable. They were experts at adding value to products, such as rolling tobacco into easily smoked cigarettes in a fancy box or grinding and processing cacao beans into a powder that could be used in cooking and in drinks.

The Dutch were also good at salesmanship, they convinced buyers they needed items and showed them how spices, exotic fruits and vegetables, and other products could be used.  They invented ways to preserve and transport fragile and degradable products.  They also started colonies in other places to grow or produce products that were profitable to trade. Soon the Dutch became wealthy people.

Compared to the rest of Europe, people in the Netherlands were prosperous. And wealth wasn’t concentrated in the hands of a few noblemen but was spread more equitably through the population than the rest of Europe. By the 1600’s, the Dutch Golden Ages, they had money to support the arts and sciences.  Many scientific inventions, devices and medical treatments were developed.  Artists that we still admire today produced great paintings, many of them of flowers and still-life’s, unlike the religious scenes and portraits that dominated European art.

 Keukenhof gardens

The tulip mania

The Dutch also had money to invest in things you couldn’t eat or wear, like tulip bulbs. You may have heard of the tulip mania, one of the first examples of speculation or futures trading, the purchase of things that did not yet exist in hopes that by the time they did exist the value would increase.

The tulip had captured the interest of many Dutch flower lovers and gardeners in Europe.  Tulips grew easily in the Netherlands and the Dutch began to develop new colors and shapes.  People began to breed and grow tulips and others began to buy those bulbs before they were out of the ground. The demand began to outstrip the supply, so the price went up- and up.  Some tulip bulbs commanded huge prices, a single bulb of some varieties selling for as much as a modest home. Even shopkeepers and bakers were buying and selling tulip bulbs.

But, as often happens the bottom fell out of the market. In 1637 prices fell, and people lost a lot of money.  Modern historians tell us the effect on the Dutch economy wasn’t as drastic as some books and movies have portrayed but the tulip bubble is still considered by economists to be the first example of a boom-bust cycle in stock trading.

During this time the first stock market building was built in Amsterdam.  Historians believe the Netherlands was the first truly capitalist country.  The clever Dutch invented such things as insurance and retirement funding and became known for banking and investment skills as well as their stock market trading.

The prosperity of the Netherlands waned a bit in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. During the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands in WWII up to 20,000 people died of starvation.  This may partially account for the emphasis placed on agriculture today.  In the 1950’s large natural gas deposits were discovered under the country and the Netherlands once again is considered to be a very affluent country.

 Keukenhof flower gardens
wikipedia

The innovative agriculture of the Netherlands

The Netherlands has flat, low land, with about a quarter of its land area beneath sea level and the highest areas of the country a little over a mile above it. About half of the country’s land area is devoted to agriculture. A lot of the land still has to be kept drained by the maintenance of locks, canals and pumping stations. The soil of the Netherlands is sandy but fertile and has some of the highest organic content of agricultural soil anywhere in the world, around 12% organic matter.

The climate is moderate maritime, with moderately cold winters with some snow and mild humid summers with temperatures rarely getting over 85 degrees. Since it’s in the northern latitudes, days are quite short in the winter, but summer days are long.

At the turn of the century the Dutch developed a slogan for their agricultural goals, “Twice as much food using half as many resources.”  They pledged to do this in a sustainable way, and to limit environmental impact. The center for agricultural innovation is Wageningen University and Research (WUR).  It’s located 50 miles southeast of Amsterdam and is surrounded by a consortium of agricultural entrepreneurial startups and research farms dubbed “Food Valley” in reference to “Silicone Valley” in California. 

You may not have heard of it, but Wageningen University is considered the top Agricultural University and Research center in the world.  They have programs in 140 countries including the US.  They tackle the toughest agricultural problems in the world and come up with some of the best solutions.  They maintain the World Soil Bank with 1,200 soil samples from countries around the world that can be used for research projects.

So how has the University, the government and people of the Netherlands improved agriculture? By working together. What the Dutch consider sustainable agriculture is not the same as what Americans consider sustainable agriculture. In America sustainable agriculture is more of a “do less let nature do more” concept, no till, strips of pollinator friendly plants, permaculture and so on. 

In the Netherlands sustainable agriculture involves intense, precise control of environmental conditions, and lots of technology, with the goal of minimizing waste, optimizing production and limiting environmental damage.  The researchers at the University and in food valley will tell you that agricultural practices must be adapted to the climate, soil, and local conditions and resources of an area and they have helped develop those systems for other countries.  But the Netherlands does provide a great example for what good agricultural practices can do.

In the Netherlands one can see driverless tractors working the fields, and drones overhead assessing crop needs.  Precision agriculture has reduced the need for water, fertilizer and pesticides.  In fact, because of the high organic content of the soils, few fields require fertilization. Field crops include flower bulbs, potatoes, barley, wheat, corn and sugar beets. The average yield for an acre of potatoes in the world is 9 tons.  The average yield of an acre of potatoes in the Netherlands is 20 tons.

But agriculture in the Netherlands really shines in the sector of greenhouse production.  Thousands of acres of land are under glass (or technically plastic). Vegetables and flowers are grown in very regulated climates in the worlds most sophisticated greenhouse systems, many hydroponic. LED lighting systems provide longer days and more intense light.  Geo-thermal systems and natural gas provide inexpensive and environmentally friendly electricity and heating.

Greenhouses along a canal in the Netherlands
South Holland by Colin

In the Netherlands greenhouse industry there is almost no pesticide use.  Natural predators are raised and used in the greenhouses for pest control and diseases are managed by controlling the environment. Many systems include fish, which fertilize the irrigation water, greatly reducing fertilizer use. The fish are then harvested for food. 

Water use is greatly reduced in these systems, with a pound of tomatoes requiring only 1.1 gallon of water to produce, the average is over 15 gallons per pound elsewhere. Every effort is made to reduce waste. Tomato stems are turned into fiber and are made into containers for the harvest.  Food by-products and waste go to feed livestock or are composted.

The Netherlands also exports eggs and dairy products and produces some beef and pork for the country.  In the livestock sector there is also a lot of automation and close attention to managing the environment. Yet the Dutch have much higher standards for animal welfare than the US does.  No hormones and almost no antibiotics are used on livestock. Cows may be milked by a robot but most still get time on pasture. Battery cages for egg production are banned and confined poultry must have a generous amount of floor space, perches, nest boxes and floors with litter.

Exports of greenhouse and other agricultural machinery and technology provide the Dutch with additional agricultural income, as does horticultural tourism.  Millions attend the tulip festivals each spring and the world’s largest garden, Keukenhof, located just south of the city of Haarlem, attracts thousands of visitors each year.

One area where the Dutch are not very progressive in thinking is in the production of marihuana. The Netherlands has long allowed people to possess a small amount of marihuana and use it recreationally. Coffee shops are famous for allowing patrons to purchase and smoke joints. But each person may only grow 5 marihuana plants and selling pot or commercial growing is illegal.  Raids on growing operations happen frequently. This is a big problem for coffee shops who wish to sell the product.  This year the Netherlands has started a pilot program of licensing growers in several regions to produce pot and if that goes well, and how can it not, more growers will be licensed to grow it.

It’s important to remember that this densely populated small country cannot produce all the agricultural products they need, they do have to import some food products. But the Dutch make every bit of their agricultural land as productive as possible and they do so with an eye to keeping the environment healthy. They feed more people with less land and less pollution than any other place in the world. Their agricultural/ horticultural expertise is the envy of many countries. The fact that they are second only to the US in the total amount of agricultural products exported is a remarkable feat.

Even though the US is still the number one producer of agricultural products we have far more land to grow food and we have far more pesticide use, fertilizer use, waste and pollution than the Netherlands.  We need to start moving toward the Dutch idea of sustainable farming if we are going to continue to feed ourselves and many other places in an uncertain future. Imagine if we could produce more food with less waste and pollution on less land.  The unneeded acres could be planted with trees to absorb carbon, used for recreation or simply left to nature.

The Dutch have also been one of the most progressive countries in moving toward renewable energy and reduction of carbon emissions.  They are already implementing plans to deal with climate change, actively preparing for a rise in sea level and possibly a change in weather patterns. This is another area in which we need to use the Dutch as a role model.

Here are some links to articles and information on agriculture in the Netherlands if you wish to read further.

https://www.hollandtradeandinvest.com/key-sectors/agriculture-and-food

https://www.agriculture.com/crops/how-the-netherlands-fuel-a-global-agricultural-powerhouse

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2017/09/holland-agriculture-sustainable-farming/

 https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/there-never-was-real-tulip-fever-180964915/#qK0lBIbms5u4pAIZ.99

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/25/world/europe/netherlands-marijuana-legaliziation.html

Pumpkin Fudge Bars

Here’s a delicious treat you can serve at a Halloween party or all year round. You can find canned pumpkin at most stores this time of year, but remember canned pumpkin is different from canned pumpkin pie filling. Because the recipe takes a lot of cooking and stirring you may want to enlist some help from kids or a partner.

Cookie Base:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup quick or old-fashioned oats

3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1/2 cup flaked coconut

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

3/4 cup butter, softened

Fudge top:

2 tablespoons butter

2/3 cup (5 fl.-oz. can) evaporated Milk

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup canned pumpkin (not pie filling)

1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 cups miniature marshmallows

1 & 2/3 cups (11-oz. pkg.) Butterscotch flavored morsels

3/4 cup chopped walnuts

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

First make the cookie base.  Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.  Line a 15 x 10 or equivalent pan with foil. 

Mix all the cookie ingredients except the butter in a bowl until well blended.  Cut in the butter until a crumbly mixture forms.  Pat the mixture down evenly over the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake until slightly brown, about 15 minutes.  Let cool.

Now make the fudge part.  Combine the butter, evaporated milk, sugar, pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice and salt in medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, over medium heat. Boil, and stir constantly, for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat.

Stir in the marshmallows, butterscotch morsels and vanilla with ½ cup of the nuts.  Stir until the marshmallows melt and the mixture is well blended.  Pour the fudge mix over the cookie base and refrigerate until firm.  Cut into bars.  Makes about 48 bars.

What season are you smelling?

Kim Willis

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I write this because I love to share with other gardeners some of the things I come across in my research each week. It keeps me engaged with people and horticulture. It’s a hobby, basically. I hope you enjoy it. If you are on my mailing list and at any time you don’t wish to receive these emails just let me know. If you know anyone who would like to receive a notification by email when a new blog is published have them send their email address to me.  KimWillis151@gmail.com