High Calorie Gardening: potato

Showing posts with label potato. Show all posts

Friday, October 3, 2014

Time to thing of gas storage in those small engines

One reason I tend to favor hand tools is I know they will start. In Ohio you can sometime get some bad gas. This is made even worse if you put it in a engine that you seldom use. So I thought I would post the data I collected for myself about my options in Cincinnati Ohio. I have found preventative treatment is much cheaper than rebuilding carburetors. I am posting this because I posted about cover crops and included by first reference to a tool that uses a gas engine.

How to find ethanol-free fuel for your lawn gear
Consumer Reports News: July 10, 2012 03:38 PM
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2012/07/how-to-find-ethanol-free-fuel-for-your-lawn-gear/index.htm

Stihl's Motomix Premixed Fuel
http://www.stihlusa.com/products/oils--lubricants-and-fuels/premixed-fuel/

TRUSOUTH Trufuel 50:1 Pre Mixed Fuel (6-Pack) sold at homedepot and lowes

Craftsman High Performance Pure 4-Cycle Fuel
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-high-performance-pure-4-cycle-fuel/p-07133501000P

Why is VP Small Engine Fuel the Perfect Fuel?
http://www.vp-sef.com/

Powermaster Ho Sef 94 Fuel 4-cycle Quart
http://www.amazon.com/SEF-94-Fuel-4-Cycle-Quart/dp/B0057LR82U

VP small engine fuels 4-cycle
WHITE OAK LAWN MOWER SHOP LLC
3590 BLUE ROCK RD
CINCINNATI, OH 45247-5160
Phone: 513-385-4397
Fax: 513-385-4304

Schulhoff Tool Rental
2709 Woodburn Ave, Cincinnati, OH; 513-961-1122; ethanol-free UNBRANDED 91
$4.96 a gallon

Wardway Fuels
4555 Bridgetown Rd, Cincinnati, OH; 513-574-0061; ethanol-free UNBRANDED 91
$5.25 a gallon

marathon turbo blue racing gasoline

Lebanon Marathon
Cincinnati Street
Lebanon Ohio 45036
United States
513.933.9439
they carry 110 octane turbo blue racing gasoline

Skyview Market
Hamilton Cleves Road
Hamilton Ohio 45013
United States
513.869.6950
they carry 110 octane turbo blue racing gasoline

E-10 fuel treatments tested by BoatingLAB

AquoFusion
Super Fuel Booster
Specs:
10 ounces/$29.95
Treats 400 gallons
Stabilization Effective Life: 5 Months
aquofusion.com

Sta-Bil
Ethanol Treatment Marine Formula
Specs:
8 ounces/$9.77
Treats 80 gallons
Stabilization Effective Life: 2 years
sta-bil.com

Quicksilver
Quickstor
Specs:
12 ounces/$13.99
Treats 60 gallons
Stabilization Effective Life: 1 Year
mercurymarine.com
aquofusion.com

West Marine
EZ-Store EZ-Start
Specs:
32 ounces/$13.88
Treats 160 gallons
Stabilization Effective Life: 1 year
westmarine.com

Star Tron
Enzyme Fuel Treatment
Specs:
8 ounces/$8.96
Treats 128 gallons
Stabilization Effective Life: 2 years
startron.com

Yamalube
Fuel Stabilizer and Conditioner Plus
Specs:
12 ounces/$5.99
Treats 36 gallons
Stabilization Effective Life: 1 year
yamaha-motor.com

BioborEB
Ethanol Buster
Specs:
16 ounces/$21.99
Treats 240 gallons
Stabilization Effective Life: 2 years
biobor.com

ValvTect
Ethanol Gasoline Treatment
Specs:
8 ounces/$10.99
Treats 60 gallons
Stabilization Effective Life: 1 year
valvtect.com

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Some call it sushi, some call it bait, I call it plant food.

There are many plants in a high calorie garden that can be heavy feeders. Corn is one example. With organic gardening a lot of mulch, compost, manure, etc. is used. But in many places in the world fish played an important role in growing crops. In the Midwest there are actually a lot of places to catch fish the two problems are contamination of the waters fish live in and size of fish. In most states consumption advisories will be issued for what is safe to eat, in what quantities, and how often it can be consumed. However, many times fish that is safe to eat can be found in farm ponds or small streams that feed river systems. The fish most likely to be found are what most people call bait fish. This bait fish can be used to make a very good fish fertilizer. So I am thinking small when it comes to fish.

Recipes for Fish Fertilizer

Homemade Fish Fertilizer
http://theunconventionalfarmer.com/recipes/fish-fertilizer/

Making Your Own Fish Emulsion
http://www.shenandoahrosesociety.org/id13.html

Contaminants in fish

Much of the toxins in fish seem to accumulate in the fats. It has been suggested the boiling or cooking may be one way to remove fat that may contain harmful toxins. However, if the fish is not safe to eat it is not really safe to use to make Fish Emulsion. Stores that sell live or whole fish may be a source for guts, bones, and heads that can also be fermented to create fish emulsion and fertilizer. Also think crayfish and other crustaceans for fermenting. Safer fish to eat and use in fertilizer are crappie, yellow perch, blue gill, sun fish, green, longear, redear.

Trimming and Cooking Fish to reduce contaminates. The key is getting the fat out.
http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dsw/fishadvisory/index.aspx#145214737-meal-preparation

Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory
http://www.epa.state.oh.us/portals/35/fishadvisory/fishadvisory_pamphlet.pdf

Links about Ohio sports fishing rules.

Ohio Sport fishing Regulations 2014-2015
http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/Portals/wildlife/pdfs/fishing/fishingregulations_2014_2015.pdf

CAST NETS

Forage fish and minnows may be taken with cast nets. It is unlawful to use a cast net with a square mesh less than ¼ inch or larger than 1 inch on a side, or with a diameter greater than 10 feet. It is illegal to use a cast net within a distance of 1,000 feet downstream from any dam posted with Division of Wildlife signs indicating cast net use is prohibited.

Using a casting net for shad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Mf9xLqYuko

CASTNET BASICS HOW TO Choose a Cast Net for Live Bait
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnHve2YNn7M

How To Catch More Shad (And Stay Safe): 8 Cast Net Tips
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf-HKU5kuVE

How To Make Bony, Invasive Shad Fish Taste Delicious
http://www.opb.org/news/blog/ecotrope/making-bony-invasive-shad-fish-taste-delicious/

Minnow or Bait Fish Traps

It is illegal for anglers to possess or use a minnow or bait fish trap larger than 24 inches in length and 12 inches in width. Additionally, possessing or using a minnow or bait fish trap with an opening larger than 1 inch is illegal. A tag must be attached to the trap with the owners name and address, or the customer identification number.

Minnow Trapping Sucker, Shad, Shiners, Dace Fathead Minnows Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMhCv87nBWs

Minnow Trapping, Suckers, Shad, Dace, Chubs, Fatheads Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIgCx3qP9JM

Catch of the day: Baitfish, eating minnows
http://archive.news-press.com/article/20080731/ENT13/807310323/Catch-day-Baitfish

Trotlines

Trotlines must be marked with the name and address or customer identification number of the user. Trotlines must be anchored. Wire or cable may not be used. Not more than three trotlines are permitted in any one body of water in the Inland Fishing Distric. Not more than 50 hooks per trotline are permitted in any tributary of Lake Erie. Trotlines may not be used within 1,000 feet down stream of any dam. All trotlines must be checked once every 24 hour.

Trotline in the ohio river
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIiwSD6363Q

Forage Fish

Forage fish means freshwater drum (sheepshead), common carp, grass carp (in water NOT stocked b the Division of Wildlife for vegetation control as indicated by signs), bighead carp, silver carp, black carp, quillback, suckers, bowfin, gar, buffalo, gizzard shad, and goldfish. These species may be taken by any method except by means of explosives, poisions, firearms, electricity, chemicals, nets, seines, traps, or by snagging within 1,000 feet downstream of a dam. Gizzard shad and rainbow smelt may be taken with a minnow seine, minnow dip net, or hand landing net.

How to Catch the BEST BIG Musky & Flathead Live Bait with Creek Seine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rsb5gNpW5mQ

Making a Crayfish trap

How to Build a Crayfish Trap for Under $5

Part 1 - Design and Cutting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIcrWG_bEDM&list=PLiUEq78Q_BhEqZFJaVrUiyONZYHCso9C8

Part 2 – Assembling the trap
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vipAA16F9Ks&list=PLiUEq78Q_BhEqZFJaVrUiyONZYHCso9C8&index=2

Part 3 - Finishing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_6pP_ZCoH8&list=PLiUEq78Q_BhEqZFJaVrUiyONZYHCso9C8&index=3

Part 4 - Building a Bait Box
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQcM2wGBCOc&list=PLiUEq78Q_BhEqZFJaVrUiyONZYHCso9C8&index=4

Part 5 - How to Use the Trap
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxWehg_L698&list=PLiUEq78Q_BhEqZFJaVrUiyONZYHCso9C8&index=5

Thursday, September 18, 2014

The humble spud or potato

Number two on my high calorie must grow foods is the Potato. Yes the humble spud is an important plant for small scale subsistence farmers around the world. It is a mainstay in many vegetable gardens in temperate climates. There is a wide range of potatoes that can be grown. They store well and are easy to prepare. There are 116 calories in 1 cup of diced Potatoes (Flesh and Skin). That cup of potatoes is 1% fat, 91% carbs, 8% protein.

Below is some good information on potatoes in general.

International Potato Center
http://cipotato.org/

Tomatoville potato forum
http://www.tomatoville.com/forumdisplay.php?f=89

Potato breeding genetics
http://web.cals.uidaho.edu/potatoscience/files/2014/03/2014-Potato-Science-Lect-19-Breeding-Genetics.pptx

Growing instructions for your spud.

You will be surprised on how many different systems you can use to grow the humble spud.

Get a Head Start With Chitting Potatoes, Mother earth news
http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/greensprouting-potatoes-zb0z1203zlon.aspx#axzz3BjiM6lFC

Growing Potatoes in the Home Garden, Ohio State University
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1619.html

Potato site - Cornell University

http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/homegardening/scenec6be.html

Growing Potatoes Organically Basics From Seed To Storage, UC Davis
http://vric.ucdavis.edu/pdf/organic_potatoes.pdf

Potatoes Purdue University
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/ho-62w.pdf

Potatoes in a Barrel, Mother earth news
http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/potatoes-in-a-barrel-zmaz80mazraw.aspx#axzz3BjiM6lFC

Growing potatoes in grow bags

http://www.container-gardening-for-food.com/how-to-grow-potatoes.html

Our Aquaponic Potatoes In A Barrel Experiment
http://www.steamykitchen.com/28644-our-aquaponic-potatoes-in-a-barrel-experiment.html

Growing Potatoes in coffee bean burlap bags

http://www.farmcurious.com/growing-potatoes-vertically/

Mulching Potatoes With Straw
http://www.permaculture.co.uk/articles/mulching-potatoes-straw

Ruth Stout And Permanent Hay Mulch, Mother Earth
http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/ruth-stout-hay-mulch-zmaz99fmzraw.aspx?PageId=1#axzz3BjtFpf94

Sheet mulching with cardboard and potatoes
http://www.goveganic.net/article247.html

Sources of virus free potato seed tubers

It is very important to get spuds that are disease free. You can grow the spuds from the store but what diseases could you be putting into your garden?

Seedsaver
http://www.seedsavers.org/Preservation/Virus-free-seed-Potatoes/

Burpee seeds
http://www.burpee.com/vegetables/potatoes/

Meet the Colorado Certified Seed Potato Growers
http://www.coloradocertifiedpotatogrowers.com/certified-potato-growers

The Uihlein Farm of Cornell University
http://uihleinfarm.pppmb.cals.cornell.edu/seed-orders

Johnny Select Seeds
http://www.johnnyseeds.com/c-41-potatoes.aspx

Montana certified seed potatoes wholesale directory
http://www.montanaspud.org/extension%20information/2013%20Garden%20Seed%20directory%20(2).pdf

Storing your potatoes

A big part of high calorie gardening is the ability to store the calories for when you need to consume them. Curing and proper storage of your spuds are important if you wish to use those calories.

Farmers store potatoes in damp sawdust

http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-24683/potato-farmers-put-sawdust-new-use

20 Crops That Keep and How to Store Them

http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/food-storage-zm0z12aszcom.aspx#ixzz3Bk4fh7F4

22 Foods You Can Store in Root Cellars
http://www.hobbyfarms.com/food-and-kitchen/how-to-store-food-in-root-cellars.aspx

Dehydrate Potatoes February 2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbSZoYQJu0A

Removing potato starch from shredded potato
Removing starch means they dry without turning black.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75BbSlXxF9M

True Potato seeds not Tubers

Yes you heard me correctly. I am talking about sources of seed to grow your spuds. Just remember that the first year you are likely to get just thumb sized spuds. These will be your seed potatoes for the next year. It is from these small spuds that your big potatoes will grow in the second year.

Collection from Tom8toes
http://www.tom8toes.com/index.php/potatoes.html?limit=all

Double Helix Farm
http://www.doublehelixfarms.com/true-potato-seed-TPS

Tater Mater Seeds

Tom Wagner

8407 18th Ave. West

7-203

Everett, Washington 98204

Cell 425 894 1123
http://tatermaterseeds.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2&zenid=f3d35746ac1740a45e84ee614821bcdf

Curzio Potato project
http://www.curzio.com/N/Potato_starting_from_seed.htm

Potato true seed (TPS) mix (200 seeds)
https://www.cultivariable.com/?product=true-potato-seed-mixed