VISIT TO A MUSHROOM GROWER

Do you love mushrooms-do you wonder how they are grown? Well the Master Gardeners want to let you know-we took a road trip to bring you all the information. We have a mushroom growing operation right here in Mississippi,hidden away in a nondescript building in a small town in the South Central part of the state.The first step is loading sawdust and millet in plastic bags, that after sterilization,will become the growing medium.

The blocks of medium start out brown and change to white as the mushroom spores that are added after sterilization, begin to grow. It takes about three months to get mushrooms. The ones below have hardened like a brick. The plastic is taken of and in seven days mushrooms grow on it. They are then cut of and in 21 days there is another crop. I think our tour guide said they get four harvests from one block.

Sorting those delicious mushrooms. They sell them here to the public as well as to restaurants,etc. They don't waste anything. The bits of dried mushrooms are combined with spices and sold as mushroom dust. Use it for seasoning  as you would any other spice.

COMMUNITY GARDEN

The Master Gardeners have joined up with the Garden Club in planting a community garden. The produce is shared with the elderly and shut ins as well as anyone in need. A lot of the produce will be taken to the local food pantry. We planted broccoli,brussel sprouts,spinach, collards and cabbage. Lettuce will soon be planted as well as carrots. The garden club planted onions and turnips and several varieties of mustard and turnip greens.

FAITHFUL RESEEDERS

Not much blooming in my garden right now. I reallly have neglected the garden this year-it has just been too dang hot!

 These summer poinsettias-or at least that is what I have always called them are always reliable for fall color. They are a tough annual that readily reseeds. A fun old passalong plant.Another great late summer-fall plant, that reseeds.The small bushes are covered with these small blooms.I am not sure of the correct name, I first planted these ten years ago, from seeds I received at a garden setting wedding.

TOUGH AS NAILS

This flower bed is outside the Extension office on the East side. It gets brutal sun reflected off the street and sidewalk. It always looks great, even without water though. The trick is planting tough as nails plants-potatoe vine and sedums.Too bad we have to have that bright yellow curb-it kinda takes away from the look!

MORE GOURD FESTIVAL

A few more photos of the gourf festival.

RALEIGH GOURD FESTIVAL

Visited the Gourd Fest in Raleigh yesterday. Who knew there were so many types of gourds! There were some amazing artists there. Felder Rushing was also there signing his new book-his books are always fun and informative. Enjoy the photos.

A LOVELY KOSIUSKO GARDEN

Random shots from a garden tour.