We just got back from the County Extension Office and I love those ladies over there! They are so helpful!!!

The Brandywines’ – one thought cat facing but the other said, nope, that Brandywine Heirlooms have that scarring – it’s typical with the variety. Being heirlooms, they aren’t as resistant as the Better Boys, but they are really meaty and great for canning. Just blanch and remove the skins, cut away the scarring and they will can up great. I just need to use the pressure canner and a 1/2 tsp salt per pint.

That was really good news, since so far I’ve got about 15 tomatoes, weighing in at between 1/2 to 1 lb. per tomato. Here’s hoping I can do some canning this Saturday. It will be the first time I’ve tried the new pressure canner. Little nervous about it but anxious to get the first try over with without blowing me or the jars up!

As for the Romas, apparently the variety I have is small generally and more pear shaped, but very meaty and will make a good paste.

The Cherry’s I found out I can dehydrate. So, I’ll be hunting down Slobo’s old beef jerky dehydrator to get those going. Cherry tomatoes are amazing, they just produce away and no bugs like to eat them so far.

The Better Boys are stunted due to the drought and possibly some horse manure that is composting about 50 ft. away might be interfering. She said there is a chemical that is passed in the manure from the hay the horses eat. It doesn’t affect the horses, but will leach into the garden beds if not composted fully. The yellowing of leaves, she suspects, since on the lower half, could be early blight from soil washing up onto the lower leaves also. She recommended some liquid calcium also, but we weren’t able to find it locally. I’ll have to scout for it some mroe.

We did go by and pick up some pine straw which will help. Earlier mulching washed away. While there, I went ahead and got sevin 5% to put on the cucumbers (hopefully will control the worm) and japanese beetles that have moved onto my beans now. I hesitate to do this because of all those sweet earthworms, but since the beetles are dong a great deal of damage now, it has to be done if I want any beans.

While I was there, the ladies were telling us about Heritage Days coming October 20th. They offered for the kids to join the 4-H program. The kids were really excited about that! One loves to garden and they have a 4H Kids Master Gardener program. The oldest loves outdoor activities and they will be doing a campover at Eagle Rock. She said they do all kinds of things. Volunteer programs, Art, Gardening, Farming, etc. This sounds like it will be a winner.

They wanted to join Boy Scouts. We ordered a handbook and uniform, then found out the group here isn’t active. The leader’s phone number has changed and they don’t answer emails. So, we gave up after the regional director became frustrated by it. 4H sounds like it will work out better for all of their interests anyway.

Everything I’ve read is right, tho. The County Extension office is a wonderful place full of information and experience. We’re taking soil samples in next week and will start preparing the larger bed for next year. Now – If only I knew someone who did tractor work! Double digging is getting harder in my old age….. cough cough….

While there, I also got a brochure for a class being offered at the University of West Ga. The Sustainable Growers School is giving a class to teach anyone interested in farming to sustain their family. The cost was $350/person. The last one was held in Spring so I will save up and take it in Spring of 2008.