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How to Retain Moisture Since we are subject to drought here in North Carolina, I have found a way to retain moisture when you plant vegetables. Buy a package of disposable diapers and cut a square 6 inches by 6 inches for each hole. Dig a hole 12 inches deep. Dip the diaper square in water. Don’t wring it out. Put this in the bottom of the hole along with two tablespoons of Epsom salt, one tablespoon of lime and two tablespoons of Miracle Grow. Cover this with dirt, then set out your plants. Pour about a cup or two of water around the plant—not on the plant. You will not need to water these plants quite as often, since the diaper helps to hold the moisture. This summer, I had 12 burpless cucumber plants and canned about 50 quarts of sweet pickles. This method works. Try it! (The diaper disintegrates during the growing season.) I’m also enclosing my recipe for the best crisp, sweet pickles you will ever can. One lady even told me she saves the pickle juice in the jar and buys cucumbers all year and puts them into this juice. Buena Vista Loggin
10 pounds burpless cucumbers Slice the cucumbers into round slices about 1/ 4 inch thick. Put into a large pot (not aluminum), put the lime over the cucumber slices and add enough water to cover completely. Cover the pot, stir every now and then, then let set overnight. Next day, rinse the cucumber slices several times in cold water until all the lime is removed. Add the sugar, vinegar and the pickling spice (tied in doubled cheesecloth). Let sit for 3 hours, then put on stove to boil for about 30 minutes until cucumbers are crystal clear. Can into sterilized jars and seal tight. Let the jars process for about 15-20 minutes in hot water on the stove until jar tops “pop.” |