Fort de Chartres Heritage Garden

Un journal d'un Jardin Potager du Pays des Illinois

Tag: vegetables (Page 3 of 4)

Été

31 July, 2011 / / 0 Comments

4 June, Saturday

95 degrees F

Sunny, Light Wind

The date does not reflect the true summer season, but the first weekend in June heralds the beginning of the summer for those of us in the Illinois Country. It is the annual date of the Fort de Chartres Rendezvous and this year commemorated the 41st year of this landmark event. Rendezvous is a re-creation of the traditional French fur trapper’s holiday of the 18th Century, and is one of the oldest and largest events of its kind in the United States. And as usual, the temperatures and humidity soared as the date approached. Even as the heat rose, visitors arrived to take in all the activities; morning and evening colors in all its pageantry, militiamen, buckskinners, artisans, and entertainers. We welcomed visitors to our jardin potager and enjoyed sharing gardening history with those who stopped by. This event should not be missed as it always is filled with much joyous noise and activity, the colorful sights and sounds of a large 18th Century regional gathering.

In between garden visitors, some work was accomplished in the garden. Weeding help was offered by a new acquaintance and her work was gratefully accepted. As she weeded, work continued, mounding the soil next to the spring peas, so that the De Bourbonne & Long Anglais cucumber seeds could be planted. Once this task was completed, these beds along with the others were thoroughly watered. Checking the new apple trees planted earlier this spring, I was very pleased to see they are thriving and ready for the next step in the process of espaliering. New shoots were pinched back, leaving those to be trained to their supporting wire in the fall. The lettuces and radishes were harvested along with the Tom Thumb bush beans. Their harvesting brings to mind ingredients for an 18th century salad whether French salades simples or English salmagundi. Look on the recettes page of this blog for salad, cucumber, green and dried pea recipes.

 

21 June, Tuesday

87 Degrees F

Calm

Summer is indeed with us, streaming in with the rains still pounding our region. With the formal arrival of the season, the heat has made for challenging gardening conditions.  Our Tom Thumb bush peas are just finishing production but the yellowed and dried vines of the Blue Podded Snap & the De Grace Snow peas signal the end of their season. Tis time to clean out the dead vines and provide the supports for the rapidly growing cucumbers . Work continues with the weeding, harvesting some carrots, radishes, and turnips as I progress through the garden beds. The Painted Lady Runner beans and snapdragons are brightening the jardin with their blooms. Radishes have gone to seed but they are left in place for now as they have been attracting pollinating and beneficial insects in the garden. Staff and volunteer help have begun weeding of the Native Garden and the large squash/melon bed. Their efforts are greatly appreciated. These areas are rapidly growing, fueled by the warm temperatures. As the plants grow, they are checked for signs of the dreaded squash bugs, which so devastated our squash crops last summer and fall. It appears with the cooler temperature this spring and the heavy rains since, they are appearing more slowly this season. All in all, except for the perennial complaint of an abundance of weeds, one can be satisfied with the steady progress of our jardin potager.

Vers la fin du Printemps

29 July, 2011 / / 0 Comments

7 May, Tuesday

76 Degrees F

Sunny, Windy

The morning sky was dark and gray, threatening clouds overhead, as day dawned on the Annual Les Amis de Fort de Chartres Kid’s Day. The skies soon gave way to a steady rain, not an auspicious beginning for the day of scheduled 18th century family activities. But soon the rain subsided and the sun peered through the fog, as mists rose from the road leading to the fort and from the fort grounds. Families began arriving and the annual event sponsored by the volunteer organization (Friends of Fort de Chartres) was soon underway. With cannons firing, the fort’s volunteer event featured games, archery, rope making, dancing, singing, and an artifact display. In the garden, our visitors used the native hoe, learned about the 1700s French kitchen garden, and adopted our donated native pecan trees. The heirloom cabbage, carrots, lettuces, peas, onions, and turnips were growing strongly and it seemed one could stand and watch the asparagus grow in front on one’s eyes. From the rain cooled temperatures of the morning, the day soon warmed and the jardin potager welcomed all who visited.

22 May, Sunday

87 Degrees F

Sunny, Windy

Continuing this May, the garden grew in pace with the wet and cool conditions. As temperatures rose and fell and continuing rain, every moment the sun shone was an opportunity to plant and work in the garden. Preparing beds and nurturing the emerging plants, struggling beets and spinach weakened as this wet season moved along.  The day was very warm and mon ami Toni accompanied me to work in the squash and melon bed. Earlier in the week, the large bed beyond the garden fence was tilled and prepared for planting. Our day’s work this afternoon included measuring, creating mounds, dibbling holes for the seeds, then planting. Once planted, we watered the mounds thoroughly and took a moment to do some quick weeding in the other beds as well as watering the new fruit trees. Very productive afternoon’s work, accomplished with the help of a friend.

Earlier in the week, the native Three Sisters Garden area was hoed and weeded by Dennis and Jeremy. One afternoon before the rains came, a quick trip to the fort was in order to create the mounds and plant the corn in the center of each mound. We were excited this year to try the native Bear Island Flint corn, which features dried yellow, white, red, some speckled, and occasionally all burgundy ears. This Native American variety reportedly makes good corn flour, slightly pink, and we hoped that the hardness of the cobs would deter the raccoons. Scarlet Runner beans were planted on the outer rim of the mounds and the winter squash in the spaces between. Sophie, the new feline fort mascot, kept me company and surveyed the completed garden area. It is hard to tell if she approved of my afternoon’s work, but it was nice to have the company none the less.

Printemps

2 May, 2011 / / 0 Comments

17 April, Sunday

74 Degrees F

Sunny, Light Winds

Traveling to the fort today, through the winding roads in Illinois farmland,  the air truly felt like spring. In the weeks since the last posting, rains have been frequent, with temperatures swinging from cool to warm and back again. Luckily, today’s work in the garden was to be accompanied by warm winds. Perfect weather to plant our new fruit trees that have been in a cool storage location for the last two weeks awaiting the right planting conditions.

While we waited for these warmer temperatures, our long range l’habitant jardin plans were reviewed and discussed. The plans referenced descriptions of typical French residences, as from former Governor Thomas Ford’s History of Illinois. He resided in the Illinois Country in 1805 and reminisced, “These houses were generally placed in gardens, surrounded by fruit trees of apples, pears, cherries, and peaches; and in the villages each enclosure for a house and garden occupied a whole block or square, or the greater part of one.” A beautiful new addition to the l’habitant jardin is a period reproduction bench created by Zack Huber, a local Eagle Scout candidate from Prairie du Rocher.

Blight and disease had damaged some of the existing fruit trees in our habitant garden and removal was begun the week previous by Gerry Franklin, a member of the fort staff. Earlier this year, the following tree varieties were researched, ordered and now ready to be planted

  • Snow Apple (Fameuse), France, prior 1800. One of the oldest and most desirable dessert apples, a parent of the aromatic McIntosh.
  • Summer Rambo (Rambour Franc), France, 1535. Large red fruit, bright striped. Breaking crisp, exceptionally juicy, aromatic flesh.
  • Calville Blanc, France, 1598. This is a gourmet culinary apple of France. Uniquely shaped medium ot large size fruit, yellow skin with light red flush. Banana-like aroma with more vitamin C than an orange.
  • Anjou Pear (Beurre d’Anjou), France, prior to 1800. Large, conical short-necked fruit, light green when ripe with some russeting.  Mild, melting with white flesh with delicate aroma.

Volunteers Jeremy, John, and Nick, along with Dennis, a fort staff member, were assisting in the garden work today, digging holes and planting trees. The pear trees were placed just outside the garden fence; the apple trees planted inside the garden fence in an alternate order to be espaliered as they grow. Immediately the trees were pruned, wired to their supports, and watered in. Jeremy and Nick (with John’s assistance) placed the wooden pole supports for the Painted Lady Runner Beans in the first of the garden beds and the beans were planted around their bases. The last two beds to be sowed with spring vegetables were planted with differing varieties of peas (Blue Podded and de Grace Snow Peas). Branches were pushed into the garden beds to act as supports for these climbers. As peas grow, they will climb through the branches that hold the supports in place and upright. Also planted among the turnip rows were Tom Thumb bush peas, saved from last season’s successful crop. Again beds were watered as tools were gathered, cleaned, and put away-preparations for the travel home. Winding our way home, we once again reflected, dwelling on the day’s accomplishments and the work yet to come.  We look forward to the projects of the season ahead, including our new compost bin being created by Justin Detering, a local student, as it nears completion.

Please note: An upcoming family event at the Fort de Chartres , will be the annual Kid’s Day on Saturday, May 7, from 10 AM-4 PM. It’s a  free event that features yard games, period board games, rope making, dancing, King & Queen coronation, gardening, free trees, artifact display (arrowheads, etc.), and a puppet show. Come out to the fort and enjoy the morning or afternoon with your family and immerse yourself in fun activities pertaining to our region’s 18th century history.

Trade Faire Gardening

2 May, 2011 / / 2 Comments

3 April, Sunday

80 Degrees F

Sunny, Gusty Winds

After a busy weekend enjoying the Fort de Chartres annual Colonial Trade Faire and Rifle/Musket Frolic (sponsored by the Chasseurs du Datchurat), Sunday morning brought bright sunshine and rising temperatures. As we basked in  the warmth relaxing in our camp, we looked beyond and the garden beckoned. Toni and Renea quickly set to work weeding the asparagus bed and I began to prepare a few beds for planting. It was remarkable to reflect that just a few days earlier, strong winds brought air that was quite cool and damp and just the week previous we were experiencing thunder-snow! This morning our hope was to finish preparing and planting the beds that we were unable to work on due to the earlier snows. After hoeing and weeding, we planted St. Valery and Tonda Di Parigi carrots, Crapaudine and Early Wonder beets, Navet des Vertus Marteau turnips, and Red Wetherfield Onion sets. These heirlooms are seeds/sets of the 18th century and are close to the type of vegetables that might have been grown by les habitants of the Illinois Country, full of flavor and valued for their many uses-fresh or preserved. The newly planted seeds were well watered, as well as the other parts of the garden already planted. Gooseberry shrubs were pruned, joining the grape vines already so prepared by fort staff memebr Dennis Thomas and volunteer John Guilfoy. Walking the garden, the cabbage transplants appeared to be settling in nicely and the lettuces, spinach, and radishes seedlings were beginning to emerge. These cool weather crops were not bothered by this uncertain weather, thriving and growing, using the current warm air to fuel their growth. A morning spent in garden work under the sun warming rays was a pleasant way to end to a weekend of camaraderie and friendship. In the weeks ahead, as we near our last frost-date milestone, the next seeds to be planted will be runner beans and peas. Other garden projects include new heirloom apple and pear fruit trees which have been ordered and delivered. These new fruit trees are provided by Les Amis de Fort de Chartres, the fort volunteer organization. As we prepare work on our garden layout and design, we welcome the onset of spring!

Gardening Weekend, L’Habitant Jardin Potager-Neige!

16 April, 2011 / / 0 Comments
Silvertree Forge

25 March, Friday

38 degrees F

Overcast, Light Wind

The air is cold and damp as we arrive at the Fort to prepare for the gardening weekend for l’habitant jardin. Immediately, canvas tarps are placed on some of the raised beds to prepare for the oncoming weather fast approaching. The tarps will keep new moisture from saturating the beds, as we hope to salvage planting later in the weekend once the forecasted snow has ceased. As this task is accomplished, we prepare the guard room for the weekend’s stay, enjoying the heat emanating from the newly lit fireplace. We light lamps and lanterns and prepare the bedding while the day’s light still holds. The table is laid for a simple evening’s meal of fish and bread. Sophie, the young cat newly in residence at the fort, has curled up in the bedding, taking advantage of the warmth beginning to steal across the room. Darkness descends and we know not what the new day will bring.

March Fort26 March, Saturday

36 degrees F

Snow, 5-10 NW Wind

As we awake to freezing temperatures, the skies are grey and the clouds ominous.  By midmorning, the cold and damp keep us to our duties inside. As we finish our late morning repast consisting of a warm tourtiere served with maple syrup, a startling flash of lightning is followed by a long slow roar of thunder. We run to the guard room windows and to our amazement, huge snowflakes are drifting downwards, melting as they touch the ground. After our initial surprise, we acknowledge no gardening will be accomplished this day; we venture outside to observe the falling snow. With flakes clinging to our coats, we gather the last of the greens from the winter planting and spring herbs for our evening meal.

Author gathering herbs.

Once inside, our attention is turned to tasks that can be accomplished in a warmer setting. Chicken bouillon is prepared and placed on the hearth to simmer all day with some of the gathered herbs. Others attend to long overdue mending and sewing. Another spends time using their lucette, creating cordage to replace broken and mended lengths. The snow continues to fall and begins to accumulate. Occasional bursts of lightning and thunder steal across the sky and continue to surprise. Garden seeds are organized and the jardin plot is reviewed.  Anxiousness accompanies this planting delay, as it is quickly becoming past time in the new year to have certain seeds sown this season. The continued snow and cold this early spring have prevented normal progress in the garden. We will need to make productive use of any good weather to prepare beds and plant.

Before long, the light is fading and our meal of bouillon, boiled ham, our gathered salad of lettuce, spinach, and salad burnet, are placed on the table along with bread for a satisfying meal. A fine evening of conversation and song follows, as we enjoy the warmth of the fire and companionship of close friends. We end the evening, thankful to be so well situated with the late winter storm still swirling just beyond the guard room door.

27 March, Sunday

42 Degrees F

Sunny, Light Wind

Snow-Laden CanvasTarps

Morning arrives heralded with sunshine, a chill to the air, and snow covering the ground. As we attend to our morning meal and duties, we await the sun’s rays to warm the world around us. Immediately after the table is cleared and dishes are cleaned, we observe and are well pleased with the sun’s progress upon the melting snow. We are drawn to the garden, anxious to remove the tarps laid earlier in the weekend. We pull back the snow-laden canvas and reveal beds that appear fairly dry from the weather the day earlier. Seeds can and will be planted this day! Those that need cool temperatures to emerge and thrive would not mature into much needed spring vegetables, replacing of the last of winter’s stores.

As we bring our supplies to the garden, the work is begun turning beds and adding dry compost. Beds are smoothed and prepared for planting.

Antoinette & Renea

We furrow rows and spend the late morning and early afternoon transplanting the cabbages, and seeding beds with heirloom varieties of kale, leeks, lettuces, radishes, and spinach, watering each as they are planted. We make sure we rotate the new plantings from the garden layout of the year previous, giving beds a time to breathe and frustrating pests overwintering in the soil. (The newly planted varieties for this year’s garden are listed on the layout page of this blog.) A great sense of satisfaction and accomplishment today-the new planting season of our jardin potager has begun. Perseverance and determination have prevailed this day, both traits that serve a garden well!

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