Crafts, DIY Projects

Making the Basic Candle

Making the basic candle takes three ingredients which are wax, wick, and container.

The first step is to place the wick into the container putting a weight on the bottom so it does not float up. You can use an old candle container instead of throwing it away. Then heat the wax gently, some people use an old crockpot. Lastly, gently pour the melted wax into the container and let set. Trim the wick to size.

The types of wax you can use are paraffin, beeswax, and soy wax. Paraffin is colorless and odorless which makes using color and scents easy. Beeswax has been around since ancient times but is more expensive. It does not have petroleum byproducts that wax has. Soy wax is cheaper but does not take color well.

You can buy candle dyes in almost any color. They come in liquid which you only use a few drops per pound of wax. and powder.

If you wish to add a scent, there are fragrant oils to use. The most popular are citrus, floral, and berry.

Most know the soft wicks, however, there are wooden wicks. These wicks provide a crackling sound of a campfire. They also will burn cleaner and longer.

Vegetables

Different Types of Vegetables

Luffa Squash

Here are some different types of vegetables to grow this season if you are feeling adventurous. One is a luffa squash. Grown for the luffa sponges you see at expensive retail stores. You can even eat the “zucchini-like” squash if picked under 6 inches or let get full-grown for the sponge.

Fennel

Fennel is a licorice-tasting herb growing to 3 feet tall. I place them in containers as a filler plant. Snip and use the fern-like leaves in cooking. You can plant them into the garden and they get a bulb-like base that can be cooked and eaten. The seeds can be used for muffins and loaves of bread for an anise-like flavor.

Sweet Potato

Many have tried growing sweet potatoes. Make sure you get the early maturing ones like Georgia Jet or any other varieties maturing under 120 days. They will grow well in large tires (like the ones you feed or cattle in) or in loose, amended soil.

Kohlrabi

Kohlrabi is related to the cabbage family. It forms an apple-like bulb above the ground. The bulb can be eaten raw when young or cooked.

Winged Bean

A winged bean is an actual bean. The pods have serrated, fleshy wings on the pod. Cook as a regular string bean.

Black Carrot

Black carrots were grown well before the orange carrot. The black carrot is a deep purple. Higher in nutrients and cooked like a regular carrot. It keeps its color when cooked.

Cape Gooseberry

Cape gooseberry is a ground cherry looking like a little yellow tomato with a husk around it. Easy to grow and getting to 4 feet tall. Great for eating out of the garden.

Alpine Strawberry

Alpine strawberries as annuals grow well in containers, which I grow. The little strawberries are yellow or red with an intense strawberry and pineapple taste. You will get the little fruits all summer long.

Okra

I do not know why okra is not grown much around here. Easy to grow the 5-foot tall plants. With 6 plants, you will be harvesting every other day. Pick the pods under 6 inches and fry with a side of cornbread. My favorite variety is Cajun Jewel.

Flowers (annual and perennial), Vegetables

All American Winners for 2022

Last week I gave you some of the All American Winners for 2022 (Bee’s Knees’ Petunia, Icicle Eggplant, Century Star Watermelon, Bauer Lettuce, and Buffy Pepper). Here are the rest:

Pink Delicious F1 Tomato

Pink Delicious F1 Tomato which is sweeter than other pink tomatoes. The fruit resists cracking and has a uniform fruit size. The plant has better disease resistance and is early maturing. The F1 designation means it is a hybrid variety, so do not save the seeds.

Purple Zebra F1 Tomato

Purple Zebra F1 Tomato is a small tomato with a sweeter flavor and thin skins compared to other small varieties. Fruit is dark red with green stripes with a red interior and green seeds. The plant has a higher disease resistance to Late Blight.

Sunset Torch F1 Tomato

Another winning tomato is the Sunset Torch F1. The plant produces yellow fruit with orange stripes. An early ripening tomato with less splitting compared to other cherry types of tomatoes.

Concert Bell F1 Sunflower

Several winning flowers beside the petunia is the Concert Bell F1 Sunflower. The plant grows around 6 feet producing up to a dozen flowers on each stem. It is more sturdy during high wind and storms.

Vertigo Deep Blue F1 Torenia

Vertigo Deep Blue F1 Torenia produces non-fading, multi-colored blooms. This variety performed well in the hotter regions where the heat can kill the plants. They make good container plants, however,  I would still give them afternoon shade.

Viking Explorer Rose on Green F1 Begonia

Lastly, is the Viking Explorer Rose on Green F1 Begonia. A great plant for hanging baskets and containers with their red flowers and dark green foliage. The plant has a strong tolerance to heat and dry conditions.

Some of these varieties can be found in various gardening catalogs like Johnny Selected Seeds, Ferry-Morse, and Park Seed. They may not be found in many greenhouses for a couple of years.