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Chris Bocchino's Groups
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Vermiculture
57 members
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Tomatoes
67 members
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Wild Edible Hunters
38 members
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COMPOST
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Root Cellars and Food St…
63 members
Chris Bocchino's Discussions
squirrel repellent
Replied Dec. 11, 2009
Been a while!
1 Reply
Started this discussion. Last reply by Martha Hill Nov. 22, 2009.
Chris Bocchino's Page
Latest Activity
Have had to help a friend take her miniture horse to the vet once in my Toyota Matrix. One Nubian is my limit.
Ähh, I misunderstood, because I read a comma more than it was written: I read: "Haven't met a horse, goat, sheep, cow, I don't like (them). So it was the contrary sense.
Do you know how many horses can take seat in a VW Beetle? (4, 2 on the front se…
Have horses, goats and sheep and one Nubian goat does come into the kitchen to visit on occasion. Have spent many a Heidi night in the hay loft sleeping during lambing seasonnso I could wake up to any strange sound that might suggest they were havin…
Luckily you haven't met horses, goats, sheeps, cows. Imagine they would want to sit in your pet seat or come into your house! But I slept with my animals in the stable when awaiting a difficult birth and I am sure my sheeps would like me to sleep al…
Have hens who will follow me into the cottage and literally jump up on a chair and sit and then fall asleep. You have to understand I am a tad eccentric (giggles) in that I have a pet seat for a small dog in my car, which one of my girls will sit in…
You have very tame chickens! I like the smell of manure in general but not that of the chicken house.
Was cleaning out the chicken coop and stood there and smiled, and wondered if others love the smell of straw and manure as much as I do, or how chickens have such wonderful personalities. One hen loves to jump on me when I am bent over and slowly ma…
Everything chickens! Weather you are a backyad gardener with two or a small farmer with 200 this group is for you. Everything from incubating to butchering and everything in between. Please feel free to join in on the discussions.
Profile Information
- Where do you live and garden?
- Spartanburg SC
- How long have you been growing food?
- forever!
- Dream garden travel destination:
- Spain
- Favorite foods:
- everything
Chris Bocchino's Photos
Comment Wall (13 comments)
- At 1:32am on June 27, 2009,
Kitty said… - Greeting from the Jersey Shore, which tonight is the worst thunder & lightening storm I've seen in a long time.
Why did I leave SC? Well, I actually lived in Mt. Pleasant at the time, Paces Watch, on Johnnie Dodds. My best friend, like yours, lives in MT. Pleasant too! She was Matron of Honor at my hitchin ceremony. My mother-in-law used to speak of retiring at Kiawah. And yes, the weather is challenging here, but I used to get black mold all over the inside of my Jeep (just a bikini top, no roof, no door, floor plugs history) from the dampness. Then the casing around my wires had a hairline crack and I couldn't start my car leaving work on a couple of nights when the humidity was like rain, dripping. I finally figured it had to be the casing so I covered it in petroleum jelly till I could buy a new one. So, weather was challenging there too, sometimes.
Met my husband-to-be there, we're both chefs. He was at the Library at Vendue, then Henry's on Market St. I was at Charleston Place Hotel. We got married at the Dock Street Theater, then decided we wanted to go to Southern California. That wasn't a bad location trade. The housing market in SoCal went so high that what was a $200,000 house in 1997 was $500,000 in 1999, and those same homes are $700,000-$800,000 now. We wanted a home and a life. We considered going back to Charleston but as good as the food scene is there, we'd been there, done that. It's a small town too, we wanted more multi-culture culture too. Here in NJ we didn't have to start over, per se. Family & friends here for me & Prince Charming. We apartment-lifed it for 2 years till we found a house. Place attachments are different when you own that plot of land.
We talk about visiting our friends in Charleston, just haven't got around to it. It's a shame. It is indeed beautiful there, even with palmetto bugs & fire ants.
Love the puppy & baby bird story too. Thanks for that.
regarding what you said "where the pace of life is a little slower and the outdoors scream your name ever morning"... when I first moved there I used to write to friends and say (I remember this word for word, I wrote it to so many people) "there is a soft, whispering breeze that blows through the pines, and birds sing and flowers shine in voices as true as blue sky". I'm glad to know that hasn't changed.
- At 12:56pm on June 26, 2009,
Kitty said…
- hi Chris, I just signed up to WildEdibleHunters and was looking at your page and want to say I just love the "Bird-Dog" pictures! I'm sure you must get a lot of comments on those pictures, they are so sweet. Is there a back-story?
I too, grew up in NJ and relocated to SC (with my grandfather) when I went to college there (Charleston), in '94. Though back in NJ now (after 10 years in SoCal) I do miss those years in SC. I never made it to Spartanburg, but did manage many offroad, backwoods adventures in my Jeep (my husband calls it the Black Box of Danger), going through those amazing Carolina mountains, swamps and woodlands. I'm going to friend request you but wanted to say hello first.
- At 11:32am on May 8, 2009,
Anoush Wiggins said… - Chris,
I love your waterfall photos - what a wonderful hike that must have been! NC mts. are gorgeous any time of year. I camped for a few days at Hanging Rock with my youngest son last June and hiked and swam in the falls whenever we could.
Good luck with your business this year!
- At 8:27am on April 30, 2009,
Melissa said… - Hi Chris, I have another windbreak question for you. Could you look at the photo on my page that has the blue baby boat and look at the wooden fence in the back across the bulkhead. Do you think that will be enough of a windbreak? And is chain link fence considered a windbreak or should I put in a few of those plastic things that slide in and out of the openings like ribbon? I'm planting corn on the open side between my neighbor's yard and mine so that side will be taken care of soon. Thanks!
PS. The garden isn't very pretty, but it's made almost entirely out of free and recycled stuff, lol.
- At 5:47pm on April 28, 2009,
Michelle W. Flannery said… - Hi Chris. I decided it was time to meet the man who started The Pecking Order. I don't know what prompted you to start a group about chickens on a gardening centered website, but I'm glad you did. The group is one of the most popular on KGI, I believe. I know I love it!
I live in Georgia now, 10 years, but I spent most of my life in NC, much of it just over the line from Spartanburg, in Rutherfordton. That was home. I loved there and hated leaving it, but it was time to move on. My family lived in an ancient house on 10 acres - beautiful pastures, woods, and a stream that poured across our property from a waterfall across the road. We raised chickens, cows, pigs, ducks, geese, peacocks, and foster children. We gardened too.
I loved your telling of your time with your grandfather and his influence in your lifestyle choices. And you're certainly following in your grandfather's steps! Something to be very proud of.
Here, east of Atlanta, we live on 5 acres that my husband's father cleared and established. We call it "5 Acre Farm" now, and reap the benefits of what he planted: two fig orchards, an apple orchard, peaches, pears and about 100 feet of grape vines. We have established a second bed this year, 32'x22', and I have significantly increased my annual container garden.
I love finding folks from close to home here at KGI. All my friends here are great, but those from near home are special to me. Thank you for sharing so much great information on this site. Best gardening wishes! mwf
- At 5:29pm on March 6, 2009,
Melissa said…
- Chris, I have a question for you. In my discussion about my raised beds drying out you suggested a windbreak of some sort. What about if I plant corn (do the Mel Bartholomew square foot method of 4 in each square) all around the perimeter of my beds? Will it be enough to act as a sufficient windbreak and will the corn actually pollinate this way if they were only a foot deep (2 plants I guess)? Thanks in advance!
- At 12:18pm on February 11, 2009,
Annie C said… - I know what you mean about the blueberries; we have lots here too on the mountains but it has to be timed just right. I feel like I've won the lottery when I've been able to gather a bunch of them!
You must be gearing up for spring--a little anyway--with your business.
I'm still debating the asparagus patch. I know you said you were going to put one in, and I'm thinking of the same. Any words of wisdom? I'm thinking of transplanting some rhubarb to share the ends of the patch with the asparagus.
And thanks for the info on the strawbale method! I can't wait to try it. I'll make sure to bundle them up with wire or something because I wouldn't be a fan of the mess in my garden (or on my lawn, actually).
- At 11:50am on February 10, 2009,
Everett H. Scott said… - Hi there Chris, I look forward to getting to know you and sharing garden stories. I too, grew up in New Jersey, and my dad was from South Carolina, not far from you, in Anderson. I garden here in Bucks County, PA, on just a third of an acre, but like your own space, it is pretty densely planted with both edibles (vegetables) and flowers. There is the "potager" (french for kitchen garden) as well as a separate herb bed. There is also an asparagus bed, and two kinds of grapes, one white and one red. There are even some fruit trees: an apple, (macintosh) a peach, a (bartlett) pear and a sour cherry. I have a fig tree, and a pomegranate that I am growing in pots that I winter over in the basement. Likewise, I have pots in which I grow strawberries. So, it won't be long before my days are busy weeding! Check out my blog on this site, or go to: http://thetoonmoosegardenblog.blogspot.com/
- At 6:28pm on February 6, 2009,
Annie C said…
- Hey Chris, great photos. Wherever you were hiking looks beautiful! What's up with the whole Posh Spice not smiling thing? :)
- At 9:24am on January 26, 2009,
Annie C said…
- Thanks, Chris. Have you ever tried the straw bale method? I'm pretty psyched about it (am at work, should really be thinking of other things...). Compact is good; very small yard, two dogs who would like me to save a little for them.
How're things in S.C.? It's beautiful up here; we've had bright blue sunny skies for the last three days.
I hope you'll keep us all posted on your garden/yard work this spring/summer.
KGI's Book of the Month
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trowel, fork, seeds with planting directions tailored to the area. harvesting and preserving information. drip irrigation system?
Wow Sandra! You've asked for an awful lot of information! Start by checking for your "predicted" last frost date.
There are frost charts online, but the quickest way for you, I think, is to call your county extension agent. He'll be listed in the ph…
thanks, Katherine, I will try to seek it out... It would be interesting to see where their info came from...
stay warm wherever you are...
Hmmm... we are having lots of sacred snow these days in Baltimore... can't wait for some of it to melt down...
can't wait for spring to get my fingers back in the soil...
Those interested in growing gemsquash - a very typical South African vegetable that we miss!
Had no luck with gem squash last year - it was just too hot! So I didn't try this year. Maybe next summer.
Oh gosh, that is rare to get humidity that far south! That is where all our moisture went - we havnt had any rain for over a week :) I started that gemsquash group as I discovered a new member (Margaret Flett) who had gemsquash as her favourite vege…
Those interested in growing gemsquash - a very typical South African vegetable that we miss!
Yes it's hot but very humid which is unusual. We are having a spell of days in the low 30s but tropical air is being pushed south by the weather systems up north and we are getting rain and humidity. The rain we love - the humidity we are not used t…
yes - the pods are quite tough. We only ate the peas inside and we always ate them green although many Indian people dry them. They are known as toovar dhal in Gujerati or tuvaram in Tamil and there are lots of recipes for them dried. Just google to…
Mary,
so you always shell them? I am entirely in the dark with these, and no more flowers :(... Did you only cook the peas fresh or did you leave some to dry?
I posted a photo of the HUGE luffa I found, and there are lots more making an appearance -…
How lovely - I guess your weather must be good for tomato growing! Is it still so hot down there?
Hi i just wanted to ask, I know it is still cold and i want to know what i can grow in the garden that would be organic and as close to the original foods? How do i find seeds for these foods? When do i start growing? Can i start seed in the house?…
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HOW TO - ADD A LINK
Several people have experienced difficulty putting working links into comments and blogs etc and I know it is clumsy.... so here is how you do it.....
First type the text you want to appear.... ie IAN'S PAGE
Then go back and highlight the link text.
Then hit the hyperlink button...a pictogram of a chain link.
Your browser may intervene and request permission to allow temporary scripting or some similar message. Allow it and go back and highlight the text again
… ContinueCreated by Ian Jun 7, 2009 at 7:28pm. Last updated by Ian Jun. 8, 2009.
Forum Policy
Hi, I'm starting to put together a few guidlines on using the discussion forum on here.
I would be happy to hear any comments you may have. This is very much a work in progress so plese feel free to ask me to add anything you think is needed.
I don't want to make our community hide bound by rules and regulations but I think that, as the community has grown, some explanation of what is expected is needed.
Administration
You can refer any que
… ContinueCreated by Ian May 23, 2009 at 1:55am. Last updated by Ian May. 25, 2009.
Climate maps
Hi following recent discussion I have put climate maps of the USA, Australia and Europe on here for reference..
… Continue
Created by Ian Sep 12, 2008 at 6:20pm. Last updated by Ian Apr. 14, 2009.
Recipes, Recipes, Recipes
Hi Everyone, I've started to collect together recipes from various posts on the site and put them all together here.
If you have a recipe you want to add on here, just post it on the site and leave a comment on my page telling me where it is and I'll go and fetch it back here.
They are organised in Contributor Order but I'm open to better suggestions!
BEVA'S RECIPES
… ContinueCreated by Ian Jun 2, 2008 at 9:54am. Last updated by Ian Apr. 13, 2009.
US STATES ABBREVIATIONS
US STATE ABBREVIATIONS
AK - Alaska AL - Alabama AR - Arkansas
AZ - Arizona CA - California CO - Colorado
CT - Connecticut DC - Dist of Columbia * DE - Delaware
FL - Florida GA - Georgia GU
Created by Ian Jan 27, 2009 at 4:27pm. Last updated by Ian Jan. 27, 2009.
HOW TO - MAKE COMPOST
Recently there was an excellent discussion about composting. I’ve pulled together all the various comments here. You can also watch KGI's video on composting here.
KATE’S ADVICE
I used to have a tumbler that we made from a wine-barrel but
1 you have to fill it up all at once
2. it seemed mostly
… ContinueCreated by Ian May 30, 2008 at 5:29am. Last updated by Roger Jan. 15, 2009.
Notes Home
Welcome to Notes.
To view notes that are in the system hit the "all notes" button above.
ContinueCreated by Ian May 28, 2008 at 12:10pm. Last updated by Ian May. 30, 2008.
A Note about Notes
I have just written this note so that I can see what we can achieve by using this new feature.
If you read this and have any suggestions then please leave a comment on my page or email me.
Ian
ContinueCreated by Ian May 28, 2008 at 6:19pm. Last updated by Ian May. 28, 2008.
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