The Harvest.

I love this time of year. September really is such a great month to live where we do, as there are so many festivals and celebrations. But not only that, it's time to start picking figs from one of the two community trees in our little village. 

I love that we have community fig trees. There's nothing better for me than taking Oswin out for a run in the BOB, and then walking to the trees and picking a handful of figs for not only my post run snack, but also to mix into Oswin's dinner. Picking the fruit and vegetables that you're about to prepare in your next meal direct from the source is where it's at. 

As for our garden, we're harvesting kale and rainbow chard every night, and adding them to stews, soups and smoothies. Kale is not easily found here in France, nor do the French really seem to get into it. Choux friseé non-pomme, as it's known in French, has done very well in our garden, and we're now reaping the benefits. 

We've just about finished the four-day period of introducing rainbow chard to Oswin, and kale will be next up on her menu. I love being able to make her meals with either food that we've grown ourselves, or picked from local trees. 

Now that summer has wound down, we're preparing our fall garden. So far we've planted carrot and kale seeds, with a few rows left for us to fill. We're planning on putting in parsley, cilantro and one or two more vegetables. What are you favorite fall vegetables to plant? We'd love some suggestions of how to round out our fall garden! 

A la prochaine friends...

Honey 

Evening walk.

 

It's been a couple of weeks since Doc and I have been able to go for an evening walk, thanks to my increased fatigue levels and his busy work schedule. By the time he gets home from work it's either getting dark, or I'm half asleep watching "Family Guy."

 

 

I've been mentioning how much I've missed our evening walks lately, and Doc was determined to get me out for one last night. And he knew just how to do it.

 

"Wanna go see if the figs down the street are ripe yet?"

 

 

Done and done.

 

{36 weeks and 5 days}

 



 

We're fortunate that there are two public fig trees in our village, and they're not far from our house.

 

 

And luckily I had my number #1 fig picker with me.

 

 

We've had some weird weather this summer, so the figs (and other local fruits for that matter), are coming in a few weeks late, but it doesn't make me any less happy.

 

{Where's Waldo Doc?}

 

{The fig and the bump}

 

 {Half of our evening's harvest}

 

 

I may not be doing the same 5 miles walks I was a few weeks ago, but evening fall walks to pick up some dessert are just as fruitful (ha!) in my book.

 

A la prochaine friends...

 

Honey



A New Twist: Fig Tree Propagation Update Dix (and final)

Here we are, after 10 weeks, at the conclusion of our figs in water experiment. Here you will find the final update on all five original fig cuttings, regardless of whether they have departed to fig cutting heaven, or are happily living in a pot of soil.

 



Le sigh, Cutting #1, in the left living room window. I think it's safe that we can officially declare you dead. 



Some cuttings just don't root my friends.

 





Ok, so I know that last week I said that I was going to pot rock star Cutting #2. I changed my mind. I've since had a better idea. Why not spin off of this experiment, shall we? I've already got 2 cuttings that have been transplanted from water into soil, so why not try something different with this third one. Awhile back while perusing Pinterest, I came across this picture:

 

{Pic via here.}

 

Looks pretty amazeballs, doesn't it? I'm not entirely sure how the person has set this up so that the tree not only survives, but looks incredibly awesome, but I'd like to try my hand at it. (That or maybe they just set it up for the photo shoot? The sense of wonder in me hopes this is not the case...) This weekend we have to pick up some things for Homekid at IKEA, so I'm going to pick up one of these vases, albeit smaller in size since the cutting isn't nearly as big as the one in the picture, and give this DIY a go. I'm pretty sure that is a little bit of soil and rocks at the bottom, with a layer of water on top, but to me it seems like if that were the set up that it would just rot. We'll see I guess. I'm not going to update every week on this new project, but will do so as it becomes appropriate. So keep an eye out (and your fingers crossed).





As for the roots, it looks like the slightly warmer weather we've had the last few days may have helped increase the root growth a bit from last week...

 



...but I don't notice any difference in the leaves, good or bad. I can't wait to see what happens with this little guy in my new project!

 

And, as promised, Cuttings #3 and #4, potted in soil several weeks ago.

 



Cutting #3 is looking the strongest of the two, which is consistent with how it looked while in water. He loves his little spot on the windowsill, (still in the right living room window), as well as the espresso grounds that I've been feeding him.

 



I think it's also safe to say that this new branch coming out of the side of the main branch has doubled in size since potting him in soil.

 

 

Cutting #4 - He may not look as big and strong as Cutting #3, but this guy is nothing to shake a stick at either.

 

 

I love this picture. Looks like such a happy little fig. I've kept the two of them together in that same right window that they were in as little cuttings in water, and also have given this guy a healthy serving of espresso grounds. Also, if you're wondering how much I'm watering them now that they are in pots, it's been about once a week. As it gets colder I will start watering them less, probably somewhere between every 10-14 days. I give them just enough water to moisten the entire top layer of soil, without over saturating them. I'm also going to start misting them with warm soapy water every week or so, just to help keep away any indoor bugs that might decide to make them their winter home.

 

 

And last but certainly not least, Mr. Consistency. Still no changes from the cutting in our bedroom window. For WEEKS now.

 

 

Something has to happen at some point, right? I mean, either it has to fully root or those leaves are going to have to die off like Cutting #1? Even though this experiment is ending I'm not going to give up on this little guy, but I'm also not going to update weekly on him. I will however, let you all know what happens with him, whenever that is (I have a feeling that will be once our room goes from being the hottest and most humid in the house to the coldest and dampest). Until then I'll let him keep on, keeping on, or whatever it is that he is currently doing.

 

Final Rooting Tally:

 

2 Rooted

1 Died

1 Undecided

 

Conclusions:

 

1. I'm happy I did this experiment, though I think that for future cuttings, 9 out of 10 times I'll use my old method of propagating straight into soil. I've never had a cutting not root in soil, where with this method my current outcome rating is not 100%. I am happy however to have an alternative way to root cuttings, and it's fun to switch it up sometimes.

 

2. From what I've seen with this experiment, and with a few other cuttings that I was trying in water not associated with this experiment, it is more difficult to acclimate a newly rooted cutting from water to being an outdoors tree, than it is when the cutting is in soil and outside to begin with. (In the warmer weather I typically put the cuttings directly outside, though against the house to protect it from the elements.) To go from being in the somewhat constant temperature and conditions of the house, to outside with drastic changes in temperature, rain and wind was too much for some. Of those, one died, and one is struggling along. A lot of attention needs to be paid to the new cuttings once you put them outside, as too strong of rain can kill the new little baby leaves that are starting. They also shouldn't be allowed to dry out too much in the beginning weeks. I think that the propagating fig cuttings in water method is fine if you're trying to make a strictly indoor fig tree however.

 

Phew. What a ten weeks! Thanks for sticking with me!

 

Confused with what I was trying to accomplish here? Want to review past week updates? Here's some links for you then!

 

What I'm trying to do here.

Week 1 update.

Week 2 update.

Week 3 update.

Week 4 update.

Week 5 update.

Week 6 update.

Week 7 update.

Week 8 update.

Week 9 update.

 

A la prochaine friends...

 

Honey



Fig Leaf Tea.

 

Happy Friday tout le monde! Here in SwitzerFrance the sun is out, the terrace doors are open, the birds are going a little crazy (like Hitchcock crazy, I'm getting a little nervous), and I've finally gotten around to trying out something I've been meaning to do for weeks now: brew up some fig leaf tea!

 

 

I love that my favorite tree in all the land can provide so many uses from it's little 'ole self - delicious fruits to be eaten raw/grilled/dried/cooked, branches that can form entirely new lovely little trees, and leaves that when minced up and submerged in boiling hot water can provide a little bit of variety (and added health benefits) from the customary cup of tea.

 

 

What's it taste like? I had expected it to have a vanilla taste, as anyone who has ever smelled fig trees on the breeze can probably relate to, but it definitely wasn't the dominating flavor. Overall it had a nutty taste with a hint of vanilla (more in the smell than the taste I'd say), and was even better with a little local honey mixed in.

 

{Cue wet blanket PSA} Want more info on how ingesting fig leaves can affect your health? Here's a great link on WebMD that talks about possible side affects or interactions that could occur if you have certain ailments or conditions. As always, if you have diabetes or some other pre-existing condition, it's always best to talk to your doctor before trying something new like this out. I'm not doctor, merely a fig tree enthusiast. So better to be safe than sorry. :) {End wet blanket PSA}

 

Fig Leaf Tea

 

Ingredients:

 

1 medium sized or 1/2 of a large fig leaf

Honey, sugar or agave nectar (optional and to taste) 

Boiling water to fill the tea pot of your choice 

 

Directions:

 

1. Pick a leaf off your own, a friend's or a public fig tree. (Note: I picked a large leaf and only half fit in the tea ball - looks like I have some leftover for tomorrow.)

 

2. Boil up the amount of water that it takes to fill your tea pot of choice.

 

3. On a cutting board, mince up the fig leaf. To do this I rolled the leaf up into a small tube shape, sliced in one direction, and then sliced in a diagonal direction. I didn't take the time to mince it up small, but feel free to do so if you'd like.

 

4. Fill up a tea ball with minced up fig leaf.

 

5. Put tea ball in tea pot. Fill tea pot once the water boils. Allow to steep for 15 minutes before serving. Add honey or other sweetener if you wish.  

 

 

Easy right?

 

So go on out there and cut off a leaf, start that kettle, and relax with this soothing cuppa. Keep in mind it may be more of an acquired taste, but weekends are for being a little crazy, right?

 

 

(And nothing screams wild and crazy like a pregnant chick in a sweatpants and chipped nail polish.)

 

A la prochaine friends...

 

Honey



A New Twist: Fig Tree Propagation Update Neuf

 

Well here we are, in our next to last update on my propagating figs in water experiment. Next week I'll do a final update including all five cuttings, even the ones that have been potted in soil.

 

 

On Cutting #1, I still feel like these root nubs look alive, though a glance at the picture below tells a different story.

 

 

I will say though that the wood on the top of the cutting looks very different than the wood at the bottom where the root nubs are. The wood at the top is hard and dried out, and the wood at the root nubs is still flexible. Though my gut tells me it may too be too late for this little guy.

 

 

My rockstar of a cutting (#2) still looks really good, despite the fact that growth has dramatically slowed. His leaves still look healthy and green, with no curling or yellowing. I plan on potting this cutting before the Week 10 final update of this experiment.

 

 

I'm also going to continue to hypothesize that slowed growth in the leaves and roots means that it is indeed time to be potted in soil. I think that potting it this week will be perfect timing for this particular cutting.

 

 

Cutting #5 in our bedroom window still looks identical (to me at least) from last week...

 

 

...both in terms of root nub growth and the leaves. I just compared the above picture to last week's, and they look pretty much identical (I swear I took 2 separate pictures). I'm intrigued by what will happen to this cutting, as I feel like it's been weeks upon weeks since there were any significant changes, so I will continue to monitor it after the experiment has concluded next week. I won't continue to do a weekly update, but once this cutting decides whether it's going to fully root or die off, I'll be sure to let you all know.

 

Where are Cuttings #3 and #4 you ask? Here's the link to the post where I announced that they had been potted in soil, as they were definitely ready to move out of their jars of water. They both continue to look great in their pots, and I'm excited to share their progress with you all next week.

 

Check back here on Monday for my Week 10 (and final official) update!

 

Confused with what's going on here? Want to review past week updates? Here's some links for you then!

 

What I'm trying to do here.

Week 1 update.

Week 2 update.

Week 3 update.

Week 4 update.

Week 5 update.

Week 6 update.

Week 7 update.

Week 8 update.

 

A la prochaine friends...

 

Honey