How to behave like a Californian
February 2, 2005
Don’t throw away your avocado seeds! Grow them. That was my advice to KvR. Actually up here in the Polar Circle in the month of February these seeds, proof of my not always eating seasonal and local produce, will probably rot in the darkness before they sprout. They will however serve as a lesson in Californication for dear friend KvR who found my Occitanian stash and wondered ‘what the…’
It’s becoming a bit of joke down there that I don’t like to throw things away. But now that there’s a garden to plant the avos in, I don’t see what’s so funny about saving the seeds for my plantation of the future. And although ALL of the local friends chuckle when I say I want to grow avocados in the kitchen garden, if a banana tree (and a fig and a lemon) can grow, why can’t an avocado? We’re just going to have to take precautions; lots of hay and burlap in the winter once the sproutling is in a solid place.
That of course is YEARS away. 5 years before the avacado tree can go from pot to tub to a stationary place in the ground, and at least 10 before she’ll sprout some delicious avocados. I’ve got nothing but time and the changing weather patterns may eventually be on my side.
Oh, and for anthropolgy’s sake, remember this one?
debra at 12:44 | | post to del.icio.us
Pfft. hippies.
Did I mention that I am your new biggest fan? Your world travels make me feel small. Shrimp Cleaner! So exciting when compared to photos of some dude skinning a boar. Fuckin A!
Comment by Miro — February 4, 2005 @ 20:23
Aw Pishaw. I’m wing-flappingly happy to have a fan. And I’ve only skinned a boar once. I dig your lovely food blog of my home country.
Comment by debra — February 4, 2005 @ 20:44
Beware the plant sproued from the seed of the avocado—it may produce delicious fruit, or it may produce something that looks like a green finger and is too hard but for all but a squirrel to eat. I know, I grew one like that here in Los Altos Hills. It succumbed to the freeze of ‘90.
Comment by dad — February 8, 2005 @ 6:21
Did you know that you can easily grow mango from seed. Inside that fuzzy shell in that delcious fruit’s interior is a large bean-like seed. Pry the fuzzy shell apart and remove the seed. Put the seed in a shallow dish of water or wrap it in moist paper towelling for a couple of days, then place it in a good planter mix. Keep it moist, but not wet. In a few weeks you’ll have an attractive mango plant. Que lastima, they don’t like temperatures below 10° C, so I’ve not been able to bring one to maturity here in Los Altos Hills (they get to be large, handsome trees in Costa Rica). The fruit is quite tasty fresh or can be made into an enticing chutney.
Comment by dad — February 8, 2005 @ 19:59