Q: Dear Dave,This is not a question but a suggestion. I have been playing in the garden with aerobic compost tea, and have had good luck. I’m sure you’ve heard of this. What I do is get an aquarium air pump, tubing, three air stones or more, good compost, cheese clothe or paint strainer bag, 5 or more gallon bucket. …
Why are Some Hot Sauces Bitter?
Q: Hi Dave,I’m Sgt Steve Powell, a Canadian "Army Sargent" up here in Canada, currently working as a facilitator in a Deployment Support Centre. Our boys are over in Afghanistan and it is my job to provide spousal assistance if problems arise on the "home front," whatever their nature may be. I have just recently become a hot sauce devotee …
Hot Hands
Q: Dave,We made salsa last night and put jalapeños in it. We cut up about 24 of them and took the seeds out. After almost 24 hours our hands are still burning. The skin feels like fire. We didn’t even eat any! We love them though. What should we do?–Bryan and Lisa A: Hello Bryan and Lisa:First, don’t touch your …
How to Transport Roasted Chiles
Q: Dear Dave,We are planning on going to Hatch, NM for the Chile Festival in September 2003, Labor Day weekend. We would like to purchase chiles and have them roasted. How long do we have to bring them home to Chandler, AZ and freeze them before they go bad? What is the best way to transport roasted chiles?Thanks, Duane and …
When and How to Pick, Dry, and Start Anew
Q: Hello,I have a bird pepper plant my aunt brought back from Florida. It has grown very well but I don’t know when they need to be picked. They are green and about a half-inch long. Can you tell me what they should look like and what size and color they should be? Also how do you go about drying …