Hornworms...Amazing and Terrible!

While spending time in my tomato patch, I noticed green tomatoes that had been eaten. Then I saw that the tips of the yellow pear cherry tomatoes were missing. Then I saw the droppings. I knew then that Tomato Hornworms were busy doing their thing. The next step was to find them, the masters of camouflage. I had to sit and adjust my eyes so I could begin to see. With a little patience, I began to see them move and chew. I managed to capture and relocate, across the road to a field, 5 hornworms. They did not seem pleased. However, even if they do not find something else to eat of their liking, they can be a part of the food chain, by becoming lunch for some very lucky birds.

I have picked lots of zucchini, peas bursting out of their pods, and green beans. I am waiting for my cranberry beans to mature, and I have begun to harvest a few pink ping pong cherry tomatoes. Patience though, for I know when the tomatoes start ripening, there will be a flood of juicy, organic tomatoes for bottling and bruschetta. I cannot eat enough fresh brushcetta!

Storing food is often a bit of a dilemma. I do not have a deep freezer. I have only been bottling food. Salsas, tomato sauces and rhubarb jam have mostly been my favourite foods. However, this year I am going to pickle some beets and a green bean salad. Results will be forthcoming.

Storing food is part of my preparedness plan. I understand that our food supply chain is on the edge of a knife. If the cost of oil continues its march toward $100 a barrel, costs are passed on the consumer, and if they go too high, it can affect those of us who live on a modest income. If oil goes to $150-200 a barrel, food importation will likely experience difficulties, thus reducing supply, driving prices up due to continued demand. So, I may need to feed myself, my family, and maybe some neighbours if this happens. So bottling food is part of my insurance against starvation. I know this sounds a bit neurotic, but our 'just in time' delivery systems do not provide urbanites with a good back-up supply. I've read that the typical household has only 7-10 days of food, and our officials state that the government only has a 3 day supply for the entire population. Grain supplies have fallen too. And up until now, knowing that we can rely on our stores as having everything we want and need at our fingertips, has been the norm. But, things can shift on a dime. And I want to try to be moderately prepared for any hardship. I recommend reading Sharon Astyk's book 'Depletion and Abundance'.

Therefore, my seed saving activities are in full swing. My kitchen table is covered with dishes with seeds of all kinds, drying, waiting to be catalogued and stored in the basement for the spring. Wish me luck.