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Pruned tomatoes don't ripen any sooner

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Dear Farmer John:

I got some small potatoes from my first planting. Can I plant them now and would they grow in the spring to be early potatoes next year?

MY, Millersburg

Dear MY:

Not a good idea. They would likely freeze and rot this winter. Small potatoes are good just washed well, leave skins on, put with green beans, sliced onion and some bacon for delicious meals now and through the fall. Store your good potatoes and ones that sprout in the spring can be used to plant early potatoes.

Dear Farmer John:

I have lost 17 pounds and all I did was stop eating sweets and pop, plus I drink a glass of water half an hour before I eat. Also I haven't exercised. Just thought this may help others. Read your column every week.

Sandy in Baltic

Dear Sandy:

A reader last week mentioned the water, but it is such a good idea. I printed your letter anyway. Exercise is not necessary for weight loss, but it is recommended by most doctors/health advisers for better health. As I always say, check with your doctor and let them help you set up an exercise program. You should feel better and more energetic too with a little exercise. I do.

Dear Farmer John:

I prune and stake my tomatoes. I think it also makes them ripen faster, but my friend said that pruned tomatoes do not ripen any faster. Is he right? Thank you.

JR, Cambridge

Dear JR:

First let me say some varieties of tomatoes do not do as well if staked and pruned, and letting them sprawl has advantages. Like they do not dry out as quickly, not as susceptible to cracking and sunscald. That being said, pruned and trained tomatoes take less space, their size is more uniform, and the final yield, if not a variety that does not like pruning, is generally higher. But though thought once to ripen faster if pruned, current tests have shown there is no difference between ripening of pruned and trained and sprawled tomatoes. Hope you didn't make a bet on that.

Dear Farmer John:

This is not a gardening question. I hope it is all right to ask you anyway. I would like to write the story of my life. I don't mean like how I succeeded in business or who I dated, but about my children, things that happened on trips and vacations, my views on controversial issues, but I don't know where to start. You have mentioned you write stories. Is my idea foolish? I am not a great writer. When I finish, what should I do with it? Any advice would be appreciated.

F of Rising Sun

Dear F:

No, it is not a foolish idea. Most children would love to have dad or mom's view of life and it's experiences to read after they are gone. Just sit down and write or type it on a computer. Do a story or experience a day. Keep them in a file according to the year. I have told this story many times, but here goes again.

A reader once wrote me and said the most valuable thing her mother left her was a letter of 12 pages stuck in her Bible about things they had done together, how much her mother loved those times and her. Believe me whether a page or 100 pages, your children, spouse, or other close relatives will find it precious. Do it, but be sure to mention where your writings are in your will or tell your child (children) or spouse. It is a great idea!

Readers write for help or offer help ...

I wrote several weeks ago and you printed the information on Sally Fallon's books. One was misprinted. It should be "Nourishing Traditions." Thanks for your column.

SS, Killbuck

(Thank you for setting the record straight. FJ)

Please ... please ... can someone tell me how to make sauerkraut. We have tried several with no luck.

JT, New Philadelphia

(If you can help, please write me. -- FJ)

Looking for sorghum molasses. Does anyone have any to sell or know where to buy some? Also appreciate what type of fertilizer to use for larger raspberries. Many thanks.

HG, Barnesville

Can you reprint the recipe for Swedish meatballs that you printed some time back. I lost mine. Thank you.

TT of Fostoria

This recipe is from JW of Caldwell who wrote "here is my recipe for Swedish Meatballs which we enjoy frequently. Your articles are a breath of fresh air no matter what the weather."

(Thank you all for your kind words and for writing this week ... God bless. FJ)

Swedish Meatballs

2 pounds ground beef, salt and pepper to taste, 2 eggs, 1 large onion (diced), 1 cup bread crumbs.

Mix together well; make into 1 inch balls; fry until done. Put in a roaster and make gravy out of cream of mushroom soup, 1 can of water and gravy master or coloring. Add can of mushrooms, drained and mix all thoroughly and pour over meatballs. Bake in covered roaster at 325° for 1 1/2 hours. Serve over rice, potatoes, or noodles ... yummy!

Tip: For clean dishes, use less soap and put 1/2 teaspoon baking soda in dishwater. I found this out by accident.

Mrs. Y of Millersburg

Dear Farmer John:

When should I dig my sweet potatoes, before frost nips the plants or after frost? Do they need to be dried for several days before storing? Or can I wash and dry them and store right away? Always read your column filled with so many useful tips.

Mrs. Y of Millersburg

Dear Mrs. Y:

Thanks for your tip and kindness. Dig them before frost or they may get bitter. Not as good after a frost. Dig sweet potatoes and wash if muddy or dirty, but you don't have to if they are clean. Then spread out in a cool dry area like a bedroom. Sometimes we even put under the bed if airy. Single layer on a newspaper, do not pile them up. Let dry for two weeks; then box up and put in cool dry area. We still have some from last fall, but some are sprouting. These we will put in sand (not in water) and use for plants next year. Of course, we always take some from storage and put end in water to get enough plants every spring.

Have a great week; enjoy those friends; surprise your spouse with an evening or day out; love those kids and never be too busy to listen to them; and most of all appreciate who you are -- you are a unique special person who is wonderful ... never forget that ... it is really hard to be happy if you don't like yourself the way you are.

If you have a question, tip, good recipe to share or just want to write me a note ... send to Farmer John, P.O. Box 234, Groveport, Ohio 43125.