Cheshire County

HEATING WITH WOOD

Does the sharp climb in heating oil prices have you dusting off that old wood stove in the corner or researching the latest wood stove technology?

If so, then you will also want to spend some time contemplating where you are going to get your firewood. As a rule of thumb, a cord of dry hardwood fuel yields about the same usable heat as 200 gallons of heating oil, a ton of hard coal, or about 4000 kilowatts of electricity. By comparing the cost of other fuels with cordwood, you can figure out the savings you’ll realize by burning wood to heat your home.

Fuelwood needs time to dry. Don’t expect to go out in the backyard when the weather turns cold to cut down a few trees to saw up and throw into the new stove. It takes time to cure and dry firewood. Burning green firewood is very inefficient, and it can be unsafe. The moisture content of green wood averages 60% to 80% by weight, depending on when it was cut.

Evaporating all the water stored in green wood in your stove will use as much as 15% of the potential heat in your firewood, so you are better off letting nature do it for you by air-drying your wood before you burn it. Burning green wood also promotes a buildup of creosote in the chimney, increasing the risk of a dangerous chimney fire.

It will take about six months to air-dry a cord of cut and split wood to 30% moisture content and a year or more to reach 20% moisture content. If you haven’t started cutting and splitting your wood pile, you won’t catch up before cold weather arrives this fall. That means you’ll probably need to buy dry cordwood this year and plan on using any wood you cut now during the 2009-2010 heating season.

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PLANNING ON CANNING (Freezing, Drying, etc.)?

We've noticed more lawns and backyards sprouting tomatoes, beans and zucchini this year.

Even small gardens can produce an overabundance of vegetables at the peak of their harvest season. Preserving the overflow can help you store high-quality food for later use.

Canning, freezing, drying, and common storage are the four main methods of preserving homegrown food. The method(s) you choose will depend on whether you can find safe preservation guidelines for the foods you want to preserve, whether you have the equipment and space needed to process and store your garden crops, how much it will cost, and whether you and your family like the preserved products.

If you have questions about preserving food safely, call our toll-free Into Line (1-877-398-4769), or check the National Center for Home Food Preservation.

Farmers’ Markets

Fitzwilliam Farmers' Market-Saturdays, 9am-1pm.May 17-October 11.

Next to the Town Hall. Website: www.harvesttomarket.com. Products: Vegetables, plants, fruits, eggs, bread, wool and wool products, flowers, maple products.

Hancock Farmers' Market-Saturdays, May-October, 9am-noon. Rain or shine.
Behind church in horse sheds. Products: Organic vegetables, breads, jams, honey, maple syrup, berries, peace toys, rustic art, perennials, wreaths, fibers, fiber arts and bedding plants.

Jaffrey Farmers' Market-Saturdays, July-September, 9am-noon. Rain or shine.
Route 202, Monadnock Plaza. Products: Produce, perennials, baked goods, jellies, jams, honey.

The Farmers' Market of Keene-Tuesdays & Saturdays, May-October, 9am-2pm.
Rain or shine. Commercial parking lot off Gilbo Avenue. Products: Fruits, vegetables, herbs, plants, flowers, maple syrup, honey, baked goods, bread, jams, jellies, eggs, soap and wool products, lamb, pork and juried crafts.

Peterborough Farmers' Market-Wednesdays, May 21-October 29, 3-6pm. Rain or shine. Depot Square. Products: Starter plants, cut flowers, bouquets, perennials, vegetables, eggs, raw milk, chicken, goat meat, maple syrup and products, prepared Greek foods, vinegars, baked goods, bread, crafts, knitted sweaters, yarn/fleece, fresh roasted coffee, roasted nuts and ice cream.

HOME AND GARDEN DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES

Soil Testing - Lab will analyze your soil sample and return recommendations for amending your soil to promote optimum plant growth. Compost testing, too!

Insect Identification - Get those unknown insects, spiders and mites identified. Submit samples by mail or in person.

Plant Diagnostic Laboratory (Plant Diseases) - Extension Plant Health specialist will diagnose plant diseases, stress-related disorders and pests for both commercial and home gardeners. Walk in or submit samples through the mail.