How to grow coffee at home
A 40-year-old coffee plant growing in reader Barbara Timmerman's Port Jefferson Station home. Credit: Handout
Lay cherries out to dry in a single layer and toss daily to ensure even air exposure to all sides. This is usually done outdoors in the sun but can be done at home with diligence to ensure the undersides don't spoil. After a week or two, the cherries' outer membranes will become leathery and should be removed by hand, revealing the beans within. Discard any that look defective.
Next, beans need to be roasted. Commercial roasting drums are heated to 550 degrees, and they spin to avoid scorching the beans. That isn't possible in a home oven, so constantly stirring while dry-roasting in a wok or fry pan on the stovetop is the next best thing. Remove from heat when beans turn brown. Allow to cool, grind and brew. Enjoy!
The best time to prune your blue atlas cedar is in late winter, before new growth begins for the season. You can't make another tree by soaking a branch in water, unfortunately; they can be propagated only by seed.
Avoid overwatering and ensure the pot allows for proper drainage because gnats thrive in excessive moisture. Allowing the soil to dry out will indeed kill off many of the larvae, but be careful to avoid killing the plant. And cover the soil with fresh potato slices instead of sand; they will trap the larvae. Good luck!
The Long Island Master Gardeners
Meets: 9:30 a.m., every third Wednesday of the month
Location: Town of Brookhaven Ecology Site, 249 Buckley Rd., Holtsville
Dues: $20 annually
Contact: 631-724-6829, limastergardener.com
Most members are master gardeners, but membership is open to all who enjoy gardening. Meetings include lectures, demonstrations and seed and plant exchanges. Members make floral arrangements for local nursing homes and donate vegetables to local food banks.
