gardening /09 - Page 3

Virginia · #21 (**permalink**) 03-11-2009, 10:40 AM

Cherlynn:

We are small farm people and grow nearly all of the foods that we use. We have lived out of our garden for many years and I have not been to the grocery store in over a year. So, last year I spent nothing. Now, the last time I went I spent $178.68 (one time that year) stocking up on salt and some herb/spices, rice, oats and other odds and ends--stuff we do not grow ourselves, yet. My goal is to grow some rice and oats as well, but would need to be hulless as we do not have a machine to remove the hulls with. (Would love to find one of those machines but have looked and can not seem to find one--would only want a small one not a big commercial monster.)
As to the amount of savings, from what I hear of the prices of veggies and fruits in the store it would seem to be an astronomical amount, but everyone would be different.
Some people say we are crazy others say we have always been strange but it is our way of life, and we a relatively happy. Thanks; Virginia

Virginia · #22 (**permalink**) 03-18-2009, 09:57 AM

We were surprised yesterday with the delivery of two boxes--gifts from my sister-in-law. One box was a Gourmet Portabella Mushroom Growing Kit and the other was a Button Mushroom Growing Kit. I followed the directions in the boxes and now have mushrooms seeded hopefully to harvest later this year. How neet is that?!! I love mushrooms but we generally only have them if we wild harvest.

My sweet potato plant had to be transplanted to a bigger container, but is still healthy and strong. Four of my five Jumbo Pink Banana Squashes are thriving, but sadly the fifth one died.

Worked outside most of yesterday, trying to cleanup the yard/garden. The wind and ice storms have downed a lot of our trees, must get them up and out before we can garden. Still have lots to do, but we made a start.

I think we have all the seed for this years garden--we save most of our own seeds. We try to have 5 to 7 years worth of seeds stored in case a crop fails. We do add to our list of growing things each year--this year we will be growing Cranberries. We ordered a plant for that.

Thanks; Virginia

lcove2000 · #23 (**permalink**) 03-19-2009, 02:03 AM

I would like to trade too. Went to Dave's list but haven't gotten any good responders yet.

cyndisctrr · #24 (**permalink**) 03-19-2009, 07:35 PM

my budget for my garden is under $50.00!!! most seeds i buy at rite aid, were $.10 a package. noticed this year are $.20 a package. still a big savings! i try to start my own tomatoes, broccoli, and other long season plants. but the last few years i've gotten plants at k-mart, walmart, etc. it's now march and i still have green beans and hubbard squash from last years garden! my garden is roughly 10 ft X 20 ft. and my summer therapy!

Virginia · #25 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009, 10:15 AM

Got part of the garden area tilled and planted 200 feet of Onions yesterday. It is official GARDEN 2009!!! I hope everyone has a great growing season and a harvest that will keep them fed all year. I LOVE to garden and see the plants growing. Thanks; Virginia

arleneb · #26 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009, 05:12 PM

I bought one of those gizmos to grow tomatoes upsidedown, can't wait to try it, I hope it works!!!

brchbell · #27 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009, 05:13 PM

I got all my peas and spring carrots planted. I'll put out my broccoli plants later this week. Got my tomato and pepper plants started that will go out in mid May. I'll start my salad bed next week. We're so excited to get things growing again! Working hard to finish up our last 15 garden beds. We'll be gone for a week and a half in late April so hoping things will be at a stage the boys can handle while we are in Florida on Business. We'll stop through in Arkansas on the way home and pick up our last load of rice hulls to finish the rest of our soil mix for these last beds. I'll plant most of my carrots and broccoli in the fall garden so just got 2 (4'X16') beds of carrots and one bed of broccoli (64 plants) for now.

Virginia · #28 (**permalink**) 03-23-2009, 10:41 AM

I found some Hulless Oat seed and ordered it, we received it the other day and yesterday we tilled up a small area and planted it. We have grown regular Oats in the farm field before, but not Hulless so this is new. (I only got a small amount so we could test them this year and see what they will do.)
Also, got some Fava Beans Planted. With cleaning more of the downed limbs and working on the yard buggy (garden tractor used to pull a wagon), that was all we got done in the garden yesterday.

The wind is 30 mph here right now and it doesn't look like we will be able to do much outside today. Oh well, we will take it slow (one day at a time) and it will eventually all get done. (Hopefully!) Thanks; Virginia

brchbell · #29 (**permalink**) 03-23-2009, 10:53 AM

Let us know how your oats do and whether you think the hulless ones or the regular ones work best! I've never planted oats, will have to try it someday.

thanks!
Cherlynn

JoAnn · #30 (**permalink**) 03-23-2009, 01:31 PM

Cherlynn,
I was thinking about planting broccoli--you said

Quote:

I'll put out my broccoli plants later this week.

Can you give some tips on the storage that you use. I didn't realize that broccoli could go out this early.
I've also had no luck in growing carrots ummm.
By no means do I garden on such a large scale. But certainly I could use some tips from everyone here.. I have a larger back yard and certainly could use some of the space there..
Thanks everyone in advance....