Comments on: Anticipating gardening season

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:18:12 +0000

Thank you, Jessica- I hope that your gardening goes well also! And when I learn more about composting, I'll post about it! :)

By: Jessica

Jessica — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 19:05:37 +0000

Good luck with your gardening. I am also going to try gardening this spring. This is my first house and we have a great big yard. I would also like to try composting and it just confuses me right now. We'll see how it goes. I really enjoy your blog. Good luck with everything.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 04:08:14 +0000

Welcome Jolyn, thanks for delurking!

Joann and Michelle, thanks for the great tips!

Awww, Kimi, that is so sad! I would have been upset, too. I gardened when Abbie was 1, and it was a lot of work with a little one. I guess I am back in that place again this summer, with a little one under 1, but at least he has a sister to help keep him busy! I hope that you try again, and actually get to see the fruits of your labor!

By: Michelle

Michelle — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 16:56:26 +0000

I grew heirloom tomato plants last year in my basement with a heating pad to start growth and, florescents for light. I grew peppers, tomatoes, zuchhini, broccoli and a few flowers. In the garden I grew green beans. If you start early you can grow 3-4 crops. One right after another. I got in two. I put up quite a few beans in the freezer we purchased last year. You can also buy local grown, organic sweet corn and freeze it. I put up 30 dz last year and we're still eating it. I have a strawberry patch and, I will put in two new fruit trees this year. Our yard if very small also.
Our compost bin is simple. Its just plastic coated yard fencing bent into a square. We put all yard waste, except sticks, and we put the kitchen waste in their also. Don't put any meat in it though. It will draw rodents and, it doesn't decompose quickly. Just get a pick fork and open one end and turn it every week. It does take one season to decompose though. But, it is nice in the Spring to get that rich soil and put it in the garden.
You can find some heirloom seeds on Seed Exchange and, Heirloom Seed Swappers. Just give it a google.
Good luck and if you have any more questions. I can try to answer them.
Blessings,
Michelle

By: Kimiharris

Kimiharris — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 04:48:58 +0000

I tried to grow a garden last year. It was really sad. All my seedlings were coming up beautifully and then all the wild rabbits ate them all up. I was very very sad (I had a young baby, so it was a big sacrifice for me to go and work in the garden). Anyone know what to do, if I want to try again (which I would like too!)

By: Jolyn

Jolyn — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 03:17:45 +0000

Rather than just lurk I will let you know that I found you through "Rocks in My Dryer" and ended up perusing many of your entries on budget and finances, etc. Your motives seem to be so biblically sound and it is so inspiring to witness how you're making them work for you!

By: JoAnn

JoAnn — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 22:23:54 +0000

You can make your own compost bin for FREE! Use discarded wooden transport pallettes for your bins. Take four pallettes and nail them together to make a box. Place 3-4 of your bins together in a line. As your wastes decompose, transfer them to the next box over, by the time you get to the end box, you'll have rich organic compost! Toss in a handfull of worms and you're good to go!

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 21:08:06 +0000

Hi Carol, thanks for the worm bin tip. I will look into that! Hope your house sells soon!

That's too bad you can't have a garden, Pieces. I will definitely check out Territorial Seeds- thanks!

Tami, I have memories of gardening too, with my grandparents. Having my own garden two years ago, with my little girl running around and "helping" was so special that I'm even more eager to really learn how to do it well!

By: Tami

Tami — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 19:09:45 +0000

I don't have the yard space to have a garden right now. I am hoping when we move in a couple of years to have a yard big enough for one. I have great memories of helping my parents with their garden when I was a child. We also had a strawberry patch and a pear tree.

I am going to check out some of your references for future use.

By: Pieces

Pieces — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:47:03 +0000

Sadly, current home has no place for a vegetable garden. In the past I have loved Territorial Seeds as a source for both seeds and growing advice for the NW. Good luck!