2021 Garden Thread

[jdmidwest]

Still too early for warm crops.

[oneshot]

4 hours ago, Dutch said:

My weather app calls for the possibility of snow one day next week.  I’m leaving my tomatoes at the nursery for a few more weeks.

Well do what I can. Wife says we don’t need a Garden or Critters or Wood Heat 😟

oneshot

[fishinwrench]

For the last 6-7 years we have spent more money on growing veggies than we would spend just buying them, so this year the only thing we are "gardening" is the strawberry's that appear to.have lived through the winter.   

I only see gardening as a worthwhile endeavor if it is lucrative and pays for itself.  Paying 2-300 bucks per year, and going through all that hassle for a few bowls/jars of vegetables just doesn't seem very smart. I ain't doing it anymore.   

I'd rather help someone that's better at it than I am make a living.

[Dutch]

9 hours ago, oneshot said:

Well do what I can. Wife says we don’t need a Garden or Critters or Wood Heat 😟

oneshot

Your wife sounds like a smart woman.  I have cut back from around 6000 sq ft of garden down to 3/4 of a row of asparagus, 8 tomato plants and a raised bed of strawberries.

[jdmidwest]

8 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

For the last 6-7 years we have spent more money on growing veggies than we would spend just buying them, so this year the only thing we are "gardening" is the strawberry's that appear to.have lived through the winter.   

I only see gardening as a worthwhile endeavor if it is lucrative and pays for itself.  Paying 2-300 bucks per year, and going through all that hassle for a few bowls/jars of vegetables just doesn't seem very smart. I ain't doing it anymore.   

I'd rather help someone that's better at it than I am make a living.

Once raised beds are set up or a garden spot is made, $100 should be a max expense.  I will probably spend $20 in seed and $30 in plants this year.  Will have fresh salads, tomatoes, green beans, cucumbers, peppers, and squash all season. Last fresh green salad mix I bought was $4 a bag and a head of lettuce $2.  Do that once a week, cost savings adds up.

[fishinwrench]

2 hours ago, jdmidwest said:

Will have fresh salads, tomatoes, green beans, cucumbers, peppers, and squash all season.

Does "all season" mean.....from late June until mid-October ?       

How do you keep lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and squash fresh for more than a week?   

[ness]

We do it for the quality and variety of the veggies and herbs, and the enjoyment and satisfaction of growing them and giving some away. Nothing beats that first BLT of the season, and it's just flat better with a homegrown tomato. And you won't find the varieties we like at a farmer's market. 

Just finished the new raised beds and got them filled this week. Tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, box choy, herbs, etc. are hardened off and ready to go, but we've got a cold spell coming so I'll wait and see on the heat-loving stuff. 

[BilletHead]

       I'm a few days late for getting lettuce and bok choy out. Will get it out in next few days after the 31 degree night being called for. That bed is tilled and ready to go. Tomatoes and peppers doing good under LED grow light. They can wait until nighttime temps are warmer. Nothing like growing your own.  I am in control of every part of my food that way. Never know what has been sprayed, or pickers have pooped or pissed on. Homegrown tastes so much better. Picked and eaten same day. Not picked before ready, trucked to packaging plant then trucked to store then everyone fingers it then you buy it and eat it.  

[ness]

25 minutes ago, BilletHead said:

       I'm a few days late for getting lettuce and bok choy out. Will get it out in next few days after the 31 degree night being called for. That bed is tilled and ready to go. Tomatoes and peppers doing good under LED grow light. They can wait until nighttime temps are warmer. Nothing like growing your own.  I am in control of every part of my food that way. Never know what has been sprayed, or pickers have pooped or pissed on. Homegrown tastes so much better. Picked and eaten same day. Not picked before ready, trucked to packaging plant then trucked to store then everyone fingers it then you buy it and eat it.  

We just got back from the store where I watched a lady picking through a bag of grapes. And I'm thinking I'll just pass on the grapes  

[fishinwrench]

27 minutes ago, ness said:

We just got back from the store where I watched a lady picking through a bag of grapes. And I'm thinking I'll just pass on the grapes  

You think that lady was nastier than any bird, possum, fly or bug ?    Oh I'm sure that because it was a critter from YOUR YARD then it was a very CLEAN critter.  🙄

 

 

54 minutes ago, BilletHead said:

Never know what has been sprayed, or pickers have pooped or pissed on. Homegrown tastes so much better. 

That's all in your head.   

Anything sprayed on produce costs money, and people growing things for profit don't just spray chemicals needlessly....it would cut into their profit.    Plus it is approved by the FDA just like your Covid vaccine that you were so anxious to get injected into your body.   

You're nuttier than a squirrel turd, Ol'man.  😅 

 

Wash the veggies off before you put them in your mouth!   Didn't your mama teach you that? 😊