Is anyone planting a garden this year?

[des1954]

The past 3 weekends at THD, I've sold an abundance of seeds and starter plants. My ASM said that our garden center has sold over $70k each weekend for the past 3 weeks.

I know lots of people who are putting in tomatoes, green beans, cukes, squash, strawberries, and onions. Some are trying their hand at lettuce and potatoes (I've never heard of growing taters in Florida - but who knows?).

Are you going to garden this year to save some $$ & have fun while doing it?

 

[2goofycampers]

Yes, we plant a garden every year at or around April 1st depending on the weather. Frank has already tilled it, [we have real dirt].

 

[ftwildernessguy]

I plant one every year. This year I plan on doubling the size. Still too wet here to work the soil, and definitely too cold to plant, although I should get my onions in when it dries out a little.

 

[VACAMPER]

I LOVE my garden, couldn't live without it. I can all of my veggies and spaghetti sauce, pickles and what not. I can stand store bought.

 

[2goofycampers]

I LOVE my garden, couldn't live without it. I can all of my veggies and spaghetti sauce, pickles and what not. I can stand store bought.

Got a good pickle recipe to share ?

 

[ftwildernessguy]

My mom used to make pickles in a big crock in the basement. She would weigh the pickles down with a plate and a rock to keep them covered with the brine and away from the scum that would form on the top. Man, those was some good pickles.

 

[VACAMPER]

pack dill in btm of jar, fill jar half full of cucumbers, add more dill, finish packing jar and add dill to the top.

mix together 10 cups of water, 1 and 1/2 cups vinegar, 1/2 cup CANNING salt....boil for 3 mins. and pour over cucmbers.

put on lids and rings and boil in a water bath for 5 mins. absolutely no longer or they'll be soft instead of crisp.

I like to use smaller pickles, just my preference.

 

[We4mickey]

Haven't really had a big garden for a few years. Just a few tomatoes and peppers, however this year with DH unemployed we will be. I told him he better be ready to weed, cuz it might be the only food he gets.

 

[ntsammy5]

When we used to plant a garden I always figured the effective cost of one tomato was $18.

 

[LuckyinGa]

This year we are going to try gardening upside down! I broke down and bought three Topsy Turveys. We'll see how that works. I'll be sure to share some pics.

 

[des1954]

This year we are going to try gardening upside down! I broke down and bought three Topsy Turveys. We'll see how that works. I'll be sure to share some pics.

Please let us know how the "Topsy Turvy" works. We've been selling them like crazy at THD.

I have to remove some bushes on the southeast side of my house that got nailed by the bad freeze we had in January, so I'm thinking about putting in some tomatoes & lettuce in that spot. I already have an herb garden in a container on my porch, and have gotten used to the wonderful flavor of fresh herbs. I've even chopped up some herbs and placed them in the freezer for future use. They do just fine, and somehow, freezing them intensifies the flavor.

I haven't gardened in roughly 25+ years, so let's see if I remember how.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

When we used to plant a garden I always figured the effective cost of one tomato was $18.

But I'd bet it tasted like a $19. tomato.

 

[djblu883]

ve planted herbs in a large pot and flowers and shrubs...so only edibles are the herbs...waiting 2 more weeks for the maters and beans...

 

[des1954]

But I'd bet it tasted like a $19. tomato.

To get a good, northern beefsteak tomato in Florida, you DO pay about $19/mater. (or at least $3.99/lb at Whole Foods)

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

We tried a Topsy Turvey thing one year. The plant grew but if you got too much rain it collected in the top of the planter and drowned the roots. And the plant became so big that it eventually started coming out of the thing. We weren't fans but hopefully you will have better luck.

We try to do tomatoes and string beans. Never could get a decent cucumber. But my father can grow enough of everything to share with all of his neighbors. He grows some HUGE zucchini. Too bad he's 1800 miles away and shipping them seems rather ridiculous.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Haven't really had a big garden for a few years. Just a few tomatoes and peppers, however this year with DH unemployed we will be. I told him he better be ready to weed, cuz it might be the only food he gets.

I've eaten weeds before - they're pretty good.

 

[geegollywiz]

Planted potatoes this past weekend. After it warms up a little bit more planting cabbage, tomatoes, corn, pumpkins, and watermelons.

 

[bama_ed]

I don't do a garden anymore but last year my DD10 and I planted some "super" tomatoes. One of the local garden shops sells a system of fertilizer, calcium, peat moss, and secret ingrediants to grow lots (and I mean LOTS) of tomatoes in a single tub of three plants. One trick is to water them often (twice a day soaking/standing water in the tub during peak summer) but it worked and we had hundreds of tomatoes off those three plants (I stopped counting at 200).

Probably going to do it again this time replacing one tomato plant for a cherry tomato plant. Most likely will go get the goods next weekend and get it started very soon.

Bama ED

 

[Pirate-Jeff]

Does my Aero-Garden count ? It has tomato's growing in it.

From My house it's only 1 1/2 miles to the Penn/Dutch farmers market and my garden/ their produce table.