Paid for WDW trip by growing my own food

[magicmomms]

My MIL said keeping notes was very important to her the first few years while she learned what did and didn't work.

Keeping notes is MOST important. If you fail at something- write down what didn't work so you will remember. Then the next year you won't fail TWICE! Even though we think we will remember- we probably won't with our busy lives. Also, by taking notes you will figure out the best planting times for your region. IE- First year I started tomatoes indoors too early and they were stressed too the max from planting them out too large. Next year, too late to get a really good yield before the frost. Now I know the sweet spot is inbetween. Gardening is a lot like that- guess and check.

Also, don't forget to add some flowers into your garden- no matter how small it may be. I didn't do this at first and I wish I had. They add beauty and color which is nice and all, but they attract so many beneficial bugs that you will need as a home gardener.

 

[magicmomms]

We just got chickens this year. We have 22 right now. We have our garden tilled. Just waiting to plant. But were canning all of our food this year.

I need to learn how to grow year round.

Eliot Coleman is the best for year round growing. I thought it would be so hard, but it was not. There is also a REALLY COOL blog about year round gardening- not many updates, but valuable info look up MOTHER HUBBARD. I want to can all my food this year too. I know I will not be able to grow everything to meet my needs. My space is just not larger enough, but around here, some of the farmers markets will sell flats of veggies for a good price. Like a case of cucumbers for $40. That would be all the pickles we need for the year. I will try and do that this year. It's still better for you than the store offerings, although probably not cheaper.

 

[kymom99]

Wow this thread is so inspiring!! I am impressed!
I don't have nearly as much space as it appears some of you have, but I do have a nice sized back yard and am planning a garden for the summer. I am going to grow a lot of tomatoes and my MIL is going to teach me to can. Dh and I have two large container gardens in the back but haven't used them for a few years. They were his project but he just didn't have the time for them any more once he went back to school and was working full time.
So I've decided this year they are my project. I find it all a little overwhelming to be honest but I will start with some of the recommendations in this thread and with the veggies that I know we will eat and go from there. I'm also planning to grow the herbs we use.
My MIL said keeping notes was very important to her the first few years while she learned what did and didn't work.

Start small. Once you get the hang of it, you can expand.

 

[kymom99]

Keeping notes is MOST important. If you fail at something- write down what didn't work so you will remember. Then the next year you won't fail TWICE! Even though we think we will remember- we probably won't with our busy lives. Also, by taking notes you will figure out the best planting times for your region. IE- First year I started tomatoes indoors too early and they were stressed too the max from planting them out too large. Next year, too late to get a really good yield before the frost. Now I know the sweet spot is inbetween. Gardening is a lot like that- guess and check.

Also, don't forget to add some flowers into your garden- no matter how small it may be. I didn't do this at first and I wish I had. They add beauty and color which is nice and all, but they attract so many beneficial bugs that you will need as a home gardener.

My husband marks the calendar when he plants each thing. Then the next year he has a record to refer to.
I have loved giving things we can as gifts, and people love getting them!

 

[Monykalyn]

Notes and diagrams of what was planted in what bed is important. And date planted. I have a folder of all my notes and it is very helpful (although a bit dirty-I drag my diagrams out to the gardens when planting).
I need a gas stove (house has electric which I despise) but waiting to find the bargain on my "dream stove" LOL. So most things will likely get frozen again. Worked well for all the green beans last year(quick blanch, dry completely, freeze) - down to my last bag...