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Goals for next year?
What are your gardening goals for next year? Mine go like this. (We're in one of the colder areas of zone 5, in northern PA, in the mountains.) Goals: 1. To produce all the veggies and salad stuff we eat year round (by extending the season with a hoophouse and row covers, and by freezing, drying, or canning) - EXCEPT winter squash, sweet corn, and maybe potatoes and onions and carrots. I haven't space enough to grow winter squash or sweet corn, and I can buy potatoes, onions, and carrots reasonably year round. I'll grow *some* potatoes, onions, and carrots but won't be able to grow a whole year's supply. 2. To grow some of our fruit. We planted blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, rhubarb and gooseberries this year. We'll probably plant more blueberries next year, and maybe a fruit tree or two. And a kiwi vine or two, *if* I can get a friend to build a strong trellis for them (he builds beautiful trellises/arbors). I'd like to put strawberries in next year too. 3. I have a goal of eating something fresh from the garden every single day of the year. By dint of using the big bay window ledge to grow mini-tomatoes (etc.) indoors in winter - as well as by season-extension with a hoophouse - I can accomplish this without too much difficulty. 4. In addition, I have a goal of producing $500 profit from the garden next year, $1000 the year after next, and $1500/year thereafter. We haven't enough room for to do this by selling fresh veggies (low profit margin), but I *might* be able to do it by selling miniature vegetable plants, herb plants, started vegetable plants, and started perennial flower plants. I will certainly try. We're living on a minute, fixed income (health problems) so meeting these goals would make a very, very substantial contribution to our welfare and standard-of-living. Even meeting the first two goals will help a lot. The same health problems that keep us from working, however, often make it difficult for us to meet gardening goals. But I think we can do it. What are *your* next year's gardening goals? Pat -- To email me, remove the trap and type my first name in its place. CLICK DAILY TO FEED THE HUNGRY United States: http://www.stopthehunger.com/ International: http://www.thehungersite.com/ |
Goals for next year?
wrote in message ... What are your gardening goals for next year? Mine go like this. (We're in one of the colder areas of zone 5, in northern PA, in the mountains.) Goals: 1. To produce all the veggies and salad stuff we eat year round (by extending the season with a hoophouse and row covers, and by freezing, drying, or canning) - EXCEPT winter squash, sweet corn, and maybe potatoes and onions and carrots. I haven't space enough to grow winter squash or sweet corn, and I can buy potatoes, onions, and carrots reasonably year round. I'll grow *some* potatoes, onions, and carrots but won't be able to grow a whole year's supply. 2. To grow some of our fruit. We planted blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, rhubarb and gooseberries this year. We'll probably plant more blueberries next year, and maybe a fruit tree or two. And a kiwi vine or two, *if* I can get a friend to build a strong trellis for them (he builds beautiful trellises/arbors). I'd like to put strawberries in next year too. 3. I have a goal of eating something fresh from the garden every single day of the year. By dint of using the big bay window ledge to grow mini-tomatoes (etc.) indoors in winter - as well as by season-extension with a hoophouse - I can accomplish this without too much difficulty. 4. In addition, I have a goal of producing $500 profit from the garden next year, $1000 the year after next, and $1500/year thereafter. We haven't enough room for to do this by selling fresh veggies (low profit margin), but I *might* be able to do it by selling miniature vegetable plants, herb plants, started vegetable plants, and started perennial flower plants. I will certainly try. We're living on a minute, fixed income (health problems) so meeting these goals would make a very, very substantial contribution to our welfare and standard-of-living. Even meeting the first two goals will help a lot. The same health problems that keep us from working, however, often make it difficult for us to meet gardening goals. But I think we can do it. What are *your* next year's gardening goals? Pat -- To email me, remove the trap and type my first name in its place. CLICK DAILY TO FEED THE HUNGRY United States: http://www.stopthehunger.com/ International: http://www.thehungersite.com/ My goals for next year: 1. To product more tomatoes - only got 10 x 1L jars of spaghetti sauce this year - and to only grow Romas. Nobody likes the cherries except the in-laws - why waste the space. 2. To plant before June 30th. This year short growing season becuase I was afraid of frost warnings - should've at least planted the root crops. 3. To plant more dill.... there is never enough 4. More peppers - cut down this year and only got a bushel - not enough for a decent roasting sessions - but enough for the spaghetti sauce.. 5. Grow enough potatoes for a yr - did this last yr. Such a late start this yr didnt' work out. 6. Re-establish all the herbs I lost in last yrs deep freeze. Lost alot of herbs I have had for yrs. 7. Clean up the front flower bed - it was a mess this yr. Oh there are so many things I would like to do.....but these are the main ones. |
Goals for next year?
On Tue, 30 Sep 2003 17:48:36 GMT, "Tina Gibson"
wrote: My goals for next year: 1. To product more tomatoes - only got 10 x 1L jars of spaghetti sauce this year - and to only grow Romas. Nobody likes the cherries except the in-laws - why waste the space. 2. To plant before June 30th. This year short growing season becuase I was afraid of frost warnings - should've at least planted the root crops. 3. To plant more dill.... there is never enough 4. More peppers - cut down this year and only got a bushel - not enough for a decent roasting sessions - but enough for the spaghetti sauce.. I didn't get enough peppers this either, and not enough eggplants. Next year, I plant more of both. Broccoli also: I didn't plant *nearly* enough broccoli. 5. Grow enough potatoes for a yr - did this last yr. Such a late start this yr didnt' work out. I don't know where you are, but we had a terribly wet spring and if you'd planted potatoes early on here, they would probably have just rotted in the ground. 6. Re-establish all the herbs I lost in last yrs deep freeze. Lost alot of herbs I have had for yrs. Oh dear. Such a shame. Pat -- To email me, remove the trap and type my first name in its place. CLICK DAILY TO FEED THE HUNGRY United States: http://www.stopthehunger.com/ International: http://www.thehungersite.com/ |
Goals for next year?
In article ,
wrote: We're living on a minute, fixed income (health problems) so meeting these goals would make a very, very substantial contribution to our welfare and standard-of-living. Even meeting the first two goals will help a lot. Thanks for sharing your goals. :) I am amazed how well organized you are. On a rare occasion of TV watching (while I was seeding a peck of chiles), I happened to catch Martha Stewart yesterday. She was visiting a certified organic farm (Four Season Farm) up in Maine near the coast. Here is some information and some pics: http://www.marthastewart.com/page.jh...Type=tvradio&c atid=cat16935&id=tvs8607 They grow a lot of "designer" veggies which seems to help their business a lot. And they practice intensive gardening methods, claiming to produc in one acre what regualr gardens get in six acres. Impressive if true. I was also struck by their 8 large hoop-houses (quite large ones), only two of which are at all heated and then just to keep from freezing. Both owners have written books, neither of which have I read. We currently have a cold frame but are considering a small (cheap) greenhouse or hoop-house to extend the growing season a bit more. In years past, we always had spinach in a cold frame in the winter and it was always fabulous. It was also great for getting an early start too. Our goals for the coming year include expanding our gardens some more by making better use of the space we have and by selection of better cultivars. Over the winter, I think we will build some demountable trellises to aid in growing many of the things that like to climb. We will still make yse of our tripods but will try some other methods, especially for the peas. We might also dig a new 4 x 50 bed and do some terracing in the steeper sections of our yard to pick up some useable space there. |
Goals for next year?
"Tina Gibson" wrote in message news:Uljeb.40371$O85.33286@pd7tw1no...
1. To produce all the veggies and salad stuff we eat year round (by extending the season with a hoophouse and row covers, and by freezing, drying, or canning) - EXCEPT winter squash, sweet corn, and maybe potatoes and onions and carrots. I have lots of hoophouse experience, so if you need advice just ask. (I won't see your reply unless you change your archive setting though) There are lots of greens that will take 10F for prolonger periods without dying. You have to figure out if you want to water under the hoophouse (it gets very dry, even in winter. But if you leave a hose outside it will burst, at least here). I water maybe twice during the three coldest months, and only the overwintering lettuce and arugula which needs it. The radicchio goes down three feet if established and gets water from there. Not watering virtually eliminates winter weeds. I haven't space enough to grow winter squash or sweet corn, and I can buy potatoes, onions, and carrots reasonably year round. I'll grow *some* potatoes, onions, and carrots but won't be able to grow a whole year's supply. Because the deer leave them alone, I grow potatoes in trash parts of the yard (places I don't want to mow, for example). I cover with wood chips, and let nature take its course. Low yields, mostly partial sun locations, but no work. I am mentioning all this so that you may consider growing potatoes in places other than your garden, ifspace is at a premium. It is good to have potatoes. When I have them, I eat very little other starches. Also, if you don't have a lot of spce, you should consider planting high yield veggies. Corn, high yield, it ain't. You could also consider overall nutritional value. It ultimately affects your quality of life by keeping you strong. Probably minerals and vitamins are only part of the story - somehow, beets and Concord grapes make me feel very well, even though they are not all that nutrient rich - however, greens tend to top the charts of nutritional content. And, they are also the hardiest of veggies. 2. To grow some of our fruit. We planted blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, rhubarb and gooseberries this year. We'll probably plant more blueberries next year, and maybe a fruit tree or two. And a kiwi vine or two, *if* I can get a friend to build a strong trellis for them (he builds beautiful trellises/arbors). I'd like to put strawberries in next year too. If you are going to grow fuzzy kiwi, they will produce tremendously and last you through the winter and are also very healthy (three times the Vit C of an orange, and as much salicilic acid as an aspirine). But they are a lot of work, watering and manuring. Hardy kiwis don't last nearly as long, though. And it takes forever before they start bearing. 3. I have a goal of eating something fresh from the garden every single day of the year. By dint of using the big bay window ledge to grow mini-tomatoes (etc.) indoors in winter - as well as by season-extension with a hoophouse - I can accomplish this without too much difficulty. I found that the best yield indoors is from pea shoots. I usually start them in early december and grow them until I need the window space for seedlings in february. You can buy low quality peas in bulk for the purpose, and they are cut and come again. The next best, of course, are sprouts. 4. In addition, I have a goal of producing $500 profit from the garden next year, $1000 the year after next, and $1500/year thereafter. We haven't enough room for to do this by selling fresh veggies (low profit margin), but I *might* be able to do it by selling miniature vegetable plants, herb plants, started vegetable plants, and started perennial flower plants. I will certainly try. I think it can be done. There are books on backyard gardening for profit, and you should talk to local nurseries. We're living on a minute, fixed income (health problems) so meeting these goals would make a very, very substantial contribution to our welfare and standard-of-living. Even meeting the first two goals will help a lot. I hope you succeed. When we eat particularly well from the garden, I tell my wife that we live like kings. And nothing keeps me as strong and as healthy as a little garden work and huge salad from the garden each night. It is great that certain pleasures are available to all. |
Goals for next year?
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Goals for next year?
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Goals for next year?
On Tue, 30 Sep 2003 16:57:44 -0500, Phaedrine Stonebridge
wrote: They grow a lot of "designer" veggies which seems to help their business a lot. And they practice intensive gardening methods, claiming to produc in one acre what regualr gardens get in six acres. Impressive if true. I was also struck by their 8 large hoop-houses (quite large ones), only two of which are at all heated and then just to keep from freezing. Both owners have written books, neither of which have I read. That's Eliot Coleman and his wife (Barbara Something). I have Coleman's book 'The Four Season Harvest' and consider it *very* valuable for anyone wanting to extend their season. Coleman's coastal climate in Maine is probably about equivalent to our mountain climate in Pennsylvania, and if he can harvest all winter from an unheated hoophouse, I should be able to do so as well. We currently have a cold frame but are considering a small (cheap) greenhouse or hoop-house to extend the growing season a bit more. In years past, we always had spinach in a cold frame in the winter and it was always fabulous. It was also great for getting an early start too. We have all the materials for a 10' x 24' hoophouse and *still* haven't started building it. Hopefully, we'll get this done in October. I hope. I really need it next spring! knocks on wood, crosses fingers We have the materials for a cold frame too. Pat -- To email me, remove the trap and type my first name in its place. CLICK DAILY TO FEED THE HUNGRY United States: http://www.stopthehunger.com/ International: http://www.thehungersite.com/ |
Goals for next year?
On Wed, 01 Oct 2003 09:47:22 +0100, Kae Verens
wrote: I want to grow more potatoes. I have already dug out the paths for several new raised beds. I am starting with intensive gardening (planted garlic already in optimal distances from each other) I want to start experimenting with the harvesting of courgettes - how much harvesting, at what stage, produces the best yield, etc. I want to grow tomatoes that ripen naturally in the garden (I'm in Ireland (where you won't find any eggpants)). How about 'aubergines' ? :) Could you grow your tomatoes in an unheated hoophouse? That's what I'm planning to do next year as our summer nights get very chilly: tomatoes don't enjoy that. Pat -- To email me, remove the trap and type my first name in its place. CLICK DAILY TO FEED THE HUNGRY United States: http://www.stopthehunger.com/ International: http://www.thehungersite.com/ |
Goals for next year?
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Goals for next year?
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Goals for next year?
On Wed, 01 Oct 2003 22:50:45 +0100, Kae Verens
wrote: btw: I'm on a high. My first child was born two days ago - 9 pounds 5 ounces, or 4.22 kg. great little guy. Jareth Verens. He has great fingers - will be good at guitar, programming, and fiddling with small plants. Congratulations! And a fine big lad he is, too. :) Pat -- To email me, remove the trap and type my first name in its place. CLICK DAILY TO FEED THE HUNGRY United States: http://www.stopthehunger.com/ International: http://www.thehungersite.com/ |
Goals for next year?
On Tue, 30 Sep 2003 10:46:08 -0400, wrote:
What are your gardening goals for next year? 1) Make it rain less 2) Keep the sun out longer 3) Make the sun warm things up before June 21st (summer solstice high this year - 62°F and clouds/rain) Or else get the rice seed ready...or the cactus, who knows Dan |
Goals for next year?
Pat wrote:
........ Eliot Coleman and his wife (Barbara Something). I have Coleman's book 'The Four Season Harvest' and consider it *very* valuable for anyone wanting to extend their season. Coleman's coastal climate in Maine is probably about equivalent to our mountain climate in Pennsylvania, and if he can harvest all winter from an unheated hoophouse, I should be able to do so as well. ........... I was lucky enough to get to hear Eliot and his wife in person. They gave a talk on how they grow all year long using a movable hoop house. Interesting talk from interesting people. If you ever meet Eliot in person, what ever you do, don't ask him "what about the story that greens grown in cold weather have too much nitrogen in them to be healthy?" Someone asked him a question about like that and he got a little riled up. His answer convinced me that there is nothing to worry about but it's been too long to remember exactly what he said. Steve in the Adirondacks |
Goals for next year?
In article ,
Steve wrote: Pat wrote: ........ Eliot Coleman and his wife (Barbara Something). I have Coleman's book 'The Four Season Harvest' and consider it *very* valuable for anyone wanting to extend their season. Coleman's coastal climate in Maine is probably about equivalent to our mountain climate in Pennsylvania, and if he can harvest all winter from an unheated hoophouse, I should be able to do so as well. ........... I was lucky enough to get to hear Eliot and his wife in person. They gave a talk on how they grow all year long using a movable hoop house. Interesting talk from interesting people. If you ever meet Eliot in person, what ever you do, don't ask him "what about the story that greens grown in cold weather have too much nitrogen in them to be healthy?" Someone asked him a question about like that and he got a little riled up. His answer convinced me that there is nothing to worry about but it's been too long to remember exactly what he said. Steve in the Adirondacks Well what I want to ask him is how he deals with all the mercury contained in the kelp he and Barbara harvent from the beach for use in providing trace elements to their gardens. I bet that might have the same effect lol. |
Goals for next year?
simy1 said:
(Pat Kiewicz) wrote in message news:P-ScnfXWYuWMN-eiU-KYgg@comc ast.com... So next year I hope to be ready, willing, and able to work all summer long. And I think I will have to sew some cotton bags to put over the corn ears this year, as the birds have learned to rip into the paper bags I have been using to protect the ears. Hope you are recovering well. I seem to be; when I saw the in late August she said 80% healed. I hope when I see her again in November she says 100%. It is my experience that it is furry critters that rip into paper bags, and not birds, unless you have caught them in the act. How do I know it? I use the bags for grapes (bumper crop this year), and it is only the lower branches that get victimized. Nope; no furry critters bigger than a mouse. None of the ears are ever pulled down away from the stalks. And there were lots of little bird scritches and poo all over the corn plants. I'm convinced it's the birds that finally learned to rip up the bags. Odd thing is, none of them has figured out that the purple millet is edible! -- Pat in Plymouth MI Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced. (attributed to Don Marti) |
Goals for next year?
On Thu, 02 Oct 2003 00:53:19 GMT, Steve
wrote: I was lucky enough to get to hear Eliot and his wife in person. They gave a talk on how they grow all year long using a movable hoop house. Interesting talk from interesting people. If you ever meet Eliot in person, what ever you do, don't ask him "what about the story that greens grown in cold weather have too much nitrogen in them to be healthy?" Someone asked him a question about like that and he got a little riled up. His answer convinced me that there is nothing to worry about but it's been too long to remember exactly what he said. He covered this in his book ('Four Season Harvest') and I don't remember the details, but I'm not going to worry about it either. Pat -- To email me, remove the trap and type my first name in its place. CLICK DAILY TO FEED THE HUNGRY United States: http://www.stopthehunger.com/ International: http://www.thehungersite.com/ |
Goals for next year?
Phaedrine Stonebridge wrote:
And it only rains after sundown. And spring exits march the second on the dot. My "plans" are more personal than garden, though the garden figures large in them. I'll add to the thread when I've written something coherent (POST-Caffeine!). Gary Woods AKA K2AHC- PGP key on request, or at www.albany.net/~gwoods Zone 5/6 in upstate New York, 1200' elevation. NY WO G |
Goals for next year?
wrote in
: What are your gardening goals for next year? Just a few things (we're in zone 3a): 1) Finally lay the second path in the garden (it's only been two years, you know.) 2) Attempt peppers again. Now that I have the hothats they can be planted early enough that we might actually get some peppers. 3) Just buy tomato seedlings from the nursury. Starting them from seed is too much work for too little payoff. 4) Grow more kidney beans. Those were good! -- Atara "Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus." http://www.50degreesnorth.com/garden/index.html ***What doesn't fit in my email addy? NADA.*** |
Goals for next year?
from durham, NC (we've been in our new house for a year and we're on a strict
budget): 1. continue to purchase bulbs and plants in bulk from places like terra ceia 2. expand the small planting beds started this spring 3. start oodles of plants from seed 4. tackle the backyard, which is now a mess; create a bird-friendly paradise and raised-bed planters for fruits/vegetables 5. learn how to pot up container gardens that look as lush as those in magazines and on TV pat :) |
Goals for next year?
(Patskywriter) wrote:
5. learn how to pot up container gardens that look as lush as those in magazines and on TV Understand that those are pretty bogus, and bear the same relationship to real life as an anorexic "super model" does to a real woman. #endrant And mine, after some ill-considered thought, and a lot of walking in the sun: I will stop feeling sorry for myself; the sudden changes of two years ago aren't personal, and I'm doing pretty well anyway. I will spend more time in the garden that's really too big for me to manage well (Tom Jefferson did the same; I'm in good company), not because the weeds are an embarassment, but because I feel better when I'm outdoors pulling weeds and getting dirty than almost any other time. I will spend the winter testing stored seeds, researching that solar greenhouse project, and doing the redecorating that's thirty years overdue. I'll get the peppers and tomatoes planted on time this spring. Promise! Actually, spring has already started; I'm preparing the garlic bed for planting within the next couple of weeks. It's amazing how much better things look with a couple of passes of the rototiller and a good dose of compost! Life is good. Gary Woods AKA K2AHC- PGP key on request, or at www.albany.net/~gwoods Zone 5/6 in upstate New York, 1200' elevation. NY WO G |
Goals for next year?
On 13 Oct 2003 15:12:38 GMT,
(Patskywriter) wrote: 4. tackle the backyard, which is now a mess; create a bird-friendly paradise and raised-bed planters for fruits/vegetables Judging from my experience, you won't be sorry that you did the work to get raised beds! I'd never, never go back...never. NEVER. (Can you tell I really love raised-bed gardening?) 5. learn how to pot up container gardens that look as lush as those in magazines and on TV You know, I always wonder how long they'll survive? I've not had good luck with mixed plantings in small to medium-sized containers. I think some plants like more water, some like less, etc. Some grow aggressively and crowd others out. The mixed containers you see on TV only need to look good for one day... Pat -- To email me, remove the trap and type my first name in its place. CLICK DAILY TO FEED THE HUNGRY United States: http://www.stopthehunger.com/ International: http://www.thehungersite.com/ |
Goals for next year?
On Mon, 13 Oct 2003 12:48:13 -0400, Gary Woods
wrote: I will spend more time in the garden that's really too big for me to manage well (Tom Jefferson did the same; I'm in good company), not because the weeds are an embarassment, but because I feel better when I'm outdoors pulling weeds and getting dirty than almost any other time. It's too bad you don't live closer to us: you can pull LOTS of weeds here. :) I will spend the winter testing stored seeds, researching that solar greenhouse project, and doing the redecorating that's thirty years overdue. Sounds like fun (except the redecorating part). I'll get the peppers and tomatoes planted on time this spring. Promise! Actually, spring has already started; I'm preparing the garlic bed for planting within the next couple of weeks. It's amazing how much better things look with a couple of passes of the rototiller and a good dose of compost! Life is good. I forgot to buy garlic. :( I'm planning my next year's 'selling garden' which will mainly be miniature vegetable plants. And I do mean miniature PLANTS, not miniature fruit - tomatoes such as Red Robin, where the plants get about one foot high, Spicy Globe Bush Basil (small), mini-pepper plants and mini-eggplant plants. I'm growing various types of these this winter in our big bay window to test them. I hope to sell them - already potted in 6.5" azalea pots, and hardened off - at our local farmers' market, and possibly the farmers' market in Nearest Small City in New York State (which is much larger than the local one). We don't know if they will sell, but we hope so. Everyone who comes to our house and sees them wants them - this is a good sign. They really do fruit and they're cute little things! ;) I'm hoping to produce and sell about 240 plants. Hoping. Producing them is OK, that I *know* I can do. Selling is the only iffy part. Pat -- To email me, remove the trap and type my first name in its place. CLICK DAILY TO FEED THE HUNGRY United States: http://www.stopthehunger.com/ International: http://www.thehungersite.com/ |
Goals for next year?
pat, i've always built raised beds for my veggies/fruits. i'd never consider
NOT using raised beds! :) can't wait to start getting my backyard together—we can grow a lot more stuff here in durham NC than we could in chicago! pat |
Goals for next year?
Patskywriter said:
5. learn how to pot up container gardens that look as lush as those in magazines and on TV One big secret to keeping them looking good: Use Osmocote as the fertilizer Some other things: Get a good potting mix. The best, most consistantly high quality mix I get I mail order from Gardener's Supply Company. Limit the flower color palette to closely match colors or to two related colors (ex: deep yellow and scarlet orange), with different foliage or, go with two contrasting colors (blue-violet and orange). Try to have a trailing plant, a low plants, mid-height plants, and a tall plant. I like 'spikes' (Dracena) or grasses as the tall plant. It's best if they look just a *little* skimpy at the start. Water them faithfully. -- Pat in Plymouth MI Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced. (attributed to Don Marti) |
Goals for next year?
thanks, pat, for all the suggestions!!! i'm guessing when you say osmocote,
you're talking about the slow-release fertilizer? i actually use that now, when i pot up pansies and whatnot. your suggestions were great, and i'll follow them faithfully this coming spring. :) pat |
Goals for next year?
In article ,
Atara wrote: 4) Grow more kidney beans. Those were good! Doncha just love these kinds of beans fresh of the plants? I just love planting shell beans and wish we had more room for them. |
Goals for next year?
Patskywriter said:
thanks, pat, for all the suggestions!!! i'm guessing when you say osmocote, you're talking about the slow-release fertilizer? i actually use that now, when i pot up pansies and whatnot. your suggestions were great, and i'll follow them faithfully this coming spring. :) Yes, Osmocote is the slow-release fertilizer. Very good for potted plants. -- Pat in Plymouth MI Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced. (attributed to Don Marti) |
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