Re: OT--GARDENING

[Guest guest]

Yes, I use strictly containers and raised beds, except for my wild berry patch that grows up the steep slope up the back of my property. I grow my vining plants (watermelons, pumpkins, cantelope, etc) at the top of that hill, so the vines climb downwards, making better use of the space. My pear, quince, and elderberry are at the top of that ridge. Otherwise, everything else is in containers. Many, many containers, lol. Don't let the "tea" put you off. It is nothing but ground veggie scraps and edible seaweed, and I don't ferment it in the Vitamix. I blend it all when the veggies are still fresh, so there is nothing to funk up your machine. I just buzz it, then pour it into the container I store it in, which is a sports type cooler with the dispenser button at the bottom of it (like you would see athletes getting

water from at a game) I have several of these containers, most of which I have purchased for a couple of bucks at yard sales. They have a big screw on lid, so that keeps bugs out. I ferment the tea right in those containers, so the beloved Vitamix is never subject to funk!! You can also grind up eggshells in with it. I use tea, coffee grounds, veggies scraps, potato peelings, and whatever seaweed I can get my hands on living here in the mountains! My family in Florida hesitate to visit me much anymore, since they know I will insist they bring me a trunkload of smelly seaweed, lol. I buy some of my seaweed at the health food store when family is disagreeable about it As for my soil, I am fortunate enough to be best of friends with my ex husband, who I frequently send around to various mountain tops and creek beds to replenish my soil supply. He loads up the back of his truck with it, dumps it

on prepared area in my yard, and I fetch it by the wheelbarrow full as needed. If I didn't have that luxury, I would purchase organic soil and amend it the same way I do now. I have hard clay soil in my yard, so I need the soil carried in. DON'T let the sound of this intimidate you!!! It is not near as hard as it sounds. I prefer to do 'LASAGNA STYLE" gardening, in which you layer the soil with nutrients, layers of shredded unprinted newspaper, and soil, so weeds are kept to a minimum. There are books about lasagna gardening at most libraries. Most of them recommend using OLD newspapers, but I don't want metal/soy based ink in my gardens, so I ask my local press office for their end rolls of unprinted paper, which they are happy to give me at no charge. For my indoor and hydroponic gardens, I use a much weaker solution of "tea", or it would smell up the house. Instead, my house just always smells

like a yummy fresh garden! Happy to help in any way. I am actually off to the garden now...time to work the beds! YEAH!!!(for what it is worth, if the sound of this scares you...I am confined to a wheelchair and manage this on my own, with the exception of my daughter being the one to scale the hill to pick the fruit-only telling you this to let you know it is not hard to do if you prepare wisely) From: mom2rar <asummers@...>Subject: OT--GARDENING Date: Monday, February 21, 2011, 8:04 AM

I listed this as OT but the produce will end up in the Vitamix!

I would like to have more info on your gardening practices. If all this has been answered in another post point me in that direction (I am way behind on mail)!

So you only use raised beds and containers? What do you use for soil? I have started composting but wouldn't have enough for much and it seems to take a very long time for things to break down.

I'm assuming you use a 'tea' as a fertilizer. Do you just use produce scraps in the Vita for this? I only have one container and it seems rather off putting! How well would it need to be broken down?--Thinking I could use the old blender.

Where do you get your seeds and/or plants? I do not want GMO stuff but don't see the seed catalogs listing that!KWIM

Thanks!

I have tons more questions!!

Stacey

[Guest guest]

Well I have done row gardening but end up getting overcome by weeds and work and giving up! ;-( 

 

OK-so you blend up the peels and egg shells (basically the stuff you wouldn't eat) put that in a cooler and how long do you have to leave it--or can you use right away?

 

We have a creek on our property and a 4-wheeler I can't start.....hmm...hubbie may be busy Saturday!!  I also happen to have a roll of newspaper (use it for school some). No seaweed here in the middle of KY. lol Have heard of lasagna gardening---will look into this more.

 

How deep are your beds?  I have the Square Foot Gardening book--but I think the main part of his idea is using peat moss and vermiculite.  I'm not sure about those.

 

Also--how would I know if something is GMO?  I really don't want that.

 

Thanks a ton!

Stacey

On Mon, Feb 21, 2011 at 7:26 AM, Berry <berrywell@...> wrote:

 

Yes, I use strictly containers and raised beds, except for my wild berry patch that grows up the steep slope up the back of my property.  I grow my vining plants (watermelons, pumpkins, cantelope, etc) at the top of that hill, so the vines climb downwards, making better use of the space.  My pear, quince, and elderberry are at the top of that ridge.  Otherwise, everything else is in containers.  Many, many containers, lol.  Don't let the " tea " put you off.  It is nothing but ground veggie scraps and edible seaweed, and I don't ferment it in the Vitamix.  I blend it all when the veggies are still fresh, so there is nothing to funk up your machine.  I just buzz it, then pour it into the container I store it in, which is a sports type cooler with the dispenser button at the bottom of it (like you would see athletes getting water from at a game)  I have several of these containers, most of which I have purchased for a couple of bucks at yard sales.  They have a big screw on lid, so that keeps bugs out.  I ferment the tea right in those containers, so the beloved Vitamix is never subject to funk!!  You can also grind up eggshells in with it.  I use tea, coffee grounds, veggies scraps, potato peelings, and whatever seaweed I can get my hands on living here in the mountains!  My family in Florida hesitate to visit me much anymore, since they know I will insist they bring me a trunkload of smelly seaweed, lol.  I buy some of my seaweed at the health food store when family is disagreeable about it    As for my soil, I am fortunate enough to be best of friends with my ex husband, who I frequently send around to various mountain tops and creek beds to replenish my soil supply.  He loads up the back of his truck with it, dumps it on prepared area in my yard, and I fetch it by the wheelbarrow full as needed.  If I didn't have that luxury, I would purchase organic soil and amend it the same way I do now.  I have hard clay soil in my yard, so I need the soil carried in.  DON'T let the sound of this intimidate you!!!  It is not near as hard as it sounds.  I prefer to do 'LASAGNA STYLE " gardening, in which you layer the soil with nutrients, layers of shredded unprinted newspaper, and soil, so weeds are kept to a minimum.  There are books about lasagna gardening at most libraries.  Most of them recommend using OLD newspapers, but I don't want metal/soy based ink in my gardens, so I ask my local press office for their end rolls of unprinted paper, which they are happy to give me at no charge.  For my indoor and hydroponic gardens, I use a much weaker solution of " tea " , or it would smell up the house.  Instead, my house just always smells like a yummy fresh garden!  Happy to help in any way.  I am actually off to the garden now...time to work the beds!  YEAH!!!

(for what it is worth, if the sound of this scares you...I am confined to a wheelchair and manage this on my own, with the exception of my daughter being the one to scale the hill to pick the fruit-only telling you this to let you know it is not hard to do if you prepare wisely) 

From: mom2rar <asummers@...>Subject: OT--GARDENING

Date: Monday, February 21, 2011, 8:04 AM

 

I listed this as OT but the produce will end up in the Vitamix! I would like to have more info on your gardening practices. If all this has been answered in another post point me in that direction (I am way behind on mail)!

So you only use raised beds and containers? What do you use for soil? I have started composting but wouldn't have enough for much and it seems to take a very long time for things to break down.I'm assuming you use a 'tea' as a fertilizer. Do you just use produce scraps in the Vita for this? I only have one container and it seems rather off putting! How well would it need to be broken down?--Thinking I could use the old blender.

Where do you get your seeds and/or plants? I do not want GMO stuff but don't see the seed catalogs listing that!KWIMThanks!I have tons more questions!!Stacey

[Guest guest]

My compost tea is always a work in progress. Whenever I have peelings or scraps (which is pretty much daily, but I save them in a jar in the fridge until I have enough to blend, several times a week, usually. I throw any eggshells (rinsed) in the jar too. When ready, I just buzz up the mix with a enough water to make it tea ish consistency (no exact science needed here-it can be pretty watery. I then just pour it through a strainer right into my cooler, right in with whatever is already in there (it gets fairly stinky over time, but this is beneficial to the plants. I HIGHLY recommend adding seaweed, as it adds important nutrients. You can buy commercial sea weed liquid if you must, but I recommend just getting some nori, hajiki, arame or dulse at your health food store-it should be with the sushi making stuff, and is only a

couple of dollars a packet. You only need a pinch in the batch of tea. I try to avoid nori, since it is usually "roasted" with soy, which I avoid. I just give my VM a good rinse, since nothing "funky" or "off" has actually touched it. I have been known to make "fish emulsion" from fish bones and other parts, but that was in my old stainless Vitamix-doubt I would do that with the new one. NOT because I don't think it would handle it, but I am vegetarian now anyway, and just don't see the need for smelly fish bits in my garden As for my soils, my beds are probably 8 to 10 inches deep-no need for more than that even with root veggies, which I grow TONS of. My massive sweet potatoes even to fine in about that amount, but I usually plant those in grow bags these days.

From: mom2rar <asummers@...>Subject: OT--GARDENING

Date: Monday, February 21, 2011, 8:04 AM

I listed this as OT but the produce will end up in the Vitamix! I would like to have more info on your gardening practices. If all this has been answered in another post point me in that direction (I am way behind on mail)!

So you only use raised beds and containers? What do you use for soil? I have started composting but wouldn't have enough for much and it seems to take a very long time for things to break down.I'm assuming you use a 'tea' as a fertilizer. Do you just use produce scraps in the Vita for this? I only have one container and it seems rather off putting! How well would it need to be broken down?--Thinking I could use the old blender.

Where do you get your seeds and/or plants? I do not want GMO stuff but don't see the seed catalogs listing that!KWIMThanks!I have tons more questions!!Stacey

[Guest guest]

...

You'd be writing for Rodale(the old man), and making him proud!

I once considered a lifetime subscription to " Prevention " and " Organic

Gardening " .

Good thing I didn't follow through, as his son ruined the brand.

Chuck

" Southern redneck "

So long as he's yelling at you, you are OK,

that's negotiation....if he gets quiet.... RUN!

...and don't forget to duck.

He's done talking.

Ode

On 2/21/2011 2:06:26 PM, Berry (berrywell@...) wrote:

> My compost tea is always a work in progress. Whenever I have peelings or

> scraps (which is pretty much daily, but I save them in a jar in the fridge

> until I have enough to blend, several times a week, usually. I throw any

> eggshells (rinsed) in the jar too. When ready, I just buzz up the mix with

> a enough water to make it tea ish consistency (no exact science needed

> here-it can be pretty watery. I then just pour it through a strainer right

> into my cooler, right in with whatever is already in there (it gets fairly

> stinky over time, but this is beneficial to the plants. I HIGHLY recommend

> adding seaweed, as it adds important nutrients. You can buy commercial sea

> weed liquid if you must, but I recommend just getting some nori, hajiki,

> arame or dulse at your health food store-it should be with the sushi

> making stuff, and is only a couple of dollars a packet. You only need a

> pinch in the batch of tea. I try to avoid nori, since it is usually

> " roasted " with soy, which I avoid. I just give my VM a good rinse, since

> nothing " funky " or " off " has actually touched it. I have been known to

> make " fish emulsion " from fish bones and other parts, but that was in my

> old stainless Vitamix-doubt I wou

[Guest guest]

Thanks --I understand the tea better now!  Never thought of keeping the peels and shells in the fridge!  How often do you use the tea---everytime you water or only on occasion?

 

At some point I remember seeing pictures of your hanging baskets (or at least I think I do!)

I've looked in the files here and the allergy group and don't see them.  Had you posted pictures? or am I crazy?

 

Stacey

On Mon, Feb 21, 2011 at 1:06 PM, Berry <berrywell@...> wrote:

 

My compost tea is always a work in progress.  Whenever I have peelings or scraps (which is pretty much daily, but I save them in a jar in the fridge until I have enough to blend, several times a week, usually.  I throw any eggshells (rinsed) in the jar too.  When ready, I just buzz up the mix with a enough water to make it tea ish consistency (no exact science needed here-it can be pretty watery.  I then just pour it through a strainer right into my cooler, right in with whatever is already in there (it gets fairly stinky over time, but this is beneficial to the plants.  I HIGHLY recommend adding seaweed, as it adds important nutrients.  You can buy commercial sea weed liquid if you must, but I recommend just getting some nori, hajiki, arame or dulse at your health food store-it should be with the sushi making stuff, and is only a couple of dollars a packet.  You only need a pinch in the batch of tea.  I try to avoid nori, since it is usually " roasted " with soy, which I avoid.   I just give my VM a good rinse, since nothing " funky " or " off " has actually touched it.  I have been known to make " fish emulsion " from fish bones and other parts, but that was in my old stainless Vitamix-doubt I would do that with the new one.  NOT because I don't think it would handle it, but I am vegetarian now anyway, and just don't see the need for smelly fish bits in my garden       As for my soils, my beds are probably 8 to 10 inches deep-no need for more than that even with root veggies, which I grow TONS of.  My massive sweet potatoes even to fine in about that amount, but I usually plant those in grow bags these days.

From: mom2rar <asummers@...>Subject: OT--GARDENING

Date: Monday, February 21, 2011, 8:04 AM

 

I listed this as OT but the produce will end up in the Vitamix! I would like to have more info on your gardening practices. If all this has been answered in another post point me in that direction (I am way behind on mail)!

So you only use raised beds and containers? What do you use for soil? I have started composting but wouldn't have enough for much and it seems to take a very long time for things to break down.I'm assuming you use a 'tea' as a fertilizer. Do you just use produce scraps in the Vita for this? I only have one container and it seems rather off putting! How well would it need to be broken down?--Thinking I could use the old blender.

Where do you get your seeds and/or plants? I do not want GMO stuff but don't see the seed catalogs listing that!KWIMThanks!I have tons more questions!!Stacey

[Guest guest]

Yes, I posted some pics a while back of some of my upside down gardens. Not sure if I uploaded them to the files or not (didn't think there was enough interest, so probably not) I just use the tea when I feel like the plants need it, when the soil looks "bored", or a couple of times a month-more of an "as needed" basis than exact timing.

From: mom2rar <asummers@...>Subject: OT--GARDENING

Date: Monday, February 21, 2011, 8:04 AM

I listed this as OT but the produce will end up in the Vitamix! I would like to have more info on your gardening practices. If all this has been answered in another post point me in that direction (I am way behind on mail)!

So you only use raised beds and containers? What do you use for soil? I have started composting but wouldn't have enough for much and it seems to take a very long time for things to break down.I'm assuming you use a 'tea' as a fertilizer. Do you just use produce scraps in the Vita for this? I only have one container and it seems rather off putting! How well would it need to be broken down?--Thinking I could use the old blender.

Where do you get your seeds and/or plants? I do not want GMO stuff but don't see the seed catalogs listing that!KWIMThanks!I have tons more questions!!Stacey

[Guest guest]

Oh this brings back some memories. When my sons were small and we went to the

beach I had a plastic garbage can assigned for kelp. we have giant kelp beds

off the coast here so there was always tons of the stuff on the beach. I would

get them to help me fill the can and dump into the back of my little old datsun

wagon. I tried the newspaper bit too but found for me that flakes of straw and

hay bales worked much better. You can even grow potatoes by strewing the potato

about and covering with 10 inches or more of hay or straw. When they are grown

you can come back and lift up the mulch and pick up the potatoes from the top of

the ground, then put the mulch back for the ones you don't use.

That time of year huh?

Page

>

> My compost tea is always a work in progress.  Whenever I have peelings or

scraps (which is pretty much daily, but I save them in a jar in the fridge until

I have enough to blend, several times a week, usually.  I throw any eggshells

(rinsed) in the jar too.  When ready, I just buzz up the mix with a enough

water to make it tea ish consistency (no exact science needed here-it can be

pretty watery. 

[Guest guest]

Thanks --at least I'm only sorta crazy :-)

I'll probably have more questions as things come up!  Maybe I should contact you off of this list--if this is OK with you?

 

Thanks Again,

Stacey

On Mon, Feb 21, 2011 at 5:34 PM, Berry <berrywell@...> wrote:

 

Yes, I posted some pics  a while back of some of my upside down gardens.  Not sure if I uploaded them to the files or not (didn't think there was enough interest, so probably not)  I just use the tea when I feel like the plants need it, when the soil looks " bored " , or a couple of times a month-more of an " as needed " basis than exact timing.

From: mom2rar <asummers@...>Subject: OT--GARDENING

Date: Monday, February 21, 2011, 8:04 AM

 

I listed this as OT but the produce will end up in the Vitamix! I would like to have more info on your gardening practices. If all this has been answered in another post point me in that direction (I am way behind on mail)!

So you only use raised beds and containers? What do you use for soil? I have started composting but wouldn't have enough for much and it seems to take a very long time for things to break down.I'm assuming you use a 'tea' as a fertilizer. Do you just use produce scraps in the Vita for this? I only have one container and it seems rather off putting! How well would it need to be broken down?--Thinking I could use the old blender.

Where do you get your seeds and/or plants? I do not want GMO stuff but don't see the seed catalogs listing that!KWIMThanks!I have tons more questions!!Stacey

[Guest guest]

You are welcome to contact me on or off list, any time, Stacey. I am happy to babble about all growing things, lol. I hit the JACKPOT today! I called a garden center looking to locate a specific type of container that I want to experiment with, and the lady told me to come and get FREE all that I wanted! I haven't yet counted how many she gave me, but the entire back of my SUV was full when I left! I hung some new vertical gardens outside today, and these will be perfect for it! Ever expanding...lovely when it's free!

From: mom2rar <asummers@...>Subject: OT--GARDENING

Date: Monday, February 21, 2011, 8:04 AM

I listed this as OT but the produce will end up in the Vitamix! I would like to have more info on your gardening practices. If all this has been answered in another post point me in that direction (I am way behind on mail)!

So you only use raised beds and containers? What do you use for soil? I have started composting but wouldn't have enough for much and it seems to take a very long time for things to break down.I'm assuming you use a 'tea' as a fertilizer. Do you just use produce scraps in the Vita for this? I only have one container and it seems rather off putting! How well would it need to be broken down?--Thinking I could use the old blender.

Where do you get your seeds and/or plants? I do not want GMO stuff but don't see the seed catalogs listing that!KWIMThanks!I have tons more questions!!Stacey

[Guest guest]

Oooo, , can you ship me some trash cans full, lol? I seriously make my brother's haul trash bags full of it up here. They say it stinks all the way, even in the trunk. I have to remind them of just what a wonderful sister I have always been to them... I have done several hay bale gardens, but being allergic to wheat makes it difficult to maintain without having reactions. I now use homemade fabric bags to grow my potatoes in, and I fashioned a nifty potato bed out of an old patio table. Half the fun for me is seeing an everyday object, and turning it into a container!From: Sunshine

<lightlady27@...>Subject: Re: OT--GARDENING Date: Monday, February 21, 2011, 6:45 PM

Oh this brings back some memories. When my sons were small and we went to the beach I had a plastic garbage can assigned for kelp. we have giant kelp beds off the coast here so there was always tons of the stuff on the beach. I would get them to help me fill the can and dump into the back of my little old datsun wagon. I tried the newspaper bit too but found for me that flakes of straw and hay bales worked much better. You can even grow potatoes by strewing the potato about and covering with 10 inches or more of hay or straw. When they are grown you can come back and lift up the mulch and pick up the potatoes from the top of the ground, then put the mulch back for the ones you don't use.

That time of year huh?

Page

>

> My compost tea is always a work in progress. Whenever I have peelings or scraps (which is pretty much daily, but I save them in a jar in the fridge until I have enough to blend, several times a week, usually. I throw any eggshells (rinsed) in the jar too. When ready, I just buzz up the mix with a enough water to make it tea ish consistency (no exact science needed here-it can be pretty watery.Â

[Guest guest]

Free is my favorite word!!   Whenever that RV trip gets up I want to come follow you around the yard ;-)

 

Stacey

On Mon, Feb 21, 2011 at 5:50 PM, Berry <berrywell@...> wrote:

 

You are welcome to contact me on or off list, any time, Stacey.  I am happy to babble about all growing things, lol.  I hit the JACKPOT today!  I called a garden center looking to locate a specific type of container that I want to experiment with, and the lady told me to come and get FREE all that I wanted!  I haven't yet counted how many she gave me, but the entire back of my SUV was full when I left!   I hung some new vertical gardens outside today, and these will be perfect for it!   Ever expanding...lovely when it's free! 

From: mom2rar <asummers@...>Subject: OT--GARDENING

Date: Monday, February 21, 2011, 8:04 AM

 

I listed this as OT but the produce will end up in the Vitamix! I would like to have more info on your gardening practices. If all this has been answered in another post point me in that direction (I am way behind on mail)!

So you only use raised beds and containers? What do you use for soil? I have started composting but wouldn't have enough for much and it seems to take a very long time for things to break down.I'm assuming you use a 'tea' as a fertilizer. Do you just use produce scraps in the Vita for this? I only have one container and it seems rather off putting! How well would it need to be broken down?--Thinking I could use the old blender.

Where do you get your seeds and/or plants? I do not want GMO stuff but don't see the seed catalogs listing that!KWIMThanks!I have tons more questions!!Stacey

[Guest guest]

LOL that was my thought I wish I could! I wonder if there is anyone who does

ship it bagged? It was only stinky depending on how long it had been since high

tide. Now you can hardly get TO the beach, so many people everywhere. Wow to

be that allergic to wheat very bad. I was lucky to find a whole bunch of

spoiled alfalfa hay someone gave me it's higher in nitrogen anyway. I was a

terrible mother I'd tell them I'd take them to the beach if they would help me

with the kelp, LOL. Never had any complaints though...

I am in apartment and my lack of a garden pains me most. I want a dehydrator

too but NO space, I need to do serious spring cleaning already being of an

acquisitive nature.

And what is it with cheese today I was just going to go make me a big pizza.

Your potato bed sounds wonderful.

Page

>

> >

>

> > My compost tea is always a work in progress.  Whenever I have peelings or

scraps (which is pretty much daily, but I save them in a jar in the fridge until

I have enough to blend, several times a week, usually.  I throw any eggshells

(rinsed) in the jar too.  When ready, I just buzz up the mix with a enough

water to make it tea ish consistency (no exact science needed here-it can be

pretty watery. 

>

[Guest guest]

Come follow me NOW-I need the help! I had to pull out the heavy artillery today and resort to power tools to build some new garden boxes. NOT my forte....I am better with the planting part! I will possibly locate my missing fingers come spring...

From: mom2rar <asummers@...>Subject: OT--GARDENING

Date: Monday, February 21, 2011, 8:04 AM

I listed this as OT but the produce will end up in the Vitamix! I would like to have more info on your gardening practices. If all this has been answered in another post point me in that direction (I am way behind on mail)!

So you only use raised beds and containers? What do you use for soil? I have started composting but wouldn't have enough for much and it seems to take a very long time for things to break down.I'm assuming you use a 'tea' as a fertilizer. Do you just use produce scraps in the Vita for this? I only have one container and it seems rather off putting! How well would it need to be broken down?--Thinking I could use the old blender.

Where do you get your seeds and/or plants? I do not want GMO stuff but don't see the seed catalogs listing that!KWIMThanks!I have tons more questions!!Stacey

[Guest guest]

OK--I need details!!!!  Don't know how happy the hubbie would be if I use the hay--but if he gets food he should be happy!!  What kinda fabric and how large? 

 

We are thinking of a coast vacation in the fall......wonder if I can bring home seaweed......

 

Stacey

On Mon, Feb 21, 2011 at 5:53 PM, Berry <berrywell@...> wrote:

 

Oooo, , can you ship me some trash cans full, lol?  I seriously make my brother's haul trash bags full of it up here.  They say it stinks all the way, even in the trunk.  I have to remind them of just what a wonderful sister I have always been to them...     I have done several hay bale gardens, but being allergic to wheat makes it difficult to maintain without having reactions.  I now use homemade fabric bags to grow my potatoes in, and I fashioned a nifty potato bed out of an old patio table.  Half the fun for me is seeing an everyday object, and turning it into a container!

From: Sunshine <lightlady27@...>Subject: Re: OT--GARDENING Date: Monday, February 21, 2011, 6:45 PM

 

Oh this brings back some memories. When my sons were small and we went to the beach I had a plastic garbage can assigned for kelp. we have giant kelp beds off the coast here so there was always tons of the stuff on the beach. I would get them to help me fill the can and dump into the back of my little old datsun wagon. I tried the newspaper bit too but found for me that flakes of straw and hay bales worked much better. You can even grow potatoes by strewing the potato about and covering with 10 inches or more of hay or straw. When they are grown you can come back and lift up the mulch and pick up the potatoes from the top of the ground, then put the mulch back for the ones you don't use. That time of year huh? Page

>> My compost tea is always a work in progress.  Whenever I have peelings or scraps (which is pretty much daily, but I save them in a jar in the fridge until I have enough to blend, several times a week, usually.  I throw any eggshells (rinsed) in the jar too.  When ready, I just buzz up the mix with a enough water to make it tea ish consistency (no exact science needed here-it can be pretty watery. 

[Guest guest]

, here is a link to a small space container that intrigued me. I know nothing about it other than the video in the link, but it looks like it has possibilities. I have SUCH a tiny house and yard that I am constantly looking for solutions.http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.item.M24099.desc.Topsy-Turvy-FourTier-Vertical-Terrace-Garden-Top--- On Mon, 2/21/11, Sunshine <lightlady27@...> wrote:From: Sunshine <lightlady27@...>Subject: Re: OT--GARDENING Date: Monday, February 21, 2011, 7:04 PM

LOL that was my thought I wish I could! I wonder if there is anyone who does ship it bagged? It was only stinky depending on how long it had been since high tide. Now you can hardly get TO the beach, so many people everywhere. Wow to be that allergic to wheat very bad. I was lucky to find a whole bunch of spoiled alfalfa hay someone gave me it's higher in nitrogen anyway. I was a terrible mother I'd tell them I'd take them to the beach if they would help me with the kelp, LOL. Never had any complaints though...

I am in apartment and my lack of a garden pains me most. I want a dehydrator too but NO space, I need to do serious spring cleaning already being of an acquisitive nature.

And what is it with cheese today I was just going to go make me a big pizza.

Your potato bed sounds wonderful.

Page

>

> >

>

> > My compost tea is always a work in progress. Whenever I have peelings or scraps (which is pretty much daily, but I save them in a jar in the fridge until I have enough to blend, several times a week, usually. I throw any eggshells (rinsed) in the jar too. When ready, I just buzz up the mix with a enough water to make it tea ish consistency (no exact science needed here-it can be pretty watery.ÂÂ

>

[Guest guest]

You just basically build a bed by stacking hay bales into a square form (one level) It forms your "raised bed) Put a little soil (couple of inches) in the center of the square, and plant your seed potatoes. As the potatoes emerge, you just pull off some of the hay from each bale and throw it on the growing potatoes (potatoes need to be "hilled", which simply means you cover the green part as it emerges from the soil. The hay acts as mulch/soil/hilling material. Once the plant flowers and the potatoes are ready, your square of hay should be about level with the ground where you started, and is now mounded into one big hill. You just rake all that aside to harvest your goodies! Potato bags are just trash bag shaped fabric (I zip them up on the sewing machine from landscape fabric I buy on sale, but I know you can buy them

ready made...but they are expensive) They work by rolling the top down, putting a layer of soil in, then rolling the top up as you add to the bag during the "hilling" process. Once the bag is all the way rolled up, the plant should have flowered and your taters are ready. You harvest by upturning the whole works onto a tarp, and saving the soil for the next season. My yield from these is AMAZING! (I grow fingerling and new potatoes, mostly.

From: Sunshine <lightlady27@...>Subject: Re: OT--GARDENING Date: Monday, February 21, 2011, 6:45 PM

Oh this brings back some memories. When my sons were small and we went to the beach I had a plastic garbage can assigned for kelp. we have giant kelp beds off the coast here so there was always tons of the stuff on the beach. I would get them to help me fill the can and dump into the back of my little old datsun wagon. I tried the newspaper bit too but found for me that flakes of straw and hay bales worked much better. You can even grow potatoes by strewing the potato about and covering with 10 inches or more of hay or straw. When they are grown you can come back and lift up the mulch and pick up the potatoes from the top of the ground, then put the mulch back for the ones you don't use. That time of year huh? Page

>> My compost tea is always a work in progress. Whenever I have peelings or scraps (which is pretty much daily, but I save them in a jar in the fridge until I have enough to blend, several times a week, usually. I throw any eggshells (rinsed) in the jar too. When ready, I just buzz up the mix with a enough water to make it tea ish consistency (no exact science needed here-it can be pretty watery.Â

[Guest guest]

LOL for the price of good hay you could have organic veggies mailed to you!

Yep I'm curious about bags to grow potatoes in also.

Fave use for potatoes in vitamix:

" Cream " soup

Put veggies in vitamix, my favorite is baby spinach.

Add milk (of choice) to make it blend

Seasonings (obviously a small chunk of cheese is good)

I personally add garlic, pepper, hot sauce or the like, dill is nice

Blend and stop the machine, then add a baked potato and blend just to chop, over

blending of cooked potatoes does a gluey texture that is not very nice. Awesome

how much this tastes like it has heavy cream in it even if you do not use

cheese.

Page

>

> OK--I need details!!!! Don't know how happy the hubbie would be if I use

> the hay--but if he gets food he should be happy!! What kinda fabric and how

> large?

[Guest guest]

NO NO DON'T MAKE ME LOOK! I am of the lead me not into temptation school, as I

can find it myself thank you very much (heehee)...

You know I will have to own it you see...

Hmmm I could make that out of trash can lids huh? Thanks!

Page

>

> , here is a link to a small space container that intrigued me.  I know

nothing about it other than the video in the link, but it looks like it has

possibilities.  I have SUCH a tiny house and yard that I am constantly looking

for solutions.

>

>

http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.item.M24099.desc.Top\

sy-Turvy-FourTier-Vertical-Terrace-Garden-Top

>

>

[Guest guest]

Might have to try both ways!!

 

So you just sew up the landscape fabric.  Do you hang these bags or just sit them upright on the ground?

 

Stacey

On Mon, Feb 21, 2011 at 6:16 PM, Berry <berrywell@...> wrote:

 

You just basically build a bed by stacking hay bales into a square form (one level)  It forms your " raised bed)  Put a little soil (couple of inches) in the center of the square, and plant your seed potatoes.  As the potatoes emerge, you just pull off some of the hay from each bale and throw it on the growing potatoes (potatoes need to be " hilled " , which simply means you cover the green part as it emerges from the soil.  The hay acts as mulch/soil/hilling material.  Once the plant flowers and the potatoes are ready, your square of hay should be about level with the ground where you started, and is now mounded into one big hill.  You just rake all that aside to harvest your goodies!  Potato bags are just trash bag shaped fabric (I zip them up on the sewing machine from landscape fabric I buy on sale, but I know you can buy them ready made...but they are expensive)  They work by rolling the top down, putting a layer of soil in, then rolling the top up as you add to the bag during the " hilling " process.  Once the bag is all the way rolled up, the plant should have flowered and your taters are ready.  You harvest by upturning the whole works onto a tarp, and saving the soil for the next season.  My yield from these is AMAZING!  (I grow fingerling and new potatoes, mostly.

From: Sunshine <lightlady27@...>Subject: Re: OT--GARDENING Date: Monday, February 21, 2011, 6:45 PM

 

Oh this brings back some memories. When my sons were small and we went to the beach I had a plastic garbage can assigned for kelp. we have giant kelp beds off the coast here so there was always tons of the stuff on the beach. I would get them to help me fill the can and dump into the back of my little old datsun wagon. I tried the newspaper bit too but found for me that flakes of straw and hay bales worked much better. You can even grow potatoes by strewing the potato about and covering with 10 inches or more of hay or straw. When they are grown you can come back and lift up the mulch and pick up the potatoes from the top of the ground, then put the mulch back for the ones you don't use.

That time of year huh? Page

>> My compost tea is always a work in progress.  Whenever I have peelings or scraps (which is pretty much daily, but I save them in a jar in the fridge until I have enough to blend, several times a week, usually.  I throw any eggshells (rinsed) in the jar too.  When ready, I just buzz up the mix with a enough water to make it tea ish consistency (no exact science needed here-it can be pretty watery. 

[Guest guest]

LOL, you think like I do, ! I was thinking it could be made easily too! The lady at the garden shop let me pick containers out of a HUGE bin of stuff she didn't want, and I found some that with some tweaking, JUST might work! From: Sunshine <lightlady27@...>Subject: Re: OT--GARDENING Date: Monday, February 21, 2011, 7:23 PM

NO NO DON'T MAKE ME LOOK! I am of the lead me not into temptation school, as I can find it myself thank you very much (heehee)...

You know I will have to own it you see...

Hmmm I could make that out of trash can lids huh? Thanks!

Page

>

> , here is a link to a small space container that intrigued me. I know nothing about it other than the video in the link, but it looks like it has possibilities. I have SUCH a tiny house and yard that I am constantly looking for solutions.

>

> http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.item.M24099.desc.Topsy-Turvy-FourTier-Vertical-Terrace-Garden-Top

>

>

[Guest guest]

Woman you are a treasure trove of information! Would this method work on sweet potatoes as well? Gab "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." ~ Mahatma Ghandi From: Berry <berrywell@...> Sent: Mon, February 21, 2011 5:16:30 PMSubject: Re: Re: OT--GARDENING

You just basically build a bed by stacking hay bales into a square form (one level) It forms your "raised bed) Put a little soil (couple of inches) in the center of the square, and plant your seed potatoes. As the potatoes emerge, you just pull off some of the hay from each bale and throw it on the growing potatoes (potatoes need to be "hilled", which simply means you cover the green part as it emerges from the soil. The hay acts as mulch/soil/hilling material. Once the plant flowers and the potatoes are ready, your square of hay should be about level with the ground where you started, and is now mounded into one big hill. You just rake all that aside to harvest your goodies! Potato bags are just trash bag shaped fabric (I zip them up on the sewing machine from landscape fabric I buy on sale, but I know

you can buy them

ready made...but they are expensive) They work by rolling the top down, putting a layer of soil in, then rolling the top up as you add to the bag during the "hilling" process. Once the bag is all the way rolled up, the plant should have flowered and your taters are ready. You harvest by upturning the whole works onto a tarp, and saving the soil for the next season. My yield from these is AMAZING! (I grow fingerling and new potatoes, mostly.

From: Sunshine <lightlady27@...>Subject: Re: OT--GARDENING Date: Monday, February 21, 2011, 6:45 PM

Oh this brings back some memories. When my sons were small and we went to the beach I had a plastic garbage can assigned for kelp. we have giant kelp beds off the coast here so there was always tons of the stuff on the beach. I would get them to help me fill the can and dump into the back of my little old datsun wagon. I tried the newspaper bit too but found for me that flakes of straw and hay bales worked much better. You can even grow potatoes by strewing the potato about and covering with 10 inches or more of hay or straw. When they are grown you can come back and lift up the mulch and pick up the potatoes from the top of the ground, then put the mulch back for the ones you don't use. That time of year huh? Page

>> My compost tea is always a work in progress. Whenever I have peelings or scraps (which is pretty much daily, but I save them in a jar in the fridge until I have enough to blend, several times a week, usually. I throw any eggshells (rinsed) in the jar too. When ready, I just buzz up the mix with a enough water to make it tea ish consistency (no exact science needed here-it can be pretty watery.Â

[Guest guest]

No, this doesn't work with sweet potatoes, since they are grown from a "slip" (seedling) and they don't get hilled up like potatoes do (you don't cover them as they grow) I do grow them in bags though, I just don't roll the bag down to start with-pot it as if it were a regular plant. There are so many lovely varieties of potatoes and sweet potatoes. When I first started gardening, I had NO idea there were such vast varieties, each with their own distinct flavor. I also didn't know there was a huge difference between yams and sweet potatoes-I thought they were the same thing-they are not! My favorites are Okinawan purple sweets, which are a rich, dark purple color-AMAZING flavor. I often say I am actually grateful that I had allergies that forced me to learn this stuff. Prior to that, I couldn't keep a cactus alive, and

really had no desire to garden. Now, it is my PASSION!! Funny how new doors will open in the face of challenge...

From: Sunshine <lightlady27@...>Subject: Re: OT--GARDENING Date: Monday, February 21, 2011, 6:45 PM

Oh this brings back some memories. When my sons were small and we went to the beach I had a plastic garbage can assigned for kelp. we have giant kelp beds off the coast here so there was always tons of the stuff on the beach. I would get them to help me fill the can and dump into the back of my little old datsun wagon. I tried the newspaper bit too but found for me that flakes of straw and hay bales worked much better. You can even grow potatoes by strewing the potato about and covering with 10 inches or more of hay or straw. When they are grown you can come back and lift up the mulch and pick up the potatoes from the top of the ground, then put the mulch back for the ones you don't use. That time of year huh? Page

>> My compost tea is always a work in progress. Whenever I have peelings or scraps (which is pretty much daily, but I save them in a jar in the fridge until I have enough to blend, several times a week, usually. I throw any eggshells (rinsed) in the jar too. When ready, I just buzz up the mix with a enough water to make it tea ish consistency (no exact science needed here-it can be pretty watery.Â

[Guest guest]

Definitely it's amazing what you can scrounge or make if you are willing to try

Page

>

> LOL, you think like I do, !  I was thinking it could be made easily

too!  The lady at the garden shop let me pick containers out of a HUGE bin of

stuff she didn't want, and I found some that with some tweaking, JUST might

work! 

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I set the fabric bags on gravel on the ground. The fabric allows the plant root system to aerate very well, which makes for a great yield. I use smaller fabric pots hanging from a rack to grow my upside down peppers and pimentos. I just poke a hole in the bottom of the bag and poke the seedlings through the hole, then let the plants grow upside down out the bottom of the bag. No pests can get to them, and gravity takes care of the weight of it.

From: Sunshine <lightlady27@...>Subject: Re: OT--GARDENING Date: Monday, February 21, 2011, 6:45 PM

Oh this brings back some memories. When my sons were small and we went to the beach I had a plastic garbage can assigned for kelp. we have giant kelp beds off the coast here so there was always tons of the stuff on the beach. I would get them to help me fill the can and dump into the back of my little old datsun wagon. I tried the newspaper bit too but found for me that flakes of straw and hay bales worked much better. You can even grow potatoes by strewing the potato about and covering with 10 inches or more of hay or straw. When they are grown you can come back and lift up the mulch and pick up the potatoes from the top of the ground, then put the mulch back for the ones you don't use.

That time of year huh? Page

>> My compost tea is always a work in progress. Whenever I have peelings or scraps (which is pretty much daily, but I save them in a jar in the fridge until I have enough to blend, several times a week, usually. I throw any eggshells (rinsed) in the jar too. When ready, I just buzz up the mix with a enough water to make it tea ish consistency (no exact science needed here-it can be pretty watery.Â

[Guest guest]

We have a family of racoons here they are so cute but they would surely find a

way. Thanks so much for all the information!

Page

>

> I set the fabric bags on gravel on the ground.  The fabric allows the plant

root system to aerate very well, which makes for a great yield.  I use smaller

fabric pots hanging from a rack to grow my upside down peppers and pimentos.  I

just poke a hole in the bottom of the bag and poke the seedlings through the

hole, then let the plants grow upside down out the bottom of the bag.  No pests

can get to them, and gravity takes care of the weight of it.