I live, write, and garden in the PNW with my husband of 27 years, disabled daughter, college-aged son, and my 84-year-old mother. We have paid off $250,000.00 worth of debt (if you include the interest) in the last fifteen years and as of 6/12/2020 are 100% DEBT FREE!!!!The weather this fall has just been the weirdest weather I remember having. It's been unseasonably warm. 2 nights ago we finally did have a frost overnight and a temp of 28, but it has bounced back up into the high 40's at night. The frost didn't do any damage at all that I can see. The kohlrabi is fine, the green onions are still green and of course the cold-loving broccoli is doing great. All I can think is that because it is next to the house, maybe that is a warmer area and somewhat protected.
I've almost finished the broccoli that I have harvested. I think I'll need to cut a couple of the plants by Friday, but the rest are fine to continue their slower growth. It is nice not to have to purchase broccoli, but harvest it as I need it. I really wish I'd gotten some more lettuce into the ground in late September because we'd be eating it now.
The potato outcome is 107 pounds. These potatoes were all volunteers, too. So I've topped $1000 worth of organic produce harvested this year. Remember this is after the cost of starts and seeds. Just goes to show you really can grow a lot of food in small places. And if all goes well, I will still have twelve heads of broccoli to harvest and possibly some side shoots.
The tomatoes wrapped in newspapers continue to ripen as do the ones on the kitchen table. There is enough ripe to add to my spaghetti sauce this week.
As for the chickens and duck, we continue to average six eggs a day. Lady continues to bunk with the chickens. She has resumed her egg laying so I think she is over the trauma of the racoons eating her nest mates, except she won't go anywhere near the new Fort Knox duck den.
Mom is talking about getting ducklings in early spring to put in Fort Knox when they are big enough, but even if she does, Lady may have nothing to do with them. It can be interesting introducing new flockmates, to say the least. As long as she puts herself in for the night with the chickens she is welcome to stay in the chicken coop. If we have to chase her down all bets are off, but I don't think that is going to happen. She's convinced herself she is a chicken and I won't disabuse her of that notion.
The Garden--Final Outcome--Saved Over $1000
November 14th, 2012 at 03:30 am
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November 14th, 2012 at 04:47 am 1352868473
Yes, I will grow another garden this spring. I will be better prepared, start sooner, and grow more green beans. Because of our normally shorter growing season, I buy starts from a local no-spray, sustainable, organic gardening outfit and non-GMO organic seeds from the local Food Co-op. I don't use the catalogs. Most of the catalogs are full of genetically modified seeds. I don't believe in Frankenfoods or in supporting Monsanto in any way, shape or form.
November 14th, 2012 at 10:26 am 1352888765
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November 14th, 2012 at 06:47 pm 1352918873
Hope the link works. George Bell owns Burpee Seeds and he gets upset when people think the company developed by his dad is linked to Monsanto. Mr. Bell insists they don't use GMO seed and have ended links to Mexican growers. It's fun to look at their catalog as you plan the best places to plant seedlings.
November 16th, 2012 at 12:14 am 1353024891
November 16th, 2012 at 03:57 am 1353038226
Happy to read Lady is okay. She has adopted the philosophy of "walk like a duck, quack like a duck, but be a chicken."