| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| deeredawn |
Posted - Sep 12 2008 : 2:16:04 PM
Hi girls, I just anted to give you the head up on a new hen house that...well, was triggered by a post that Rene Prosser made about endangered foods. I know you are all aware that animals get put on the danger of extinction list, but did you know that there is one for plant matter as well? Well, I guess a bunch of us are going to try and do something about it. It will be called MJ's Heirloom Mavens. We are crusaders of the seed. The chapter willbe a place to learn, explore and do. We will have a seed swaps and I'm already planning a Spring Gathering here in Ohio to kick off next years planting season. Besides, it gives me a reason to have a sleep over! If you are interested please visit the Danger of Extinction thread, or feel free to email me.
PS: If we are a farmgirl community of 600, and 25% of us plant an heirloom garden next year, thats just about 3 people per state...Knowing a lot of you well at this point, what could we do with a higher percentage?? Could we forge a change in the way Americans get food? What if we all bought locally grown produce?
Let me know your thoughts!
Dawn M. Sista #279 (big grin!)
http://harvestthymefarm.blogspot.com
http://gypsycowgirlcreations.blogspot.com
"I figure if a girl wants to be a legend, she should go ahead and be one!"...Calamity Jane |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| LivingWell4You |
Posted - Sep 20 2008 : 09:49:27 AM
Heather, you can always start your plants and if you move, give them to a friend (or take them with you - duh!) and if you end up staying awhile longer, you'll have healthy veggies to eat. If you wait for all the conditions to be perfect you may miss some wonderful opportunities and good food in the meantime. Just a thought!
God bless -
Karen
Farmgirl Sista #311 |
| nampafarmgirl |
Posted - Sep 17 2008 : 12:18:40 PM
Heather, what about your work place? Can you do something there? or maybe a freind has a place, even a back porch? If there is no place, then there is no place. That can't stop you from armchair gardening....
Kim
Farmgirl Sister # 302 |
| Annika |
Posted - Sep 17 2008 : 10:39:08 AM
How is the new hen house coming along for the MJ's Heirloom Mavens?
Annika
Farmgirl sister #13
Mud Hen Queen
http://innermountainmudhens.wordpress.com/
http://panzymoon.wordpress.com/
http://panzymoonsgarden.blogspot.com/ |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Sep 17 2008 : 05:52:01 AM
Thanks Tina. If we were staying longer, I would do that! :) But, I think it would be a waste since we are moving next summer. :) But, if we were staying longer I would do that! :)
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Sep 17 2008 : 12:14:37 AM
you know something Heather..you can rig up a flourescent light onto a bookshelf..hang it from a set of hooks screwed into the shelf..and then put your little herb pots or tomato plants on the shelf..you can get those cheap bookshelves where you can remove a shelf or two..then hang a small flourescent light on chain from the shelf up above the plants.Use those screw in hooks to hang the thin chain from.
this might allow you a way to grow a little something in your city apartment.Especially is you don't have any windows...or a balcony.
They sell plant lights at places like Ace hardware and other hardware stores like Lowe's and Home Depot.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
visit me at:
http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and at www.stliving.net
you can also check out my etsy shops at:http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com |
| ruralfarmgirl |
Posted - Sep 16 2008 : 08:22:37 AM
Heather,
Make sure to follow the thread titles "danger of extinction", as there are some great ways to be involved without yet being in the sisterhood, we really do want to include ALL as this is such an important issue.
http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=24908
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl #185
http://farmchicksfarm.blogspot.com/
"Despite the gardener's best intentions, Nature will improvise. ~Michael P. Garafalo
|
| Alee |
Posted - Sep 16 2008 : 08:08:43 AM
Dawn- I would still try sprouting it!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| deeredawn |
Posted - Sep 16 2008 : 07:12:20 AM
NOW YOU TELL ME! Guess all the seed that I dried on screens isnt any good then? Tomato seed I mean.... thanks for the info. I will hack open a couple tomato's today and start over.....
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens/Mother Hen
http://harvestthymefarm.blogspot.com
"I figure if a girl wants to be a legend, she should go ahead and be one!"...Calamity Jane |
| Contrary Wife |
Posted - Sep 15 2008 : 11:30:57 AM
Okay here it is.First of all let the tomatoe ripen in the garden on the stem as long as possiable without animals or anything disturbing it. "Choose healthy well-formed fruit. Allow tomatoes to ripen beyond the edible stage but do not let them become rotted. Pick off and scrape out the seeds. Set these in a little water and allow them to ferment several days. Then place them in a sieve and wash under a faucet. Spread on blotting paper to dry. The fermentation process is effective in preventing the see distribution of the bacterial canker disease. Tomatoes intercross only to a small extent, so more than one variety may be planted within a few yards of each other." That is from HOW TO GROW VEGETABLES AND FRUITS BY THE ORGANIC METHOD by J.I Rodale
Hope that helps,
Teresa Sue
Farmgirl Sister #316
"Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly." The Dalai Lama |
| Contrary Wife |
Posted - Sep 15 2008 : 11:19:08 AM
No, you don't dry them in the sun. I have to think on it a minute, or look it up. Different seeds sometimes require different ways to save them. I can't remeber it all but I believe tomatoes have to ferment. I just can't remember, but I do know you don't dry them in the sun.
Teresa Sue
Farmgirl Sister #316
"Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly." The Dalai Lama |
| nampafarmgirl |
Posted - Sep 15 2008 : 09:52:39 AM
Hi Dawn, Count me in as well. I sent you an email. I was gathering tomaotes from my 26 heirlooms, some are dupes cos they're my fav's, and decided that I was going to save the seeds and try to grow them next year to see how it would turn out. Please tell me, how do you all save your seeds? I was thinking of drying them in the sun, seemed right, but was going to research the true correct way of doing it.
Kim
Farmgirl Sister # 302 |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Sep 13 2008 : 6:49:20 PM
I know, it's a good idea! I wish we could! Thanks for trying. :)
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
| deeredawn |
Posted - Sep 13 2008 : 5:40:57 PM
I see.... well it didnt hurt to ask! I tried! :o)
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens/Mother Hen
http://harvestthymefarm.blogspot.com
"I figure if a girl wants to be a legend, she should go ahead and be one!"...Calamity Jane |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Sep 13 2008 : 12:04:26 PM
Thanks About Lela.
No we can't have a roof garden, no one is allowed up there.
We do have a garden spot (I live in the second largest co-op in the world), it's inbetween the 25 buildings that make up our co-op. But, in 20 of the buildings is 550 apts each. So 20x550 is how many apartments are here. The garden is VERY tiny. Only I would say around 20 people can have a small plot in there.
I have been on the waiting list for 8 years. I highly doubt my name will ever come up. As some one has to give up a plot they already have for any one new to get a plot. We have 6 parking lots, that are way bigger then that garden spot, and it took me 5 years to get a parking space in a parking lot. lol So I can imagine it will be around 100 years before my name comes up for a garden spot! lol haha
There is LOTS of rules here. And I know gardens on the roof would just be out. The roofs are kept locked, and no one is allowed up there. I would imagine cause this is a co-op it has to do with insurance, as they could get sued if some one fell off or what ever.
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
| deeredawn |
Posted - Sep 13 2008 : 11:36:36 AM
You have to be a sister to be able to join the henhouse. However, we are here to help others, so you can trade to your little hearts content! Keep your eyes open for a grow lamp....like the kind you'd put over baby chicks. You should be able to grow a tomato plant with that and a 75-100 watt bulb. The lamp is pretty adaptable and most of them have a clip to attach it to a chair or whatever. I work in a hatchery and we sell them for $12, so I know you can find one cheaper somewhere else. Go to meyerhatchery.com to see what they look like. I've alaso heard of apartment complexes in NY planting on the roof...would some of your neighbors be willing to start a community garden with you? Or is that not an option? PS: Lela is beautiful! Cute cute cute!
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens/Mother Hen
http://harvestthymefarm.blogspot.com
"I figure if a girl wants to be a legend, she should go ahead and be one!"...Calamity Jane |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Sep 13 2008 : 10:49:19 AM
Um......I don't have a deck..lol I live in a small very small apartment in NYC. I live on the 12 th floor, I have no deck. OR any where to even put a plant that would get sun. I wish I could, I've tried hard to grow stuff, but with out sun they pitter out. I tried a tomato plant but nothing happened with it. I think it needs sun and more then one plant. I think it really needs outdoors.
But, I WILL try to do my best to collect some seeds to trade.
BTW, Dawn, I really don't have the 20 dollars to join the farm girls sisterhood, do we have to do that to be in your sisterhood? Cause I for sure want to trade seeds! I'll buy some as soon as I can afford it!
What would be good is to start a running list maybe out here on the forums where the rest of us can see it and trade with you all, of what every one has. That way I know what to invest my money in. (things that no one else has, so I can have something not only good to trade, but we can spread more things around!).
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
| deeredawn |
Posted - Sep 13 2008 : 06:41:35 AM
Actually, pot gardening is my favorite. I have about 2 acres to plant, but I do my best work in pots. Weed free.....
Heather, we will take care of you. Just save seeds! The germination test is putting acouple seeds between the folds of a wet paper towel, if it sprouts, its good! Again, to those who are or are going to become Mavens, please email me with your address...I am keeping a file on us for swaps, gifties and such...
Dawn M. Sista #279 (big grin!)
http://harvestthymefarm.blogspot.com
http://gypsycowgirlcreations.blogspot.com
"I figure if a girl wants to be a legend, she should go ahead and be one!"...Calamity Jane |
| ruralfarmgirl |
Posted - Sep 13 2008 : 06:32:38 AM
Heather, consider just planting a tomato plant in a planter on your deck and make sure it is heirloom :), but either way we are sharing lots and lots of ideas so come be a part..
Dawn, you rock......thanks for all you are doing~
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl #185
http://farmchicksfarm.blogspot.com/
"Despite the gardener's best intentions, Nature will improvise. ~Michael P. Garafalo
|
| Contrary Wife |
Posted - Sep 13 2008 : 05:56:41 AM
Hi Heather, Don't let that stop you!! I'm in a bit of transition myself but here is my plan. I'm going to start saving my seeds, which of course means buying a lot of them because I won't have my huge garden for a while. You can still trade boughten Heirloom seeds, right Mavens? With the exception of a few types of seeds, most seed is viable for many, many years. Plus you can always do a germination test on seed before you plant it. Think of it this way, Heather, what if you wait and by the time you move you can't get the kind of seed you want? I feel being prepared is taking the offensive and everyone knows it's better to take the offense than have to take the defense. People are going to have to be aggressive with their convictions to save these heirlooms seeds because the big companies like Monsanto will do anything to make a buck, even if it is wiping the heirlooms off the planet.
Teresa Sue
Farmgirl Sister #316
"Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly." The Dalai Lama |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Sep 13 2008 : 05:40:33 AM
I won't have any place to plant a garden for a few years. (I live in a big apt complex in NYC-but will be moving to Kansas in a few years). What if we have no seeds to trade? Will any one be willing to send me seeds, that I promise when the next year would come I would be more then willing to give any one who wants some?
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
| deeredawn |
Posted - Sep 12 2008 : 5:59:28 PM
HAHHAHAHAHAHAAA! Cute!
Julie~ what a riot!
Annika you're a doll!
Alee~you & me are two of a kind I think!
Dawn M. Sista #279 (big grin!)
http://harvestthymefarm.blogspot.com
http://gypsycowgirlcreations.blogspot.com
"I figure if a girl wants to be a legend, she should go ahead and be one!"...Calamity Jane |
| willowtreecreek |
Posted - Sep 12 2008 : 5:56:28 PM
I was totally thinkng you were talkin about a REAL henhouse with chickens and such. I was SO confused reading this post! Duh!
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.willowtreecreek.wordpress.com
Felt and Fabric Crafts
www.willowartist.etsy.com
www.willowtreecreek.com
|
| Annika |
Posted - Sep 12 2008 : 5:37:03 PM
http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=24908
Here you go Teresa Sue, it is going to be a wonderful chapter. What I originally had planned for the mud hens but we got side tracked with other things.
Annika
Farmgirl sister #13
Mud Hen Queen
http://innermountainmudhens.wordpress.com/
http://panzymoon.wordpress.com/
http://panzymoonsgarden.blogspot.com/ |
| Contrary Wife |
Posted - Sep 12 2008 : 5:08:36 PM
Dawn, I can't find the thread you are talking about.
Teresa Sue
Farmgirl Sister #316
"Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly." The Dalai Lama |
| Alee |
Posted - Sep 12 2008 : 4:48:50 PM
Dawn- I firmly believe that we can impact and even greater change! The more we post about heirloom seeds and gather information in one place- perhaps our little chapter will become one of those reference places that people find when they Google for information!
A little over 2,000 farmgirls have posted on the forum, though over 6000 are registered! Perhaps some of those lurking farmgirls will be inspired as well!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
