| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| bohemiangel |
Posted - Dec 30 2008 : 4:00:46 PM
do you raise/grow your own food when you live in western PA and have winters?
**~~Farmgirl Sister #60~~**
"... to thine ownself be true."
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| 14 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| bohemiangel |
Posted - Dec 31 2008 : 08:09:41 AM
Our back yard gets the sun when there is any lol. Hmmm I love fresh veggies that I know what was put on them. I think that could work kristin till I figure more out and maybe get a greenhouse. Thanks! Thanks to all this is helping getting the noggin going.
**~~Farmgirl Sister #60~~**
"... to thine ownself be true."
http://liggybitsandpieces.blogspot.com/
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| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Dec 31 2008 : 07:41:08 AM
Bridget, try getting some hay or straw bales and make a rectangular shape with 4 of them. Add good soil and compost, plant lettuce or spinach and put a few glass windows on top. Keep watered. You do need to have a good south facing lot, though, for this to work. Lots of sun to keep the little seedlings warm. They should sprout in a few weeks and then in about a month you'll have fresh homegrown salad! You don't need much room for this, either.
Kris
Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you. Maori proverb |
| Farmtopia |
Posted - Dec 30 2008 : 11:13:20 PM
I managed to have a garden and I live in the middle of one of the craziest cities in the world. I'm with Tina, if you have any sort of small property, you can build a small greenhouse, or basically cold frame outside. We started our seedlings inside under grow lights in late February, then transplanted outside. I also used limited plastic cloches on a few of the long potted seedlings of peppers...seemed to do the trick, we had a good selection of garden veggies. It's definitely possible :)
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| graciegreeneyes |
Posted - Dec 30 2008 : 6:44:54 PM
Another good book would be "Four Season Harvest" by Eliot Coleman
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without" |
| bohemiangel |
Posted - Dec 30 2008 : 4:51:10 PM
I mean summer time is A-OK. True Tina that's a good idea! yes we have strict zoning/animal laws here being in the boro. No bunnies cept the ones in the back yard in their holes :-p Not even allowed to burn leaves. Alee I'll check it out I must've missed it....
**~~Farmgirl Sister #60~~**
"... to thine ownself be true."
http://liggybitsandpieces.blogspot.com/
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| yarnmamma |
Posted - Dec 30 2008 : 4:42:26 PM
I have farmer friends who have such large crops that they have to hire help to harvest, then sell at stands and can some for their own pantries. Most of my friends just buy from their neighbor farmers roadside stands and can bushels of fruits and veggies both. I only buy the fresh but many times it's from our grocery stores because they buy from our local farmers. That is a very good question...I am in Northern PA! We see all kinds of veggies but it does take some land to plant large enough gardens.
Linda in Scranton, PA
farmgirl #71
Have a wonderful Farmgirl New Year!! |
| Alee |
Posted - Dec 30 2008 : 4:31:22 PM
The greenhouse that was in the summer issue of the MaryJanesFarm Magazine is quick and simple to build. All you need is about 16 square feet and it is rather durable as well, though you may occasionally need to buy new plastic sheeting.
Start seedling indoors around February. After about a month to a month and a half after sprouting, move to greenhouse. If the winter is still really cold at that point, you can put a lamp with a 100 watt bulb in to keep it heated as well as do several solar heat attracting things like water barrels painted black, black painted raised beds built into the greenhouse etc.
Plant into the greenhouse beds when seedlings are established and "hardened off" to being outside.
Study "Square Foot Gardening" to make the most use out of your space as well as Companion Planting.
Integrate food items such as tomatoes and herbs into any decorative flowerbed.
Buy fresh produce at the farmer's market and can your heart out. Preserving food in season seems like an investment, but our bodies are more satisfied eating vitamin rich foods and so I believe in the long run we end up saving money.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
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| Contrary Wife |
Posted - Dec 30 2008 : 4:28:27 PM
Are you sure you can't have any animals. A lot of towns and cities will let you have a few chickens(no roosters), there are also rabbits, worms(yes,*they are livestock!lol*, besides you can use them to compost your compost and sell to fishermen), and sometimes even a beehive or two can be had in a backyard. Remember people lived in your area a hundred years ago and they had to grow their own food.
In the Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds catalog they offer a book called "Cold Climate Gardening" by Lewis Hill, it should have some ideas for you. Perhaps you could even get it at your local library. Good luck with your endeavor to become more self-sufficient!
Teresa Sue
Farmgirl Sister #316
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"Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly." The Dalai Lama |
| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Dec 30 2008 : 4:17:23 PM
I would honestly suggest that you frequent your local farm and feed supply store and find out what some of the "old timers" in your area are doing..they can tell you when they plant/and why they plant at certain times for different varieties.By hanging out at a local plant nursery here in our area I quickly learned that the "old timers" here plant a lot of things right around Valentine's day..things like onion sets and potatoes due to the moon phase.
So..that is a good place to check/ask questions about when to plant.
You can also contact your local county extension agent to get a list of vegetables that are grown in your area and at what is the proper planting times.
Also your local feed supply store should be getting in this years Farmer's Almanac..some feed stores carry a black and white paper back version/a small one that covers your area of the state and what times are good for planting according to the moon phases.(they usually offer these next to the cash register for free...at least our feed supply shop does)
Also..I don't know how much land you have access to..but yes..a green house/mini green house of some sort could be helpful in your area.
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| bohemiangel |
Posted - Dec 30 2008 : 4:14:17 PM
I live in town aka no animals! Hmmm I should look into one of those small greenhouses, any guidance on that? What are cold frames? Sorry
**~~Farmgirl Sister #60~~**
"... to thine ownself be true."
http://liggybitsandpieces.blogspot.com/
http://ligonierliving.blogspot.com/
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| K-Falls Farmgirl |
Posted - Dec 30 2008 : 4:13:41 PM
I'm with Kris on this one.. And preserve the past garden harvest by canning, freezing and jamming. I am anxious to start my garden, Dh has decided since we do not have a greenhouse yet we will set up a mini gardenroom in ann extra bedroom with some heat lamps. He is so into this project!
http://www.k-fallsfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
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Cheryl #309
Farm girl sister
Enjoy the little things in life....someday you'll look back and realize they were the big things. |
| nubidane |
Posted - Dec 30 2008 : 4:11:00 PM
Read "Animal Vegetable Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver. They live in TN & have winters also, & did this & chronicled it in this book. Great read. |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Dec 30 2008 : 4:07:37 PM
Cold frames and greenhouses for veggies and barns and good shelters for animals. (Please don't think I'm being obnoxious, but this does work!)
Kris
Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you. Maori proverb |
| Firemama |
Posted - Dec 30 2008 : 4:02:36 PM
I'm trying to figure that one out here in the Pacific NorthWest,lol. Goodluck!!
Mama to 2
FarmGirl# 20
People can only make you feel inferior with your permission, and you dont have my permission......
Dont let the chain of love end with you.....
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