| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| LivingWell4You |
Posted - Feb 21 2009 : 08:52:06 AM
THE MAVENS’ HAVEN
February 21, 2009
Save Our Seeds – Feed Our Future
Welcome to MJ’s Heirloom Mavens!
“So much comes with the seeds, love of land, work ethic, independence, respect for nature, wonder, dealing with loss, Oh, I could go on and on. Why do you think people who are so far removed from the land are feeling so dissconnected with the world.” Teresa Sue
Isn’t this an amazing adventure we’re on? We’re learning so much. Not just about saving seeds, but about each other, about ourselves, about our families and about how connected we are to the earth. The further we remove ourselves from the soil, the further we remove ourselves from our souls. We were made to work with the earth. Pre-packaged food that we heat in a microwave and eat in front of the television does nothing to truly nourish us. We understand that and that’s why we do what we do. I can’t express it any better than some of the mavens did this week on the DOE. Keep reading and enjoy some real soul food.
**** MAVEN TO MAVEN ****
In the Life of a Maven
In the “best news I’ve heard this week” category, from Annika (Annika): “I'm cautiously happy. My dad doesn't have lung cancer, just a tumor. And they are worried about swollen lymph nodes, but hopefully that is going to be ok....so I'm back, kind of! Dad is still going to need surgery to fix his broken arm, but that, should go ok too. Thanks for all of the prayers and thoughts, I know that they helped.”
THIS week is Denise’s birthday (levisgrammy) – Wednesday, February 25.
Marcy (Marcy Jo) will be following right behind Denise. Her birthday is one week from today, Saturday, February 28.
Lanna (Lanna) asked us to “keep my family in your thoughts if the urge hits” as she works through some personal issues. You got it, Lanna, it’s one of the things we’re best at. “And in non-seed news? My 5yo lost his first tooth last night.”
Dawn (deeredawn) has also been dealing with things on the homefront this week. “I do want to apologize for my absence of late. Please know that I'm with you in spirit and heart. I have some family issues to deal with, and you know it's never easy when dealing with family. Please know that no one is ill, or compromised. Just some things that indeed need my full attention.” Sending lots of moral support your way, QMD. Dawn continues to spend much of her Wednesday off in Chicken Saddle Land. “Yay. (not a happy yay...)”
Lora’s (FARMALLChick) horse managed to get a 3-inch screw stuck in the middle of his hoof. “Horse seems to be doing fine. He is putting more weight on his leg and shows no signs of lock-jaw.” She (Lora) had two trips to the ER with her son this week due to a rash from medication he was taking – okay now. Yay! Lora got a new squad car this week – desperately needed. And for that reality check we all need from time to time: “Please relish the jobs you have and be thankful you don't have to see what police and first responders have to see. It really messes with your mind.”
Tina’s (Tina Michelle) yard sale was rained out last Saturday. Here’s hoping for sunshine and lots of visitors – the buying kind. She also got some amazing heirloom news this week from an online seed-saver friend. “she emailed me saying that she wanted to send me several varieties of tomatoes that have been in her family for generations and are not available at all commercially..they have not been shared with anyone outside of the family until now.” She’s getting 4 varieties of tomatoes and an heirloom cockscomb with huge flowers.
And be sure to check out Tina’s etsy site: “have a variety of heirloom seed available over in my etsy shop..and listing some new varieties soon..in the next day or so. check it out if you'd like. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6624848 ”
Change in moving plans for Teresa Sue (Contrary Wife). Although they are keeping their land in Idaho, it now looks like Cheney will be there new home in 2011. And congratulations, TS, on your 1400th post!!!
If you’ve ever wondered how to deal with the layering issue created by wearing an apron in the summertime, Kelley (farmmommy) has the answer: “I came up with something las night!!!! I designed the "Tapron - A Southern Girls Best Friend" … I love to wear my aprons year round,....but in summer down here....NO WAY!! Far too hot!! … I finally came up with a design and made one yesterday......Tapron - a tank top cut just below the Boobies (can I say that on Here?).....and a then add a VERY full gathered "skirt" (the fuller, the more air flow!!) made of a very light weight cotton, then just add 2 chunky (big) pockets!! I must say, it turned out just as I pictured it....very cute!! Very cool! And so easy to do....”
How many song titles can we come up with to send Amanda (DearMildred) off on her trip to California next week to get BF will be starting a new job? (She started this train of thought since she’s going “On the Road Again”): “A week from today we will be driving Rt 66 across New Mexico, heading for La Posada in Winslow, Arizona. (Yes, I have had "Take it Easy" stuck in my head all week.) I am looking forward to driving from Tulsa to LA and seeing all the sites (those that are left, anyway) but I am dreading his leaving.”
We are the PQ’s (Posting Queens) – 300 pages and climbing!
New Mavens
Like the Energizer Bunny (sort of) we keep growing and growing and growing……..
Kris (kristin sherrill) showed up in the henhouse on February 16. “My dream is to have a CSA and will eventually. I like that concept alot. I would really love to make this my "job". Along with the milk goat business and grass-fed beef. Maybe more pastured pork in the future, also. Plus of course the chickens and eggs. Gotta have those! So I am really interested in the heirlooms now and would eventually like to be total heirloom. But it will take time to build up to that, I think.So here I am and I am ready to join in this big huge discussion ya'll have started here.” Keep the dream alive, Kris, and we’ll be dreaming right along with you.
Gail (gspringman), a.k.a. first “mom” to Cheryl’s (K-Falls Farmgirl) chickens, joined the coop February 19. She is a “homemaker who spends most of my time either gardening, hauling wood, cleaning coops or whatever I can find doing. Love to take out my boat and go fishing in summer … We live on an 8 acre hillside overlooking farm fields. This is my little heaven. I am really happy to be a part of this forum and look forward to meeting all of you.” Welcome, Gail. We’re looking forward to getting to know you.
Chiqita (savanna) posted just in time to be included in this newsletter. (I usually cut it off between noon and 6pm MaryJane time on Fridays but I couldn’t wait til next week to welcome a new maven, now could I? How mavenly would that be???) “Just wanted to say hi. HI I have place my first order with Baker Creek . Am so excited about using heirloom seeds this season. Order their magazine too. and the catalog. I can't hardly wait for them to get here.
The posting on Sept 10 , 2008 really struck a cord with me. Thank you for being here.” That post struck a cord with each of us, Chiqita. It truly is the post that started it all. It is why we’re here.
If you’re interested in expanding your gardening and food knowledge to include heirloom varieties, come on over to the Danger of Extinction thread and jump right in. Lots of gardening talk, good info and good company awaits. If you are not in the sisterhood yet, come anyway. In these economic times we realize that not everyone has the resources to join the sisterhood so we have created a companion thread, the HHM/HM Henhouse Connection http://www.maryjanesfarm.com/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=25556&whichpage=1 . This way you can read the posts in the henhouse and post on the connection. For those already in the sisterhood, just send Gabe an e-mail at gabe@maryjanesfarm.com to be added to the henhouse. For those not in the sisterhood and are just waiting for a reason to join, this is it! And remember, if you want more information about MJ’s Heirloom Mavens, check out the Heirloom Mavens Beginners Guide http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=667 and then go to the Danger of Extinction Thread and introduce yourself. http://www.maryjanesfarm.com/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=24908 We’d love to get to know you!
Mavens Walking the Talk
“I have started telling everyone that holds still long enough about monsanto - including an unsuspecting bystander looking at the Burpee seeds at lowe's. She asked if she was in my way and I said, no, I won't buy that brand... on my way back out I saw her perusing the Ferry Morse seeds, so I consider this a minor victory.” Amanda
“ ‘Mavens - proudly spreading the word since September 2009, numbers growing daily’ - nice work ladies, you all are my inspiration:)” Amy Grace (graciegreeneyes)
Noted and Quoted
“I've been wanting to put a sidenote out here that the most important thing is that we're planting heirloom seeds, at least in some part of our garden, and we're spreading the word. I was concerned that mavens might think they need to get techy (my term for bagging/etc.) with this. We went from growing little organic gardens the last two years to planning a bigger one this year. The mavens happened and it's turned our gardening world upside down. I was hoping to concentrate on saving one kind of seed this year. That was going to be a major accomplishment I thought. Then hubby got hold of the S2S book and the world shifted again. We all do what we can and hopefully we do it without throwing our lives out of balance. And the kindergarten thing - practically everything I know to this point is book knowledge. Guess I need to get ready for another shift o' my world when it gets put into practice.
I'm anxious to see where we'll be in another two years. I think it's better that I don't know at this point or it would scare me to death! Sure is fun, though, huh?” Karen (LivingWell4You)
“Karen...lol..In your last post on page 304, I noticed that you used the word "Shift" two times......I emailed Rene' about this awhile ago, and i hope I don't embarrass her, but.....On September 11, 2008, Rene' posted on here and said at the end of her post "I just feel that the amount of shifting I will do from today on.....is going to be HUGE!"....I emailed her and told her that I wrote it on a post it note and had it on my bathroom mirror already! with her name right behind it just like they do with all the famous people quotes!!! what she said holds sooo much meaning...and I believe it would be good for all of us to write that on a post it and stick it to the bathroom mirror....lol...everyday, is a BRAND NEW day!!! And everyday, we are each learning something new from each other about this area that we all, as a group, share the same passion for. So what better of a quote, belief, thought, what have you, to go by on a daily basis?” Kelley
“Kelley (and others) - loved the comments on "shift" and had to add that old typewriters used to physically lift the letter mechanism to make upper case letters. I like to see these "shifts" in my life as lifting me up as well - lifting me up from dependency on others, etc.” Ann (soapmommy60543)
**** WEEKLY UPDATE ****
Maven Seeds Farm
Many ideas and suggestions have been flying around the DOE this week regarding seed-saving opportunities for the mavens, everything from government grants to being sponsored by a charitable foundation to being test gardens for heirloom seed companies and more. Too much to put in this newsletter. Out of this discussion came the seed of an idea from Corinne (corinnelouise), which she posted in the henhouse. Here are the basics:
“I have been giving lots of thinking of how we can influence the world around us and how, as Maven, we have to take charge and responsibility of these changes in the area of seed saving and seed sharing.
On the model of MJ country farm, we could have a "Maven seeds farm" where other farmgirls could buy a "share" of the heirloom seeds we are going to save this year and while it would cost each of us a small amount of money to buy the first seeds and some extra work to do our gardening with them, the money earned from the shares could go into the Maven Paypal account and with it we could buy more seeds to plan next year and get to go on with our other projects.
My vision is ‘community garden please meet CSA’.
It has to do with this Chinese proverb saying which is like : ‘instead of giving somebody a fish a day, show them how to fish’.
It talks about responsibility and sufficiency.
Since we are working toward our future, it makes sense to start with this season of planting and preservation.”
Sounds intriguing, doesn’t it? Let this germinate and then transplant your seedling ideas in the henhouse http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=748
Maven T-Shirts
Dawn and Lora have been working on finding a supplier for maven T-shirts. Dawn posted the information in the henhouse http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=749 Regarding color options, it’s a large store and most color choices are available. For instance, you could choose between light purple and dark purple and be pretty confident of getting your choice. If you want eggplant, mulberry, indigo, or mustard yellow, well, you may need to be more general. You can try though – you can’t get what you don’t ask for.
HMBC (Heirloom Maven Book Club)
One more week with “Carrots Love Tomatoes” by Louise Riotte. For more info, go to the Book Discussion forum in the henhouse http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=741 Remember, you don’t need to read the entire book before commenting. As you find something of interest, share it with the rest of us. You never know which spark will catch fire and start a really interesting discussion. So post your thoughts, comments and questions in the henhouse http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=710 or, if you are not in the sisterhood yet, use the HM/HHM Discussion Thread http://www.maryjanesfarm.com/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=25556&whichpage=1 .
“How are you all doing on reading Carrots love Tomatoes? I am about 1/3rd through it finding it quite interesting what grows best with what. I also highlighted sections I wanted to remember. Also drawing sketches of possible garden plans.” Cheryl
“I couldn't sleep last night as well and so I started reading "Carrots Love Tomatoes" again. What I did this time tho, in the section that tells what grows best with what, I highlighted in yellow the plants that grow well with the subject plant, and I highlighted in purple the plants that do not grow well with the subject plant. That way, at a glance I can see what to plant or not to plant.” Teresa Sue
Lynn Coulter Bookmarks and bookplates
Lynn Coulter, author of Gardening with Heirloom Seeds graciously offered signed bookplates (for GwHS) and bookmarks (for for her latest book, Mustard Seeds: Thoughts on the Nature of God and Faith to the mavens. The list of mavens who have requested them is posted on the DOE http://www.maryjanesfarm.com/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=24908&whichpage=290 . If you requested these and haven’t received them, please let Rene’ (prosserfarmgirl) know A.S.A.P. From Rene’: “if your name isn’t on the list, and you are wanting a book plate and a book mark from Lynn PLEASE email me, I have a few more, and will keep mailing them out until they are gone.”
More Good Reads
“Cold-Climate Gardening by Lewis Hill is the one I'm feeling I must buy, and I'm only on page 205 (out of 300). It's a bit dated as the text was written when I was 2 years old, but pretty much the only things that have changed are variety names. And even then, only a little.
The other one is Breed Your Own Vegetable Varieties by Carol Deppe. I'm very intrigued, and have gotten sucked into a dozen pages here and there (the kids would flip it open and I'd get sucked in until someone dumped Cheerios on the floor).
So if those haven't been on the reading lists yet, I heartily suggest them.” Lanna [Cold-Climate Gardening already has a few votes but it’s always good to get another opinion.]
“Has anyone read "Great Garden Companions" I just bought it too...looks pretty good….I highly recommend the book Country wisdom, I was thumbing through it today and it is chockfull of every topic you could ask about. with pictures, diagrams,. templates for quilting even.” Cheryl
“Amy Grace- I have just started reading a book called "Through a dog's ears" it is about music that sooths a dog's anxieties. The book came with a music CD (haven't played it yet) and there is a website that I haven't been to yet it is : www.throughadogsear.com maybe this would help your dog.” Lillian (Ms. Lilly)
“I am reading the Seed Starter's Handbook and it's great. I think I am going to buy this book. I just finished Made from Scratch-Discovering the Pleasures of a Handmade Life by Jenna Woginrich. I liked it. I wrote down some tips I learned. I would love to have angora rabbits.” Ruth (homemom)
“Now....about this CUTE little book I found at the library today....It is called "Passalong Plants" written by Steve Bender and Felder Rushing. Not sur that it's anything we would want to have a book discussion on, but I'm intrigued! Includes info on 117 different plants, mail order sources, a little section on how to organize a plant swap, and more...oh, their definition of a passalong plant is "plants that have survived in gardens for decades by being handed from one person to another. These botanical heirlooms, such as flowering almond, blackberry lilly, and night blooming cereus, usually can't be found in garden centers: about th only way to obtain a passalong is to beg a piece from the fortunate gardener thathas one." It's mainly about the "pretties" in the garden, which as mavens, we can't forget about the heirloom flowers too!!! Anyhow, a cute little book that is rightup my alley!!! I think I'm gonna love it...just thought I'd share that with ya'll!!” Kelley
“Passalong Plants, I read that book about 10 years ago and loved it. I passed it along to a friend when I finished it and asked her to do the same when she was done.” Lillian
“ya'll should check out "Deceptively Delicious" by Jessica Seinffeld...it is a cook book that teaches you how to incorporate freash, pureed fruits and veggies into your everday meals without tasting them.....what better to have with gardening season upon us?????” Kelley
“Ya'll should check out "Gardening for maximum nutrition" by Jerry Minnich...VERY GOOD....in my opinion” Kelley
Garden Talk
Junior Gardeners
As our slogan says, we save our seed in order to feed our future. This week we got more glimpses into the future:
“After getting our pretty pretty beans (DS, who is totally into anything Japanese, is now calling them Kanji beans because the squiggles look like the Japanese figures) and inventory-ing what we had left from last year, we have decided to put in a 3 Sisters bed. I found this really cool link if anyone else is interested:
http://www.kidsgardening.com/growingideas/projects/March02/mar02-pg1.htm
Thought you'd all like to see it - it has a great diagram (and I'm all about pictures showing me how to do something!).” Ann
I left all of my seeds catalogues laying on the dining room table last night (i usually try not to do this, seeing as how I have a 2 YO boy and his favorite game is "Seek and Destroy") but I was soooo tired last night that I just left them there and still had not put them up this morning before the kids woke...well, i was outside feeding Mildred and chickens and had a nother cup of coffee, and when I walked in the door, both my babes were awake and sitting at the dining room table playing with the seed catalogues....and of course i RAN!!! but they weren't actually "playing" with them.....instead, Sadler looked at me and said "Look mommy, corn!!!"" and then Emily followed with "and there are my favowites...tomamtoes!" So I just jump right in and go along with them. It amazed me the amount of fruits and veggies my 2 and 3 YO"s already know...and the ones they don't, they ask me what they are!!! So we had "Fruit and Veggie 101" first thing this morning! And then it REALLY hit me....I mean, I've thought about Alot before, but this morning, it just REALLY hit me!!! I may not know all there is to know about about heirlooms and saving their seeds, and I may not have a whole box of seeds that have been handed down to me from generations before me....but what's stopping me from giving that to my own children? It starts with ME!!! It may not have been done for me by my family, but it WILL be done by me for my family!!! And another thing hit me, Kids are NEVER too young to start learning!!! I already knew that part, but it really is SO true! I am so proud that i have a 3 YO daughter that can already track elk and mule deer, and tell the differnce in their poop and their tracks, she also has a love affair with tomatoes that hit when she was just 14 months old!! And even at only 3, she already has 2 previous gardening seasons under her belt where she has actually planted the garden with us.....and this year Sadler helped, him and DH planted potatoes yesterday while I was gone and DH said he actually did very well, just like his sister!! This means ALOT to me concidering the fact that I have a friend with children almost the same age as mine who don't even know what dirt is much less what a garden full of fruits and vegetables is!!! anyhow, just needed to put all of this on here this AM, to share that so much can just HIT you when you least expect it!! Kelley
“Kelley - WOO HOO! and AMEN! We didn't have a real garden until 2 years ago, and I'll tell you, some of the best memories I have of spending time with my 2 kiddos have been planning of, and working on and in our garden. This year, these 2 kiddos (who are almost 10 and almost 12) have become very vocal advocates of eating local and seed saving/heirloom gardening. I think because kids don't have all that junk on their minds like adults do, they just "get it" so much easier. And mine do, and now yours do. It's so exciting! So give yourself a well deserved pat on the back, Mom, because you did something right!” Ann
“Way to go Kelley! It does have to start with us trying to save as much seed as possible from whatever we grow and teaching others from the ground up that this is important for us, our children and our future, not to mention our planet.” Annika
Questions……
“Still looking for an affordable web designer. I simply cannot afford hundreds of dollars right now and really just want my own site.” Dawn
“I looked it up and I am in planting zone 6A. Now can anyone tell me a good site for what that means?” Ruth
“…who wrote the ‘Seed Starters Handbook’?” Elinor (gramax18)
“…the question lurking in my mind is about Monsanto-bought companies since 2005. I think they bought out Seminis in 2006 but other than that, I haven't seen anything. Are the buy-outs being kept under cover now or have they bought out all the ones they can or what is up?” Karen
…& Answers
“Gonna start my hollyhocks indoors just because I want them to bloom the first year…. Hollyhocks seem to be considered a biennial by some and a perennial by others and so on... but I did read that they will bloom the first year if you start them indoors early enough. So I'm giving it a shot, what the heck? I have some mixed hollyhocks from Tammy (via Farmgirls) and also a packet of Indian Spring hollyhock seeds from Botanical Interests, so I figured I'll do one inside and one direct sow, and see what happens. My not-so-very-scientific experiment!” Amanda
“have a variety of heirloom seed available over in my etsy shop..and listing some new varieties soon..in the next day or so.
check it out if you'd like.
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6624848 ” Tina
“Here's a little tidbit for all of us: if you shake the plant [tomato] when it's in flower, you can increase the production because it increases the amount of pollen released in the tube!” Karen
“My BF got me this gadget called Easy Bloom for Valentine's Day - it monitors your soil moisture, humidity, sunlight, air flow, whatever - you stick it in the ground for 24 hours then plug it into your computer via USB and it gives you a reading. Makes recommendations on what to grow for your conditions, or what might be wrong with a plant you've already got there. Pretty nifty so far. It's a white stick-like thing, looks like a giant pregnancy test with a flower on top - ha!” Amanda
“I get the free newsletter by ORGANICGARDENING (http://www.organicgardening.com/) and in the one they've sent me today, is a free seed starting chart that I found very useful. Sign up at (http://www.organicgardening.com/newsletter/1,7685,s1-0-0-0,00.html) They are right about where we stand now when we have all these questions about what to start indoor and when. they also have a section called "Organic Gardening Month-to-Month Almanac" with 11 planting zones listed and a month per month almanac about what to do in the garden.” Corinne
“Corinne - I also like the chart and signed up for the newsletter, thanks for the website! My Dh and I are also going by the "oLd Farmers Almanac Planting table" we like how it gives you your planting tables per your exact location (zip) Amanda, you may also want to go to that web site http://www.almanac.com/garden/plantingtable/index.php my huuby and find it very educational!” Kelley
“ http://www.mamashealth.com/garden/seedsaving.asp
Hey Mavens, This is one of my new favorites when it comes to all things garden. I am preparing for a chapter meeting tonight at my best friend Terra's home. We are covering sprouting, cold frame planting and SQ Ft gardening... Of course I will be sharing about the mavens. Maybe we will get more prosserfarmgirls to join in on the conversations. Keep your fingers crossed.” Rene’
“Speaking of the Safe Seeds Pledge, it bugs me that the list doesn't seem to have been updated since 2006. I just emailed them to see if the program's still an active one, and if it's based on the honor system or if there's some way of monitoring the participating seed companies.” Amanda
Questions & Answers
Q1: “What book would you consider the most comprehensive on seed saving and having info on what plants cross pollinate with others?” Teresa Sue
A: “TS, I don't have an extensive seed-saving library (yet) but Seed to Seed by Suzanne Ashworth is incredible. Hubby has taken it over so I haven't read it as much as I would like. He says ‘it covers what causes cross-pollination, how to avoid it, F1 hybrids and how they come to be, how a home gardener can do their best to avoid cross-pollination AND how to check to see if something was cross-pollinated the next year by examining the plant, etc.’” Karen
A: “Morning Mavens, Teresa Sue, I am with Karen and I would also recommend ‘Seed to Seed’, it is the most comprehensive book on preservation and it kind of follows the ideas of "carrots love tomatoes" in the way it is informative, practical and give us all that we need to do it ourselves.” Corinne
A: “Ladies, I tried to read S2S and was a bit lost. This is my first year starting a garden from seed. I am hoping that everything grows well. Right now, I am reading the The New Seed Starters Handbook and that has been great. I love it and am learning so much. I would love to save my seed but am afraid to mess things up. The hand pollinating and pollination/isolation bags seem like alot of work and I'm not sure that I will absorb all of this info to do it correctly. KWIM?” Ruth
Q2a: “So, are any of you going to be using isolation cages and self pollinating this season?” Kelley
Q2b: “And that was my next train of thought - pollination/isolation bags... I don't know that I'll have the energy/inclination to make some let alone attempt bagging blossoms, but who knows….So those of you that do isolate, what exactly are you doing/have planned?” Lanna
A: “Not at this point. I will probably just stick with one variety of whatever I am planting to keep my seed pure.” Teresa Sue
A: “I am sorta using isolation cages. More like isolation bags. I am hoping to use a fine tricot and make a few bags to keep a few tomatos, peppers and squash from cross polinating. My theory is to cover the blossoms in one area with the bags until they bloom, then remove the bag and do the polinating myself. I will then replace the bag until the fruit appears, at that point I will permantly remove the bag and mark the fruit with string or some sorta tape. In my mind this works, in reality I'm not sure.” Lillian
Q3: “I dug around in my library and found that I have a copy of ‘Saving Seeds the gardener's guide to growing and storing vegetable and flower seeds’ by Marc Rogers. It was printed in 1990.
My question is, is this a good book to use for the information to become a seed saver?” Elinor
A: “I answered a question on the Garden Gate this morning and in the process discovered www.davesgarden.com - a wealth of general gardening info. Maybe even heirloom info but I didn't have a lot of time to hang around Dave's garden. Anyways, they have a book review there and you could probably find info about Marc Rogers' book there. I'm not familiar with it but I'm more likely to trust something from before the turn of the century as that's when GMOs started ramping up.” Karen
More info on Dave’s Garden: “I have come across Dave's Garden a number of times when googling heirloom varieties to see pictures of them. Did NOT know about the heirloom seed company reviews. Hooray for that. Just noticed they have a winter sowing forum though.” Amanda
Q4: “So if I have five different kinds of tomatoes in the same garden, will they cross-pollinate and make weird little tomato babies?” Amanda
A: “Amanda, according to Seed to Seed, tomatoes have a self-pollinating "structure" that "severely limits (and may totally preclude) any crossing between these varieties." The three that can cross-pollinate (by insects) are: currant tomatoes, L. pimpinellifolium; all of the potato-leaved varieties of L. lycopersicum; and any fruit formed from double blossoms on beefsteak types of L. lycopersium.
That's the techy answer. Basically like TS said, tomatoes started as a warm weather planted but over the years has moved north and in doing so has adapted itself. They all used to have styles that stuck out from the anther tube (I couldn't throw those words around like that til I read the S2S bit), now they've adapted so that the style is contained within the tube and therefore they are essentially self-pollinating. You can check the flowers on the plants this summer. When they bloom, look to see if the style sticks out of the tube or not and you'll know if they're self-pollinating or if they need to be bagged/caged.” Karen
Q5: “Am I the only (ahem, soon to be) winter sower amongst us? Planning on getting it all set up this weekend. Quick before I run outta winter. :D” Amanda
A: “I think I'm going to try it with a few things this year. I'm saving and rinsing out my opaque milk jugs really well. But I have to wait until I can get my hands on some compost and such. Besides, nothing really starts sprouting up here until April if the plants are over-eager anyway. I've got time.” Lanna
Q6: “Anyone have any idea how I can keep my neighbor's #$)*#! CAT from digging in my raised beds! Don't exactly want to fence around them considering I haven't even planted anything yet. That, and most cats are impervious to fencing.” Amanda
A: “I have a little blog post about the kitty sutuation over at: www.thevictorygardener.blogspot.com maybe? some of those ideas might help?” Tina
A: “Amanda ~ I'm sorry about the neighborhood cats. I tried forking my lettuce a few years ago. It minimally worked. Now we just attempt to chase them off with a squirt gun of water. Or I let the kids loose in the yard and they chase the cat within an inch of it's life or until it escapes (they like animals).” Lanna
**** FUTURE ATTRACTIONS ****
More MaryJane Books
If you are in the sisterhood you may have received an e-mail from the farm about vendors for the Farm Fair. But did you notice the last paragraph?
“MaryJane Butters writes a nationally-syndicated newspaper column and edits a bimonthly magazine, MaryJanesFarm. Following the publication by Random House of her third book, “MaryJane's Outpost, Unleashing your Inner Wild,” she is now working on three other books. The books focus on quilt making, bread baking, and diet makeovers. More information is available at www.maryjanesfarm.org ” WOO HOO!
Great Moscow Meetup
All you lucky mavens in the great northwest, the first Great Moscow Meetup at the coop is in the works. Be watching on the DOE for more information. Those of us not in the great northwest will be (jealously) with you in spirit.
Heirloom Maven Badge
It’s here! It’s here! Go to the henhouse http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=719 , click on the Heirloom Maven blogspot link to see the design, then come back to henhouse, leave a comment (if you haven’t already) for Teresa Sue and tell her what a fabu job she did. Then wait patiently for your badge to arrive in your mailbox.
Guess Who’s Coming to PBS…(Part 2)
Did you see it? The video for Farmer’s Almanac TV on PBS? Read Rene’s blurb at http://www.maryjanesfarm.com/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=26916 then click on the video and settle in for a wonderful visit with MaryJane and Meg.
**** REMINDERS ****
You Are That Maven
Siegers Seed Company is pushing for a patent on warted pumpkins. “Please write Siegers Seed Co. and protest this! Check out these links for more info... http://www.grit.com/daily-commute/Siegers-Seed-Co-Threatens-Action-over-Warty-Pumpkins.aspx?blogid=184
http://idigmygarden.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14625 ” Teresa Sue did the research and made it easy for us to print the complaint form and mail or fax it in. Click on this link for the details: http://www.maryjanesfarm.com/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=29307
This is important stuff. To paraphrase Teresa Sue, don’t wait for the other maven to do it because YOU ARE THAT MAVEN.
New Shopping Green Badge – Shopping Bag Swap
Did you know that there’s a new Shopping Green badge in the Cleaning Up category? One of the requirements at the Expert Level (why not start at the top?) is organizing a reusable bag swap. As our badge badger, Amy Grace (graciegreeneyes) jumped right on the opportunity. “Hey - since I'm the badge badger and all, wanted to let you all know I just started a thread for a reusable shopping bag swap over in Farmgirl Barter. One of the new badges is to collect and commit to using reusable shopping bags and a higher level is to make and trade one.
I thought this might be a good one for Mavens but I know everyone is busy so I opened it up for all farmgirls, but if you are interested hop on in.”
To sign up for the swap, go to http://www.maryjanesfarm.com/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=29292
Then post over to the henhouse to help Amy Grace keep track of the mavens participating in the swap http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=745
Heirloom Minor Curriculum at Farmgirl U
The curriculum has been posted in the henhouse http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=731 Check it out and let’s get started on getting that degree.
Seeds, Seeds, Seeds
Remember to post your planned/purchased seed for 2009 in the henhouse for future seed-swapping activity http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=561&whichpage=6 (This sends you to the last page and you can work your way back from there.) If you don’t have access to the henhouse, remember you can post to the HM/HHM Discussion Thread http://www.maryjanesfarm.com/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=25556&whichpage=1
Gardening Journals: Made by our mother hen, Dawn, “they are preetty dang-gone cute if I must say so myself….. They are $5 each and the $ goes in THE FUND. Just email me when you've paid and I will send it out asap.” You will find more information in the henhouse http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=721
Pillow Squares: Time to get working on those pillow squares! If you don’t know what this refers to, click here and look for Dawn’s IDEA: http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=551&whichpage=1 Due date: Memorial Day weekend. Hmmmmm, isn’t something else happening then too?
Mother Hen’s Nest of News: Remember to check out Our Mother Hen’s nest box in the henhouse where she will be laying her eggs filled with gardening tips, tidbits and treasures. It’s labeled as the bulletin board, but Nest Box is much more mavenly, dontcha think? http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=169
Maven Chat Night: Monday night chatting is has a new hangout. Tina has graciously offered the chatroom on their STL site for our weekly hen sessions. You will need to sign up on the site, www.stliving.net , and then jump in. Hang on because it can be a wild ride but it’s one you definitely don’t want to miss! The gab-fest begins at 9pm EST / 8pm CST / 7pm MST / 6pm PST.
Maven Lingo: If you get lost in the Heirloom Maven lingo, you can find the lingo list in the Beginner’s Guide http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=582
Badge Info: Here’s where you can find information on badges the mavens are currently working toward:
Beginner Farm Kitchen Badge: http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=609&whichpage=1
Beginner Farmgirl Gratitude Badge: http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=637
Beginner Bustin’ Out Badge: http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=638
Small Town Living: Be sure to check out maven Tina’s online magazine, Small Town Living at www.stliving.net
Heirloom Maven Bumper Stickers : The Heirloom Mavens Save Our Seeds – Feed Our Future bumper stickers are available for purchase. For more information, go to the Heirloom Mavens Beginners Guide http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=667 You can use PayPal to purchase Heirloom Maven bumperstickers, bracelets and to donate to the Maven Scholarship Fund ( http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=24908&whichpage=89 )
Heirloom Maven Blog: Check out the Heirloom Maven blog site at www.heirloommavens.blogspot.com
Seed Saving Support: When possible, purchase books through Seed Savers Exchange to support their efforts in saving heirloom seeds for future generations www.seedsavers.org
Heirloom Maven Spring Fling and Farmgirl Round-Up : Mark your calendars for the first annual Heirloom Maven Spring Fling and Farmgirl Round-Up http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=568
That’s all for this week, mavens. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please send me an e-mail and I will get back with you a.s.a.m.p. In the meantime, have a great week and see you in the DOE and/or henhouse.
God bless -
Karen ~ Chickherder & KMW (Keeper of Maven Words)
Farmgirl Sister #311
"To own a little bit of ground, to scratch it with a hoe, to plant seeds and watch the renewal of life - this is the commonest delight of the race, the most satisfactory thing a man can do." Charles Dudley Warner |
| 3 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| marcy jo |
Posted - Feb 23 2009 : 11:36:53 AM
Thanks Karen!!! Awesome job!!!
Marcy #257
http://marcyjosmarket.blogspot.com |
| homemom |
Posted - Feb 23 2009 : 11:07:31 AM
Amazing newsletter.
Ruth
 Living the farm life in my heart.
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Ruth
http://farmgirlinmyheart.blogspot.com |
| Sue Feely |
Posted - Feb 21 2009 : 11:51:09 AM
Hey Karen -
Great as usual, thanks for all the time you must spend doing this to keep us Mavens on the up and up!
Sue Feely
Sister #349 |
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