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I'm really excited about gardening this year - the critters were fenced out late last year, I've got a new electric vehicle to help me get up and down the hill to the garden (see http://www.betterhensandgardens.com/2010/12/26/christmas-farm-vehicle/), I've been adding the compost made from the...

Take time to smell the roses? :old Excellent advice.

We had extra corn that we let dry on the cobs, and the chickens went crazy for that this winter. Next year I want to grow alfalfa so we don't have to buy hay for the goats during the winter.

This is great, I just did a post on my blog on manure (it's here: http://www.betterhensandgardens.com/2011/01/26/garden-gold/) and I take a look at the forum and you're all extoling the virtues of it! :thumbsup

I'm hopping on the Blue Lake cheerleading too; I wondered which would be better - Kentucky Wonder or Blue Lake - so grew both side by side last year. I much preferred the Blue Lake, not as tough, not as stringy, didn't get overgrown as quick, better flavor (IMO). So, this year it's Blue Lake...

:ep You ordered only 4 things? That's amazing self-control :bow

I'm awash in seed catalogs! Life is good :celebrate

Thanks on the chart, and you may be right about the potatoes. I need to give that some thought. :/

Here's a rotation based on plants "needs" for nutrition: http://www.betterhensandgardens.com/2010/04/04/garden-crop-rotation-a-simple-system/ In this system root crops would preferably follow tomatoes. I think using this system has saved me from completely losing my potates and nightshades to...

When I try to click on the link on this site to request a catalog, it wants to open a Microsoft program on my computer. So, so far I haven't requested a catalog from them or added them to the list of free seed catalogs. Anyone else have this problem? :/

I just added them, and ordered a catalog. Thanks :thumbsup

Since we were starting to compile a nice little list of free seed catalogs to send for, I put the list with links here: http://www.betterhensandgardens.com/2010/11/21/free-garden-seed-catalogs/ Now we just need to decide on the perfect varieties for next year's garden!

Thanks for the other catalog suggestions everyone. :thumbsup I just signed up for the High Mowing Organic Seed, Pinetree, and Seeds of Change Catalogs. I have another suggestion for potatoe growers: http://www.woodprairie.com/ Looks like Johnny's doesn't have their 2011 catalog out yet.

Did you say you're going to use this to start seedlings for the garden?

Baker has all heirloom, open pollinated, non-GMO seed versus Burpee's hybrid everything. And becaue Burpee has almost all hybrids, their seeds are more expensive. I too used to use Burpee, but I've converted to heirlooms. And Baker's catalogs have been better than Burpee's! :D

Baker Creek Heirloom seeds will be shipping catalogs starting in December. Get yours by requesting it here: http://rareseeds.com/requestcatalog/index/ I hate getting most catalogs, but I love getting seed catalogs! :drool

I agree with Hoodat on the beets, great pickled - otherwise forget it. How do you freeze Swiss Chard? :/

It is amazing how our perceptions can change - some of the plants I previously thought of as weeds, I now think of as goat food. I'm often out in the pasture with our young doelings (they seem to think I'm somewhat equivalent to Mom), and will notice the leaves they seem to prefer and pick them...

Well, to can something safely, the pH level must be 4.6 or below. Tomato's are the fruit with the highest pH level (ranging from 4.1 to 4.6) so it's potentially close to being above the safe level for hot pack water bath canning. To bring pH levels down to acceptable levels, citric acid, lemon...

We're also eating watermelon (Crimson Sweet) for breakfast, and I just did another batch of Fall Freezer Tomato sauce. :)