Anybody here growing food?

[NealTaflinger]

We bought a house this summer and I spent the last couple of months ripping out woody weeds, building a huge compost area, and preparing the very depleted soil for planting. I plan on planting a small fruit grove, vegetables and berries. Anyone else here looking at supplementing their grocery/market trips with food from the yard?

[Jody Jones]

I do it every year Neal, and so does my brother, parents and aunt/uncle and my cousin. If you started a compost area, you are on the right track! I am single, so I have the smallest plot of all, but I grew green beans, tomatoes, potatoes, zucchini, peppers,buttercup squash. I also have rhubarb and an asparagus patch. One thing you have to remember, if you grow it you will also want to preserve it somehow. Freezing, canning, etc. Email me if you want more info, be glad to share what I know

[Patricia C. Coleman]

Hello Neal,

As Jody said, sounds like you are off to a good start. I used to spend much of my time in the garden as an intensive organic gardener with a small orchard - all of it focused on heirlooms. Now, I am working out a barter to help take care of things. I found a few books to be of use, particularly those from the biodynamic society. If you haven't discovered John Jeavons "How tot Grow More Vegetables" check it out. It has some useful planting information and plans for a number of different sizes of gardens, rotation, alleopathy and more. Local Food Directory at http://www.greendove.net/localfood.htm has some resources, and the Indiana Holistic Health Network Directory - http://www.indianaholistichealth.net has a lot of resource info and links. Happy Gardening

[NealTaflinger]

Any suggestions for heirloom seed backs/sellers? I have found some stuff online but not as much as I'd hoped.

[Brian Wyrick]

We had a garden last year - pretty basic stuff, tomatoes and peppers, beans, and some herbs... Not sure what we are doing this year.

[Lena Lucas]

Neal,

Here is the source of info on heirloom veggies

http://www.myhomegreenpages.com/searchResult.aspx?key=heirloom&...

Good luck

[Carrie Sample]

You may have this information already, but here goes....and you can google them and pick up their websites:

Seeds of Change is a good company that sells many heirlooms...based in New Mexico. I just haven't had the best of luck with germination from them, but on the other hand, they were donated seeds from the prior year that a community garden I participated in was given, so it wasn't as though it was new seed.

Pinetree Garden Seeds has several--they usually denote that items are "open pollinated"...I also like that they market to backyard gardeners, so they offer a smaller number of seeds in the packets for a correspondingly lower price. Based in Maine

Join GardenWeb forums...an online community. There is a specific forum for Heirloom Gardening, as well as swaps, and seeds for SASE. Indiana has its own forum, and while I haven't gone the last couple years because I didn't have anything to trade, they have a plant swap every year in May at Holliday Park. Great, Great bunch of people.

Ditto on if you need help getting information about canning. Or you can always find the newest edition of Ball Blue Book or check out the Harvest forum on GardenWeb.

[Shari Boultbee]

We have had a very small raised bed garden for years. It is 4' X 16'. you would be surprised what you can get from such a small space with good soil and water. For the past few years we have done this with no chemicals. It is small enough that we can cover it with Nylon screen when the bad bugs start. We started a compost pile last year. Good luck on your projects.

[Neil Kirby]

Yes I've had a patch for veg for several years now. Some space for herbs - thyme, oregano, tarragon, sage and mint (plant in a bucket with the bottom cut out or it will be everywhere) are all perennials. Basil, parsley, rosemary, lemongrass for annuals.

Tomatoes are pretty reliable but need a lot of support. Green beans (Blue Lake is pretty good), carrots, leaves, aubergines, and peppers are pretty robust also. I haven't done squash due to lack of space but may well try them this year.

Pests - Japanese beetle can be bad on aubergines and basil and to a lesser degree beans. Aubergines also get flea beetle - I do spray for them. Good luck and have a lot of fun.

[NealTaflinger]

I was off work yesterday and hanging out in the back yard with the dogs so I decided to jam a pitchfork into some of the ground I prepared for planting by dumping layers of yard clippings and leaves over them and was happy to find soft dark soil. I think this spring will be fun.

[Jodi Rose]

It's great to read about so many home-growers! I wish we had more sunlight in our yard to support production. Here's something to keep in mind for this summer: for anyone who grows more food than they can eat (and more than they want to can), there is a group that collects any excess garden produce and gets them into the hands of hungry families. It's easy to drop off your donated extras (corner of Washington and 57th St. at the Mary Statue on the grounds of Immaculate Heart of Mary parish), and the volunteers deliver all donations to Anna's House, a food distribution line on the near west side of Indy. Visit www.ihmindy.org, then click on "Outreach" for more information. It's just a simple way to give to those who have limited access to fresh vegetables. Thanks for considering it!

[Alicia Oskay]

Neal and everyone in t his group:

I've mentioned her before, but I have to toot my good friend, Constance Ferry's horn. She is owner of Hobbit Gardens in Fillmore, Indiana. She might give you an interesting story for Indy.com. She has wonderful events and really helps educate about sustainable living practices... she is amazing!

Here is a bit I wrote to promote organic gardening and her services for my March monthly newsletter at Up Dog Yoga Studio (I'd love to send this newsletter to you with permission for personal email):

Energy Conservation Basics: Organic Gardening for the Earth
With spring on it's way, many will consider or start planning their garden for the season. Of course, growing and purchasing food locally reduces the use of fossil fuels.

In addition, organic gardening practices conserve the earth's resources, decrease environmental pollution and reduce or alleviate the use of toxic chemicals. Some of organic practices include fertilizing soil with compost and manures. In addition, many common household products, such as vinegar and castile soap, can be used to control weeds and pests without harming the environment. Fish emulsion serves as excellent food for starting your seedlings in pots or feeding indoor and potted plants.

Other organic gardening practices include using heirloom or non-genetically modified seeds and plants to start your indoor or outdoor garden. These seeds and plants are the best of the best plants that thrived and survived in nature without the manipulation of mankind... pretty impressive! If these plants survived naturally, imagine the nutritious benefits they can provide to you!

Want to learn more about organic gardening? Hobbit Gardens Proprietor Constance Ferry specializes in herbs for health and well-being; other services include heirloom seeds and plants, workshops and a sustainable gardening apprentice program. In addition, she makes her own herbal teas, bug repellents, hand salves, natural beauty and self-care products.

Take a trip to Hobbit Gardens in Fillmore, Indiana, www.hobbitgardens.hendrickscountyconnection.com, [phone].

[Neil Kirby]

So how is your garden growing? Mine had a slight setback with that late cold night, but it seems to be getting into the swing of growing.

What did you plant in the end?