Comments on: TALLY HO 2008

By: Linda

Linda — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 22:54:18 +0000

Just finished compiling and estimating November and December harvests, and even with my inconsistant record keeping, I've pulled in 50+ pounds of produce from the waning summer garden and the waxing winter garden. My journal and records are better now, and I've already hit the 10 pound mark this month - and I still have 2 more weeks! I'm looking forward to seeing how much food I grow in the coming year. I don't have any pound goals, just enough tomatoes to keep me happy. (That takes a lot of tomatoes, by the way - one cannot HAVE too many tomatoes in my opinion, and they can be eaten for and as any meal.) Given that I can garden pretty much year round, and given my previous guess-timate, I think I can probably produce about 250 pounds of vegetables (no fruit trees yet) in the coming year and probably more. It will be an interesting year

By: Cindie K.

Cindie K. — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:55:13 +0000

We have no winter garden, but we do have an abundance of frozen veggies from our summer garden. We have more than enough tomatoes frozen for our tortoises, several batches of chili, soup, and sauces. And we have an abundance of green beas frozen as well. We have a small amount of corn frozen; one major summer storm knocked out most of our crop. We didn't weigh our veggies; however, I would like to take that on as a challenge and task for the coming summer. I would also like to begin solar oven cooking and other sustainable challenges.

By: ruthie

ruthie — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:07:19 +0000

This year will be exciting for us as we're possibly moving into our own urban homestead! We're putting in an offer on a little cottage today. It doesn't even have as much land as you, but we have big dreams.

Last July we moved down here and started growing at my in-laws. We got many meals worth of veggies, including an impressive armful of sweet potatoes. We're currently harvesting lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, collards, chard and more.

My goal for '09 for our new home (hopefully!) is 50 pounds. My other goal is to let my in-laws eat their own veggies. I think I will also weigh fruits and veggies we get from other free sources, such as satsumas from our aunt's tree, wild mustang grapes and blackberries, etc... That way, even with such a small homestead (6k sq ft) we can see real results!

By: Sinfonian

Sinfonian — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:33:04 +0000

Wow, with ALL that you still came close to your last year's totals. That's a real accomplishment. You made do with what nature gave you. Let's hope for everyone's sake 2009 is much better weather.

My garden died during the coldest December in over 50 years. My hoop covers were no match for temps that are so unlike our 8b climate (low of 14 that I saw inside my covers) /sigh.

Oh, and unfortunately we didn't even get to eat the root crops (I was looking forward to eating the candy carrots with my sons). Raccoons beat us to the harvest during the snow we got over Christmas. Grrr.

I hope next fall/winter is much better with what I've learned this year.

By: Mary Hysong

Mary Hysong — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:30:06 +0000

woww 3,000 eggs? how many birds do you have anyway? I know the year was a disapointment for you with your totals way off and the crazy weather. here's hoping we all have perfect weather this year I haven't totaled mine up yet, but probably around 50-70 pounds, mostly greens planted in Sep.

Starting the year off right tho, over 4 pounds of turnips and greens today; ate them for dinner, yum.

By: Di

Di — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:58:42 +0000

I started weighing, then just fell out of the habit I am making a renewed commitment though this year to actually weigh everything. It's not much but hey it's homegrown!
I plan on a conservative goal of 50lbs, no idea really how much my little plot will product this year. But I figure with fruit trees, 3 raised beds and containers I should be able to reach that. Weather permitting... brrrrrrr

By: Frugal in Mexico

Frugal in Mexico — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:43:05 +0000

Hi from Mexico, I didn't weigh anything. There is just myself to feed & I did that & sold some lettuce. I am NOW eating 4 kinds of lettuce,spinach & radishes from a small patch. That patch is full with shallots,garlic,beets, red swiss chard,& 3 tomato plants. In another small plot is self sown New Zealand spinach & I planted lettuces,sage,flat leaf parsley,Kentucky wonder beans & another kind of pole bean. Another place I planted sweet corn,Chinese greens,leaf radish,lettuces,a few broccoli. I have 2 other places to plant. I have to search for sunny spots on this block long property with it's extra large Mango trees. I am using the last of the Calomadrin oranges. I have been giving lemons away. No market for seedless lemons. I have 1 tree. 1 stalk of cooking bananas were cut this week & another stalk of good cooking bananas about ready. 7 more stalks of bananas are growing. I am a retired 76 year old granny.

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 23:23:04 +0000

Everything is under the snow, but my mini-orange tree is flowering right now! Hope to eat the little things this spring! C

By: Stacy

Stacy — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:12:53 +0000

Logging my crop is one of my new goals. I didn't keep track of anything last year except the 7-1/2 gallons of plum jam I made. But this year I've already started keeping track of lemon harvest (by volume of juice harvested). Now I just have to train the rest of the family to weigh before eating!

By: Kory

Kory — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:56:23 +0000

currently its under a foot of snow, but it brought about 53 pounds of produce. I still say I can get 100 next year. And since fruit trees are part of the equation now, that number will jump significantly in a couple years.