First Snowfall of the Season at My American Home!

[Meengla]

5 acres are probably the limit for a family to handle a vegetable farm. Planting fruit trees is probably more manageable. What do you plan to do with these acres?

Nothing. The land has been mostly untouched. Kind of sanctuary for wildlife. With them yankees fleeing to the South, our critters need some space. Hahahah!\
But from what I understand from some family members, you could grow a LOT of veggies in a small space. Perhaps as small as a quarter acres to not only feed yourself but also give away or sell in some Farmers Market.

 

[nang2]

Nothing. The land has been mostly untouched. Kind of sanctuary for wildlife. With them yankees fleeing to the South, our critters need some space. Hahahah!\
But from what I understand from some family members, you could grow a LOT of veggies in a small space. Perhaps as small as a quarter acres to not only feed yourself but also give away or sell in some Farmers Market.

That is definitely true. If you don't plant sufficient varieties, the end result would be that you become sick of those over-abundant vegetables. Fruits have the same effect. I had one peach tree that grew so much that my wife never craves for peaches ever again. I had a similar experience with figs when I was in California.

 

[Meengla]

That is definitely true. If you don't plant sufficient varieties, the end result would be that you become sick of those over-abundant vegetables. Fruits have the same effect. I had one peach tree that grew so much that my wife never craves for peaches ever again. I had a similar experience with figs when I was in California.

Makes sense!
This is probably the first year ever where I am seriously thinking of growing a large amount of easy to grow veggies which would be nourishing: Potatoes, squashes, eggplants, cucumbers and what not. Inflation seems real now. Besides, who wouldn't want real veggies?? The onion in the picture above was plucked out of the ground and eaten yesterday. It was truly yummy and was just in the ground to be eaten all the cold season.

 

[nang2]

Makes sense!
This is probably the first year ever where I am seriously thinking of growing a large amount of easy to grow veggies which would be nourishing: Potatoes, squashes, eggplants, cucumbers and what not. Inflation seems real now. Besides, who wouldn't want real veggies?? The onion in the picture above was plucked out of the ground and eaten yesterday. It was truly yummy and was just in the ground to be eaten all the cold season.

The onion that has passed the winter can be very sweet. That is how they protect themselves from freezing since sugar is the natural antifreeze.

I wouldn't recommend growing potatoes since 1, it is dirt cheap; 2, its pest control can be tricky (one of reasons why commercial potatoes are doses heavily); 3, it likes sandy soil but I suspect where you live has a lot of clay soil, right?

Squashes, especially summer squashes, and cucumbers are heavy yielders. You will quickly run out of friends to give them away. Both, except winter squashes, suffer vine borers, which are hard to eradicate since they bore inside the vines where no pest control can touch. It can be quite heartwrenching to watch them die out. It turns out one needs a little cold heart just to be a vegetable farmer. Having a few backups to replace them would be handy.

Beans, like green beans, edamame, peas, are a lot easier and also enrich the soil. Hardy vegetables like chives, onions, cilantro, garlic, Jerusalem artichokes, etc, are plant and forget types.

Be aware of weed like herb/vegetables, like lemon balm, mint and sorrel. I have learned a hard lesson with them and they are all over my backyard.

 

[Meengla]

The onion that has passed the winter can be very sweet. That is how they protect themselves from freezing since sugar is the natural antifreeze.

I wouldn't recommend growing potatoes since 1, it is dirt cheap; 2, its pest control can be tricky (one of reasons why commercial potatoes are doses heavily); 3, it likes sandy soil but I suspect where you live has a lot of clay soil, right?

Squashes, especially summer squashes, and cucumbers are heavy yielders. You will quickly run out of friends to give them away. Both, except winter squashes, suffer vine borers, which are hard to eradicate since they bore inside the vines where no pest control can touch. It can be quite heartwrenching to watch them die out. It turns out one needs a little cold heart just to be a vegetable farmer. Having a few backups to replace them would be handy.

Beans, like green beans, edamame, peas, are a lot easier and also enrich the soil. Hardy vegetables like chives, onions, cilantro, garlic, Jerusalem artichokes, etc, are plant and forget types.

Be aware of weed like herb/vegetables, like lemon balm, mint and sorrel. I have learned a hard lesson with them and they are all over my backyard.

Dang!!! You know a lot about gardening. And here I thought someone living in Toronto or some other city!
Yes, it is clay soil here down South.
I think I should give good attention to growing beans. There is so much land and some parts the powerlines have the right of way and they would cut down trees anyway--as they did last 1-2 years--and so might as well grow something. We had someone install a few water hydrants around the property to use them to water if/when we need to grow our own food.
But all this from me is probably just idle talk: I am too lazy for handy work. Hahaha! But seriously: Why plant potatoes when you can have them, even at this inflation for $3 a pound??

 

[nang2]

Dang!!! You know a lot about gardening. And here I thought someone living in Toronto or some other city!
Yes, it is clay soil here down South.
I think I should give good attention to growing beans. There is so much land and some parts the powerlines have the right of way and they would cut down trees anyway--as they did last 1-2 years--and so might as well grow something. We had someone install a few water hydrants around the property to use them to water if/when we need to grow our own food.
But all this from me is probably just idle talk: I am too lazy for handy work. Hahaha! But seriously: Why plant potatoes when you can have them, even at this inflation for $3 a pound??

Here, we are still getting 10 lbs of potatoes for $2. That really kills any desire to grow them yourself.

 

[ghazi52]

Yes, here we are getting 10 lbs of potatoes for $2.50. other vegetables are not yet going up except peppers. Gas is touching $ 4.65.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

Dang!!! You know a lot about gardening. And here I thought someone living in Toronto or some other city!
Yes, it is clay soil here down South.
I think I should give good attention to growing beans. There is so much land and some parts the powerlines have the right of way and they would cut down trees anyway--as they did last 1-2 years--and so might as well grow something. We had someone install a few water hydrants around the property to use them to water if/when we need to grow our own food.
But all this from me is probably just idle talk: I am too lazy for handy work. Hahaha! But seriously: Why plant potatoes when you can have them, even at this inflation for $3 a pound??

Just go to HomeDepot and buy this when it goes on sale soon.

Miracle-Gro 1.5 cu. ft. All Purpose Garden Soil 70359500 - The Home Depot

Miracle-Gro Garden Soil All Purpose grows bigger, more beautiful plants, vegetables, fruits and flowers (versus unfed plants)-because when it comes to your garden, only the best will do. From front-yard

www.homedepot.com

Coast of Maine Quoddy Blend Organic Soil Conditioner 1 cu ft - Ace Hardware

Coast of Maine Organic Products Quoddy Blend Lobster Compost is made with chitin and calcium-rich lobster shells, compost and sphagnum peat moss. It is a dark-brown, complex soil filled with naturally occurring microorganisms all plants need for healthy growth. It drains well and is an ideal...

www.acehardware.com

 

[Meengla]

Here, we are still getting 10 lbs of potatoes for $2. That really kills any desire to grow them yourself.

Yes, here we are getting 10 lbs of potatoes for $2.50. other vegetables are not yet going up except peppers. Gas is touching $ 4.65.

I misquoted: Around me it is $3 for five pounds. But you guys have it cheaper! Surprised cheaper even in Canada.

 

[Meengla]

You know it is Spring season when monarch butterflies are on your nectarine flowers...

 

[Meengla]

And the first snake spotted a couple of days ago as the weather is warming. Right in front of the house. I try not to kill them. Most snakes here are black snakes / king snakes and are supposed to be 'harmless as frogs'. They are actually good to keep rodents down. Barn mice have been ruining hundreds of dollars of equipment in our shed already. Rat poison or some sonic wave devices haven't moved them away. Last year I saw a small black snake in our shed and I decided to leave it there but still the mice were found. There are often black snakes in our crawlspace but every summer I find a big toad in the crawlspace. The snakes are not doing their job!
People say that king snakes keep poisonous snakes away. And we do have rattle snakes and copper head snakes. For several months a year, one has to be careful in the woods.

Here is the snake. Big one.

 

[SuvarnaTeja]

And the first snake spotted a couple of days ago as the weather is warming. Right in front of the house. I try not to kill them. Most snakes here are black snakes / king snakes and are supposed to be 'harmless as frogs'. They are actually good to keep rodents down. Barn mice have been ruining hundreds of dollars of equipment in our shed already. Rat poison or some sonic wave devices haven't moved them away. Last year I saw a small black snake in our shed and I decided to leave it there but still the mice were found. There are often black snakes in our crawlspace but every summer I find a big toad in the crawlspace. The snakes are not doing their job!
People say that king snakes keep poisonous snakes away. And we do have rattle snakes and copper head snakes. For several months a year, one has to be careful in the woods.

Here is the snake. Big one.

View attachment 826043

@Goritoes will miss these now but he can enjoy the Florida alligators

 

[SQ8]

I am seeing the buds for the many Cherry trees in the area. Hopefully snow doesn’t ruin em.

 

[SuvarnaTeja]

I am seeing the buds for the many Cherry trees in the area. Hopefully snow doesn’t ruin em.

Snow in Upstate where @Meengla lives is rare.

It is not like Midwest or North East or Canada.

 

[Goritoes]

@Goritoes will miss these now but he can enjoy the Florida alligators

I've only seen baby alligators in tanks at those souvenirs shops on my way back from Florida. But when I move there permanently maybe then I could go their national parks and rivers to get a glimpse of them.