tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post1949979383950117308..comments2024-03-24T11:10:13.186-04:00Comments on The Gardening Me: 2016 Year In Review - The NumbersMargarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-54527607971690447192017-03-18T12:48:29.842-04:002017-03-18T12:48:29.842-04:00I gotta tell you, it did take some getting used to...I gotta tell you, it did take some getting used to - in the end, it more or less becomes a habit. I weigh & photograph as soon as I harvest. Keeping a plain, lined notebook in the kitchen makes things easy as I simply jot down the harvest whenever it happens then, about once per week, I input the info into the computer.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-48876423577116458482017-03-18T10:23:26.628-04:002017-03-18T10:23:26.628-04:00While the harvest is truly amazing, I think I'...While the harvest is truly amazing, I think I'm most impressed with your meticulous record-keeping. One year I tried to keep track, but kept forgetting to weigh things. Last year, I didn't even pretend I was going to try. Maybe this is my year. khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04618838407160052772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-18693172388606272372017-03-13T16:29:09.577-04:002017-03-13T16:29:09.577-04:00Oh, thanks! I've had my share of tomato disea...Oh, thanks! I've had my share of tomato diseases (notice that's plural) so I can empathize with your fungus issue last year. Even though I had a great tomato year, that didn't stop blight from rearing its ugly head - luckily it didn't strike until almost the end of the season this time and, unlike in 2015, the tomatoes themselves were not affected.<br /><br />Pumpkin pie is a great idea. I normally reserve that for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but the excess squash may be reason enough to indulge a couple of extra times this year :)Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-3723752873021788612017-03-13T12:31:58.338-04:002017-03-13T12:31:58.338-04:00That looks like a very good year to me. I wish I ...That looks like a very good year to me. I wish I was getting a pound per square foot. Two things jump out, 63 pounds of carrots and the impressive yield of peppers, because even a large pepper doesn't weigh much. And the tomatoes! I got 12 pounds last year because of fungal diseases. If you are looking for another use for butternuts, I've found they make a terrific 'pumpkin' pie. gardenvariety-hoosierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02823437033502199023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-37384241145232950042017-03-13T11:49:15.414-04:002017-03-13T11:49:15.414-04:00Each climate is suited for some veg, but unfortuna...Each climate is suited for some veg, but unfortunately not all - we gotta take the good with the bad. I'm willing to give most things a try, though, as you just never know, especially with all the varieties available these days.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-12869635026912046892017-03-13T11:45:31.542-04:002017-03-13T11:45:31.542-04:00I hope my kids feel like that about squash one of ...I hope my kids feel like that about squash one of these days! And yes, you are very right - even if all we look at is the weather. Some things like it cool, others like it hot - can't keep everyone happy!Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-77415112389725988282017-03-12T15:14:54.454-04:002017-03-12T15:14:54.454-04:00Just like Dave, we've had troubles with tomato...Just like Dave, we've had troubles with tomatoes the last couple years as well. So it's really wonderful seeing your gorgeous haul of tomatoes and peppers last year. And your potato and squash did really well too. I do miss living in a cooler climate and being able to grow peas and potatoes.Phuonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07658691564062044986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-73300044634192152262017-03-12T14:36:00.864-04:002017-03-12T14:36:00.864-04:00There'll always be things which don't do a...There'll always be things which don't do as well as others, that's the nature of gardening and what works one year might not the following year, it's never an exact science. I'd be very happy if I got a harvest of winter squash like yours, that's something I could happily eat as much of as I had.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-16825947851536700962017-03-11T20:12:37.044-05:002017-03-11T20:12:37.044-05:00Ha, ha - not as regular as they should be 'cau...Ha, ha - not as regular as they should be 'cause we still have tons to go through and tomato season starts in less than 4 months!Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-74198476956284251542017-03-11T18:20:53.243-05:002017-03-11T18:20:53.243-05:00Absolutely outstanding Margaret! The 'maters a...Absolutely outstanding Margaret! The 'maters and sauce must be a regular at the dinner table ... 190 pounds!??! Susiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10354350096358468967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-15948746119441648972017-03-11T17:36:58.944-05:002017-03-11T17:36:58.944-05:00Oh, Tammy...you make me blush ;)Oh, Tammy...you make me blush ;)Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-39315819484651370182017-03-11T17:36:18.791-05:002017-03-11T17:36:18.791-05:00We do like our 'maters and sauce :)We do like our 'maters and sauce :)Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-60733927724015275532017-03-11T17:35:04.611-05:002017-03-11T17:35:04.611-05:00Wow - that is a LOT to take into account! I'v...Wow - that is a LOT to take into account! I've considered doing the cost/benefit analysis (i.e. cost to purchase vs. cost incurred with seed, soil amendments, etc) - just to see - but time is not on my side.<br /><br />I also think that the enjoyment we get from our gardens is immeasurable - how it helps us, inside and out...can't really put a price tag on that! I often think how lucky we are to have such an amazing hobby. And the best part is that anyone can garden and get those benefits, no matter if you have an acreage or balcony or sunny window - growing, big or small, ornamental or edible - it's all food for body and soul :)Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-17841006083211669702017-03-11T17:27:02.394-05:002017-03-11T17:27:02.394-05:00Thanks Beth :) I do start everything from seed - ...Thanks Beth :) I do start everything from seed - which means that the grow lights have been on since early February! Growing from seed is not only economical but it also provides an incredible amount of choice compared to the often limited selections at the garden centre. I've added quite a few ornamentals this year, which I'm quite excited about - some of the seeds are no bigger than grains of sand!Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-21434148070712158482017-03-11T17:19:55.407-05:002017-03-11T17:19:55.407-05:00Can't what to see what you do with it!Can't what to see what you do with it!Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-17844576342373452072017-03-11T17:19:27.034-05:002017-03-11T17:19:27.034-05:00Thanks Dave - no vampires at our house, that's...Thanks Dave - no vampires at our house, that's for sure :)<br /><br />It's so easy to get a bit carried away with the amount that we grow - especially when those seed catalogues beckon in the dead of winter and all those little seedlings are just that...little! <br /><br />I remember planting up an entire 8'x4' bed of lettuce and thinking that this likely wouldn't be enough...boy was I wrong! We were drowning in lettuce before too long and the 8x4 went to 4x4 which was cut back even further to 4x3 - the perfect amount for us (and even then we often have too much!).Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-75808593360147303732017-03-11T16:40:23.350-05:002017-03-11T16:40:23.350-05:00YOU ARE A BADASS!!!YOU ARE A BADASS!!!Casa Mariposahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16647089868277238456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-24956826104877556462017-03-11T15:50:43.725-05:002017-03-11T15:50:43.725-05:00190 lb. of tomatoes! The mind boggles Sounds like ...190 lb. of tomatoes! The mind boggles Sounds like you must be feeding the whole neighborhood. Jasonhttp://gardeninacity.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-60325182375780543242017-03-11T06:29:21.994-05:002017-03-11T06:29:21.994-05:00As far as productivity goes weight per area is a g...As far as productivity goes weight per area is a good easy comparison to make. I do the same. But I've enjoyed also getting the calories per kg of each type of produce and comparing how much of our daily energy we grow. On top of that I also look at the price of each food I would have to pay if I bought it. Also taken into account are the amount of hours I've spent getting exercise and enjoyment. Lastly the amount of money I've made selling the excess produce on the market. <br /><br />Because I enjoy it, the more hours I spend the better, the more money I make the better and the more money I save by not buying food the better.<br /><br />Weight is important for me because my main items of growing tend to be the same each year so it's a fairly good indication of progress (and failures).<br /><br />Because I'm selling plants as well as food, weight alone can't be used but the money earn't is.Andyhttp://ourlittlefield.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-10779366192402991392017-03-10T21:38:56.595-05:002017-03-10T21:38:56.595-05:00Very impressive yields! Do you start all of your e...Very impressive yields! Do you start all of your edibles from seeds? I always think that's so amazing to start food crops (and cut flowers) from seeds--such an economical way to produce food! I don't have much sun for edibles, but I do grow a few from seed. Happy growing season!Beth at PlantPostingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10473637655960119672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-86645565229654389812017-03-10T21:26:08.965-05:002017-03-10T21:26:08.965-05:00Yep!! Gonna be the best year ever in my little co...Yep!! Gonna be the best year ever in my little courtyard! LOL Nancy Cozy Thyme Cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03933769393226611441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-38555951615451646702017-03-10T17:55:28.974-05:002017-03-10T17:55:28.974-05:00I always enjoy reading your reviews! I am truly im...I always enjoy reading your reviews! I am truly impressed with the productivity of your garden, even if it wasn't as productive as 2014 on a per sqft. basis. You must be seeing red with all those tomatoes! And that's a nice haul of garlic too, surely enough to keep the vampires away. ;-)<br /><br />I do much like you are doing with tomatoes, cutting back on a crop if we wind up with extras in storage. I skipped spinach this winter since we had plenty in the freezer, and since it takes up valuable greenhouse space I can devote to other greens. It's been a while since I had too many tomatoes though, since I've had trouble with them for a couple of years.Dave @ HappyAcreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03441364543023807886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-1030881168474499042017-03-10T17:23:12.411-05:002017-03-10T17:23:12.411-05:00My kids can usually sniff out stuff they don't...My kids can usually sniff out stuff they don't like, so I've stopped trying to hide things. But they DO like a squash rissoto I make, which was quite the surprise...so I guess there will be a lot more of that on the menu ;)Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-38922464081642448162017-03-10T17:21:22.692-05:002017-03-10T17:21:22.692-05:00Ha, ha...we do like our spice - well, my husband a...Ha, ha...we do like our spice - well, my husband and I do, anyhow - we're still working on the kids! Some of the hot peppers we grew were only mildly spicy, such as the Anaheims, so I can include them in dishes that even the kids will eat. Others, like Lemon Drop (Aji Limon) - whoa...I found that one SPICY, so only a pinch will do and ONLY for the grownups. It's not on my grow list this year for the very reason you indicated - it will likely take me a couple of years to get through the small jar of powder I have :)Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-7894430135769161452017-03-10T12:49:48.963-05:002017-03-10T12:49:48.963-05:00There are always winners and losers aren't the...There are always winners and losers aren't there? Can't you hide the squashes in curries etc. We had one of our best onion years last year, some brassicas were our disappointment.Sue Garretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164518448098182276noreply@blogger.com