Going over records, seeing prices in grocery stores, I came to a startling conclusion.
the biggest money saver is-herbs! and you don't even need a garden for herbs-just pots and a sunny place.
If you, like me, have to replace or grow some plants each year ( rosemary and oregano seem to die on me no matter what) then you might spend $20.If yours last better than mine, you might only buy what you don;t have-even less cost.
that;s about the cost of 4 or 5 jars of dry herbs. hm, pretty good trade off.Fresh,frozen and dried from your own plants , grown so you know no chemicals were involved..all good.
But if you like fresh herbs- and we do- buying those packages is about $3 each. And we use several kinds of herbs every week ( sage rosemary oregano thyme basil cilantro parsley dill ) our cost can be $15 a week,
But to be fair, I'll say $10/week. and 1/2 the year, or 26 weeks. That;s $260.
If we gather our herbs for 6 months, it means we have spent $20 and therefore, saved $240.
We actually-put herbs in the greenhouse, then move them in under a light for several months. We freeze basil or pesto. we get more than the $260 worth of herbs...so more than ten times our investment!
Add in the garlic. I figure we use at least 1 head a week, that's $2.00 every 3 weeks or about $34, figuring minimal needs. But I keep the seedstock, and still have about 40 heads to use.or..a minimum of $25 worth a year, and it;s flavorful varieties you just can;t buy in the grocery store.
Here's a cheap way to use garlic-throw some cloves in a pot.( yup even those from the grocery store will usually grow) as the stems come up, pull them and use them instead of garlic, salads, stir fries-green garlic is good!Fresh garlic taste all winter!
You just can;t beat that with a stick!
Remember, pots or garden, to feed your herbs well. I know they say herbs don't need good soil-usually it's plants that don;t like a wet underside. a little bit of white rock mulch under the lavender ( I didn't even add that in-used in herb du provence and of course, smells wonderful cut for the house or used in sachets).but-use that compost, some organic fertilizer, whatever you use for veggie plants....they appreciate it.Water the rosemary only after it is dry. the others seem less fussy.
Some herbs are medicines, most attract butterflies and bees, and dotted through the garden they help keep bad bugs out ( we have almost zero bug damage this year. yes i was surprised.)
an herb garden can be right in your window or on your porch or deck....will provide you with excellent cooking tastes throughout the year, and even-saves money. Wahoo!
Polyculture
Monday, August 29, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011
Time to replant!
If the summer heat and drought killed off as much of your garden as it did mine, well...it just makes it easier to replant.
Kale and spinach, turnips, peas and green beans -these last 2 added to every bed to help with nitrogen whether you get a crop or not- you can even try for a second crop or potatoes ( you may need a lightweight freeze cover towards the end of growing...try Amazon for 2 of them for about $10.) Remember your compost and organic fertilizer, lime and minerals-whatever you are adding...I put out a few butternut squash; cucumbers might be possible too. some people like beets, arugula and lettuce...be creative.
anything that dies this fall- is just ground cover to be turned in next spring!
Later we will start lettuce and greens to sit in the little green house. it can sometimes keep growing quite well, even into early winter!herbs need to come in, I think. I lose them even with cover.but while redoing herb pots for your kitchen, don;t forget to throw that used up potting soil, compost, etc right into your compost pile. by next spring the whole mix is healthy. I often start seeds in it and do my early pots with it.
my burned up tomatoes are setting new fruit, the peppers are attempting same ( goats ate em. every year-one great escape!)
the dug down trench for potatoes( 10-16 inches) ( then filled in partially with compost and potatoes started, leaving quite a mound of soil to add on top) worked beautifully. lots of lovely yellow potatoes-often 3 or 4 big ones and 10 or more small ones per hill.and the whole bed is so soft I think garlic. or whatever, will be in 7th heaven planted there.
Kale and spinach, turnips, peas and green beans -these last 2 added to every bed to help with nitrogen whether you get a crop or not- you can even try for a second crop or potatoes ( you may need a lightweight freeze cover towards the end of growing...try Amazon for 2 of them for about $10.) Remember your compost and organic fertilizer, lime and minerals-whatever you are adding...I put out a few butternut squash; cucumbers might be possible too. some people like beets, arugula and lettuce...be creative.
anything that dies this fall- is just ground cover to be turned in next spring!
Later we will start lettuce and greens to sit in the little green house. it can sometimes keep growing quite well, even into early winter!herbs need to come in, I think. I lose them even with cover.but while redoing herb pots for your kitchen, don;t forget to throw that used up potting soil, compost, etc right into your compost pile. by next spring the whole mix is healthy. I often start seeds in it and do my early pots with it.
my burned up tomatoes are setting new fruit, the peppers are attempting same ( goats ate em. every year-one great escape!)
the dug down trench for potatoes( 10-16 inches) ( then filled in partially with compost and potatoes started, leaving quite a mound of soil to add on top) worked beautifully. lots of lovely yellow potatoes-often 3 or 4 big ones and 10 or more small ones per hill.and the whole bed is so soft I think garlic. or whatever, will be in 7th heaven planted there.
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