Vegetable's, Harvesting & Gardening

[Logicalpath]

There was a few of us discussing gardening with the intention of being self-sufficient. In an effort to not hijack the thread where this discussion was taking place I decided to try and kick start it's own thread. There was discussion about GMO & making a decision on which route to go with the garden. As well as some suggested reading material, which I have ordered and am waiting on.

In the meantime, an acquaintance suggested THIS (http://marysheirloomseeds.com/) site to purchase my initial seeds from. She discusses GMO and only sells "Heirloom" seeds. I was curious if anyone here has purchased seeds from her and/or if there are any suggestions regarding the offering on the site.

[NC_DAVE]

I am not sure what site you are reffering to. But most stores do carry heirloom seeds. They do not have to be hierloom to be non GMO. If you have questions call the seed company most will telll if they are GMO or not.

[Just a Jarhead]

If you are not already familiar with the following, you may find this info helpful.

Biointensive farming http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biointensive, expanded on by John Jeavons http://www.johnjeavons.info/ and Ecology Action http://www.growbiointensive.org/ and Polyculture farming methods http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyculture to produce maximum yields from even relatively small garden plots.

[Logicalpath]

I am not sure what site you are reffering to. But most stores do carry heirloom seeds. They do not have to be hierloom to be non GMO. If you have questions call the seed company most will telll if they are GMO or not.

I linked the site within the word THIS from my last post. But here's the link uncoded: http://marysheirloomseeds.com/

[Logicalpath]

If you are not already familiar with the following, you may find this info helpful.

Biointensive farming http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biointensive, expanded on by John Jeavons http://www.johnjeavons.info/ and Ecology Action http://www.growbiointensive.org/ and Polyculture farming methods http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyculture to produce maximum yields from even relatively small garden plots.

Thanks for the info, time to start learning! Seriously, I was telling Dave I just hope I don't make too many mistakes along the way. This is all completely new to me but I think it's important.

[bignc]

I am on year 2 of my heirloom mostly organic garden. MiracleGro doesn't scare me so I use it on my tomato plants if necessary. Otherwise, LOTS of compost.

I get my seeds from Baker Creek when I want to try something new. Otherwise, I grew this years' from last years seeds...

rareseeds.com

[NC_DAVE]

I am on year 2 of my heirloom mostly organic garden. MiracleGro doesn't scare me so I use it on my tomato plants if necessary. Otherwise, LOTS of compost.

I get my seeds from Baker Creek when I want to try something new. Otherwise, I grew this years' from last years seeds...

rareseeds.com

This is my first year attempting to go completely organic, and it has been ruff. My biggest problem was trying the box garden method. I bought soil from a local mulch company. They stated that the soil already had organic compost mixed in and was ready to. That turned out to be complete bullshit. Once i got the soil amended I was a couple weeks behind. And missed a important time period of growth. In a couple of weeks my plants only grew a few inches. :suicide2: I called the mulch company and they said OH YEAH that soil needs to be amended before use. But their prior statement was the soil was GTG. Next year I will be amending what I already have.

[Moose-Knuckle]

This is where I get my hierloom seeds from. . .

http://www.essentialseeds.us/

Great guy's to deal with, I met them a local gun show. They also sell cans of seeds for long term storage.

[hatidua]

-not sure if this is off-topic but if anyone cares to turbo-fertilize their garden, consider alpaca manure (that has been composted for a few years - there's no odor at all). I bought 1,500#s this Spring and although I was warned it would cause growth like I have not previously seen, I was unprepared for how incredible the growth rate has been as a result. Just a thought.

[NC_DAVE]

Does anyone have plans for a fall and winter garden yet. I have had summer garden for a few years, but want to try a fall garden this year. Winter squash, pumpkins, collards, kale, etc....

I am still trying to decide if I want to wait till the end of summer refresh the soil and use the raised bed I already have, make new raised bed, or just plant in a spot in the back yard.

[Just a Jarhead]

Does anyone have plans for a fall and winter garden yet.

Yes, most definitely. I was amazed to find out that Palm Beach County where I live produces 70% of our nation's winter vegetables. I was floored to learn that. I have done so much research with the Farm Extension and University of Florida and visited several food co-ops. I've learned so much.

Here in south Florida we have a double edged sword. We have a year long growing season with two distinctive seasons that produce totally different crops. Once you get north of Palm Beach County just a little bit you only have one season unlesss you have a green house of some sort. It does often freeze up north but rarely here as we are in the tropics.

The double edged sword part is that, even though we're blessed with year round climate suitable for growing, our year round heat and humdity creates serious challenges regarding disease, bugs, fungus etc. that most of the country does not have to deal with. Commercial farming totally oganically here in south Florida is an effort in futility. It's just not done successfully. On a very small scale it can be done but still challenging.

Anyone who has done any backyard growing knows how challenging it can be. With all the research I have done, as crazy as it may sound, I believe the most prudent path is to have 2 year supply of stored foods. And use farming to supplement that. If your first or second crop fails hopefully you get it right by the 3rd time. That's why now is the time to cultivate your green thumb. Not once things go tits up. And even then you're severely at the mercy of Mother Nature. There is just too much to learn. "You don't know what you don't know" aptly appies here like nowhere else.

I used to think Farmers were just a bunch of dumb hicks that threw seeds in the ground, watered it, sat back until harvesting time. I couldn't have been more wrong (what I didn't know!) and have definitely grown a deep appreciation for these folks what they do and the science & methodology involved all for the pittance they make and the struggles they go through to survive financially year to year.

[bignc]

Yes, most definitely. I was amazed to find out that Palm Beach County where I live produces 70% of our nation's winter vegetables. I was floored to learn that. I have done so much research with the Farm Extension and University of Florida and visited several food co-ops. I've learned so much.

Here in south Florida we have a double edged sword. We have a year long growing season with two distinctive seasons that produce totally different crops. Once you get north of Palm Beach County just a little bit you only have one season unlesss you have a green house of some sort. It does often freeze up north but rarely here as we are in the tropics.

The double edged sword part is that, even though we're blessed with year round climate suitable for growing, our year round heat and humdity creates serious challenges regarding disease, bugs, fungus etc. that most of the country does not have to deal with. Commercial farming totally oganically here in south Florida is an effort in futility. It's just not done successfully. On a very small scale it can be done but still challenging.

Anyone who has done any backyard growing knows how challenging it can be. With all the research I have done, as crazy as it may sound, I believe the most prudent path is to have 2 year supply of stored foods. And use farming to supplement that. If your first or second crop fails hopefully you get it right by the 3rd time. That's why now is the time to cultivate your green thumb. Not once things go tits up. And even then you're severely at the mercy of Mother Nature. There is just too much to learn. "You don't know what you don't know" aptly appies here like nowhere else.

I used to think Farmers were just a bunch of dumb hicks that threw seeds in the ground, watered it, sat back until harvesting time. I couldn't have beenu more wrong (what I didn't know!) and have definitely grown a deep appreciation for these folks what they do and the science & methodology involved all for the pittance they make and the struggles they go through to survive financially year to year.

I agree 100%! I am learning everything I can from the local old guys now!

[Redmanfms]

If you are not already familiar with the following, you may find this info helpful.

Biointensive farming http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biointensive, expanded on by John Jeavons http://www.johnjeavons.info/ and Ecology Action http://www.growbiointensive.org/ and Polyculture farming methods http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyculture to produce maximum yields from even relatively small garden plots.

I've actually tried biointensive gardening and followed much of the published literature on the subject (which wasn't cheap) for the last 5 seasons (except this one) and frankly think it's hogwash. For one thing, I've found much of the companion planting pairs suggested don't even season at the same time. The most important thing to me though is that it really didn't do anything to improve yield. I've even planted comparison plots using typical methodology to test this to see if the issue was because of seasonal variance, it isn't.

I've found the single greatest way to improve yields is to use regionally-appropriate hybrids. I still plant a plot with heirlooms to maintain my home seed bank and keep practice with the peculiarities of raising non-hybrids.




Of course my issue could be because I'm not doing it right and/or I haven't found a companion plan that is regionally appropriate.

[NC_DAVE]

I've actually tried biointensive gardening and followed much of the published literature on the subject (which wasn't cheap) for the last 5 seasons (except this one) and frankly think it's hogwash. For one thing, I've found much of the companion planting pairs suggested don't even season at the same time. The most important thing to me though is that it really didn't do anything to improve yield. I've even planted comparison plots using typical methodology to test this to see if the issue was because of seasonal variance, it isn't.

I've found the single greatest way to improve yields is to use regionally-appropriate hybrids. I still plant a plot with heirlooms to maintain my home seed bank and keep practice with the peculiarities of raising non-hybrids.




Of course my issue could be because I'm not doing it right and/or I haven't found a companion plan that is regionally appropriate.

I have not had any luck improving yeild with companion planting, but it has done a great job for pest control(if planted correctly). I have found that marigold planted do not work even thought alot of people swear by this. I believe I read somewhere that they had to be planted two seasons in a row to be effective. But I can say that planting radishes with my squash with year really worked to keep aphids out. It was the first year I have not seen one aphid:smile:.