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October 24, 2013 at 2:21 am
CorneliusI decided to do a bit of research to see if there is a Return of the Victory Garden. As made popular in World War 1 and 2 citizens planted private vegetable gardens to reduce the pressure on the public food supply brought on by the war effort.
As my research is indicating, victory gardens are returning in force! Here a just a handful of articles and blogs that you can read about them. One website is looking to revive the idea of a victory garden. The Green Life is also talking about it. And an article on the subject . Numerous members of this forum have talked about our gardens and how it helps our budget. The main factors that dissuade folks from planting a garden all stem from a lack of knowledge on the subject. I think we all need to continue encouraging everyone we know to plant this coming summer. Educating, mentoring and helping as we’re able to. I’ll be going through my seeds here soon and deciding what to plant and where. Also, those pesky (and super cute!) deer! I need to figure out how to keep them out! God Bless! Jolene in MichiganOctober 24, 2013 at 2:30 am
Vaughn30-06…
Kidding!! Eldred p.s.
I’m still considering a garden this year.
We’ll see if I can motivate myself to actually DO it.
– “Citius, altius, fortius…swifter, higher, stronger.” Olympic mottoOctober 24, 2013 at 2:53 am
HollisMy problem with a garden is that I have so many trees. Everywhere I try to till has ROOTS.
Suggestions? Music is the universal language-Learn it.
I decided to do a bit of research to see if there is a Return of the Victory Garden. As made popular in World War 1 and 2 citizens planted private vegetable gardens to reduce the pressure on the public food supply brought on by the war effort.
As my research is indicating, victory gardens are returning in force! Here a just a handful of articles and blogs that you can read about them. One website is looking to revive the idea of a victory garden. The Green Life is also talking about it. And an article on the subject . Numerous members of
this forum have talked about our gardens and how it helps our budget. The main factors that dissuade folks from planting a garden all stem from a lack of knowledge on the subject. I think we all need to continue encouraging everyone we know to plant this coming summer. Educating, mentoring and helping as we’re able to. I’ll be going through my seeds here soon and deciding what to plant and where. Also, those pesky (and super cute!) deer! I need to figure out how to keep them out! God Bless! Jolene in MichiganOctober 24, 2013 at 3:09 am
KerryIn that case the only thing you can do as far as I know is to build a raised bed, although the initial cost might be more than you want to pay right now what with all the materials and soil you’ll need…might be worth it to you though in the long run though.
SherylOctober 24, 2013 at 3:25 am
Wiltonoh yeah…I don’t know why I didn’t think of that since we have actually used the barrels before to grow roses in *lol*…but it’s been years ago now so maybe that’s why.
SherylOctober 24, 2013 at 3:59 am
LenardI need to know what would grow in Michigan that doesn’t take a lot of space.
For vegetables, I like squash, carrots, corn, brussel sprouts, potatoes.
Maybe an occasional tomato.
For fruits, I like plums, nectarines, peaches.
But I know those would require tree space that I don’t have.
Maybe strawberries or cantelopes? Eldred — “Citius, altius, fortius…swifter, higher, stronger.” Olympic mottoOctober 24, 2013 at 4:38 am
SylvesterCorn is pretty hopeless in a small space — you’re better off buying at a farmer’s market and freezing the kernels in August when they’re cheap.
Squash can be grown up onto trellises — if not, it meanders everywhere and sucks up a lot of room.
I know people here in MN that grown potatoes in barrels.
Strawberries and cantelopes should work.
Strawberries require thinking at least a year ahead — you should pick off the first year’s blossoms to make them stronger.
I’ve had poor luck with carrots, but I think they’re just picky about watering and soil conditions so if you baby them, they’ll be fine.
My best producers my first real year gardening were green beans and lettuce.
Tomatoes aren’t too hard, especially if you just want an occasional one.
AmyOctober 24, 2013 at 4:45 am
JarvisWait a second, Eldred.
Your in Michigan too? I thought I knew of all the Michiganders on here.
Where abouts do you live? Northern, Mid, SW or Detroit area? I’m in Mid-Michigan/SW Michigan area and I had a lot of success with squash, tomatoes, baby carrots, peas and green beans and cucumbers.
I didn’t have much success with my corn.
Bunnies got those! I did have success with watermelon so I am sure cantaloupe would do fine.
Also, I’m going to start strawberries this year too.
I pick blueberries at an area farm every year for $1 a pound.
Picked about 15 pounds last year! We also pick apples each fall at an area orchard.
Where to buy? I’d recommend at least Ace.
Please avoid the $1 Store seeds, they are not worth your time and can be quite the headache.
Sometimes they are expired or nearly expired or simply “older” from a season or two before.
I am sure that some folks have had very good luck with the dollar store seeds but from personal experience spend the extra $1 and get the brand name! Also, peppers (bell or hot peppers) and tomatoes grow best from plantings.
I also buy plantings of cauliflower or broccoli if I’m going to grow them.
Best time in Michigan is not until June because of the frost.
Our last frost in 2008 was May 29th.
You can plant before that but you’ll have to cover them at night to avoid the morning frost.
I *HATE* starting seeds inside! I do not have a good house set up for that.
So I plant my seeds outside.
Also, I use Miracle Grow Organic soil to bulk up my soil.
I usually get several bags on sale (they go on sale ONCE that’s it!).
And yes, I prefer Ace for all my supplies too! We’ve got the largest Ace in the State here in Hastings! Let me know what other questions you have.
JoleneOctober 24, 2013 at 5:18 am
BernardoOh! I was just over there for a wedding! Well, a tad bit North of you, in Bloomfield Hills.
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