In the midst of cold weather, snow and dead grass, it’s hard to even begin thinking about the summer months.  Or maybe not, since most of us long for the days of warm weather and no schedules.  But, believe it or not, these winter months are the best time for you to start thinking about and planning your home garden.  If you’re still on the fence on whether or not you need to plant a home garden, here’s ten reasons why you should!

If you plan on starting your garden plants from seeds {which I highly recommend!}, now is the time to begin ordering your seeds so you can get your seedlings started.  This will give your seedlings ample time to be mature enough to plant outside when it comes time and bear fruit before growing season is over.

Where to Purchase Seeds

Personally, we prefer to use non-GMO heirloom seeds, but everyone is different.

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

We buy the majority of our seeds from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds for many reasons.  Through the years, we’ve been impressed with their variety, pricing and germination rate.  It also doesn’t hurt that they aren’t too far from here. Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds offers 1300 different varieties of seeds {herbs, vegetables, and flowers}–all of which are non-hybrid, non-GMO, non-treated and non-patented.

GenericSeeds.com

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Preparing for Gardening Season is a post from: Getting Freedom From Debt

Even though my garden isn’t much to shake a stick at {yet}, I have a few friends that have more than enough produce, and are willing to share it with us not-so-fortunate gardeners.  Earlier this week, I picked green beans out of a friends garden until I couldn’t pick any more!

In addition to all those green beans, I also picked a small head of cabbage and some jalapeno peppers {actually twice as much as in the picture}, and a petite bell pepper that my husband ate before I could snap a picture.

Now it’s your turn to show off your garden!  Be sure to check out the gardens of my friends Amy and Connie.

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Frugal Gardening 101: Whoa! Green Beans! is a post from: Getting Freedom From Debt

This past week disappeared with a flash!  I’ve been abundantly blessed by my wonderful mother in law again!  She blessed us with an entire “picking” of green beans, which ended up being 14 quarts worth!  When I haven’t been canning green beans, I’ve been catching up on the things I’ve neglected around here.  I’m finally settling into a “new normal”, I suppose, and I feel as if I’m beginning to focus and see things clearer.  {Let’s hope that it lasts a little while this time. }

I really haven’t tended to my garden like I should be, though.  The weeds in our walkways are beginning to get out of control. The summer heat has definitely set in, and man alive is it hot out there.  I have a hard time staying out there and doing everything that needs to be done.  But, my tomatoes are just now coming on, and I should be able to pick some peppers later on this week.  Yay! {Sorry for the lack of pictures…I always forget.}

I MUST show you what I found on Pinterest the other day.  {If you’ve not joined, let me know I can send you an invite.  It’s SO fun!} A garden created from a recycled pallet!  How awesome is that?!

Talk about a great Salvaged Sunday Post.   How cool would that be on your patio with lettuces, radishes, and who knows what else?

How is your garden coming? Dont’ forget to check out my gardening friends Connie and Amy!

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Frugal Gardening 101 is a post from: Getting Freedom From Debt

Due to many circumstances out of our control, we were unable to plant the extensive spring/summer garden that we had planned.  Thankfully, all is not lost and we plan to take full advantage of our summer/fall growing season.

In the meantime, though, we are very thankful for family and friends who are blessing us with their abundance!  We enjoyed Fried Zucchini over the weekend, picked fresh from my vacationing in-laws garden.  Along with the zucchini, we picked some cucumbers,  a mess of green beans, and one lone squash. That’s frugal gardening at it’s finest!Now, to find a recipe for squash that my husband will find irresistible! You wouldn’t happen to have one for me, would you?

How is your garden growing?  Be sure to also visit my friends Amy and Smockity Frocks and see how their gardens are progressing.

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Frugal Gardening 101:: Unexpected Blessings is a post from: Getting Freedom From Debt

This is our first year growing cauliflower.  We’ve grown broccoli, with success before, but never ventured to cauliflower until now.  Thankfully it was a fairly easy crop to grow, and it didn’t give me any fits.  However, as a newbie, we could have done some things differently.

How to Grow Cauliflower

Planting

Plant cauliflower seedlings in your garden 1-2 weeks before your last frost date.  This gives ample time for it to reach maturity before the summer gets too hot. If you are starting from seed, start your seeds indoors  6-8 weeks before your average last frost date.

Your soil should contain plenty of organic matter, such as compost or aged manure.  Do not plant your cauliflower plants in an area in your garden that has grown another brassica family plant over the last 3 years.  Brassica plants include broccoli, cabbage, turnips, kohlrabi, brussel sprouts, among others.  This will help stop any diseases that your plants may have carried in previous years.

Overall Care

Make sure you keep your cauliflower plants evenly moist, especially when they are small and forming their heads.  As a good rule, each plant needs roughly 1 inch of water a week.

Once the heads reach about the size of an egg, pull the leaves up and around the cauliflower head and tie with twine to protect it from the heat. This process is called blanching.  Some varieties are self blanching–so need to mess with those.   We did not do this, and our cauliflower has spots from getting too hot.  Make sure that you still keep eye on your plants, and remove any water that may get trapped inside the leaves. You don’t want your heads to rot!

Harvesting

Your cauliflower is ready to harvest when the heads are full, but before any of the curds begin to separate.   A good rule of thumb is to check your plants daily after the heads reach about 4 inches around.  Otherwise, you’ll end up with Medusa style cauliflower heads like we did!  As a general rule, your heads are ready to harvest about a week after you’ve pulled up the leaves.

To harvest, cut the entire head off of the plant.

Storage

Before putting your cauliflower up for storage, soak in salt water for about 30 minutes.  To do so, cut into florets, and combine 2Tbsp salt to every quart of warm water.  Submerge your cauliflower florets and let sit.  This will encourage any bugs that may be inside the heads to let go and it will help kill any surface contamination–if there is any.

Cauliflower with store in your refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.  For longer term storage, you can freeze or can it.

So how is your garden growing?  Be sure to also visit my friends Amy and Smockity Frocks and see how their gardens are coming.

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Frugal Gardening:: How to Grow Cauliflower is a post from: Getting Freedom From Debt

As gardening season continues here in Southern Missouri, we are beginning prepare for our second planting. Thankfully we are blessed to be able to have 2 growing seasons–a Spring planting and a Summer planting {which takes place around the first of July}. We’re really banking on our Summer planting to yield the most of our veggies this year, since we were unable to plant very much in our spring planting because of weather and my mom’s health.

In the meantime, though, we’re loving our fresh lettuce–and are in full anticipation of when we get to harvest our cabbage and cauliflower!  And since I’ve not had any cucumbers to pickle, or green beans to can—I got adventurous and canned something NOT from my garden!  No one was able to guess over on my facebook page when I mentioned it there. Here’s a hint::  Usually I make these up in big batches, and freeze them.

Now it’s your turn!  How is your gardening growing this week?  How is your family enjoying the fruits of your labor?

Link your blog post here,  and it will also show up over at Amy’s Finer Things and Smockity Frocks.

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Don't Feel Guilty About Dessert! Eat a Smart Sweet! Check out the 80+page Ebook from Kitchen Stewardship.

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Frugal Gardening 101:: Planning Our Summer Planting is a post from: Getting Freedom From Debt

Last year was our first year growing peas.  We were all sorts of excited…and then Blake came. All of our peas were ready when we were in the NICU with him, so we never got to enjoy the fruits of our labor.  This year, I was bound and determined to grow and harvest home grown peas!

I was so excited when I realized that I had some peas that were ready to be harvested.

Our First Pea Harvest

Apparently, I need to plant a lot more so I can harvest enough to eat as part of meal, instead of as a snack or salad topper!  Next year, I want my garden to look like my friend Miriam’s.

Not only is this the first time we’ve harvested peas, it’s also the first time I’ve ever eaten fresh peas.  Garden fresh peas are amazing!  I’m convinced that all pea-haters hate peas because they’ve never actually tasted what they should taste like.

Do you grow peas? Tell me about it!  I would love some pointers for next year!

Now it’s your turn!

How’s your garden coming along?

Be sure to check out how Amy and Connie’s gardens are coming along. Please be sure to link to your blog post {not your homepage} and to include a link back here so everyone can join in.

Have you purchased your copy of the Home Management Binder yet? It's not too late!

Thank you for supporting our February Sponsors!

Don't Feel Guilty About Dessert! Eat a Smart Sweet! Check out the 80+page Ebook from Kitchen Stewardship.

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Frugal Gardening 101:: Garden Fresh Peas is a post from: Getting Freedom From Debt

I was able to go out to my garden for the first time in about 2 weeks.  Who knew I would get so excited about weeding?!  Thankfully, my garden has done pretty well even though it’s been neglected!

My Cabbage Plants are coming along nicely–even though they’re beginning to be surrounded by weeds.

My Cauliflower plants make me so excited that I could squeal.

I can’t wait to taste some garden fresh peas!

Now it’s your turn!

Check out my friends Amy and Connie and see how their gardens are doing.  Then link up your post below.  Please be sure to link to your blog post {not your homepage} and to include a link back here so everyone can join in.

Have you purchased your copy of the Home Management Binder yet? It's not too late!

Thank you for supporting our February Sponsors!

Don't Feel Guilty About Dessert! Eat a Smart Sweet! Check out the 80+page Ebook from Kitchen Stewardship.

{Mountain Rose Herbs}--Organic Spices, Herbs, Teas and Essential Oils {Plus MORE!!}

Visit the Clever Housewife for Saving and Stretching a Buck.
Frugal Gardening 101:: Busy Mom’s Guide {Produce!} is a post from: Getting Freedom From Debt

I interrupt the regularly scheduled Frugal Gardening Post to tell you that I have no idea how my garden is progressing.  Over the weekend, my mother was put back into the hospital.  We’ve found out that the second tumor in her brain is growing very rapidly, and is very large.

Tomorrow {Wednesday} she will undergo surgery to {hopefully successfully} remove it.  It’s not going to be an easy task, and it’s not going to be a short procedure.  Please join me in praying for the doctors’ hands and knowledge throughout what could be a very lengthy surgery.  If I am able, I will post an update over on my facebook page.

On a lighter note…

Amy and Smockity Frocks have surely got something exciting going on at their garden!

If you’ve got a garden to share, now is your chance! Remember to link to your gardening post, not your blog’s main page, and include a link back here so your readers can join the fun. {Please do not forget this part! It’s really not very nice bloggy etiquette. }

Have you purchased your copy of the Home Management Binder yet? It's not too late!

Thank you for supporting our February Sponsors!

Don't Feel Guilty About Dessert! Eat a Smart Sweet! Check out the 80+page Ebook from Kitchen Stewardship.

{Mountain Rose Herbs}--Organic Spices, Herbs, Teas and Essential Oils {Plus MORE!!}

Visit the Clever Housewife for Saving and Stretching a Buck.
Frugal Gardening 101 is a post from: Getting Freedom From Debt

I cannot even begin to tell you how happy I am that today was the last day of school for us!  If the warm weather didn’t make life crazy enough, throw in sports, and the end of school.  It’s enough to make my head spin!

All of that to say, I’ve barely had time to even be in my garden.

I do know::

• My peas have really shot up in the last few days!  Yippee!
• Nothing compares to garden fresh lettuce.
• My beds that have leaves have no weeds.  The others?  Well, lets just say, they aren’t near as pretty.
• I still have so  many things that need planted, but all this rain is really holding me back.
• I’m still having issues with that snake!

How is your garden doing?  Are you able to enjoy any of the fruits of your labor yet?  Do tell!

Remember to link to your gardening post, not your blog’s main page, and include a link back here so your readers can join the fun. {Please do not forget this part!  It’s really not very nice bloggy etiquette. }

Also, don’t forget to visit my gardening buddies Amy and Smockity as well as all the other Frugal Gardening participants.

Have you purchased your copy of the Home Management Binder yet? It's not too late!

Thank you for supporting our February Sponsors!

Don't Feel Guilty About Dessert! Eat a Smart Sweet! Check out the 80+page Ebook from Kitchen Stewardship.

{Mountain Rose Herbs}--Organic Spices, Herbs, Teas and Essential Oils {Plus MORE!!}

Visit the Clever Housewife for Saving and Stretching a Buck.
Busy Mom’s Gardening is a post from: Getting Freedom From Debt