Just curious who else is living super frugal

[DennisK]

Never really thought about this, but one year I was tired of shoveling mulch into my veggie beds and decided to shortcut by using flakes of straw instead. And you know what? Nary a weed popped up. I just thought it was because I had laid it on extra thick and didn't even consider it could've been something sprayed on the straw itself.

After a season of heavy watering, we tilled it under. Of course, it was in the bed that didn't have seeds sprouting but get planted with seedlings, so don't know if the straw was contaminated with herbicides or not. Our seed beds were raised and didn't need mulching, unlike the long bed of tomatoes.

I will keep this in mind for future crops.

(this was the year we discovered that 32 tomato plants for two people was a bit overkill.....we about drowned in salsa and sauce)

Last year, we needed to cover our garden bed with something that would keep water into the soil; so we bought several bales of wheat straw. This was spread out over the ground which cut our water usage down dramatically. We were fortunate – in a way, because the straw started sprouting which indicates to me that we got healthy bales. After harvest, the garden area turned into a mini wheat field – much to the delight of our chickens. I hope, when I till for this spring, the wheat compost will enhance the soil, and not poison it.
Last year I discovered that just two zucchini plants could feed a small village – we planted five. I also discovered that chickens LOVE oversized zucchini!

 

[lazy gardener]

Last year, we needed to cover our garden bed with something that would keep water into the soil; so we bought several bales of wheat straw. This was spread out over the ground which cut our water usage down dramatically. We were fortunate – in a way, because the straw started sprouting which indicates to me that we got healthy bales. After harvest, the garden area turned into a mini wheat field – much to the delight of our chickens. I hope, when I till for this spring, the wheat compost will enhance the soil, and not poison it.
Last year I discovered that just two zucchini plants could feed a small village – we planted five. I also discovered that chickens LOVE oversized zucchini!

I've been gardening under straw for years. You might want to read some of the publications by Ruth Stout. One of her books is called "Gardening Without Work". It is a definate time saver. Holds the moisture, and paradoxically also keeps things dryer in the spring as the frost is coming out of the ground. While other people have mud soup in their gardens, I have frost free, perfect moisture content and good tilth. However since a lot of people have discovered the benefits of straw, the price has skyrocketed in my neighborhood from $6/bale to $9/bale. However, I've found that if i buy off season, I can get it for 6.50/bale. One thing you don't want to do is wait until gardening season to buy it!!

 

[Peep_Show]

If you want to get cheap straw, hit up the pumpkin patch lots on November 1st! Sure you have to store it over the winter, but it's often free for the hauling.

We often let our banana squashes go to obscene lengths and poundage....sliced it in halves or quarters, baked it or not, and fed it to the turkeys. Cheap feed!

 

[mo puff]

yes,that is our coop. It is unconventional to build in a corner with so many angels, but i wanted to incorporate the existing bed spring and wrought iron trellis into the run. It was a tricky build for my husband but, i drew it out and helped line up the footings.. and Viola! I want to build another so we can have some Olive eggers. The next coop will be easy. I found one of those Lil Tyke log cabins [for kids]. I saw one in here,[ on the coop pages] and had been looking ever since to find one on the side of the road. ..and a few months ago, I FOUND ONE! We only have 3 chickens in that large coop... how do you add chicks to an existing flock of 3? ... or do i go ahead and just build the second coop? How long have you been keeping chickens? Thanks,, Melissa

 

[MoonShadows]

yes,that is our coop. It is unconventional to build in a corner with so many angels, but i wanted to incorporate the existing bed spring and wrought iron trellis into the run. It was a tricky build for my husband but, i drew it out and helped line up the footings.. and Viola! I want to build another so we can have some Olive eggers. The next coop will be easy. I found one of those Lil Tyke log cabins [for kids]. I saw one in here,[ on the coop pages] and had been looking ever since to find one on the side of the road. ..and a few months ago, I FOUND ONE! We only have 3 chickens in that large coop... how do you add chicks to an existing flock of 3? ... or do i go ahead and just build the second coop? How long have you been keeping chickens? Thanks,, Melissa

Looks great! I am new to keeping chickens...my first arrive in a few weeks.

 

[Peep_Show]

Last year I discovered that just two zucchini plants could feed a small village – we planted five.

LOL! This reminds me of a friend who, quite inspired by our terraced veggie garden, had us over to dinner one night at his new and fairly unlandscaped house. His remedy for the backyard slope was a packet of zucchini seeds...and he was SO proud that he had over 40 plants sprout up. He laughed when I said "Are you crazy???" By the end of the summer his neighbors hid every time he was out and about and even his dog hated him.....

 

[DennisK]

LOL! This reminds me of a friend who, quite inspired by our terraced veggie garden, had us over to dinner one night at his new and fairly unlandscaped house. His remedy for the backyard slope was a packet of zucchini seeds...and he was SO proud that he had over 40 plants sprout up. He laughed when I said "Are you crazy???" By the end of the summer his neighbors hid every time he was out and about and even his dog hated him.....

Says the zucchini plant: “Hello World! Look what I can do!”

 

[mtbeak]

Me too

Looks great! I am new to keeping chickens...my first arrive in a few weeks.

!
Me too! Will be picking up our starter pullets on the 19th. Perhaps we can get this thread back to where it started (???) and we can post on a newbie thread?

 

[Peep_Show]

So rather than wasting it and forcing your dog to eat it, what else can you do with an EXTREME abundance of zucchini?

 

[MoonShadows]

So rather than wasting it and forcing your dog to eat it, what else can you do with an EXTREME abundance of zucchini?

1. Zucchini Muffins from Simply Recipes
2. Sweet Zucchini Pancakes from Pinch of Yum
3. Zucchini Waffles from The Perfect Pantry
4. Spicy Zucchini Fritatta from Shutterbean
5. Baked Zucchini Fries from Two Peas and Their Pod
6. Zucchini Fritters from Smitten Kitchen
7. Zucchini and Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms from Pink Parsley
8. Zucchini Toasts from Sprouted Kitchen
9. Fried Zucchini Chips from Bev Cooks
10. Cheese Stuffed Zucchini Flowers from Aggie’s Kitchen
11. Zucchini Cornbread from Brown Eyed Baker
12. Zucchini, Arugula, & White Bean Soup from Gimme Some Oven
13. Chilled Curry Zucchini Soup from Heather Christo Cooks
14. Zucchini Ribbon Salad with Sweet Corn & Avocado from Two Peas and Their Pod
15. Fresh Corn, Zucchini, and Tomato Salad from Recipe Girl
16. Zucchini Carpaccio Salad from Love and Lemons
17. Zucchini Noodle Salad with Spicy Peanut Sauce from Vintage Mixer
18. Zucchini Feta Cheese Chopped Salad from Family Fresh Cooking
19. Lemony Zucchini and Bean Pasta Salad from Foodie Crush
20. Grilled Zucchini, Goat Cheese, & Pesto Panini from Running to the Kitchen
21. Layered Zucchini Parmesan from Handle the Heat
22. Zucchini, Squash, & Ricotta Galette from Eat Yourself Skinny
23. Grilled Zucchini and Eggplant Parmesan from Cookin’ Canuck
24. Grilled Zucchini Pizza Slices from Kalyn’s Kitchen
25. Zucchini Ribbon Pizza from A Cozy Kitchen
26. Sausage Stuffed Zucchini Boats from Skinny Taste
27. Grilled Zucchini Tacos from Spoon Fork Bacon
28. Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes from Two Peas and Their Pod
29. Zucchini Cobbler Bars from Taste and Tell
30. Zucchini Sweet Potato Bread from Joy the Baker
31. Chocolate Chip Zucchini Brownies from Two Peas and Their Pod
32. Triple Chocolate Zucchini Cake from Peas and Thank You
33. Zucchini Cookies with Chocolate Chips & Dried Cranberries from Two Peas and Their Pod
34. Zucchini Pound Cake from i am baker
35. Zucchini Sandwich Cookies from Mountain Mama Cooks

Happy zucchini eating! Make sure you share these zucchini recipes with your friends and family!