What did you do in the garden today?

[CluckNDoodle]

My gut says it's going to freeze at some point in the next 4 - 5 weeks. The weather has simply been so wonky this year. Oh well, I'll expect it to freeze and hope for the best. My trees are still small...under 7 ft. Maybe I can cover them with a tarp or something as a last resort.

Oh...Just remembered that the asparagus is coming up too!

This is the time of year I always feel tempted to start planting early. "False spring" gets me every time and then there is just enough frost that swings through in March to kill stuff.
With that said, I'll probably plant something tomorrow. Lol

 

[BReeder!]

For those of you that asked previously for this update, I finally have a video on the $50 February challenge!

I might be able to attempt this in the summer when we are harvesting from the garden. Certainly would be a challenge right now though.

Speaking of frugal though, my Aunt typed me off that there's a Costco Business Center (only one I ever heard of). We went and found many things in bulk beyond the typical Costco store, meat in particular. I got two 40lb cases of chicken thighs for $0.55/lb - that's $44 for 80lbs of chicken! It certainly isn't free range, but it looks good to me. Those sale prices haven't been seen here in several years.

 

[Sequel]

I tried a new jam recipe tonight.
Chocolate covered cherries jam

6 cups fresh or frozen pitted, dark,sweet cherries, coarsely chopped
6 TBSP pectin
1/4 cup lemon juice
6 cups of sugar ( I used 5)
2/3 cups unsweetened cocoa

Combine cherries, pectin and lemon juice and bring to a roiling boil over high heat, stirring constantly. ( it was pretty thick so definitely needed to be stirred to prevent scorching ).
Mix cocoa & sugar together. Add all at once to cherry mixture. Return to full roiling boil. Boil hard 1 minute, stirring constantly. Ladle into prepared jars. 1/4” headspace. Remove air bubbles. Water bath 10 minutes. Turn off heat, remove water bath lid and let jars sit in water 5 minutes. Remove from canner and let cool.

Omg that sounds good!

 

[CluckNDoodle]

I might be able to attempt this in the summer when we are harvesting from the garden. Certainly would be a challenge right now though.

Speaking of frugal though, my Aunt typed me off that there's a Costco Business Center (only one I ever heard of). We went and found many things in bulk beyond the typical Costco store, meat in particular. I got two 40lb cases of chicken thighs for $0.55/lb - that's $44 for 80lbs of chicken! It certainly isn't free range, but it looks good to me. Those sale prices haven't been seen here in several years.

It was a good learning experience for me and I definitely plan on doing it again next year. I actually found that I really enjoyed a lot of the simple meals.

Wow that's an incredible price for chicken right now!

 

[BReeder!]

I neve heard of this until now, but just saw in an article online that somebody used ice cream cones (the cheap wafer/cake cones, not waffle cones) as starter pots. Ingenious!

 

[Sequel]

I wonder if I could make that cherry jam with sour cherries... ?

Oh I’ll bet you could and I’ll bet it would be incredible!!!

 

[WthrLady]

I neve heard of this until now, but just saw in an article online that somebody used ice cream cones (the cheap wafer/cake cones, not waffle cones) as starter pots. Ingenious!

WHAT"?! Those get soggy in like 5 minutes!

 

[BReeder!]

WHAT"?! Those get soggy in like 5 minutes!

I don't know... maybe worth the right soil mixture and watering it could be great. My liking of the idea is that they would definitely break down quickly in the ground, allowing roots to grow through. I've had issues with paper/cardboard not disintegrating fast enough after transplanting/up-potting. I will actually be cutting open the recycled paper starter cells this year at the bottom just to be safe. I wish I had a biopsy punch to make aneat home in the bottoms. I might look into ordering one - useful for treating bumblefoot too.

 

[Jenlyn9483]

FL 9A here. I planted the rest of my potatoes in 10 gallon grow bags, transplated peppers into grow bags. Transplanted lettuce, Ridicchio, Tokyo Mustard, Turnips, Yellow Squash, Magnolia Sugar snaps, and Cucumbers into raised beds. Started a bunch of Peaches and cream and silver queen corn, habanero and datil peppers, up potted tomatoes, peppers, and herbs.

 

[igorsMistress]

I’m going to put my watch on - it has fall detection & will call 911. Lol. I’m so old.

I bet you’re not that old, at least it doesn’t seem like it to me, and there’s nothing wrong with having a bit of help. Technology can be amazing and I’m glad it’s there to help you. Stay upright ok? Lol. I’m sure you’ll be fine!