What have you done for garden prep so far?

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The DE used in pool filters has larger particle sizes and is much more dangerous to breath because of it. The pesticide grade DE is what is called "amorphous silica" while the pool filter grade is "crystalline silica." The pesticide grade does contain trace amounts of crystalline silica, however.

Besides, pesticide grade DE is cheap enough at Home Depot:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Safer-B...ea-Ant-Crawling-Insect-Killer-51703/206857782
 
Brent S said:
I added twenty more bags of composted manure to the garden rows today. Was a little short so went and got six more, but ran out of steam so they are still in the back of the Jeep. Was hoping to plant peas but will try to finish tomorrow. Had a productive weekend though and got caught up on housework and worked on multiple projects. I might actually get to move into the master bedroom before I die of old age!
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Don't make the mistake I did last year. I added too much nitrogen. The plants were talk tall and green, but didn't produce fruit.
 
robinjopo said:
Don't make the mistake I did last year. I added too much nitrogen. The plants were talk tall and green, but didn't produce fruit.
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Yeah, gardening is a balance. Unfortunately it dosent come with a rule book that fits every changing situation. There is a lot of trial and error going on and it changes each year. I like manure because it enriches the soil but is realitively benign. The one thing I have learned is that if your soil is really good then the plants are more resistant to other issues.
 
DrHenley said:
The DE used in pool filters has larger particle sizes and is much more dangerous to breath because of it. The pesticide grade DE is what is called "amorphous silica" while the pool filter grade is "crystalline silica." The pesticide grade does contain trace amounts of crystalline silica, however.

Besides, pesticide grade DE is cheap enough at Home Depot:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Safer-B...ea-Ant-Crawling-Insect-Killer-51703/206857782
Click to expand...
That's what I have read. Must get food grad DE.
 
So far this week I have been able to plant 15 1/2 of my raised beds! I am finally feeling like I am getting things accomplished out there. Small freezer went out so I transferred as much as I could into the bigger freezer. The only thing that wouldn't fit was 80 lbs of lard. The small freezer is acting like a refrigerator, so I just left them there and I am continuously processing them by grinding and throwing into my big electric roaster pan 10 lbs at a time. I am almost halfway done.
 
Psalm7 said:
I have a fenced in lot that I skipped the last couple of mowings last year so it was full of dead grass . I mowed it recently but forgot where my row of blueberrie bushes were . I clipped them off at the ground . Maybe they will come back bigger and better than ever but maybe not .
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Yikes! I know pruning stimulates growth but an not so sure of pruning to the ground...
 
Brent S said:
The greenhouse is starting to sprout! I had a few things left from the winter crop, but replanted most of it. I almost finished tilling the main garden, but it was still too wet and I was just mixing leaves in the mud. Some of the potatoes are beginning to sprout! It's also good to see the peach trees blooming. There the pink, and I have about ten plums that are blooming white. Spring is definately my favorite season. It's just good to see a new cycle of life starting again.View attachment 4208View attachment 4209 View attachment 4210View attachment 4211
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Love it.
 
I was tilling my 3 vegetable gardens today and thought I would ask a few questions.

1. Is gardening part of your prepping plan?
2. What size are your gardens?
3. What are your main crops?
4. Do you preserve? If so, methods?
5. How many people are you feeding via gardens?
6. Do you save seeds for the next planting season?

Thanks. I'm going to go measure and I'll give you my answers.
 
1. Yes
2. 38x15
22x48
76x24
3. Tomatoes (struggle due to walnut tree poisoning.)
Beans, squash, okra, zucchini, potatoes in pots,
Onions, snow peas, blackberries, strawberries ,
Gooseberries, garlic and herbs.
4. Canning, try to avoid freezing. I'm prepping for
Electrical grid collapse, I dehydrate some
5. Six family members, but share with neighbors.
6. Yes, my goal is to be self sufficient with heirloom
Seeds.

BTW, I can barely walk now.
 
robinjopo said:
1. Yes
2. 38x15
22x48
76x24
3. Tomatoes (struggle due to walnut tree poisoning.)
Beans, squash, okra, zucchini, potatoes in pots,
Onions, snow peas, blackberries, strawberries ,
Gooseberries, garlic and herbs.
4. Canning, try to avoid freezing. I'm prepping for
Electrical grid collapse, I dehydrate some
5. Six family members, but share with neighbors.
6. Yes, my goal is to be self sufficient with heirloom
Seeds.

BTW, I can barely walk now.
Click to expand...
Yeah, gardening can kick your ass! I’m glad I’m mostly done with the tilling this year. I will till the spots for potatoes and melons soon, but all the rows are done at least.
 
robinjopo said:
I was tilling my 3 vegetable gardens today and thought I would ask a few questions.

1. Is gardening part of your prepping plan?
2. What size are your gardens?
3. What are your main crops?
4. Do you preserve? If so, methods?
5. How many people are you feeding via gardens?
6. Do you save seeds for the next planting season?

Thanks. I'm going to go measure and I'll give you my answers.
Click to expand...
1. Yes
2. 1/2 acre. Could be expanded to any size if needed
3. Tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, potatoes, asparagus, kale, carrots, herbs, corn, radish, beans, peas, grapes, blue berries, black berries, raspberries, strawberries, apple, cherry and plum
4. Currently some. Canning and drying
5. Right now just two
6. We plan to
 
1. Yes
2. 25× 65, 5×185 edible plants around house, various pots, boxes, hangers and fruit tree's.
3. Tomatoes, green beans, bell peppers, green onions, okra, cabbage, jalapeno peppers, pumpkin, carrots, mustard greens, collared greens, turnips, cucumbers, zucchini, squash. Strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, huckleberry. Mayhaw trees, fig tree's, wild plum tree's, orange tree's, satsuma tree's, Asian pear tree, Japanese plum tree's, mulberry tree's, pecan tree's. Various herbs, basil, parsley, rosemary, oregano, bayleaf tree. Muscadine vines.
4. I only make jellies, jams and dehydrate. I have canned and have what U need to do so. I don't maintain a large enough garden to can. After SHTF I would expand garden and can. I have many thousands of heirloom seeds.
5. 7 family members and another on the way. 5 other family and lifelong friends that may join us in a long term SHTF.
6. I save seeds and have thousands of stored heirloom seeds, some can store for 20 years. I can be self sufficient for most situations.
 
Arcticdude said:
1. Yes
2. 1/2 acre. Could be expanded to any size if needed
3. Tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, potatoes, asparagus, kale, carrots, herbs, corn, radish, beans, peas, grapes, blue berries, black berries, raspberries, strawberries, apple, cherry and plum
4. Currently some. Canning and drying
5. Right now just two
6. We plan to
Click to expand...

I try to grow corn every year. It is always a disaster. Tiny ears the size of the ones in Chinese food.
 
Rellgar said:
1. Yes
2. 25× 65, 5×185 edible plants around house, various pots, boxes, hangers and fruit tree's.
3. Tomatoes, green beans, bell peppers, green onions, okra, cabbage, jalapeno peppers, pumpkin, carrots, mustard greens, collared greens, turnips, cucumbers, zucchini, squash. Strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, huckleberry. Mayhaw trees, fig tree's, wild plum tree's, orange tree's, satsuma tree's, Asian pear tree, Japanese plum tree's, mulberry tree's, pecan tree's. Various herbs, basil, parsley, rosemary, oregano, bayleaf tree. Muscadine vines.
4. I only make jellies, jams and dehydrate. I have canned and have what U need to do so. I don't maintain a large enough garden to can. After SHTF I would expand garden and can. I have many thousands of heirloom seeds.
5. 7 family members and another on the way. 5 other family and lifelong friends that may join us in a long term SHTF.
6. I save seeds and have thousands of stored heirloom seeds, some can store for 20 years. I can be self sufficient for most situations.
Click to expand...

I forgot to list the mulberry, plum, walnut and hickory but trees. Plus, the native edible plants.
 
Arcticdude said:
1. Yes
2. 1/2 acre. Could be expanded to any size if needed
3. Tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, potatoes, asparagus, kale, carrots, herbs, corn, radish, beans, peas, grapes, blue berries, black berries, raspberries, strawberries, apple, cherry and plum
4. Currently some. Canning and drying
5. Right now just two
6. We plan to
Click to expand...

Arctic, do you have a greenhouse, hoop house or indoor lighting? I know you have a short growing season.
 
robinjopo said:
I try to grow corn every year. It is always a disaster. Tiny ears the size of the ones in Chinese food.
Click to expand...
Yeah, my corn trials didn’t go much better. One time in about ten I got some edible corn. I know it takes a lot of nitrogen, but there is more to it than just that.
 
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