Cool App for Planning Your Garden

For those that think gardening is a new idea and don't really know where to go for ideas or plans, I would recommend this neat little app.

Over at Mother Earth News, they developed a computer program called Vegetable Garden Planner that takes some of the guesswork out of planning your first garden. Here's the link. 

It has a pretty large database of popular plants so you can do your research on what you'd eventually like to grow. If you have your garden plot designed, it will help you with proper spacing of plants for optimal growth. It will tell you important dates based on your location (such as first frost free day).

It is not a free program, however. There is a yearly $25 cost, but there is a trial version you can get your hands on before you decide to buy it or not.
They also have an app for the iPad.

But, regardless of what tools you use or the research you want to begin, it is important to just get out there and get your hands dirty. Now amount of planning or expensive tools will do the work for you, so don't be afraid to start planting.

2012 Seed Catalogs

It's the time of year when you want to start looking at what types of fruits and veggies you want to grow. With proper planning, gardening can be more hobby than grunt-work. There are many things to look into, such as what size you want your garden to be, where you're going to plant, or what you're family likes to eat. However, in this blog post I'm going to focus on the many different seed companies you can choose from, because, YES! that can make a difference.


The big daddy that we use primarily is the Seed Saver Exchange. Based in Decorah, Iowa, the Seed Savers is one of the largest seed companies that focuses on protecting genetic diversity in their seeds. Organic is not just a catchphrase for them. They specialize in open pollinatied heirloom varieties, adhering to strict production standards that ensure that each seed maintains its uniqueness. Now, while you will be able to peruse the wide selection (online, in person, or in catalogs), you will have to pay a little more for that diversity.




If you want a beautifully depicted description of almost every plant known to man (slight exaggeration), then the Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds catalog, based in Mansfield, Missouri is the only seed catalog you'll ever need. They have fully described pictures of their seed varieties. They even have stories about the origin of the seed species, which adds to the knowledge base you'll walk away from after reading the catalog. They pride themselves on every seed being non GMO and with over 1,300 heirloom seeds available, they have the largest heirloom seed collection available. The catalog, itself, is a beautiful book. I have a copy on my coffee table. I would recommend picking up a copy.


If you are a beginner to gardening, I would recommend Johnny's Selected Seeds, out of Winslow, Maine. They have a section that points out fruits and veggies that beginner gardeners would most likely use. They branch away from strictly heirloom and organic seeds, but they would be the best place for rookies to start.






If you're looking to garden on a dime, I might recommend The Territorial Seeds Company from Cottage Grove, Oregon. They don't have the largest organic selection but you can save a lot of money by going through them. They have instructional videos on their site and have some good pointers on getting started.





There are, literally, hundreds of seed catalogs out there. Don't stop at these four. Do your own exploration and tell me what you find!

10 Ways to Shop Organic

Finding the time and money to eat healthy can be challenging. Here are a few ideas and resources to help you locate and prepare more local, fresh and chemical-free food. 

1) Buy from your local farmers' market. There are many great deals at farmers' markets. You can find local meats, cheeses, eggs, vegetables, fruits, and many other goodies in one place. The food is fresh and grown locally and you have direct access to the farmers, a great time to ask them how their raise their animals or grow their produce. Markets usually start in May but the best selection becomes available as the growing season gets into full swing. Farmers' markets usually last through September in this area. Plus, if you use EBT (SNAP/Food Stamps), many Markets will accept them. The Lakes Area Growers Market in Brainerd, the Pine River Market Square in Pine River, and the Onamia Area Farmers Market are great places to get started locally.

2) Buy into a CSA. A CSA is a community-supported agriculture program - participants buy a share of the farm's yield. Every week you will get a box of fresh produce (often delivered directly to your door!). CSA share boxes are a great way to experience a variety of produce items. Some CSA programs provide recipes and cookbooks with their produce in an effort to give the consumer fun ways to prepare their food. Some local CSAs are from The Farm on St. Mathias in Brainerd, the Farm of Plenty in Randall, and Island Lake Farm just east of Brainerd.

3) Join a food Co-op. From the outside, many co-ops look like other grocery stores, since a co-op provides products and services like their conventional counterparts. It's what goes on behind the scenes that makes the difference. A co-op exists to serve its members. Unlike conventional grocery stores, co-op members are also the owners. So, in addition to getting the products and services you need, you also have a say in the buisness decisions your co-op makes. Additionally, co-ops frequently source local products, employ knowledgeable staff and offer products that may be tough to locate at a mainstream grocery. There are several good local co-ops. Crow Wing County Food Co-op in Brainerd, Harmony Co-op in Bemidji, and Good Earth Food Co-op in St. Cloud will be good places to get started.

4) Buy in bulk from local farmers. What do I mean buy "in-bulk?" For grass fed beef, you can buy a quarter side of beef, which equals about 1/4 of a cow. From this quarter side, you can get approximately 40-50 pounds of ground beef, 6-7 T-bones, 5-6 porterhouses, 10-15 roasts, ribs, soup bones, if you want them; round steaks, sirloins, and ribeyes. Ask around, to get the best price with the raising practices you want. Prices range from $2.25-$5.00 a pound. Buying chickens locally can also save you money. If you look in grocery stores, organic chicken can cost up to $10.00 a pound, buying directly from the farmer could save you half that cost per pound. If you want to see where you can buy local, check out the Minnesota Grown website.

5) Shop in Season. Organic produce can vary significantly in price depending on when you buy it. For example, organic strawberries in the spring are relatively cheap at $3.50 a pound when compared to almost $8.00 a pound in the winter. By shopping in season, you can save a lot of money. Like I said, the local farmers markets get started in May, but the bulk of the produce becomes available as the growing season gets warmer. For instance, vegetables that are available early in the season are the leafy crops, such as kale, radishes, and lettuce. Common late season produce are gourds and apples. Plan accordingly! Also - look to pick-your-own locations for berries, apples, pumpkins and more.



 6) Always Comparison Shop. While this idea isn't exclusive to shopping organic, it's a great way to stretch your food budget. In my area, I can get a 3 pound bag of organic potatoes for $7.99 and just down the street about 4 miles I can get the same bag of potatoes for just $3.99, It is important to comparison shop to get the best deals.

7) Create your Meal Plan Around the most Affordable Produce, Meats, and Sale Items. Organic does go on sale, especially when it's in season. Some delicious meals can be made with a few ingredients. Let your tastebuds have an adventure and try new things - like fresh herbs!

 

8) Grow your own Organic Food. I have my own little garden that produces much of my families produce. You can grow a lot of produce with just a little time and a very little space. When growing your own food, you control how you fertilize, deal with pests and which seeds you choose. By growing your own organic (chemical free) food, you can save money! It is really rewarding to bring your own food from garden to table. Last season, I grew baby red potatoes in my front flower bed! This year I'm trying tomatoes.



9) Preserve your Food - When it is Season. Preserving food when in season is a great way to trim the grocery budget. Did you know that peppers, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, and many other foods can be frozen whole, sliced, or chopped? You can also learn how to can, dry and pickle your own food. It may take a little time up front, but it will save you money down the road. We've got some tips on how to start preserving your own produce.

10) Transition Gradually to Organic Food. It takes time to make permanent changes in life. You are much more likely to succeed if you slowly make this transition. Start with foods that have the highest amounts of pesticide residue, like apples. Here is a list of the "dirty dozen" and "clean fifteen" - great information on chemicals on your food. http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/