Tracking Expenses

This year I plan on tracking all of the money I spend on the garden.  I will also weigh all of my harvests and give them a value.  Even if it weren't cheaper to grow vegetables, I think I would probably still do it because it is so fun and the veggies taste so much better, but I think it will be fun to see the numbers.

Since this is really my first full year of gardening and I don't have any existing beds other than a 4x4 raised bed that I built last year, the expenses for this year will probably be slightly higher than they would otherwise be.

2010 Expenses So Far:
January: $8.85
February: $33.05

Total pounds harvested: 0.0
Total spent: $41.90

Finally starting some seeds!

Well, it's been a long winter, and I am SO ready to start gardening.  I'm a little worried because the wet weather through the fall and winter has kept me from digging my new garden beds, so I really have nowhere to put all of these seeds I'm starting.  I'm hoping for some dry, warm weather soon so I can get the beds ready.

So far, I've bought some seed potatoes, which I plan on planting in either trashbags or trash cans, depending on the budget, and have also bought tons of seeds.  You know I can't pass up a good seed aisle.  It is amazing to me how much food you can buy for $20 if you are willing to grow it yourself!

I've started some broccoli, four kinds of tomatoes, and some scallions in peat pellets.  All of the tomatoes have sprouted even though it seems like it's freezing in the house.  I haven't had any luck with the scallions germinating yet, but it's only been about 6 days.  I've seen several places with onion sets for sale, so I may just try those this year. 

I can't wait to get things planted!  This is going to be my first full season of gardening, and I know I have a lot to learn.

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

We finally got some really cold weather in central Missouri.  On my porch thermometer a few mornings ago, it was 2 degrees!  Brrr!  My carrots couldn't handle that kind of cold, so I harvested them all.  I got 47 carrots total, a mix of Scarlet Nantes and Danvers.  Some of them were still really small, but I think that was due to lazy thinning efforts on my part.  Most of them, though, were a really great size.  I made an amazing soup with some of them and still have quite a few left.

I'm starting to get some seed catalogs and plan the garden for next spring.  I'll be starting some seeds in February, so I don't have too much longer to wait!  In the meantime, I'm going to continue planning and making some seed mats for my carrots and lettuce so I won't have to worry about thinning next year.