tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279380756539610699.comments2009-12-06T21:27:48.566-08:00The Brenneman'snoreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279380756539610699.post-33410297576369291642009-04-20T23:21:00.000-07:002009-04-20T23:21:00.000-07:00I know these tips are too late to be any help this season but here's my 2 cents: I buy normal size paper cups from Costco (we usually end up using a 1/3 of the huge bag for plants pots and the rest are good for picnics, etc), then I slice 2 knife slices in the bottom for drainage. I cut up plastic cottage cheese/yogurt containers for my labels- use Sharpie markers to write on them. I lay cereal or milk boxes from Costco down on their side and cut them in half, then line them with a plastic grocery sack and use these as small cheap flats to put my seedling cups in. I also use cheap shop lights fixtures with regular flourescent bulbs as growlights. I just prop the ends of the lights up with paperback books and add more as the plants grow taller. I love raising my own seedlings and these are simple methods I've used since highschool. <br />I've enjoyed your Large Family Logistics blog and I'm glad I found your garden portion! I had your other one in my sidebar, but I'll change it to this one now. Enjoy the spring and happy gardening! :-)sariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04027291557643997827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279380756539610699.post-83717952819443999512009-04-17T16:06:00.000-07:002009-04-17T16:06:00.000-07:00Thank you both for your direction and advice. I do wonder if zealous little ones might be part of my problem, now that you mention it. Carmen, I will definitely be reading that article.Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17945305890488681685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279380756539610699.post-59420402402143403052009-04-17T10:43:00.000-07:002009-04-17T10:43:00.000-07:00We had a damping off problem this year on one tray. I can't give you all the reasons for damping off. I'm not an expert. In my experience it has everything to do with too much water and not enough air movement. When the seeds are germinating, spray the top of the soil to keep it damp. If the soil is too dry, they won't germinate, of course. Once they are growing taller, start watering from the bottom, put water in the tray. But don't let the soil get soggy. The seedlings also like air movement so keep the ceiling fan on low or have a box fan running in the room on low. Just enough so that there is air flow in the room. In my case this year, I had lots of little children who loved to spray the soil blocks. One day, half the tray of brassicas were laid over. I immediately stopped them from spraying and the fun was over. It is not nearly the delight to water the plants anymore. So then we lost some of the remaining brassicas to drought. <br />I've read many times that you should only use sterile soil. I don't believe it. I've had damping off with sterile soil also. I think it has to do with too much top moisture or moisture on the stems of tiny seedlings and not enough ventilation.The Brenneman'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07172450177940589406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279380756539610699.post-61052521570526773712009-04-17T09:48:00.000-07:002009-04-17T09:48:00.000-07:00Brandy,<br />I found this link:<br />http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/277/<br />He has some good ideas. I learned a lot! I'm so new at this and hoping I don't mess anything up and end up wasting gobs of money!<br /><br />Hope that helps!Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09283325806078453964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279380756539610699.post-59215426482172332262009-04-17T08:57:00.000-07:002009-04-17T08:57:00.000-07:00About seed starting: do you do anything special to prevent damping off? I tried seeds (instead of starters) for the first time this year, and we lost pretty much all of our seedlings. So...my father gave our family some starters and we are back to that. I don't want to give up on seeds, but I don't know what I'm doing wrong, and all of my books don't seem to have any corrective measures I can take...Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17945305890488681685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279380756539610699.post-864687231157143242009-04-17T07:01:00.000-07:002009-04-17T07:01:00.000-07:00I'm assuming you're in zone 5? We are in zone 5 (I think) here in northern Indiana. We are new to the whole seed starting thing. I ordered about $40 worth of seeds from Baker Creek...thanks to your blog post about them! I've got my tomato and pepper seeds started (yesterday...hopefully not too late in the season?). Just wanted to let you know that you've inspired me!Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09283325806078453964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279380756539610699.post-40410026227931029562009-04-17T05:06:00.000-07:002009-04-17T05:06:00.000-07:00We sweeten with raw sugar, honey, homemade jam. Milk or cream. It all depends on the day and different kids' preferences.The Brenneman'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07172450177940589406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279380756539610699.post-1279496005271335672009-04-16T19:54:00.000-07:002009-04-16T19:54:00.000-07:00Do you sweeten your cereals? Do you add milk or cream? Thanks, TracyTracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04842569674398621511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279380756539610699.post-40887120438987308252009-04-06T21:10:00.000-07:002009-04-06T21:10:00.000-07:00This food safety bill needs to have text like the following added:<BR/>“Rule of Interpretation<BR/><BR/>“No provision of this act shall be deemed to apply (a) to any home, home-business, homestead, small farm (including organic or natural) agricultural activity, social club, association, church, school or other local organization, (b) to any family farm or ranch, or (c) to any natural or organic food product, including dietary supplements regulated under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994.”<BR/><BR/>(I read this suggestion at http://www.healthfreedomusa.org/?p=2394)Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01131945500327567146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279380756539610699.post-68575920710925705002009-03-27T17:18:00.000-07:002009-03-27T17:18:00.000-07:00Since you like Glenn Beck, I was not sure if you saw Daniel Hannan talking with Glenn Beck - if not here is the link.<BR/><BR/>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIAlYslBdu8<BR/><BR/>HeatherAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279380756539610699.post-73353973739554435322009-03-21T11:47:00.000-07:002009-03-21T11:47:00.000-07:00Thanks for the wonderful video. I put it on my blog, too. Very stirring!Jennyhttp://shipfullofpirates.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279380756539610699.post-53433689661039362432009-03-17T10:33:00.000-07:002009-03-17T10:33:00.000-07:00As I was putting my husbands breakfast on the table this morning, he said I'll be there in a few minutes, the President is speaking. Out of the blue an old song popped into my head, "tell me lies, tell me sweet little lies"<BR/>Oh well, the baby is crying time to feed her.Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11675490053122427177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279380756539610699.post-9837799655306748862009-03-15T17:58:00.000-07:002009-03-15T17:58:00.000-07:00Good question Lisa. A future blog topic. When I do it, list your top ten in the comments.The Brenneman'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07172450177940589406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279380756539610699.post-30422499344928530102009-03-15T12:05:00.000-07:002009-03-15T12:05:00.000-07:00Kim, if you were to list your top choices of equipment for your kitchen what would you list? I think I would like the stick blender but then think that I have a regular blender and also I actually use my food processor for lots of stuff that I would use my blender for, so then I talk myself out of it. Just curious on your thought? thanks LisaLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769633864005855323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279380756539610699.post-85921053223371512632009-03-12T23:33:00.000-07:002009-03-12T23:33:00.000-07:00I have lost my recipe from your old blog for easy tomato soup. I can't get it to pull up again. Would you consider reposting it. I like how your recipes are already adjusted for a large family. I can cook without having to do the math. This is important on those very rough days following a sleepless night.<BR/>Thank youKimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11675490053122427177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279380756539610699.post-16790574581313112252009-03-11T05:21:00.000-07:002009-03-11T05:21:00.000-07:00Thank you, I'll check it out!Jasminehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11890198509905791883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279380756539610699.post-22104497107939982472009-03-11T05:06:00.000-07:002009-03-11T05:06:00.000-07:00Your state extension office (look in the telephone book) has Master Gardeners in your area and tons of other info that will tell you when to star what. Or join a local gardening club. At least call them and they will put you in touch with a local person who can help you out.<BR/>I put all that kind of info on a blank calendar. You can do the same once you get the details figured out. Your state extension might already have a calendar made up.The Brenneman'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07172450177940589406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279380756539610699.post-37389528810727416622009-03-10T18:16:00.000-07:002009-03-10T18:16:00.000-07:00I just add a couple T of sea vegetable powder or a handful of green and 1-2 T flax seeds.<BR/>You can get sea vegetable powder online or locally you can get it at New Pi.The Brenneman'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07172450177940589406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279380756539610699.post-5788823584713641622009-03-10T16:32:00.000-07:002009-03-10T16:32:00.000-07:00ok, what is your recipe? where do you get that sea veg?Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769633864005855323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279380756539610699.post-8482295954438897922009-03-10T12:56:00.000-07:002009-03-10T12:56:00.000-07:00Thank you for this site. I have been reading your other blog for a few years. This will be my third year trying to grow a vegetable and hopefully it will go better. I have a ton of questions but maybe you can just direct me to the right place. How do you know when to plant or start seeds for your zone? Where would you send a beginner for garden info?Jasminehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11890198509905791883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279380756539610699.post-29254684853001355162009-03-10T10:43:00.000-07:002009-03-10T10:43:00.000-07:00I recently read a post somewhere (if I remember, I&#39;ll post the link) about using damp newspaper strips, about 5-6&quot; wide &amp; the length of the paper. You wrap the strips around the bottom 3-4&quot; of a narrow jar or bottle, with a couple of inches of paper overhanging the bottom of the jar. Then you just fold the overhaning paper like wrapping the end of a present. Once the paper dries, you just slip it off the jar and fill with dirt. Voila! <BR/><BR/>Good luck, and happy gardening!<BR/>Kimber<BR/>kmbr (underscore) 12 at yahoo dot comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279380756539610699.post-80642063239842476322009-03-10T07:38:00.000-07:002009-03-10T07:38:00.000-07:00Yes, I add flax seed or meal, greens, and sea vegetable powder to mine. <BR/>I have the recipes, specially tailored to our blender, posted on the side of the frig for the kids to make. We make the "goat girls" smoothies first, then the other kids'. Then there is "Mom's Recipe".<BR/>IF my kids are healthy they don't want anything to do with my smoothie recipe. But if they are feeling lousy, I can encourage them to eat mine. I don't think it's bad, especially if it has banana in it. The berries really help with the flavor of sea vegetables or greens.The Brenneman'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07172450177940589406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279380756539610699.post-32031897451468777502009-03-10T05:54:00.000-07:002009-03-10T05:54:00.000-07:00I am loving your gardening blog!! I love to garden and feed my family healthy and cheap! Great qualities for a wonderful inspiring blog! Thank you so much!<BR/><BR/>We love smoothies too! Sometimes I start them by grinding a spoonful of flax seeds in the blender. Then add all the other goodies. Very nutritious!<BR/>Gina in GeorgiaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279380756539610699.post-51259116150859629792009-03-09T16:27:00.000-07:002009-03-09T16:27:00.000-07:00We love smoothies here too! I don't have a really good egg source yet, so I usually throw in raw sunflower seeds or raw almonds for protein. Sometimes I throw in spinach too - it looks really pretty with just bananas. Of course, it looks kind of gross when you had berries (which I usually do). Tastes good though.<BR/><BR/>And I really, really want to grow berries! Thanks for the resource! You have a very inspiring blog; I'm so excited you started a blog devoted to gardening.<BR/><BR/>~AndreaAndreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661583602799129279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279380756539610699.post-30425262105167675342009-03-09T14:35:00.000-07:002009-03-09T14:35:00.000-07:00Do you make your own breakfast cereals? I was buying organic ones occasionally till I read about the extrusion process and problems with that. My kids don't care for granola but would really love to have cereal back on the breakfast menu!Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00396716408304381802noreply@blogger.com