Got to get that GREEN

We have about $80.00 invested in the garden so far this year.  We needed to purchase a new, reliable sprinkler and also decided to splurge for a timer for the sprinkler this year.  This cost about $55.00 out of the $80.00 invested, which is very reasonable since the sprinkler and timer are a long-term investment.  We are planning to record all purchases and the value of all of the produce harvested from the garden this year to see exactly how frugal we are!  

Spinach was the first plant to reach maturity and ready for harvest.  We pulled three colanders of spinach from the garden this week alone.  Frugal Farmer straight farms.....

Harvested 4/6/2012

1.1 - Spinach

Large colander

(Estimated Worth: $5.00)

Harvested 4/4/2012

1.2 - Spinach
Medium colander
(Estimated Worth: $2.50)


Harvested 4/3/2012

1.3 - Spinach
Medium colander
(Estimated Worth: $2.50)


Total Weekly Worth:  $10.00 in Spinach

Grow Garden Grow

We are a month and three days in and getting some good growth.  We have been putting dipel dust down like crazy to try and ward off cabbage worms.  If you have never used dipel dust we strongly recommend it for cabbage, broccoli, and brussel sprouts.  Dipel dust should be a staple in every gardeners storage shed!  

Take a look at how things were doing on April 2nd, 2012....

1.1 - Red Potatoes

Potatoes worried us at first, but they have come up now and been covered once. 

1.2 - Close up of potatoes

Onions and Carrots 

(Onions on left and right; Carrots down the middle) 

                        1.3                                                                                         1.4 

1.5 - Artsy Onions 

Looks like the Dipel Dust did the trick......

1.6 - Broccoli, Lettuce, Spinach, and Brussel Sprouts

(from left to right)

1.7 - Spinach

1.8 - Spinach is looking bountiful!

1.9 - Onions, Carrots, Cabbage, Broccoli, Lettuce, Spinach, Brussel Sprouts, and Strawberris

(from left to right)

1.10 - Strawberries

1.11 - Early Jersey Wakefield Cabbage

1.12 - Much improved after the chemical warfare!

Breaking Ground

Today was an interesting day.  We set out to cut out some rows, plant potatoes and onions, and hit Plant and See nursery to get our early crops.  Instead, we cut the underground fence line trying to expand our garden a couple of feet.  After a quick fix patch job, we cut out a couple of big rows (18 in. wide) and planted potatoes.  We were slowed down by trying to pick a ton of grassroots out, hoping to head off the attack that is coming a little bit.  The eleven month old, who either wants to eat dirt, pick up dog poop, or just be annoyed that she can't do whatever she wants didn't speed things up.

Here are some before pics: 

We did formulate our plan of attack and plant about 25 potato plants.  Hoping to get our onions cabbage, broccoli, carrots, spinach, brussel sprouts, and spinach in tomorrow.  That's a tall order though.