The 90% ers

This page of a catalog has some good information on yeilds.
http://www.johnnyseedsonlinecatalog....bookcode=jon10

What works well for me with greens is leaving them in a plastic shopping bag or the store produce bag and then leaving the bag on its side and slightly open. You have to learn how much to leave the plastic open or it will not work. What happens if you do not store them in plastic is that they dry out and wilt and what happens if the plastic is too tight is that condensation builds up in the bag and wrecks the greens. I do the same thing with breaad, but I poke a few holes in the top of the bread bag with a knife to vent the excess moisture. I find that too much moisture in the bread bag creates a breeding ground for mold and bread exposed to air goes stale, so creating the right balance of air and moisture keeps the bread longer.

7thswan, it sounds like you have a productive homestead.

7thswan thank you. I bookmarked that.

City bound, I am going to have to try this method.

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“If people let the government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as a sorry state as the souls who live under tyranny." ~ Thomas Jefferson.

Thanks, We've been at this place going on 8 years. It takes time, I usally do everything by myself,as my Dh works full time, I stay home and tend the rest.I'm a scrapper too, I'd rather use things I salvage than spend $ on new stuff, so sometimes I have to wait for things needed.

scapper, as in scrap metal, or scrapper as in reusing discarded junk?

I can't remember the last time I was this excited about my garden! I've made a few lists and had to think hard on some things. I can't grow broccoli, cauliflower or eggplant and believe me I've tried; just gonna do without it and focus on the vegetables that grow well in my area. I hope to have more free time this summer, maybe I can stay on top of the weeds for a change.

Has anyone ever grown peanuts or sweet potatoes in zone 5?

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I cried because I had no shoes, until I saw a man who had no feet.

Discarded, unused, reuse, things like that. I built a greenhouse from salvaged items and last fall built a leanto hoophouse. Had all the parts from one of those Plastic Garages, only had to figure a way to attach it to the pole barn. Did that with salvaged wood and PVC couplings, about a 45 degree angle. Put up the Leger board after drilling 2 inch holes in it and screwing the couplers into the wood. The metal tubing from the garage slipped in and sinse it was a leanto I was able to double the length. I did have to buy the special plastic for the covering. I get unwanted items from my BIL,he is in sales at a lumber yard, so if I can't use it to build with,atleast it makes good kindling. Warped boards are good for raised beds, rabbit hutches, ect. Also,farm auctions and garage sales, lots of people will buy new instead. Dh was at an auction,couple of weeks back, a Brand New Excalabur Dehydrator was held up,they said it was a Microwave, it went for 5.dollars. The Auctioneer didn't see my Dh waveing wildly. Not that I need one,but could have put it on the barter board here.

Yes, I have grown Sweet Potatoes here in Zone 5. I'm seriously thinking of getting some weedblock,the woven kind that lasts for years. Also, I'll go get a link to the Wizbang hoe, I'd really like the 10" weed slicer.
http://planetwhizbang.blogspot.com/

I grow sweet potatoes in zone 7.

I heard this cool thing about brussle sprouts. A german guy was saying that his family use to leave them out in the garden over the winter and they were ether chilled enough or they froze, and all he had to do was go out and pick some when they needed them for dinner. he said it was like having a free freezer. Makes sense, we freeze these things anyway.

I have drinking water outside in the cold chilling for free.

7th, it is good you can make do with less. I try to live the same way also.

We planted 2 plum trees and a peach tree today. The nursery didnt have the other trees we wanted bare root so I'll order them from another nursery in N TX along with some black berries. None of this will feed us in 2013 but gotta get started some time.

And at the nursery we were at today, the had Red La Soda seed potatoes. I couldnt find any last year, so we are going back tomorrow with the kids and Im going to get a about 25 pounds along with a few other things.

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" Do or do not, there is no try. " - Yoda

I did this by accident a few years back. Typically though we get a hard freeze then weeks of 60 degree days.
Mushy sprouts.

For those that are dealing with drought try incorporating bio-dynamics into your garden. It made a huge deal for me when i changed from the traditional rows to a bio-intensive garden as far as water consumption/use. I rarely water anymore and during the summer can go 2 weeks without watering the garden. I think the deeply dug beds have really been the key in that along with heavily mulching the pathways. Also because the plants are so close together the shade they provide keeps the soil from drying out so quick in the summer.

For those that asked:
Homemade tortillas
2 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
2 T. lard (can use shortening or CO)
3/4 c. milk

Combine all ingredients and then make 8 balls of dough. Roll them as thin as you can get them (they will puff as you cook them). Put a small amount of oil or spray a skillet or griddle and then cook the tortillas flipping them halfway. They don't take long to cook, just enough to slightly brown each side. They can be kept warm by stacking on a plate and covering with a slightly damp kitchen cloth then place in a warm oven. My oven has a warm setting for keeping plates warm if yours doesn't then heat the oven and turn it off then place the plate of tortillas in there. They will stay warm until you have finished the rest of your ingredients. Blessings, Kat

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Come visit Homesteading and Homekeeping at Whisperwind Farm

I dont understand the 100-450 lbs of potatoes? Can I ask how big a family you are feeding? Wow-that sounds like a lot...I am just starting to hope for growing 60% of my own food--cant image this many potatoes for a family of 5. Do you use more if you are not buying convenience foods from the store?

There are only 2 of us. My Dh is a meat and potatoes man. Potatoes are a staple for us as I rarley use rice or beans,like other people do.I am incorperating more into our meals tho, simpley because the 3 are inexpensive and bearns,rice are good for long term storage. My Dh's eating habits are an issue that keep us from being more food independant, I'm not complaining as I understand. I'm very disiplined about food. I was a professional bodybuilder and trainer. I look at food as what it is in it and what it does for my body. My Dh does not-he just loves food and to eat. I could eat out of a jar if I was alone,but sure would miss cooking. I really love cooking on my wood cookstove,even if it's for the dogs :-) I'll cook up something.

I grow a lot of potatos also, something about being able to do it makes you do more and more. Different types for different uses also. They store all winter in the root cellar and I give lots to family

We dug about 60 lbs of Red Pontiacs and White Kenebecs this Summer and they were all gone by September. Me, Karla and the 3 girls, with my son ans his wife over on occasion.

I am shooting for 400 lbs this year. We eat a lot of new potatoes in various ways and then we do loose some in storage.

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" Do or do not, there is no try. " - Yoda

and if you were to somehow end up with "too many" potatoes, they can always be used to supplement livestock feed....
http://www.umaine.edu/umext/potatopr...gLivestock.pdf

I can also think of about 10-15 ways to cook those potatoes.

As for drought stricken gardens, I use deep mulch and rarely water. It keeps the soil moist. Sometimes i have to pull the mulch away because it is too wet.