tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post1110011479526059409..comments2024-03-28T15:55:53.792+10:00Comments on down to earth: The vegetable gardenUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-7184575837680596102011-04-07T14:02:04.297+10:002011-04-07T14:02:04.297+10:00I have heard that you can dehydrate kale and make ...I have heard that you can dehydrate kale and make kale "chips" - might be worth a try!<br />We are coming up on gardening season here in Minnesota... looking forward to digging in the dirt again. :)JJnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-9328579324229359832008-07-21T01:05:00.000+10:002008-07-21T01:05:00.000+10:00Hello Rhonda,I'm a new reader this week and your b...Hello Rhonda,<BR/>I'm a new reader this week and your blog makes me homesick for the life I had in Ontario Canada. Right now my husband and I and 3 dogs live in an RV (Winnebago Adventurer) which is not very frugal sounding but in fact it's our house right now and hubbie's office so he has tax deductions and business expenses to cover much of the costs. We currently reside in Virginia U.S.A as hubbie fulfills a work contract. No gardens, no fresh home grown veggies and homemade jams but we are planning and dreaming of that for the future as we work towards his early retirement. We have been frugal for many years - built a straw bale house and so even as we enjoy the RV life (and there is a lot to enjoy!) we are being very frugal and saving our money in our unique way.<BR/>I agree that it is important to feel you are contributing and to be in touch with people every week and that is where it can be more challenging when you live on a lot of land and off the land - usually in Canada this means you are in the middle of nowhere and it takes gasoline to get to the cities, see friends etc...<BR/>Oh and I am so jealous of your 'winters' - ha! We have snow up to our eyeballs in our winters so it's the deep freeze and canned foods that supply our nourishment in the winter.<BR/>Thank you for taking the time to share and teach what you live and learn.<BR/>One question, we are vegetarians, I love the idea of having hens for eggs but would never destroy a hen just bec. she no longer is laying eggs...what to do? Have you addressed this topic before? Keeping hens for theif lifetime?<BR/>Time for home made bread toasted for brecky.<BR/><BR/>LynnAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-85538782131665880922008-07-20T17:14:00.000+10:002008-07-20T17:14:00.000+10:00oh my, will you be my new blogging friend!?? your ...oh my, will you be my new blogging friend!?? your blog has calmed my anxious heart right this evening! the garden photos are splendid! i love garden photos in all styles. the homey practical ones are my favorite. our family has a garden after lamenting the fact we "could possibly" have a good garden living in a small home, small tract of land semi-rurally. i saw a video on path to freedom about a family in pasadena who turned the yards into complete sustainable gardening. lovely just lovely! and now we are hooked. i have a sweet hubby who enjoys making the gadgets and planting boxes i am forever asking him to make. anyway, i am no hooked to your blog. thank you for sharing your wonderful life. God bless you!<BR/>julie harris aka praiseworthytreaures@blogspot.comjuliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14868576681111648856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-90717257612959148942008-07-20T08:52:00.000+10:002008-07-20T08:52:00.000+10:00I enjoyed my visit to your blog, it was one of the...I enjoyed my visit to your blog, it was one of the most comfortable blogs I've visited I liked everything you are doing....Thank you for sharing....Ginny B.Gingerbreadshouse7https://www.blogger.com/profile/01285484153508538882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-88150210620339397572008-07-20T03:59:00.000+10:002008-07-20T03:59:00.000+10:00I am so amazed at the wealth of information that y...I am so amazed at the wealth of information that you share with world. I so appreciate the time you take in doing so.<BR/><BR/>I have learned so much from you in the past few weeks since discovering your blog. One of the best advice I feel I have received is that it takes baby steps in reaching the goal of becoming sustainable. Also, that you share where you were and continue to share where you are.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-15254735772351751862008-07-19T23:55:00.000+10:002008-07-19T23:55:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda! Thank you for visitng my blog! I have...Hi Rhonda! Thank you for visitng my blog! I have been reading through your's and it is awe inspiring! I am adding you to my list and hope I can learn some great tips from you. I wish I was as disciplined as you are! I think it's great how you are living your life.<BR/>Have a great weekend!carolyn@simple~primitive~devotionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16701665118653168627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-72509362561222376412008-07-19T23:04:00.000+10:002008-07-19T23:04:00.000+10:00hello Rhonda, I have been reading your blog for qu...hello Rhonda, I have been reading your blog for quite a while. You have inspired me to do things to survive this bad economy and to take care of the earth I never thought i could manage. I wanted to tell you about my sons garden. He lives in an apartment but has no space for a regular garden. So he gathered up some 5 gallon buckets, some barrels he cut in half, a couple of wash tubs and a large wooden box. He has the most gorgeous lettuces, tomatoes, green beans, spinach and herbs you could imagine.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-72953363923190094552008-07-19T19:23:00.000+10:002008-07-19T19:23:00.000+10:00What a wonderful place Rhonda, you are lucky to h...What a wonderful place Rhonda, you are lucky to have the space to plant so many things. And peaches at this time of year already - yum! Beautiful garden, lovely post.Mariahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16241518311069179507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-49197717360079622102008-07-19T14:23:00.000+10:002008-07-19T14:23:00.000+10:00Just love your blog, having discovered it this wee...Just love your blog, having discovered it this week.It seems that you are near Brisbane, where my son and his wife have settled - are you in Maleny?<BR/>I live in Hilton, KwaZuluNatal, South Africa - long way away.<BR/>Please continue to inspire us with your words and pics - thanx!<BR/> Twan PotgieterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-78340090412534910492008-07-19T14:20:00.000+10:002008-07-19T14:20:00.000+10:00It's great to see the pictures of the garden a...It's great to see the pictures of the garden and to recognize how easily home & connection to nature is really a great way to practice self-care. I too enjoy an equal balance of social interaction and removal from it as well. The removal and renewal is absolutely needed in order to give so much to others as you do.<BR/><BR/>You're now the second person who I've seen post about companion chickens. I never imagined a chicken would want to sit in someone's lap until the last week! So interesting!<BR/><BR/>Hope you enjoy a restful yet productive weekend!Simply Authentichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10149087342124493037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-35070970687506542922008-07-19T05:47:00.000+10:002008-07-19T05:47:00.000+10:00I always feel relaxed after reading one of your po...I always feel relaxed after reading one of your posts, just thought I'd mention that,<BR/><BR/>Gill from CanadaGill - That British Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17456247587052149765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-2228861125917566882008-07-19T04:35:00.000+10:002008-07-19T04:35:00.000+10:00Hello-I've been reading your blog for some time no...Hello-<BR/>I've been reading your blog for some time now and it's dangerous! I can sit and read for a long time right here in your down to earth world! You have the veggie garden on my dreams! When I wish I had more of a garden that some pots on my patio, I hop over here and take a look at your awesome garden!Jessicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10790498956206713440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-47120564328187671372008-07-19T03:16:00.000+10:002008-07-19T03:16:00.000+10:00Good afternoon, Rhonda. I've googled and thought a...Good afternoon, Rhonda. I've googled and thought and thought some more but I'm drawing a blank. What is the purpose of the clay pots on the poles in your garden? Please do enlighten me. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-15555196951670384122008-07-19T03:11:00.000+10:002008-07-19T03:11:00.000+10:00Hi RhondaI've been reading your blog for a few wee...Hi Rhonda<BR/><BR/>I've been reading your blog for a few weeks now and find it fascinating. I have really enjoyed seeing your garden today too.<BR/><BR/>Thank you again for sharing your world with us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-37792668338469106052008-07-19T00:34:00.000+10:002008-07-19T00:34:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda,I've been reading your blog for a little...Hi Rhonda,<BR/>I've been reading your blog for a little while now and am always cheered by the way you write. A lot of my friends don't understand why I enjoy my garden and working hard at simple things. Your garden is a beautiful place and it's no wonder you like spending time in it. Have a great weekend!<BR/>JillAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-46325738946515995042008-07-19T00:31:00.000+10:002008-07-19T00:31:00.000+10:00Rhonda,your chooks would really love some kale if ...Rhonda,your chooks would really love some kale if you can spare them some,ours used to absolutely love it and would start doing a happy dance if they saw us coming along with a big bunch of it for them to shred.We used to grow it specially as it was good to have a ready supply of cut and come again greens for them,but then we started using the younger leaves ourselves for soups and stir fries etc and left the tougher ones for the girls :)<BR/><BR/>cb<BR/><BR/>xxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-67639510400032243102008-07-19T00:26:00.000+10:002008-07-19T00:26:00.000+10:00Hi from Michigan! I check your blog everyday durin...Hi from Michigan! I check your blog everyday during my break here at work. It's a nice way to step back and slow down amid the office hustle and bustle. Love all the garden pics!<BR/><BR/>Zucchini-use in anything. I shred mine and freeze it.<BR/><BR/>Question on raised beds---do you have the cement blocks anchored into the ground? How do you keep them from moving around? Do you think they hold much heat?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-81701045555699963422008-07-18T22:58:00.000+10:002008-07-18T22:58:00.000+10:00Hello RhondaI happened across your blog during the...Hello Rhonda<BR/>I happened across your blog during the week and I have to say I'm HOOKED!! I'm full of admiration for you and your Husband for living such a sustainable lifestyle. I only hope that by reading your generous instructions and guidence I can start to make some changes too. When did mankind decide that it was 'making progress' to be less frugal and more wasteful?! <BR/><BR/>I have already embarked on a green cleaning regime in our house. We have an almost 3 year old daughter so I have alway tried to keep her away from products containing chemicals and such. My husband and I have also stopped using regular shampoos and toiletries in favour of natural products, and as we are struggling for cash at the moment (I'm a stay at home Mum) it has helped us reduce grocery bills. <BR/><BR/>I will be following your soap tutorial next week plus I am doing a bit of stockpiling, so who knows maybe I'll start a blog too! Keep up the great work and thanks for letting us share so much of your life :)<BR/>ElisaLittle Bird Craft Clubhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00571891311310348397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-60820122071354660822008-07-18T21:10:00.000+10:002008-07-18T21:10:00.000+10:00Hi RhondaJust like your region, our day time temps...Hi Rhonda<BR/><BR/>Just like your region, our day time temps are around 18-21C and our night time temps are 10-15C. I double checked with the local weather forecast for the coming week. The big difference for us is that we live in the UK and this is normally our hottest time of the year. Your garden seems like a miniature version of the garden of Eden to me. <BR/><BR/>You are so right about contentment. The things that bring temporary 'happiness' are not always the things that make us content.<BR/><BR/>CharisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-29785204890315189032008-07-18T19:29:00.000+10:002008-07-18T19:29:00.000+10:00Kale freezes very well, and I always just blanch t...Kale freezes very well, and I always just blanch them and then freeze them. Although I don't think my kale wil make it this year, the snails seems to like them very, very much, yet I can't seem to catch them!Samanthahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15157054304170040222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-38748680019112747482008-07-18T18:46:00.000+10:002008-07-18T18:46:00.000+10:00Thank you Rhonda for taking us around your lovely ...Thank you Rhonda for taking us around your lovely garden. It was a lovely morning treat for me. I get that feeling you describe even when I just get a handful of tomatoes or a few runner beans, it is quite spiritual a kind of all is right in the world feeling. Your photos remind me that with a lot of very hard work we might just be able to get ours producing a lot more. I too would like to know how you prep and store veg like kale and chard for the freezer.Catzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01520965195624109859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-2828393933245546162008-07-18T18:24:00.000+10:002008-07-18T18:24:00.000+10:00I am loving reading your blog which I've recently ...I am loving reading your blog which I've recently discovered. Your vegetable garden is really beautiful. Someone else asked about freezing vegetables and I would love to know more too. I don't have a vegetable patch yet but I do get an organic veggie box delivered and just sometimes there is too much of one thing for us to get through in the week. I've frozen fruit before but never veg. Any chance of giving us some tips in a future post?LinenandRoseshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13109282224996790623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-55847398254419896152008-07-18T17:55:00.000+10:002008-07-18T17:55:00.000+10:00Hello Rhonda, I haven't commented in a while, but ...Hello Rhonda, I haven't commented in a while, but I drop by most days! Lovely to have a guided wander around your veg patch. Have a happy weekend. Diana xwalter and mehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03654023053222721637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-32022729951445741632008-07-18T17:39:00.000+10:002008-07-18T17:39:00.000+10:00I love your garden.I love your garden.Riverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14794655013673748992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-71390649458125937412008-07-18T16:09:00.000+10:002008-07-18T16:09:00.000+10:00Steph, there is a season for all things. Your sea...Steph, there is a season for all things. Your season for vegies will come later, after your most important crop of children has grown a bit more. It's really lovely you're looking after your mum.<BR/><BR/>Welcome Adrienne. I'll see what I can do.<BR/><BR/>Renee, I'm not a big fan of zuchinni so I don't have any recipes.<BR/><BR/>Hello Shan, thank you for your lovely comment.<BR/><BR/>Hi Melinda, temps now are 10 - 25 C. Our lowest temp this year has been about 6 C. Generally the day time temps is around 18 - 20C.<BR/><BR/>Hi Mammamamma, thank you and welcome. Good luck with the soap.<BR/><BR/>Rosie, they are also called White Coco. They are the earliest stringless bean and therefore got the name. Here is a UK site for you: http://www.worldkitchenseeds.co.uk/vegetable-seeds/climbing-bean-seeds.htm<BR/><BR/>I told Hanno about the tips about Kale and he told me a wonderful story about his granny who never wasted one thing. Her cellar had shelves of glass jars full of all sorts of vegetables, including kale. Thank you Diane, Sonja and Dani.<BR/><BR/>Thank you all for your lovely comments. Quinne, you hug that precious baby girl for me.<BR/><BR/>Jodie, the pots are to stop us hitting our eyes with the top of the stakes. I also like the way they look. When birds sit on them they wobble and the birds fly off.<BR/><BR/>:- )Rhonda Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00175785349529109084noreply@blogger.com