Home gardening offers ways to trim grocery costs [Survival Today, an on going thread]

Dallas News.com ^ | March 14th, 2008 | DEAN FOSDICK

[nw_arizona_granny]

Americans finding soaring food prices hard to stomach can battle back by growing their own food. [Click image for a larger version] Dean Fosdick Dean Fosdick

Home vegetable gardens appear to be booming as a result of the twin movements to eat local and pinch pennies.

At the Southeastern Flower Show in Atlanta this winter, D. Landreth Seed Co. of New Freedom, Pa., sold three to four times more seed packets than last year, says Barb Melera, president. "This is the first time I've ever heard people say, 'I can grow this more cheaply than I can buy it in the supermarket.' That's a 180-degree turn from the norm."

Roger Doiron, a gardener and fresh-food advocate from Scarborough, Maine, said he turned $85 worth of seeds into more than six months of vegetables for his family of five.

A year later, he says, the family still had "several quarts of tomato sauce, bags of mixed vegetables and ice-cube trays of pesto in the freezer; 20 heads of garlic, a five-gallon crock of sauerkraut, more homegrown hot-pepper sauce than one family could comfortably eat in a year and three sorts of squash, which we make into soups, stews and bread."

[snipped]

She compares the current period of market uncertainty with that of the early- to mid-20th century when the concept of victory gardens became popular.

"A lot of companies during the world wars and the Great Depression era encouraged vegetable gardening as a way of addressing layoffs, reduced wages and such," she says. "Some companies, like U.S. Steel, made gardens available at the workplace. Railroads provided easements they'd rent to employees and others for gardening."

[nw_arizona_granny]

Has interesting seeds, herbal, vegetable, organic:

https://www.gardenmedicinals.com/store/catalog/index.php

Library/articles/links:

https://www.gardenmedicinals.com/library/library_frames.html

https://www.gardenmedicinals.com/

[nw_arizona_granny]

Did you ever hear of this one:

Zhi Mu
Anemarrhena asphodeloides
Uses: Medicinal Duration: Perennial (hardy in zones 2-7)
When to Sow: Spring Ease of Germination: Easy
Chinese medicinal herb that looks and grows like a tall grass but isn’t. It spreads by underground rhizome like grasses, but unlike grasses it has fragrant yellow-white or light purple flowers that open in the evening in late summer and autumn. Used in China for 2000 years. The rhizomes are noted for their antidiabetic and antibacterial properties, and are used for pneumonia, bronchitis, high fever, irritability and insomnia.
S7150 Seeds $2.30/pkt

http://www.richters.com/Web_store/web_store.cgi?product=X7150&show=&prodclass=Herb_and_Vegetable_Seeds&cart_id=4053937.15259

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A good one to grow:

Serrano Chile Pepper
Capsicum annuum ‘Serrano’
Uses: Culinary/Medicinal Duration: Annual
When to Sow: Spring Ease of Germination: Easy
Use when green or ripened to scarlet. Small: 2cm/1” long, 1cm/0.5” across. Thick flesh; clean biting heat. Salsas, pickled, or roasted for sauces. Heat: 7.
S4470-800 Seeds $1.20/pkt

http://www.richters.com/Web_store/web_store.cgi?product=X4470-800&show=&prodclass=Herb_and_Vegetable_Seeds&cart_id=4053937.15259

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An Interesting herb:

Chinese Cucumber
Trichosanthes kirilowii
Uses: Medicinal/Poisonous! Duration: Annual
When to Sow: Spring Ease of Germination: Easy
(Gua lou; Tien hua fen; Chinese snake gourd) Source of anti-HIV agent, Compound Q (GLQ223), extracted from the root. Recent in vitro laboratory studies with Compound Q showed great promise for AIDS treatment because it selectively kills only infected cells, leaving healthy cells untouched; clinical trials are not yet conclusive, however. Used in China to treat angina pectoris, to reduce phlegm, and since 300 A.D. to induce abortions.
S2045 Seeds $2.30/pkt

http://www.richters.com/Web_store/web_store.cgi?product=X2045&show=&prodclass=Herb_and_Vegetable_Seeds&cart_id=4053937.15259

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Richters Herb and Vegetable Seeds
Available by the packet and in bulk.

Most packets contain 100 or more seeds, even thousands in many cases. Packets priced $5 and up usually have less than 100.

http://www.richters.com/Web_store/web_store.cgi?show=list&prodclass=Herb_and_Vegetable_Seeds&cart_id=4053937.15259

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http://www.richters.com/

[nw_arizona_granny]

A very interesting site:

http://vietworldkitchen.typepad.com/blog/vietnamese-herb-primer.html

Vietnamese Herb Primer

Vietnamese herbs are collectively known as rau thom, literally translated as fragrant leaves. “Rau” generically refers to leafy vegetables and “thom” means fragrant. Note that many of these herbs begin with the word “rau” to denote the full name. In daily conversation, however, it’s okay to omit “rau” as people will still know what you’re talking about! However, there are a few exceptions, such as rau ram, which you’ve got say both words for people to understand you.

Eating and cooking Viet requires lots of fresh herbs. Some are easily recognizable, others will seem more exotic. Below are short discussion on the different kinds of herbs, how to use them and how to store them.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

You may want to rethink the waiting till after Christmas, people always throw out the old, when they get new and so many are still trying to top the Jones, that what they throw away, suits me fine.

That's good advice. I have been getting the daily summary but by the time the email comes many of the items have been listed for a while and are probably gone. I'll switch to individual emails (gmail chat alerts me when a new email comes in) and watch for bargains. Thanks!

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Serrano Chile Pepper

My husband roasts those, and when I was falling asleep last night my last (coherent) thought was, "I forgot to order peppers!" Everything's still in the cart and besides I haven't looked at Sandhill or Richters yet.

My bathroom is going to become a greenhouse until we can get one put up - it stays warm and is very sunny. LOL the tub will have a piece of plywood over it until the little seeds get started. Why is this so much fun? It's so exciting, and all I'm doing is buying seeds!

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Heh, Squaw Valley is just around the corner from my house on the hill - same area code! We looked at SV as a possible location for a mobile home, it’s a very pretty valley. There’s one lot for sale over there, about 900 acres, that I would love to have but I don’t have nor can I qualify for a million dollar loan. They don’t appear to have a storefront, so I will take a look at their catalog. Thanks for the reference, that is a perfect place to order from!

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

http://crafts.kaboose.com/snglobe.html

Snowglobe

Difficulty: Easy
Age: 6 and up, though younger children can assist with adding water and glitter.
Average User Rating:
1 2 3 4 5 (5/5)

Parental supervision is recommended

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! This darling little craft is made from recycled baby food jars, or any other type of jar you have sitting around collecting dust. We suggest making more than one, or you won’t want to give up this little keepsake to your child—they’re great to keep around your own home, perfect for your computer desk. Give your globe a theme and make it a gift for Christmas, Halloween, birthdays or any occasion. Or, you can make a snow globe featuring your favorite characters or animals such as Dinosaurs, Spiderman or Barbie. Enjoy!

What you'll need:
Baby food jars (medium or large) or any other type of jar with a lid
Florist clay (can be found at any craft supply store)
Small figurine (see “Choosing your figurine” under “Helpful Hints”)
White and/or silver glitter or fake snow
Hot glue gun or aquarium sealing glue (hot glue is less expensive)
Ribbon or felt (optional)
Garland plastic greenery (see “Getting your greenery” under “Helpful hints”)

How to make it:
Wash and dry your jar completely, including the lid.
Attach figurine to inside of jar lid using florist clay. If you are using a small object, it's a good idea to build up the clay so the object will appear taller. To preview, simply place empty jar over the top of your figurine to see if you have the height where you want it. Attach any optional items with the clay (greenery, berries, etc.). Important: Use your imagination, but make sure whatever you use is waterproof and won't dissolve.
Fill jar with water to within 1/2 inch (1 cm) of top. Use cold water, warm water tends to cloud. Sprinkle ½ teaspoon of glitter, or “ snow” into water. This measurement is based on a medium to large baby food jar. Adjust glitter amount according to your size jar.
Using hot glue gun, line inside of lid with glue. Insert figurine in water and screw on lid.
Dab lid dry if any water dripped or spilled. Apply a layer of hot glue around the rim of the lid to seal shut.
Let stand and dry overnight — lid side up.
Decorating the lid rim is optional, and there are several ways to do it. Attach decorative ribbon with glue, use plastic holly berries for a holiday feel, or use colored felt as we have. This can be as simple or as elaborate as you like. Use white or craft glue to run a squiggly line around the felt then sprinkle with glitter and let dry. Glue on buttons, use stickers, or personalize your globe by writing your name in glue and sprinkling with glitter. You may also paint the lid rather than use ribbon or other embellishments. The possibilities are endless so have fun!

Tips:

Keep your globe secure. Make sure the objects are secure in the clay, you could even glue them for added security.

Choose your figurine wisely. Choose a figurine made of a material that will not dissolve or deteriorate in water over time. Cake toppers, small ornaments with the hanger removed, miniature toys and dolls are all possibilities.

Easy-to-find greenery. You will only need small pieces so look for stems in the floral department that are on sale or inexpensive. You can also trim pieces from silk and plastic greenery, or you can even fashion your own small trees out of chenille stems. Another option is to use tiny plastic pine trees found in toy train and car sets.

Glitter tips. Before gluing or sealing the lid, make sure you have sufficient amount of glitter. Depending on the size of the jar, you may need more or less. Be careful! Too much glitter will completely obscure your figurine.

Add color and pizzazz. To make a more elaborate snow globe, add tiny objects to “ float” in the water, use a drop of colored oil to create a swirling effect or use food coloring in the water. Or, instead of using just white or just silver glitter, mix the two colored glitters. Silver tends to fall faster, the white floats more. Putting them together creates a fun effect. These are just some ideas to help you create your one-of-a-kind snow globe. Use your imagination and have fun.

Choose a theme . Make your snow globe for any occasion or theme such as Halloween, birthday, sports, holiday, Victorian and beach (seashells). You can also make two and give one away as a gift.

Save your felt scraps. This craft is a perfect example of utilizing small felt pieces that were left over from other projects so remember to save those scraps.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

http://crafts.kaboose.com/paper-bag-gingerbread-friends.html

Paper Bag Gingerbread Friends

By: Amanda Formaro
Difficulty: Easy
Age: 5 and up
Average User Rating:
1 2 3 4 5 (0/5)
Parental supervision is recommended

Holiday Links
Christmas Crafts
Xmas Cards
Free Crafts Email
These cute little gingerbread boys and girls are fun to decorate and adorable to display!

For more activities, be sure to visit our main Christmas page. Don't forget to check out our Christmas crafts, recipes, printables, games, clip art and coloring pages.

What you'll need:
Brown paper grocery bag
Gingerbread girl and boy cookie cutters
Pencil
Scissors
Acrylic paint: white, red, pink, purple, orange, green, light blue, black
Paintbrush

How to make it:
Cut a 7” wide strip the length of the paper grocery bag.
Decide which side you want to be the front and turn over so that the back is facing up.
Place gingerbread boy cookie cutter at the left side of the paper strip. Use pencil to trace the outline of the cookie cutter.
Place gingerbread girl cookie cutter just to the right of the tracing of the boy gingerbread and trace with pencil.
Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you run out of room on the paper.
Use scissors to cut the outlines of the gingerbread people out, keeping them connected. Do not cut the gingerbread people out separately. If need be, cut around your tracing marks rather than on them to give yourself “padding” which will make up for any gaps between the tracings.
Turn paper over so that your pencil marks are now facing down. Decorate gingerbread with acrylic paints. Dot buttons on by dipping the handle end of the paintbrush into the paint and then onto your paper.
Use thin paintbrush to add the “rick-rack” squiggles with white paint around wrists, ankles, and skirts.
Use a thin paintbrush or black marker to add smiles them dot on pink for cheeks with handle end of paintbrush.
Dot on eyes with black or dark brown and paint on red bowties for the boys.

Tips:
Craft paper will work in place of a brown paper grocery bag. You can also use brown construction paper.
Cut individual gingerbreads to glue to cards and packages.
Glue some yarn to the back and hang as garland on your mantle or tree.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

A treasure chest of crafts here, many of them very suitable for children.
http://crafts.kaboose.com/

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

http://crafts.kaboose.com/orange-spice-potpourri.html

Orange Spice Potpourri

Difficulty: Very Easy
Average User Rating:
1 2 3 4 5 (0/5)

Holiday Links
Christmas Crafts
Xmas Cards
Free Crafts Email
Breathe easy with this pleasantly scented Orange spice potpourri craft. It's an economical way to create many small Christmas gifts that let people know you're thinking of them. (i.e. mail carrier, hairdresser)

What you'll need:
1 pound Orange peel (Dime Size)
1/2 pound Lemon peel (Dime Size)
1 pound Whole Star Anise
1 pound Small Cinnamon Sticks (1 inch)
1 pound Whole Allspice
1 pound Whole Cloves
4 ounces Fixative Orris root, Cellulose Fixative
1-2 ounce bottle with dropper of Orange, Cinnamon, or Christmas Oils.
How to make it:
If making a small amount, use a jar. If making a larger amount, use something that you don't mind having the aroma in forever. When I make it I use a plastic shoe box container. When finished I can put my craft supplies in it and whenever I open it I get the most wonderful aroma.
Mix together all ingredients except the oil. After mixing, add the oil by dropping it onto the potpourri. Trying to get as much as possible of the oil on the fixative. Continue to mix as you drop the oil into the potpourri. Use 1/2 of the oil. Check the aroma by smelling 2 or 3 days later; you can always decide to add more oil.
Let the potpourri sit for 2 to 3 weeks in a cool dark spot. Stirring every couple days. When finished bag up and label. I use Ziploc snack bags and make labels using address labels on my computer.

Remember you can make as little or as much as you want with the recipe above — just add and adjust to your liking. Good Luck.

Tips:
This would make a nice gift for your teacher, school nurse, librarian, or others at your school.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

http://crafts.kaboose.com/cookiebag.html

Christmas Cookie Gift Bag

By: Amanda Formaro
Difficulty: Easy
Age: 5 and up
Average User Rating:
1 2 3 4 5 (3/5)

Holiday Links
Christmas Crafts
Xmas Cards
Free Crafts Email
Just baked a giant batch of Christmas cookies and want to share? This craft is a great way to give the gift of baking and share your crafty talents as well!

What you'll need:
Paper lunch sack
Acrylic paint in white, green and red
Foam stamps: star and circle
Paint brush
White craft glue
Silver glitter
Green glitter glue
6-8” ribbon
Cookies

How to make it:
Open the lunch bag to make sure that none of the sides or ends are stuck together before you start. Close it back up.
Fold bottom of bag against itself so that it lies flat and is not folded upwards.
Use a hole punch or wooden skewer to make a small hole in the top center of the bag. (Later you will tie the bag shut with a ribbon.)
Paint the circle foam stamp with red paint. Stamp onto the bag. Fill in any gaps with the paint brush. Allow to dry.
Paint the star stamp with white paint and stamp onto bag, overlapping the circle and running off the right edge of the bag. Fill in gaps with paint brush. Let dry.
Paint the star stamp with green paint and stamp onto bag, overlapping the circle and running off the left end of the bag.
Decorate the “cookies” with sprinkles by dipping the handle end of a paint brush into paint and dotting onto the circle and stars.
Use white craft glue to write the word “cookies” at the top of the bag.
Sprinkle completely with silver glitter and let dry. Tap off excess glitter.
Water down a little bit of craft glue and use a paint brush to paint the glue mixture onto the undecorated spaces on the bag.
Lightly sprinkle glitter onto the areas you painted with glue and tap off excess.
Use green glitter glue to write the words “For: ______” at the bottom of the bag. Let dry completely.
When bag is completely dry, fill with cookies and thread a piece of ribbon through the top hole. Tie in a bow.

Tips:
Wrap your cookies in wax paper or plastic bags so you don’t get any grease spots on the bag.
To make many bags at once, line up several bags in a row and do this craft assembly line style.
We did not have a circle stamp so we used a smiley face stamp and filled the gaps with the paint brush.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Another craft site, I have not browsed in here yet:
http://www.allfreecrafts.com/

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

http://www.allfreecrafts.com/

Featured Crafts

New Christmas Crafts

Glitter Ornaments
Pine Cone Kissing Ball
Recycled Bottle Angel
Mr and Mrs Snowman Mittens
Stamped Snowman Cards
Mini Clay Pot Elf Ornament
Tomato Cage Christmas Tree
Knitted Christmas Bells
Crochet Christmas Bells
Victorian Juice Lid Ornaments
Film Canister Angel
Film Canister Soldier
Gingerbread Man
Felt Snowman
Felt Santa

Nature Crafts:

30 Clay Pot Crafts
Pinecone Fire Starters
Straw Hat Wreath
Suet Bird Feeder
Log Suet Feeder

Bath and Body Crafts:

Lavender Water
Almond Oatmeal Scrub
Easy Lip Balm Recipes
Beeswax Lip Balm Recipes
Fizzy Bath Salts
Lemon Bath Salts
Baby Shower Soaps

Craft Patterns:

Fingerless Gloves/Mittens Crochet Moccasin Slippers
Knitted Moccasin Slippers
Crazy Quilt Pillow
Tea Towel Pillow
Comfy Fleece Throw
Recycled Blue Jeans Skirt
Puff Stitch Hat
Doggie Bag Tote
Denim Rug
Crochet Washcloth

Free Craft Projects:

Sunflower Painted Jar
Smelly Jelly Fish Bowl
Plastic Bottle Fish Mobile
Eggshell Trinket Box
Clothespin Mouse
Canning Jar Lamp

Kid’s Craft Ideas:

Popcorn Ball Ornament
Cinnamon Applesauce Ornies
Pompom Teddy Bear Angel
Candlecup Snowman
Tic Tac Toe Game
Table Setting Placemat
Papier Mache Fish
Make a Felt Board
Hand Painted Gift Bags

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Free sewing, knitting and crochet patterns
http://www.allfreecrafts.com/patterns.shtml

Hundreds of crafts that kids can do
http://www.allfreecrafts.com/kids/index.shtml

Crafts for gardening, birds and nature
http://www.allfreecrafts.com/nature/index.shtml

Crafts using terra-cotta pots
http://www.allfreecrafts.com/nature/terra-cotta/index.shtml

Many other links and pages on this site - have fun!

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Via email:

FoodSaver v2830 for $61 shipped, list $170

GREAT gift idea!

For a Limited-Time Only, purchase the FoodSaver v2830 for $59.99 (originally $169.99) Use code L8FAV28 at checkout. This offer is valid 12.1.08 to 12.31.08, or while supplies last. Hurry - an offer this great won’t last long!

Enjoy Free Standard Shipping at FoodSaver.com when you spend $100 before the coupon code. (Add a $.64 replacement hose!)

FoodSaver.com LINK
http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=K9oQ7&m=1dhB6_wv1FGMm0&b=feAVaGQGCL_TUVMnjhYkjQ

New Vistaprint holiday offers!
FREE! Just pay shipping!
Vistaprint.com holiday offers LINK
http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=K9oQ7&m=1dhB6_wv1FGMm0&b=KEYHKoMDNJ5cVtD5F3Uvzw

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

http://crafts.kaboose.com/melted-crayon-stained-glass-window.html

Melted Crayon Stained Glass Window aewa

Difficulty: Easy
Average User Rating:
1 2 3 4 5 (5/5)
Parental supervision is recommended

Holiday Links
Christmas Crafts
Xmas Cards
Free Crafts Email
This melted crayon ‘stained glass’ window amazes kids because the finished project is so beautiful. From simple materials you can craft something extraordinary.

What you'll need:
Black construction paper
Waxed paper
Crayons or crayon pieces in fall colors
Glue
Scissors
Iron (requires adult supervision)

How to make it:
Take black construction paper and cut it into 5” x 5” squares.
With two pieces of paper together, trace a leaf on the top square and then cut out the leaf with the two pieces together. The squares will be solid around the edges with a leaf pattern cut out of the center.
Next shave crayons using the colors of fall leaves. Using a warm iron, melt the crayon shavings between two pieces of wax paper. Then cut down the wax paper to fit between the two squares of construction paper.
To assemble the window, place one square of construction paper on the table and glue your wax paper glass to that square. Then place the second square over the first square making sure your leaf pattern matches up and glue the two squares together.

Tips:
When tracing the leaf, I traced it on the paper on the diagonal so when we hung them they were hung from the corner of the square.
We used little suction cups with hooks to hang it on windows.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

typo - aewa doesn’t mean anything.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Thousands of recipes here
http://recipes.kaboose.com/

This site is amazing!

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

http://www.revivevictorygarden.org/

What is a Victory Garden?

During World War I and World War II, the United States government asked its citizens to plant gardens in order to support the war effort. Millions of people planted gardens. In 1943, Americans planted over 20 million Victory Gardens, and the harvest accounted for nearly a third of all the vegetables consumed in the country that year. Emphasis was placed on making gardening a family or community effort — not a drudgery, but a pastime, and a national duty.

Why plant a victory garden?

Today our food travels an average of 1500 miles from farm to table. The process of planting, fertilizing, processing, packaging, and transporting our food uses a great deal of energy and contributes to the cause of global warming.

Planting a Victory Garden to fight global warming would reduce the amount of pollution your food contributes to global warming. Instead of traveling many miles from farm to table, your food would travel from your own garden to your table.

Our current economic situation is other good reason to start a Victory Garden. Every time that food is shipped from the farm to the store and your table, gasoline is used. As gasoline prices rise, food costs rise.

How can my actions make a difference? I’m only one person.

Each one of us may only be one person. However, we each have an impact on the environment and can make changes to reduce our impact.

I have no backyard, what can I do?

You can combine vegetable plants with flowers in your frontyard.
You can plant containers on your porch, patio, or balcony and can grow sprouts indoors.
Check to see if you have a community garden available.
Perhaps a neighbor or friend without time or ability would let you garden their yard, in exchange for some produce.
If these options are not available, you can also choose to purchase foods which are grown close to home by visiting your local farmer’s market or joining a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). If local foods are not available to you, choose foods which use fewer chemical pesticides - such as organics, are in season, or have minimal packaging.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Metmom said:

I use Pomona’s pectin for jams. It allows for big batches and low sugar jams.

I use 12 cups of fruit, 3 cups of sugar and the pectin. It makes 7 pints of jam; just one cannerload.

Although it seems expensive, I figured out the cost per pint and it’s way cheaper than Sure-Jell and Certo.

http://www.pomonapectin.com/

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2146715/posts
Post 48