Put me on your ping list, please.
Like you, I am spending time canning meat. Turkeys were pretty cheap this year, and I bought 3. There is only the two of us, so I have canned the leftovers. Still have one left in the freezer.
Gathered up all the green tomatoes (small) from what I had and the neighbor and made a batch of green salsa.
The soil where I am is really poor and rocky (in the mountains) and I will be planning on how to improve the situation.
Thanks.
We are actually eating the last of the grape tomatoes picked green more than a month ago. We’ve kept these in paper bags stored in our garage. Tomatoes will turn red stored in bags.
The Baker Seed catalog sure has some good stuff. We’ll make out an order by Jan 1.
I would suggest your first step is to have a soil test done, either at home , or by cooperative extension office, for little or no expense.
The soil test will tell you what minerals you have, and what micro-nutirents which might be missing.
Next, I would increase organic matter and fiber in the soil, either by leaves collection, or by homemade compost.
Most towns which pick up leaves in the fall have a compost heap for residents that you can have for free; the contact person is generally the town or county road supervisor.
Incorporate as much mulch as you can into the garden to retard weed growth and weed seeds,
Don't forget to ordr your seed catalogues early for best selection for your area.
Will add you to my list. My soil was pretty poor too. I went with raised beds. I add compost every year and rotate my crops, and used cover crops in the winter to turn under the next spring. Soil is better in these beds as time goes on.
We will be doing serious work on our soil next spring, as well.