I wished I lived in the south I know most people are well on their way with their garden planting. Meanwhile here in Wisconsin, we are just getting around getting the plants and hoping there won’t be another frost so we can plant in the next two weeks.
This is what I got yesterday: two yellow tomato plants, two beefsteak tomato plants, two cherry tomato plants, 6 big pepper plants, 6 broccoli, 2 zucchini, 4 cucumber, 4 eggplants, some onions and potato seeds. I also have green beans seeds. A friend told me that I could have used potatoes from the grocery store as seeds but potatoes are prone to a lot of diseases and at least these are pre-treated. I decided this year not to plant cantaloupe melon and Brussels sprouts. I had good luck with them last year but the melon takes up too much space and the Brussels sprouts take too long.
We spent about $18 on the plants that are going in our garden and I will get $5 back by rebate. This is where I splurged: herb plants. I bought cilantro, basil, rosemary and Greek oregano. Each was $3.25 per pot. Mini ouch! But last year I didn’t get the herb plants when I should have and couldn’t find them at the end. So I was able to grow basil only.
The weather has been nice this week up here. But last year I didn’t plant until Memorial Day weekend. I am worried of the temperature dropping near frost and my plants dying. I think I am going to keep them for at least another week before I plant them.
Hi! I am Mercedes and this is my blog Common Sense with Money! Helping other people live better, spend less, and save more is something I am very passionate about. I combine simple frugal living tips and smart shopping techniques to help moms across the U.S. become better home economists. Thank you for visiting my blog.
I do live in NC and we have been blooming for almost 2 mos now. MY SIL lives in GReenbay and she was just telling me that she planted seeds. What a difference!
The difference is terrible Elizabeth. Can you imagine how much food we could grow if our growing season was longer? I hope we move back south sometime in our future.
My husband has started a blog on ways to save money on gardening. http://www.cheapvegetablegardener.com/. There are great tips on how to save money from year to year.
Thank you Anon for sharing the resource. Now I am thinking of maybe planting garlic as well.
Mercedes
I live a little south of Green Bay, so I totally understand! I did plant my tomato plants this week, but they are in a protected spot on the south side of the house, so I’m hoping they’ll be ok.
Regarding the potatoes, I’ve read that most potatoes you buy in the store are hybrids so they won’t reproduce. Not sure if it’s true, though
Mercedes, I would plant all the veggies now and just keep an eye ont he weather. If they are forcasting frost, you can just cover the plants with plastic and then remove it in the morning.
We grow garlic too. Garlic is as common as salt and pepper in this house.
I wish we had a longer growing season here in PA too. We have worked with the weather though. There are several things that you can plant early that do not mind the frost.
Frugal Carol
Carol,
My neighbor said the same. She said we could cover with empty milk jugs. But since we switched to buying milk in a bag w have none of those available. Just a plastic layer would work, like maybe a shower curtain?
Yes, a shower curtin would work. we usually stick a plastic grocery bag over them. You just have to get out there in the morning and remove it before you go to work. leaving it all all day could harm them too.