richard-in-cincy
Well-known member
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New Year's Resolutions
- Thread starter richard-in-cincy
- Start date
richard-in-cincy
Well-known member
Why are they all related to food???
I shall have more dinner parties and entertain friends oftener than I did in 2010.
I shall not ever think about buying a "faux-ham" from the grocery. The charcoal-flavored saltwater injected imposter has no place in my home. I will patronize my 100+ year old German butcher for his quality hand-crafted local hams that he has smoked himself in his smokehouse.
I shall empty my refrigerators and freezers--FINALLY--and excavate who knows what from their depths and dispose of it in a safe, humane, and socially responsible manner!
I will shop the local farmer's markets at least once per month, year round.
I shall have more dinner parties and entertain friends oftener than I did in 2010.
I shall not ever think about buying a "faux-ham" from the grocery. The charcoal-flavored saltwater injected imposter has no place in my home. I will patronize my 100+ year old German butcher for his quality hand-crafted local hams that he has smoked himself in his smokehouse.
I shall empty my refrigerators and freezers--FINALLY--and excavate who knows what from their depths and dispose of it in a safe, humane, and socially responsible manner!
I will shop the local farmer's markets at least once per month, year round.
A slightly different approach....
....
this article impressed me quite a bit, and I intend to follow more or less along its lines
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/dec/26/entertainment/la-ca-conversation-20101226
....
this article impressed me quite a bit, and I intend to follow more or less along its lines
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/dec/26/entertainment/la-ca-conversation-20101226
michael-in-phoenix
Well-known member
My resolution is to establish a year-round garden in my Phoenix backyard. There is...
...a book written by an Arizonan that outlines the method needed for year-round vegetable production in the low desert. I've always wanted to do it, but now, more than ever.
Produce prices are crazy, and the quality hasn't been good. Farmer's markets are not the place to find farmer's produce, unfortunately. It is for crafters, salsa makers, new age aroma therapy disciples and people who buy old produce from the vendors (I found this out from the vendor who sells it to them). The latter re-box it into plastic bins and sell it as "from the farm". Very sad...
With the mild winters here we can grow a ton of winter crops. Fresh lettuces, etc.
I'm gonna do it. Once the initial capital is invested, it will bring a good return and keep us fed with organic produce from a "known" source!
I'm excited!
Michael
...a book written by an Arizonan that outlines the method needed for year-round vegetable production in the low desert. I've always wanted to do it, but now, more than ever.
Produce prices are crazy, and the quality hasn't been good. Farmer's markets are not the place to find farmer's produce, unfortunately. It is for crafters, salsa makers, new age aroma therapy disciples and people who buy old produce from the vendors (I found this out from the vendor who sells it to them). The latter re-box it into plastic bins and sell it as "from the farm". Very sad...
With the mild winters here we can grow a ton of winter crops. Fresh lettuces, etc.
I'm gonna do it. Once the initial capital is invested, it will bring a good return and keep us fed with organic produce from a "known" source!
I'm excited!
Michael
richard-in-cincy
Well-known member
Michael it requires constant vigilance...
at the markets. Sad that there's always going to be con-artists that see something wonderful and have to start ruining it.
Many local markets have started fighting back and are controlling who is selling and verifying where it came from. I really like the Lexington market because everything sold must be labled BY COUNTY of where it was grown. One can tell by looking the stuff is coming from local farms.
I'm also including in the "farmer's market" category our wonderful Cincinnati institution, the year-round Findley Market, in downtown. It's been there since the 18th c and has many stalls featuring century old family businessses selling their sausages, cheeses, goetta, etc. This certainly helps with the "year-round" requirement.
Good luck with your garden and I hope you don't have near the menagerie of local wildlife waiting to harvest before you do (major problem for me).
at the markets. Sad that there's always going to be con-artists that see something wonderful and have to start ruining it.
Many local markets have started fighting back and are controlling who is selling and verifying where it came from. I really like the Lexington market because everything sold must be labled BY COUNTY of where it was grown. One can tell by looking the stuff is coming from local farms.
I'm also including in the "farmer's market" category our wonderful Cincinnati institution, the year-round Findley Market, in downtown. It's been there since the 18th c and has many stalls featuring century old family businessses selling their sausages, cheeses, goetta, etc. This certainly helps with the "year-round" requirement.
Good luck with your garden and I hope you don't have near the menagerie of local wildlife waiting to harvest before you do (major problem for me).
dawn_mo
Well-known member
I have to agree with Richard. The farmer's market that I am in are most
definitely the farmers who grow their produce. They have their kids, grandkids, uncles and aunts all involved in the growing and harvesting the crops. We had one vendor who was questioned on whether they grew their own produce or not, and the board went out to their farm to look at it and make sure that they were growing their own vegetables. This market in particular takes a lot of pride in their market. I am not sure how I got in! smileys/smile.gif
definitely the farmers who grow their produce. They have their kids, grandkids, uncles and aunts all involved in the growing and harvesting the crops. We had one vendor who was questioned on whether they grew their own produce or not, and the board went out to their farm to look at it and make sure that they were growing their own vegetables. This market in particular takes a lot of pride in their market. I am not sure how I got in! smileys/smile.gif
michael-in-phoenix
Well-known member
I've grown many a spring - summer - fall garden here, but never a winter one.
The seasons are weird here.
You start tomato seedlings before the last frost and protect them with frost cover. Many folks put down black plastic and plant the seedlings poking up through an "x" cut in the plastic. This warms the soil during the day and keeps the plant warm at night.
You have to use a quick-maturing variety since once the temps get over 90 during the day, they won't pollinate and set fruit. Then, in early August, you plant seedlings again and harvest in early October.
The desert changes everything!
Michael
The seasons are weird here.
You start tomato seedlings before the last frost and protect them with frost cover. Many folks put down black plastic and plant the seedlings poking up through an "x" cut in the plastic. This warms the soil during the day and keeps the plant warm at night.
You have to use a quick-maturing variety since once the temps get over 90 during the day, they won't pollinate and set fruit. Then, in early August, you plant seedlings again and harvest in early October.
The desert changes everything!
Michael
Michael, I'm not so familiar with the dessert seasons but I can tell you more than you'd ever want
to know about soil and compost. Compost is my great passion in life, just get me started....
I think the winter crops would be about the same as in California--the cabbage family and all the expensive salad greens.
to know about soil and compost. Compost is my great passion in life, just get me started....
I think the winter crops would be about the same as in California--the cabbage family and all the expensive salad greens.