[Homestead] beans on steroids.... :-)

Leslie cayadopi at yahoo.com
Thu Jun 18 17:20:28 EDT 2009


Yes, I plan on doing all of the above.  Canning (I have two pressure canners and lots of jars), freezing, eating fresh, and also growing dried.  I planted 4 varieties specifically for dried (black, white, pinto & garbanzo), in addition to plenty for fresh.  
 
I used to pressure can and freeze eons ago, and have already harvest some of the dried beans, which so far seems easy enough.  Guessing yield a bit harder, but it's all a careful observation and learning process this year for sure.
 
I downloaded a brochure from the local university that had a chart with how many row feet of each veggie needs to be planted to grow enough for a year's supply, then multiplied times 4 ppl, then added another people for loss to critters, weather, mistakes, etc.  
 
I also went thru every grocery receipt from 2009 and entered the data into a spreadsheet to learn exactly how much food of each type I normally eat in a year, as a second guideline.  
 
Now the watermelon, canteloupe, honey dew, acorn squash and cukes are covered in flowers, and the yellow & zucchini are already producing.  Such fun ~~~!!!  Female corn on the stalks,,, soy bean are starting to flower, etc.   3 more bags of onions harvested.  New tomatoes popping up seemingly daily.
 
I've started some more crops, since the local guidelines say I can still plant.  3 growing seasons here allegedly..... good thing too, as it gives me time to fix my mistakes in the learning process.
 
It's so rewarding to actually plant things, and surprising that things have grown !!!!
 
Have been finding a green bug w/ black polka dots, ladybug size,,, slightlyl teardrop shaped,,,, haven'tfigured out if it is a good guy or a bad guy yet.


Leslie, I don't know how many beans you planted, but surely you can can
or freeze or dry the beans to preserve them?



      


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