Healthy soil and sustainable growing

[kathie wood <whisperingwind190@yahoo.com>]

I joined this group as I am one of those seniors who fall just above the poverty level and only get a limited income monthly. I am trying to get a garden going as best I can but this silly weather is making what growing season I have left very short. I am looking around this area for used windows people want to give away so that I can somehow build a small greenhouse or growing boxes to help further my plants growth along. It is scary how things asre changing and beings I live off grid I am truthfully very afraid of what this coming winter will bring. I use not only gasoline for my generator and have solar, I use porpane for my refrigerator and cook stove too.I may very well have to turn to be a vegetarian when I can no longer afford to buy propane to keep my meats, milk and eggs cold. We all shall see soon I am afraid. Kat

Liz <liz@allslash.org> wrote:
> At 12:37 PM 5/21/2008, you wrote:
> >It caught me that they kept saying that the food stamps aren't increasing
> >with the price increases of food. Well the paychecks of the working class
> >(and other classes but I'm less worried about them) aren't going up either -
>
> I was thinking that too. My expenses have almost doubled, because gas 
> accounts for most of it. It's likely that there will be a small 
> increase in what I get paid per inspection, but it isn't going to 
> come anywhere near the percentage of increase in cost. And I'll get 
> that only if the prime contractor decides to share a bit more of what 
> she gets paid. She's done that twice in the current contract, and 
> there's no guarantee that she can afford to do it again.
>
> >That's what scares me, that those who are
> >just above the poverty line will fall below it and not have any help
> >available for them.
>
> What the article
>  says about mothers giving their children whatever 
> will fill them up, whether it's good for them or not, is truly scary. 
> That's third-world thinking, the kind of thing that makes people eat 
> mud cookies in Haiti.
>
>
> >I'm glad I live in an area where I can grow my own food. 'Cause at least I
> >have that. As it is I'm pretty sure we won't be able to afford oil next
> >winter unless they adjust the income levels for fuel assistance, but to not
> >be able to afford food as well, well that's a real kick in the face.
>
> I've noticed that people are getting more creative in using coupons, 
> but of course the problem with them is that they're usually good only 
> for highly processed "food." I hear friends bragging about spending 
> only $100 for $150 worth of food, but when I ask them what they 
> bought, it's cereal and pasta dinners and packaged pizza.
>
> Grow that garden. I try to bring that up with everyone I talk to, and
>  
> more and more people are responding that yes, they're growing a 
> garden this year too. Every little bit helps.
>
> Liz in SW VA
> http://life-as-a-spectator-sport.com 
>
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