tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54305127987553696432024-03-13T18:02:58.249-05:00Chicago Mikes GardenA blog about my efforts to be a little more sustainable than I am, to be a little more independent than I am, to live a little better, in the Chicago suburbs.ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-30812530028382622992013-04-13T18:48:00.000-05:002013-04-13T18:48:03.452-05:00Starting AgainI have decided to be a little more serious about my seedlings this year and I am trying some new techniques.
Some (mainly cabbages and peppers) in peat pots from Jiffy, herbs and some alliums in proper start pots, and tomatoes and lemon grass in flower pots.
I got a seedling heat mat and set them all on a glass table top with the mat on it so it would warm them all some. It really seems ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-47818186042411389882012-07-25T00:04:00.001-05:002012-07-25T00:07:04.492-05:00DisappointmentI look at so many gardening/urban farming blogs lately, and they seem to be leaning to this sort of false, almost (and in some cases blatantly) commercial, non-offensive feel. Most are well written, some are well illustrated, but they never seem to deal with the difficult questions lately.
One blog wrote about keeping chickens in a suburban environment. Cool. But then the storyChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-79458074032950629492012-07-22T10:06:00.002-05:002012-07-22T10:06:16.935-05:00Good News In Russia For The Pavlovsk StationAbout two years ago the Pavlovsk Experiment Station of the Vavilov Research Institute was in grave danger of being plowed under by a housing development. The Station's acreage holds valuable varieties of berries and fruits and the Station is important to the maintenance of genetic diversity.
I try and follow up on these sorts of things, especially if I encourage people to sign a petition like ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-3107312472460755492012-07-20T12:19:00.000-05:002012-07-20T12:19:20.811-05:00Going BackwardsA couple in Quebec have completely converted their entire front yard to a gorgeous, well planned and maintained vegetable garden. The municipality, Drummondville, limits the area that can be dedicated to veggies in a front yard to 30%, so the municipality is going after them. As I read the article I see that Drummondville is going to limit it soon to ZERO percent in the front.
Nothing like ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-52707880857792327772012-07-13T11:57:00.000-05:002012-07-13T11:57:42.566-05:00Asian Winged Bean SeedlingTried Asian Winged Beans this year. They were slow to germinate. The advice on the pack said to soak the seed for two hours and plant them. So I did and they didn't come up for WEEKS. I thought I got bad seed and figured that the seeds had rotted by then, but just as I was about to dig them up they finally came up. I looked elsewhere on line and it seems you are supposed to soak them for 24 ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-75647627960142433012012-07-11T22:05:00.000-05:002012-07-11T22:05:05.401-05:002012 Garden UpdateSome friends asked how the garden was doing and I realized how long it had been since I posted. This has been a busy year. I added a rain collection system.
I got the barrel from a local food distributor for twenty dollars, got some base and block from the local hardware spot, and the rain barrel installation kit from Rain Brothers. The kit had a great video on Youtube and after some ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-48507573478863033432011-07-09T23:42:00.002-05:002011-07-09T23:46:06.380-05:00Sometimes Words Fail Me...Well Not This TimeThis is absolutely ridiculous. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2012640/Woman-faces-jail-growing-vegetables-yard.htmlI have been an urban planner (AICP, the whole nine yards). I am a gardener. I am appalled by the Oak Park position. I am even more appalled to see a member of what is supposed to be a forward looking ("planning", duh) profession act in this fashion. I understand that he ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-19605462496814998722011-06-18T23:13:00.003-05:002011-06-18T23:18:12.128-05:00Looking Good In Mid JuneThe garden is looking good.ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-54360537033744192132011-06-11T09:09:00.002-05:002011-06-11T09:18:14.715-05:00How Its Going So Far in 2011The garden is looking pretty well. I was able to get some more cages so I actually have 54 inch cages for all sixteen tomatoes, and the continuing attempt to go vertical will include some added trellises The garden has had a few rough days on the last few with some strong storms coming through but we managed to avoid the hail.I will add more picture of the other beds and hopefully the trellises ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-65631910712501212452011-06-08T12:08:00.002-05:002011-06-08T12:10:00.205-05:00Wow...Where Did A Month Go?Sorry for the lack of posts. With Spring upon us yard/garden work ruled the time I had available. That combined with a passing the family really absorbed every shred of time I had. More posts soon.ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-52056651302341767582011-04-30T12:40:00.004-05:002011-04-30T13:05:58.900-05:00Taking A Break On A Busy DayHaving a busy day. My wife is away caring for her ailing mother (any prayers or positive vibes appreciated) and we dearly miss her, but she is where she needs to be. In her absence and considering the weather (which is verging on perfect) I am doing all the yard prep I can.Finished my compost area:I have been weeding around the edges, getting ready to put some mulch down, got the front yard ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-10241875878529244162011-04-27T20:20:00.006-05:002011-04-29T07:36:13.061-05:00Unhappy With My MycorrhizaSo I am going through one of my favorite nurseries and I spot something I have wanted to try for a couple of years at a price that, while not comfortable, is in my range, so I purchase it. I have wanted to try Mycorrhiza for quit some time. Its a fungus that occurs in undisturbed soils that has a synergistic relationship with plants. I have seen it used on some garden shows to revive difficultChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-52008919877053352422011-04-25T11:57:00.003-05:002011-04-25T12:13:58.401-05:00Organizing The SeedsThis winter I made some seed orders. As soon as I got done ordering seeds a gracious family member and a friend dropped off a bunch of seeds. Seriously, I could plant half of Iowa. What was interesting were the variety of seeds and the variety of providers. Seeds Savers, Ferry Morse, Burpee, Park, Henry Fields, Pinetree Garden, Select, Freedom, Lake Valley, Totally Tomatoes, Thompson Morgan, ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-18629989253975133392011-04-22T14:21:00.005-05:002011-04-22T14:44:46.971-05:00Turning Beds, Finding WormsWent out and turned the beds to keep the composting going. I turned some grass and leaves into the beds last fall and have turned them every chance I got, even through the winter. When I turned them this time I found what I wanted to find:So many worms, I actually even turned over a ball of worms about the size of a baseball. Exactly what I was looking for!ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-88034741535378453122011-04-20T15:37:00.007-05:002011-04-20T20:26:01.934-05:00Seedlings Going StrongThe seedlings are doing well with a few exceptions, but nothing too harsh.I think I have to many tomatoes. Actually, is that possible?ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-7473413562875114022011-04-17T17:04:00.007-05:002011-04-17T17:10:53.346-05:00Volunteer MadnessWe have VOLUNTEER MADNESS going on. Carrots, onions, and sunflowers. And its the second week in April. Can I bring my self to till these in? They are in the totally wrong place, but, geez, what does a plant have to do to get some respect around here?ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-46184482190111150422011-04-16T08:46:00.003-05:002011-04-20T23:23:05.036-05:00Pepper List for 2011I am a huge fan of peppers. I use six types in my chili. I use them every chance I can. I love the heat. I love the sweet. But mostly the heat!PeppersAnaheimCayenneZavoryMarconiPoblanoSerranoJalapenoGiant JalapenoTennessee CheeseNo Thai peppers this year. I should grow them, they just didn't taste good last year. And I am soooo tired of seeing "Ancho" peppers, and "Chipotle" peppers on ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-41491751044093277862011-04-13T12:34:00.005-05:002011-04-20T23:25:37.068-05:00Tomato List for 2011I got my seedlings started this last weekend. I will have to throw up pics of the setup I am using this year. Here are the tomatoes I have started (or ordered from seedsavers.org, marked with a *) so far: TomatoesBrandywine (Sudduth)*Roma (Martino)Aunt Rubys' German GreenBlack from TulaBlondekompfchenCherokee Purple*Dr Wyche's YellowRazzleberrySuper Sweet 100Brown CherryCostoluto GenoveseBeam'sChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-3925745939616469432011-04-12T21:15:00.002-05:002011-04-12T21:18:58.009-05:00Soil ErosionThis makes me want to scream and cry, to wail and gnash teeth.It does not (should not) matter your persuasion. You should care about productive farmland. Soil. Dirt. The origin of renewable wealth. The origin of your dinner. And NOBODY in power seems to care. You can't just order more soil from China, or Bangladesh, or Indonesia. There is only X amount and only X amount can be created ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-71271823992014298822011-04-12T10:31:00.003-05:002011-04-12T10:41:22.964-05:00Shocking Cost Increases!Went to the local mega store yesterday because I saw the garden section start to fill in. I was APPALLED at the prices on edible seedlings. $2 to $3 for A cabbage seedling? $3 to $5 for A tomato seedling? Seedlings were averaging around $4 a plant. That would be hundreds of dollars for a garden the size of mine. That is pretty unbelievable.Also, the potting soil prices. Wow. I have to ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-27253807357104123522011-04-03T11:06:00.004-05:002011-04-03T11:12:43.246-05:00Late, As Always, It Would SeemI still have to start some of my seedlings. I may ending up buying plants again. It just crushes my sense of thrift. It limits what I can get. It means some favorites will have to wait until next year again. Urgh.But looking at food prices, the sooner the better. I am shocked at some of the increases lately, and I don't see it turning around soon.ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-44194454527367466312011-03-08T10:52:00.002-06:002011-03-08T10:52:52.380-06:00Back to LIFE!The Blog will be coming back to life with regular postings in the next week. HAPPY HAPPY!ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-24317412379733804452011-01-15T09:56:00.005-06:002011-01-15T10:25:37.490-06:00Hmmm....What Do I Want To Do In the Garden In 2011?Setting here absorbing the Epic Joys of seed catalogs. The first to arrive is my nostalgic favorite, Burpee. This is a difficult thing. When I was growing up (occasionally) helping my dad in the garden, developing a secret love for the hobby (is it really just a "hobby"?) I remember Burpee seeds. I remember them with a disproportionate clarity. They are not totally dedicated to the same ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-67989032548474628552010-12-05T09:51:00.004-06:002011-01-15T11:04:03.312-06:00Last Harvests (So Far)For Thanksgiving we finally had the last of the Crookneck Squash in some great soup and we had some herbs (Sage and Rosemary) on some roasted carrots (mix of Chantenay and Danvers Half Longs) from the garden. It was nice to harvest some crops so late. Here I am in December harvesting carrots. You can see the few as the green tufts in the image above in beds 3 and 4. They have survived the ChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5430512798755369643.post-40827512255352923292010-08-23T09:50:00.003-05:002010-08-23T09:52:09.033-05:00Saving An Invaluable ResourceCheck this out. Please sign. If you are one of the few followers, please post to your blog.I do this EXTrEMELY rarely, but when you read this:http://www.change.org/petitions/view/tell_the_president_of_russia_to_stop_the_destruction_of_the_future_of_foodI think you will see why.Petitions by Change.org|Start a Petition ยปChicagoMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00753886754710524372noreply@blogger.com1