Off The Grid Blogs

I did a walkabout today, checking out my gardensp. YouTube Video Did you see the photo of the peas? The ones that were direct down in the garden have almost caught up to those that I planted early.  “NOTE TO SELF: Next year? Just wait and direct

“Deck snacks are the best! ” Goal:  My goal was to move two GreenStalk vertical towers, near to my deck, for easy access to snack foods.  It took me a week to decide on the best locations for the planters, based on ease of access, lawnmower paths,

I love growing the dwarf varieties of tomatoes.  Why?  Check this out: • March 17 - I put LITTLE BING dwarf tomato seeds in my hydroponics system  • March 23 - they had sprouted • April 16 - I transplanted the seedlings to soil (because they taste

Several years ago, I planted two hardy almond trees. The following spring I fell in love as the aroma from the blossoms was intoxicating!! Hardy Almonds  The variety is called Hall’s Hardy and I planted the two trees in 2018. Last year the trees pr

Gardening zones have changed.  What’s a gardening zone? It’s an average (based on recent years) indication of how cold my winters will be or could be. Why does that matter? For the most part, it doesn’t, as I rarely garden in the winter here in Ont

Can I use the hydroponic system for seed starting?  Last year, I grew some drawf tomato plants in my hydroponic system. It was fun; the tomatoes were cute but they didn’t taste like much. After the last frost date, I decided to put them in my Gr

My gardens, this year, are five main areas:  1. In-ground garden 2. GreenStalks 3. Trellises 4. Hoophouse (covered) 5. Hoophouse (minus the plastic) In-ground Garden This area of my yard has been lawn, and a garden, and lawn, and garden.  Last year,

Evolution - embrace it Evolution is constantly happening.  Over the past 100 years, we have morphed through an era of abundance and consumerism. We explored the lifestyle of having lots, disposing of lots, seeking any and all ways to make life easi

[IMG_6283.png] I have a lot of convenience foods in my house. I admit it. Do I like it? Part of me says “yes” and part of me says “no”. Some items really are a convenience for me. Some items are because Rick likes his “tried and true” faves. Som

As you know, I found a second-hand roaster oven after the holidays and tried it out by roasting a chicken. - loved it.  But will it bake bread? [403140B2-37CB-4CC3-A58B-502EE4D63FA7.jpeg] I tried baking bread this morning. • I put the sourdough into

It has been a long time since I have posted anything about my gardens. It has been a long time since I have been excited about my gardens. This past year has been an interesting one, to say the least, as I’ve been focusing on my 96-year-old mom’s

Plantain Plantain Plantain As soon as our weather shifts (I think we’ve had rain for 3 weeks straight… and it is cold out) I will be searching my yard for plantain!! I know that it is out there and that I have lots of it. I have never pulled it i