Monsanto sux. I think giving poor countries single-crop seed that they can't use for future seed crops is just wrong.

Another nifty skill to work on (esp at -55F)- knot tying.

http://www.iwillknot.com/
http://www.2020site.org/knots/index.html

Trucker's knot video This is the knot we used for tying down our hives for transport; a great knot for those of us who are too cheap to buy a buttload of rachet straps! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

This is all very true. You must be able to handle living poor. I live pretty decent now, but I grew up wondering what I was gona eat and how I was going to keep warm at school the next day because I only had two pairs of pants. I can hunt and know how to live off the land so I already know where I will be going, loooong camping trip. OH and Jar cups ROCK! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Planted my first trees today. Bought a fig, a Bing cherry and a really cool 5-way graft with 2 kinds of peaches, a plum apricot and nectarine.

Also bought enough veggie seeds to choke a small horse and enough starter kits to get about 200 plants going.

The plan is to use my yard to produce nearly everything we eat.

Lowes in my area has 2x8x16 doug-fir for about $8 each. That's about $10 per 4'x4' raised bed. I think we're planning on at least 7 of those for this year.

Clay, you might want to get with a horticulturist or your local Cooperative Extension Service (state blue pages) to make sure you don't need another cherry tree for cross-pollinating.

If you can take a night class for tree horticulture or orchard management, that'll keep your trees healthy, productive, and most importantly, to recognize and treat disease.

My Dad's other gift aside from beekeeping. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cyclops.gif" alt="" />

According to the card on the cherry tree, we'll need another. The guy at the nursery didn't think we would, but that's ok. Cherry trees are uber-cheap right now.

Next weekend we'll be getting that other cherry as well as a couple apple trees for backyard shade and... well, apples. We should have enough room for a couple avacado trees back there too.

Got some seeds started last night. Should be 72 plants coming up in a couple weeks. I planted one jalepeno and I've got a whole salsa mix I need to get started next.

This is fun! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

If they're dwarf or semidwarf, you should be fine; those trees need 12-15 SF around EACH of them, so stand in your yard for a few minutes and envision what those trees will be looking like 7 years from now.

Consider also where your utility lines (gas/sewer/water etc) are located. Would suck to have trouble and the city/county have to dig up your trees right when it's pie time.

Also pull out your plot map and double check the right of way. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shame.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shame.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shame.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shame.gif" alt="" />

I live in an unincorporated area. It's a little weird, but so far seems to be a decent place to live in spite of it's reputation. Besides, I'm pretty sure all the utilities come in alongside the driveway, away from any trees, and there are no powerlines on the street for limbs to get into.

BTW, it costs about $9 worth of materials to make an 8'x4'x6" raised bed, not including whatever you use for soil. $9 to make a spot on the earth that you can call a garden and grow better, healthier food for yourself and your family.

What material are you using Clay?

Doug fir from Lowes. Less than $3 each for a 2"x6"x8' board. I may have rounded down a little once you add in the cost of screws and landscaping cloth (keeps the weeds out).

Cheap dirt later on; reduces what goes out in the trash too:

Ghetto, but informative

Ma Earth News composter review

Yer lil' helpers