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Posts Tagged ‘vegetable’

Kitchen Garden Planner at Gardeners.com

Posted in Organic Gardening, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 22, 2009 | 1 Comment »

Mid-July is seed starting time if you are planning a fall garden.  But what if you are new and not sure what to plant?

It’s no secret that I’m a square foot gardening fan. One of my favorite resources is the Kitchen Garden Planner at Gardeners.com.

READY MADE PLANS

You can select from 6 pre-planned designs — the All American, Cook’s Choice, High Yield, Plant It and Forget It, Salsa & Tomato Sauce and Salad Bar.

saladgarden

MAKE YOUR OWN

You can also click and drag an assortment of plants from the menu bar down into the grid area to make your own design:

designgarden

It will tell you how many of each plant will go into each square foot.

There’s also Step-by-Step care tips, a Vegetable Encyclopedia, and Supplies and Accessories that you can buy at the website.

BOTTOM LINE

While the vegetable encyclopedia is informative, you are also going to want to check out the Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide from the extension office (PDF Version) to get Florida specific info.

I do wish it allowed you to specify how big your bed is rather than limiting it to a 3 ft x 6 ft bed in the planner. That would be a nice improvement down the road. Expanding the 30 item plant list to include more herbs, fruits and vegetables would also be good.

The planner is easy enough for kids to use and you can print out the designs.  It’s definitely my favorite of all the online planners I’ve seen so far and good for beginning gardeners.

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Fridgesmart Food Storage Containers from Tupperware

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 17, 2009 | 1 Comment »

Six years ago when I started buying organic produce in larger quantities, I knew I had to get better about storing it in the fridge or else it would be a waste.  Nothing is more depressing than brown lettuce, mealy apples, and gunky cucumbers! I stumbled across the “Fridgesmart” line by Tupperware back then and would still recommend it today.

BASICS

The colors of the containers seem to change every season, but the basics are still the same. You get a sturdy, well made plastic container with a lid and two vent holes with white “clicky” tabs.  The tabs allow you to have both holes closed, both holes open, or only one hole open. The bottom of the container is ridged so any condensation will be kept away from the produce.

Most of the sizes have a chart printed on the side listing common fruits and vegetables and what setting to put the tabs at for that item. I’ve found the chart accurate. I’ve had even the lettuce stay nice for 2-3 weeks. I get organic produce every other week so it works out well.

Over time the tabs might come loose, but Tupperware customer service has been good about replacing my tabs and I’ve only lost 2 tabs in 5 years.

I’ve put them through the dishwasher without problems and I’ve handwashed them too.

fridgesmart

SIZES

I’ve tried several sizes, but the two best sizes are the medium long and the large.  If you want a third size, I’d go for the small square for smaller things like grapes or cut up items.  Two of the smalls will stack neatly on a medium long.

I wouldn’t bother with the mini, the round, or the large square. Rectangles simply stack better in the fridge and are more space efficient. The large, while big, isn’t so huge that you can’t get it out easily when full of produce.

  • Small 4 ½-cup (1.1 L) capacity—6″W x 6″L x 3 ½”H (15 x 15 x 8.5 cm)
  • Medium Long 8 ½-cup (2 L) capacity—6″W x 12″L x 3 ½”H (15 x 30 x 8.5 cm)
  • Large 19 ¼-cup (4.7 L) capacity—6″W x 15″L x 5″H (15 x 38 x 8.5 cm)

I find that two large and three or four medium long ones work quite well for our needs. I rarely use the small because fruits get eaten up so quickly around here it isn’t worth the cost of a special container. Any old bowl will do!

RECYCLING

I was curious about the recycling number for Fridgesmart and found this on the Tupperware website:

Because Tupperware® products contain a lifetime guarantee and were not originally intended for recycling, they were not labeled with recycle codes. Now that the code system and recycling practices have become more widely adopted internationally, Tupperware will begin to systematically place raw material codes (recycling codes) on all products. Raw material identification codes for all our main product ranges are currently available at by following this link.

It confirmed what I had guessed — the main container is a #5 and the seals are #4.

WHERE TO BUY

Fridgesmart  on the Tupperware website comes in at $12- $26. You can sometimes find them on Amazon but the best deals will be on Ebay.

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Freshfields Farms Produce and Meat Market

Posted in Deals Around Town, Food and Nutrition, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on July 14, 2009 | 13 Comments »

Formerly known as Momm’s Meats & Popp’s Produce, Freshfields Farms has been around in some form since the late 1930′s and continues to provide a large variety of produce and meats tucked away a few streets from Orange Ave.

freshfieldfarm

400 East Compton Street
Orlando, Florida 32806

(407) 423-3309

WHAT’S HERE

The building is divided into a produce side and a meats side with a snack bar in between the two offering cold drinks, hot dogs, snacks, and sweet treats.The menu lists prices but take note that it is cash only. (Inside the stores you can use your debit/Visa cards to swipe your purchases though.)

Parking can be crowded at peak hours, so be prepared to park along the street if you can’t get into the parking area.

On the produce side, you can expect to find a nice variety of fruits and vegetables.  You can also find dried beans, eggs, frozen produce, sugar cane, honey, and spices.  There’s a small selection of organic produce set apart, but it isn’t always all in the corner where the large “Organics” sign is.  Sometimes you see Earthbound farms lettuce tucked in with the conventional lettuce instead.  Or you might find some organic apples over on the fruit wall. The food is labeled well and the staff is friendly and willing to help you find what you need.

On the meats side, you can find cheese, seafood, poultry, pork, beef, and more. Read the labels to find the natural/hormone free choices — again it isn’t always grouped together in one area.

Prices are good and you can keep an eye on the specials page to see what’s new this week. I spent $20 today and got a selection of organic and conventional produce that looks like this:

freshfield

WHAT’S NEARBY

Right across the street there’s a Goodwill, so it’s handy if you want to donate clothing, toys, and other items before crossing over to shop at Freshfields Farms.

The Goodwill is part  of a very large shopping complex called the “Market at Southside.”  You can find other stores like a Panera, Dots, Office Depot, and more. You’ll probably want to hit the Publix or the Alberstons in the shopping plaza afterward to get the few odds and ends that you cannot get at Freshfields Farms to make the most of your grocery time.

Freshfields is on E. Compton (Green A). Albertson’s (the red B) is closer to the Michigan side.  Publix (the red A) is closer to the Pineloch side.

farmmap


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Vegetable Supports from Gardeners.com

Posted in Organic Gardening, tagged , , , , , , on February 26, 2009 | 1 Comment »

My child and I have been puttering around in the garden setting up for the next wave of growing.  I’d ordered new “V” shape vegetable ladder supports from www.gardeners.com and realized I haven’t reviewed them here yet.

I love these things! Not only is it a good design and sturdy, the size makes it square-foot-gardening friendly. I also like the durable coating.  While I can tell on other supports I’ve used because of the weathering or fading, I can’t tell my new one from the old one.

supports1

They come in two colors — green or red. I tend to like the green because once the plant is grown, it blends in.   Here’s when we used them for japanese eggplants last time around.

eggplant_supports

They also come in two basic sizes the  33 inches and 57 inches. 

Garderners.com recently starting to offer an extension to make the taller one another 30 inches taller!

The supports can be used for shorter herbs like basil, or bulkier plants like eggplant.  The tallest size can easily hold tomatoes and other vines.

Although you have to order these and have them shipped, a Google search for “free shipping gardeners.com” usually yields good results.

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Spring Gardening Classes At Orange County Extension Office

Posted in Organic Gardening, tagged , , , , , , , , , on December 29, 2008 | 2 Comments »

I recently got the list of Spring classes at the Orange County Extension Office. I’ve taken several of them before and always enjoy the information. With January closing in, I’m planning on refreshing myself with the organic gardening class and getting my raised beds up to par!

CLASS INFORMATION

You can download the PDF or take a quick peek below:

  • Jan 15 Organic Gardening (Auditorium @ 6:30 PM) Successful vegetable gardens are not accidental. They are the results of planning, constant care, and the will to make things grow. Join us and learn more.
  • Feb 14 Vegetable Gardening, Warm Season Vegetables (Auditorium @ 9:00 – 10:30 AM) Learn the basics of warm season vegetable gardening including soil preparation, adjusting soil pH, fertilizing, irrigation, pests and diseases.

  • Feb 12/19/26 Landscape Design – Spring (7:00-9:00pm, 3 Day workshop in Apopka) Spring is a great time to establish a landscape that fits your lifestyle. A course guide and drawing materials will be provided. Class limited to first 25 families. Cost: $20 per residence made out to – O.C. Extension Fund. Send non-refundable fee with pre-registration, no later than February 5, 2009 to the Orange County Extension address.

    PLEASE NOTE LOCATION:

    Mid-Florida Research & Education Center
    Education Building,
    2725 Binion Road
    Apopka, FL 32703

  • Mar 7 Spring Lawn Care Tune-Up (Magnolia Room 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM) As the temperatures begin to rise, it is the perfect time to start repairing the damage to your lawn caused by winter pests (insects and weeds).
  • Apr 11 Composting & Rain Barrel Workshop (Magnolia Room 9:00-11:00am ) Learn how to turn your plant waste material into compost by conventional methods for homeowners and vermicomposting for apartment, condo, or trailer residents. Conserve water usage in your yard with the use of rain barrels. FREE rain barrel per residence – 50 allocated.
  • Coming Up! Conserve Water ~ Save Money! Know your Irrigation Clock. Classes will be held throughout the County. More information coming. Check our website: http://ocextension.ufl.edu or call 407.254.9200 in mid February.

REGISTRATION

To register for any of them you can contact:

Horticulture Classes & Workshops
Orange County Extension Education Center
6021 S. Conway Road
Orlando, FL 32812
407.254.9200

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Orlando Organics

Posted in Buying Clubs/Co-ops, Deals Around Town, Food and Nutrition, tagged , , , , , , on August 15, 2008 | Leave a Comment »

I’m a big fan of fresh produce. That’s why I grow some in my garden! But I can’t always grow everything I want!

ORLANDO ORGANICS

For a few years, I was getting my produce delivered from Orlando Organics. They have a big range for delivery. Unfortunately the driving routes changed and my house is no longer on it.

It is particularly good for those who prefer to just “eat through the basket” and plan the menu around what they got and just want to use it up. I especially liked that because I’m not very good at thinking ahead to what I want to eat. I find it easier to go from the “I have a mess of onions to use up. What can I make out of it?” side of things.

Website

Established in 2002. The website is clean, crisp, and easy to navigate. The member login area is pretty self-explanatory and you can make the changes you need without too much difficulty. If you lose your password you can request it at the website.

Membership Fee

One time $15 registration fee.

Ordering

You select the size “basket” you want from the website and can leave it permanently set to get that size weekly or every other week. This is useful for those who want regular delivery. You get it set up for the size you want and then don’t worry about it any more.

You can also log in to change basket sizes before the next delivery date if you need to, but I found the basket method especially good for people who don’t want to be logging on to websites a lot.

The front page of the website tells you what this week’s Harvest Blend Regular basket contains along with a link to the other basket options. I found the harvest blend regular basket adequate for my family of 2 adults and one baby/toddler for 1-2 weeks if supplemented with other produce bought elsewhere — usually fruit.

You can list your likes and dislikes in your membership preferences and they will try to exchange things in your basket so it suits your tastes.

Payment Method

Credit Card on file automatically billed for your order, though you have to call it in when first setting up your account.

Food

The food is fresh, nice, and best of all — delivered right to you! Here’s one Harvest Regular Basket order:

Everything is inside your cooler bag. At the next order you return the cooler bag and in really hot weather, they suggest you leave out a cooler with ice so they can put the food in that so it will keep til you get home. If you lose your bag, you do have to replace it or pay a replacement fee.

Customer Care

The website is set up to deal with most of my needs. On the rare occassion where I had to call in by phone, both Dave and Heather have been very attentive any time I ever had a question. They care about their business and promptly get back to you.

Notes

Your home may be outside the area of delivery. If you like to make your menu ahead of time and then get the groceries to fit it, the “basket” approach may not work for you. The newsletter archives with recipes are still available. The best thing I liked about it was the ease of use, and not having to think about my menus or produce selections so my family got variety. I just ate my way through the basket!

I would and do reccommend Orlando Organics to friends who seem to want the “basket” approach.

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Register for Free Spring Vegetable Gardening Class!

Posted in Organic Gardening, tagged , , , , , , , , , on January 9, 2008 | 1 Comment »

I just signed up for the FREE spring vegetable garden class at the Orange County Extension Education Center. I took my first class last fall and came away with a lot of useful information, handouts, and a free tomato plant that I won in the raffle! While older children may enjoy it, plan to leave the younger set with a babysitter.

The class will be on February 16, 2008 (Saturday) from 9:00am-11:00am.

You will learn the basics of warm season vegetable gardening including soil preparation, adjusting soil pH, fertilizing, irrigation, pests and diseases. It would be a good idea to bring a notebook and a pen to take notes and hold your handouts together.

You can register online or call (407) 254-9200 for more information.

The Orange County Extension Education Center is located at

6021 South Conway Road
Orlando, FL 32812-3604
The street sign is blue but the main building complex is set away from the road and is painted orange. You could miss the driveway if you drive too fast.
newbuilding1a.jpg
extedcenter.jpg

The class lets out near lunch time, and when you come out of the parking lot, if you turn right and heads towards Conway and Hoffner, you will find Winn Dixie, Publix, Wendy’s, Mcdonald’s, Subway, Starbucks, Hop Bo (Chinese Food), Pizzazz, Planet Smoothie, and other places to pop in for groceries or a quick bite to eat.

Julia and I are already prepping my beds and plan to build her a little 4 x 4 ft bed of her own. Check back for updates on that project!

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It’s Not Too Late Get Your Vegetable and Herb Seeds Started!

Posted in Organic Gardening, tagged , , , , , , , , on November 30, 2007 | 3 Comments »

I’m a new organic backyard gardener because I use it in homeschooling my daughter. As I wrap up fall harvesting, I know that I have to get my winter seeds going now so they will be of transplant size by the time I need them.

Our last Orlando frost date according to Floridata is Jan 31, 2008. Which means some of the things you may want to eat might need to go into the ground in two weeks! Did you get your seeds started in time or were you distracted with Thanksgiving like I was? What about the stuff that you can still get going in time to catch the Cold Season for growing? Do planting guide charts confuse you as much as they confuse me?

Happily, I found a great “cheat sheet” made up by local blogger Maggie Wang. You punch in your frost date and bam! You go look at what herb or veggie you want to grow and it tells you when you need to be getting your seeds started.

I’m going to be way late on parsley but I have a good chance at getting everything else started on time! Thanks, Maggie! :)

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