framing fowl
On a mission
Well, this may not be popular but here goes! If you are looking at this as a food proposition, I would not restrict yourself to "heirloom" veggies. Just because something is a hybrid doesn't make it automatically bad. They can be good for disease and pest resistance as well as higher yields. If you want to save seeds, you can still do that as long as you look for open-pollination plants. I have learned that sometimes a plain old green bean is much better than some fancy French heirloom from 1823 that is traced back to some isolated monastary and discovered by a misguided hiker. They make for good stories, and there's not really anything bad with that but just don't be turned off from a newer proven producer.
Greenhouses won't necessarily solve all of your problems either. Last year I had my first inexpensive greenhouse. It was fun to start seeds in but keep in mind, it's a whole other learning curve! If you want to tackle it, go for it, but it is not a be all, end all solution.
Don't be afraid to buy some plants already started if you know you've had problems with them from seed in the past. No sense beating your head against a wall just say you did it from scratch. There's definately no harm, no foul in buying seedlings. Budget can be a consideration but also consider how many seeds you have to plant and how much time you have to tend it to get it to that point.
If you have clay soil, the compost will really help break that up with organic matter.
Take a look at your county extension's website. They are an invaluable source of free information for your microclimate. If you have a short summer, you might see if your library has a copy of the winter harvest handbook by eliot coleman. Good ideas on floating row covers and different ways of extending your season. Highly recommend!
Pumpkins -maybe try a different variety? Sunflowers-birds and all sorts of critters love to get the seeds of these before they have a chance to grow.
Hmmm... that's all I can think of for now!
Greenhouses won't necessarily solve all of your problems either. Last year I had my first inexpensive greenhouse. It was fun to start seeds in but keep in mind, it's a whole other learning curve! If you want to tackle it, go for it, but it is not a be all, end all solution.
Don't be afraid to buy some plants already started if you know you've had problems with them from seed in the past. No sense beating your head against a wall just say you did it from scratch. There's definately no harm, no foul in buying seedlings. Budget can be a consideration but also consider how many seeds you have to plant and how much time you have to tend it to get it to that point.
If you have clay soil, the compost will really help break that up with organic matter.
Take a look at your county extension's website. They are an invaluable source of free information for your microclimate. If you have a short summer, you might see if your library has a copy of the winter harvest handbook by eliot coleman. Good ideas on floating row covers and different ways of extending your season. Highly recommend!
Pumpkins -maybe try a different variety? Sunflowers-birds and all sorts of critters love to get the seeds of these before they have a chance to grow.
Hmmm... that's all I can think of for now!