Planting Season

submitted by Karen Kendrick (homesteader)

Here in middle Tennessee, we have had our last frost. It's time to plant! Get out the floppy hat and shovel.

My husband and I built a greenhouse so we could have a jump on the season. I sowed seeds in trays in February. Tomatoes, squash, peppers, cabbage, and melons. All are ready to be planted in raised beds.

Some seeds will be sown directly into the ground. Corn, okra, beans and sunflowers. Our soil has a high clay content. Amending the soil each year with compost, leaves and manure is necessary for healthy plants and a large harvest. Prayer also helps.

Weather conditions vary each year. Therefore, one vegetable will grow in abundance all across the county. Last year, gardeners were giving away tomatoes. The year before we all had cucumbers everywhere.

Our present economy and food supply issues warrant growing as much food as possible ourselves. I preserve my harvest each year by canning, freezing, and dehydrating. We enjoy eating what we grow, knowing what's in it and no recalls will ever happen.

While filling my pantry is important to me. The health benefits are also important. By preserving at home. I control salt, sugar and other ingredients. Nothing artificial goes into my home canned foods. All ingredients are natural, heart and gut healthy. Any first grader can pronounce them. Home canned foods when done correctly, will last for years. No scary exploding tin cans.