We don't know when it will happen, but we do know it will happen. Eventually, the 'plan' will come to fruition. And I'm sure we all want to be at our healthiest and best when that happens.
I was thinking that perhaps we could have an ongoing thread where those interested would post their routines and even questions about how each of us can be our healthiest. I'm sure there are those here who are bodybuilders, for instance. Perhaps they could post about what they do, what they eat, etc. There are probably those who want to get in better shape. Perhaps they could post questions specific to their concerns and the frens could answer.
For instance, I would love to know what my fellow frogs are doing on a daily or weekly basis to keep fit.
Exercising? (What kind)
Eating a certain way? (what, specifically)
Taking supplements? (which ones)
Let's help each other get as strong as we can, physically and mentally. And if people are interested in this idea and would like to partake, I will eventually post some info about our spiritual health, as well. What do you say, frogs? Are you ready to get in the best shape of your life? Let's gooo!
Think about hydroponics.
I picked up a kit for the family for Christmas just to try. I chalked the cost of the system up to being about the price of a community ed course - $50-75. It's the price of education.
We grew lettuce in the winter indoors. Totally worked! Tasted great.
Bought a few more hydroponic systems as part of a prepping system for food. Used these kits as tomato starters for our garden - it worked great! Totatoes are now planted in the garden.
Kale, rosemary, and lavender starting from seed now in the hydroponic system.
Still doing lettuce while waiting for garden to come in. (I'm in growing zone 3 if this seems late to be starting gardening. 🙂)
This winter I plan to continue lettuce and then do herbs. Basil, peppermint, and cilantro for cooking. Unless of course SHTF and I need to grow more substantial food. 🙂
I got the kit off Amazon. Box, grow light, fertilizer, cones/sponges are all included. I purchased seeds separately.
Thank you. This is GREAT info! I was about to ask where you bought it when I saw you said amazon. How was your production quantity? You said you started with lettuce in the winter - so roughly how much lettuce did you produce (heads per week?) Any special tips or things you learned that you can share? I LOVE this idea and want to do it. Thanks so much.
The kit I have has 7-8 cones/sponges. This is the growing medium that is held in the water.
I had about 3 seeds per sponge.
Think leaves, not heads. When it really got growing, I would harvest some of the leaves for a salad. Then more leaves would grow out of the same cone/sponge/plant.
If I had too many leaves at one time, I would harvest and keep in the refrigerator like bagged lettuce you get in the store. We planted in January and once grown (about 3 weeks) were harvesting leaves like this until about mid-april. By then, it was clear to start a new batch - new sponges and seeds.
If you have ever planted a flower box on your deck railing with say spinach or romaine, the harvesting was more like this.
The one box was good for us to start. We live in mn, so in the dead of winter, warming up with a bowl of chili vs a salad is the go to 🙂. So, a bit of retraining our palates is also needed along the way. Even without hydroponics, we don't eat mass amounts of salad in the winter. No one is really talking about making a big ol' bowl of salad on the weekend in mn winters.🙂
We did not stager the planting, but did stager the harvesting by harvesting of a couple of cones at a time. Then, while those cones are growing again, you can harvest of some of the other cones, then rotate back.
Also, when I state harvest, it is really more of a thinning out. Bottom leaves are oldest and largest so they get harvested first. Leave the top ones alone so they continue to grow. Eventually these will become the bottom ones.
I put the fertilizer on amazon subscribe and save am playing around with the frequency. For what we did with the first box we had enough, but by the time we wanted to start the second box, we needed more. Have not looking into cheaper alternative here, yet.
I would say start now with one box. Learn while there is an abundance of garden produce. By the time fall rolls around, you will have a good idea of how much you will get from a box in the wintertime. If you need more boxes, you can always order then.
Good luck!!
This is the kit I got. Ignore the picture, totally ridiculous.
Hydroponics Growing System Indoor Garden: Herb Garden Kit Indoor with LED Grow Light Quiet Smart Water Pump Automatic Timer Healthy Fresh Herbs Vegetables - Hydroponic Planter
Thank you! I was going to ask you which one you got, lol.