Is anyone from central Virginia?

I haven't found any locals doing SFG, is there anyone near me on this forum? I think I'm on the northern edge of Middle South, so maybe I should check the other region too?

Welcome, there are no hard lines on the regions so if you are on that border area between two zones certainly check in on both. Hopefully you can find some folks with similar weather and such.

Northern Virginia here! Glad to see another person in the same state.

I'm in Richmond!

I knew there had to be some of us around! I'm in Orange, and work in Charlottesville.

kinda northeast VA...but i think we're in the same growing zone.

Hi phreakingeek

Hi,

I'm in Richmond. New to SFG - just planted my 1st SFG (5'x3')

Here in Crewe, between Midlothian and Farmville. Very CENTRAL Virginia. Did you catch the 'Heart of Virginia Festival"?

Nope, I missed it! What was it about?

I'm in Appomattox.

I just found this site this week.

Learning so much.

Betty (& Alfred)

Welcome everybody from California too!

Last weekend we went to the Heritage Harvest Festival and had a wonderful time! I've been doing some canning and planting fall seeds and really enjoying my second year of SFG. I'd love to hear how my neighbors are doing

miinva,

I wish I had known you were there! We could have met each other! DH and I were there!!! BUMMER!!!

Oh well. There's always next year.

What have you canned and what did you plant?

I planted our first 2 SFGs yesterday!

Betty

Hello fellow Virginians! Fredericksburg here and looking forward to Spring after this snow and ice melts

Hi kellyalley! Welcome

I can't believe I missed betty's questions! Sorry about that, I didn't mean to be rude.

Are my fellow Virginians planning to do any spring planting? I'm going to plant peas and try some cold weather crops too, which I've had little success with the past two years. Peas went great guns, but I've failed pretty badly at lettuce.

Im planning to do Tomatoes, Peppers bell and jalepenos, Carrots, Broccoli, shallots, garlic, cucumbers, beans, a bunch of herbs, basil, thyme, rosemary, oregano, parsley. I know the onions and garlic are fall plants but I want to see if they will do anything this year. Since this is our first try as SFG I dont want to overload too much. We bought Burpee's Biker Billy Jalepenos seeds last year and that did well but they are truely screaming hot peppers. The wife likes them but she said they are almost too hot for her, so we are going to stuff what we grow in olive oil for seasoning. This weekend is going to be the beginning my seed starting.

My niece and I are going to sit down and go throught the 10 or so seed catalogs I ordered and order some seed and split them. I have 2 - 4x4s from the fall and 1 new 4x4 as well as regular garden space until I can add more SFGs. She doesn't SFG, yet.

My wish list is crazy long!!!

I've been so busy I haven't even checked in for a month! I've gone back to work part time (almost full time!) until the end of the year, so I hope I will have time to keep up with a garden and get enough harvest to can and freeze for next winter as well as figure out how to successfully have some fall and winter veggies and greens.

What healthy dreams I have!

Once I catch back up to full speed on the changes that have occurred on the job in the 3 years since I retired, I will have some time on the quieter midnight shift to check in and catch up.

Hugs to all,

Yawn.....Goodnight!

Betty

Hi Betty! *hug* I'm happy to hear from you The great thing about SFG for me is that I can be crazy busy and still get some harvest, even if it's not perfect. The only complete crop failure we had was squash, due to squash bugs, and even then we got some rampicantes and a couple of pattypans. The cowpeas went crazy and climbed from their bed over to the tomato bed! They're so yummy steamed with a bit of seasoned salt

I'm going to start herbs inside and hope to get some soil next weekend and get going. I could put in peas then as well, I think, assuming the ground isn't frozen solid like it is right now.

I didn't get any squash either because of those blasted bugs!

The way grocery prices are rising on fruits and veggies, I MUST get some fruit trees, bushes and vines going this year. A 10oz bag of blueberries was almost $4.00 at Walmart!

Hubby and I were discussing how many SFGs to try this spring.

I wanted to do some winter sowing, but haven't gotten any soil, either!

Yet!

I've not tried cowpeas, yet. Since you say they are good, I will add them to the ever growing wish list.

Our church did a Daniel Fast in Jan, and I tried a great new recipe for veggie stuffed acorn squash. Man, they were GOOD!!

I have to try growing some, because they are expensive at Kroger.

I had to get my son to cut the tops off so I could get the seeds out. Those things are TOUGH!

I also found a good recipe for a veggie chile. Being allergic to onion and garlic, I have to get creative with the spices.

Both Hubby and Son liked the recipes, so I will fix them again even though we are finished with the fast.

I hope to get a seed order going soon. Son's last indoor track meet was today, so I might actually have a free week-end before outdoor track starts.

I think I ordered every garden seed catalog known to man!! So many choices - so little time!

I'm most excited about the different colored carrots that Ward & Mary are trying and I want some blue potatoes.

Can't you just see the Gkids' faces when I serve them blue mashed potatoes? It will be fun to see Hubby's face, too! Of course, he is used to me sitting plates with strange stuff on them in front of him.

He is a good sport and will try anything at least once.

Hugs,
Betty

Hi Kelly! We are not so far apart... I am in Manassas. Sounds like you have a great list planned for this year. And hello again to everyone else, too. I am anxious to get started for spring. Maybe I will ask for vermiculite for my birthday....

Betty, about acorn squash: Those are a childhood favorite of mine! There is an easier way to cut those open. Wash, dry, then prick deeply with a carving fork or a knife. (The idea is to open an air channel to the inner seed cavity so the whole thing doesn't explode.) Then microwave on high for 2-3 minutes (or more) and let sit until it cools off enough that you can handle it safely. Break off any remaining stem. Then slice longwise (cutting from bottom to stem end.) If it rocks around too much, you can sliver off a little piece from one side to give you a nice stable platform. We always loved ours baked with butter, brown sugar, and sweet garden peas in the middle. (And/or sausage, if you eat meat.) Pricking the flesh well with a fork before baking seems to help the butter to get in there, and you can spoon the butter/sugar back up around the top/edges midway through and at the end of baking. Your ideas about pleasing your grandchildren really make me smile!

Megan,

Thanks so much for the easy fix on the acorn squash. My Son isn't always around when I want to cook these tough guys, so this helps a lot.

I may try it tomorrow. (Today, now!) I get my days mixed up when I'm working 3rd shift.

Hugs,
Betty

Welcome, Betty. Please re-read... I ended up editing what I said a number of times to try to get it all right.

Squash is wonderful but it can be a little challenging to get into. My suggestion is: Rock-stable cutting board, a sharp, large/long knife, and your FULL attention. If you are using a plastic cutting board, dampen a dishtowel and put it under the board; it will help to hold the board in place. Do not try cutting a winter squash with a small knife. (I've done it, but it's not easy...or particularly safe.) Microwaving softens the squash up enough to give you a better chance...just be sure to make an air channel so it doesn't explode on you.

Also, remove any stems.... the stems are near impossible to cut through and could cause your knife to slip and hurt you.

I know what you mean about a knife slip. Cutting these are difficult at best.

Your suggestions are soooo welcome.

Hugs,
Betty