It's time to make that list again!

[April Manier]

I am encouraging everyone to make their food lists for the coming seasons with 2 possibilities in mind: sharing and canning!
I am making a list of the things I want to can, how many for the shelf and how many to give away. I am also anticipating sharing more this year. I think it's a wonderful idea to think of how sharing the goodness of your relationship with your garden can really bless and energize the people around you! Let us all choose to share the love of our labors and open someone's eyes to the goodness and peace that comes from working the land.

I have three people off the top of my head that could use a little light in their consciousness! How bout you?

My list:
15 qts diced tomatoes (3 to give)
A party where we all gorge on corn on the cob and blueberries!
12 berry jellies (8 to give)
A load a month to the soup kitchen!
10 quarts canned peaches (3 to give away)
At LEAST 3 loaves of bread to give away
snap peas for all!

...and the rest is undecided,but I am sure i'll get ideas from some of you!

 

[desertcat]

I'm turning into the community garderner! I've got several elderly/disabled friends that I asked for their veggie wish list since I've got plenty of space and what's an extra bed or two? :tools

For all of us, I've got onions, radishes, tomatoes (several varieties), bush beans and pole beans.

For me, anahiem peppers, eggplant, english peas, carrots, broccoli, strawberries, rhubarb, asparagus, peanuts, summer squash and several varieties of winter squash, and cucumbers.

By special request only, okra and lima beans.

Ought to keep me out of mischief for the summer!

 

[lesa]

What an organized approach! I applaud you. I love to share garden goodies. Unfortunately, I have a friend out of work- so a lot of extra goes in his direction...
I am hoping to have a lot of transplants to share this spring, we'll see how that project goes!

 

[April Manier]

I love the idea of sharing starts! What a wonderful way to love on people. I am goal oriented so making a list works great for me.

Love community gardens. A lot of elderly people can really appreciate real food and still know how to cook it! Many younger folks are so disconnected from their food they don't know what to do with unprocessed food.

 

[barefootgardener]

Kudos April..it is a wonderful when gardeners plant extra to share with those who cannot have a garden or can no longer garden. Plant extra for those in need of fresh food..Gardeners are very generous people..

I have gardened for many years and always plant extra to give to the local senior center, churches, neighbors and friends. While I dont have a list..I start many tomato/herb plants from seed and give many away.

I grow extra squash..winter and summer, cukes and beans..to give away.

I can tomatoes and make jams and jellies from peaches, plums, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and rhubarb. I gave away a lot of jam to family and elderly friends, and also around 15 quarts of tomatoes to a friend who has stage four breast cancer...part of her diet to keep her body functioning/gaining properly is tomatoes..She loves tomatoes and know they are good for her. This year I am planting 10 plants of her favorite red tomatoes for her..She gets them all. Her daughter will make fresh tomato soup and also can tomatoes from them..Lots for fresh eating.
Also eggs are part of her diet every morning..I have plenty of eggs with more than 80 hen's..Give away eggs to seniors etc..More than 6 dozen a week,,depending how well they lay..less in winter..

 

[April Manier]

I love all these stories! Keep 'em coming.

Let us all inspire one another.

 

[vfem]

I love how you look at this. Maybe we can truly inspire others to try to get back to the earth and try to make changes for health and happiness in their own backyards!

Looks like I will be doing some gifting this year with that in mind.

I really need to break ground on that new garden already!!!

P.s. - I already do plant a row for the hungry and donate to the local food bank.

 

[T.J.]

i started "truck farming" 4 years ago.last year i planted some watermelons to come in Labor day - i thought that would be a good time to sell them.i was wrong. i made my costs up but didn't really make any profit.i was able to take a truck load to the local senior citizens center and make a bunch of people happy though

i usually end up giving a bunch of produce away to local seniors and other people i know.

i know good Karma will eventually come around

T.J.

 

[StupidBird]

The list is basically starting enough plants for my own use and multiplying by four. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, tomatillo, and so much more. Many of our friends took a few plants last year when I went overboard with starting seeds the first time, and had great luck - some even better than mine! All have requested more, if I don't mind, for this spring. Last year I also took the extras around to the fire department and the doctors office.

Then the produce! What I didn't use last year went to the office with DH (well, they put up with him ALL day). I hope to can and freeze more, and send more out to friends, family, and the care home nearby.

Two years ago I started keeping a few hens; now there are others in the neighborhood. Hope those gardens get going too!