One Hundred Dollars a Month

May 16

How to Make a Strawberry Hanging Basket

If you are short on space, growing strawberries in hanging baskets might be the way to go. It is super simple, and can produce surprising yields. I whipped up a hanging strawberry basket this morning for the greenhouse and thought I’d show you how I did it.

To get started, you need to choose what type of strawberry you’d like to grow. In general, smaller June bearing strawberries are the best choice, because they are not quite as prone to sending out runners. {Runners are how strawberries multiply, but they take a lot of energy from the plant–energy that would be better used to make berries.} I used my favorite strawberries, Tri-Star.

Next, you need a hanging basket. I used a standard wire hanging basket from the Home Depot {Amazon.com has hanging baskets too}. Anything will work, so long as you have 12-15 inches from top to bottom. Line your hanging basket with moss {or even coir} to help the plants retain water.

Fill your hanging basket with potting soil. {Need potting soil? Check out my post on how to make your own potting soil.}

You can typically plant 4-6 plants in your average size hanging basket. My basket was a little larger than normal so I used 12 strawberry plants.

Finally, water those suckers in, and Presto! In a month or two you’ll have a hanging strawberry garden.

Don’t forget to water your hanging baskets pretty regularly, and your strawberry plants will need to be re-potted each year, to ensure enough nutrients for a good crop of berries.

How do YOU? Are you growing anything in hanging baskets this year?

~Mavis

May 16

10 Comments

Nikki from West Virginia’s Chicken Coop Pictures

Have I ever told you I LOVE getting emails loaded with your garden and chickens photos and stories? Check out the photos {and the story behind them} Nikki from West Virginia recently sent in:

Mavis,
I love, love, love reading your one hundred dollars a month blog! I am so envious of your free food photos. Here in Southwest Virginia, I have visited all of my local markets begging for “chicken scraps” to no avail! Our major grocery chains are “not allowed” to save unused produce or it’s already spoken for by local rescue missions. I have resorted to just growing extra in my raised bed garden, and pallet salad bed- which I also got inspiration from you.

Anyhoo…..I am writing to show off my chicken coop. It has taken a lot of hard work. I am a bit OCD like yourself, so once I get a vision I am on a mission to finish it like a crazy person!

We live on two acres on top of a mountain overlooking the Roanoke Valley and Blue Ridge Mountains, so we named our coop Bella Vista (beautiful view). It houses fourteen hens (Red sexlinks, Copper Marans, White Rocks, Eastereggers and one crazy White Crested Polish). I am a newbie to chickens with this being my first flock. I will start getting eggs around mid June. I have been doing research and talking “chicken” with whoever will listen for the past year, so the first egg will be an exciting day!

Ok, so onto the coop detais. We built the coop behind our house so that it butts up to our dog fence. The dogs will scare away any predator that may try to have a chicken dinner! The coop is 8×8 interior with 8×16 run (8 ft. under with 8 ft covered run) I tried to only use re-purposed material as much as possible. I scrounged new construction site dumpsters for anything I could use. I saved a lot of money, but some things had to be purchased new like plywood for roof, T1-11 siding, and hardware cloth.

Most all lumber was “culled” (no chicken pun intended) lumber from Lowes for 50% Off. Shingles from Craigslist, exterior door from Habitat and windows- free from awesome replacement window guy!

And the BEST free things….. coop screen door from my grandmother’s garage and an old plate rack shelf for the Bella Vista Eggs sign from my great granny’s house. It makes me all warm and fuzzy to see them ever day. They would have loved it!

My computer geek husband even installed a coop cam so I can check in on the ladies from work. My co-workers think I’m crazy! …. Ha! If they only knew!

I hope you enjoy my coop as much as I enjoy your website!
Sincerely, Nikki

Gardening in Oklahoma – Raised Garden Beds + a Potato Tower

If you would like to have your garden, chicken coop or something you’ve made featured on One Hundred Dollars a Month, here’s what I’m looking for:

Your Garden Pictures and Tips – I’d especially like to see your garden set ups, growing areas, and know if you are starting seeds indoors this year. If so, show me some picture of how you are going about it.
Your Chicken and Chicken Related Stories – Coops, Chicks, Hen’s, Roosters, Eggs, you name it. If it clucks, send us some pictures to share with the world.
Cool Arts & Crafts - Made from your very own hands with detailed {and well photographed} pictures and instructions.
Your pictures and stories about your pets. The more pictures and details the better.

If I feature your pictures and the stories behind them on One Hundred Dollars a Month, I will send you a $20.00 gift card to the greatest store in the world: Amazon.com.

Go HERE for the official rules.

May 16

9 Comments

Wood Pallet Gardening – The Big Harvest

Last night we had our first harvest from our pallet gardens. It seems the muggy, damp weather did wonders for the lettuce crops and now we are swimming in it.

I still have no idea what kind of lettuce this is but it sure tasted good when I made a “big salad” last night for dinner.

Endive, have you tried it? I’ll be sharing my new favorite endive salad recipe a little later today.

As a rule, endive can taste a little bitter. The less you chew the leafy greens, the better.

Toy Bok Choy. I guess I didn’t harden the plant off well enough because it started to bolt. Once a plant starts to bolt there is nothing you can do about it. Luckily, bok choy leaves are delicious!

Endive, mystery lettuce and toy bok choy leaves.

Here is what the pallet garden looks like this morning. I know this might sound sort of weird, but I have a hard time harvesting anything {especially lettuce and cabbages} when they are all lined up in pretty little rows. Or in this case, pallets.

That first cut is torture. It totally messes with the design I tried so hard to create and nurture along. It’s like someone came along and slashed my painting or something.

Again, I know I am a total nut. But still, a garden is such a mini work of art. It’s hard to let go.

The celery is chillin’ like a villain.

And last but not least the romaine. It’s so pretty I smile every time I walk by. Even if 1 head is missing.

How is YOUR garden growing?

Do you get anxious when you have to harvest those first vegetables too, or am I just weird?

~Mavis

Want to learn more about wood pallet gardening and how I put mine together? Click on the pallets above and it will take you to my first pallet garden post of the year. You’ll also learn what to look for when choosing a pallet.

May 16

2 Comments

Mornings with Mavis – FREE Kindle Books, Allergy Wristbands, Dansko Shoes, Omaha Steaks, K-Cups, Seed Sprouter

Happy Thursday! Angela from Newberg, Oregon included this adorable handmade card with her bobble head gnome {#231}. It’s so cute I can’t stop looking at it! Thanks Angela!

Yesterday was a great day in the garden. Lucy and I potted a few plants, caught up on some laundry and took a nap. Yay! How about you? What have you been up to lately?

~Mavis

Available Kindle Books I think are cool…

I Just Want to Pee Alone $4.99 – Seriously Hilarious Stuff!
How To Grow Your First Strawberry Garden FREE
The Roots of My Obsession: Thirty Great Gardeners Reveal Why They Garden $2.51
Gluten Free Cookbook [Second Edition] FREE
Vegetable Recipes FREE
Scones (Scrumptious Scones, Simply the Best Scone Recipes) FREE
Tapas $2.99

The prices on Kindle Books can change quickly, so grab them while you can.

Amazon currently has the Apple and Potato Peeler, Corer, and Slicer on sale for only $12.99. Perfect for all pies and scalloped potatoes.

Does you child suffer from allergies? Zulily has these uber cute Allermates wristbands on sale today. Pretty cool if you ask me.

Already a Zulily Member? Go HERE to Get This Deal

6pm has Dansko shoes on sale today for up to 60% off. I LOVE THESE SHOES!!!

Living Social has a great deal on Omaha Steaks {Great for Father’s Day!}

• $65 ($197 value) for the All-American Medley
• Feast on filet mignons, top sirloins, burgers, franks, and more
• Shipping is included

Today’s Amazon Gold Box Deal of the Day is the Garmin nuvi 50LM Five-Inch GPS with Lifetime Maps on sale for $99.99 shipped.

Got a Keurig? The hurry and grab the Grove Square Hot Cocoa, Irresistible Variety Pack, 24-Count Single Serve Cup for Keurig K-Cup Brewers for only $5.70 shipped when you clip the 20% off coupon below and use the subscribe and save option at checkout. This is a great deal!

Amazon has a great deal on the Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Nonstick Hard-Anodized 10-Piece Cookware Set. $139.33 shipped and the reviews are great!

Discount Mags is offering a 1 year subscription to Bon Appetit Magazine for only $4.99 a year when you use code 1367 at checkout. This deal will expire tonight 5/16/13 at midnight EST so be sure and grab your subscription before then

Amazon currently has the Victorio 4-Tray Kitchen Seed Sprouter on sale for $14.99. If you have never grown your own sprouts before, I show you how to grow sprouts HERE.

Get set for summer and Save on Select Styles Up to 65% off at JoesNewBalanceOutlet.com.

Get a York Photo Free Tote Bag. Great for beach vacations, trips to the park, picnics, and more! Plus get 40 free prints. There is a shipping fee, but I still think this is a great deal!

This week you can expect to find 2 coupon inserts in the Sunday paper.

1 Red Plum
1 Smart Source

Go HERE to view the entire list of coupons that will be available in this Sunday’s paper.

Don’t get the Sunday paper? Check this site for great deals for newspapers in your area. In many areas you will be able to subscribe to only the Sunday paper if you’d prefer.

May 15

6 Comments

Sylvia From Salem, Oregon Shares Her Garden Photos

A big THANK YOU to everyone who has sent in their photographs and stories. I hope by sharing other peoples pictures and stories here on One Hundred Dollars a Month we can all have a rock star garden this summer. Keep them coming!

Check out these photos Sylvia, a semi-retired Early Childhood Special Education teacher living in Salem, Oregon sent in.

Here is what she had to say:

Although I live in town, I have found ways to satisfy my gardening fever. Our yard has only so many full sun spots and each is filled with raised beds. When plots became available at a nearby community garden, I decided to apply and was able to secure two plots in a newer, full sun garden. For $50 a year I have two plowed plots with free water.

Last year, due to an injury, I was unable to dig in the hard clay ground and had to forgo using the plots. This year raised bed boxes are allowed and I was able to have my partner David build 10 3’x6’ cedar boxes and had them moved them on site. With some help from my daughter and her boyfriend, I had them filled with mixed garden soil.

I have a greenhouse and started all my vegetable plants from seed.

This past week I planted all the plants that were ready in the garden, along with flowers, a bird feeder and a birdbath to attract birds and bees.

So far I’ve planted: sugar snap peas, spinach, romaine lettuce, asparagus, tomatoes, basil, sunflowers (to be the supports for the tomatoes as they grow), nasturtiums, green pole beans, bush soup beans, lima beans, crook neck squash, zucchini, pumpkins, corn, melons, cucumbers, cauliflower, romanesque broccoli,radishes, bok choy, Pak choy, scallions, shallots, carrots, kohlrabi, rhubarb and currant bushes.

I have compost bins and compost our coffee grounds and vegetable scraps. A red worm bin provides compost and wonderful black manure tea that I use to fertilize my plants. I also applied for and received a license to keep a few hens and they are amazing us daily with their spunky personalities, additions to the compost bins and wonderful free range eggs.

*********

Wow Sylvia, your pictures are awesome! I love how you turned a simple patch of dirt into a gardener’s paradise.

Stay Green,

~Mavis

Garden Photos and Drawings From the Netherlands

If you would like to have your garden, chicken coop or something you’ve made featured on One Hundred Dollars a Month, here’s what I’m looking for:

Your Garden Pictures and Tips – I’d especially like to see your garden set ups, growing areas, and know if you are starting seeds indoors this year. If so, show me some picture of how you are going about it.
Your Chicken and Chicken Related Stories – Coops, Chicks, Hen’s, Roosters, Eggs, you name it. If it clucks, send us some pictures to share with the world.
Cool Arts & Crafts - Made from your very own hands with detailed {and well photographed} pictures and instructions.
Your pictures and stories about your pets. The more pictures and details the better.

If I feature your pictures and the stories behind them on One Hundred Dollars a Month, I will send you a $20.00 gift card to the greatest store in the world: Amazon.com.

Go HERE for the official rules.

May 15

1 Comment

Asparagus Salad

If you are looking for a way to sneak more delicious asparagus into your menu, this recipe for asparagus salad is pretty freakin’ awesome if I do say so myself. I was also able to use a few homegorwn French breakfast radishes into the salad as well.

This salad makes enough for 2 main course or 4 -6 side dishes portions. It’s up to you.

Ingredients
1 pound asparagus
2 carrots
3 radishes {I used my favorite French breakfast radishes}
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup sour cream
1/3 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup Italian parsley, chopped
2 tablespoons chives, chopped

Directions

Cut 2 inches off the bottom of the asparagus and toss in your kitchen composter. Cut the tips of the asparagus off and place in a large bowl. Set aside. Using a vegetable peeler or mandolin slicer, peel thin ribbons from the asparagus, carrots and radishes and set in a large bowl with the asparagus tips.

For the dressing whisk together the sour cream, olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice. Stir in parsley, chives, salt and pepper. Pour the dressing over the salad, toss and serve immediately.

Easy Kitchen Tip – A mandolin slicer comes in handy when you need to cut your vegetables nice and thin.

May 15

6 Comments

Container Gardening – DIY Stacked Terra Cotta Planter

Wahooo! Check out this stacked terra cotta planter I just put together this morning!

I was at the Home Depot {of course I was, where else would I be?} and I spotted these super cool terra cotta pots with ruffled edges and knew I just had to use the Home Depot card my MIL sent me for Mother’s Day and snatch them up.

Although the stacked terra cotta plants look cool now, just wait until the flowers begin to fill out and start trailing down the sides of the pots. It’s going to look amazing.

Putting this together was super simple. You can do it too.

First, gather up 3 flower pots in graduating sizes, a flat of flowers {even though I’m showing 2 flats, I only used about half of the flowers from each flat}, and a wooden dowel rod. Now the dowel rod is very important. Especially if you have animals or small kids, or who knows, maybe you’re kind of clumsy too. Anywho, the dowel rod will help prevent your pots from falling over and breaking once you get the whole thing put together.

Are you ready for the directions? They are super easy.

First, place you largest pot on the ground where you’ll be keeping it. Then, fill the pot with potting soil {I used my own homemade potting soil mix}. Insert the dowel rod so it it resting in the drainage hole of the pot.

Then, add your second pot, fill with soil, then your third pot and add soil to it as well. Once you get all the pots stacked and the soil in them, trim the dowel rod so it is level with the top pot.

Next add flowers all around the edges of your stacked terra cotta planters.

And viola! A masterpiece has been created.

Now all you have to do is keep your planter watered and sit back and enjoy the view.

Pretty cool, don’t you think?

~Mavis

What is YOUR favorite plant to use in outdoor containers? Mine are petunias, hands down.

May 15

4 Comments

How to Store Asparagus so it Lasts Longer

Deals on asparagus are popping up like crazy this time of year and we just can’t stop eating it. The thing is though, asparagus is kind of a treat around here, so when I get a bunch, I like to use it in as many dishes as possible to make it go a little further.

Last year I learned a cool trick to making asparagus last a little longer.

The next time you purchase asparagus and are not able to use it right away, trim about an inch off the bottoms of the asparagus, then place the asparagus in quart sized canning jar {an old spaghetti jar works great too} with about 2 inches of cold water.

The cover the asparagus loosely with a plastic produce bag and pop it in the refrigerator. The stalks should stay crisp for a week or longer.

Neat trick, huh?

~Mavis

Find More Easy Kitchen Tips

May 15

3 Comments

How to Grow Your Own Food – 5/15/2013 Garden Tally

This year I’m on a mission to grow 4,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables in my suburban backyard. In 2012 I was able to grow 2,028 pounds, and in 2013 I’m going double or nothing. I have absolutely no idea if I’ll be able to achieve my goal. But, as with any adventure, half the fun is getting there. ~Mavis

*******

Lettuce and radishes were the super stars in the garden this week. We harvested 1 pound 7 ounces of lettuce for the pasta feed we hosted over the weekend, as well as another 9 ounces of radishes. We munched on our radishes and also used them in a delicious asparagus salad I’ll be posting a little later today. Things are really starting to look up in the backyard garden these days and I’m loving it.

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention the herbs. We snipped chives, basil and oregano from the garden this week too. Wahoo!

~Mavis

Here is what I have harvested so far this year:

Basil – 4 ounces

Beets - 14 ounces

Carrots – 3 ounces

Chives – 7 ounces

If you have never grown chives before, you should. They are seriously super easy to grow from seed.

Egg Count – 1,091

We collected 78 eggs this past week. Piggey, Awkward Martha and Squirrely are all still broody. Either that or they’ve decided the nesting boxes are their new clubhouse. I’m not sure which at this point. All I know is they puff up like turkeys when we try to steal their eggs then cluck loudly so everyone knows we are a bunch of egg thieves.

What a bunch of characters!

Lettuce – 2 pounds 5 ounces

M icrogreens 5 ounces

Oregano - 2 ounce

Potatoes – 2 pounds 9 ounces

Radish - 1 pound 2 ounces

My favorite radish of all time is the French breakfast radish. The taste is very mild and they are fun to look at.

Spinach – 3 ounces

Sprouts -1 pound 2 ounces

Here are instructions for growing your own sprouts.

Swiss Chard 11 ounces

Wheatgrass - 7 ounces

Total Food Harvested in 2013: 10 pounds 13 ounces
Total Eggs Collected in 2013: 1,091

Botanical Interests is offering $5 off any orders over $25 {discount automatically applied at checkout} now through May 31st. I recently purchased their new seed sprouter and I’m loving it!

May 15

8 Comments

Mornings with Mavis – Bamboo Cutting Boards, Grill Covers, Philosophy Products, Bob’s Red Mill, Toilet Paper + More

Good times.

I got up to make a cup of tea and came back and saw Lucy the puggle dog under my desk ripping her pink bed apart. Nice. Let’s hope this isn’t an omen for the rest of the day.

~Mavis

Wow! Here’s a great deal. Get a set of 3 Bamboo Cutting Boards for only $9.99!

Amazon has the Veranda Cart-Style Barbecue Cover on stale for $29 shipped. The reviews are outstanding on this.

Zulily has Philosophy Products, Meri Meri, Tori Burch and Coach Sunglasses and Bounceland jump houses on sale today. Wowza!

Already a Zulily Member? Go HERE to Get This Deal

Amazon currently has the 4-pack of Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Pizza Crust Mix on sale for $9.83/$2.45 each shipped when you use the subscribe and save option at checkout.

Grab a U.S. Nylon US Flag 3X5 ft – American Made with Embroidered Stars for only $10.35 shipped from Amazon.

Amazon currently has the Cottonelle Clean Care with Soft Ripples Bath Tissue {32- double rolls} available for only $15.80 when you clip the $2.00 off coupon below and use the subscribe and save option at check out.

Get a Free Trial of all-natural, safe, and effective diaper products for baby and home from the Honest company.

A Discovery Kit contains samples of The Honest Company’s products and allows you to try them before purchasing a full Bundle. Depending on your selection, your kit will contain a travel size Honest Shampoo & Body Wash, Honest Lotion, Honest Healing Balm, Honest Laundry Detergent, and Honest Hand Soap or a handful of Honest Diapers & Wipes Discovery Kits are free, but there is a shipping and handling fee of $5.95.

Vegetarian Times magazine subscription deal

DiscountMags is offering a 1 year subscription to Vegetarian Times Magazine for only $5.49 when you use code 9673 at checkout. This deal will expire tonight 5/15/13 at midnight EST so be sure and grab your subscription before then.

Calling all home canning enthusiasts…

If you’re thinking about giving away homemade jams, jellies, or your famous pickles this year and are looking for some uber cute canning labels, you’ll want to check out My Own Labels. Create you own custom labels for bottles, jars, and more.