Who is Mavis?
Hi, I’m Mavis. I garden. I cook. I garden. I babysit chickens. I garden. I clip the occasional coupon. Did I mention I garden?
This year I’m on a mission to grow 2,000 4,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables in my backyard. That’s 2 TONS of food!
Have I lost my mind? Probably. But what else is a bored housewife living in high maintenance suburbia supposed to do? Oh I suppose I could kill time at the tanning salon or blow my money at a wine bar, but I’d rather squirrel it away for something cooler (filling your passport with stamps, anyone?).
I’m not on this mission alone. I’m dragging my Handsome Husband, my daughter (The Girl Who Thinks She’s a Bird), my son (Monkey Boy), a slew (a gaggle? a flock?) of chickens and my adorable Puggle Dog, Lucy, along for the ride. I also occasionally rope in my friends and neighbors (who’ve all suspected I lost my mind years ago, so they don’t even roll their eyes at me when I tell them what crazy plan I’m hatching next). Never a dull moment around here. Promise. Here are a few links to some recent media appearances.
In 2008 I spent $9,768 on groceries. An average of $814 a month.
In 2009 I spent $7,584 on groceries. An average of $632 a month.
In 2010 I spent $5,004 on groceries. An average of $417 a month.
In 2011 I spent $1,198.64 on groceries. An average of $100 a month.
In 2012 I spent $1,195.67 on groceries. An average of $100 a month.
We might have drastically chopped our spending each month, but we still eat real food and so can you. You just have to pull out a calculator and be prepared to put in a little extra time and effort. Saving money and gardening are not rocket science. You just have to have discipline and be willing to roll up your sleeves a little bit.
Trust me, if the pilgrims could do it, you can too!
 |
I am so glad I found you! You were my favorite. I definitely don’t have a green thumb, but I am trying out a few gardening tips you are giving. I really enjoy your humor and general outlook on life.
Thanks Jodi. If you are new to gardening try something easy to grow this year like zucchini or beans. You’ll do fine.
just a note for those who feel they dont have a green thumb: just remember this one little bit of information while you caretake the plants ~ plants *want* to grow.
they dont need coddling or tons of attention. plants are genetically built to survive and thrive. they just need you to help them out a bit once in a while
In my mind you are and will always be the most Fab! I started couponing last March and you have inspired me to go the extra mile and be daring! I have tons of groceries in my house (and for the first time snacks since I get hem for free, but my kids still rather have ‘real’ food) and have been able to give a lot of it away to people who need help. What a blessing.
I just recently graduated from college…I have been an LPN for 16 years but went back to school to get my RN. I did this while working full time, homeschooling and COUPONING….I think, like you, I can’t sit still!
I am back to gardening after neglecting my poor garden for 2 years. I am a little discouraged at the short season here in Idaho but will grow what I can…..I enjoy your blog so much, Thank you very much!
Hi Tali, I remember you and your comments.
I’m glad you found your way over here and congrats on graduating! You go girl! Good luck with your garden this year, and if you have any questions just ask and I will try and help. 
I never posted on that other site but I would read every word you wrote! You have slowly gave this equally energetic and OCD girl a new hobby! I was sad when you posted you were leaving!! But I just knew you were up to something. So I googled “Mavis and I love coupons ( who could miss your catch phrase with that silly t- shirt!) haha. So I found ya and I have an acre of Southern California land that needs to grow my big family some food… Teach Mavis, like only you can!
You have an acre in So Cal? Holy Cow woman you need to grow some food. Watermelons would be at the top of my list if I lived in SoCal.
Oh yay! I knew you would help me on my goal lol. I’m going to pick your brain. Yes I have an acre of land in sunny San Diego. We built a new house and landscaping going in now. I left plenty of room to grow yummy, fresh, organics but I’m very very new to this and would appreciate any help. My only restriction is an upscale neighborhood and HOA that has too many opinions!! I’m pretty sure I’ll have lawyers swarming if I put in a chicken coop but I really really want to try! How noisy, smelly, messy are they? I have 6 year old triplets and a 5 year old and my babies want to eat!! ok melons?? Any specific brand of seed that is preferable? Thanks for your help Mavis!
Look at your HOA rules… Are “Caged Birds” allowed? Hmmmm
You must must must plant a garden for your kiddos, they will get such a kick out of growing and harvesting their own food. I have always dreamed of growing a “Moon & Stars” watermelon. It’s an old Amish variety and I am going to try to grow a few in the greenhouse this summer.
I grew Moon and Stars melons last year and they honestly weren’t very flavorful. I was a bit disappointed in them but we had other varieties that were great! Glad I found you- I’ve been following you at FF.
Really? That stinks. Well, I have seeds for Moon & Stars watermelon and another type of watermelon so I’ll see how it goes. Thanks for the tip.
Sabrina,
I know this is an old post, but I saw that you were thinking of getting some chickens but was not sure if you could do it because of your HOA. Did you end up getting any chickens or decided to wait on it. In my opinion if I lived in a HOA neighborhood and after all the different chickens I have raised and I am currently raising I just love my Silkies the best. They are very friendly, very quiet, and a lot of fun to have around. They do not lay your average size egg they are a little smaller but you can still use them. if I am baking or doing anything were I need a full size egg and I just have theirs left I use 2 of their eggs and it equals a full size. I have a 3 yo grandson that loves to go and get eggs from their chicken coop.
You will not need a rooster and sense most HOA do not let you have them anyway sense you are just wanting eggs. Make sure you buy from a reputable person, if you go to someones place and the coops do not look real clean, other than the typical chicken mess ex. dirty water they like to stand in it to help keep cool in the hot summer months. ( if they have water pans on the ground) or u just do not feel right about the place do not buy from them. If you go for Silkies get them as adults this way you will know you are only getting hens and not a rooster. Unless the person selling you the pullet will let you bring it back and exchange for a hen. sorry did not mean to go on and on about this. Just wanted to give u an option if u decided to get chickens and if you already did what breed did u get?
deana
For what it’s worth, we had six chickens in our condominium until they were six months old–no problem! That wasn’t the intention–they were a gift for Grandma and we were building a chicken tractor that was a lot harder than we expected. We had all hens, and they were very quiet, and not very messy at all. They lived in a VERY large dog crate, and came out and socialized indoors (yes, indoors) every day. What’s the difference between a chicken and a parrot? $500–that’s what!
Eventually the chickens went to grandma’s house, and lived happily for many months, except that they were so very sociable that every time they were permitted out of their chicken tractor to free range, they walked themselves across the street to visit at (inside) the church across the street. After crashing a couple of weddings, the chickens moved to a home with LOTS of kids to play with and a farm/barn/acreage, where they lived out their many years.
Chickens in SMALL quantities can be great pets!
For background, I was raised with chickens on a farm, so we’re used to highly-socialized chickens, hand-raised.
Just found you all so this issue may have been resolved by now but I want to add my thoughts to chickens in backyards.
If you do it right, chickens are no more messy or smelly than a dog. Plus, they don’t bark at neighbors.
To keep the smell down, practice “deep littering” which is a trench or hole beneath their roost. Their poop will fall into the trench and can easily be scooped out.
As we lived a bit in the country, we added the poop to a pile of leaves, old hay, etc. and let the whole thing sit out for a few weeks. Sometimes we threw in coffee grounds and egg shells, things that break down really easily. The reason … to break down all of the materials before adding to the compost pile, to stimulate the soil for earthworm growth and to create a place for more bugs to grow … chicken food on the hoof, so to speak.
Okay, but back to more city living … keeping the poop cleaned up and the cage aired out is really all there is to stopping the smell of chickens.
In my area, people are building really attractive chicken coops. Some of them even look like little houses. I don’t know why an HOA would object but then again, I don’t live there.
Good luck and happy gardening.
I am always up for a new adventure so I’m all into this. Do you recommend a book or website? I need to know when and what to plant. Can you move to California and be my neighbor for just one meesly little year? Come on… Teenagers love to change schools :p. Just tell them some lady on the Internet NEEDS you. They will totally think you are normal hehehe. Looking at melon varieties now. What about berries?? Can I do berries? What do I do to the soil to prep?
I’ve got a question; when you have more than 1 Albertsons catalina that says “get free oatmeal/eggs/juice etc …when you spend $10″ do you have to spend 410 to redeam each of them?
I meant to say “do you need to spend $10 to redeem each of them”
I was pleasantly suprised to get a bunch of catalina coupons like this on April 1st, even a couple $2 off 10 and a $2 off 15, along with free: $2.50 eggs, $1.79 bread, $2 deli, $2 bakery, $1.50 produce, $3 meat, $1.79 paper towels, $1 chips…can’t recall what else but I was smiling!! Albertson’s let me use them all on one order. Plus doubles & manufacturer coupons on some of those free items, it was sa-weet.
Awesome!
Yay Mavis! So happy to find you! I was bummed when you left. Even more so when the Drama continued. But alas, that is all gone now!
I can’t wait to follow on your one ton garden trek!
Thanks Lori, I am having a blast in the garden.
I followed you with couponing on the Fab’s blog and now I have found you through a picture on Pinterest!! I love your outlook on life and how much you enjoy it! I am almost an empty nester so I do couponing and gardening for the “fun” of it. I am always experimenting with different ways to grow different things. I have never tried potatoes because they seem like a lot of work when I can get them here in Idaho for dirt cheap (pardon the pun). So, why grow my own potatoes in Idaho?
I agree, gardening is a blast when you try new things. I’m glad you found me.
OMG, So glad to still have Mavis blogs!!! Trying my hand at a garden for the first time because of you this year, now to just get the hubby on board to help me! I’ve been couponing for almost a year now, and have almost a 3 month stock-pile set up! I’m in love with the idea of dumpster diving for coupons, and might just go find one soon! I’m crazy for a frugal life!
LOL… Yes, you need to find yourself a dumpster. It’s the only way to go.
Where to find the right dumpster? Ideas?
Phew……you are back! Okay….not the same but that is fine with me! I am SO looking forward to reading about your gardening….We also garden, and donated extra produce to Plant A Row for the Hungry…for 2nd Harvest food bank. Wish I could have chickens where I live…. used to have them, and I miss fresh eggs. For now….I am hoping that my garden will produce great things! Couponing and gardening… can it get any better?
Hi Sena, I think it will be fun to bring all the extra produce we cannot eat to the food bank. Congrats on doing the same and planting an extra row for 2nd harvest!
I’ve never followed the Fab blog so I’ve not know of you until about 2 hours ago when I started surfing your blog and I’ve got to say I totally get what all the fuss is about!!! Amber’s Coupon Connections blog lead me to your site and I can’t stop reading!
You have a great sense of humor! Thank you for sharing it with the rest of us! I especially love that you have named all your chickens and keep us up to date on their recent ‘adventures’.
My mom owns and runs a goat milk farm so I’m very familiar with life on a farm. Though I don’t have the room you or my mom have I did my first garden last year and loved it! You have some awesome ideas and your outlook on life is really inspiring!
Thanks Talaena, goats would be fun too but I think my husband would have me committed if he looked out the window and saw them in my backyard. LOL
Thank Good i found you
really miss you block
Just discovered you…you are funny…I like you! I’ll be back
So happy to have found this website. I was missing your Monday shopping trip posts!
Ohh i am so happy you are still blogging!!…i was very sad when you left…it is not the same without you…i really just checked that website because of you. Thanks for all you do…You are an inspiration
So happy to have found your blog!!! You were my favorite ‘fab’ gal! Enjoying ALL of your posts.
Hey, I found you! I have pretty much the same thing to say as everyone here! I saw you last year at a Fab Class in Puyallup, and I was too “starstruck” to come and say, Hi…I know I am a dork. Love to be able to read your rants again!
I too, am sooo glad I found you…looked everywhere for you…lol. I love your ideas and view on life! I will be attempting a garden this year…live in snohomish county. Wish you could come over and give me advice. My neighbor has a greenhouse she is letting me use, since space to plant is in short supply at my house. The greenhouse is old, made of opaque plastic…i’m wondering if enough light will be effiecient for veges. Ill take a picture and let you see so you can give me an idea?
Hi Tracie,
Send me a few pictures of your growing spaces, greenhouse included and I’ll see if I can help you.
Mavis thank you for sharing your chickens. I am curious about your decision to purchase the Eglu Cube vs. wood chicken coop. Would you kindly share your reasons? Also, it looks like you started with the smaller version and upgraded. Was this to allow for more chickens and to help with introducing the young ones? Thank you so much!
A few years ago my daughter wanted pet chickens. I went online and looked up coops and quickly decided the Eglu {4 hen version} would be the best fit. It was small, had a nice long run and I could hose it off when it got dirty. Plus it was British. I love the British.
The next year she wanted more chickens, so we upgraded to the Eglu Cube {again, because it looked cool} and sold the smaller Eglu to a friend. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. 
Thank you Mavis!
Thank goodness I found you Mavis. Monday’s just wouldn’t be complete without you!
Thanks Rachel!
Sweet Mavis,
Oh how happy I was tonight to find your blog. My Mondays have been so depressing without your posts. So excited for your new blog. Cheers to you and your new adventure!
Thanks Sarah!
Glad to have found you after leaving the Fabs. Love Mondays with Mavis! Love your site. In my daughters garden last year she had cucumbers, strawberries and peas. We will expand her garden as well as the regular garden. No peas or strawberries made it into the house. All were ate straight from the garden after a rinse with the hose. This year we are adding chickens much to the objection from the Hubby, he does not like birds. So we have started with 4 chicks and are building their coop. The Hubby is very helpful with the building but will not touch the chicks. Oh well we are having fun with them.
Thanks for all of your amazing info!
Hello, my name is Emily! I have been married for 9 months. It’s just my husband & I in the home currently. We want children though. We’re in our early 20′s. My husband graduates from college next month, & I plan to be a stay at home Mom after we have children. (But, if I have to get a part time job/or sell makeup/something similar on the side I absolutely will.) I’m trying to find ways to cut back all areas possible. If you think, most items in America are truly luxeries. We are very spoiled over here. We don’t need as much as we think we do. I’ve already disconnected our Netflix account, & plan on using cheap cellphone service. We’re very thrifty with our energy usage. We share a car. I’m just now learning more & more about these things. I try to avoid products that contain lots of chemicals-which is hard to completely eliminate on a tight budget. Now…for food. We currently spend around $200, maybe a bit less a month on food. I know we can knock that down to $100. And for a family? That would be AMAZING! I’ve been researching on the internet, but everything is so vague that I can’t find much direction with the issue. If I have to eat the same meal everyday for 5 days, I will-but I don’t prefer it. It also gets old eating PBJ sandwiches everyday too. I never really cooked before I got married, so I’m new to all of this. What I’ve come to the conclusion of is if you grow a garden (which we are going to do in May-square foot garden) , stock up on pantry items such as flour, sugar, eggs,milk,frozen veggies/fruit, very little on sale meat-or dear & turkey from the wild, pasta, beans, etc..you can make tons of things including snacks. I understand as far as flour goes; cakes,cookies,homemade bread,biscuits,etc. But as far as recipes go to really stretch your budget & feed people without getting boring & sickening I just don’t know how? The only thing I’ve though of would be to make a big pot of beans/casserole/spagetti/etc & use that as a small portion to last for days & then fill the rest of your plate with frozen veg/rice? Please help! I’m sorry to be so in depth!
~Emily
I am so happy to have found you! I always enjoyed reading your Mondays with Mavis blog posts and I was really looking forward to reading everything I could about your gardening adventures as I have 5+ acres in Montana and I want to set up one heck of a garden so I can have lots of fresh stuff (as a store is a 3 hour round trip!) yet I know nothing about gardening. Looking forward to following your blog!
I’m so glad that I found you! I love your fun, quirky personality… I wish I had the get up and go you do though. I am always afraid someone is going to tell me no and go away or be rude so I never ask for anything. Such as the strawberries you got for the goats? or was it the chickens? Or the pots you got from Home Depot. I am a mom of 5 kids and I have been a SAHM for 14 years now. So budget is always on a shoestring…
So a quick question. My spaghetti squash just disappeared this week. Gone! No vines or anything to speak of to find. They are on the ground. I only have two garden boxes. So I decided to grow the squash on the ground this year. My dog can’t get into my garden area as it has a gate. So weird, usually the squash is the easiest thing for me to grow… Any ideas? And is it too late to plant more?
Yay! Found you! It’s been hit and miss on FF for a month or two, I’ve taken a break from my hardcore couponing for a couple of months to work on other projects. After a late night of binder organizing and a long morning of clipping, I started trolling around FF only to see someone was missing.
GASP! Well, Thank goodness for someone posting your new link on Facebook. Yay!
Now I’m looking forward to All MAVIS, ALL THE TIME!
My husband wants to start a small (like square foot gardening) bed this year and I am so glad I found your blog!
Also, what’s with the chicken scraps??? How/where did you find these glorious fruits and veggies? I’m laughing inside because they seem like black market foods, you know, like they just “fell off the back of a truck” kind of thing. lol.
wow! what a pleasant surprise: YOU found me! Mondays with Mavis were my absolute favorites and I really enjoyed reading your match ups for Albertson’s doublers. Glad to read your new blog. It looks awesome. I am wishing you the best, girl!!! <3
I am so glad I found you! I too coupon, garden (well my husband does-I am good at pulling weeds:)) and have 5 chickens along with 2 daughters, 2 cats, and a dog! I will definately be checking out your blog a bunch! Oh, and love the bird netting over the chicken run…3 of ours still fly over even with clipped wings!!! I am gonna go get me some of that tomorrow to keep them in there run:)
Hi Mavis
Never heard of you before today, but you’re mentioned at Survivalblog.com and when I clicked over I was pleasantly surprised. Looks like you’ve got quite a fan club going already.
My wife and I are already heavily (well, maybe not as heavily as you are) into couponing. I know some people think couponing is a waste of time, but, as an engineer, I sat down one time and, based on the time it took to cut out the coupons we used versus how much we saved using them, it was paying us $65/hr to cut and use coupons.
Somehow my previous comments went into ‘send’ mode before I was done . . .
We have chickens as well, potatoes in the ground already, and i was just tonight tilling up the corn plot while my wife got tomatoes in the ground.
I am looking forward very much to going through your whole site to see what I can learn. Thanks for your efforts!
Terry
Mavis, i found your site from over at Survivalblog.org i love your website and all of the things that you have done and are doing. i read most of the info you have on your chickens and reminded me of another blog that i read, i thought you might like to read it it. it has tons and tons of information about chickens and raising them. it is written by Beth greenwood.
http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/greenwood135.html
I also want to add that along with your blog its not just of paragraphs out there, that you actually use your camera and take great pictures. i am very impressed with what you are doing! you and your husband should be very proud!
At some point in the future my daughter (6 yo) and I (single dad) will be getting some chickens. and between your blog and the one i linked to you i feel like i am one step closer, of course i will be picking up a few of the books you recommended. i showed her your blog and all of the pictures of the chickens. she loved them!
I grew up on a ranch in Puyallup so i know how the weather can be there. i am now in the Portland, OR area. i hope you check out her blog. good luck and please keep posting i really enjoy your pictures and great stories about normal life!
your friends
Andrew and Emily
p.s. please use my email if you wish to respond.
Thanks Andrew. Your daughter will love having her own chickens and thanks for sharing the link. I will take a look.
Peace out Boy Scout.
Mavis
Hi Mavis. I am a fan.
Can you help me? I get frustrated in trying to feed my family even though the cupboards and fridge are stuffed full. I took the advice from one of your posts about getting dinner prep’d early in the day. That helps, but sometimes I just don’t know what to make.
The food gets boring and the family revolts and wants to eat out…ALL the time. How do you pull it all together daily? Do you menu plan? If you do, how do you go about it?
I can tell you from a mom who has recently been “training” my family about food waste and use it isn’t easy. I started about a year ago with little things. Replacing items with items I wanted us to use. They revolted and stopped using peanut butter, they wouldn’t eat the bread I bought. We are a family of 7 and eating out was not an option. Recently I had to cut back our food budget considerably. I asked a friend how she gets her family to eat what she wants and she said it is all that is available to them. My pantries used to be stuffed with everything they wanted and asked for. Not anymore, and it has saved me easily $300 a month. They eat less, usually they were eating because they were bored and it was there. I had to listen to griping about how my house had no good food (I have 3 step kids and their mom buys everything they want and more), my kids now eat the fruit in the fruit bowl. My youngest comes home and eats the salad I always have in the bowl in the fridge. They eat what is available. It wasn’t easy and it took time and training but it is so much easier now and I don’t stress so much. We go out to eat perhaps 1 time in a 2-3 month period. They have survived!
Hi Dawn,
I am just now reading your reply to my post. Thanks so much for the advice. It’s good to know that results are possible if I’m patient. Often, I’ll give up because I don’t want to hear the griping. But, your story gives me inspiration and hope. Thanks!
I have a silly question for you. Do you ever take photos of your seedling. I need to verify what I have growing and don’t know where to go? Thank you so much love your blog.:)
Mavis–I love your clear glass canisters in some of your pictures. Do you know where I can get some? Thanks!
Target!
Hi Mavis,
Just have to tell you…we are a bit addicted to your blog. My HH was actually the one who found it, and is the gardener of note. I try not to kill the plants, so the tomato episode was ESPECIALLY funny to him, as he has been in that exact position himself. We also have chickens. Some layers, and then we raise around 50 broilers a year, feed them all the good stuff, send them off to freezer camp and have eat delicious chicken for the rest of the year. The best is….I have been inspired by you, and since our local market (in our very rural area) has just sold, it is a perfect opportunity and go and ask for chicken scraps! We are part of a local family owned business that has supported the market for years….so why not! The hubby has build the potato tower, and we wait…I think our season may be a little different from yours, but not sure. Anyway, the weather has been so mild for us this spring, we are all ahead of the game in the great white north.
Keep writing and we will keep tuning in.
Anita
Thanks Anita!
Okay…went to the new owner of the market, and he said I am 30th in line for chicken scraps. I guess our town is a bit too rural. We really live 45 minutes from any chain store (just about)-hooray for us, but not good for reclaimed food! Oh well. Our summer business opens on Thursday, so we will at least have great compost material as we have all the guests trained to compost, but reclaimed food from them might be a bit weird. My HH is away, but I may take a few photos of his garden just for the fun of it. There is a lot of love in it!
Anita
I took a shot of the trellis that the hubby built from pine on the property…
https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/u/0/?ui=2&ik=8f52455c56&view=att&th=13776de0b0ff4e4a&attid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=140271
I think if you copy this into your URL, you will be able to see it.
Anita
Anita, take a few pictures a email them to me. I would love to see you garden.
Just wondering if you used a specific bank for travel rewards… I’m trying to decide who to go with. BTW, I LOOOOOOVEEEEEE your blog! I’m glad I found you on Pinterest from the potato tower.
I use the American Express SPG card. The rewards rock!
I joined up to viatcost but it costs more to get it shipped to canada then it does for me to go buy the same products here, so I have the 10 dollar coupon code, not sure if you would like to have it or not. Just pop me an email and I’ll tell you the code.
Thanks
Kelly
BTW great blog!!
Mavis,
Not sure how to send you just an email. Wondering your thoughts about the Sizzling Summer ramping up at Albies? I know you won last year. Also, are you going to get in on the gift card promo? I am not sure there are any good deals this week to use the $ 10 coupon with. Bacon? Thanks mavis!
I have not seen any information on the gift card promo. I wonder if it is a regional deal. Hmmm. What a bummer. And yes, I’m excited about the sweepstakes. Maybe I’ll win again this year. Fingers crossed.
What great ideas and a wonderful blog! I just found you and I’m so glad. I’ve been feeding my family of 3 on a $300/mo budget for a while now and am constantly looking for ways to pinch that extra penny or two. I don’t have a yard to grow but I recently devoted an unused entryway of my house to growing veges and will soon have a worm box. This is my first time trying to feed anyone off my green thumb and I can’t wait to try some of your ideas in my urban garden!
yay, i found u!!! your my fav of the fab gals, thanks for keeping us posted, we started a new garden in mt.3 yrs ago, & i need all the tips i can get!
Thanks!
So glad I found you! I only read the Fabs because you were my FAV FAB! I was sad when you left and now so happy. I love your blog! I am a fellow WA resident so I love finding great local blog writers
Thanks for the awesome blog! <3 you!!
Do you have any tips on pests in the garden?
Hi Michelle,
I will work on a couple of posts for you.
So glad I decided to search for you. I am thrilled you went out on your own. Way to go Chica. Can’t wait to follow this blog of yours.
RFMPR3A2
Vitacost code that I cannot use. You can use if if you want, don’t bother to post my comment lol.
Mavis, I am in desperate need of your expertise! I planted jalapeno seeds last month, and they have only grown ONE inch since then. We water everyday, we live in Texas, but I am worried I am doing something wrong? Am I suppose to “feed” it?
Thank you in advance for your help.
Maria
Mavis!!!!!!!!!!!!! I found youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu. I was so sad when you left the Fab group. I am now subscribing.
I’m here!
I can’t believe it took me this long to try to google you and see if you were writing out there on another blog! Monday’s with Mavis made my Monday mornings a little more delightful. Now I have found your daily blog, I realize you are even more interesting than I originally thought. Glad to know I am not the only one out there whose husband says things like, “Woman what’s wrong with you?” when I do things like force him to drive me to the contractor dump to look for scrap wood!
Welcome to the club Allison.
And oh how I wish I could get my husband to drive me around to look for scrap wood. LOL.
Hi Mavis, I could not find a more suitable place to ask this question and I would like your and readers opinion: Bartering.
I would like to barter for services such as hair cutting, massage and other non-food needs/wants. How do I go about it? The people I would like to barter with have never done it. I do not know if, let’s say the service is usually $20 if I should let them pick $20 in items….or more….what about the fact that they do not want to coupon or shop sales and the item usually would cost them $3.99 and I got it for either nothing or $0.50. I would like this to be a blessings to both sides but if I exchange $20 hair cut for what I paid $20 for it wouldn’t be worth my time in couponing and shopping.
Thanks, Tali
I always think it’s fair to barter an item for a typical “sale” price you would find it in the store. Just do what feels right. Free haircuts rule! My neighbor cuts my hair and I trade for that too…. generally what ever she needs. Brownie mix, veggies, whatever. I’m no too picky.
I found you via a dear friend of mine. I like to garden to feed my family and make gifts rather than purchase them for friends and family. I am so glad to have learned of you and your efforts to feed your family inexpensively. I plan on taking the challenge to feed my family on $100 per month. I have chickens, so I will most certainly head to my favorite grocer for scraps. Can you give me tips on couponing? I’ve never quite got the hang of it (I’ve signed up via websites and was bombarded with junk emails).
Thanks,
Mavis,
Just trying to reach you. Received a query from a producer of TLC’s Extreme Couponing television show. They saw the article and are interested in contacting you about a possible spot on an episode. I don’t pass out source contact info (and in fact have already discarded your phone number), but I did email the producer back and say I would get this info to you, so just want to make sure you know of the opportunity.
If you can reply whether you are interested (and I can pass along the contact info) or if not, just let me know so I know you received this.
Thanks–
Ric
After a short perusing of your blog I have a question, do you manage all this with a reluctant hubby & teenagers? If so, you are my inspiration! There are so many things I don’t try with my gang because I know the amounts of complaining I’ll hear and the fact that I don’t want to go it alone. You’ve given me motivation to give it one more go. Thnx!
Yes. You can do this. Anyone can garden!
Mavis – You are an inspiration! I’ve done some vegetable gardening over the last few years, but nothing to the scale that you’ve accomplished. We have, in Northern New Jersey, significant squirrel, rabbit and dear populations that eat everything in sight. I don’t see any fencing in your photos. What do you do about this problem (assuming you have it).
Thanks, Nick!
We do have a fence actually. The first summer we lived here we had no fence and the deer ate my entire garden. Thus, now we have a fence. As for as the squirrels and rabbits, we have them too… and they are a pain.
I have straight up fallen in love with you and what you do!!! I cannot wait to be able to have a garden and do the things you do. Thank you for this awesome blog!!
okay mavis…I saw your photo while perusing CNN and I decided to check you out. you are a super star. so honest, creative, funky, spunky, fun…real! I am a mama of four and I buy all my clothes at the goodwill, my pre-teen turns old clothes into new ones, I shop local and thought I was a bargain shopper until I read some of your adventures. thanks for inspiring me. I hope to use some of your knowledge to make a few positive changes in my life. keep up the good work…I’ll be checking back often. peace out sister!!
Thanks Amy. Peace Out!
My jaw has dropped and I am in awe of you! I was just catching up on the news via CNN.com.
I live in a small suburb 1/2 from Boston, MA and 1/2 hour of Providence, RI. I am also a housewife, stay-at-home mom with two girls, 2 dogs, 1 cat and until recently 6 dwarf frogs. I used to be a coupon fanatic, prior to my second daughter being born. Obcessed is probably more like it. I used to have a nice little garden and I do mean little, probably 10 feet by 30 feet wide. Outside of having luck with a variety of tomatoes, peas, beans and cucumbers I never had luck growing anything else. I had the best intentions – corn, melons, peppers, berries, etc etc. My pumpkins took over the yard and the herbs were a no brainer. I wanted to feed my kids fresh produce and have them appreciate the food they ate…… well – didn’t matter too much to anyone but me. I gave up.
The thing is I LOVE gardening, I LOVE fresh produce and I am very much a “local” fresh food shopper versus supermarkets. I enjoy the whole recycle/reuse philosophy and the thought of growing what we need to eat – no chemicals, no pesticides, no middleman, no up charges etc.
My younger daughter is now 9 and she appreciates the simplicity of the world illustrated in all the Little House on the Prairie DVDs we watch from our library. The other day she asked why we can’t just “trade things” rather than not being able to afford to do things. I told her we don’t really have things to trade, or live in an area that promotes it. It made me think about going back to Amish country for a visit with my kids since now they are old enough to appreciate it more than just loving the way farms, animal and clothing looks.
I could go on and on and on ….. but the reason I am leaving a comment (which I never actually do) is to say you rock beyond words, you are the god of all the rest of us well intentioned moms. You are giving your kids the most amazing example of hard work, stretching a dime, etc etc etc. You go way beyond a farmer’s hard work, which is nothing short of just that, a very long honest day of hard labor. The fact that you have a web site to boot, sharing your work, ideas and finds …. well that just puts you up there with the other wonders of the world!
I wish you lived closer, I would love to take my girls on a field trip of your place, along with my Girl Scout troop. I am bookmarking your site for information and reference and thank you from the bottom of my heart for reminding me that where there is a will there is a way. Your children and husband are very lucky to have you!
- Elizabeth
P.S. – any advice on growing potatoes or garlic in containers? Never done that.
Wow, what a nice comment. You can do anything you set your mind to Elizabeth. And just for the record, The Little House On The Prairie rocks!
Hi Mavis! I can totally get behind what you’re doing. I also live in suburbia although on the East Coast. I was wondering how you deal with unwelcome garden critters. I currently have a groundhog in my yard who thinks my herb garden is delicious. I have tried sending out our dog to bark at him, sprayed him with water and blocked up his den with bricks and generally tried to make his stay at our home unpleasant. Any suggestions other than building a fence?
Jasmine, I wish I knew the answer. We have berry stealing birds, squirrels, chipmunks and rabbits. So if you find a solution please let me {and everyone else} know. Luckily we have a fence to keep the deer out, but I’d sure like to be able to keep the rest of the critters out as well.
I am so happy and re- inspired to finally find folks with the same mind set that I have been trying to do. My neighbors think I am the crazy chicken lady who dug up her flowerbeds and put veggies in along with rabbit poo! (and boy do the veggies grow now, no we don’t eat rabbit poo)!
My family (not immediate thank goodness), thinks I am weird. I try to remind them that not so long ago, this was normal for folks to do in their backyard, and was even at one point considered ‘patriotic’ (ie. victory gardens in WWII time).
Here’s to making the “weird”- normal again!
Here’s to making the “weird”- normal again! – Hi five Jenn! You said it well.
Hi Mavis,
Just discovered you via CNN on-line; it must be my lucky day!
For the first time ever, I started a veggie garden this year. I’m loving it! I started small, I had to, I only have a tiny space behind my town house. Anyway, I’ve grown tomatoes, cucumbers, hopefully green peppers later in the season (don’t know exactly when they’re suppose to appear), parsley, thyme, Greek oregano, & mint.
I’ve always enjoyed gardening but was very intimidated to go beyond the flowers. I’m so glad I tried it. The tomatoes have been delicious both in salads and stewed. The one thing I did do with my veggie garden was to use ladybugs instead of pesticides to get rid of the bad bugs. I was skeptical at first, but it has worked amazingly well! The bad bugs have been at an all-time low…. I will continue to use the ladybugs in my garden. What do you use to combat the bad bugs?
Anyway, thank you for sharing; I plan to try your peach jam recipe soon and will visit your web site often.
Ivy
Thanks Ivy! Any size of garden, is awesome! The peach jam turned out really well so I hope you like it.
Stay Green, Mavis
Thanks to my kids being violently sick, I have time to sit on the laptop and cruise the internet at leisure and I found your site. How fantastic! Of all the ways I try to save money for my family I am terrible at gardening. But you’ve inspired me to give it another try! And I’m a big fan of costumes…..but I prefer the superhero variety as opposed to the early American type;) Teenagers dig their moms dressing as Batman to pick them up from friends houses
Thanks for the tip!
Ha Ha
I have two regular vacant city lots. It is possible to grow sufficient food for a family of two. I thank you.
P.S. I lived in Seattle for several years.
Yes! Just because I live on 1.25 acres does not mean I actually use all that space. You can do it! Go for it.
Mavis,
I am originally from Gig harbor and lived there from the mid 1970s to the mid 1980s before graduating and entering the millitary. Miss the town dearly. Like your self, I love gardening and its really exciting to see some like your self whos is pasionate about gardening and the health benifits of heating non processed foods. When I lived off of 40th steeet NW “A mile over the hill from Artondale”, a neighboor on the other side had 5 aceres of special mixture of seaweed and other natural compounds that produced the biggest veggies I have ever seen. I will some day, hopfully soon, will secure employment in the KeyPeninsula and do exactly what you have done. Its my dream to ween my self off of store bought food.
BTW, do you have special forumlas or special locations where you grow your veggies? I am thinking of going hydroponic again “last one was a test case” as we have a tiny yard here in Vancouver BC to grow things.
I will take the noisy chicken!! lol thats to funny, we had one that we called gabby. She never was quiet either!
I am here in Bremerton, out by Wildcat Lake, and trying to do what you are doing!! Garden, chickens, ducks (who by the way keep hatching babies!!! maybe we could trade something ? )
So Whole Foods, home grown food, homemade (lots) food, friend rasing pork, Oh my…. and canning it almost here for me.
Love your website!!! Thank you
would love to see your garden and chickens!
Smiles
Wendy
I am really not sure where to start? Where would you recommend, for a mom with 6 kids who homeschools and has like zero leisure time to really take time to look for the start? Should I really go back to the very first post (I am desperate enough I will, even though that means sacrificing lots and lots of sleep, lol!). Thanks so much!!!
Hi Mary, don’t bother going back to the first post. You’ll be bored.
Maybe start at Jan 1, 2012. You can do this. And if you are a home schooling mom, even better. Turn this whole business of growing a garden into a lesson plan, every child should know how to grow something…especially food. 
Mary,
I understand that you are busy (I work full time+) and homeschool my girls too….I would recommend to read all you can right now about gardening so you can throw something together even this year. When my girls were younger they grew easy things like carrots and radishes….(which they proudly brought in for daddy)…..then take your time and read everything….it is very time consuming but it is informative, funny and just so relaxing to read.
Hi Mavis,
Read your article on CNN and as a fellow gardener I was impressed to say the least. My wife and I spend the weekend canning pickles and are getting ready for what looks like a bumper-tomato harvest upcoming.
Anyway my company creates money for sites like yours. Currently we work with Better Homes and Garden, Food Network, Martha Stewart & Nickelodeon to name a few and would like to speak with you about OneHundredDollarsamonth.com and what we could earn for you.
Warmest Regards and thanks for the vinegar weed tip.
Jim
July 16, 2012
Hi Mavis,
I’m not sure you’ll even see this but I’m not sure where else to comment. I was just readiing about your zuccini and you wanting some more ideas of how to use it. Maybe you already know this, but you can “can” zucccini bread. Just take your favorite zuccini bread recipe, spray your pint (wide mouth) jars well. fill the jars about 1/3 full. Bake in the oven (you’ll have to experiment with the time…I put all of my jars on one cookie sheet for baking) and as soon as they come out of the oven, slap on a lid and canning ring. Of course you need to make sure it seals. It’s great to be able to pull out a jar for a quick snack or dinner bread. Just run your knife around the inside of the jar and it should just slide out like a little round loaf. I’ve kept mine on the shelf for well over a year and it hasn’t gone bad yet. Super convenient!
I LOVE your blog. You’re pretty much my hero.
Lynn
I have never heard of that before. Wow! Maybe I’ll give it a try. Thanks for the idea.
Hi Mavis! – I discovered your web site Friday night – and as of today have read all your posts I love it!
I can’t believe you don’t like radishes! I love them – have you seen the prices in grocery stores? Shocking.
Am watching Secrets of a Restaurant Chef with Anne Burrell (I’m kind of addicted to cooking shows) and she just made pickled radishes and red onions!
Also – have you ever considered making stuffed squash blossoms? Just give it a try with 4-6 for your family. The first time to give it a try. Since you plant so much I don’t think you’d miss a few squash.
Love your blog! I wish I had your space to plant! Live in the city in a townhouse –
Jeanne
Mavis, just found you today and I love your posts and what you are doing! You go girl!! I was just wondering…are you composting? I saw a compost mentioned in one post, but nothing since. My brother used to have a corner of his garden that he’d use for composting. He would just go out every so often and turn his pile. It never smelled and he said it fertilized his garden better than any organic fertilizer he had ever bought!
Have you thought about putting in an asparagus bed? It takes a couple of years before you harvest anything, but it’s well worth the effort.
Also I was wondering if you have a post that describes how you made the raised beds. I’d like to start gardening, and since the soil where I live is not all that great, I was thinking raised beds might be the answer. I’ve not read all of your posts yet, so let me know if you’ve already described how you made your raised beds. Thanks in advance!
I do compost and I do have chickens.
I’ll try and look back and see if I have pictures of me building a raised bed for you.
Just found your web site and do love it. I am getting too old to START gardening I think and we are moving to MI which has a very short season for that anyway, but might try a few tips you have. I have read and watched TV re couponing but when I look at what is offered, it is NEVER anything that we use. We are organic if at all possible, but ALWAYS label readers and it doesn’t seem like coupons are offered on organic products and they are ALWAYS more expensive than anything else. As Senior we MUST cut costs wherever possible, so this is a problem I NEVER see addressed. These “extreme couponers” have basement FULL of things I would NEVER feed my family, so what is the point? Growing your own is the ultimate answer of course, but the older we get the more daunting that appears. Just something for you to think about maybe.
You should write a book. When you have young children it is great to read that so many families are doing what you are suggesting to them. I am a city girl and know NOTHING about growing my own food—–shame on me. Keep up your good work. LOVE your web site.
Mavis- WOW! Love this blog – please don’t stop. My BFF & I have a small 20×60 ft community vegetable garden in Minnesota and have learned so much from you already! What you are doing is an inspiration to us. This is the third year for my garden and I have cupboards full of canned food that I grew all by myself! And, I actually received requests for canned jams and salsa’s for holiday gifts! When we got started with our garden we used much of the information in The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible, and have had much success. Love the Frugal Living Tips and your produce weigh ins! You might have a goal of growing a ton of food, but you have gotten many others to raise tons of their own food as well. Thank you doesn’t begin to express my appreciation and respect for what you are doing.
Wow! Thank you for the nice compliment! Gardening is awesome!
What state do you live in? I am asking because, I am from Wyoming and will have no luck growing anything there, but I will be moving to alabama will fruits/vegetables be able to flourish down by mobile on the coast?
I lived in WY for 10 yrs, great gardens in the summer!
1) Build a raised bed garden (reclaimed lumber if you can)
2) Add composted horse manure & soil.
3) Plant & water.
4) eat Amazing fresh food all summer!
5) Fall-build a greenhouse on top of the bed with old windows
to enjoy the garden longer
Have Fun!
hi mavis,
i was not born in this country and live in orange county, ca. i love the northwest and trying to convince my husband to move up there. i truly hate the lifestyle in this area. i am not a huge fun of sitting on my computer but i, somehow, found an article about you and this website. i love and relate to many of the things you wrote and how you flaunt your frugal lifestyle. we have a similar lifestyle, even in this crazy area. i have a tall Nordic husband w/ 2 great kids. even though my income was higher, i quit my job 10 years ago to stay home w/ our 2 kids and my husband is the main income earner. we live in a very nice neighborhood and own a custom home but live very frugally. we are the only ones on our street that do not have a house cleaning person, garderner, pool person or car wash team of people to wash our cars in front of our home. we drive very old cars and my husband often bikes to work. i cut hair for my family and cook almost everyday. i am a fairly serious cook that likes to enjoy crab, clams, duck and other crazy complicated dishes. we bake our own bread or shop at Sprouts for other breads. i love coupons and crazy about deals and try to share them w/ my friends. most of our friends have much more money and they think i am just nuts. everyone is embarrassed about coupons and do not want to use it. even when i explain or bring them the coupons, they will not use it. in any case, the reason for my long email is to ask you for help on the gardening. my soil is just horrible and i don’t know how to improve on it. by the way, we have 4 chickens and also get beautiful green and brown eggs. we are thinking of selling the extra ones to our neighbors. i need some serious advice about soil and how to improve. i have had terrible results the last 4 years and no amount of steer manure, Amend or Miracle Gro seems to help. please advise!
Kris, I know exactly what you are talking about.
You don’t belong there. By tall Nordic husband does that mean you are from Norway? Tell me what city you live in and I will try and find you a good source form dirt.
hi back mavis,
man, you are super duper fast. luckily, i was still answering emails when i got your reply. you are absolutely correct. we do not belong here. we moved here from the Bay Area and have regretted it ever since. my husband is shopping around for work in high tech up in Seattle. keep your fingers crossed. let me answer your questions. my husband is 6’4 from norway and i 5’4 from vietnam. yes, we are quite the pair. most women love to stare at my yummy and i just laugh. he is painfully embarrassed about his good looks. it makes you love him even more. in any case, i can cook quite a bit of asian food, mainly Thai and Vietnamse food. i am quite handy w/ Norwegian dishes as well. although, i find scandinavian food a bit boring and bland. as for where we live, we live in Tustin. does that help? my soil is just awful and i cannot get anything to grow well, except my herbs. i have a pretty nice herb garden. i have 3 raised planters and hope to create more if i can figure out my soil situation. by the way, i never, ever let our kids eat that disgusting thing they called food at school either. my husband and i think most Americans eat horribly and most people make horrible choices when it comes to food and lifestyle. even america has plenty, people eat much worse than most 3rd world countries. just like you guys, one of main goal in our lives is to travel w/ our kids. we take big trips every single year to foreign countries as a family and stay in very nice hotels. since my husband has already gone to norway this year, we are skipping europe and spending a month in the southeast of the US. we are leaving in 1 week for a very hot summer break and visit about 9 states in the south. we will see things from Texas to Hilton Head and even visit a Civil War reenactment and might see DC again. our kids love these trips because we always stay at such nice hotels. that’s our splurge for a frugal lifestyle. we also eat everything the locals eat. i can’t wait!
Yea! Mavis, Glad I came across you I missed your posts when you left the FabF site.
It only took a lady I’m on a site with in Tennesse to post yr blog, LOL.
I’m looking forward to yr posts.
Laurie, Yay! I’m glad your here.
Mavis, I am so glad to have found you. Missed you terribly since you left the Fabs. I had no idea that you had a blog of your own, until now. I was referred here by a gal on Family Corner.
Will be happily following your journeys.
Thanks Norma. I’m glad you found me.
HI Mavis,
I just found your blog yesterday and you really inspired me. I had plans to live more frugally and spend less on food especially. I love the way you get free produce. There are only 2 in my family so i have not considered asking for the throwaway food. But, i did want to tell you how i excited i was to find out that my grocery store does have a marked down produce cart. I purchased all of my produce at at least 50% off the SALE prices today! I was giggling and thinking of you. I am well on my way.
Hey! Thanks for sharing!
I LOVE this blog, I read it almost religiously. In part because I really want to do what your doing, I wanted to know how the vertical pallet gardens turned out? (heh, if you already posted, then a key word: almost) any problems?
Thanks!
*you’re
So… My biggest question, I guess, is how much time do you spend gardening and couponing, canning and preserving to make this all work? I mean, do you have a day job on top of all this? How do you even get started? I want to do this and have plenty of space (out in the country with a couple acres super handy and another 400 acre farm that we’re on the corner of). But the problem I see is time. I work for ky mom’s sewing business and our busy season is gardening season…
I guess I’m too busy to figure out how long it takes. But growing food, preserving it, buying groceries, yes, all take time. But I like what I am doing and having fun is HUGE for me.
Mavis, you rock!
I just added up my grocery bills from Jan-June 2012, and I have spent $6800 so far in 6 months. I am so glad I found your blog and your good ideas. Ready and listening! I cannot keep this up. 2 grown ups and 3 kids in this house. We have to make some changes.
Dear Mavis :
I am really impressed. I have had to give up boating and fishing and I am now working with my wife who has been an avid gardener her whole life. We live in a pretty developed area but we get more than our share of pests. We don’t want to use pesticides. Any tips on a good resource for organic gardening.
Bill
Me: I’ve been following this gardening blog. This woman is trying to save money. She has a big garden and is growing all her vegetables. She’s growing amazing carrots. [side note: our carrots . . . not so much]
DD (age 9): (pause)
Me: So she only spends a $100 at the grocery store. Two grown-ups and two kids. The rest she grows or barters with neighbors.
DD: (pause . . .) Are they still alive?
That is awesome! I bet a lot of adults feel the same way.
Mavis is inspiring, huh?
Mavis, do you have any tips for someone living in an apartment? I am a single mom and on a very limited budget and would love to be able to save money for my families future. I have a small patio attached to my apt. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Amanda what state do you live in? It might be too late to plant a few containers of tomato plants but in a few weeks you could plant carrots, lettuce, chard,and other cold weather crops on your patio. If you don’t want to spend money on flashy containers you can usually pick up free 5 gallon buckets from the bakery department at your local grocery store. Start small, with veggies you and your kids will eat and go from there.
Your blog and your life style are incredibly inspiring – thank you so much for sharing your experience with us!
Cecil, that is such an unusual name {an a cool one!} Where are you from?
It seems like you do a lot of canning with all your fresh produce. We have a big garden and I do lots of canning also. Just curious where you get all your canning lids. It seems like even at Walmart it sure can add up quick. Is there somewhere you can buy it by the cases? Between a few friends we could easily use 1000 lids. Appreciate your thoughts…
I’m not sure if it was last summer or the summer before but there was a $1.00 off any Ball {or Kerr?} canning product coupon. I got lucky and spotted them on sale for $1.99 at my local store and was able to double the coupon so I got them for free. If you need 1,000 lids though, I won’t hesitate to contact the canning company or to check ebay to try and find a deal. Good luck!
Ruth, If you still need lids try this link. They are about 18 cents each.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BULK-LOT-OF-30-12-PK-360-BALL-REGULAR-CANNING-JAR-LIDS-/110505911610?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19baaa653a
or you can go to ebay, search for “ball canning lids” and see everything that is available.
Regarding the spinich: chop and dehydrate a batch. Add it back to soups and stews.
Hi Mavis,
Love your blog. Can you please tell me about your soil – what did you start with and what and when do you add to it? Thanks.
Regular soil, leaves in the fall, chicken fertilizer and Tagro from the city of Tacoma.
Thanks!
Just discovered your blog through a CNN post & have loved it. Quick question- Can you do a post on “the evolution of Mavis” on your about section? I’m curious HOW this all came about? I love that you post your family food spending over the past four years, but are there any tips (other than couponing) to how you did that? Did you just run out and build raised beds like crazy or was it a slow addition? I garden & can a lot of stuff already, but I want to take to the next level. Hey- my little sub-division in Ohio will let me have 2 chickens! Thanks!
Hey Mavis,
Where area do you live where you can grow that much food in a year? My wife and I are trying to plan where to buy land so we can grow year round and would prefer to stay on the east coast. Any ideas? Thanks and we love reading your stuff!
We live in the Pacific Northwest.
If you are looking to grow food year round you should check out Elliot Coleman. He farms year round in Maine. I hope that helps.:)
Wow! I found your website through a post on CNN and my family and I are thorughly impressed. Your blog is beyond inspirational – we look forward to browsing through more of your posts and to your future ones.
Thank you for sharing your adventures!
Thanks. I’m having fun, and I think that’s the most important thing.
Hi Mavis!!
First off I am beyond impressed with what you have done.
I and my family are new to the farming thing. It was a chose to leave the city and come here. My first problem is the place we are renting has been allowed to go to seed and is a battle to reclaim the land. But will be worth it in the end. My questions is does you budget stay the same during the winter? How did you start bartering? Did you wake up one day and think hey this is a good idea or did you look at the laws of the FDA and see how you could get around them?? These might be question you have already answered…if so just point me in the right direction and I will go find!! LOL!!
I am able to keep my grocery budget the same in winter yes. And as far as bartering goes, it’s a blast. You should give it a try.
LOL!! I was talking to my BF about doing that……..next year with all the apples we have and the garden we are planning on growing!! I will have to get over the shyness of asking people for things!!
Mavis, I’m so glad to see other families doing this! My family and I live at the beach near St. Augustine, Florida. We have a “postage stamp” sized front yard, and literally no back yard at all. but instead of flower beds, I have vegetable and fruit beds. My neighbors love it! They always want to see what new things I’m growing and my daughters love the food. My three year old eats rosemary straight from the garden! We had a couple laying hens for awhile, but they were a little too noisy for my close neighbors.Thanks for all of your tips!
You bet. Anyone can do this! No matter how big or small your yard is.
Mavis, I need your and your reader’s help. A while back I got tons of hamburger helper boxes….I donated over 100 but was left with a bunch! I separated them into a bag with all the pouches and stored the pasta separately to use my space more efficiently. My cats got into the pouches so i am stuck with pasta that sticks….I tried rinsing it and soaking it but nothing worked. I need to find a dish(es) that I can make with that specific pasta (I would hate to throw it away)…any ideas?
Thanks.
Hey Mavis!! I love your blog and am trying to get into couponing & reclaimed food….
would you be interested in teaching a small class at my church, in Puyallup, about reclaimed food? Please contact me if you are interested! Thanks!
Hi Isabelle,
I’m sorry but I don’t have the time to do something like that. Sorry
Thanks!
I have to ask because I just have too….my husband this summer planted a garden (very small compared to yours), but he is new at this….he has bought books and researched but still (complains). I was wondering if I could bring him over to see your wonderful garden and maybe ask you a few questions about things…..I know it is crazy having someone you don’t know in your garden but you can do a background check and finger-prints to see we are not crazy.
Hi Jennifer, thanks for asking but I’m sorry, my husband would freak out if I started letting people come over. What area are you in? If you are in or near Seattle there are so many great resources. The Seattle Tilth is one of my favorite. Cisco Morris is also a rockstar and there is always the Washington State Master Gardener’s Association. Here is a link http://mastergardener.wsu.edu/gardening.html. Best of luck, I’ve been vegetable gardening a long time and I still get frustrated a bit too.
I just read this and immediately thought of you and how you reclaim, preserve, and save on, food. More of us could definitely learn from you! Keep it up!!
http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/08/22/40-of-u-s-food-wasted-report-says/?hpt=hp_t3
Thank you Cary. I read the article and it really is amazing how much food gets thrown away. Crazy.
Just a curiousity question, I know you get a winter where you are, but do you get a significant snow cover? I’m in the North-East, and from November to April, the ground is frozen.
No. We will typically see snow once, maybe twice during winter. But there is a lot of rain.
Mavis! I LOVE your site. I look forward to the regular emails I get from you. I feel as though we are friends
I would love to be able to garden like you do. But alas, I cannot
I live in Southwestern Va. We have beautiful weather and the perfect conditions…except where I live. We have a beautiful home that is on family land. It is in the peaceful mountainous area where, I get very little sun. I have tried gardening. But it is too stressful for me. I barely get any return. That is if the deer or the worms or the blight do not get them first. I did grow some cucumbers a couple of years ago and that was my one and only success with gardening. I have tried beans. We were able to get enough for half a bushel. Cabbage- the bugs got them first. Onions- nah. Tomatoes, they are very sparse and I dont believe I have grown any that were larger than 2-3″ around. Not even big enough for a sandwich
So I will longingly love your garden from afar. Keep up the great work. I love reading your blog and newsletters. You are definitely a bright spot in the day
Thanks so much
Lisa- from Virginia
I live in Auburn and it is so encouraging to find someone else trying to eat what they grow. Do you have a cellar type arrangement for wintering foods
I love, LOVE you blog.
thanks
No, but I have a dark pantry area that stays about 60 degrees all winter long.
Love your site, Mavis. I was wondering…I live on the west coast of Florida and have a very small backyard (I do mean small). what sorts of veggies and fruits grow in small spaces and can you recommend any books or posts on your site that might answer my questions? I’ve tried tomatoes, but something keeps eating them while their still on the vine. Do you put out a newsletter?
You can subscribe to my nightly newsletter at the top of the website.
Give me a day or two and I will try and find something for you. Florida is beautiful. 
Found a recipe for kale pesto. Haven’t had a chance to try it out yet. http://www.food52.com/blog/4256_kale_and_other_pestos
Oh you know I’m totally going to try that!
Hi Mavis!
I really enjoy your site and want to share a yummy zucchini recipe with you.
Zucchini Soup
1 C chopped onions
1/2 C half and half
2 T butter
1 c grated cheddar cheese
3 C diced zucchini
1/2 C sour cream
2 C chicken broth
4 bacon strips
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
In saucepan, cook onions in butter, then add zucchini and chicken broth; bring to boil. Simmer for 15 minutes. Add salt and pepper. Cool slightly and
blend to puree. Return to saucepan and stir in the cream and reheat. Garnish with cheese, sour cream and bacon.
My husband and I both loved this soup! While the garnishes are nice and add a bit more, the soup is delicious by itself. (If you are making this for your family, I would definitely suggest doubling it since a single recipe isn’t very big.) Enjoy!
Hey Mavis;
I have a recipe you might like definatly your hubby. Take bacon fry I use one pack (very large family 6), chop 0ne onion put in bacon greese, chop cabbage put all together in pan (bacon greese, onion, cabbage) cook until cabbage becomes wilted. Yum. I make a dressing of mayo, apple cider vinager, and sugar serve on side. I love and even crave this.
My cabbages produced a second crop and to tell you the truth tastes even better . Thanks for your blog
My husband would totally love this. Thanks! I will try it the next time I harvest cabbage.
Lisa at Garden Sphere turned me on to your website. Fantastic site. I am single with no kids so my monthly needs can be less but I still find that if I want to travel I have to conserve and save like crazy. I’m interested in developing a series of programs throughout Tacoma that will support folks living frugally through interaction with their neighbors, community and home gardening, and ultimately community canning kitchens and monthly barter “meet-ups”. I look forward to learning more about your journey. Oh, by the way, I looking to set up an ongoing relationship to barter home produce and home made goods for fresh eggs as close to year round as possible. Not a huge amount just about a dozen every couple of weeks.
Hal
Dear Mavis
Thank you so much for your website. I live in central California, I have never been able to do a garden. Do you have any tips starting. I have a family of six and my husband has recently became disabled. I coupon for everything but I prefer to make all my own stuff. Fresh produce and vegetables are very expensive. I have canned a little with water bath but not pressure. Any tips would be great. I love your site.
Marliena, do you have a yard? How big?
Mavis!! It took me months to find you! You started your own blog!!! I LOVE it!!!
Hi Molly, I’m glad you’re here. I’ve had my own blog since 2009, I’m glad you found me.
Mavis:
I just read your “How to Can Pears” article.
Even though you said you use the Raw Pack method, the only processing info provided was for the Hot Pack method. Can you insert the Raw Pack info please?
Thank you!
Hi Mavis:
Made your crockpot apple butter yesterday. Would like to make the crockpot chicken you suggested. Do you have a recipe for this? How much apple buter should I use. You just said “a bottle” of apple butter.l I made half pint jars of the apple butter.
Love your website.
Thanks.
Hi Marie, All I do is put the chicken in the crock pot and pour one 1/2 pint of apple butter over the top, then fill up the empty jar with water, swoosh {to get the remaining apple butter out} and pour the water over the top. and cook on low for about 6 hours. Sometimes I’ll add chopped onion in there too.
Wonderful site. I found you about a month ago. Until now I thought you had to live in somewhere hot like CA to grow all that food. Today I found out you are local!!!! Gives me hope!
Hi Mavis,
Your trip to Europe and the purchase of Volvo directly from the factory gave us something to think about. Did your vehicle arrive yet and the story has a happy ending? I noticed on your blog you mentioned traveling across Europe – did you have to make a full loop and return the vehicle back to Sweden for them to ship it to the U.S.? Were your airline tickets to and from Gothenburg, Sweden or could you leave from a different location in Europe at the end of your journey?
We are hoping to follow in your track and travel to Europe next Summer. Please share any tips and comments – always best to learn from somebody who’s done it already. Big thanks.
Hi Gosia,
We flew from Seattle to Gothenburg, were picked up at the airport by a Volvo driver and then taken to our hotel where we stayed 1 night for free. In the morning the driver took us to the factory, we signed a few papers and then proceeded to make our way to Brussels, Belgium where we paid an addition 138 Euro to drop the car off to have it shipped back home. There is no charge if you drop the car off in Gothenburg. Charge do apply if you drop the car off at a different location. Volvo pays for 15 days European car insurance.
We were able to book our tickets from Seattle to Gothenburg and our return tickets from London to Seattle. There was no additional charge to fly home out of another country. As long as the tickets are available, they will book them for you. I do believe you have to start your trip in Gothenburg though.
We have not received out car yet. It takes about 8 – 10 weeks for it to be shipped back from Europe. If you live on the East Cost it won’t take as long as it will for me here in Seattle because the barge has less distance to travel. Volvo has kept us up to date as to the location of the barge/ship and given us an estimated arrival date.
I would do this again in a heartbeat. The customer service was awesome all the way through. I went in knowing exactly the car I wanted, and walked out paying exactly what I expected to pay because of the set discount pricing they offer for Volvo overseas delivery.
I’m sure I’ll write a post about the car when it arrives.
I hope that helps.
Mavis
Mavis I have some seeds I would like to send to you. I was a member of the seed of the month club and got 4-5 packets a month. Some of them we just don’t eat. Can you email me you address to send them to?
Hi Mavis! I love reading your blog! I’m local and want to try growing the TriStar strawberries you have. Did you buy yours locally or online? Do you think I can start them in the fall or would next spring be better? I need to pull out the strawberries I currently have. All they do is produce a few and then send runners out all summer. They are making me crazy! Thanks, Cheri
Hey Mavis! I am so glad I found you. I live in the pnw and I would really love to start a garden. The problem is my backyard is fairly shaded and we rent so there is no hope in the near future in removing the giant maple that sucks up all the light. Is there anything you can recommend that I try to grow that does OK in minimal sunlight?
Dear Mavis,
Last year, I religiously read your “Mondays with Mavis” column on ff. Then in January I moved from Lakewood, WA to southern California for a job opportunity. I still went on the website, just to read your posts. But after a while I couldn’t find them! And I was sad.
Then I randomly found your blog here and now I am SO HAPPY! I thought you disappeared off the face of the planet. But here you are, with your very own blog that I had no idea existed until a few days ago.
Thankyou for all the time you put into posting hilarious, entertaining, and informative posts. The world is a brighter place with you in it!
From one of your biggest fans,
Christina
Thanks Christina! I’m glad you found my “secret” blog. How do you like Southern California? Is it a bit different than Lakewood?
The first time I saw an orange tree I embarassed my friend because I took pictures of it. So, yes, SoCal is a different world in many ways than Lakewood! The peaches and apples here are very expensive at the grocery stores and kinda gross, but the citrus and tomatoes are cheap. In the winter, oranges go on sale 8 pounds for one dollar at the Mexican supermarkets.
I’m researching how to start my garden and am excited to see how it will turn out. Last month I planted a tiny lime tree in the backyard. Even though the climate is different, I know I’ll be able to learn a lot from your blog. Thanks again!
I think it would be totally awesome to have a lemon and a lime tree. Maybe even grapefruit. 8 pounds of oranges is a steal!
I had to tell you about the bounty I just scored.. I went to my son’s school to eat lunch with him and bring cupcakes for the class. I noticed a table with food on it. I asked the lunch lady and she said that this is the table of food to ‘share’- if the kids aren’t going to eat it they put it here for someone else to take. Then she said it ‘breaks her heart’ because it all gets thrown away at the end of the last lunch period. They are not allowed to take it back into the kitchen. You can bet I whipped open my son’s lunch box and my purse and started stuffing it full. There was one more lunch period to go so I left about half of it there but i scored 10 peaches, 6 chocolate milks, about 20 little containers of salad, 2 packs of celery and 6 packs of baby carrots. I left the open food like the pieces of pizza. I told her I’ll stop by a couple times a week to pick it up before they chuck it. Everyone is happy!
Love the blog, so colorful and informative… I am thinking about asking for the chicken scratch at our store (we have 25 chickens and 7 sheep)..nothing would go to waste thats for sure.. keep up the good work
We just bought a house with 1/3 acre lot and we’d love to have a garden and eventually fruit trees. I would love to learn how to do what you’re doing, but am not quite sure where to start in planning everything out. Do you have a book to recommend or another resource for space planning for the yard in general and garden specifically? Thank you, LOVE your blog! I am going to make your crockpot refried beans tomorrow; thanks!
Hi Mavis!
I just found your blog and it is fantastic! Your enthusiasm is contagious! I’ve gardened and started raising quail (it’s my newest venture to feed my family for less). I love the tips you have and the way you set your blog up. Now only if I could decipher the overwhelming feeling that couponing brings… Keep it up, and i’ll keep reading. So glad you have Pinterest too!
Best,
Kelly
Thanks Kelly, I’m glad you are here.
Hi Mavis,
I am inspired by your site! I too live in the Pacific Northwest (Portland area) and would like to start planting from seed indoors/using a small greenhouse. I’m wondering if you would consider starting a new weekly feature about what you’re starting from seed either in your house under lights or in the greenhouse so we can to learn what to plant when. In the past I have used starts (expensive and gets going much later). I love your posts about your greenhouse, your weekly reclaimed food, and your grocery purchases, and am wondering if you have the time/interest in doing a weekly feature showing what seeds you’re planting.
Thanks so much for all the good information and humor!
I’d love to do this!
Thanks so much!
Hi Marvis,
I wanted to say you are such a huge inspiration to me!!! I have been losing weight and eating healthier. I love your recipes and ideas on your website. I wanted to know since it is squash season if you have a favorite recipe your family uses to make Spagetti Squash spagetti for yur family. I just bought a spagetti squash and am not sure about what would be the best way to prepare it.
Many thanks!!
Devoted fan!
I’ll ask the peeps and see what they say.
Stay tuned.
Dear Mavis,
I want you to know that I am obsessed with your website. I love your blog! I would love to turn my whole back yard into a garden, but my HH wouldn’t be very happy about that! Luckily, we just got a community garden right across the street from me and I have loved it! It was a great workout hauling 5 gallon buckets of water every day (it was REALLY hot this summer and had to water almost every day!). I check your site several times a day in hopes of a new post – keep it up, we love it!
Heather
Wow. Thanks Heather.
I followed a link from my Facebook, and found you!! Glad I did!! I’ve been skimming through your blog….VERY IMPRESSIVE indeed!!! I was just peeping your post on how to make your own buttermilk….Paula Deen would be so proud!! LOL In recent days, I’ve been making my own fresh butter, which takes me mere minutes, and I can do it all with a hand mixer! It’s as easy as 2c of heavy whipping cream (left to room temp) and1/4tsp salt (completely optional)!! It takes me close to 5 minutes to complete whipping, I put it in a smaller bowl, press down on it with the back of a small spoon to seperate the buttermilk (which of course can always be saved for later use), once done, refridgerate! Oh, and on another note, about your post where you declared war on that grimey chick, saw her pics, she looks like she needs to line up that mustache….shame people steal from their neighbors. No worries though, KARMA will take care of her…wishing you all the best!!
I was sent over to you from another bloggy mom. You are my INSTA hero. I feed 7 at my table. 5 kids two adults. Its horrendous on the budget. When I saw your video, I made excuses right away. Ha. Does she even live in the NWest ? After a little more look I realize your in Seattle! I am in Olympia. I am hoping to farm next year in my suburbia home. …but I need a ton of research. Here I go to study your blog! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Nat. I’m glad you are here.
Hello Mavis!!!! It is SO nice to meet you!!! Thank you SO much for advertising on facebook!!! Or I may never have found you!!!!I love what I see so far….right now I’m searching for Mr. Produce Guy, I could REALLY use one of them!!!! lol. My husband and I are on a mission to detox our bodies by making our own juice! I am going to be researching your site to help us, even though I think we have lots of recipes, the more the better!!! I live in Wyoming, 100 miles from Salt Lake City, UT, and well, fresh produce is VERY expensive here. I’m sure a lot is due to weird weather, short growing seasons, and our zoning for growing. (Did I forget to tell you…that I royally suck at gardening?) lol. I am working on it, but I’m still not very good.
Anyways, as I have said, I am really looking forward to doing major research on your site!!!
Thank you SO much for sharing all of this! I know it takes a great deal of time to share your information with us. But I hope you know how much we all really appreciate it!!!
~Jaqulyn~
Mavis, I found you totally by accident looking up plum jam recipes. I was so excited to find you!! I agree with so many others, Mondays with Mavis was my favorite thing.
Hi Sherri, I’m glad you found me.
I cannot wait to start growing our food. I plan to start next year as we are just hitting fall/winter here in Cleveland, Ohio!
Hello, Mavis~
I recently found your blog when looking for local produce deals and you had written about Butler’s Farm in Gig Harbor. Love your site! I have been paying attention primarily to gardening information as I hope to do some gardening next year. I have a question, though, are you a Girl Scout? I would love to know if you involve your troop in your activities. Thanks so much!
Juli
I used to be.
Hey Mavis,
I just found you recently so let me know if you’ve already posted about this…I was looking through your totals for your 2000 Lbs or bust challenge and I would love to get some idea about how many of each plant you planted to harvest that amount of food…ie: how many strawberry plants to harvest 18 lbs of strawberries!!! I have a much smaller family…ONE…and I would like to figure out what to plant without going overboard!!
Just wanted to say, I love your site, and if this site ever goes down, then I will be in trouble. I am interested in all of it, but I really love the canning how to’s and recipes. Can you bundle it all up and put it in a a pdf file and send it all to me??? I am new at canning and I am planning on getting some land. I am looking forwarding to reaping the rewards of having my own vegetable garden and orchard. Thanks for posting all of this info. I really appreciate it, because I have not seen anyone put as much info as you have. Thanks for taking the time to do this. I hope you have many blessings to come.
Hi Mavis!
I have been a daily reader for months now and love seeing what you do and thinking of what I can do to start my own garden. I live in Central Florida and would like to start by working on composting. I searched your blog but was not able to find an entry related to how you compost. Do you do vermicomposting? Or do you just use the waste that the chickens make? I read the post about taking the leaves from the park…do you only give those to the chickens?
Thanks!
I LOVE YOUR BLOG! I look forward to it EVERY day. It is funny, educational, funny, informative, and just a good read as well. I have tried quite of few things that you have done, some productive others not so well. You are one brave soul to barter things off, unfortunately, I have no one to barter with. We live in a small country town, with neighbors sometimes quite a few miles away. But even if I lived close, I don’t know if I am brave enough to go and ask. Anyway, I am setting a budget for food next year and getting ideas together for a garden, doing lots of research. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK and congrats for reaching your goal. We love what you are doing.
Awwww Thanks Pamela.
You can do it! Set a goal and keep your eye on the prize.
Mavis, I have no idea how i found your website, but i have been reading it for a few months. You are so funny! you should put your blog in a book. or have you? I am 56, retiring in 6 years, i want to be you when i grow up. You are simply amazing
Your website is inspirational. I live in Suburban bay area Northern California. I have a family of six with one child who has sever medical problems requiring me to provide a quality diet. Although we live in a small house in the middle of town, we have a pretty nice sized yard for California. We early Summer with chickens and now we are preparing to build and plot our back yard garden for the spring. You have given me some wonderful ideas. Just a recipe suggestion: All edible vegetables parts can be tossed into a large pot of water, bring to a boil and simmer for four to six hours ( ad herbs & spices such a whole peppercorns, thyme, rosemary etc.). This makes for a wonderful vegetable stock that you can put into jars or freeze. Substitute homemade vegetable broth in recipes that call for Chicken broth, as a base for soups, liquid for bean making, or cooking rice. Do not cook with Salt… salt food to taste after prepared (reduces sodium consumption).
Annie
That is a really great tip about the ends of vegetables that can still be used.
We are in the process of moving our travel trailer on to 10 acres of land we just bought and will be building our home on this acreage as well. This is something I can even do in the motor home. Just will have to tell the chickens that the next batch of veggies will be for them ha ha. Thanks for the tip. Passing this on to my mom, daughters, and other family members and friends who would appreciate it as well.
hello,
I am trying to grow some vegies in a greenhouse but seem to be having a bit of a problem. I planted leaf lettuce I get it to start up but then it grows strait up and get tall and thin and then falls over and dies. it doesn’t even start to grow secondary leaves. Can you tell me what I can do to get lettuce please.
Thank you,
Beth
how do some of u guys know what is on sale before ads come out
ErTina,
Here are a few of the sites that I use for seeing what is on sale and coupons.
Coupons.com – this site is nothing but coupons so you can print out what coupons you and your family uses.
Coupon Suzy- another coupon site. I have not used this one yet because I forgot I joined it haha
Tip Resource- great site she tells you what coupons are coming out in the Sunday paper before you do. And she tells you when you should.print a.coupon out twice to get a good.deal, tell you about free books in Amazon, recipes extra check it out.
Red Plum- these are the ones that you get in the paper
Smart Source- Also the ones you get in the paper.
If I run across others and tips I will pass it along
Deana
Mavis,I LOVE your site…….You have given me lots of great ideals…..thanks,,have a Happy New Year,,,and keep up the work…
Thanks Jennifer! Have a Happy New Year too!
Hello: First time here. Would like to know how to start a garden. Have a 10′ x 10′ space to start a garden is that big enough? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Hang on for another hour or so and I’ll be posting about my garden plans for 2013. Anyone, with ANY size garden can grow food. I promise.
Have you thought about referring your readers to ibotta? I saw it on another website but would much rather click thru from your site. I’m a Mavis junkie and try to say “thank you” buy checking out some of the products you recommend. I’ve signed up for Zulily, Vista Prints and One Kings Lane via your links (and probably more). Keep up the great work!
2 tons?! Wow! You can do it!
I’m going to look into it. Thanks Lissa.
OH girl! I read the post about asking the produce man for chicken scraps! GENIUS!
I have been going to the local supermarket every week and have gotten huge boxes of food for the “chickens”. True, I do feed them the stuff we rejected, but salvaged so many goodies! Last night we had asparagus for dinner, today we are eating mango and cantaloupe. The chickens have been eating spinach, mustard greens, lettuce, kale and they think it’s their birthday! Thank you for the excellent suggestion! I am putting it on my blog!
Mavis, what kinds of chickens do you have? I’ve been stalking your website lately and it’s driving me nuts not knowing!
love your site…. me and my daughters have started canning last fall …apple jelly and apple sauce .. i just love your site … we need more people like you in the world … keep up the good work … thanks
I had your email address. I lost it! I hope you got the seeds I shipped. I did not get them back which is a good sign. I normally don’t make New Years resolutions but you have inspired me. 500 pounds is my goal. We are doubling our garden space to approx 240 sq ft and hoping to start seeds in our fiberglass green house that came with our house! Tell Ryan he can send any extra seeds my way!
Also if you ever need someone to trade with let me know! I live right across the bridge from you and don’t really have anyone to trade with!
I did! Thank you. I’m rooting for you and your 500 pounds. You can do it!
I found your site through the Blessed Beyond a Doubt blog and am glad to have found both!
With three kids in college and chronic health issues eating into the family finances, something’s got to give. Your site looks like it has a lot to offer that may help me get things back under control here.
Thanks!
Hi,
Amazing garden. The kale looks so beautiful.
How do you keep the plants so healthy ? Do you use any pesticides or are you growing your food naturally ?
Do you have any tutorials on gardening ?
How much land have you had to use for growing these big amounts of food ?
Thanks
I just found out about your site yesterday but I am in love!
So beyond exited, all the things I think about are already written here.
Thank you!
Welcome Heather.
I’m glad you’re here.
Hi Mavis!
Greetings from the Isle of Man, a small island halfway between Ireland and the UK. Mavis, I am so happy to have found your site. I was up late last night just looking at pictures of your reclaimed vegetables and your chickens. My husband (also a handsome husband
) thought I was crazy but then we’ve been married 30 years and I guess he’s used to it!
I have two chickens, Betty and Margo. They live also in an Eglu in our very small backyard. I am new to Hen keeping But delighted with my girls. I have had them since September and already they have given me over 80 eggs!
They are also doing a grand job turning over the vegetable beds. Okay for now but come spring when I plant we will have to talk!
That’s it for now just wanted to say hi! Keep up the good work!
Warm regards. Angie
Angie, I just sent you an email.
Good to hear from you. 
I’m a huge fan of yours, Mavis! I was wondering (since I can’t seem to get enough of your menu items), if you have ever considered creating a topical index for your recipes? So often I remember that you have a great recipe for an ingredient that I have on hand, but I have a heck of a time going through all your old posts to find what I’m looking for… Just a thought, and will continue following your blog regardless
Thanks for making my days brighter.
Love your blog. Keep up the good work!
Thought you’d like this.
Hi,
How high are the planting plots ?
We are so proud of you!!! Keep up the good work, you are helping a lot of people!!
Hey Thanks Bob!
Hi, I do the same kind of growing, freezing, canning, bartering, repurposing as you. It’s nice to find you. I am in Seattle, and I also write a blog about it.
Great story in today’s Times.
Thanks Lindsey. Being thrifty rules!
I’m with Tim. Any single women out there like you, preferably within an hour’s drive of Colorado Springs?
Mavis,
I know one is never supposed to ask this question, but how old are you? You look great and I would estimate you are about 20, so I’m confused as to how you have 2 teenagers! Eating that much fresh produce must be the secret to the fountain of youth!
Mia
Note to girls. Mavis is every man’s fantasy woman. A woman who can cook, garden and save money all while rocking hipster glasses. Forget your manicures and Nordy’s shopping trips. I want to marry Mavis.
Sorry Tim. I’m already taken.
My apologies if you’ve answered this question already somewhere in your site, but I can’t find it. What tips do you have for us townhouse folks? I miss gardening, and although I’m currently growing as many herbs as will fit on my windowsill, it’s not the same. I have a small patio I could use out in the backyard during warm months, but it doesn’t get as much direct sun as the front.
By the way, I love the site! I’ve always felt like these giant McMansions on 5-acre perfectly-manacured lawns were a waste of space. If I’m going to spend the kind of time gardening that I see these people spend on their lawns and bushes, I’d rather have something I can eat when I’m done!
That’s a great attitude Ryan. See if there might be a neighbor that would let you garden on an empty spot of land nearby.
Hi there
I was wondering where you live?
I am assuming the cost of your seeds etc is not figured in that cost.
I am so impressed and would to do this in the spring. I live in TN.
I probably should start out small and gradually get bigger each year.
I would love to hear you advice.
Hugs,
Cheryl
I live in the Pacific Northwest, last year I included the cost of seeds in my garden totals, this year Botanical Interests seed company is sponsoring my garden. I post about my gardening efforts daily so be sure and check back.
Hello!
You are an inspiration to us all! I wish I was as organized and efficient as you are!! You are amazing!!! Keep it up!
Awwww. Thanks Penny.
Hi Mavis, great website! I can’t believe you don’t like kale! Try this recipe.
3 tbsp olive oil
3 garlic gloves
Pinch of red chilli flakes
1 bunch kale
3/4 cup chicken stock
Pinch of nutmeg
Salt and pepper to taste
Remove the stalks and stems and cut the kale into ribbons or 2 inch chunks. Put a nonstick pan over medium heat and add the oil, red chili flakes and garlic. Sauté for a couple of minutes until you can smell the garlic then add the kale and toss the kale so it’s covered in the oil. Add the chicken stock and cover the pan and cook on high until all of the stock is gone. About 15 minutes but keep checking on it. I cook the kale until the pan is dry and it almost smells nutty. Then add pinch of nutmeg and salt and pepper to taste. I cook collards the same way and love it, cheers!
Hi,
How does one unsubscribe ?
Keep getting email notifications on this post
The next time you get an email there will be a tab at the bottom of the post that says “unsubscribe”. Click on that and you will no longer receive updates on the comments on this post.
Hi there Mavis! I’m just now stumbling onto your site…and to tell ya the truth I’m completely giddy! Your garden is gorgeous!! I love gardening, I have an incredible green thumb,well except for impatients and pansies..I kill those every time. Any who, I live in mid-suburbia and space is limited. So I was actually on pinterest looking for ideas on container gardening ideas for mostly potatoes, asparagus, and radishes. Have you ever heard of any these things being grown in containers?? Although I do have a yard that I share with 2 children both under the age of 10, and 2 dogs. I’m planting in raised beds in a space of about 30×30 feet and I do what my farmer aunt told me is called “rotation” which when somethings done growing I plant something else in it’s place. I didn’t know there was a technical term for it just knew I wanted/needed to grow more veggies. I end up producing enough food during the spring/summer/fall seasons last year that I haven’t had to buy veggies at the store which made me delighted!! I’m so glad I found your site though Its like a breath of fresh air! Let me know if you know anything about those veggies being grown in containers or well if anyone who gardens and visits your site knows anything I’d appreciate it!! hope you have a great day and HAPPY GARDENING!!
Hi, we are new readers, found you by accident but what a great find.
I keep a note pad by the computer. We have an acre garden complete
with 15 chickens and all kinds of berries peaches and pears. We look
forward to the season which is just around the corner, cant wait to
play in the dirt. We are in such great spirits when we have been out
there. Anyone who can garden in any form,it will give you a lift.
Thanks
Saw you on the Evening magazine, you’re adorable and I love you’re style! Its ideal of how I want to live! A real role model! Keep up the great work!!
I just watched you on evening magazine, Girl, you need a paper cutter
Awesome job!
Hi Mavis,
I just saw a segment on you on Evening Magazine. What a delight you are! I live in Sumner, WA. I’ve been living the fun and frugal life for the past five years, ever since I discovered Your Money or Your Life. It enabled me to retire early. I clip coupons and save a lot of money being a smart shopper. I have a small garden which I plan on enlarging this year. You are an inspiration and I will keep up with your website.
Sherry
Thanks Sherry! I love Sumner. Especially the cannery and all the folk art shops downtown.
After seeing the article on KING TV about your wesite, I have searched through your site. You mentioned making liquid laundry soap, however I didn’t find the recipe for it. Also, under the Frugal Living, I would like to mention that for many years I have made my own “bath powder” with equal amounts of baking soda and corn starch. I keep it in a Tupperware container and use a sponge puff. I don’t have rashes in hot weather.
Just found your site, and I LOVE IT!!!! Can’t wait to try out some of the things I’ve seen on here
Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU!!!!
Alrighty- I am here because I appreciate frugalness, quirkyness, coupons, and veggies.
Growing up here in NW Louisiana (red clay land- near the Red River), I used to help my grandfather in his large garden.
Now, we live on the 2.9 acres he planted on.
I have no problem with the concept of planting, watering, tending, harvesting, processing, etc. I even know that we can successfully grow beans, cabbage, and other assorted items here quite successfully.
I just have no *clue* where to begin! I don’t want to till everything up- I would prefer raised beds- but it’s all a bit overwhelming.
The goal is to spend the rest of this year prepping & planning, and hit it hard in 2014. So all beds, etc will be built this year.
Can you point a girlie in the right direction? I’m planting for 9 here (we have a large family).
Thanks in advance!
-Sarah
OMGoodness!!! new to Mavis, and soooo addicted:) I cannot go a day without reading!!! Cannot wait to see what my summer is going to bring.. with your help:) Is the seed contest over? I am going to try Heirloom Tomato s this year and def more herbs!!
The seed giveaway is over, but there is still time to enter the book giveaway.
I was wondering where you got your wavy bakeware..I love it.
I enjoy getting your daily emails.
By wavy bakeware do you mean the red pieces? The are Emile Henry {brand} Artisan series and you can find them at Williams-Sonoma, SurLaTable and sometimes on OneKingsLane for around 1/2 off.
I hope that helps.
Chickens make LESS noise than most parrots; are far less messy and destructive than many dogs. A regular garbage cani with drainage holes and a fly screen top (or sinply make air holes in the regular top like I did) works well for completing bedding for two hens. Rub any extra eggs with mineral oil, and store in egg crate in frig, and they’ll last nearly forever (found on a survivalist bog; works).
Hi Mavis! I’ve been reading your blog for a few months now and am really enjoying all of the gardening and thrifty-living accounts! After drooling over Blendtecs and Vitamixes last year (and burning out the motor on my regular blender trying to make frozen fruit smoothies), I’m ready to hit purchase on Amazon (I mean, unless I hit the estate sale jackpot). Do you have any thoughts on which one you like better? It seems like you had a Vitamix before the Blendtec–or maybe the search box is being wonky. Any help is appreciated!
We have a Blendtec and WE LOVE IT! I really think it’s worth the investment. We use ours all the time for smoothies and other goodness.
Thanks!
Hello!! I am so envious!! I live in Florida, on the coast. My soil is mostly sand. I have had great success with small raised beds, but want to go bigger. I’m just wondering if it will really be worth the $$ since I have to fill all the beds with soil which is purchased, it gets pretty expensive. Wondering if you had any secret squirrel ideas for us down here in the opposite side of the country!!
Thanks,
Michelle
A few cities around here offer free compost if you go and pick it up yourself. You may want to make a few phone calls and see what you can find out. It would be a great {and free} addition to your garden.
Hey, I have a random question for you — I am planning to put in a greenhouse next month(ish), and have been shopping kits online. Periodically, you show photos of your greenhouse, and I was curious about it, because it looks like a pretty cool one. What kind is it/how old is it/how do you like it/etc, etc?
Thanks!
I have a Magnum glass greenhouse. Bought it last year and I love it. We purchased ours locally but you can find them online as well.
Hello! I just happened to stumble across your website today & am hooked! I admire what you do & can’t wait to see what you’re up to next.
My husband just retired from the Air Force last April & we now live in Palmer, AK. Growing a regular garden up here is challenging, but not impossible. Just things like tomatoes, cucumbers, & corn aren’t done like I was used to in the lower 48 (PA, MD, MT, FL, WA, TX, CA…just to name a few places I’ve lived!)
My 10 yo daughter & I are the ones doing all the gardening, goat raising / milking, chicken tending, & horse training. We hope to increase our yields this year as well, Last year, even with record rainfall, we were able to harvest some things & our layer flock has increased immensely. Soon, our ND goats will be bred & we’ll be back in goat milk & cheese again!
Take care & God bless!
Sincerely,
A new fan!
Kim
How many goats do you have? I keep telling my husband we need some goats.
Hi! New to your site and I LOVE it. I have gardened and canned for years and am constantly on the look out for new ways to save money on groceries.
I need some ideas for protein, though. Our meat consumption is WAY down. And I am allergic to peanuts, tree nuts and eggs. Bummer– since peanut butter and eggs are fairly cheap sources of protein. Outside of eating beans all the time, I am at a loss for what to do. (Oh– and I am also lactose-intolerant). I can eat dairy–as long as I take something like lactaid.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Sorry I didn’t read through all of the comments so I might be asking the same question someone else did but are you including the amount you spent on seeds, chickenfeed, the extra water that goes to watering your garden and any material or tools you need to keep up with your garden in the price of your food? I garden and seeds and the extras can get expensive.
Just found your site and love it. Lots of great ideas and though I’d never put a calculator to food cost, mine were probably about where yours were.
You have a great site, lots of energy, as smart as they come, and you’re definitely and seriously hot as well (I mean that in the nicest way:) ) What’s not to love.
Good luck with your site and what you do.
Hi Mavis!
Before I get excited writing to you and forget, may I please enter your Hunter boots contest? They are just about to become too “holey” to keep my feet warm and protected!
Thank you for the “row for the hungry” idea: I write a weekly “philosophy” (veggie gardening) column for our local paper, so I’ll find a place to direct people’s donations and write about this. You remind me of the comment by poet Carolyn Kizer that says “The last thing you know is your effect: like what we tell our children, we hope the good stuff sinks in and makes a contribution.
Thanks very much for what I learned on your site today (and I haven’t even gotten up yet! I’m reading on my Kindle!)
Sincerely,
Karen Bradford
Jurupa Valley (60 miles east of Los Angeles)
“Diggin’ It With Karen” is my column
Do you have an address here we can send you email to?
Hi Mavis. I’ve been following your site for a few months now and I gotta say, you are totally an inspiration! I have been slooooowly adding garden space to the back yard. My HH is not very good with change. He has owned this house for 12 years and I’ve been here for 1-1/2 years, which is why I’ve only slowly grown my garden space). So my chicken discussion did not go well, either. Ha, he thought I couldn’t have chickens because of the HOA, but I looked it up. =0) My goal is 4 ladies by Spring 2014 (the maximum allowed in Highlands Ranch, CO). He knows that and I have a year to get him fully on board. He thinks chickens would be a pain in the ass. Also he doesn’t know what we’ll do with all the eggs. Barter comes to my mind.
I haven’t started the barter thing yet but may soon. I don’t know my neighbors yet, so I figure bartering would be a good way to get to know them. I gave away vegies last year to one of them, the other one wasn’t home.
I also make a lot of my own cleaning products and make yogurt, bread and dehydrate and can food. I kinda hate packaged foods and make meals from scratch.
Love ALL of your money saving ideas too. But getting chickens is my GOAL.
Patty
Here is a recipie I use with those chunky coc chips you bought on Amazon. If your bananas are large just use 3 or the muffins will be gummy. (I use the 60% cocao chips and 1/2 cup walnuts.) http://www.takethoufood.com/2009/01/banana-oat-muffins.html
The recipie is from Gordon Ramsey’s cookbook.
Hi Mavis,
Came to your site through a serial search on vertical gardening. Landed on your page about building one with old pallets. Great page and overall, an inspiring website. Keep posting.
Eric.
Melbourne, Australia.
Mavis,
I’m really happy I found your website. I have much respect for your outlook and what you’re doing for your family. My hubby and I hope to save money for traveling too.
I saw your post on the free produce and it reminded me of my mom’s stories about growing up in the Philippines. They were a family of 7 (just grandma and 6 kids) in a small apartment…Grandma would bring home tons of fruit, although they didn’t have a lot of money, because she’d buy the cheaper, bruised items and salvage them for my mom, aunts and uncles. They enjoyed what my mom describes as a luxury all because my Grandma had good sense.
I’ll be following your page, hoping to exercise some good sense of my own.
God bless,
April
Love the pallet garden idea, but where do you find chemical free/untreated pallets for free?
Girad pallet company in Puyallup, Washington sells them for $9 each.
I just found you on Pinterest…totally gotta follow you! I have done random gardening in the past, but this year I am determined to same my family money! SOOOOO…in my tiny-ish yard, I am planting cantelope & watermelon on the hill (let it grow down the hill, can’t use that space for much else). Will have squash, zuchini, and beans growing on trellis next to the house, strawberries at the bottom (1′x12′ section). Then in a small raised bed, carrotts, celery, and tomatoes. In a 2′x5′ section I will have bell peppers, serano, jalepeno, garlic (lots of that) and onion. And lets not forget my new idea (thank you Mavis) potato towers! Doing russets, sweet potato, and red potato. I have a hungry 6’4″ husband and to weeds I call sons who eat everything (and they are under 2yr).
I’m in Dallas, TX so I hope to not “fry” any produce in the heat. Planting drip hoses in the beds under the mulch to helps keep things watered, even during the water restrictions. Wish me luck! If you have any tips, send my way…
Just Saying HI,
I am not to far from Fort Worth just outside of Decatur. I really need to get my plants and seeds going. I just have not had the time to do anything. Where did you get your sweet potatos from? I think it just might be to late for me to plant my garlic unless I put them in pots. Where I am located it is nothing but sand so I am just going to make my own potting soil I think and plant my things in pots just in case we finally decide to move and I can take my garden with me. LOL.
We are thinking of moving up to Canton.
I think the sweet potato slips came from territorial seed company.:)
I have had great luck with sweet potatoes from the grocery store. Sad yes, but they do great! I always wait until they start sprouting before I plant them. Using russet potato seeds for one tower and red potato seeds for another tower. Of course I ha e some store bought ones that have sprouted so those are in the tower now. Looking forward to those now…always out potatoes in the ground and dug them up in fall, hoping this is 100x easier this year!
My planting beds are a lot bigger than I thought so re-vamping how I plant it. So far everything is mulched.
Hello Mavis –
My boyfriend and I stumbled upon your site one evening and sat there looking at everything we possibly could. You are so inspiring! We had already decided we wanted a garden in my back yard, but the goals have become more lofty. We are hoping to grow enough vegetables for both of our households (I have a roommate and he has three daughters) AND have some left to drop off at a local food pantry. While I am somewhat of a newbie he grew up on a farm. I’ve canned a bit over the years so that will be in the game plan. I ordered all heirloom veggie seeds, flowers, and herbs from Botanical Interests, the grow light is up (which was on your site) and the peat pots are awaiting the time to start workin’ some magic! We are in Ohio and the last frost date isn’t until May 5th. I plan on including artwork in my garden so I will be posting on my art blog (which sorely needs updated). I just wanted to say thank you for sharing all that you do and keep up the good work! (Now back to planning…I need a garden fence….:) )
Jancy & Justin
You can do it! Send me some pictures once you get everything going and I will post them.
Hey Mavis, do you have problems with rabbits? Anything to deter them without an ugly fence? I just remembered the cute furry things love my yard but this year I want them to stay out. I see marigolds are good for bugs, but what other flowers/plants do you suggest to grow with veggies to help deter pests (worms) and attract the good insects (bees/ladybugs)??
Since I am in the heat of Texas, I am burrying soaker hoses beeath the mulch…any tips on how to properly do this to get the best results with watering?
Hi Michelle, I will work on a post about this.
You’re awesome! My little garden that I originally planted has now trippled in size after tips I found on your site. My Hubby thinks I am nuts, hopefully I can keep my 2yr old from trampling things too. Gotta get pics of my yard now before too much is set up. Will be cool to see the “after” when everything sprouts! Seedlings all over the place driving me batty now.
Mavis,
I’m getting ready to plan my garden and would like to build raised veggie beds for the first time. What material do you use to create the frames? From what I read online it has to be naturally rot-resistant material. I’m sure you have a clever solution. Please share.
Gosia
Ceder boards. they are 12 feet long, 4 feet wide and 8 inches high. I hope that helps. We have had ours installed in 2009.
Hi Mavis,
I just ran into something I hadn’t noticed before. I’m in Bellevue, WA and moved here a year ago. I knew when I moved that the sales tax rate was fairly high (i moved from Chicago, so I wasn’t shocked). But, I just noticed today when buying 1 item with a coupon that the sales tax was calculated on the before-coupon price. Is that normal here? or is the store checking me out of my 9.5 cents?
Mavis, I really enjoy reading your blog and learning the how tos of gardening. I’m moving and starting to plan out how my layout at the new home. From the looks of your pictures it looks like your house sits on a pretty large lot, how much space are you using to be growing up to 4,000 lbs of food?
Have a feat day
Chelsea
Oh, I love your thrift store dresss
We live on a little over 1 acre and use about 10% for growing food.
Mavis,
you are so right
that is the best dress ever !
Happy for you!!!!
Hi I am super excited that I found your website. I have been working at growing my own vegetables for the past 3 years (with just a couple of raised beds) and i think my soil needs some help. What would you suggest putting in my garden to help it out? I don’t use fertilizer because my grandson picks and eats from my garden plus he is always helping. I am going to be reading a LOT more of your tips! Thanks for putting together this blog!
Thanks Jean, I’m glad you are here.
I wanted to ask you questions about your blog in private? How can I do this?
Hi Aimee, you can send me an email at onehundreddollars a month@ gmail .com {remove the spaces}.
Hey I have been following your blog for a while now always is the fav part of my evening always wondered though what got you started blogin? Sometimes I think of starting one but never really know where to start. If mine was half as good as yours I would be so happy.
Thanks Joanne. I started a garden journal back in 2009 and just kept typing.
You can do it.
Good grief! First of all, I can’t believe you have over 300 comments that you are actually responding to some. (What kind of manner of amazing is this!?) I’m new to your blog – saw your photo with that giant cabbage, thought about the poor little cabbage-lings that I grew last season and decided I just had to say “hello”. (I’m also a farmer’s market coordinator/manager in an urban core neighborhood where we grew 5000 pounds of pesticide-free produce over a two-year period.)
I love your blog.
Rock on Dina! 5,000 pounds is awesome!
Your grow girl!
Hey Mavis, I’ve gardened before but always bought plants. This year I am putting in a big garden but going it all by seeds. I have seedlings all over the place inside right now! How do you know the seedlings are ready to be planted in the ground, pot, raised bed, or pallet? So far I have sprouted:
Watermellon
Canteloupe
Tomato (4 varieties)
Onion
Garlic
Shallots
Potatos (3 towers now)
Green Beans
Purple Hull Peas
Squash
Zuchini
Strawberries (27 of them in the ground already!)
Serrano, Jalepeno, Tobasco
Bell Peppers
Carrots
And also…what do you have planted in your pallet garden? I would like to do cabbage, broccoli, spinich, basil, and lettuce as well…are those good for a pallet garden?? I am taking your “DIY Soil” recipie and making the soil for the raised bed and pallet (24cu ft for the price of 4cu ft?? I think YES!!) I just love your blog…so many good tips!
Hi Michele,
I’m not sure what state you are from but here is a link to my regional planting guides.
As for the pallets, so far I have lettuce and strawberries growing in them. Happy gardening!
So intrigued by your site, but especially your travel experiences. How do you travel frugally?? My husband and I are in our 60′s and have so many places we want to see!! God made it we want to see it!!! We garden organically, freeze, can and try to cut corners, but obviously not as well as you. Wow!! We have a travel Bucket List!!!
Please share!!
Kathy
For starters I rack up points on my two favorite credit cards.
OMG….I LOVE YOUR BLOG! I have commented before and just had to do so again. YOU ABSOLUTELY ROCK!! Everything about you that you share is just AWESOME. Keep up the good work for us non gnome people. :”)
hi…love you and all that u do…you’re adorable…i share your passion for food and gardening, making things instead of buying them, love to recycle furniture and things for the home…make alot of gifts and i’m known for my annual pumpkin carving parties and xmas ornament making parties …especially love your canning recipes and all the unusual jams..cant wait to try them…lately i’m interested in homemade beauty treatments …sugar scrubs , lotion bars, etc for myself and as gifts…thanks again for sharing what u do
I haven’t seen anything on bartering in a while. Have thought about uploading pictures of your pantry and freezer to show readers how you actually feed your family on 25$ a week? You have a 4 or 5 pronged approach.
God Bless!
Hi Mavis,
I admit I am ADDICTED to your webite, I live on Vancouver Island (south) and so much of your gardening applies here! Quick question though, if you will…I just planted my spuds yesterday in a raised garden bed…do you think I could squeeze in a crop of something else on top while the spuds slowly do their thing? like bush beans or perhaps spinach?
The sun is out for this moment, I’d better get out there with a million other things to do!
Happy Gardening! Corinne
Here is a link to our companion planting post. –> http://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/2013/04/companion-planting-chart/
Mavis,
Found you today and I am so encouraged. My husband has been off work for 6 mo. meanwhile my son and I are in college. I also have a sixth grade daughter and a dog. Cost of living isn’t cheap here in SoCal. Not above asking for help we have received help from family and friends. Unemployment is unsubstantial and our food program was reduced to $124 per month. We are tenacious and will make it through this rough patch with the help of resources like you.
Thanks,
Wendy C.
Hang in there Wendy, things will get better.
I am wanting to start using coupons however where we live they do not deliver the newspaper we live in a very small rural town. by the time I get up to the gas station to get a sunday paper they are all gone
they probably only sell 5 a week?????
is there a way to get a coupon exchange going by mail??? or another way to get coupons???
hoping you can help
marcie
I have enjoyed reading your Canning 101 recipes and will be trying quite a few of them out. Do you by chance have a recipe for Raspberry Salsa?
Hi Mavis and good morning from Virginia! I thank you do much for your website and emails, they have been such an inspiration. I wanted to tell you about a great app that you should pass on to your readers. Ibotta.com
Set up an account (you can use/link with facebook), download the app (available for android or iphone), choose your offer ($ off products you normally buy), complete a task (such as a survey, ready and takes 10 seconds at most), take a picture of your receipt after purchasing the product and have money deposited in your paypal account
Thanks Jennifer!
Mavis, I need your help. I want to follow your laundry soap recipe but I’m having some trouble. Is the Purex crystals a liquid? And how much of the Oxyclean do you use, do you know the ounce size to buy?
Thank you for your help. I love your Blog.
Hi Cindy,
Purex Crystals are not a liquid, but a container of scent enhancing crystals.The for the Oxy, I use the 3 lb container. Hope that helps.
Hi Mavis,
A brilliant blog, must have had a great growth spurt since the article in Seattle Times that made me and many others find you!
We bought a house recently with a wonderful large garden and a large vegetable patch. I’m quite overwhelmed at the moment but trying to give myself a year of discovering the garden and everything that’s going on here, as opposed to planting new and tearing up.
But the vegetable patch needs attention so I’m doing my best, only ever planted herbs and tomatoes before…the asparagus are coming up, the raspberry and blueberry bushes looking good and Ive planted carrots, lettuce, potatoes etc with your help.
Do you know of any garden journal that you would recommend?
Is there a way of searching all your articles on the blog? Would be completely smashing if so.
Keep it up, you’re inspiring.
All my best,
Sofia ( in WA)
Hi Sofia, I am working on an index.
Thanks for stopping by and YES, Tomatoes and basil grow great together.
Hi Mavis,
I’m looking back through your blog to find the add for ordering strawberries to plant, it was great but I just wasn’t ready…now I am having just finish my first vertical pallet planter…thank you very much…are they still available? Can you kindly resend?
Many thanks:)
Hello Mavis
wondering when you plant your pumpkin seeds? I am in bremerton and didn’t have much luck with mine last year.
I planted them in the greenhouse yesterday but if you are direct seeding I would plant on June 1st.
Hi Mavis, I would love to chat with you about the possibility of including you on a panel discussion Seattle Tilth will be hosting for the American Community Gardening Association conference this coming August in Seattle. We will have one panel talk about how people save money by community gardening, and though your garden is for your family, it also includes others in the process and you are involved in the community as a result of your mission. Would you be interested in participating? If so, please contact me at my Seattle Tilth email and we can chat! Laura Matter
Thanks for the invitation Laura, I will send you an email.
Hi Mavis – Started reading your blog recently.
I think what you are doing is great. I’ve grown up with master gardener parents and learned scratch cooking when I was young just because that was most economical and healthy.
I have a question about the produce scores you make from the produce department: You go through so much trouble to grow organically, how do you feel about non-organic vegies and fruit that you may be getting from the grocery store? Some of them could have a lot of pesticides. I would love to hear your thoughts on that… because it’s a struggle for me and my budget!
keep on doing what you do Mavis!
K
I see it as free food that would have been thrown away.
Hi!! Greetings from the great state of North Carolina!! I’ve just started being really interested in gardening mostly for produce and some flowers. Are there any basic books you can suggest?
BTW I love love love your blog
If you are ever my way, let us know!!!
My all time favorite garden book is The Gardener’s A-Z Guide to Growing Organic Food.
Hi Mavis. I am with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and have read your blog about the gnomes you are collecting for St. Jude. What a project!
I am going to be in your area on Thursday, May 23 and wanted to see if I could stop by to say hello and thank you for your efforts for the kids. If that works for you, I would be in Gig Harbor between 1- 2 p.m. I know you are busy so I would not stay long.
I look forward to hearing if that is convenient for you.
All the best,
Mary
Thank you Mary, I will send you an email.
Hey Mavis,
We regularly get free bread from a undisclosed spot here in KY. Thought you’d love a snap shot. We don’t weigh it, but it fills the back of a pick up truck. We feed ourselves, our pigs and our chickens with it.
Thanks,
Dori Sedano
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10200604458106845&set=a.2031790527336.110985.1621344737&type=1&theater
I found you several months ago while searching for sustainable gardening blogs and I’ve enjoyed you everyday since. You have inspired me to try so many new things. I have been gardening since I was a kid and love it. I am now 55 and live on 5 acres of wooded property in southern Oregon. I have had a small plot of land that was fenced and has been my garden area for years, but thanx to you, I have expanded quite a bit. I will be sending before and after pictures soon. Some things I’m trying thanx to you are potato towers, I built several and I mean several raised boxes, I’m growing asparagus for the first time in my life, along with artichokes. We planted fruit trees this year. I’m growing onions and garlic. I’m using pallets for all sorts of things. Thank you for opening my eyes to all these possibilities.
Anyway, the reddish lettuce you posted about today is red romaine I believe. I have some I started a month ago and it looks just like that. And I also hate harvesting…it feels weird. It’s like spending hours and hours decorating a birthday cake, just to cut it all up! Can’t we just look at it? Anyway, just wanted you to know you aren’t alone when you feel bad harvesting. I know it’s why we grow food, but it messes with the design of it all. Thank you for all your help, advice and humor! Keep it up!
Thank Cindy! I’m glad you are finding your way around the site.
Happy Gardening, Mavis