THE MODERN VICTORY GARDEN CHALLENGE

What??? I thought I was through with these things. I mean over the years I have taken prt in buy nothing new challenges, freezing my ass off challenges, saving my urine challenges, etc.- Most of these put on by the Crunchy Chicken. But I was perusing my blog the other day and grew reminiscent (and add the fact I am retired now and need a project) for the Independence Day Challenge, put on by Sharon Astyk. It was such a great tool to use to learn more about self sufficiency, and preparing one's self to become more independent. The trouble is it seems to have vanished over the years, so I thought "Rob we need to bring this back". So here it is, The Modern Victory Garden Challenge!

 THE MODERN VICTORY  GARDEN CHALLENGE:

 

1- Grow your own- means grow your own food be it from a huge multi-acre farm/garden, or a backyard garden or even a few pots. Maybe just some sprouts grown indoors. Just grow something!

2-Repair your own - from a brken shovel handle to rebuilding a tractor, repair it yourself and share

3- Learn something NEW! learning a new technique or something to help your garden grow. Could include but not limited to learning seed starting, recipe to cook something or new way to preserve food

4-Eat It! Share how you eat your homegrown food!

5- PRESERVE IT! Share how you are preserving your home grown food. Could include home cannin freezing or dehydrating

There you have it. Sounds pretty easy? I will post monthly and hope you all will join in!

Rob's Independence Day Posts from the past!

Independance Days Challenge Update for the week of 10/5

Very bad week Poor little Buddy some how compressed a disk in his back and had to have surgery on his spine. so it has been a week of daily trips to the veterinary hospital in Tacoma. Buddy came through ok so now it is turning my living room into a pet rehab clinic 

Plant:  nothing

Harvest: Tomatoes, mint

Preserve: Dehydrated Mint leaves

Prepare:  Still updating my Laundry/Pantry/Mudroom

Local Foods: Bought some locally made candy at the farmers market
Community: Went to  city council meeting to speak and show my support for an off-leash dog park in my city 

Making Do (Repair, Re-Duce, Re-Use, Recycle): Used up some decorative tissue leftover from my cousin's birthday present to decoupage some frames; the usual recycling, composting

Independence Days challenge update for week of 9/14

I am not a cut flower type of guy, but thought these looked great and had such great fall colors!

Plant: nothing

Harvest: Pumpkin, tomatoes, apples

Preserve:: Nothing

Prepare:  Still working on remodeling the pantry/laundry/mud room for maximum storage

Local Foods: Bought some cookies and pumpkin bread as well as some fall flowers. Also attending an auction for AARF tonight! (AARF is were I adopted Buddy through)

Making Do (Repair, Re-use, Reduce, Recycle): Just the standard recycling, re-using, composting.       Started making halloween costumes for the dogs from some old water battles. Started making some christmas gifts as well.

Independence Day Challenge for week of 9/6

I got my peach harvest. -1 stinkin' peach. But that's 100% more than I got last year!

Plant: nothing

Harvest: Corn, Peach, Green Beans, Tomatoes

Preserve:: Nothing

Prepare:  Started remodeling the pantry/laundry/mud room for maximum storage

Local Foods: Bought some cookies and Baba ghanoush and bread at the Farmers Market

Community: Attended a B-Town D.O.G. (Dog Owners Group) Meeting to establish an off leash dog park here in town

Making Do (Repair, Re-use, Reduce, Recycle): Making lanterns out of discarded items for the annual Lantern Festival, and just the standard recycling, re-using, composting.

Independence Days Challenge update for the week of 8/31

HELLO PUMPKIN!!!

Plant: nothing
Harvest:Corn, Peach,
Preserve: Made stock from a bag of knuckle bones before giving them to the dogs.Then  froze the stock
Prepare:  Got a meat order from Blue Valley Farms Delivered and put into the freezer;
Local Foods: Got a meat order from Blue Valley Farms Delivered. Now have a full freezer
Community: Attended a potluck at the community garden celebrating Community Gardeners/Kitchen Gardens International Day!, Went to a meeting for a group hoping to start a Dog Park in Burien
Making Do (Repair, Re-use, Reduce, Recycle): Saved a butt-load of water and soda  bottles for the community gardeners to make lanterns for the annual Arts Aglow.

Independence Days Challenge week of 8-24

A little exciting waiting for my new dog, Buddy Bucko, to join the household. A rescue who has been in foster care at AARF for most of his life, Buddy is a charmer who likes to play, likes other dogs, and loves to snuggle on the couch with his human.

Buddy Bucko and Romeo... a pair of wild Cock-a-Poo's!

Plant: nothing
Harvest: Tomatoes; zucchini; cucumbers; cauliflower
Preserve: Froze some cauliflower
Prepare:  Buddy Bucko's adoption went through, and he should be joining la familia Rob soon. On a related note--- how do you wrangle a pack of wild cocka-poos?
Local Foods: Ordered meat from Blue Valley Farms
Community: Buddy Bucko's adoption id from a local rescue
Making Do (Repair, Re-use, Reduce, Recycle):Just standard recycling, re-using, composting.

Independence Days Challenge: Update for week of 8/3/2012

Plant: nothing
Harvest: Tomatoes; plums; peas
Preserve: Nothing
Prepare:  Not really "preparing" but am thinking of adopting another dog- and yes Romeo is all for it.
Local Foods: Farmers Market
Community: attended the farmers' market, bought some Macaroons and some soap 
Making Do (Repair, Re-use, Reduce, Recycle): Started hunting for soda bottles in the trash around town (I have no shame!) to make Romeo's Halloween Costume; decided if I become a two dog house again, better start looking for "Buddy's" costume as well.

Independence Days Challenge Update for the week of July 27th

Plant:Turnips; radishes
Harvest: plums, cherry tomatoes
Preserve: Put some plums on the dehydrator
Prepare:  Bought a locally made Hori Knife and a weeding tool at the farmers' market. Found a source for local grass feed beef, pork, chicken etc., Blue Valley Meats out of Walla Walla, WA, order online and it is delivered to a store within walking distance from my house.
Local Foods: Bought some peaches, blue berries, patty pan squash and hamburger at the Farmers' Market
Community: Found a Rummage sale right in downtown Burien, I purchased two large stainless steel steam pans, a serving plate and a few odds and ends, all for $12!
Making Do (Repair, Re-use, Reduce, Recycle): Made a soda bottle bird feeder;

Independence Days Challenge Update 7/20

Plant: Beets, radishes, beans,
Harvest: radishes, peas, plums
Preserve: Froze a bunch of herbs  (mint, thyme, parsley) into Herbal Ice cubes
Prepare: Made a SWP using the 5 gallon water bucket that the top was sawed off for another SWP.
Local Foods: Some Chicken.
Community:
Making Do (Repair, Re-use, Reduce, Recycle): Repaired a trellis to use as a cucumber support; Made a SWP using a 5 gallon water bucket that the top was sawed off for another SWP. Made a No Sew Shopping Bag. The usual recycling, composting. Made a couple of fruit fly traps

Independence Days Challenge Update for week of 7/13

My poor pathetic peach tree... but wait... whats this? Looks like a peach! Yay... Success!

Plant: Zucchinni, tomatoes, oyster mushrooms
Harvest: radishes, peas, squash blossoms
Preserve: Bought 4 pounds of really ripe bananas for $2 and froze them for banana bread and banana sorbet
Prepare: Learned a new skill- grooming my dog myself;
Local Foods: Berries, beets at Farmers' Market; local beef and fish
Community: Delivered 3 -1/2 gallon cartons of milk that I can't/won't use to the food bank, rather than waste it.
Making Do (Repair, Re-use, Reduce, Recycle): Made a couple of shopping bags out of t-shirts; Repaired an Umbrella I found in the trash.

Independence Days Challenge Updater for week of 6/29

Some have chickens, I have Flamingos!

Plant: radishes, beets, bell pepper, zucchini
Harvest: radishes, peas
Preserve: Pickled radish
Prepare:
Local Foods: Corn at the farmers' Market, local beef
Community:
Making Do (Repair, Re-use, Reduce, Recycle): made a Litter bag for the car;

Independence Days Challenge Update- Week of 6/15

Students at the gardening class put on by Seattle Tilth and the city of Burien 

Plant: radishes, "little finger" carrots; Lambsquarter
Harvest: radishes
Preserve: Not really preserving but prolonged the life of about a dozen hot dog buns by turning them into bread pudding;
Prepare: Augmented Mom's Garden by adding a planter of Radishes, Little Finger carrots and beets;
Local Foods:bought some fresh locally grown strawberries at the Farmers' Market
Community: Attended a work party at the community garden; also attended a gardening class at the community garden
Making Do (Repair, Re-use, Reduce, Recycle):Made a mini SIP planter, planted lambsquarter seeds in it (Yes I said lambsquarter- I bought a package of domesticated Lambsquarter to give it a try!)

Independence Days Challenge Update- week of 6/8

Note: not a lot done this week due to having my big toe nail removed by a mad podiatrist - hopefully more done next week
Plant: Some tomato plants at Mom's;
Harvest: Mint
Preserve: Made some Mint Tea Coolers (Mint tea Ice cubes)
Prepare: Didn't make a planting bed at mom's like I was thinking last week... Planted tomatoes in pots instead of prepping a bed;
Local Foods: Farmers' Market buys Some frozen Blue berries, Roasted ear of corn
Community: Attended a summer gardening Class put on by Seattle Tilth right in our community garden
Making Do (Repair, Re-use, Reduce, Recycle): Reversed some boxes for re-use, standard recycling and composting

Independence Days Challenge Update for week of 6/1/2012

Plant: Nothing
Harvest: some herbs, lettuce, peas
Preserve: Made some "basil Ice cubes"
Prepare: Need to prepare a planting bed at Mom's apartment; Trying to figure out a better way for Romeo to ride when I take the bike- he absolutely hates the dog trailer!
Local Foods: Locally made and sourced Bagels, strawberry/cream cheese blend, and sweet potato bread bought at the Burien Farmers' Market!
Community: Got into a little more "guerrilla" gardening by prepping a planting bed at Mom's apartment for tomatoes
Making Do (Repair, Re-use, Reduce, Recycle): Just the standard recycling/composting

Independence Days Challenge for the week of 5/25

Plant: Celery plant, Tomatoes, beets
Harvest:some herbs- arugula, some mint, lettuce, Chinese cabbage, foraged some Alaskan Fire Weed all to make a great salad!
Preserve:
Prepare:
Local Foods: Bought a bunch of Leeks at the farmers' market to make leak and potato soup!
Community: Got into a little "guerrilla" gardening by gifting some Impatiens to a local coffee shop and planting them in there front planter box
Making Do (Repair, Re-use, Reduce, Recycle): 

Independence Day Challenge- update for week of 5/4

Plant: Planted some basil, lemon balm, sage. Planted more peas beans, sugar pumpkin;

Harvest:Some pea tendrils and shoots; radishes

Preserve:

Prepare: Made a few more SIP's;

Local Foods: Are you kidding? The Burien Farmers' Market opened yesterday

Community: As I said before The Burien Farmers' Market opened yesterday!

Repair, Re-use, Reduce, Recycle: Made a few more SIP Planters,Saved some water bottles out of the public trash and used them in planters as the water "trap" for the Sub Irrigation part of the planter;

Independence Days Challenge Week of 4/27

The Window Box garden

Plant: Planted romaine lettuce, chard, Red Sails lettuce in the window box garden; Peas, beans and Cauliflower in the community plot;

Harvest: Dandelion leaves, Romaine lettuce leaves, Arugula leaves

Preserve ; Trying re rooting a celery plant and some spring onions

Prepare: Finally got the down spout on the gutter and into the rain Barrel!

Local Foods: Harvested my own!

Community: DOnated some tomato plants to the food bank garden; Attended a fundraiser for the Environmental Sciennce center; attnded a fundraiser for a gall with cancer
Eat the food: Dandelion leaves, arugula and lettuce combined in a salad

Repair, Re-use, Reduce, Recycle: Found a wastebasket just rolling around on the street, it became a garden container! Big Gulp cups as garden containers!

Independence Days Challenge for the week of 4/20

 Horsetail- who knew they were edible and delicous with butter and garlic

My re-used head board pea trellis

:

Plant:
Harvest: Catsear greens,dandelion greens, Horsetail, Dock, Shotweed and Nettles; chard, sorrell, spring onions, kale; some Fennel fronds that wintered over and has new growth

Preserve:
Prepare: Cleaned out my old bed at the community garden and prepped the new one! Vleaned out the window box and relined it with new planters that just fit from the Dollar Tree;

Local Foods: Catsear, Horsetail, Dock, Shotweed and Nettles

Community: Took a foraging class with Sustainable Burien

Eat the food: Steamed Horsetail with a garlic butter sauce, Catsear and Dandelion greens, spring onions and sorrell  in a Mache salad; tried the shotweed and dock raw. Nettles in tea.
Repair, Re-use, Reduce, Recycle: Reused a head board I was planning on for another garden project in the garden plot for a pea trellis; found a pair of used cowboy boots to use as a planter

Independence Days Challenge: Week Ending 3/30

Plant: Started leeks, Hopi red Dye amaranth; arugula, Early Green Broccoli, Nevada Lettuce;
Harvest: Sprouts

Preserve: nothing
Prepare: Cleaned out freezer- restocked it.

Local Foods: bought some local cheese; local eggs, jam, frozen food*

Community: Joined in a "Cash Mob" to help a local merchant 

Eat the food:
Repair, Re-use, Reduce, Recycle: Made a sip planter out of a 2 litre bottle;

*When the Farmers Market season ends here, I usually shop at Eat Local, a local store that sells locally made foods, and cleaning products right here in Burien. Local eggs are delivered by my milkman, and come from Olympia.

Independence Days Challenge FOR 3/16

A bucket SIP

Weekending 3/16/2012
Plant: Nothing
Harvest: Some arugula; Some Kale.

Preserve: Froze some lasagna.
Prepare: Did my Taxes. Gives me back some income!

Local Foods: Picked some arugula and kale

Community: Offered up some leftover seeds to a local High School student making a community garden for the clients of our food bank for his Senior Project; 

Eat the food: Arugula and Kale in Fettucine.
Repair, Re-use, Reduce, Recycle: Reused and recycled some 5 gallon buckets into SIP planters