By Frugal Means

This is for all you new Floridians: when you buy pineapples at the store, stick the crown in a mason jar with water so it barely touches the water surface. The photo shows root development after about 10 days. I switch the water about every 4 days or so. Two more weeks and this one is ready to plant.
Yes, you can plant the crowns without first rooting them but you still have to keep them fairly moist which could be a challenge as we are approaching hotter weather.

https://www.tomatobible.com/get-more-tomatoes/?fbclid=IwAR2KTgiFPY6nb4sSRYUyDWqtybmyT3jvZ8NP3ABzjnO_WbJ1C1w-zAxyZgo
Even though we felt we are very late this season our Costoluto Genovese tomatoes are thriving and fruiting abundantly. Our other variety, Original Abe Lincoln, is doing great as well but with slightly less fruit. We're confident in our "tomato growing skills" but there's always room for improvement:
7 Secrets to grow more tomatoes

7 Secrets To Get More Tomatoes From Every Single Plant You know that veggie gardener who is overwhelmed with massive quantities of tomatoes throughout the summer? Their hands are slightly stained. Not only do they smell delicious, like an old favorite Italian restaurant, but they

https://www.allrecipes.com/article/how-to-freeze-zucchini/

With the first harvest of zucchini from the garden I was looking for ways to preserve them. Blanching and freezing was on my schedule for today.

I love the book section at thrift stores. Yes, there are a gazillion Danielle Steele books but there are so many other treasures to find as well: I'm collecting Bibles - I mend torn pages, give them a new cover and store them for when they are needed.
I'm also collecting Christian non-fiction to add to my humble library. I try to stay away from denominational writings.

I paid 70 cents for 7 books.

Verse of the Day:

Here are our two main garden helpers: Fatty (left) and Stinky (right) Fatty loves to get herself involved in anything we do in the garden, dispensing commentary on everything. Additionally, she patrols the garden beds, defending our food crops from potential invaders. Stinky is still learning the ropes but is already a skilled "Squirrel Deterrent" and a masterful "Compost Barrel Occupier".

They are a joy to watch! Lucky me!

I got it into my head that lettuce can be grown in Florida when we're way past the winter growing season.
I'm attempting to grow lettuce indoors in April/May using the Kratky method and grow lights.
I'm still in the seed germination stage. I'm using cotton balls as a medium. Once the seedlings have their first true leaves they will be located to the Kratky set up.
The photo shows the seeds having germinated after only 2 days.

Verse of the Day:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Back in 2012 my husband and I started working with hydroponics (and later on aquaponics) to grow tomatoes and bell peppers. I was particularly intrigued by the "Kratky Method" because it is very low cost but produces good results.

Kratky method - Wikipedia The Kratky method is a passive hydroponic technique for growing plants suspended above a reservoir of nutrient-rich water.[1] Because it is a non-circulating technique, no additional inputs of water or nutrients are needed after the original application, and no electricity, pumps, or water and oxyge...

I purchased my JADAM book on Amazon for $38 but have found a free pdf download on Academia.edu (link below).

I'm very new to the JADAM method but after having read the book, I'm convinced this is the best, most cost effective and natural way to grow food on any scale.

As we're heading into the fall growing season in Central Florida, I'm going to start implementing JADAM techniques with my raised bed.

https://www.academia.edu/50796581/JADAM_Organic_Farming_The_way_to_Ultra_Low_Cost_agriculture_Youngsang_Cho

JADAM Organic Farming: The way to Ultra Low Cost agriculture - Youngsang Cho JADAM Organic Farming: The way to Ultra Low Cost agriculture - Youngsang Cho

Awesome and probably better than same old same old bottled ranch.

Collecting low budget recipes might come in handy sooner than we think: INFLATION STEW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaaI9mquljg

Inflation Stew | Eating on a Budget | Struggle Meal "Broken Reality" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons...

https://www.almanac.com/watering-wisely-drought-or-hot-weather?trk_msg=324KMF2GE3R437DHAJBUH9GKA8&trk_contact=J92TGSD0G7SPJU0HK1VAINIAMO&trk_sid=FFO49IVRC9D08A01V4ATQSHQHS&trk_link=EMOCMNUTVKTKF47JPLV084R5MS&utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=Watering+Wisely+in+Drought+or+Hot+Weather+(read+more)&utm_campaign=Companion+Daily&utm_content=Almanac.com

Watering Wisely in Drought or Hot Weather Hot summer tips for watering the garden

I love this! I started out with raised beds like this in 2013. We had just moved and I found a pile of cinderblocks left behind by the previous owner in the backyard. It was barely enough to make a small bed but I kept adding blocks until I had 4 larger beds.

Cool idea🤩😊

https://www.facebook.com/groups/indoorhouseplants

I haven't tried any of these seasoning mixes but this could be a money saver...most of the ingredients are found in every kitchen:

If your grocery store doesn't carry chicken wings (anymore) or they are simply no longer in your budget, why not try cauliflower chicken wings?

It's a bit sad, I know but they do look rather yummy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK0_F9MtEy8

BUFFALO CAULIFLOWER WINGS (Tangy and Super Crispy) Download Fetch now and use code LAGERSTROM and get 3000 points on your first receipt!→ https://fetch.thld.co/lagerstrom_0622 Vegetarian or not, frying caulif...

I have glued the sole of a pair of favorite tennis shoes using Shoe Goo.....4 years ago. I'm still wearing them. This stuff is awesome and will extend the life of your shoes and other items as well.

It comes in black and clear. I paid about $8 per tube on Amazon. I know Walmart carries it as well as most home improvement stores.

This page is a personal blog to help others provide for themselves, their family and neighbors during hard economical times. There will be posts about gardening, recipes, thrift store finds, general encouragement and last but not least there will be Bible Quotes. Comments are welcome but I'm not putting up with drama.