Planting your garden

This week we planted. We actually started a few weeks ago. First we designated what area we are going to transform into our garden. Then we did research. So as you all may notice I'm a researching kind of gal. So in our research we discovered for best results you need at least 12 inches of soil depth whether your planting in ground or containers. Hey maybe that is why my first round didn't work!! So anyways, we dug 12 inches down in our soil then we did a ph balance test and mason jar soil test. The ph balance test informed us if our garden is acidic or alkaline. The mason jar test showed up what our actual soil is made of. So we discover our garden has a little to much clay so we needed to add some fresh compost and some good old fashion clean garden dirt. Which we purchase at our local nursery. So we put it all in there which means we re dug and mixed what we already had dug up so the soils mixed well in. Then for the next week or so we watered it and allowed our soil to blend well before we planted again. The we hatched out our plan for what we will be growing and how many plants we needed.So since my garden is only 10 feet long and 6 feet wide I'm thinking small. Then we discussed what do we usually buy at the store. I have to laugh because we are big tomato eaters. We also love squash and cucumbers and of course Limes and Lemons!! We also eat a ton of peppers red, green, and yellows. The issue is spacing and hatching out how to allow your plants to have the room they need. The squashes are ground plants and need about 18-24 inches to grow out the peppers and tomatoes are more like bushes and grow upwards.  The lime and lemon trees for best results need other citrus trees to help with pollination. 

In this photo you can see we placed tomatoes in the front. squashes behind them and the peppers in middle and then the lime tree and cucumber in the back. By doing this we allow all the plants to have the room to grow with no stress about over crowding. 

                                                                       Handsome man in the garden!!

So luckily for us the day after we planted we had a awesome rain storm to help with the watering. With the lime and lemon tree for the first month you want to water them good 2 a week. You need the water to get deep down into the roots. So a regular sprinkler only gets about 6 inches down so they need a little more attention at the begging.  Any questions feel free to email me.  

Getting what you want but saving money

    What is the biggest argument with couples? Money of course. What if I told you that you can get everything you want but still save money? So I have a few tricks up my sleeve.

   With so many people wasting things it only makes sense why our ozone and natural environments are suffering. Its sad to say even when you pay X amount of dollars a month for recycling and if you actually go to the waste areas that all that recycling is being thrown into the dumb. So many places charge you to recycle but all they do is collect your money and throw everything in to the land mind.
  My solution if you are going to recycling it reuse it! Milk jugs cut the bottom out they make great covers for your plants in the winter so a cold freeze doesn't kill them. Soda bottles you buy distilled water right? Fill the bottles with water and let it sit and vala distilled water. The water can be used for your car battery.
  With the economy going the way it is. So many people are forced to move into smaller places and end up having to give away most of there stuff. Check craigslist I check it at 8am 12pm and 4pm you would be surprise how many items i have gotten for free.
   Okay you need gas right? Do you have a store where every dollar you spend you earn rewards points towards gas? Did you know if you buy gift cards to the gas stations you use your rewards points to will help you save money? When gas prices were super high we would get up too $2 off a gallon! Saved us a ton. We have cut our fuel cost back so much that last year alone I save over a $1000. A $1000 that is $83 a month if you look at it you paid part of a bill or even added money to your savings!! Do research for more money saving ideas email me gogreeninthehome@gmail.com

Painting the crates.

              So This week I started to paint the crates. Since I've decided to use the crates as storage as well as seating we installed hinges so it will open and close. When you are putting hinges in I suggest that you have someone help you. We ended up messing up the first time so to prevent extra holes play with how you are doing it. If you end up doing what we did fill the holes with wood glue and let dry before you pain. that will help prevent water getting into the wood.

The paint. So we decided to do a white paint on the crates. We went in and talked to the guys at the store on which paints they suggest. We picked and exterior paint and to help prevent water damage we will putting a sealer on the outside and inside. We are also painting the bottom.

 Follow my blog and on Saturday I'll have a special announcement.

Soil testing.

This week we are doing soil test. We have done a ph balance test. Since this a family yard we are bringing in the kids and we will have little scientist help us do our soil tests.

This test we are doing tis with the kids. My helper today are Issac 3 Issabel 1 1/2 and Lidiya 7. Doing the test with the kids helps teach them and involve them in the garden and learning skills they can use in life. Please excuse my distractions at the end but you guys are smart and will catch what I'm saying.

First test Ph balance

My soil is Alkaline. So to help with Alkaline I will need to add sulfur. I can do this by buying a bag of sulfur from the local nursery or you can use pine needles.

If your soil is acidic then you add limestone or wood ash. My best way of getting wood ash is having a small fire with friends while you sip on tea and talk about life!

Knowing your ph balance is important for a successful garden. Plant roots absorb mineral nutrients like nitrogen and iron when the are dissolve in water. If your soil solution (water and nutrients int he soil) is to acidic or alkaline some nutrients won't dissolve as they should so your roots can't absorb the nutrients.

Email me at gogreeninthehome@gmail.com
 with your question ideas and thoughts. Hope you have a wonderful day!!

Pretzel's are my favorite

These are great for game days and my family love them!!

ingredients:

Soft Pretzels:
1 1/2 cups warm water
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 package active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
3 ounces unsalted butter, melted
2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
4 1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
Vegetable oil
3 quarts water
3/4 cup baking soda
1 whole egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon cold water
Coarse sea salt

For the cheese sauce:
½ Tablespoon unsalted butter
½ Tablespoon all-purpose flour
½ cup milk
8 ounces Cheddar cheese, grated

directions:

For the Pretzels: Combine the water, sugar, yeast, and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer and mix with the dough hook until combined. Let sit for 5 minutes.

Add the salt and flour and mix on low speed until combined. Increase the speed to medium and continue kneading until the dough is smooth and begins to pull away from the side of the bowl, about 3 to 4 minutes. If the dough appears too wet, add additional flour, 1 tablespoon at a time. Remove the dough from the bowl, place on a flat surface and knead into a ball with your hands.

Oil a bowl with vegetable oil, add the dough and turn to coat with the oil. Cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap and place in a warm spot until the dough doubles in size, about 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Bring the water to a boil in a small roasting pan over high heat and add the baking soda.

Remove the dough from the bowl and place on a flat surface. Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces, about 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 ounces each. Roll each piece into a long rope measuring 22 inches and shape. Cut the dough into one inch pieces to make the pretzel bites. Boil the pretzel bites in the water solution in batches. We did about 15 bites at a time. Boil for about 30 seconds. Remove with a large slotted spoon. Place pretzel bites on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Make sure they are not touching. Brush the tops with the egg wash and season liberally with the salt. Place into the oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes until golden brown.

Remove to a baking rack and let rest 5 minutes before eating. Serve with cheese sauce.

To make the cheese sauce:
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and cook 1 minute. Whisk in the milk and cook until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the Cheddar cheese until smooth and all of the cheese is melted. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

*If you want to make cinnamon and sugar pretzel bites-instead of adding salt, sprinkle the bites with cinnamon and sugar. For the frosting mix-soft cream cheese-about 3 T, powdered sugar, a teaspoon of vanilla extract, and a little bit of milk. Whisk together. Add more milk if it is too thick, if it is too thin, add more powdered sugar. I don't measure. I just guess until the consistency is right.*

Recipe makes a lot of bites-perfect for sharing!

Adapted from Bobby Flay

Geo Caching.

So your bored and you just want to get out in nature. Well how about Geo Caching. You can use your phone or use a GPS device. We love to go Geo caching when we are on long trips it helps us keep the kids busy and stretch our legs. Check it, out do it and enjoy! Here the page check it out and go hunting!! http://www.geocaching.com

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Laundry soap anyone?

So Every one uses laundry soap right? Well how much do you spend on it? What if I told you that you could make your own laundry soap for a year for the cost of one jug of the stuff you buy at the store? Ya sold right? 

3 Pints Water

1 Bar Fels Naptha Soap, Grated

1 Cup Armer hammer Washing Soda

1 Cup Borax

2 Gallon Bucket

1 Quart Hot Water

Cold Water

Dissolve Fels Naptha in 3 pints of water over low heat. Add washing soda & Borax. Stir until thickened, and remove from heat. Add 1 Quart Hot Water to 2 Gallon Bucket. Add soap mixture, and mix well. Fill bucket with cold water, and mix well. Set aside for 24 hours, or until mixture thickens. Use 1/2 tbps

Check it out try it out feel free to ask questions