So, if you have been reading any of my posts, you know that my dream is to live on an acreage near Omaha and that I like to get my hands dirty. I always have. Time gets filled with collared shirts and dress shoes, contracts and phone calls but when I can steal 30 minutes in the evening, I put on my jeans and head to my backyard to dig in the dirt. While I don't have an acreage plot to plant, my backyard in Dundee can produce enough Summer veggies for my family, friends and neighbors! Tomatoes are my favorite things to grow but cucumbers, beans and broccoli come in a close second.
One of the things I have become more aware of over the last few years is the quality of the seeds I use. I always been sort of a health nut and watched what I ate but I never really considered the source of the foods. A friend of mine turned me on to Heritage Seeds. These seeds are the pure kind; the kind that my grandparents would have planted. Today's seeds have so many things done to them or added to them to help ward off pests, that is makes me wonder what those additions are doing to me! I order mine through Baker Creek because I haven't found a local source. If you know of one, please let me know!
Besides the crazy and unpredictable weather, something I have found challenging about gardening in Omaha is the density of our dirt. Nebraska soil seems to be mostly clay and doesn't drain well. I found that if I use a raised bed or add organic matter, such as peat or compost, it gives my plants a better environment. If you are camping out in an apartment or have a very small yard, Lowe's had a great gutter gardening video "how-to" that you can view here.
Anyway, I would love to hear some of your backyard farmer stories. What have been your biggest challenges? Tell me about a bumper crop and what you think contributed to it. And, I would love to know your opinion on the seeds. Meanwhile, if you are looking for a larger garden plot, give me a call. I specialize in acreage communities around Omaha.
