Food Collection Total for June 24th

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pouonds)
Turnips and cucumber = 4 ounces (.25 pounds)

Total so far this year: 170.5 pounds
Only 1829.5 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for June 23rd

6 eggs = 12 ounces (.75 pounds)
Squash = 1 lb. 11 ounces (1.69 pounds)

Total so far this year: 169.39 pounds
Only 1830.61 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for June 22nd

5 eggs = 10 ounces (.63 pounds)

Total so far this year: 166.95 pounds
Only 1833.05 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for June 21st

10 eggs = 20 ounces (1.25 pounds)
garlic = 24 ounces (1.5 pounds)
lemon = 5 ounces (.31 pounds)

Total so far this year: 166.32 pounds
Only 1833.68 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for June 20th

6 eggs = 12 ounces (.75 pounds)
yellow squash = 8 ounces (.5 pounds)

Total so far this year: 163.26 pounds
Only 1836.74 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for June 19th

6 eggs = 12 ounces (.75 pounds)

Total so far this year: 162.01 pounds
Only 1837.99 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for June 18th

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)

Total so far this year: 161.26 pounds
Only 1838.74 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for June 17th

6 eggs = 12 ounces (.75 pounds)

Total so far this year: 160.38 pounds
Only 1839.62 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for June 16th

6 eggs = 12 ounces (.75 pounds)
garlic, squash, onion = 2 pounds

Total so far this year: 159.63 pounds
Only 1840.37 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for June 15th

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)

Total so far this year: 156.88 pounds
Only 1843.12 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for June 14th

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)

Total so far this year: 156.00 pounds
Only 1844.00 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for June 13th

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)

Total so far this year: 155.12 pounds
Only 1844.88 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for June 12th

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)
squash = 1 pound 11 ounces (1.69 pounds)

Total so far this year: 154.24 pounds
Only 1845.76 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for June 11th

4 eggs = 8 ounces (.5 pounds)
Onions = 1 pound 3 ounces (1.19 pounds)

Total so far this year: 151.67 pounds
Only 1848.33 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for June 10th

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)

Total so far this year: 149.98 pounds
Only 1850.02 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for June 9th

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)
broccoli = 4 ounces (.25 pounds)

Total so far this year: 149.10 pounds
Only 1850.90 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for June 8th

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)
strawberries = 4 ounces (.25 pounds)

Total so far this year: 147.85 pounds
Only 1852.15 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for June 7th

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)
turnips = 1 pound 11 ounces (1.69 pounds)

Total so far this year: 146.60 pounds
Only 1853.40 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for June 6th

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)

Total so far this year: 144.03 pounds
Only 1855.97 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for June 5th

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)
onions = 4 ounces (.25 pounds)

Total so far this year: 143.15 pounds
Only 1856.85 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for June 4th

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)

Total so far this year: 142.02 pounds
Only 1857.98 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for June 3rd

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)

Total so far this year: 141.02 pounds
Only 1858.98 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for June 2nd

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)
peas = 8 ounces (.5 pounds)

Total so far this year: 140.02 pounds
Only 1859.98 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for June 1st

9 eggs = 18 ounces (1.13 pound)
lettuce = 8 ounces (.5 pounds)

Total so far this year: 138.52 pounds
Only 1861.48 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for May 31st

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)
Broccoli = 8 ounces (.5 pounds)

Total so far this year: 136.89 pounds
Only 1863.11 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for May 30th

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)
Strawberries = 8 ounces (.5 pounds)

Total so far this year: 135.39 pounds
Only 1864.61 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for May 29th

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)
peas = 12 ounces (.75 pounds)

Total so far this year: 133.89 pounds
Only 1866.11 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for May 28th

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)
onions = 2 ounces (.13 pounds)

Total so far this year: 132.26 pounds
Only 1867.74 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for May 27th

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)
Peas = 8 ounces (.5 pounds)

Total so far this year: 131.25 pounds
Only 1868.75 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for May 26th

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)
Lettuce = 8 ounces (.5 pounds)

Total so far this year: 129.75 pounds
Only 1870.25 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for May 25th

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)

Total so far this year: 128.25 pounds
Only 1871.75 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for May 24th

10 eggs = 20 ounces (1.25 pounds)
strawberries = 23 ounces (1.44 pounds)
lettuce = 12 ounces (.75 pounds)

Total so far this year: 127.25 pounds
Only 1872.75 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for May 23rd

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)

Total so far this year: 123.81 pounds
Only 1876.19 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for May 22nd

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)

Total so far this year: 122.93 pounds
Only 1877.07 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for May 21st

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)
green onions 4 ounces (.25 pounds)
Total so far this year: 122.05 pounds
Only 1877.95 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for May 20th

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)

Total so far this year: 120.80 pounds
Only 1879.20 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for May 19th

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)

Total so far this year: 119.80 pounds
Only 1880.20 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for May 18th

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)
strawberries = 8 ounces (.5 pounds)

Total so far this year: 118.80 pounds
Only 1881.20 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for May 17th

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)
peas = 8 ounces (.5 pounds)

Total so far this year: 117.42 pounds
Only 1882.58 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for May 16th

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)
Lettuce = 8 ounces (.5 pounds)

Total so far this year: 116.04 pounds
Only 1883.96 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for May 15th

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)

Total so far this year: 114.54 pounds
Only 1885.46 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for May 14th

9 eggs = 18 ounces (1.13 pounds)

Total so far this year: 113.54 pounds
Only 1886.46 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for May 13th

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)

Total so far this year: 112.41 pounds
Only 1887.59 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for May 12th

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)
snap peas = 12 ounces (.75 pounds)
lettuce = 8 ounces (.5 pounds)

Total so far this year: 111.41 pounds
Only 1888.59 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for May 11th

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)
strawberries = 5 ounces (.33 pounds)

Total so far this year: 109.16 pounds
Only 1890.84 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for May 10th

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)

Total so far this year: 107.95 pounds
Only 1892.05 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for May 9th

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)
2 lemons = 10 ounces (.63 pounds)
strawberries = 6 ounces (.38 pounds)

Total so far this year: 107.07 pounds
Only 1892.93 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for May 8th

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)
Strawberries = 6 ounces (.38 pounds)

Total so far this year: 105.06 pounds
Only 1894.94 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for May 7th

9 eggs = 18 ounces (1.13 pounds)

Total so far this year: 103.68 pounds
Only 1896.32 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for May 6th

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)
parsley and green onions = 4 ounces (.25 pounds)

Total so far this year: 102.55 pounds
Only 1897.45 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for May 5th

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)
Lettuce and green onions for salad = 12 ounces (.75 pounds)

Total so far this year: 101.42 pounds
Only 1898.58 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for May 4th

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)

Total so far this year: 99.67 pounds
Only 1900.33 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for May 3rd

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)
Strawberries = 17 ounces (1.1 pounds)
3 lemons = 1 ounces (1.1 pounds)

Total so far this year: 98.67 pounds
Only 1901.33 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for May 2nd

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)
Strawberries = 12 ounces (.75 pounds)

Total so far this year: 95.59 pounds
Only 1904.41 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for May 1st

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)
Lettuce and green onions = 12 ounces (.75 pounds)
1 lemon = 6 ounces (.38 pounds)

Total so far this year: 93.96 pounds
Only 1906.04 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for April 30th

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)

Total so far this year: 91.93 pounds
Only 1908.07 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for April 29th

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)

Total so far this year: 91.05 pounds
Only 1908.95 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for April 28th

6 eggs = 12 ounces (.75 pounds)

Total so far this year: 90.17 pounds
Only 1909.83 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for April 27th

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)

Total so far this year: 89.42 pounds
Only 1910.58 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for April 26th

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)

Total so far this year: 88.42 pounds
Only 1911.58 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for April 25th

9 eggs = 18 ounces (1.13 pounds)
Lettuce and green onions = 7 ounces (.44 pounds)
1 lemon = 5 ounces (.31 pounds)

Total so far this year: 87.54 pounds
Only 1912.46 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for April 24th

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)

Total so far this year: 85.66 pounds
Only 1914.34 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for April 23rd

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)

Total so far this year: 84.66 pounds
Only 1915.34 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for April 22nd

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)

Total so far this year: 83.66 pounds
Only 1916.34 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for April 21st

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)

Total so far this year: 82.78 pounds
Only 1917.22 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for April 20th

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)

Total so far this year: 81.90 pounds
Only 1918.10 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for April 19th

6 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)
2 lemons = 10 ounces (.63 pounds)

Total so far this year: 80.90 pounds
Only 1919.10 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for April 18th

6 eggs = 12 ounces (.75 pounds)

Total so far this year: 79.39 pounds
Only 1920.61 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for April 17th

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)
Green onions = 5 ounces (.31 pounds)
1 lemon = 5 ounces (.31 pounds)

Total so far this year: 78.64 pounds
Only 1921.36 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for April 16th

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)

Total so far this year: 77.14 pounds
Only 1922.86 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for April 15th

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)

Total so far this year: 76.14 pounds
Only 1923.86 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for April 14th

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)

Total so far this year: 75.14 pounds
Only 1924.86 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for April 13th

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)

Total so far this year: 74.14 pounds
Only 1925.86 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for April 12th

9 eggs = 18 ounces (1.13 pounds)

Total so far this year: 73.26 pounds
Only 1926.74 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for April 11th

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)

Total so far this year: 72.13 pounds
Only 1927.87 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for April 10th

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)
green onions = 2 ounces (.13 pounds)

Total so far this year: 71.13 pounds
Only 1928.87 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for April 9th

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)
1 lemon = 4 ounces (.25 pounds)

Total so far this year: 70.00 pounds
Only 1930 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for April 8th

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)

Total so far this year: 68.87 pounds
Only 1931.13 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for April 7th

9 eggs = 18 ounces (1.13 pounds)

Total so far this year: 67.99 pounds
Only 1932.01 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for April 6th

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)

Total so far this year: 66.86 pounds
Only 1933.14 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for April 5th

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)

Total so far this year: 65.86 pounds
Only 1934.14 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for April 4th

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)

Total so far this year: 64.86 pounds
Only 1935.14 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for April 3rd

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)

Total so far this year: 63.86 pounds
Only 1936.14 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for April 2nd

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)
5 Lemons 1 pound 11 ounces (1.69 pounds)

Total so far this year: 62.98 pounds
Only 1937.02 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for April 1st

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)

Total so far this year: 60.41 pounds
Only 1939.52 pounds to go!

The Peas Will Be Arriving in Pairs...

Food Collection Total for March 31st

5 eggs = 10 ounces (.63 pounds)

Total so far this year: 59.53 pounds
Only 1940.47 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for March 30th

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)

Total so far this year: 58.90 pounds
Only 1941.10 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for March 29th

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)

Total so far this year: 58.02 pounds
Only 1941.98 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for March 28th

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)

Total so far this year: 57.14 pounds
Only 1942.61 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for March 27th

6 eggs = 12 ounces (.75 pounds)

Total so far this year: 56.14 pounds
Only 1943.61 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for March 26th

9 eggs = 18 ounces (1.13 pounds)

Total so far this year: 55.39 pounds
Only 1944.61 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for March 25th

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)

Total so far this year: 54.26 pounds
Only 1945.74 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for March 24th

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)

Total so far this year: 53.26 pounds
Only 1946.74 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for March 23rd

9 eggs = 18 ounces (1.13 pounds)

Total so far this year: 52.38 pounds
Only 1947.62 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for March 22nd

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)

Total so far this year: 51.25 pounds
Only 1948.25 pounds to go!

Food Collection total for March 21st

9 eggs = 18 ounces (1.13 pounds)

Total so far this year: 50.25 pounds
Only 1949.25 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for March 20th

9 eggs = 18 ounces (1.13 pounds)

Total so far this year: 49.12 pounds
Only 1950.88 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for March 19th

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)

Total so far this year: 47.99 pounds
Only 1952.01 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for March 18th

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)

Total so far this year: 46.99 pounds
Only 1953.01 pounds to go!

They Had Holes in Their Pockets, Too...

I have always imagined that the backyard gardeners of yesteryear were much more skilled than we are today in our high-tech fast-paced world. They must have had a stronger work ethic as well. They knew how to work the land to produce enough food for their families without relying on outside sources, and they were not afraid of hard work. I have idealized them since I was a child watching my grandfather work in his own backyard garden, and when I compare my own efforts to theirs, mine are found sorely wanting.

* * * * * * *

By chance, one of the chickens unearthed a 1925-S mercury dime in the upper garden the other day while scratching for bugs and worms. As I removed the caked-on dirt to reveal the date, I could not help but wonder who parted ways forever with that dime and how exactly it came to happen.

While digging in the garden over the past couple of years, I have found pennies, nickels, dimes, and a quarter, all ranging in date from 1906 - 1927. I also found a 1920s era dinner knife next to a steak bone that had been in the ground so long that it was orange.

So maybe the backyard gardeners of yesteryear were not as perfectly competent and diligent and hardworking as I have made them out to be in my mind all these years. They had holes in their pockets, too, and they, as well, sometimes forgot to put every tool back in its rightful place when they were done with it.

Even so, they achieved self-sufficiency through sustainable work practices and sheer perseverance in the face of adversity.

Come to think of it, that is precisely what I happen to be doing myself these days.

Food Collection Total for March 17th

9 eggs = 18 ounces (1.13 pounds)

Total so far this year: 45.99 pounds
Only 1954.01 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for March 16th

9 eggs = 18 ounces (1.13 pounds)

Total so far this year: 44.86 pounds
Only 1955.14 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for March 15th

9 eggs = 18 ounces (1.13 pounds)

Total so far this year: 43.73 pounds
Only 1956.27 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for March 14th

8 eggs = 16 ounces (1 pound)

Total so far this year: 42.60 pounds
Only 1957.40 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for March 13th

9 eggs = 18 ounces (1.13 pounds)

Total so far this year: 41.60 pounds
Only 1958.40 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for March 12th

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)

Total so far this year: 40.47 pounds
Only 1959.53 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for March 11th

6 eggs = 12 ounces (.75 pounds)

Total so far this year: 39.59 pounds
Only 1960.41 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for March 10th

6 eggs = 12 ounces (.75 pounds)

Total so far this year: 38.84 pounds
Only 1961.16 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for March 9th

5 eggs = 10 ounces (.63 pounds)

Total so far this year: 38.09 pounds
Only 1961.91 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for March 8th

5 eggs = 10 ounces (.63 pounds)

Total so far this year: 37.46 pounds
Only 1962.54 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for March 7th

6 eggs = 12 ounces (.75 pounds)

Total so far this year: 36.83 pounds
Only 1963.17 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for March 6th

5 eggs = 10 ounces (.63 pounds)

Total so far this year: 36.08 pounds
Only 1963.92 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for March 5th

5 eggs = 10 ounces (.63 pounds)

Total so far this year: 35.45 pounds
Only 1964.55 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for March 4th

4 eggs = 8 ounces (.5 pounds)

Total so far this year: 34.82 pounds
Only 1965.18 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for March 3rd

4 eggs = 8 ounces (.5 pounds)

Total so far this year: 34.32 pounds
Only 1965.68 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for March 2nd

4 eggs = 8 ounces (.5 pounds)

Total so far this year: 33.82 pounds
Only 1966.18 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for March 1st

5 eggs = 10 ounces (.63 pounds)

Total so far this year: 33.32 pounds
Only 1966.68 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for February 28th

6 eggs = 12 ounces (.75 pounds)

Total so far this year: 32.69 pounds
Only 1967.31 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for February 27th

6 eggs = 12 ounces (.75 pounds)

Total so far this year: 31.94 pounds
Only 1968.06 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for February 26th

6 eggs = 12 ounces (.75 pounds)

Total so far this year: 31.19 pounds
Only 1968.81 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for February 25th

5 eggs = 10 ounces (.63 pounds)

Total so far this year: 30.44 pounds
Only 1969.56 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for February 24th

5 eggs = 10 ounces (.63 pounds)

Total so far this year: 29.81 pounds
Only 1970.19 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for February 23rd

4 eggs = 8 ounces (.5 pounds)

Total so far this year: 29.18 pounds
Only 1970.82 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for February 22nd

7 eggs = 14 ounces (.88 pounds)
1 lemon = 4 ounces (.25 pounds)
1 bunch parsley = 2 ounces (.13 pounds)

Total so far this year: 28.68 pounds
Only 1971.32 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for February 21st

2 eggs = 4 ounces (.25 pounds)

Total so far this year: 27.42 pounds
Only 1972.58 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for February 20th

3 eggs = 6 ounces (.38 pounds)

Total so far this year: 27.17 pounds
Only 1972.83 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for February 19th

4 eggs = 8 ounces (.5 pounds)

Total so far this year: 26.79 pounds
Only 1973.21 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for February 18th

6 eggs = 12 ounces (.75 pounds)

Total so far this year: 26.29 pounds
Only 1973.71 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for February 17th

4 eggs = 8 ounces (.5 pounds)

Total so far this year: 25.54 pounds
Only 1974.46 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for February 16th

3 eggs = 6 ounces (.38 pounds)

Total so far this year: 25.04 pounds
Only 1974.96 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for February 15th

4 eggs = 8 ounces (.5 pounds)

Total so far this year: 24.66 pounds
Only 1975.34 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for February 14th

1 egg = 2 ounces (.13 pounds)

Total so far this year: 24.16 pounds
Only 1975.84 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for February 13th

4 eggs = 8 ounces (.5 pounds)

Total so far this year: 24.03 pounds
Only 1975.97 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for February 12th

3 eggs = 6 ounces (.38 pounds)

Total so far this year: 23.53 pounds
Only 1976.47 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for February 11th

3 eggs = 6 ounces (.38 pounds)

Total so far this year: 23.15 pounds
Only 1976.85 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for February 10th

4 eggs = 8 ounces (.5 pounds)

Total so far this year: 22.77 pounds
Only 1977.23 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for February 9th

3 eggs = 6 ounces (.38 pounds)

Total so far this year: 22.27 pounds
Only 1977.73 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for February 8th

3 eggs = 6 ounces (.38 pounds)

Total so far this year: 21.89 pounds
Only 1978.11 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for February 7th

3 eggs = 6 ounces (.38 pounds)

Total so far this year: 21.51 pounds
Only 1978.49 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for February 6th

5 eggs = 10 ounces (.63 pounds)

Total so far this year: 21.13 pounds
Only 1978.87 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for February 5th

1 egg = 2 ounces (.13 pounds)

Total so far this year: 20.70 pounds
Only 1979.30 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for February 4th

4 eggs = 8 ounces (.5 pounds)

Total so far this year: 20.57 pounds
Only 1979.43 pounds to go!

It's Not Really About the Food...

(click image for a fascinating close-up view)

Ever since the sugar snap peas sprouted, I've been watching and wondering which one would find and grasp hold of the lowest trellis string first. I'm happy to report that it finally happened today. The tendril looks like a little toddler's hand grasping tightly for support and strength in preparation for the arduous task of simply being in this world.

With the wonder of a child, I can sit and gaze at every stage of growth and be at peace, even if for only a moment, before returning to my own efforts to grasp hold of the nearest source of support in my own chaotic and overworked existence.

So, the one-ton backyard garden food challenge is not really about the food after all. Even so, it's time to stop watching the peas grow and start weighing in the day's produce...

Food Collection Total for February 3rd

4 eggs = 8 ounces (.5 pounds)

Total so far this year: 20.07 pounds
Only 1979.93 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for February 2nd

3 eggs = 6 ounces (.38 pounds)

Total so far this year: 19.57 pounds
Only 1980.43 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total For February 1st

3 eggs = 6 ounces (.38 pounds)

Total so far this year: 19.19 pounds
Only 1980.81 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for January 31st

3 eggs = 6 ounces (.38 pounds)

Total so far this year: 18.81 pounds
Only 1981.19 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for January 30th

4 eggs = 8 ounces (.5 pounds)

Total so far this year: 18.43 pounds
Only 1981.57 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for January 29th

2 eggs = 4 ounces (.25 pounds)

Total so far this year: 17.93 pounds
Only 1982.07 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for January 28th

4 eggs = 8 ounces (.5 pounds)

Total so far this year: 17.68 pounds
Only 1982.32 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for January 27th

2 eggs = 4 ounces (.25 pounds)

Total so far this year: 17.18 pounds
Only 1982.82 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for January 26th

4 eggs = 8 ounces (.5 pounds)

Total so far this year: 16.93 pounds
Only 1983.07 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for January 25th

3 eggs = 6 ounces (.38 pounds)

Total so far this year: 16.43 pounds
Only 1983.57 pounds to go!

A Time to Sprout and a Time to Learn...

I performed a little experiment with the sugar snap peas this year. On December 31st, I planted some of the seeds in peat pots and placed them under a plant light inside; the rest I placed directly into the ground a week or so later. I wanted to know if the warmer conditions would give the indoor peas a jump start in their short but hopefully productive lives.

The indoor peat-pot peas sprouted in less than 5 days and have grown to over 8-inches tall in just 3 1/2 weeks. The outdoor peas just sprouted and they're about an inch tall.

I feel sorry for the peat-pot peas. Sure, they were quick to sprout and eager to grow, but they're spindly and appear ill-equipped for the transplant that they received today. The outdoor peas look robust and healthy and ready for the challenge of yielding up to a pound of peas per plant.

I can't help but be reminded of all the well-intentioned parents who want to give their children a jump start in life by planting them in front of the television and plugging in the Baby Einstein and Brainy Baby DVDs. Like the peat-pot peas planted under the artificial grow lights, these kids may appear to thrive early but may end up being spindly of mind, ill-prepared for the transplant into their adult environments.

I feel sorry for the peat-pot kids, too.

Food Collection Total for January 24th

3 eggs = 6 ounces (.38 pounds)

Total so far this year: 16.05 pounds
Only 1983.95 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for January 23rd

3 eggs = 6 ounces (.38 pounds)

Total so far this year: 15.67 pounds
Only 1984.33 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for January 22nd

3 eggs = 6 ounces (.38 pounds)

Total so far this year: 15.29 pounds
Only 1984.71 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for January 21st

3 eggs = 6 ounces (.38 pounds)

Total so far this year: 14.91 pounds
Only 1985.09 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for January 20th

4 eggs = 8 ounces (.5 pounds)

Total so far this year: 14.53 pounds
Only 1985.47 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for January 19th

2 eggs = 4 ounces (.25 pounds)

Total so far this year: 14.03 pounds
Only 1985.97 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for January 18th

We collected the following items from the garden today:

3 eggs = 6 ounces (.38 pounds)

Total so far this year: 13.78 pounds
Only 1986.22 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for January 17th

We collected the following items from the garden today:

4 eggs = 8 ounces (.5 pounds)

Total so far this year: 13.4 pounds
Only 1986.6 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for January 16th

We collected the following items from the garden today:

4 eggs = 8 ounces (.5 pounds)

Total so far this year: 12.9 pounds
Only 1987.1 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for January 15th

We collected the following items from the garden today:

3 eggs = 6 ounces (.38 pounds)

Total so far this year: 12.4 pounds
Only 1987.6 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for January 14th

We collected the following items from the garden today:

2 eggs = 4 ounces (.25 pounds)

Total so far this year: 12.02 pounds
Only 1987.98 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for January 13th

We collected the following items from the garden today:

4 eggs = 8 ounces (.5 pounds)

Total so far this year: 11.77 pounds
Only 1988.23 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for January 12th

We collected the following items from the garden today:

3 eggs = 6 ounces (.38 pounds)

Total so far this year: 11.27 pounds
Only 1988.73 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for January 11th

We collected the following items from the garden today:

5 eggs = 10 ounces (.63 pounds)
5 small cabbage heads (3.44 pounds)

Total so far this year: 10.89 pounds
Only 1989.11 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for January 10th

We collected the following items from the garden today:

1 egg = 2 ounces (.13 pounds)
1 small cabbage head (1.31 pounds)

Total so far this year: 6.82 pounds
Only 1,993.18 pounds to go!

Slicing and Dicing the Challenge

Just how much is one ton of food, anyway? Sure, it's 2,000 pounds, but what does that mean in terms of nutritional opportunity (calories and nutrients) or monetary value, for that matter?

Just for fun, I'm going to estimate the calories that my one ton of food will have and an approximation of what it would cost to buy my collection of food at today's grocery store prices. It's a good thing I'm keeping track of my daily totals on a spreadsheet. That should make it a lot easier to slice and dice the data when the time comes.

Speaking of slicing and dicing, I just harvested a cute little head of cabbage from the upper garden. My cabbage plants set off side heads that I'm now ready to harvest.

Food Collection Total for January 9th

We collected the following items from the garden today:

5 eggs = 10 ounces (.63 pounds)

Total so far this year: 5.38 pounds
Only 1,994.62 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for January 8th

We collected the following items from the garden today:

3 eggs = 6 ounces (.38 pounds)

Total so far this year: 4.75 pounds
Only 1,995.25 pounds to go!

and Why...

Asking myself why I decided to embark upon the one-ton backyard garden food challenge is like asking the old 'Why did the chicken cross the road?" question.

I like challenges.

Several years ago, when my daughter made the fatal mistake of standing in front of a full refrigerator with the door wide opened claiming "there's nothing to eat!" I told her that I bet we had six months' worth of food in the house and then challenged her to see who could go the longest without having to go to the grocery store for food. We managed to live off the stores in the house for over six weeks. We were both shocked at how much food we really did have and how fun it was to make do with what we had on hand.

I can't help but wonder, though, how much of this challenge is about creating a feeling of empowerment during this prolonged period of economic uncertainty. I'd like to know that if things really got bad in this neck-o-the-woods that I could rely on myself to feed my family, just like may great-grandparents did 100 years ago.

The professor of my History and Culture of Online Learning Communities class at Cal State East Bay forwarded me this interesting link when she learned that I've embarked upon this one-ton food challenge:

http://www.energyfarms.net/node/1588

It's a haunting tale but one that I wanted to hear and learn from. Check it out and see if you agree.

Food Collection Total for January 7th

We collected the following items from the garden today:

3 eggs = 6 ounces (.375 pounds)

Total so far this year: 4.37 pounds
Only 1,995.63 pounds to go!

How...

One of the things I love about backyard gardening is that I instantly regain the sense of wonder I had as a child simply watching things grow.

How, for instance, did the pea-sized watermelon "ovary" from my garden last summer (the one pictured above) get pollinated and then grow to its peak of 13-pound ripeness in just 35 days? And more importantly, how did I as the overseer of this miracle tend properly to its needs along the way?

My good friend Bill surprised me with a soil test kit today. I've never used one before. I'm hoping it will help me understand how to create an optimal combination of soil nutrients for each different plant.

Food Collection Total for January 6th

We collected the following items from the garden today:

2 eggs = 4 ounces (.25 pounds)

Total so far this year: 3.995 pounds
Only 1,996 pounds to go!

When...

Knowing when to plant each crop will play an essential role in the ultimate yield. I plan on creating a calendar on a spreadsheet and placing each crop on the calendar according to the recommended season of planting. I am also going to experiment with planting some crops, such as green beans, in intervals so I can extend the harvest period.

To learn more about when to plant, I am going to start with the book The Kitchen Gardener by Sylvia Thompson. My oldest sister, who is an avid gardener herself, sent me this book along with her seed collection when she moved from the country into an urban setting.

Where...

Determining where to plant each crop will be a fun challenge. I know that I will need to pay attention to how much direct sunlight each location in the yard receives each day to make sure that whatever I plant there will be happy. I will be planting in the front yard, the back yard, the upper garden, and possibly in the easement above the upper garden.

Speaking of planting in the front yard, I know that some people have endured complaints from neighbors for filling the front yard with edible landscaping. I'm going to challenge myself to create an edible front yard garden that doesn't irritate the neighbors.

I picked the long and narrow plot right outside the backyard door to plant the sugar snap peas on December 31st. We're in Sunset garden climate zone #14, so I think they'll do just fine for a spring harvest before the heat sets in. I had a few seeds left over, so I planted them in little peat pots. They're already sprouting. I'm sure I'll find another good spot for them once they get to a good transplanting size. I'm looking forward to seeing which group fares better.

Food Collection Total for January 5th

We collected the following items from the garden today:

2 eggs = 4 ounces (.25 pounds)

Total so far this year: 3.745 pounds
Only 1,996.25 pounds to go!

Food Collection Total for January 4th

We collected the following items from the garden today:

2 eggs = 4 ounces (.25 pounds)

Total so far this year: 3.495 pounds
Only 1,996.5 pounds to go!

What...

Determining what to grow this year shouldn't be too big of a challenge. I have already had success growing over 40 different types of edible plants at one time or another.

Determining how much of each fruit/vegetable to plant is going to be a bigger challenge, except for the grapes, strawberries, lemons, and plums. They're already established in the yard.

I should take some time to estimate the yield from each crop. Here's my best guess today:

Crop	Estimated Yield
Artichokes	10 pounds
Basil	n/a
Beans (both green and dried)	50 pounds
Beets	20 pounds
Broccoli	10 pounds
Brussels sprouts	15 pounds
Cabbage	30 pounds
Cantaloupe	30 pounds
Cauliflower	10 pounds
Chives	n/a
Corn (sweet)	100 pounds
Cucumbers (lemon and pickling)	20 pounds
Eggplant	10 pounds
Fava beans	30 pounds
Garlic	5 pounds
Grapes	250 pounds
Leeks	5 pounds
lemons	20 pounds
Lettuce	5 pounds
Okra	10 pounds
Onions (green and whole)	25 pounds
Parsley	n/a
Peas (sugar snap)	20 pounds
Peppers (bell and hot)	5 pounds
Plums	300 pounds
Potatoes	100 pounds
Pumpkins	50 pounds
Radishes	1 pound
Raspberries	n/a
Rhubarb	n/a
Spinach	5 pounds
Squash (summer and winter)	20 pounds
Strawberries	10 pounds
Sunflowers	5 pounds
Tomatoes	250 pounds
Turnips	10 pounds
Watermelon	150 pounds

I have no idea if these estimates are even close to what I can achieve, but I've got to start somewhere, and if these estimates do work out, I will have met my goal (which includes the estimated 400 pounds of chicken eggs).

Keeping track of each harvest will be a great learning experience so I can better prepare how many of each plant to put out each year for the ideal harvest.

Food Collection Total for January 3rd

We collected the following items from the garden today:

2 eggs = 4 ounces (.25 pounds)

Total so far this year: 3.245 pounds
Only 1,996.75 pounds to go!

Who...

My great-grandparents were self-sufficient farmers in rural West Virginia in the late 1800s and well into the 20th century. They had 14 children, 12 of whom survived into adulthood. All of the children participated actively in the seemingly endless hours of daily work it required to keep the 60-acre farm going. My grandfather (who is standing barefooted with hat in hand just to the left of my great-grandfather) helped tend the kitchen garden. In addition to a prolific vegetable garden, they had chickens, pigs, and a milk cow. My great-grandmother would sell the eggs in order to buy coffee, sugar, fabric, and other essentials.

None of my great-grandparents' children grew up to become self-sufficient farmers themselves, but most of them tended substantial back-yard gardens that kept their own families well-fed. My grandfather was a mechanic for the Cadillac Company in Washington, D.C. My mother said he would come home from work each evening and work in his garden for at least an hour before dinner. My grandmother would can a good bit of the garden produce so they could enjoy the fruits of his labor throughout the year.

Both my grandfather and mother taught me the basics of backyard gardening, but it wasn't anything they had to force upon me. My desire to grow my own food feels like it's in my blood, like it's genetically programmed into me. When my grandfather was tending our family's garden in the early 1970s, that's where I wanted to be. I loved every step of the process: soil preparation, seed planting, watering, pruning, harvesting, and eating. I still remember the extraordinary taste of the first strawberry I had grown myself at age eight.

For my great-grandparents, growing their own food was a way of life that was somehow encoded in their genetic material and passed on to me, rearranged and reformulated along the way, to help create this strange game called the One-Ton Backyard Garden Food Challenge. They had no way of knowing how their daily labors would mold and shape their descendants' behavior any more than I can know how my meanderings in the garden will affect my own descendants one-hundred years from now.

My daughter and I will be doing the soil preparation, planting, tending, and harvesting of our one-ton garden yield this year, but all of our ancestors, in one way or another, will be there to help us, every step of the way.

* * * * * * *

Of course, we'll be receiving help along the way from neighbors, friends, and even the world-renowned Zeke himself. Zeke is a real gem. All I have to do is log on to the Internet, type in any question I have about anything using my favorite search engine, click any link, and there is my good ol' buddy Zeke, tellin' me everything I want to know about what I came to the Internet to ask.

My good friend Bill introduced me to Zeke a couple of years ago when Bill asked me where I had learned about planting fava beans as a form of "green manure". I told him I learned it all on the Internet. Bill snorted out a laugh and replied, "You mean you learned it from Zeke. Last I heard, Zeke was livin' in an old clapboard shack holed up in the hills of Tennessee, sitting under a dimly lit light bulb in front of a computer screen in a smoke-filled room, one of those hand-rolled funny cigarettes hangin' from his mouth, typin' pure nonsense on the Internet just to see how many yuppies would believe his crap."

Misinformation or good information, I like Zeke, and I'm going to seek out his advice from time-to-time. In the meantime, I'm going to do some digging and egg collecting and thinking about what I want to plant this year.

Food Collection Total for January 2nd

We collected the following items from the garden today:

3 eggs = 6 ounces (.375 pounds)
10 beets = 1 lb. 7.7 ounces (1.48 pounds)*

Total so far this year: 2.995 pounds
Only 1,997 pounds to go!

*This represents the total yield from last year's "let's scatter a few seeds and see what happens" approach to planting beets. This year I hope to harvest enough to make a few jars of pickled beets.

Who, What, Where, When, How, and Why?

Someone once told me that any goal, whether short term or long term, can be effectively planned out by taking the time to answer six seemingly simple questions: who? what? where? when? how? and why? It all seems simple enough . . .

During this season of fallowness, I'm going to take some time to answer those six questions, one each day for the next week. I'm also going to turn the dirt in the garden by hand with a big sturdy shovel as the weather permits. I will be using a rototiller later in the season on the upper backyard garden, but it is too big and unwieldy for the lower backyard garden and the front yard, so I will dig by hand, just as my mother did in her own garden, and her father before that, and his father before that.

Indeed, I will be the one doing the digging and planting and tending and harvesting and weighing, but everyone in my family who came before me will have some measurable influence in the what, where, when, how, and why that goes into creating my one-ton backyard garden.

Suddenly the simple question of "who?" isn't quite so simple after all.

Food Collection Total for January 1st

We collected the following items from the garden today:

2 eggs = 4 ounces
2 lemons = 14.2 ounces

Total weight: 1 lb. 2.2 ounces
Only 1,998.86 pounds to go!

The Egg Came First...

What a fine way to start the one-ton backyard garden food challenge! Yep, that's right! We're already 1.9 ounces closer to achieving our goal of producing at least one ton of food this year from the 17,000 square foot lot (.41 acre) of our San Francisco Bay Area suburban home.

We have 12 pet chickens who reward us with eggs every day of the year. If one egg weighs approximately 2 ounces and one chicken lays approximately 275 eggs per year, each chicken will produce about 34 pounds of eggs this year. That means we should receive about 400 pounds of eggs from all 12 chickens, or one-fifth of our goal.

The chickens also donate their manure to the garden so we do not need to purchase or use commercially prepared chemical fertilizers. Way to go chicken buddies!

If you're wondering, none of our pet chickens will be donating their flesh to the food challenge this year.

* * * * * * *

Each day this year, I will be logging the total amount of food harvested from the yard. This will include eggs, fruit, and vegetables but no meat. The measurable goal is to produce and collect at least 2,000 pounds of food by the end of the year, but I also want to learn as much as I can about organic backyard gardening techniques and have at least a ton of fun along the way.