Stock up now!

[herbalpagan]

I think I've mentioned somewhere that gardening is the big thing this year. More people are starting gardens in fear that they won't be able to afford food than ever before! I have already seen and heard that seed companies and garden centers are seeing unprecidented sales.
This lead me to think that if all those people are gardening, there are some things that might be in short supply other than seeds and plants. Many stores only get a limited supply of some items.
Garden tools
Seed starting supplies.

Canning supplies! (these were in short supply in many places last year)

[Lostinoz]

Very good advice HP! I plan to go today and get a variety of items needed for our garden this year and hopefully, if it does not rain, be able to start on our garden this weekend as the ground should be adequately dried out by then. Keep your fingers crossed for me!! :)

[teach]

If you use it, don't forget lime and fertilizer.

[unswydd]

If you use it, don't forget lime and fertilizer.

Good Idea Teach, But I compost religiously! I make sure all my family saves compost for me plus where I work.

[Brosia]

I've got everything I need for gardening. I had to spend a little more than I wanted on a pressure canner, because they are out of stock everywhere! One or two more trips to Ace Hardware for more jars, and I'll be very well off! I want to go very soon before canning season starts in earnest

[teach]

Brosia,
I can't wait for you to can your first produce and feel the joy and sense of accomplishment when you hear the little pings, indicating the jars have sealed, and then store them away for use later. You will love it.

[Brosia]

I'm dying to start digging and planting!! But, we had a frost again last night, it is certainly too early yet.

[herbalpagan]

Other than spinach and kale and stuff like that, our frost free date is near the end of May here. That's a long long time when I can look out and see my garden beds! I swear they are calling my name. lol ;)

[prkchp76]

i took your advice today i went and got 150.00 dollars worth of seeds alone all vegatables and the fertilizer will come tommorrow i figure that will last along time and i am gonna put some in the bob

[Brosia]

i am gonna put some in the bob

Well, there's a good idea. I never thought of that!

[prkchp76]

thx never know you might not get to come back

[Mean Gene]

Ever try cutting the bottoms off of a 2 or 3 liter and starting the plants under it's own mini greenhouse? I only ask because when I gardened with my grandfather he bought some hot hat things I believe they were called to try and start our plants a little early.They were some sort of inverted opaque plastic cones that seemed to work to insulate the seedlings from the frosts we had in Pa.

[herbalpagan]

I have tried something similar to that and will be using the idea this year. What I do is take milk jugs, cut of the bottom of it and save the cap. I plant the seedling on a good day, then put the uncapped jug over the seedling, pushing it into the ground at least an inch. On cold nights only, I put the cap back on, taking it off in the morning. By pushing the jug into the ground, you stop cut worms and also prevent the jug from blowing away (wind is a big issue here). The jug also helps keep moisture in, like a terrarium.
They have a product that is similar but adds to the theory. It's called a "wall-a-water" or something like that. It is a plastic teepee type of thing that goes over the plants. However, the teepee is double layers and made into tubes that you fill with water. The water keeps the plants insulated on cold nights, but warms up during the day and provides a greenhouse for each plant. I have seen pro market gardeners using these to get and keep early tomatoes going...a month or 2 earlier than normal! However, they are expensive. Check out Gardener's Supply Co. (on line) if you are interested.

[themachenic,]

do you ever can salmon fish ?

[herbalpagan]

I haven't, but then I don't care for fish and we don't have it here fresh. I have canned chicken. I saw a survival show where they dropped a bunch of people in Alaska and they canned salmon.