I thought about maybe a squirrel or a rat, never seen one in the back, but they are around. Hopefully a cage of chicken wire over the tops of them will keep whatever it is out. The way the leaves are seared off, makes me think iguana though

Amaranth is one of the " ancient grains" they say it has higher nutritional content than wheat ( but is used in the same way) and you can eat the baby green leaves. It is also naturally bug and weed resistant, funny, it is also resistant to Monsanto's Round up weed killer

Giant red amaranth of some variety, I think that's golden in the back

Well I'll be. Sounds like a good plant for a "Survival Garden".

Just a trivia fact for ya if you hadn't thought of it.

Victory gardens, also called war gardens or food gardens for defense, were vegetable, fruit and herb gardens planted at private residences and public parks in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Germany[1] during World War I and World War II to reduce the pressure on the public food supply brought on by the war effort. In addition to indirectly aiding the war effort these gardens were also considered a civil "morale booster" — in that gardeners could feel empowered by their contribution of labor and rewarded by the produce grown. This made victory gardens become a part of daily life on the home front.

That's pretty cool Randy, I wish more people would do that now. My front year is mostly planted now, I've got broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels sprouts and onion, parsley and mint

In the back, broccoli, cauliflower , Brussels sprouts, potatoes, purple orlach ( wild spinach), tomatoes, corn ( and soon beans and squash)

I think people have really lost what it takes to grow food



Did you know that lawns as we know them, just green grass with ornamental plants on them, are a status symbol that comes from British royals/ upper classes? It was a sign that they had so much money that they did not need to grow their own food.

You're spot on there Jared. Patty and I grew some tomatoes one year but that is all that we've done at the house. Now out at mom and dad's, well that's a different story. Green beans, tomatoes, corn, spinach and onions. Cabbage and lettuce and Okra.

My parents have been thinking about buying the property next to them ( one of those things where they have the money in the bank, but would rather not have it there and own more land instead). If they do they want me to plant crops on it ( it would be 2 and a half acres of land)

That's awesome, been thinking about adding some okra

Haha, If you planted a two and a half acre Garden you will have a SECOND full time job!

If they don't buy the land ( or the owner doesn't want to sell) they want me to plant about an acre of their property, so we shall see. I think I've talked them into planting a bunch of coconut palms ( great source or pure water and coconut meat)

That's what I said, I was like, that seems like a lot of work for me

So how has Patty been? I've only been checking in here every so often.