for those who read this from the Bonanzle site, I'm in the process of deleting most of my posts over there - and transferring the more "informative" posts here (more on Bonanzle, later)

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and don’t forget to get your tomato seeds planted now – until the seeds sprout, I’ve found the top of the refrigerator is good (are the newer refrigerators better insulated? we have an older one that still spouts out heat at the top)

I’ve used many things to start the seeds – old baking pans – cardboard egg cartons – styrofoam meat trays (washed, of course)… then put in the starter soil (not from the garden, bought at the store – supposedly free of weeds and such – no idea if it’s any better, but why take a chance for all your effort?) – moisten it first by using a watering can of some sort – I’ve also just put the pan full of soil under the faucet – warm water, by the way, not cold – and put JUST ENOUGH water to moisten it – put in the tomato seeds (dry your hands first, else the seeds foller you : ) – cover with just a crumble of soil – or you can cover with a crumble of vermiculite – a much lighter substance, supposed to allow the seed easier germination … whatever … I’ve used both – haven’t noticed much difference – the point is, you only cover a seed with the same size (depth-wise) as the seed is … so a tomato seed is about the size of an “O” – so the dirt should only be that depth:

O – depth of dirt to cover
O – tomato seed
.####. – this is more dirt below the tomato seed

…

how you like my graphics?

…

wanna see me draw an elephant using mostly spoons?

no?

then let’s continue …

…

cover the whole tray with some sort of saran wrap – this will act like a mini-greenhouse – watch the tray the next couple days or so – mist as needed (don’t water until you see a sprout – you’ll drown the seed – once you see a seed, you can – carefully – use a watering can thingy – I picked up several watering cans at yard sales over the years, ranging in spout size from le’ sprinkle to la’ pouring rain … : )

once they sprout and are maybe 1/2 – 1 inch high, they need light – set them near a window – making sure they still are covered and protected from the cold (via the plastic), especially if you have less than insulated windows, and especially at night when the temp drops.

some have had good luck putting a heating pad underneath the tray – I just had higher electric bills … : D

depending on the type, tomato plants need an average of 10 weeks to get to a size where they can be safely transplanted AFter the threat of frost

tomato plants are heat loving plants – and canNOT tolerate cold and do NOT like to get their “feet” (roots) wet – make sure the threat of frost has passed, and keep on eye on the evening’s forecast, so that you can quickly put a covering over them at night if the temp will get too cold – I’ve used old sheets (not blankets – too heavy, and they may break the stalk), couple sheets of newspapers (tuck and staple the sheets around the plant to keep the papers from blowing off in the night – and they’ll of course, usually blow into the neighbors yard : ) …
(unless you don’t like your neighbor, then by all means, let the papers go free… : )
(in fact, even if you don’t have tomato plants to cover, leave the paper out to blow in the … aw, now that’s just mean – ignore this last sentence : )

(continuing with cover ideas) … plastic bags, upended 5 gallon buckets – whatever you have handy – just cover up all your hard work and protect them from the frost

now – if you don’t like tomatoes … then – all the above advice? as in the words of roseannna roseanna danna – “ne’ermind”

>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>

Plant a Garden ~ by Edgar A. Guest ~ adapted a leeeetle by Gail

If your purse no longer bulges
and you’ve lost your golden treasure

If at times you think you’re lonely
and have grown hungry for pleasure

Don’t sit by your hearth and grumble
don’t let mind and spirit harden

If it’s thrills of joy you wish for
get to work and plant a garden!

If it’s drama that you sigh for
plant a garden and you’ll get it

You will know the thrill of battle
fighting foes that will beset it …

If you long for entertainment and
for pageantry most glowing

Plant a garden and this summer spend
your time with green things growing.

If it’s comradeship you sight for
learn the fellowship of daisies

You will come to know your neighbor
by the blossoms that he raises.

If you’d get away from boredom
and find new delights to look for

Learn the joy of budding pansies
which you’ve kept a special nook for.

If you ever think of dying
and you fear to wake tomorrow

Plant a garden! It will cure you
of your melancholy sorrow.

Once you’ve learned to know peonies,
petunias, and roses

You will find every morning
some new happiness discloses.


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(in response to the "only help (financially) I could get was from my churches")

that’s what churches are there for – to help out those in need

don’t forget to volunteer wherever you can – help pack food, sort donated clothes, cook meals, help out in the nursery, etc – you never know – that volunteer position may turn into a job!

get stuff ready for yard sale season – get stuff gathered, cleaned, priced – I know folks in my area are just itching to get out there to the sales – and they have already started up – folks are having “porch sales” – advertise for free on Craigslist

plan for the upcoming holidays – Easter – 4th of July – if you’re good at crafts, and you have the materials, see if there is an upcoming craft sale where you can sell your items.

~ can you crochet? see what is hot on the Internet, and make some items up for the upcoming yard sales, and keep the winter / Christmas season in mind – while sitting watching American Idol this spring (and summer?), you could be mindlessly making some adorable hats and mittens – and if you don’t sell them, you could always donate whatever doesn’t sell – a great way to give back to the church

~ can you knit? get to clacking – baby layettes and doll clothes are two niche areas and can be quite profitable

~ can you sew? see what is selling on Craigslist – and don’t just think sewing from patterns – there are tons of folk who can’t/don’t want to repair their clothes – build up a clientele, advertise in Craigslist. Get creative with specialty items like purses, or tote bags – make them fun and whimsical – Easter theme – spring theme – beach theme – get some made up for autumn – it comes around every 12 months, you know

~ are you handy with wood? I don’t necessarily mean the push toys – I’m talking about things like maybe whirligigs – those are hot, especially if you come up with an ingenious idea – pick something that is current, like the shape of computer or maybe a space shuttle whirligig – I don’t know – just get creative!

~ how about welding? I have seem some fabulous – and pricey yard ornaments and desk / bookshelf “figurines” formed out of a bunch of throwaway junk – some of you folks are so creative with that!

~ can you cook? do you bake fabulous cookies? are you famous for your pecan pie? make some up, spread the word – give out samples at your garage sale. or maybe you could cater a dessert party.

~ can you play the piano? maybe you could teach others

~ are you computer savvy? maybe you could teach a class

>~>~>~>~>

I guess the thing is – take time to figure out what you’re good at – and provide it to others – and make some good money while you’re at it!


(and another posting, added to this one)


re: the next Christmas season - keep something in mind - the gift shops are always buying/getting ready at least 6-8 months in advance - Christmas stuff especially, is bought waaaay in advance - the time to think about Christmas is now!
(In fact, it wouldn't hurt to put in a Christmas section in your booth - take the pics, get the description, pack it up, label the box, and put it in your Bonanza closet "warehouse" (I know you have one - you're just like me - you have a space just for Bonanza stuff so you can get your hands on it in a moment's notice : ).
Even if you don't sell it, you'll be way ahead of the ball game come Thanksgiving - and you'll look like a freaking genius, because you already have your Christmas stuff ready, up and priced - ready to sell - while the rest of us are running around scrambling to get our Christmas stuff up.

point is - get serious and think at least 6 months ahead - that means - yes - keep one eye on what you need to do now, but always have one eye focused on the future.

(the worst that will happen is you may get a little cross-eyed) :D