How to start a new garden...and other things

March 11, 2002

First, I would suggest that you get a subscription to Countryside and

Small Stock Journal magazine. (http://countrysidemag.com/) In my

opinion it is the best magazine out there for small farmers and people

just getting out into the country for the first time and are " Green

Acreing " it.

Second, start frequenting and searching the archives of the various

country oriented boards at http://hv.greenspun.com/bboard/ . The most

prolific and well used board is simply the one titled Countryside.

These are people who are actually out there in the country and dealing

with various events on their farms, getting and giving advice. Most of

them are very conscientious about the health and well being of their

animals and producing superior products.

I currently have 4 beef cattle which are always grass fed, dairy goats

and chickens. I also hold a full time job. It is not too time

consuming.

Consider getting dairy goats before getting a milk cow. The milk is

wonderful and the animals a lot easier to handle and feed. The cream

is just a little harder to seperate. People who don't like goat's milk

have never tasted good goat milk. I have had a lot of people in my

home who said they hated goat's milk until I gave them a taste from my

goats. They couldn't believe it was so good.

Date: Sat, 09 Mar 2002 21:45:23 -0000

From: " leslieiniowa " <mclcdcmcmc@...>

Subject: How to start a new garden

We are moving to a new home on 14 acres in Iowa so that we can have

our own milk cow, free range chickens, eggs, goats and a huge garden.

This is going to be just like the old show " Green Acres " . We have no

idea what we are doing and I am reading everything I can as fast as I

can. Can anyone point me to a good source of information on

organic/biodynamic/sustainable/fertile soil gardening? I know the

outcome I want, thanks to this site, but I'm not sure how to get

there. Should I send soil samples to my extension office or buy a

brix meter (I don't even know if you can)? Please, someone, give me

some direction.

Many thanks and blessings,

(again)

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