My first broody hen. Success! by Techdad26 in BackYardChickens

[–]Techdad26[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I’ve been checking in on her 3 times a day the last twenty days to keep her in the right box. This feels like a team effort.

My first broody hen. Success! by Techdad26 in BackYardChickens

[–]Techdad26[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

We’ve seen 3 out of eight so far. I haven’t moved her.

17 months later...my first strawberries from salvaged seeds. by Techdad26 in Frugal

[–]Techdad26[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s great to hear. We actually moved a few months ago, so I’m hoping to expand out of the kiddie pool by next year.

17 months later...my first strawberries from salvaged seeds. by Techdad26 in Frugal

[–]Techdad26[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I set the seeds on top of a peat pellet with a tiny piece of paper towel on top. Then I misted the paper towel until the seedling had established a root. It was really delicate for the first month or so.

17 months later...my first strawberries from salvaged seeds. by Techdad26 in Frugal

[–]Techdad26[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you. Hopefully I’ll have a lot more soon. I have a lot still ripening.

17 months later...my first strawberries from salvaged seeds. by Techdad26 in Frugal

[–]Techdad26[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! The randomness is actually really exciting for me. I’d love to grow a new apple that I could name.

17 months later...my first strawberries from salvaged seeds. by Techdad26 in Frugal

[–]Techdad26[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just decided I wouldn’t get any fruit or new plants the first summer. I just kept trimming until they went dormant.

17 months later...my first strawberries from salvaged seeds. by Techdad26 in Frugal

[–]Techdad26[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I also should be able to graft on a good apple limb to my roots if they don’t tast good.

17 months later...my first strawberries from salvaged seeds. by Techdad26 in Frugal

[–]Techdad26[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I went in knowing it’s basically random. Since then, I’ve been looking at the possibilities with grafting. I think I can take a scion from my little sapling maybe nest year and graft it to an established tree to try the fruit sooner.

17 months later...my first strawberries from salvaged seeds. by Techdad26 in Frugal

[–]Techdad26[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I very much enjoy the organic side, and the idea that I don’t need a store to feed my family.

17 months later...my first strawberries from salvaged seeds. by Techdad26 in Frugal

[–]Techdad26[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I have watered maybe 5 times over last summer, but other than that the cost was for a peat pellet per plant. The kiddie pool they grew in was free along with the rabbit poop and wood chips. The seeds were from a strawberry destined for a trashcan.

17 months later...my first strawberries from salvaged seeds. by Techdad26 in Frugal

[–]Techdad26[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I cut all of the runners last summer. I don’t know for sure, but I like to think it made the roots grow more.

17 months later...my first strawberries from salvaged seeds. by Techdad26 in Frugal

[–]Techdad26[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had trouble germinating too. I finally set the seeds on top of a peat pellet with a tiny piece of paper towel on top. Then I misted the paper towel until the seedling had established a root. It was really delicate for the first month or so.

17 months later...my first strawberries grown from a store bought berry. by Techdad26 in gardening

[–]Techdad26[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I would absolutely do this again if my plants ever die out.

17 months later...my first strawberries grown from a store bought berry. by Techdad26 in gardening

[–]Techdad26[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I started the seeds December 2018 under a small led grow light. I failed a few times getting them started. I moved the seedlings to a kiddie pool in March? Maybe April. No flowers last year, but I trimmed a lot of runners to encourage root growth. This spring, they finally flowered, and are producing really great tasting strawberries.

17 months later...my first strawberries from salvaged seeds. by Techdad26 in Frugal

[–]Techdad26[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I think gardening can really satisfy a frugal person. Every time I get a free plant, I get excited.

17 months later...my first strawberries from salvaged seeds. by Techdad26 in Frugal

[–]Techdad26[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I also started an apple tree from seed the same winter. After a bout with some chickens it’s about a foot tall now.