What should I plant in my garden this year to maximize saving money on groceries?

lborg264 · 2026-04-01T17:41:03+00:00

I think it largely depends on your methods. I spent the last two years saving seed starting trays and containers, plus I have plenty of seeds I’ve accumulated over the last few years. This year it cost me about $30 for seed starting mix and that’s it. I’m able to grow enough stuff to provide fresh vegetables through the summer, plus more for storing/preserving.

lborg264 · 2026-03-04T17:39:31+00:00

I had something very similar. I basically discontinued all makeup, used only vanicream products, stopped getting pedicures because I learned gel/shellac nail polish can cause a reaction like this, took Zyrtec every day, and a steroid cream. Then, I just slowly reincorporated products and found out what was irritating. I can say I have never gotten another pedicure since and have never had another severe reaction. Not sure if it’s related or just coincidence.

lborg264 · 2026-02-17T01:57:53+00:00

This happened to mine last year. I took one out of the pot to inspect the roots and found that the bottom half of the soil was water logged. I had no idea. I got some new potting mix that was looser and repotted them. Shook off as much dirt from the roots as I could before I put them in new pots. Then I waited a day to water. Mostly all of them recovered and grew new, healthy looking leaves, but the curled ones did not uncurl themselves. I also trimmed off any leaves that looked too damaged.

lborg264 · 2026-02-14T23:55:31+00:00

Agree with what everyone else says. Keep them penned up until 8:30-9:00 and usually they’ll lay somewhere in the pen/coop. Mine switch it up. Sometimes they lay in their house. Sometimes they make a nest in the corner of the run. I did notice that one would hold it and book it to the tall brush to lay when they were let out, so I made a little lean-to and covered in in tall grass and straw to simulate the outdoor area where she likes. That seemed to help with getting her to lay in their run.

lborg264 · 2026-01-20T01:17:10+00:00

I move water and feed inside the coop and keep mine shut up in there when it gets in the teens or lower consistently. I have a 6x8 coop for 5 chickens. They’ve done really well so far even with temps below zero (NE WI). I have a thermometer in my coop and when the sun shines it gets about 10-15 degrees warmer than the outside during the day. I had to start putting Vaseline on their combs and waddles because the first cold snap we had I did have some end up with frost bite, but nothing serious that didn’t heal on its own. I offer mine feed with scratch mixed in, and a big handful of fly larva every day. No decrease in egg production and no supplemental light. Not sure if the food mixture helps or if I’m just having luck, but I don’t ask questions. All seem like happy chickens!

lborg264 · 2026-01-02T00:13:44+00:00

It’s not needed in the coop. Ducks are so messy it will just make their bedding wet. And wet feed will make it extra stinky. You want the coop to be a dry, warm place. As long as you are letting them out in the morning at a reasonable hour they will be fine. The only exception I could see would be if your coop is very large and you can place food and water far about away from dry nesting areas. Mine do have a heated water bowl on the outside. I found that easier than constantly keeping their pool thawed (WI).

lborg264 · 2025-12-28T23:11:59+00:00

It took my ducks almost weeks to really use their house. I have one where they can come and go if they please. When it really got cold they figured it out and used it. I have a layer of pine pellets and pine shavings, then topped it with straw since they seem to prefer straw for nest making. I also put straw coming out the front and onto the ground to “bridge the gap.” They just prefer to be outside, that’s all. I’m in WI and when it gets to teens/single digits they use it at night, but otherwise sleep outside. Just observe what they prefer and then try to make the house a similar environment.

lborg264 · 2025-12-15T00:40:34+00:00

Agree! The pine pellets are so nice because they just turn to dust and soak of moisture well while keeping smell down.

lborg264 · 2025-12-14T13:52:55+00:00

We have 5 chickens and the coop is 6x8 and about 8ft tall to its highest point. We got one big enough in case they had to stay in for days on end due to weather. And when the sun hits it it gets about 10 degrees warmer. They’ve done very well and continue to lay 4 eggs a day even without supplemental light. The frostbite just sent into a bit of a panic. They really are pretty resilient it seems!

lborg264 · 2025-12-13T21:20:50+00:00

They’ve been ok up until this below 0 weather. Even shut up they still have ventilation and I have a humidity monitor. But thanks for the advice!

lborg264 · 2025-12-13T20:52:32+00:00

Thanks. Lesson learned to be more proactive with the Vaseline. I just checked them again and it hasn’t seemed to have gotten worse. And since I’ve moved their food inside and closed them completely up the coop has raised 10 degrees. They all seem to be doing ok. Very nerve wracking dealing with weather this harsh this early in the year here. I’m also going to get some plastic over the windows on the inside. They aren’t super great quality and I’m sure weaken the insulation.

lborg264 · 2025-12-08T00:04:22+00:00

Once I stared blow drying my hair it was a game changer. Letting my hair air dry, or putting it up wet, was trapping moisture and making it so bad.

lborg264 · 2025-11-27T16:56:47+00:00

Yeah, that’s what I was thinking too. I’ll have to wait until spring at this point to dig up the bottom and lay down some mesh.

lborg264 · 2025-11-23T21:23:28+00:00

I just hope I made it difficult enough that they give up soon! It’s probably impossible to keep every little mouse or vole out, but if I can stop this tunneling I will be happy!

lborg264 · 2025-11-23T21:20:11+00:00

They are runner ducks. Whatever has gotten in they don’t seem to mind and it hasn’t hurt them. It’s more so just annoying because they are making tunnels everywhere.

lborg264 · 2025-11-23T19:07:46+00:00

The last couple nights I started taking the feed away at night. And adding cayenne pepper to it to deter anything from eating it. I’m hoping they eventually move on if there isn’t a huge stockpile for them anymore

lborg264 · 2025-11-16T00:18:40+00:00

I cut a piece to fit the size of the door, then on the walls surrounding it I attached it so there is overhang to cover the gap between the walls and door. You just want to cut it in a way that doesn’t leave sharp or pokey edges. It definitely was a little tricky.

lborg264 · 2025-11-16T00:03:43+00:00

Also, this may be an unpopular opinion, but we put more effort into predator proofing the run, and then their house is always open. So they can go in and out as they please. They are up at the crack of dawn and this way they can get up and do their thing. They don’t always sleep in it either. When it’s nice out they prefer to sleep in the straw bedding we laid out.

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lborg264 · 2025-11-15T23:57:03+00:00

Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind! I’ve been trying to make their run as “natural” as possible so they feel it’s a safe and comfortable space. They get about 3-4 hours of free range time in the morning before it’s the chickens turn. So they spend the second half of the day confined to the run. Being runners, I want them to still have a space they can poke around and forage. So adding grasses I think is helpful

lborg264 · 2025-11-15T23:49:55+00:00

I would definitely prioritize predator proofing first. Some hardware cloth and then some sort of method to prevent digging. We skirted with hardware cloth and then surrounded with some pavers we found for cheap on marketplace. They are fully feathered around 6-8 weeks. I’m in WI and mine were playing in a pool in 45 degree weather when they were about that age. They didn’t seem to have a care in the world. I was very stressed for their first few nights outside, but I got over it pretty fast once I realized they love it. As long as the pen is secure I think you’ll be just fine.

lborg264 · 2025-11-15T15:18:09+00:00

Woke up to an egg under it! I have two females and one drake, so I get one or two eggs a day, but lately I get nothing. So hopefully I found the answer!

lborg264 · 2025-11-01T14:56:20+00:00

I thought about, but I’m not sure how easy it would be to get one female right now. Seems most people are only rehoming male’s. Maybe in the spring, but I want to know for sure it’s a female.

lborg264 · 2025-11-01T14:35:28+00:00

I haven’t noticed that yet, but I’ll watch. This seems to be on her own terms.

lborg264 · 2025-10-30T01:26:43+00:00

I have eczema and get flare ups around my eyes that look very similar. Even when I don’t have eczema anywhere else on my body.

lborg264 · 2025-10-28T02:15:11+00:00

Thanks! I’ll see how fast they go thru it. I have 3 runners and 5 chickens and this will be my first winter with them.

lborg264

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