This is going to be my last post for a few weeks. Going to be taking some time away from the site to travel and visit friends and fam. Time to rejuvenate so I can get some new life into the site.
During the time off, I will be taking a look back at the past few months and evaluating what’s been done to see what has done well. That will to help come up with new ideas and to keep the site fun and interesting. The last thing I want is to become is another boring gardening site.
One idea that I’ve had that I want to work on is rigging so that it can be used to water all of the containers. That way if you have multiple containers, you only have to water one of them.
Most importantly is – what have you really enjoyed and really hated? Be honest, I can take it. If I don’t like your opinion, it obviously means that you are dumb and I won’t fault you for that.
For reals, please provide me with your feedback to help grow and shape this site.
Do you like the quick gardening tips? Dislike?
More or less on the effects of chemical gardening and alternatives?
What about the food news? More of it? Less of it? Cut it out all together?
Have you been enjoying the recipes or can do without them?
What else would you like to see that hasn’t been covered?
Lemme know in the comments and I’ll check you when I get back to posting on Monday, September 19.
Enjoy your break man. Stepping away from the project is often the best way to see the whole.
Frankly, I want more food news. I think it could work as a catalyst for much more.
I like the recipes – epecially ones that use fall/winter vegetables. Those are the ones hard to come by because people usually just fork over the extra cash for the out-of-season stuff to make summer dishes in the winter.
I’d really, really like to see what you come up with in regards to watering. Innovation is what brought me to this site.
I’m not big into the food news, but I think you are mixing it in well and using a good amount so as not to be overwhelming if it isn’t your thing.
Cheers, enjoy your time off.
I would like to see posts on using different organic fertilizers targeted towards the various growth cycles of the veggie plant. ie, seedling, transplant, growing cycle, blooming cycle.
Thanks, Sarah
First have a great couple of weeks!!! I would love to see more recipes!!! i like the food news incorporated into this, and I would also like to see this tips on watering…And the quick gardening tips is a must have!!!!!
I am mostly here for the gardening tips, as a city dweller with a small patio it’s what keeps me motivated to continue to garden even when things don’t go quite as I’d planned. I’m not really a fan of the recipes, no offense, but they just don’t get my attention. More information about gardening, getting started, etc is what I’d be more interested in.
Basically, just do it all…keep it balanced. I always like recipes BUT and don’t take this the wrong way BUT when you do videos of your recipes, PLEASE make sure the area is cleaned up and clutter free. It seems like you have a small space to work , I understand that, but I don’t like seeing other things right up next to food stuffs, cutting boards etc. Makes me all cringey.
Enjoy your time off.
I just found your site. I like the fact that you have video. I’ve watched 2 so far. I’ll take a look and letcha know what I think. I live in San Diego 7 months and Vancouver 5 months so I’m figuring out how to have portable urban gardens because I rent in San Diego, so I have to pack it up each May. I’m enjoying my second container garden here in Vancouver BC which I leave in Oct. I’m learning as I go, so any info helps. Thanks for sharing.
Have a fun and safe trip!
No doubt. Thanks for the input.
Thanks Kip. Doing my best to find the balance because they are all important and not many places talk about all of them in one spot, which always baffles me because they are all related. Yes that was just one big sentence.
Appreciate the feedback.
Appreciate.
No offense taken and noted.
Hahaha. I would gladly take a kitchen renovation if you are offering 😉
Cool. Lemme know.
Hi! I am about to move to Sao Paulo and am hoping I’ll be able to put your patio garden tips to use. This is why I started following your site. So, keep the garden tips coming! I’m not a huge fan of the recipes – and honestly, it’s mainly because I look at a lot of food blogs already, most of which have beautiful photography.
Thanks for providing us with your knowledge!
Have a great few weeks – I’m sure it takes a lot of time and energy to keep up your site so you deserve a little break!
I like the gardening tips, especially as it relates to container gardening with self-watering containers. I tried building myself some this year and had mixed results – there was some heavy rain so I think they got overly watered and then got kinda slimy. Have you ever experienced that? Also – do some foods grow better in containers than others? Like cucumbers vs. tomatoes, or lettuce vs. carrots? My lettuce and herbs did well, but my cucumbers and carrots did not. Perhaps it was due to the aforementioned slimy issue…
I love the gardening tips. I LOVE the food politics. Not so big on recipes but that is just me. I like all your DIY ideas. Basically, I love all of it. I look forward to new posts from you all the time.
Hi Mike. I’d love to see more gardening tips personally. You know, container gardening, and small spaces. Thanks! Have a pleasant time of rest.
I like how a lot of your posts are quick and usually include a video which is very helpful. Love the recipes and gardening tips. Would like to see more food news.
Well, Mike, it *is* YOUR blog. I think you should put whatever you are passionate about on it. Your passion is what attracts me to come back and check in day after day. Most of us readers take what we want from it and ignore anything we aren’t interested in. You are reaching lots of different kinds of folks here. It would be a shame to lose anyone by cutting out info they are used to coming here for. I’ll echo the thumbs up comments on your posts/videos being short and concise. Much love to ya, Mike, and hoping you have a great vacation! 🙂
Thanks Suzanna. Good luck with your move and keep me updated.
For me the recipes are more about putting it all together than the photography aspect of it. There aren’t many if any gardening sites out that that discuss all of these topics in one spot. They are usually all treated as completely separate topics. I want to bring them all together.
The rain could certainly have something to do with it as they might not have had the time to dry out a bit. Some veggies definitely do better in containers than others, but the conditions also play a role as well. Keep growing and see what works well for you…minus the slime.
Thanks Andrea.
Do my best to keep things quick and to the point. Most of the other stuff that I’ve seen is way too long and verbose…for me.
Then I shall keep my response short and concise as well – thanks for the feedback 😉
I love that your blog is kind of a one stop shop for information. I love your humor, gardening tips, recipes, food news, etc. Have a great time off, and enjoy your friends and family.
Thanks!
Mike,
Like the site,
Mike, Enjoying your site, especially because you are going out there and doing it! Would love more ideas on a) container planting – more up close pics, b) how to get the seeds going in a self watering container, and c) what to do post herb season – we have some crazy large mint plants…. how to we collect the seeds and get ’em growing again.
Keep up the good work!
I really like the food news, the info on gardening organically, and the garden tips. I’m always interested in the recipes, too. I still really appreciate your post/video on pinching out the suckers on tomato plants. I had NO idea how to do it until I saw your post. So basically, I like everything you’re doing, and hope you keep on keepin’ on.
I love everything that you post. Recipes, ideas on containers, LOVE the info you get on what is going on as to dangerous moves from chemical companies, mega corporations GMO plans, and other info that we can’t find or have access to pertaining to healthy food in our lives, and encourging others to take a leap of faith and grow their own food.
I am like others, its YOUR blog, you post, if someone doesn’t like it, tough, they can move on to something else. You do not sugar coat anything, because the world is NOT sugar coated, period.
I am working on plans for my container watering. I have something in mind using PVC plumbing pipe. This will be a winter project to figure out.
Take care, get some air and new vibs for the blog. We’ll see you when you get back.
Take care
A friend just forwarded a copy of your blog and I like it… so I subscribed. Since this is the first time I’ve seen it I really don’t know enough about the content to say anything. It sounds like your topics are all things that interest me and I will be looking forward to seeing your future postings.
dont just make it about your self. talk about other peoples work and projects. make your self a source for information not just your information.
Got it. Thanks.
Most def Wendy. Appreciate the feedback.
No doubt. Thank you.
Glad to connect Donna.
Not sure I understand. Please give an example.
Hey Mike…
Very much enjoy your site and information, and the other sites you have turned me on to as well. You have helped me encourage several friends who live in small spaces to start their own gardens. I really appreciate the time and effort you put into this!
And well, yes, I must admit, the shirtless pics are nice, too. 😉
Take care and keep up the good work!
Like the way you translate the chemical/GMO/Monsanto issues and your ingenuity. Like to see you inspiring other people, especially children.
I love the recipes! It’s great seeing the things you make from your own produce, after all we’re growing it to eat. I really like the videos, and the detailed info on gardening in small spaces.
Keep true to your own voice and experiences, it’s the personal part of reading blogs that makes it interesting, without your unique voice it just becomes ‘information’ that we can get anywhere.
Hi Mike,
I searched the site for some advice on growing cilantro. I live in PA and I have tried to grow it in my small raised garden (close to full sun, little sun from the west or sunset) and flower boxes (morning sun/east). My garden is a very productive urban garden but I find this herb impossible to grow. Basically, it fizzles out when it have about 4 leaves on it. What do you suggest? Indoor only? Self watering container only? Are other plants the problem? Slugs? Squirrels?
To answer your question, I love the site. I haven’t looked at the recipes much but every time I do, they look delicious. You give excellent out-of-the box suggestions of what to do with the veggies you feature. I do live in a city and my garden is small and this is part of what draws me to your site.
I would like to see more small garden projects. Some of the things I am thinking of are making tire planters (you may have see the one people may into tropical birds or beautiful hurns that you wouldn’t know were made of a tire until you get close); turning different pieces of disgarded furniture into planters or garden planting tables; new gadgets like the hang-a-pot; using metal in the garden; attracting birds and bees (including feeders, houses).
I’m also interested in winter gardening.
I think you should have sponsors. You should be financially compensated for the time you spend and the information you give and if sponsors is how you accomplish that, fine. Heck, I would be thrilled if you had the oppurtunity to turn your site into a magazine.
Christine
great blog! so glad i came across it.
Hahah. Thanks Leslie.
Appreciate the feedback.
Thanks for the feedback. Never really grew cilantro, but heard that it can be finnicky and grow pretty quickly….
I like everything you’ve done…..especially about chemicals because I have chemical sensitivities and believe people need to know the dangers of them before their health takes a big bad dump. Having said that gardening rebuilds and revitalizes, as do your recipes and all the gardening tips. Your blogs with a political bent are incredible and not just because I agree with you but because you think outside the box and the world needs more of that! As for the sponsor, go for it! I hope you turn your blog in to a book and make a boat load of money. You deserve it and much more for all the time, love and energy you’ve put in to making this the inspiring site it is!
Hello,I am french so, sorry for my mistake.As have got rheumatoid arthritis it is very painful for me to move.When I found out your web site,I try your way of gardening,now I can eat my tomatoes,salad courgette,aromatic…Thank you very much to give me the way to live and feel as anyone.
Glad you likes.
Appreciate the love.
Glad you enjoying.
Mike- I don’t think your integrity will be tarnished by sponsors, as long as your sponsors have your common values and goals. With this said, I read your blog because of your honesty and commitment to social justice. If sponsors enable you to reach a wider audience in a positive way, then I say go for it.
As far as content: I appreciate the close-knit community feel of your blog. You interact, so it becomes much more than you simply reporting. You write about what matters to you & you address issues that have touched your friends’ and family’s lives and this is what compells people to read- this compassion for others. Keep the compassion, backed with your strong sense of logic, and you will have readers- whether you write about recipes or about pruning. Either way, I think keeping the focus on the small side is positive. It’s a microcosm that reflects the macro.
I’m interested in your sources for dirt, water, seeds. Because I too live in an apartment, I know that it takes a lot more planning with confined space than simply going into the back yard and putting in some tomatoes and letting them grow. Really work with this idea of maximizing effect for minimal space. And, good luck.
Mike I have only just found this site. My thoughts are is you have a following “because” write about what you love. I would say just go with your gut, as you have done up to now. At the end of the day ones come to your site because of the info you put there, whether it be recipes, how to’s, tips and hints etc. If you find it valuable, guarantee that others will to. Have a great trip, best of luck with your site, and thank you for providing all this info to others. Look forward to seeing more of YOUR articles, videos etc.
I just found your site today, but I’ve already bookmarked it as a favorite. I don’t know why your site came up when I searched cabbage worm (little jerks), but I am really glad it did. I should be working, but instead I’m stalking your blog and looking at tips. I also have a balcony garden, in a hydroponic system with 3 towers, four levels of growing containers. It is gravity fed with a reservoir on a pump. Let me know if you want a picture, I have one somewhere. I’m also in So Cal.
As far as content, your site is all new to me and it’s super helpful! I haven’t had time to explore it fully, but, I think you’re on the right track. I think you should do ad’s. You put time into this and you should be compensated.
I found your site a few days ago when I was searching for urban farmers. I LOVE the tips on how to grow in small spaces. I have actually referred to your site twice so far in showing others that they, too, can grow not just in small spaces but in a dorm where you can’t put any holes in the wall. This information on how to make your own containers and how to make the best use of a small space is inspiring and very educational.
Hi Mike, I hope you had a great time with the fam and enjoyed your time off. I have missed you and the advice and ideas you share, as well as recipes. I like the quick gardening tips and really like alternatives to chemical gardening. Something that might be helpful to some of us in shorter growing zones would be a few winter gardening ideas and how to keep our garden producing longer. Really, there’s nothing I dislike on the site. So keep it going. Hope to see you back soon. :o)
Hey dude…when are you coming back ???? Missin your vids…the fall garden here in IN is doing well with all the rain and I still have tomatoes on the vine. If we get some warm weather they might ripen before the frost. Hope you are having a good vaca with the fam and friends…the apples in NY should be ready by now. Be sure to take some home with you….later man…rick
Hey dude…when are you coming back ???? Missin your vids…the fall garden here in IN is doing well with all the rain and I still have tomatoes on the vine. If we get some warm weather they might ripen before the frost. Hope you are having a good vaca with the fam and friends…the apples in NY should be ready by now. Be sure to take some home with you….later man…rick
I’m back. Will be back to posting next week. Thanks for checking in bro.
Oh, Thank Goodness! I’ve been checking every day since the 12th and getting more and more worried that you decided to give it up altogether or worse yet…something really horrid happened to you personally. Yeah, I’m that worry wart mama lady. Whew! Ok….I’ll stop fussing now that we know you are ok. 🙂
hahah. Yea I’m good. No need for the worries. Appreciated though 🙂
After all the controversy that they drummed up in the past year…not sure I wanna go down the same road as them.
Is it a possibility for us to post video responses on your site? I think this could help us to share and develop our ideas better.
i.e. I have Macgyvered a fish-pump hydroponic system with limited supplies ( one way valves etc. are hard to find in the open market here in China ) and would like to get your advice on the mechanics of it so that I may make it a more durable mechanism.
Hmmm…I used Disqus for my comments and not sure if they have that as a feature. Like it…will look into it.
Hey,
I just found your site about a week ago and I’ve really enjoyed it. As far as the stuff that I like…
The recipes are awesome. I really like the simplicity of the recipes and the straightforward attitude that you take with your instructions. I have not gotten a chance to try any of them, but they sound good.
I have also enjoyed the news articles and informative articles, etc. I find that stuff really interesting and once again I like the straightforward attitude. It would be nice if you cited where your information came from though. Instead of just making claims.
The gardening tips are pretty sweet too. I especially like the ones that are more or less, you just trying stuff out. It is neat to watch the progress that you are making with your garden.
Good stuff.
I really like your site. I like how you have practical tips and applications to use in the garden as well as thought provoking and informative articles. It’s great that you provide an open forum for discussion & sharing as well.
I found your site after googling (how’s it spelled?) “How to make self watering containers” and yours was the first to come up! I’ve been checking out your posts and I am so glad I found you! The self watering containers post was excellent except the containers are ugly but now I understand the concept. I’ve been container gardening with ornamentals for a few years and after recently emptying out a few of my large ceramic planters, decided to try growing edibles from seed in them. I live in foggy San Francisco and my garden is North and West facing so with minimal sun exposure, there are a few limitations. So I’ve started with cool season vegetables~ a few different kinds of lettuce, radishes, snap peas & carrots and I’m planning to do artichokes & potatoes as well but not from seed.
I’m interested in learning more about topics related to growing edibles in pots such as companion planting, potting soil recipes for edibles, watering containers ( I read you’re working on an idea!), and organic pest management.
I love how you said “We don’t live in a bubble” and would really like to see you re-visit and expand on this idea in future posts. I think it’s up to home gardeners like us to make people aware of the far- reaching impact our actions have on the eco systems that exist in each of our gardens as well as the local environment and beyond.