Search Results for: pallet gardens

A few great questions from a few great readers. Check it out and pipe up if you can contribute some amazing knowledge. I’m counting on you for a few of these!

Hi Mavis,

I have a question. I have two pugs who love the dehydrated sweet potato dog treats I get at the grocery store. They are sticks of dried sweet potato with a strip of chicken jerky wrapped around them. Can you tell me how you think they could be made at home? Would I wrap the raw chicken around the fresh sweet potato stick and dehydrate them together? At what temp and for how long? Although I have been gardening for years, this is my first year dehydrating, and I love it.

Thanks.

~Linda

Dehydrating chicken is pretty simple. I’d use the breast instead of dark meat because it dehydrates better. And then make sure you cut away every piece of fat and skin you can and just dry the actual chicken. Cut the strips so they are super thin and then wrap them around the sweet potato {check out how I dry mine HERE}. I’d follow the dehydrating guidelines on your dehydrator and set it for about 12 hours. Let us know how they turn out!

Hi Mavis, I love your blog and all of your recipes, your family eats whole foods without all the processed junk. Growing all of your produce is awesome. Love that you can feed your family on 100.00 a month.  Have a question, you have mentioned many times that you have picked up meat from Zaycon using credits. Lucky you, and what a blessing for you. I also order from Zaycon. For someone who can’t earn enough credits, what would you add to your 100.00 a month for a family of three if you had to buy meat regularly. Even buying for freezer meals. Just curious what resources you would use?

~ Debbie

That’s a tricky question because it really is family specific. My family doesn’t mind meals without meat as a protein and we routinely eat them, so we go through less meat anyway than the typical meat eating family anyway I think. Often times, you can find discounted meat or meat on a great sale and stock up that way, which also will reduce that cost. If I didn’t use my Zaycon Foods credit and had to put a number on it, which again is subjective, I’d say $20 a month. But I am curious what other readers budget for meat? Anyone want to chime in?

Hi Mavis, I was just wondering what the name of those tank tops you rave about… the great ones that hide the muffin top:)

Thanks,

~Kamy

My favorite muffin top hiders are the Flexees Women’s Fat Free Dressing Tank Tops . You can often find them on sale for as low as $15. I own several of these and let me tell you Bob, THEY WORK! I wear these tank tops every day under my regular shirts and they make a huge difference. You won’t regret snagging a few of these bad boys!

Hello Mavis, Our backyard holds lots of water during the winter months. I really want to plant my blackberry, raspberry and blueberry bushes in the ground but am scared that the water logging will kill them. I read about the french drain. Do you have any other suggestions? We have already tried thatching and aerating our lawn but it doesn’t help. 🙁 With your vast knowledge I thought I would ask you as to what we should do .

Thanks!

~Meghan

Okay lovely readers, I need your help on this one! I’ve never built a french drain and so I’m not sure how well they work? Anyone use them and if so, you think it would be a great idea for Meghan? Any other tips for her to help her drain water off her backyard?

Mavis, Do you mind if I share a link to your article Pallet Gardening 101 on my blog I’m writing about Raised Beds and Pallet Gardens?

Thanks! ~ Patrick

By all means, share away! I never mind if my posts are shared as long as proper post and photo credit is given. Sharing is caring after all, right!