Thoughts for 2009

[kev]

As I look back 0n 2008, I also look forward to 2009.

Korey (my son) got a deer this hunting season, and so far that is all we have gotten is that one deer. Tomorrow is the last day of regular deer season, in 2 weeks there is a youth weekend. Hopefully between tomorrow and the youth weekend Korey or I will be able to get another deer. This will fill our freezer for the coming year.

Today - my wife and I planted a bed of onions. I bought the onion sprouts 2 weeks ago but have not felt like plating them.

February - Potatoes go in the ground around February 14th. My wife and I already have to seed potatoes in the shed.

This is also one of the months that I like to go camping.

Plant a couple of apple and peach trees.


March - This is when the garden is going in the ground. So far the plans are for a couple of rows of snap beans, and the usual peppers, cucumbers, okra, melons......

March is another month that I like to go camping or hiking in. The texas heat has not kicked in, so its nice and cool at night.

In March I am planning on rotating out my pea seed and bean seeds. Some of the pea and bean seed in my stocks are 3 and maybe 4 years old. The plans are to plant a crop on the deer lease for the deer using my old seeds. I will then buy new seeds to replace and update my stocks.


April - Finish up any late season garden crops. Maybe go on a hiking or camping trip.


May - Summer squirrel season and finish up any hiking or camping trips that I want to go on.


June, July and August - Going to the lake and doing some fishing. Spending time with my family. My kids will be at house for around 42 days, so the weekends and spare time will be for them.

July is when pumpkins should be planted.

Maybe set out a trail camera to monitor deer movements.


August and September - Hurricane season. And getting ready for deer season.

This is also the time to plant any winter crops, such as turnips greens.

These 2 months will be a little stressful if any hurricanes get into the Gulf of Mexico.


October - Scouting for deer trails, setting up any new deer stands.


November and December - Deer season, thanksgiving and Christmas.


Overall I was happy with the way 2008 went. Nobody in our family died - that was in 2007. Hopefully those that did not have flood insurance will have it be the time the 2009 hurricane season rolls around. Even though some of my friends and family were flooded out by hurricane Ike, nobody died. There was one person that I knew who died during Ike, and I hope his family is doing well.

[Sapper6]

Kev, thanks for the post. Its good to see how the pros are doing business. I've never planned out the next year before, but it seems like a great idea.

And don't feel too bad. I hunted my heart out this season and also only got one doe (plus some dove). I can't figure out what went wrong. I shot a deer the first week of the season, and never saw another. I was hoping to have a deer in the freezer for this year also.

[HippieSurvivalist]

Garden won't start until late April, at the earliest, but it will contain:

tomatoes
brussels sprouts (this was my best yielding plan last year)
spinach (green leaf)
carrots
green beans
green peppers

and various other sprouting things I find for cheap...

I would have planted onions already, but they are so damn cheap I'd rather save the space for other, more expensive garden veggies.

Hiking/backacking season won't start until the last weekeknd in May, at the earliest, but I'm good to go on at least 6 trips this year. All of them mountainous, strenuous and butt-kicking, I hope. I'll probably work on my fishing skills, too, starting in May.

Tom.

[FXjohn]

^--- What about Potatoes?

I'd like to set up a seperate area to grow a ton of potatoes this year

[Ric_Knight]

You are in a very lucky place. I hope to have a piece of land that I can set up on before too long. Best of luck with your plans for 2009.

[Guerrilla]

Good to hear all is well. Good luck this year, Kev.

[timber runner]

right now my main goal for 09 is to get a job. n hope that the economy gets better

[Brew]

Originally Posted by FXjohn

^--- What about Potatoes?

I'd like to set up a seperate area to grow a ton of potatoes this year

Ok no troll jokes.

Kev has the potatoes covered. One of his first vids I watched inspired me to plant:

Yukon gold
Idaho bakers
red small

We will pick up several new specialty types this year and seed them ourselves. Only using the strongest from each season ensures you are breeding to your own local requirements.

Our first crop of elephant garlic is poking through the snow as well. Go figure they are just like hearty winter bulbs.

Nice.

[300mag]

Thoughts for 2009


Worried

[New_Pollution1086]

I have similar thoughts as timber runner.

I need me some work.

T

[Raptor45]

Wow, planting in March, we are still shoveling!

April is MUD SEASON, walk across the yard and sink!

May is iffy for planting in the garden, too much rain or cold and we start over... but it is turkey season and the lakes usually are free of ice though the fishing is slow.

June through October is when we "make hay' so to speak so it's not easy to find time to have as much time for fun as I would like.

You guys down south have it made as you can stretch out the outdoor activities that likely don't include cutting 8-10 cords of firewood... should have moved to Texas instead of Maine 25 years ago. I will ask the SU and she will tell me NO.... again.

Worries for this winter, business is way off again as our work is linked to real estate market but FORTUNATELY WE PREPARED!

Greatest thing about 2008? I have a grand-daughter.
Greatest fear for 2009? She will grow up in a different world than I enjoyed as a child.

[Brew]

Sounds funny but a hot house works better in the snow than it does in the sun. Kev's got it down. 4' flouresents set to come on for the remainder of hrs(about 6 evry night in maine) can trick the plants into growing year round. I have trees that never fruit because they are under sodium street lights. They have never seen fall because the days never get shorter......

Pay attention to what he says. He is in tune with the seasons and cycles and rythm of the place he lives. This is pure gold. Read his post again.

[greenhorn]

Nice plans and you have included your children! That is the best part.

[kev]

The only real changes that I want to make in 2009:

Buy a smaller caliber deer rifle. My current rifle and caliber is a remington 700 bdl mountain rifle in 280 / 7mm express. The rifle kicks a little more then I care for, so I am looking at getting a 308, bolt action with open sights. If I can not find a rifle like that, then a Marlin 30-30.

Rotate out some of my seed stocks.

Stock up on certain seeds.

Put 2 new tires on my truck.

Maybe build another bar-b-q pit.

Stock up on some more wood.

With the help of hurricane Ike relief efforts I have about 15 cases of MREs. So having to buy food stocks is something I do not have to worry about for 2 - 3 years.

Work on my physical condition. I need to shed about 15 pounds.

[Apocalypse Now]

Well 2008 was a real crappy year for me as it was for millions of Americans and people around the world for that matter.
#1 priority--Find a new job: The GM plant that I have worked at for 19 years ,closed it's doors on DEC. 23rd 2008 (Merry Christmas). I am single and have been financially responsible over the years and have very little debt, my home is nearly paid off. So I can survive on a $10 per hr. job if I have to. However from this point on I have decided that having a job that I will enjoy is an absolute must.
#2 Get back in shape: I have a tread mill and weight room in my basement , but I have not used them for quite awhile. It's time to rebuild some endurance and strength.