Tis the end of the season, our first frost sort of happened a couple of nights ago. I say sort of because it only hit in the ditches and didn’t take anything out with it that I can tell. That being said, a killing frost is just around the corner, possibly tonight. When I finish this post I will go collect the green tomatoes that remain on the vines. Tonight we are having Rotisserie Thyme Chicken and fried green tomatoes with home made bread.

Part of me has been looking forward to the coming down time, part of me will miss going out into the garden to watch things grow and gather goodies. It was this latter part that hit home a few days ago when I was watching an episode of ‘Cultivating Life’ that I had recorded. There was a guest on the show that was demonstrating growing sprouts. Not just alfalfa sprouts, but all manner of sprouts that can be used in stir fry, salads, etc. I was intrigued. So much so that after the program I got on the computer and sent Google out looking for more info on the subject. Sure enough there was a wealth of info out there. Some years back I used to grow alfalfa sprouts but never knew there were so many other seeds that could be sprouted and eaten. What a neat way to winter garden! The next day I dug out the three plastic lids that I had purchased way back when, headed off to the grocery with a list in hand of new goodies to try. I found that the International section of the grocery had lots of grains and beans that you just don’t find at the corner market. The health food store was on my list of places to stop too. The best deals I found a couple of days later at Jungle Jims. It has a mega store with food from all over the world that you just can’t find anywhere else. By yesterday I had the following in jars, Adzuki, Alfalfa, Broccoli, Sesame, Mung, Lentils, Wheat, Quinoa, Garbanzo and Buckwheat. I am sure I won’t like all of them but am excited to see what I do like. So far I know I am a fan of the alfalfa and quinoa sprouts.

One thing I realized very quickly was that my three lids weren’t going to be enough. The lids I have are of three different mesh. The one with the largest holes I had never used and the other two weren’t going to be enough if I end up trying to grow even a third of the ones I have started so far. I looked online and could only find single small mesh plastic lids or lids with metal mesh. Not satisfied with what I was finding, a trip to Joann’s Fabric and I had what I needed. The plastic canvas used for needlepoint was going to do the trick nicely. They have many different mesh sizes and I found that the size 7 and size 10 match the two lids I have been using and a whole lot cheaper than anything I could buy. Using a canning lid I was able to trace out a number of cutouts from 10.5″ x 13.5″ each sheet. These lids coupled with a metal canning ring and I was in business. For about $1.25 I ended up with 24 lids including some to fit the small mouth jars.