PUMPKINS from Pg 11
In their garden , the Hausladens grow a variety of food which includes : three different types of raspberries , several different types of tomatoes , dill , cabbage , horseradish , basil , leeks , onions , lettuce , watermelons , two types of squash , sweet corn , hops , strawberries , cucumbers , potatoes , brussel sprouts , broccoli , cauliflower , several types of peppers , and regular size pumpkins .
With so much food being produced what does a family of four do with it all ?
“ We can a lot . By the way anyone wanting to get rid of jars is welcome to contact me or drop them off , we can always use jars . We also have a pretty big group of friends and a lot of family members that we love to share all of this with . That ’ s what we do this for . For me , it is about community , and friendship and helping people out and giving them something healthy ,” Hausladen said .
Gardening advice
What advice would Hausladen give to those who would like to start gardening ?
“ I would only plan what you ’ re going to use . We go way beyond that but we know what we are getting into . Think about how you cook right now , and think about whether you are going to use what you produce . Don ’ t plant tomatoes if you don ’ t eat tomatoes . Know what you are planting too , for example , broccoli can thicken your
Located in the friendly river city of Watertown
blood , so someone on blood thinners should know that .” Hausladen said .
Hausladen conintued , “ One of the big things that we always tell people to do is get a soil test , know where you ’ re at so that you can adjust if you need to . There ’ s a lot of little things I do to prepare the soil , I always pick up all the leaves in the fall and I put them in the garden . I put them four to six inches deep . That ’ s a great organic soil builder , and it ’ s free .”
“ The last thing I would tell people is that if you are planting tomatoes that you should go online and order yourself some Total Tomato Cages ,” Hausladen said , which is a product that Hausladen developed for his tomatoes and now sells .
“ Gardening is not for the faint of heart , there is a lot of time and energy that is built into it but if you are passionate and love what you are doing , it doesn ’ t seem like work , “ and as Hausladen said , “ it ’ s cheaper than therapy .”
Photo by Andew Meuleners
Hausladen uses a special liquid fertilizer for his pumpkins .
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Senior Connections Nov / Dec 2020
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