I got a call from Chino the Handyman yesterday.
He had just finished building a house and they were getting ready to put the house on the market.
The open house is tomorrow.
Chino: “I built 3 large garden boxes {I hear they’re all the rage} and I need some vegetables to stick in them and the only thing the nursey has is ornamental cabbage. Do you have any plants I can come over and dig up?”
Mavis: “What? You want to steal my plants?”
Chino: “Well actually I’m sending Girly Girl over to steal them. Gardening is for girls.”
Mavis: “Ahhh, I see.”
Before I could ask anymore questions {or say no}, Girly Girl was in my driveway with her shovel in hand. So we dug up vegetables. It all happened so fast I didn’t even have a chance to ask Chino what he was planning to barter my picture perfect vegetables for.
He’s a hunter you know… and isn’t hunting season right around the corner?
All I know is she took a bunch of Swiss chard {high five anyone?} so I’m happy. Swiss chard for free range meat? Heck yeah I’ll make that trade.
Now if I could just somehow convince Girly Girl to take one of the baby roos in exchange for a rump roast all would be good in the world. Fat chance though. Apparently Girly Girl knows a baby roo when she sees one. 🙁 I even tried convincing her little man that having a boy chicken would be a lot of fun. He begged, I begged, but Girly Girl said no.
At the end of her pillaging, she drove away with 10 broccoli plants, a dozen leeks…
and a boatload of Swiss chard.
Now, the question is, how much meat do you think all those full grown vegetable starts are worth? 1 pound? 5 pounds? 10 pounds?
Mavis wants to know.
Peggy Stenglein says
I would think helping them stage their ‘garden’ would be worth more than the veggies, they are gorgeous no doubt, and will look great in their garden boxes if they don’t have too much transplant shock, but I think helping them out in the first place is worth a bit of meat, the poundage I guess depends on the cuts of meat.
Cecily says
A minimum of 10-15 pounds. As decorative plants (and that is what they are being used as) the retail value of your beautiful veggies is well over $100. You also helped CH and GG out of a tight spot. I hope they pay you back in kind.
Leslie says
I agree with 10-15 lbs because each plant would be atleast 3 dollars at the store for a baby one and yours are grown.
Desi says
Definitely at least 10 lbs or more!
Erica says
I’d go by grocery store price for that amount of veggies. Just wondering if you’ve considered butchering your roos?
Sara says
10 lbs plus 2 baby roos
Betty AD says
If he’s a good neighbor he will make it worth your while…and probably give you more than you are expectanting. He may not have any to spare now….since hunting seasons just kicking in. Those deer burgers /jerkies taste great. Daughters husband is hunting now and the little 5 yr old loves to go with him….so cute. but she /the wife cant eat the food of his labor…as preg. people cant eat deer meat……but 2 and half more months that will change.
Laura says
Isn’t the deer thing and pregnancy like with pork and trichinosis? Underdone and it can cause toxoplasmosis? I know underdone lamb can cause it too. Proper handling, preparation, and cooking to an internal temperature of 165 degrees will ensure even deer is safe for pregnant women to eat. It’s good to be careful of course! But, I know some women who got rid of their cats when pregnant, instead of using precautions or letting their partners clean the boxes. I just washed my hands when I was done.
Garden boxes in a spec house? That is a wonderful touch! I have no idea how many pounds of venison would be fair, I have no idea how much it sells for.
Betty AD says
I dont really understand about the preg. and meats etc….but growing up /poor folks in a rich mans world….we never had issues with any of todays problems. But then again we never had the chemicals placed in the air/grounds/animals…and even given to people now. ……even though we carried water from a spring to drink /wash/etc…looking back those were the good dsys comparied to now times.
Ashley says
I’ve never heard of not being able to eat venison because someone is pregnant. Plenty of people used to practically live off venison, and I’m on my third pregnancy and have never worried about eating deer. As long as it’s cooked properly, it can’t be worse than other meat. I mean, it’s coming from nature, it’s not like grocery store meat that has come in contact with who knows what.
Betty AD says
……I agree Ashley….but seems Dr. are tell them to not eat any wild meats and avoid the cat litter. Guess if something goes wrong…then they can rule out the wild and cat litter. Id be more worried about whats in a shot they gave you than the meats etc. ….
Ashley says
The no wild meat seems strange to me, but I suppose it’s no stranger than some of the other things they tell pregnant women to avoid eating. There are so many rules on food and other things, it’s hard to take them all seriously!
CathyB says
I ate deer meat all the time during my pregnancies. But then I also did not specifically run it by my doctors. Maybe they are worried about how the meat is handled and kept clean during processing?
Krista says
We eat deer meat and ive ate it many times while pregnant, as long as its processed correctly and cooked through to a safe temp of about 160 (if its ground up) 180 if its a roast there shouldnt be any problems in eating it.
mildred lane says
their friendship………..priceless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Betty AD says
Your right on that one….and they are rare for sure.
Dawn says
The bright lights swiss chard is so pretty, it will make a lovely addition to his “for show” garden bed.
I have no idea of what you should trade, but either way, you’ll make out, because you don’t eat the swiss chard anyway – – and the chickens won’t want to share the meat!!!
Mavis Butterfield says
Yep, I’d say it’s a win win situation. 🙂
Randy says
I’d say you were a good neighbor I find it hard to part with my fall crops since every thing grow so slowly. Truly they are staging plants and are much larger than anything he could buy. He could give you a gift certificate at a food store for meat. Really think they are worth more as in the ground plants. Suggest he plant some rows of radishes as well as the house may not sell immediately.