Pay just $84.50 through November 15!

It also comes in black and natural leather…

At a recent gathering, I told my friend’s dad that I’d been gardening.

“Have you tried humate?” he asked, then went on to explain that he had mined some organically rich soil, aka humate, from New Mexico, which is supposed to do wonders for plant health.

“You should do a side-by-side test and see how well humate works against your regular growing method.”

The gauntlet has been thrown, and I accept the challenge.

Step 1: Soaking the seeds

I started out soaking half of my seeds in a mixture of humate and water, and the other half in plain water. My friend’s mom had the brilliant idea to put them in muffin tins, which just so happens to be a genius way to soak (and keep track) of  a bunch of seeds at once.

Step 2: Prepare the dirt

I saved half of a 4 x 8 plot for the humate experiment. To prepare the dirt, I weeded, then covered the bare earth with newspapers (black & white only, no colored ink!) and wet them.

Then I covered the newspapers with mulch and compost. One side (the one on the right) also got a thin layer of humate. Then I repeated: Newspapers, mulch and compost.

Step 3: Planting the seeds and transplants

Next, I took my humate-soaked seeds and planted them in half of my plot (beets, spinach and peas) and then planted the water soaked plants on the other side. I also planted a brussel sprout plant on each side, just for fun.

Step 4: Amend the soil

Lastly, I amended the soil with alfalfa meal and watered it in with a mixture of fish emulsion and seaweed.

Let the growing begin!

The main problem: You can’t try them on!

Amazon has a new denim shop which features free shipping and returns and featuring brands like Joe’s Jeans, 7 for All Mankind, Habitual, and Levi’s.

Joe’s Jeans Women’s Cigarette Skinny Jean in Tessa, $165
7 For All Mankind Women’s Straight Leg Jean, $155
Habitual Women’s Grable Boot Cut Jean, $198

Upon arrival home, I took a closer look at the accompanying tag/booklet:

How to make the jeans shrink until they fit: Climb into a bath full of warm water and soak you and your jeans for at least 10 minutes. Drain the water away, squat down and squeeze the water out of the fabric. Stand up and — if possible — let them dry naturally while still wearing them.

Ummm…okay.

Well, I didn’t have a working bathtub at the time of purchase. Even when the tub problem had been resolved, it just never seemed to be the right time to take a clothed bath.

Until last week.

Feeling fall coming on, I figured it was now…or next summer. Why not have an extra raw pair of jeans for this season?

So I soaked…and dried.

The result: Jeans so stiff they stand up on their own.

Now I’m supposed to wait 6 months to wash. I’m not sure if this purchase was really a deal.

To be continued…

Peas, spinach and beets are totally on the menu, but the squash and about 10 tomato plants growing in the center of my plot…not so much.

Being a new gardener who finds any growth, planned or not, a victory, I have been having a hard time just getting rid of the fledgling plants…so I’ve transplanted some of them into pots.

Here is my new squash pot (which isn’t looking very promising).

And here is one of the few tomatoes that made the move, and seemingly thriving.

Faux-Suede Boots, $34.50

Here’s how to play:

Follow the following local businesses on Twitter to start the fun.
@FrancesSmeeks @GalloBlanco @OliverandAnnie @PostinoWineCafe @lisagwinebar @urbancookies @Maizies @PostinoCentral @hausmodern @stinkweeds @ HulasModern @RedHotRobot

Tune in on November 12 at 4 p.m. for Tweets every hour with clues.

Follow the clues for deals on food shopping, prizes and fun!

Leaving Grey Top, $37.99

Urban Renewal Remade Leather Hobo Bag, $48

Maxim’s on 19th Avenue north of Osborn is really nothing to look at. The sign is faded, the concrete has degraded to gravel, but the magic is on the inside.

Actually, inside doesn’t LOOK much better. White tile floor, a bunch of tables with Sriracha and other condiments, and some photos of their dishes. Oh the dishes!

My husband is partial to the Pho Tai, or noodle soup with beef which comes with a heaping plate of herbs, bean sprouts, jalepenos and lime. I love the Vietnamese pancake made with bean sprouts, shrimp and pork. Both of us are crazy about the spring rolls (the friend ones) that come with lettuce and greens to wrap it all up.

Also a bonus, my husband and I usually leave Maxim’s full, with some leftovers and a bill of around $15.

Below is a seafood noodle soup made with rice noodles…