growing food tips

[aayid]

hi! my backyard doesn't really grow anything other than dandelion weeds but it is really big and has space for growing foods. what types of food grows pretty easily? i dont really know how to keep plants alive and i live in new england so the weather is wack. are there also any plants i can grow indoors? i see some tortoise food kits online but i dont know if people really have success with those. i also will buy produce from the grocery store since there are some options that are pesticide free and i can sprinkle calcium or other supplements since ive seen that grocery store produce isnt as nutritious. one last thing, im probably getting a russian tort so any suggestions that is good for them or that they prefer would be helpful. thanks so much!

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hello! I have a diet link in the housing thread below, perhaps have a look at the different categories, especially the wildflower bit and see if there’s any native plants that grow better in your climate, for the ones that don’t, perhaps you’ll have success growing some indoorsI’d also use the thread to double check all the equipment you plan/have, a lot of people get sold the wrong stuff unfortunately.

This one here is if you plan to get a baby; it covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc), correct levels, importance of a closed chamber for younger tortoises(only way to maintain the humidity you need), appropriately maintaining the humidity, safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, and a really handy diet link to check out! If going with a greenhouse, the lower the ceiling height, whilst still allowing for recommended bulb height, the better!

Housing young Russian/Herman

Hello there! In this thread, I’m going to include some information on an effective way to tackle a starter set up/a way you can build a bigger size once your baby is an adult. I know it looks a lot to go over, I like to make sure all bases are covered, I’m happy to break down any information...

tortoiseforum.org

In you need differ closed chamber ideas, feel free to check this out

Visual inspiration

Hi guys! I’ve had some lovely messages complimenting me on my care sheets I made for all the visuals they include! That makes me so happy because as a visual learner myself, that was my goal🥰 I’ve recently had some requests for some more visual inspiration for set ups that can house babies/...

tortoiseforum.org

This covers adults;

Housing adult Russian and Hermans indoors

Hello there! In this thread I’m going to include some information an example of an appropriate indoor set up for an older Herman/russian. As much as it’s encouraged to have tortoises in a safe outdoor enclosure, I understand being from the uk myself, that some climates make it difficult to...

tortoiseforum.org

This included some inspiration for adult set ups both indoors and out! You might like the indoor bit, it includes some ideas on making the most of your indoor space whilst still providing roaming room!

Enclosure inspiration

Howdy folks! Hope everyone is well! As you all know, I’m a big fan of making threads that cater more towards visual learners like myself, I’ve really been wanting to create a thread full of adult enclosure inspiration for a while now, I’ve managed to find some great references over time! I do...

tortoiseforum.org

Lastly, this one is also really good to familiarise yourself with and have on hand, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying

Common keeping errors

Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...

tortoiseforum.org

Really hope they come in handy! Always feel free to ask any further questions! Welcome to the forum

 

[RosemaryDW]

I have a Russian with a good appetite, who has been offered hundreds of different foods over the years (I'm extremely fortunate in my options). Russians are good eaters so you likely won't need much fuss.

One of the things I think we sometimes get wrong is focusing on the "best" thing from a short list rather than learning about what we already have access to, chances are you have options not reflected on what we share. Your Russian would literally be eating weeds in a very harsh climate left where he was born, which are full of the fiber and calcium he needs, many folks would be jealous of your weed patch. As the poster above you said, maybe look at a local wildflower seed mix, which are basically pretty weeds. I'd just water the weeds you have and figure out what in there is useful as time goes on. You can eventually learn what else is growing near you or available from a store you haven't thought of. Unless you live in the most desolate of spaces there will be something.

The tortoise mixes are great for many, but generally speaking they have some outdoor space and sun, decent soil, and regular water. They are also half weeds! If you want to try one of them in part of your space that's great and less to think about, but I wouldn't give up my entire weed patch, as those plants are obviously the most likely to survive. Maybe add a zucchini vine in the summer and some turnip or daikon radish seeds in the spring. Any clover would be something to add if somehow there isn't already one growing,

Don't overdo calcium or other supplements when the time comes, that's a common mistake. A pinch of fairy dust will do for most tortoises. I don't use any, given the diet choices I have.

Focus on your setup for now, it's the thing most important for health. Diet will work itself out over time.