I am not here, I am not posting.
I have allowed my boys to sleep in today. It is so quiet, and calm, I'm not sure what I should be doing. I am catching up on every one's blogs, and my, have you guys been busy.
I thought I would pass on some of the new blogs I have listed on my sidebar for you. This is an unofficial Saturday blogroll call, because I'm not posting on the weekends, remember?
Kentucky Hollers Is another neophyte to homesteading. Whenever I am frustrated and ready to throw my hands in the air, I will head over there to see what she is up to. More times than not, her inexperience and her attitude towards it has me laughing.
Lilla Chinamengri Killimengri Some of you my have seen her responses here, Killi is a recent immigrant to Ireland where she is attempting to homestead despite a neighbor that moved to the country thinking it was going to be quiet out there.
Children in the Corn Farm mom is homesteading on two acres, with her husband, two children and magic elves?
Down To Earth, is the newest on my list. She is a homesteader in Australia. She is doing a few things from scratch and sharing her recipe for success with everyone. From laundry soap to cheese.
Donate Now!
Buy a membership or koozies to help!
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Friday, May 18, 2007
Clay Soil
One of my worst woes when it comes to gardening here at the homestead {besides living in a semi-arid dessert, weeds that hold a grudge, and insects that not only eat my tender plants, but seem to have a liking of human flesh} is all the clay soil I have to contend with.
Clay isn't all bad, it does have many minerals that some plants like, once you can get water to penetrate, it will keep moist. Yet it is thick, tends to clump, and becomes very hard once dried. So what's a gal to do?
With much trial an error, with many different gardening and homesteading books that weren't that helpful I have figured out my land, and what grows well where.
The lighter clayed area has now been conditioned quite well with giant edible sunflowers rotated with corn. They both grew well in the clay.
Where I have thick clay, the bigger the seed the better. Our zucchinis and squashes did well here, acorn squash did wonderfully. We discovered that it was a bad idea to mound up the clay like some of the books {ok the majority} said to do when planting gourds. When the seeds sprouted, the clay would come up in a small chunk, reminding me of a lid. My gourd patch has no hoed rows, just turned over strips.
When it comes to your own soil, unless you have gone to the store and bought perfect earth, then you will end up experimenting for a time. The books, as well as what I say, can only tell you how your plants should be planted and tended to. What ends up growing and thriving will tell you what you can do. Invest in home composting and a journal. For a successful garden, take note of what and where something is placed, and how much it yields. This will help come next spring.
And speaking of gardens. I seemed to have misplaced my radish seeds that I harvested last year. I have several volunteers coming up along with lettuce. They are just about ready to harvest. And my flower bed as been taken over by several small pumpkin plants again this year. Did you have any volunteers pop up?
Clay isn't all bad, it does have many minerals that some plants like, once you can get water to penetrate, it will keep moist. Yet it is thick, tends to clump, and becomes very hard once dried. So what's a gal to do?
With much trial an error, with many different gardening and homesteading books that weren't that helpful I have figured out my land, and what grows well where.
The lighter clayed area has now been conditioned quite well with giant edible sunflowers rotated with corn. They both grew well in the clay.
Where I have thick clay, the bigger the seed the better. Our zucchinis and squashes did well here, acorn squash did wonderfully. We discovered that it was a bad idea to mound up the clay like some of the books {ok the majority} said to do when planting gourds. When the seeds sprouted, the clay would come up in a small chunk, reminding me of a lid. My gourd patch has no hoed rows, just turned over strips.
When it comes to your own soil, unless you have gone to the store and bought perfect earth, then you will end up experimenting for a time. The books, as well as what I say, can only tell you how your plants should be planted and tended to. What ends up growing and thriving will tell you what you can do. Invest in home composting and a journal. For a successful garden, take note of what and where something is placed, and how much it yields. This will help come next spring.
And speaking of gardens. I seemed to have misplaced my radish seeds that I harvested last year. I have several volunteers coming up along with lettuce. They are just about ready to harvest. And my flower bed as been taken over by several small pumpkin plants again this year. Did you have any volunteers pop up?
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Some Good News
Having a hard time getting on blogger this morning.
As the tittle states, I have some good news. I went out yesterday to inspect the orchard. With all the rain and warm weather, I had a glimmer of a hope that some of my berry bushes survived that late hard frost. One of seven blackberries made it, one of three raspberries and one of three blueberries. All my grapes are going strong. One of two nectarines are ok, all my apples, my pear trees are fine. My peach tree isn't going to produce this year because the blizzard killed off all the flowers, but it looks like it survived.
Have I mentioned I loathe gardening? No? Well there comes a point where I feel that I am finished planting, then look over and things waiting to be put into the ground have multiplied. How did I end up with 42 tomato plants? Some days I would like that instant gratification that comes with driving to the grocery to get whatever I want right then and there. I always feel this way at this time of year, give me until harvest and I will be giddy with the excitement of fresh veggies. Nothing taste better.
Last Saturday I visited my local Farm Market. For being so early in the season, we had twice as many vendors then we did at the same time last year. Green houses hadn't offered seedlings in the years past. A new bakery was present, so I bought some bread for them. A local beekeeping couple was there, she was a tricky one. All I wanted was a large bottle of her honey, yet I walked away with the industrial size bottle. What am I to do with a gallon of honey? Also a couple from Haven, Kansas were selling their organic beef. Greener Pastures. I bought 5 lbs of hamburger, 4 KC Strips {nice and thick} and 8 minute steaks. All in all I spent under $100US on everything. Surprisingly enough, the steaks were cheaper than at the grocery. If you are new to the Farm Market scene, it's best to look around and price before going forth and purchasing, and sampling a little of each vendor is a good idea, no two steaks will taste the same {unless they are grain fed and mass produced} Once you figure out who you like, buy a little extra to freeze can or preserve to help you through the winter. That is if your markets are like ours, seasonal and open air.
As the tittle states, I have some good news. I went out yesterday to inspect the orchard. With all the rain and warm weather, I had a glimmer of a hope that some of my berry bushes survived that late hard frost. One of seven blackberries made it, one of three raspberries and one of three blueberries. All my grapes are going strong. One of two nectarines are ok, all my apples, my pear trees are fine. My peach tree isn't going to produce this year because the blizzard killed off all the flowers, but it looks like it survived.
Have I mentioned I loathe gardening? No? Well there comes a point where I feel that I am finished planting, then look over and things waiting to be put into the ground have multiplied. How did I end up with 42 tomato plants? Some days I would like that instant gratification that comes with driving to the grocery to get whatever I want right then and there. I always feel this way at this time of year, give me until harvest and I will be giddy with the excitement of fresh veggies. Nothing taste better.
Last Saturday I visited my local Farm Market. For being so early in the season, we had twice as many vendors then we did at the same time last year. Green houses hadn't offered seedlings in the years past. A new bakery was present, so I bought some bread for them. A local beekeeping couple was there, she was a tricky one. All I wanted was a large bottle of her honey, yet I walked away with the industrial size bottle. What am I to do with a gallon of honey? Also a couple from Haven, Kansas were selling their organic beef. Greener Pastures. I bought 5 lbs of hamburger, 4 KC Strips {nice and thick} and 8 minute steaks. All in all I spent under $100US on everything. Surprisingly enough, the steaks were cheaper than at the grocery. If you are new to the Farm Market scene, it's best to look around and price before going forth and purchasing, and sampling a little of each vendor is a good idea, no two steaks will taste the same {unless they are grain fed and mass produced} Once you figure out who you like, buy a little extra to freeze can or preserve to help you through the winter. That is if your markets are like ours, seasonal and open air.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
The eggplant
The eggplant is a stubborn thing. It is picky about the weather and soil.
If you haven't yet started you eggplants from seed, say two months ago, don't do so now. Instead head off to your local green house and buy one ready to plant. Once your ground is thoroughly warmed you can plant them out. The like very rich soil, a mixture of two parts rotted sod and one part compost with a little sand mixed in for good measure. You will need to mix in your bed well rotted manure at the rate of 2 lbs on either side of your plant.
In the early days, you will need to protect the small plant from the weather, use things like pop bottles and milk jugs to create a mini greenhouse.
They like soil that has good drainage, they will need one inch of water a week. this needs to be done by hand. {and while I say that, it's best to do the same with your entire garden, it does much better than sprinkling everyday} When new growth begins, it is time to mulch, use straw or hay for this, 2 inches thick around the plant.
In July, you eggplant is going to be in need of feeding. Side dress with compost or another natural fertilizer.
Allow 2 1/2 feet between plants and about 3 feet between rows.
And I wish you the best of luck with these guys. Check sidebar for a recipe on the food blog
{speaking of greenhouse plants. . . abbagirl or anyone else in the Wichita area, if you are interested, it's field trip time! The Farm Markets are open, and the greenhouses are present}
What shall we plant next?
If you haven't yet started you eggplants from seed, say two months ago, don't do so now. Instead head off to your local green house and buy one ready to plant. Once your ground is thoroughly warmed you can plant them out. The like very rich soil, a mixture of two parts rotted sod and one part compost with a little sand mixed in for good measure. You will need to mix in your bed well rotted manure at the rate of 2 lbs on either side of your plant.
In the early days, you will need to protect the small plant from the weather, use things like pop bottles and milk jugs to create a mini greenhouse.
They like soil that has good drainage, they will need one inch of water a week. this needs to be done by hand. {and while I say that, it's best to do the same with your entire garden, it does much better than sprinkling everyday} When new growth begins, it is time to mulch, use straw or hay for this, 2 inches thick around the plant.
In July, you eggplant is going to be in need of feeding. Side dress with compost or another natural fertilizer.
Allow 2 1/2 feet between plants and about 3 feet between rows.
And I wish you the best of luck with these guys. Check sidebar for a recipe on the food blog
{speaking of greenhouse plants. . . abbagirl or anyone else in the Wichita area, if you are interested, it's field trip time! The Farm Markets are open, and the greenhouses are present}
What shall we plant next?
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Links to pass on
I was reading my email from the No Nais group I belong to, and some of these links were shared. I found them very interesting reads and thought I would pass them along. For more on NAIS and what it means to you, please go to NONAIS.org
"More than 130,000 people have said 'No' to unlabeled food from clones," said Ronnie Cummins of the Organic Consumers Association. "People are tired of the biotech industry meddling in the food system, tired of government rubber-stamping approvals, and tired of not having the right to choose what they eat and feed to their families."
Genetically Engineered Crops May Produce Herbicide Inside Our Intestines
No ORGANIC Bee losses
An American Court Bans Genetically Modified Alfalfa
"More than 130,000 people have said 'No' to unlabeled food from clones," said Ronnie Cummins of the Organic Consumers Association. "People are tired of the biotech industry meddling in the food system, tired of government rubber-stamping approvals, and tired of not having the right to choose what they eat and feed to their families."
Genetically Engineered Crops May Produce Herbicide Inside Our Intestines
No ORGANIC Bee losses
An American Court Bans Genetically Modified Alfalfa
well. . .
Good morning all. There were many visitors on yesterday. Unfortunately I was so sick I didn't have much to say.
I find it fascinating that so many people are interested in what I do. Some of you might not know this, but this blog was started so I would stop annoying my friends with all my chicken talk. And in under a year of posting I have been the Bestest Blog of the day, wrote an article for Get Rich Slowly, been mentioned in two newspapers {Kansas City Star and the Wall Street Journal}. I am working on the forums for The Modern Homestead and doing something else for them that I will tell you guys all about soon. Not to mention all the like minded and not so much like minded, friends that I have met. {Have I told you lately that you guys rock!} Although many of you are quiet readers, I still appreciate you around. {you can comment, I don't bite}
It rained last night, and the high is to be in the 70's. Now that I am no longer wishing to curl up in a ball and die {the illness} I can get back to the gardening.
I find it fascinating that so many people are interested in what I do. Some of you might not know this, but this blog was started so I would stop annoying my friends with all my chicken talk. And in under a year of posting I have been the Bestest Blog of the day, wrote an article for Get Rich Slowly, been mentioned in two newspapers {Kansas City Star and the Wall Street Journal}. I am working on the forums for The Modern Homestead and doing something else for them that I will tell you guys all about soon. Not to mention all the like minded and not so much like minded, friends that I have met. {Have I told you lately that you guys rock!} Although many of you are quiet readers, I still appreciate you around. {you can comment, I don't bite}
It rained last night, and the high is to be in the 70's. Now that I am no longer wishing to curl up in a ball and die {the illness} I can get back to the gardening.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Not giving in.
After a long talk with my husband the other night, we have decided that we will be starting over. I have no idea when, but we will begin again. It saddens me that things have gone this way, but it has and it's just another lessen I needed to learn. We will do better next time.
Those that have asked, no the Sheriffs will not be able to do anything but laugh at us. We just need to build a better pen.
Also welcome to the Wall Street Journal Readers. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
For my regular readers, Keith Huang has wrote up a paragraph about the Homestead as well as a few other novice farmers. If you have a subscription, you can read it online; here Blogs to Watch.
Those that have asked, no the Sheriffs will not be able to do anything but laugh at us. We just need to build a better pen.
Also welcome to the Wall Street Journal Readers. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
For my regular readers, Keith Huang has wrote up a paragraph about the Homestead as well as a few other novice farmers. If you have a subscription, you can read it online; here Blogs to Watch.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
