Did I mention it's brewed from manure? My grandfather used to use this on his gardens, my uncle used it on his gardens, and I use it on mine. For anyone who doesn't know about this wonderful brew it is so simple to make and use, and it makes a pound of manure stretch a long way in the garden.
If you have access to fresh manure, great, if not, just go to the garden center and purchase a bag or two of composted manure, should cost under $5 for one bag. Dump the manure into a large outdoor plastic trash can or a smaller sized tote, large enough to hold all the manure plus water, about 5 parts water to 1 part manure more or less. Mix well and set aside and let it steep overnight. What ever you don't use right away can continue to steep. Stir well before each use. Unless you strain the tea first, don't put into a watering can because any solids will block the sprinkling holes.
When you get to the bottom of the "pot" use the solids remaining in the bottom to side dress plants, or use when setting in transplants for an extra boost.
Happy Gardening!
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Epsom Salt .. a natural boost for your plants
Who knew? That wonderful mineral that makes a foot soak feel so good is also beneficial to your garden making your plants thrive naturally.
Epsom Salt, aka Magnesium Sulfate, is beneficial to the plants from the time of germination through maturity.
The following is from "Gardening with Epsom Salt" at Saltworks.us
"Why Epsom Salt Works in the Garden
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| Please note that not all Epsom salts are created equal. When using Epsom salt in gardening, it is strongly recommended that the highest quality Epsom salt available is utilized. Ultra Epsom Salt is the brand you can trust for your garden, lawn, plants and trees. |
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Magnesium
Magnesium is beneficial to plants from the beginning of their life, right when the seed begins to develop. It assists with the process of seed germination; infusing the seed with this important mineral and helping to strengthen the plant cell walls, so that the plant can receive essential nutrients. Magnesium also plays a crucial role in photosynthesis by assisting with the creation of chlorophyll, used by plants to convert sunlight into food. In addition, it is a wonderful help in allowing the plant to soak up phosphorus and nitrogen, which serve as vital fertilizer components for the soil. Magnesium is believed to bring more flowers and fruit to your garden, increasing the bounty as well as the beauty of your space.Sulfate
Sulfate, a mineral form of sulfur found in nature, is an equally important nutrient for plant life. Sulfate is essential to the health and longevity of plants, and aides in the production of chlorophyll. It joins with the soil to make key nutrients more effective for plants, including nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Sulfate works in conjunction with Magnesium to create a “vitamin” full of minerals, nourishment and health benefits for your garden."Vegetable Gardens & Epsom Salt
For maintaining and creating a vegetable garden, Epsom salt can help you refresh and revitalize the garden you have already created—or create a healthy beginning to a new space. Ultra Epsom Salt is advised for use with all fruits, vegetables, and herbs (It is not advisable to use Epsom salt with the planting of sage—it is not beneficial for this particular plant). As previously mentioned, it does not cause build-up or any harm to plants when used, and so can be used safely and effectively during any stage of the plant’s life. For general purposes, Ultra Epsom Salt works well as a saline solution for a tank sprayer. Simply fill your tank sprayer (commonly available at gardening and home improvement stores) with 1 tablespoon of Ultra Epsom Salt per gallon of water. Then spray your garden after the initial planting, later when it begins to grow (or after a month or so for transplants), and lastly when the vegetables begin to mature. It is believed that this practice will give you healthier vegetables, and a lush vegetable garden.The advice above is wonderful for any vegetable or herb, but we do have additional advice for some varieties and situations:
Tomatoes & Epsom Salt
Tomatoes are prone to magnesium deficiency later in the growing season, and display this through yellow leaves and less production. They can greatly benefit from Ultra Epsom Salt treatments both at the beginning of their planting and throughout their seasonal life. When gardening, simply add one or two tablespoons per hole before planting the seeds or transplants. Then as the tomato matures, either work in one tablespoon of Ultra Epsom Salt per foot of plant height around the base of the tomato plant (individually), or create the tank sprayer solution mentioned above and use that every two weeks.
Peppers & Epsom Salt
Like tomatoes, peppers are also prone to magnesium deficiency and thrive much more fully with the use of Epsom salt. This can be done in the same way as tomatoes—through adding one or two tablespoons per hole before planting (for seeds and grown plants), and then twice a week based on the height of the plant (see above). A study conducted by the National Gardening Association discovered that four out of six home gardeners noticed that their Epsom salt-treated peppers were larger than those that were un-treated. Many gardeners credit their healthy, vibrant peppers and tomatoes to Epsom salt. This solution truly aides in the production level, aesthetic beauty and quality of the harvest produced.Friday, May 24, 2013
At last... the little girls have arrived!
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One dozen little girls. 3 each of four breeds. RI Reds, Ameraucanas, Black Sex-link and Astrolthorp (spelling?) They are so cute and adapted so quickly to their new home. It's so exciting to have them at last. I want to cuddle each one.
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It also didn't take long for me to pick my favorite. The tiny Ameraucana hiding near the water trough is so mellow. She doesn't run when I put my hand near her, or touch her while she's eating.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Cutting Corners: Backyard Homesteading on 1/2 Acre PART 2
Let's discuss "cutting corners". Homesteading doesn't mean moving out to the boonies and giving up all the niceties of life. It means, at least to me, living a life free of the rat race, being self-sufficient as much as possible. Living simply and living well.
Nick and I had been reviewing our manner of living over the past ten years, and although our income has doubled, so has the stress and our personal cost of living. This was when we decided to call an end to the madness and return to our previously slower paced life-style.
Take some time and review your spending habits. It's amazing how much money we waste without realizing it. The daily trip to the coffee shop, buying magazine subscriptions but actually reading only a few of the issues, paying for hundreds of television channels when we watch only 2 or 3, etc.
The tricky part here is training ourselves to not only cut the unnecessary expenses but to actually take the money we didn't spend and put it into our special "Homestead" account.
The "Homestead Savings Account"
It's exactly what it says. Saving for the homestead. Whether it be saving to purchase your bit of land, or just maintaining your current homestead (repairs, vet expenses, etc.)
Example: We have decided that although we love our home and our bit of land is sufficient, we are tired of making that mortgage payment each month, the high property taxes, and the increasing crime rate in our little town, we want to sell out and buy acreage where the weather is more comfortable, has a longer growing season, and plenty of space for our homestead.
To accomplish this we have cut all unnecessary expenses and are working toward being debt free. At that point, which we expect to be in the coming year, we will sell the house. When we locate the land we desire it must be within a price range which we have determined we can afford to pay cash for. We will also need enough cash on hand to drill a well, install a septic system and a solar power or wind system for electricity, and build a small home.
Raising the cash for all these will be accomplished by saving all the money we no longer spend on useless things, selling off everything we don't need. If we haven't used or seen it during the last year we don't need it and it goes into the yard sale. The largest amount of cash will come from the equity at the sale of the house.
"Stop Buying..."
Stop buying new clothes. Odds are you really don't need any new clothes, you just want them. Check the closet, get rid of anything you haven't worn in the past year, doesn't fit, or you have no intention of ever wearing. Donate them, sell them at yard sale or in a consignment shop.
Stop buying things just for the sake of buying something. Cutting up your credit cards with help with this. As will giving yourself a small cash allowance for spending. If you are limited to the amount you can spend during a particular time frame, you will become more frugal and learn to buy only things that are absolutely necessary.
Don't worry, it only hurts for a little while. Like quitting any other bad habit, the more you experience the benefits the less pain you will feel. In time living simply will become a way of life, you will feel less stressed and more relaxed. Granted there is no such thing as a life without some degree of stress, especially when you are living off grid.
Most importantly: Set a date/time frame and plan, plan, plan. Be realistic. Only you know how committed you can be to this process. Work and re-work your plan until it is something you will be able to live with. The plan is always a growing and changing thing, ready to adapt to new circumstances, just like the homesteader.
All for now................Happy Homesteading!
Nick and I had been reviewing our manner of living over the past ten years, and although our income has doubled, so has the stress and our personal cost of living. This was when we decided to call an end to the madness and return to our previously slower paced life-style.
Take some time and review your spending habits. It's amazing how much money we waste without realizing it. The daily trip to the coffee shop, buying magazine subscriptions but actually reading only a few of the issues, paying for hundreds of television channels when we watch only 2 or 3, etc.
The tricky part here is training ourselves to not only cut the unnecessary expenses but to actually take the money we didn't spend and put it into our special "Homestead" account.
The "Homestead Savings Account"
It's exactly what it says. Saving for the homestead. Whether it be saving to purchase your bit of land, or just maintaining your current homestead (repairs, vet expenses, etc.)
Example: We have decided that although we love our home and our bit of land is sufficient, we are tired of making that mortgage payment each month, the high property taxes, and the increasing crime rate in our little town, we want to sell out and buy acreage where the weather is more comfortable, has a longer growing season, and plenty of space for our homestead.
To accomplish this we have cut all unnecessary expenses and are working toward being debt free. At that point, which we expect to be in the coming year, we will sell the house. When we locate the land we desire it must be within a price range which we have determined we can afford to pay cash for. We will also need enough cash on hand to drill a well, install a septic system and a solar power or wind system for electricity, and build a small home.
Raising the cash for all these will be accomplished by saving all the money we no longer spend on useless things, selling off everything we don't need. If we haven't used or seen it during the last year we don't need it and it goes into the yard sale. The largest amount of cash will come from the equity at the sale of the house.
"Stop Buying..."
Stop buying new clothes. Odds are you really don't need any new clothes, you just want them. Check the closet, get rid of anything you haven't worn in the past year, doesn't fit, or you have no intention of ever wearing. Donate them, sell them at yard sale or in a consignment shop.
Stop buying things just for the sake of buying something. Cutting up your credit cards with help with this. As will giving yourself a small cash allowance for spending. If you are limited to the amount you can spend during a particular time frame, you will become more frugal and learn to buy only things that are absolutely necessary.
Don't worry, it only hurts for a little while. Like quitting any other bad habit, the more you experience the benefits the less pain you will feel. In time living simply will become a way of life, you will feel less stressed and more relaxed. Granted there is no such thing as a life without some degree of stress, especially when you are living off grid.
Most importantly: Set a date/time frame and plan, plan, plan. Be realistic. Only you know how committed you can be to this process. Work and re-work your plan until it is something you will be able to live with. The plan is always a growing and changing thing, ready to adapt to new circumstances, just like the homesteader.
All for now................Happy Homesteading!
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Birds v Garden, and what else is going on at the homestead
Between the birds either eating the leaves off the plants, or the doves eating the newly planted seeds, my patience were being tested to their limit. I thought all would be good once I put up the bird netting over their two favorite beds, this morning I found the corn bed had been dug up and a few of the plants dug out and left aside... the culprit - a stray cat did its part to "fertilize' the garden. And so began my day.............
A few days ago I was able to acquire about 40 yards of wood chips from the church next door, they had two huge trees cut down and the contractor kindly offered to bring over all the chips left by the chainsaw cutting. I never thought I could be so excited about receiving wood chips!
Today is the day the chicks are supposed to be delivered..... again. Called the farm store, no chicken delivery yet, probably tomorrow they say. At least this time my name is on the list.
About all I can do in the garden now is daily weeding and watching things grow. So it's time for me to start getting my canning and freezing supplies ready for harvest time. The local strawberry season is nearly here and I plan to go pick my own to make into jam. Next year I plan to add fruit to the garden.
We have about 1/4 acre which can be used for our little farm. The house is set right in the center of our 3/8 acre lot. The back section is for vegetable garden, chickens and goats. The front section will be used for our dwarf orchard of cherry, peach, apple trees, and blueberry bushes. Strawberries will be located in the garden area at the south side of the house. The back vegetable garden will also be expanded next year to add at least three more raised beds.
Satellite view from more than 2 years ago. I can't wait for it to go around again so it shows all the changes we've made. The shadows are pointing north.
The white cups in the tomato bed contain new tomato seedlings which I needed to replace all the plants that the birds ate.
These hoops are now covered with bird netting.
The urn in the background is where I have planted cherry tomatoes which should grow to drape down the outside of the urn.
All for now...............Happy Homesteading!
A few days ago I was able to acquire about 40 yards of wood chips from the church next door, they had two huge trees cut down and the contractor kindly offered to bring over all the chips left by the chainsaw cutting. I never thought I could be so excited about receiving wood chips! Today is the day the chicks are supposed to be delivered..... again. Called the farm store, no chicken delivery yet, probably tomorrow they say. At least this time my name is on the list.
About all I can do in the garden now is daily weeding and watching things grow. So it's time for me to start getting my canning and freezing supplies ready for harvest time. The local strawberry season is nearly here and I plan to go pick my own to make into jam. Next year I plan to add fruit to the garden.
We have about 1/4 acre which can be used for our little farm. The house is set right in the center of our 3/8 acre lot. The back section is for vegetable garden, chickens and goats. The front section will be used for our dwarf orchard of cherry, peach, apple trees, and blueberry bushes. Strawberries will be located in the garden area at the south side of the house. The back vegetable garden will also be expanded next year to add at least three more raised beds.
Satellite view from more than 2 years ago. I can't wait for it to go around again so it shows all the changes we've made. The shadows are pointing north.
These hoops are now covered with bird netting.
The urn in the background is where I have planted cherry tomatoes which should grow to drape down the outside of the urn.
All for now...............Happy Homesteading!
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Caring for New Chicks
This is it, the day you've been waiting for, your chicks have arrived and after their long journey (probably about two days) they will be very thirsty and hungry and probably cold. The first thing your will want to do is examine them each in turn then place them into their new home/brooder where they can get warm beneath the heat lamp. If this is your first time with little newbie chicks take extra care when handling them, they are very delicate. Remove any dead, dying or sickly looking chicks.
Once you have removed the chicks and set them in the brooder it's time to teach them how to drink and eat, it doesn't come naturally. Hold a chick near to the water and gently touch its beak to the water, it will get the idea. The remaining chicks may or may not get the idea of what to do by watching the first one take drink. Repeat the same method with the food. Without a mother hen to teach them how to eat and drink, it is left to you.
* drinking water should be neither hot or cold, it should be room temperature.
Water should be provided in a shallow dish such as the round plastic lid from a take-out container or the lid of a peanut butter jar. The food can be served in the same manner but use a flatter lid such as the lid off a coffee or hot chocolate can. Place just a bit of water, and a spoonful or two of food in the containers. Change or refill 3 or 4 times a day.
Prepare the brooder. A brooder is simply a box with a heat-lamp placed at one end. Any type of box can be used, just make certain it is roomy enough for the number of chicks you have, keeping in mind these tiny creatures grow rapidly and may outgrow the space provided. At one end of the box suspend a heat-lamp. The bracket for the lamp can be purchased at Home Depot or other similar store. The bracket will accept a standard bulb and will have a clamp which will be used to adhere it to the brooder. The heat source is a standard heat-lamp bulb which has silver on a the backside.
When the babies have replaced their downy fuzz with feathers you can remove the heat-lamp a nd introduce them to their new home out in the "coop". They should be kept inside the coop for at least two weeks so they will learn it to be their home and safe haven.
Handle your babies gently as often as possible while they are young so they will be accustomed to human touch.
Once you have removed the chicks and set them in the brooder it's time to teach them how to drink and eat, it doesn't come naturally. Hold a chick near to the water and gently touch its beak to the water, it will get the idea. The remaining chicks may or may not get the idea of what to do by watching the first one take drink. Repeat the same method with the food. Without a mother hen to teach them how to eat and drink, it is left to you.
* drinking water should be neither hot or cold, it should be room temperature.
Water should be provided in a shallow dish such as the round plastic lid from a take-out container or the lid of a peanut butter jar. The food can be served in the same manner but use a flatter lid such as the lid off a coffee or hot chocolate can. Place just a bit of water, and a spoonful or two of food in the containers. Change or refill 3 or 4 times a day.
Prepare the brooder. A brooder is simply a box with a heat-lamp placed at one end. Any type of box can be used, just make certain it is roomy enough for the number of chicks you have, keeping in mind these tiny creatures grow rapidly and may outgrow the space provided. At one end of the box suspend a heat-lamp. The bracket for the lamp can be purchased at Home Depot or other similar store. The bracket will accept a standard bulb and will have a clamp which will be used to adhere it to the brooder. The heat source is a standard heat-lamp bulb which has silver on a the backside.
When the babies have replaced their downy fuzz with feathers you can remove the heat-lamp a nd introduce them to their new home out in the "coop". They should be kept inside the coop for at least two weeks so they will learn it to be their home and safe haven.
Handle your babies gently as often as possible while they are young so they will be accustomed to human touch.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Birds not bugs are eating my plants....UPDATE 05/20/2013
For the past couple of weeks, since the transplants were set in the garden, something has been quietly attacking them. At first I considered cutworms but the tomato plants were being nipped at the tops not the lower stem. I covered the bed with plastic and that was the end of that. Next I would holes dug into the soil and decided the birds were hunting bugs for their babies. The next attack was on the squash and I noticed a leaf missing here and there. That did it for me.
Time to stand guard. A bird had made a nest at the corner of the garage roof overlooking the garden and I watched as she swooped down on the squash and nipped off another leaf. I also observed her plucking a pea plant out of the soil! Luckily I happen to have a few very large pieces of light-weight non-woven material that would be perfect to act as a blanket over the raised beds and fend off the marauder. I covered all the plants with a blanket and so far it's working.
Do you have any suggestions or know of ways to keep the birds from raiding the garden?
Next project .... a scarecrow ?
UPDATE 05/20/2013
The scarecrow helped, but barely, after a day or two that miserable bird got the idea. Also tried a pinwheel in the bed but the bird seemed to enjoy it.
Latest resort: this morning I covered both tomato and squash bed hoops with bird netting. Now,
let's see that bird get through that.
That being finished (I hope) I need to deal with the squirrel who has started digging into the beds looking for the food he stashed away last fall and I got rid of long ago.
As they say, "if it's not one thing, it's another".
Happy Gardening! :)
Time to stand guard. A bird had made a nest at the corner of the garage roof overlooking the garden and I watched as she swooped down on the squash and nipped off another leaf. I also observed her plucking a pea plant out of the soil! Luckily I happen to have a few very large pieces of light-weight non-woven material that would be perfect to act as a blanket over the raised beds and fend off the marauder. I covered all the plants with a blanket and so far it's working.
Do you have any suggestions or know of ways to keep the birds from raiding the garden?
Next project .... a scarecrow ?
UPDATE 05/20/2013
The scarecrow helped, but barely, after a day or two that miserable bird got the idea. Also tried a pinwheel in the bed but the bird seemed to enjoy it.
Latest resort: this morning I covered both tomato and squash bed hoops with bird netting. Now,
let's see that bird get through that.
That being finished (I hope) I need to deal with the squirrel who has started digging into the beds looking for the food he stashed away last fall and I got rid of long ago.
As they say, "if it's not one thing, it's another".
Happy Gardening! :)
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Happy Birthday to ...................... ME!
Yes....... I made it through another year. Don't you just love birthdays? During our youth they seem to take forever to arrive, then suddenly they seem to come quicker each year. The batteries in the clock that is our life seem to not wear down, but get stronger and the passage of time goes faster.
It's my birthday and I love it! Each one becomes the start of a new adventure. There is no bucket list in my journal, no list of things to accomplish before this body of mine finally wears out and goes the way of my ancestors. My list is for day to day, with a few items to accomplish during the year. This year it's getting my backyard farm established with garden and chickens.
The year in which I came into being, Harry S. Truman was president, U.S. soldiers were being sent to Korea, Pope Pius XII was head of the church in Rome, and I Love Lucy was a new television program. Blocks of ice were delivered for the ice-box, coal was burned to heat the home, jet planes were somewhat new and often broke the sound barrier overhead. My grandmother had her groceries delivered by the corner grocer's son every day or two "on account".
Laura Ingalls Wilder would live another 7 years. Elvis Presley was a schoolboy, Marilyn Monroe's career was just getting started, there were one Union soldier and one Confederate soldier of the U.S. Civil War still living.
What does all this have to do with backyard homesteading? Absolutely nothing. But since it is my birthday I get to celebrate any way I choose. And re-examining the times of my life puts everything into perspective. I have lived through so much of history, and plan to continue on for a long time still. Each time I thought whatever was happening at the moment was so overwhelming, it would prove to be minor compared with things that came later in life (both good or bad).
I love life, my husband and children, my grand-children and dear friends, and I am grateful for each minute and each event that reminds me how fortunate we all are.
Thank you for visiting and taking a minute or two to celebrate with me.
~Kathleen
It's my birthday and I love it! Each one becomes the start of a new adventure. There is no bucket list in my journal, no list of things to accomplish before this body of mine finally wears out and goes the way of my ancestors. My list is for day to day, with a few items to accomplish during the year. This year it's getting my backyard farm established with garden and chickens.
The year in which I came into being, Harry S. Truman was president, U.S. soldiers were being sent to Korea, Pope Pius XII was head of the church in Rome, and I Love Lucy was a new television program. Blocks of ice were delivered for the ice-box, coal was burned to heat the home, jet planes were somewhat new and often broke the sound barrier overhead. My grandmother had her groceries delivered by the corner grocer's son every day or two "on account".
Laura Ingalls Wilder would live another 7 years. Elvis Presley was a schoolboy, Marilyn Monroe's career was just getting started, there were one Union soldier and one Confederate soldier of the U.S. Civil War still living.
What does all this have to do with backyard homesteading? Absolutely nothing. But since it is my birthday I get to celebrate any way I choose. And re-examining the times of my life puts everything into perspective. I have lived through so much of history, and plan to continue on for a long time still. Each time I thought whatever was happening at the moment was so overwhelming, it would prove to be minor compared with things that came later in life (both good or bad).
I love life, my husband and children, my grand-children and dear friends, and I am grateful for each minute and each event that reminds me how fortunate we all are.
Thank you for visiting and taking a minute or two to celebrate with me.
~Kathleen
Friday, May 10, 2013
It's Raining and I Can Almost Watch the Veggies Grow!
When it comes to rainy days I am the first person to moan and groan about it; except when it is garden time; as long as it doesn't get carried away and floods the garden.
From my second floor window I can look down on the garden and actually get a better view of bits of green among the dark brown soil. BEETS!!! At last I see beet sprouts nearly 2 inches tall. It's been so long since I've tasted fresh from the soil beets. I realize these red orbs are not the preferred veggie of most people, but then again I am not "most people". Even as a child I was the one kid in the family who loved liver and onions, broccoli (we called them trees to distinguish it from cauliflower) and blood sausage (I have since lost the taste for this sweet meat - now that I know how its made).
Back on topic. All my plant beds have been either planted or delegated to be planted in a week or two. Now it's time to plan again the rotation for the second plantings. I think I will plant some onion sets and potatoes, at least one brussels sprouts plant, and more tomatoes (we consume lots of tomatoes).
When I think about my Pepere's garden I can only remember the tomatoes though I know there was much more to his garden. My uncle Al, Pepere's son, took over the gardening when Pepere departed from us and every year his garden would expand and become more varied. Uncle Al would spend the winter months sifting through seed catalogs and carefully selected vegetables new to our family as well as the old favorites. And he never forgot to plant flowers for my grandmother. Uncle Al is an amazing man. Everything was of interest to him, and he taught himself to do so many things. He learned to read music and play the piano, learned how to do woodworking and built everything from a lamp-table to a boat! When he discovered radio control "grown up toys" he built a plane, a scaled down version of the real thing, motorized it and spent Saturday morning at an open field flying. When I say he built the plane, he didn't use a kit, he cut all the parts himself from lightweight wood. His garden is gone now, so is the plane and the boats he built, and everything else. But Uncle Al is still among us although now he is in his nineties and although he is beginning to slow down he still has a sharp mind and is always ready for a long visit with family and friends.
My family were like today's homesteaders, but they called it "getting by with what you had".
I am grateful that I was able to grow up in such an atmosphere of love and creativity and appreciation for the simple life.
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| PEAS |
Back on topic. All my plant beds have been either planted or delegated to be planted in a week or two. Now it's time to plan again the rotation for the second plantings. I think I will plant some onion sets and potatoes, at least one brussels sprouts plant, and more tomatoes (we consume lots of tomatoes).
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| TOMATOES |
My family were like today's homesteaders, but they called it "getting by with what you had".
I am grateful that I was able to grow up in such an atmosphere of love and creativity and appreciation for the simple life.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Signs of Life in the Garden....At Last
It seems like it is taking forever for the seeds to develop into plants in the garden, but yesterday I noticed a few signs that something is happening. Tiny sprouts in the carrot bed and Swiss Chard bed.
A few tiny lettuce leaves are trying to grow, and the peas are about 2 inches tall. There is, however, no sign of the Spinach.
The tomato transplants are adapting nicely to being in the garden. Whenever I plant tomatoes I can't help but revisit memories of my grandfather and his garden. He had the best tomatoes! Of course in my memories the plants were taller than me, and the tomatoes were so large my little hands could barely hold one. When I am working in the garden I am close to my Pepere (French grandfather) again even though it has been 52 years since he passed. He would grow the veggies and my grandmother would can preserve them. Pepere also raised chickens for eggs and meat.
Springtime was blueberry season and Memere (grandmother), my mother and aunt, and my brother, sister, me and a cousin would get out our lunch pails and walk to the wooded area behind the old high school where the best wild blueberries grew in abundance. We children would pick the berries from the low bushes, and the adults would collect from the tall berry bushes. It was a wonder we brought home so many blueberries since we would eat nearly as many as we picked. Nowadays in order to bring my grandchildren berry picking we must drive to a farm for cultivated berries. To me these cultivated blueberries are bland and have no flavor in comparison to the wild variety.
I would love to locate a source for blueberry bushes like the ones they have in Maine.
A few tiny lettuce leaves are trying to grow, and the peas are about 2 inches tall. There is, however, no sign of the Spinach.
The tomato transplants are adapting nicely to being in the garden. Whenever I plant tomatoes I can't help but revisit memories of my grandfather and his garden. He had the best tomatoes! Of course in my memories the plants were taller than me, and the tomatoes were so large my little hands could barely hold one. When I am working in the garden I am close to my Pepere (French grandfather) again even though it has been 52 years since he passed. He would grow the veggies and my grandmother would can preserve them. Pepere also raised chickens for eggs and meat.
Springtime was blueberry season and Memere (grandmother), my mother and aunt, and my brother, sister, me and a cousin would get out our lunch pails and walk to the wooded area behind the old high school where the best wild blueberries grew in abundance. We children would pick the berries from the low bushes, and the adults would collect from the tall berry bushes. It was a wonder we brought home so many blueberries since we would eat nearly as many as we picked. Nowadays in order to bring my grandchildren berry picking we must drive to a farm for cultivated berries. To me these cultivated blueberries are bland and have no flavor in comparison to the wild variety.
I would love to locate a source for blueberry bushes like the ones they have in Maine.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
The Chicks Arrive Tomorrow! UPDATE 05/03
Oh I can hardly wait, the babies arrive tomorrow. Our youngest grandsons are so excited they keep reminding their mom about it and begging her to let them do a sleep over at Grandma's. The four boys are under the age of 7 and love visiting the little "farm".
This weekend is going to be so busy, the chicks arrive tomorrow, Grandpa is leaving on Saturday for a business trip, and the 7 year old is making his first communion on Sunday which will be followed by a day long celebration with family, friends and food. Poor Nick, he will be in Orlando, FL working.
The seedlings have been remaining out overnight in the garden. It looks like the tomatoes have been attacked by the moth that drops is eggs on the tomato leaves and then feeds off them, etc. I have been removing any leaves I notice with that damage hoping to stop the problem before the worms get inside the main stem and get a head start on the fruit. Off course, at this point it is just speculation, I am still researching other avenues to explain and correct the problem. Please leave a comment if any of you have any thoughts and/or suggestions about the problem. Your input will be appreciated.
The squash and pepper seedling are ready to be transplanted, and the peas are about 1/2" tall. There is no sign of the lettuce, spinach, beets, carrots or swiss chard yet.
Nick bought two beautiful Boomerang Lilac bushes for my birthday. I have been wanting lilac bushes since we bought this home 9 years ago and never got around to it since there have been so many other priorities. The plants are called boomerang because as long as they continue to be dead-headed, they will continue to flower from spring through summer!
UPDATE MAY 3;
I just called the farm & feed store where I ordered my chicks and the informed me that my babies won't be arriving until May 22! Looks like we won't be getting any eggs until Oct/Nov.
This weekend is going to be so busy, the chicks arrive tomorrow, Grandpa is leaving on Saturday for a business trip, and the 7 year old is making his first communion on Sunday which will be followed by a day long celebration with family, friends and food. Poor Nick, he will be in Orlando, FL working.
The seedlings have been remaining out overnight in the garden. It looks like the tomatoes have been attacked by the moth that drops is eggs on the tomato leaves and then feeds off them, etc. I have been removing any leaves I notice with that damage hoping to stop the problem before the worms get inside the main stem and get a head start on the fruit. Off course, at this point it is just speculation, I am still researching other avenues to explain and correct the problem. Please leave a comment if any of you have any thoughts and/or suggestions about the problem. Your input will be appreciated.
The squash and pepper seedling are ready to be transplanted, and the peas are about 1/2" tall. There is no sign of the lettuce, spinach, beets, carrots or swiss chard yet.
Nick bought two beautiful Boomerang Lilac bushes for my birthday. I have been wanting lilac bushes since we bought this home 9 years ago and never got around to it since there have been so many other priorities. The plants are called boomerang because as long as they continue to be dead-headed, they will continue to flower from spring through summer!
UPDATE MAY 3;
I just called the farm & feed store where I ordered my chicks and the informed me that my babies won't be arriving until May 22! Looks like we won't be getting any eggs until Oct/Nov.
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