More important than ever before

 Will you have what you need?  More to follow after way too long a break!

A new way of planning the garden in light of GSM

So, for the last few years. that I've really noticed, my garden has been changing.  Changing in ways that made me question its location, in which I could not do anything about because of our small space.  
The weather was not allowing me to spring plant when I was normally used to so some of my cool season veg like broccoli was not heading properly and some lettuce varieties would bolt sooner than expected, for example.  I thought I would try again for Fall planting.  Much of the warmer season veg was not maturing. We cut down a tree that had grown and made a bit of shade.  Pine is not something we can even use in the wood burner so it's even STILL being used for camp fires.
I used more compost thinking it might rush the growth process and paid more attention to watering.  I already choose earlier varieties so I may be able to squeeze in another veg that I can end up putting a hoop cover on to extend the season.  This was nothing new for me to do at both ends of the growing season and it always has done the job.  I planted in containers while the beds were filled with garlic.  I have some things in containers every year and this year it was onions, eggplant, tomatoes and herbs.  
Last growing season we had ordered too much garlic and it filled (5) of our (6) 4' x 4' raised beds.  This led me to the idea of allowing the beds to rest until the following spring.  Once the garlic was removed, nothing else went in.  I should have put in a cover crop but it isn't something I'm in the habit of doing, so I didn't think about it.   
When I heard about the grand solar minimum I knew this was what I'm up against.  A new strategy must be put into place.  I needed to know more about what is going on with climate change.
More to come as I progress.  It will be interesting!

First seeds planted

March 15th was my first planting in peat discs.  I planted the following:

• Gardeners Delight tomato.  I'm interested to see what I really have.  I ordered organic on Amazon and to my surprise, the packet says determinate.  Former plantings of this variety resulted in indeterminate.  I hope the packet is wrong!
• Giant Noble spinach
• Swiss chard
• Mache
• Broccoli
• Lettuce

     I have beans and peas to plant.  I haven't made up my mind whether to sow in modules or directly in ground.  It is still rather cold.  Last Tuesday night Pittsburgh area got 8" of snow!  Today is very windy.  I went out in the garden to imagine what will go where.  Particularly the pots and containers.  I always rotate plantings and so eventually everyone ends up in a container.

     We have a couple of projects we must do this year on and around the house that need to be scheduled.

Garden Update

        Our weather has been so inviting that I accepted the invitation and played outside for a few days!  I was ill last season and left the garden a mess so I took the opportunity to clean up.
      I also built my little portable greenhouse, dug out a few paths, tore out wisteria roots, and today, husband rebuilt one of the raised beds.
     I've sketched up my early spring and spring garden and plan to start seeds on Monday that will stay in the greenhouse until transplant time. 
     I'll see if I can figure out how to upload pictures from my phone.  I hope the weather is nice tomorrow, I don't want to stop.

Busy Week

     I've been away from home every day this week for family.  This can't happen once I'm in full homestead swing.  There's too many things to do here. I'm not sure what to do about that.
     Today I take my 84 year old mum to stores she wants to go to and a doctor appointment.  I won't be able to walk by the time I get home.  Arthritis in my knees really limits me and shortens my day.
     I'll stop by Walmart to pick up the 72 cell seed starter trays ($7.00 each) on my way down.  Soon I'll start lettuce and prepare a growing spot for it on the porch in window boxes. Also onion seed.  Yellow Globe and Walla Walla.

Planning more than seeds

     Starting seeds in the house is really a nuisance.  I love to do it, but we don't have much space for it.  Over the years we've set up lights in shelving units and set up an area in the basement, but nothing works better for me than natural light.  My seedlings get spindly under the lights even when I keep the lights lowered to just above the tops of the plants.  I also plan to start tomatoes earlier because they usually don't ripen early enough to enjoy throughout the summer.
     We have one south facing window that husband built a wide sill for.  I put a heat mat there and a 72 cell seed flat will fit nicely.  The first early spring veggies begin their days here in February.  Broccoli, kale, lettuce, cabbage, Swiss chard, and this year for the first time broad beans.  The time the "earlies" spend on the sill interferes with the seed starting times of my tomatoes, peppers and eggplant, and there isn't room for both groups.  So I've been daydreaming of building a greenhouse over a couple of the raised beds that could easily be assembled and then easily disassembled when those two beds need to be planted.
    

Garden/ Homestead Projects

     As I plan for the 2017 year of homesteading, I keep running into things that need to be accomplished before I can proceed with garden plans.  
     Our chickens have been free ranging for a few years.  This was my husband's choice. I've wanted to build a run and monitor them to see their habits and to get a better handle on the egg production.  In addition, they have made it difficult and more time consuming to manage the garden.  This is not a breed we would have chosen.  We were in between flocks when someone our son knew had this flock of Phoenix breed chickens they had to get rid of because there was an ordinance in their neighborhood that did not allow them. Our breed of choice is Barred Rock.
     These birds produce small white eggs and do not lay one egg per day.  The only good thing about the breed in my opinion is that there are a lot of broody hens.  The Barred Rocks never produced chicks.  They are also very noisy.  There are a lot of roosters being hatched and very few hens.
     Two projects that must be completed before planting are: 

• Chicken run
• Portable greenhouse. 

     TexasPrepper2 on youtube has a great design for a greenhouse that I plan to use for the chicken run and you can check it out here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DKlXs8iov0

     I will run 1/2" hardware cloth around the bottom to prevent smaller chickens from getting out.

     The design I'm using for my portable greenhouse is shown here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMAcs-uPTC4&t=331s

     Mine will be 4' x 4' and I will disassemble it after the danger of frost has passed.  I have most of the parts from constructing bed cages to keep the chickens out.

     It's still too early for me to start seeds so when I'm ready to do that I'll talk about my seed choices.

A Lot Has Happened In A Year

     2016 was a year of health issues for me.  In March I spent 2 weeks in the hospital with blood staph infection.  Another month at home with a pic line for antibiotic IV and home health care nurse.  The infection settled in my disc and sciatica nerve causing extreme pain and inability to walk.  I was taking oxycodone for pain.  When I was able to get around a bit I went into physical therapy for a couple of months.
     I went back to work the second week of May and school ended the first week of June which gave me the summer to continue to heal.  I really had not been ready to go back to work but felt that if I didn't, I would not qualify for unemployment for the summer.  
     It was a difficult summer.  There was so much that I wanted to do but I had not regained strength to do it all.  I took care of the container garden on and around the deck but my raised beds went to weeds.
     I was scheduled to go back to work the end of August but clearly, I was not able to.  So, now I am home and we are living on a very tight budget with my husband's income.  It's been a challenge to say the least!
     Then a few weeks ago I was in the hospital again.  Sepsis, kidney infection, dehydration and the diagnosis of diabetes.
     I've had to look at my diet more closely.  I had no idea there was so much sugar in everything.  Even milk.  So aside from trying to eat organic, which is expensive, I've had to eliminate even some organics.  Fortunately, I'm at home and have the time to do so many of those things from scratch that I've longed to do for long!
     The old saying, "every dark cloud has a silver lining" comes to my mind at the moment and it is true.  I've never been through any difficult time that I didn't come out of it better off than when I went into it.  That's a fact.
     So now, my journey gets trickier ;) ...but learning continues and hopefully a healthier me will emerge.
     I had a Word from the Lord given to me recently from someone who barely knows me.  This is so awesome:

"I see restoration for you. A literal Eden 2017 (Lance's one teaching). Also got this Scripture for you: 
“And the Lord will continually guide you,
And satisfy your soul in scorched and dry places,
And give strength to your bones;
And you will be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.
12 
“And your people will rebuild the ancient ruins;
You will raise up and restore the age-old foundations [of buildings that have been laid waste];
You will be called Repairer of the Breach,
Restorer of Streets [b]with Dwellings. (Isaiah 58)

After a time of grief and sorrow, His joy comes with an outpouring, like a fountain. After a time of weeds growing, and "things falling apart," comes a new work of cleansing, uprooting the old, receiving the new. We call out growth in the Holy Spirit, in all areas of your lives. Both you and hubby. I pray for a new perspective of Eternity, that our time on earth is but a brief moment, and that our time with Him and our loved ones will stretch on and on, for ever. Your heart is for what is beautiful, peaceful, harmonious...and He will give you the desires of your heart. Just as the birds/toads etc came, so the ones who need Him will come to you. They will see His tenderness in you, and be drawn to you. And somehow I sense He will bring about something very fruitful from/through your garden, in the natural too. It is a place of treasures and togetherness with Jesus. <3".

     So, I have encouragement from the Lord that I'll have restoration and promise of my garden.  I feel like 2017 will be a great year.  I've ordered some seeds and done some planning.  
     Broad beans this year are new to me but I have a recipe to try with them. I've always loved watching the allotment videos on youtube.  The English have such green thumbs but their weather is different from my zone 5b.  Some of the seeds I would love to try are not available to us and those that are, are too expensive for my budget.  I'll be back with a post of my seed choices and a couple of links to my favorite allotment gardeners.

     I pray we all have a blessed 2017.

BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO TESSIE FOR HER YOUTUBE CHANNEL.  It is very well done with much necessary information.  I'll have a link for that as well on a side bar as soon as I can. 

Changed my tea recipe

Well, after much more experimentation I've decided to drink the hawthorn by itself as my blood pressure medicine.  Morning and evening.
Then my final vitamin C tea is one part hibiscus, 1/2 as much rosehips and one part raspberry leaf, 1/4 part of stevia cut and sifted leaf.  You may want more raspberry leaf to taste.  That is what gives the blend more of a tea flavor.  Only these 4 ingredients and for me it's the perfect iced tea.
I want to post about 2016 plans but have to wait until I have more time.  We're in the middle of planning a baby shower.  Middle son and daughter-in-law expecting in April :)

The Herbal Tea I Make

Ever since I decided to quit taking blood pressure medicine I've been making hawthorn tea.  Hawthorn berries, flowers and leaves work together to balance blood pressure.
If you have low blood pressure it will raise it up and if it is high it will lower it.  It does work.
I have not taken blood pressure pills for 2 years now.
I quit drinking soda many years ago and usually would drink water or iced tea. I've looked for something to drink that would not be unhealthy with food dyes or additives but found nothing.
One day while at Big Lots I found a Celestial Seasonings tea called "Zinger Ice".  An herbal ice tea with no caffeine!  It has hibiscus, rosehips, roasted chicory, orange peel, verbena, stevia, blackberry and raspberry leaves.  
I've made my own blend incorporating the hawthorn I need with hibiscus, rosehip, stevia and orange peel.  No sugar and no caffeine.
I tried to send pictures by way of my phone and they've shown as loading for 2 days.  So I found pictures on the Internet.

I bought the drawstring type bags so I wouldn't have to seal them with an iron. They work really well.  Generally, one teaspoon of herb to one 8oz. cup of tea.  I fill the bag and make an infusion in a quart jar.

Hawthorn berries - 1/2 tsp.

 Hibiscus flowers -1/2 tsp.

 Dried orange peel - 1/2 tsp.

Dried Rose Hips - 1/2 tsp.

 Dried Stevia leaf - 1/2 tsp.

Dried hawthorn flower and leaf











An infusion stays steeping for at least 8 hours.  It will make a stronger tea with less herb.  I drink this twice a day for the benefits of the hawthorn.  It is a delicious tea.

Front Porch Garden

Eggplant:  This is 3 plants in an Earth Box.

I used 2 of these boxes and they are the best growing of the whole garden.  Self watering and mineral enriched soil.








I bought these 3qt buckets at the Dollar Tree to grow herbs in until I find a good place for them.  This is Spanish oregano that took FOREVER to germinate.  The thyme took a long time too though.

Lettuce leaf basil.  We love it on sandwiches and of course brushetta.  Huge mild flavor leaves.

I grew 4 different kinds of lettuce in window boxes.  This worked great.  I have been using rock dust (Azomite) which is similar to the Dolomite the Earth Boxes use.

My lemon balm has nearly disappeared from the garden.  I transplanted into a pot so I was able to relocate.  As fall temps approach I'll be more active out there making changes for the 2016 garden.  



That's all for now.  We have a lot to do today so Monday I will get more pics and give a few sneak peaks of what I plan to do during those extreme cold months ahead!

Pictures

Getting a new phone gave me a camera.  I hope this works out.  Here's the kale I've been harvesting.

Basil

                                          Oregano.  But there's more on the way!

IT'S THE END OF AUGUST!!

Looking over the list of seeds I planted back in May, I'm shocked at how different a season can turn out!  The weather, once again, threw us for a loop. We had excessive amounts of rain.  Even in the raised beds, the little root feet of my baby plants let go of their mineral and rotted cow pooh enriched soil to float.
The onions rotted, parsnips never grew, either did the beans, carrots were swimmers.  We did get a few radishes.  Two kale plants and one broccoli survived the chickens.
Two tomato plants grown in an Earth Box did beautiful as well as three eggplants in an Earth box.  They are just late in maturing.  One tomato plant grown in a large container has produced several large green tomatoes.  I hope they get ripe!  We've harvested from the Earth Box tomato plants.
Two zucchini plants produced a total of 5 zucchini.  About 20 beets were harvested from the porch and 4 window boxes of lettuce are still producing.
Swiss chard took a hard hit from the rain too and the plants haven't grown to full size.
Watermelon was eaten by the chickens.

HERBS:

I grew 3 kinds of basil and they really started to grow about a month ago. The oregano and thyme are just now about 3 inches high.  I've transplanted them into Dollar Tree buckets that I drilled drainage holes into.  
The cat mint grew really nice.  I'm planting it all around the yard because it's supposed to repel flea beetles.  Also harvesting seed from basil, cat mint and dill.
Just a few seedlings of cilantro.  It took a couple months to germinate!  Wow. It might have enough time to grow.  I can cover it to lengthen the season and then bring it in the house when it gets too cold.

Gutter garden and Earth Boxes made all the difference.  I bought the Earth Boxes for $23.00 each at Big Lots 2 years ago and they sold out.  I don't want to spend $50.00 on them.

It was so much easier 20 years ago when I had all the sun necessary shining on my garden.  I hope that the changes we are making now will last 20 years!

What a great morning!  The weather at 6:30 AM was perfect for getting out into the garden and dig.  I finally accumulated everything I needed to work the beds and frame them in so the chickens don't eat everything I plant.

I'm still not done but next weekend should be the last of seed planting and structure building.  In the raised beds I will have:

• Kale  (seedlings are on porch)
• Broccoli  (seedlings are on porch)
• carrots
• onions
• parsnips
• beets
• radishes
• lettuce
• swiss chard
• bush beans
• garlic is up and about 8" tall in a bed of its own

I have basil seed from last year that I'll start after my morning run on Tuesday.  I'm all booked up with doing driver's recertifications from Monday through Thursday.  I also have dill to plant.

On the window sill there's 3 kinds of tomatoes and the Japanese eggplant that I like.  They'll go in the bucket garden.

I'm not sure where the squash will go yet.  I also have broccoli raab but where to put it?  Flea beetles will attack that with a vengeance.  Maybe on the porch?

Till next time...

I have an update for my storage drawers project.  I still want to add some ephemera but this will just have to happen as inspiration (and time) allow.  

I also have finished another desk project that involves storage.  Tin cans!. I'm keeping all those things I use most often that I normally have to hunt and dig for which wastes tons of time and is irritating.  

I do buy the patterned paper when I either have a coupon or it goes on sale. I try to recycle as many things for a project as I can.

Then, I made a lazy susan type base to glue my cans to but couldn't come up with a grouping I liked that would fit so it's waiting in the wings for a use.

The wood base was $3.50 at Joanne's; lazy Susan mechanism was $4.95 @ Home Depot;  I cut 2 pieces of chipboard and glued them together for the round platform that I covered in paper and trim.  

I've also been busy in the garden.  We have kale, broccoli and fava beans up that need to be transplanted.  Tomatoes haven't sprouted yet.  Beds are all ready for planting but I may add more rock dust.

So many things are in the works and/or have been done that I'll need to designate more time for posting! I will catch up.

I'm also working more at my job than I had planned but it may be a God thing.  I haven't been able to purchase the food I want for the chickens because of the expense.  Now I will be able to.

I've taken an interest in making various kinds of books and must say, it's my favorite craft and hobby!  I'm considering selling them as a way to be at home more and concentrating on building that homestead.  Can't very well take care of animals if you aren't at home.  So much change to deal with.  It feels right though so I'm just believing, again, that it's God's will for us.

I'll get some garden pictures when I am able.  Take care!

Blessings 

Latest Craft Project

I have storage issues for everything!  Small house but I have many interests and so a lot of stuff.  I'm always looking for ways to be more organized.

I first saw this on youtube as a Kaisercraft kit, then a Sizzix die project, and a box making tutorial by Jim the Gentleman Crafter.  I purchased these wall cubbies at thrift stores ( a dollar each) and used a couple in the kitchen until I replaced them with Ikea units.  Now I will use them on my desk to hold craft supplies.

Please excuse the fabric back drop.  It's a window with a topper curtain an the light was not allowing me to get a good picture.
The left side of picture shows what the cubbies look like, to the right is how I will use them with drawers. The drawers aren't decorated yet and the wonky looking one out in front was my first attempt.  I'll probably do it over.  I'm having a lot of fun with this.
Anyway, I used double thickness cereal boxes to make the boxes.  All separate pieces.  The bottom piece is 4" x 3-1/2"; the sides are 3-1/2" x 3" and the front and backs are 4" x 3-1/2".Then I glued the pieces in a cross shape to a 12" x 12" piece of kraft stock paper.  A brown paper bag would work too. Since the frame of cubbies is wood I wanted the boxes to be sturdy.  The kraft stock did firm up the boxes. Cut the box out of the kraft stock with 1/2" or more border to wrap around to inside of box making a smooth finish to the rim.
Next step is to embellish and attach drawer pulls.  I also need to paint the wood and maybe get a piece of wood to make a base for more stability.
 I'll update when I have a finished unit.  I can't decide which papers to use yet.  Although a really cute country theme would be seed packets!

More Garlic

Well, I had enough garlic left to plant another bed, but not another bed available :(

I've decided to plant it in containers in the unheated greenhouse.  It should be warm enough in there to establish some roots before the real cold weather is on us.

I've saved a couple ounces of acorn squash seed.  It was delicious.  We have 2 left.  I did an apple, walnut, raisin, cinnamon stuffing with butter in them and everybody really liked it so I'll do a repeat.

Also saved basil seeds but I haven't removed them from the cut stems yet. Still in the bag drying.  I did root basil cuttings and planted in one container. It's growing fine.

I'm considering growing lettuce on the window sill now.  I probably will.  So expensive in the stores.  Well, until next time....

Just Got My Garlic

I'm so disappointed with my garlic order.  I ordered it August 11th and only received it on Tuesday.  The bed was prepared ages ago so all I have to hope for is that it's not too late.  I should have had it planted in the last week of September or first week in October.  Tomorrow I have to take my mom a couple places and when I get back I'll plant.

My latest project is the grandkids Christmas store for the school.  They go to a Montessori school in Pittsburgh.   This is the page for the store .  Everyone is asked to donate craft materials and then specific items as requested like jars, cans, tissue paper, etc..

I've been collecting materials for a few things I'm making.  So far, this is my list of gifts I'm making and donating:

• Paper beads for bracelets
• Tin can luminaries
• Jar night lights
• Paper bead Christmas tree earrings
• Double Tea Bag Holders
• Wisteria vine baskets?  Not sure if I'll have time for them
• Pine Cone ornaments

I'll get pictures of the tea bag holders and Christmas tree earrings tomorrow when it's light...after Mom's.

So this will be what I'm doing most nights!

Today's Harvest

I'm really happy with most of the vegetable seeds I have purchased over the years and since most are open pollinated and/or heirlooms I will save seed from year to year.

I have done this randomly from year to year, but since I have begun semi retirement and increasing homesteading tasks and projects I consider seed saving one of the more obvious additions.

Today's harvest is the Pingtung Long Eggplant with a couple of the Jupiter sweet bell peppers.  Ed Hume sells these.

Here is a sweet bell pepper that will mature in short season climates. Its crisp, blocky fruit will turn from medium green to red if left on plant longer. Excellent raw in salads or dips. Great to use as stuffed pepper or in tempura recipes. Matures in approximately 75 days from transplanting.

I've saved the first seeds last week, allowing the pepper to turn red on the plant first.  This was not a normal growing season for me so I don't want to review this yet.  Like the Stupice tomato we tried I'll give them another try. They taste good but are on the small side.
Pingtung Long were purchased from Pine Tree Garden Seeds:
Asian HEIRLOOM An open-pollinated oriental eggplant variety, imported from Taiwan. Fruits are elongated and slender, averaging 10" long and 1 1/2" to 2" across with a lovely, lavender-purple colored skin and white interior flesh. Bred to be resistant to many diseases, as well as tolerant to wet and hot conditions. A good yielder, with fruit weighing about 1/2 lb. each. 30 seeds.
I usually roast eggplant but for the eggplant meat balls they are cut into cubes and cooked in the skillet.  Great flavor!  I am getting several from each plant, having been harvesting for maybe 6 weeks?

Garden Favorites Part 3

This year I tried a tomato seed that is said to be early and somewhat cold tolerant.  If I would have had a normal season to start with I could be more confident about a review.  However, what I saw it endure from start to finish is impressive and so I will give this one another season to see how it does under more favorable conditions.

Here's the info on the variety:

This is the tomato you've been hearing about! Early, dependable, firm, juicy, small to medium size fruit. Northwest home gardeners have been raving about this early variety. 3 to 4 foot bush with unusual potato like foliage. Approximately 60 days from transplant.

Special Directions for Short Season Climates

SOWING: Start seeds indoors, in pots, trays or flats in a warm room with plenty of bright light. Water with warm water. Cover with 1/8 inch fine soil.

THINNING: Thin when plants are about 2 inches tall. Individuality pot or space 3 inches apart in flats.

TRANSPLANTING: Plant outdoors in May, when all danger of frost has passed.

SPACING: Leave 24 to 36 inches between plants.

GERMINATION: Approximately 1 to 2 weeks in the home. Keep soil moderately moist during germination.

Ed's Special Advice

Plant in full sun. If possible, against a south or west wall or fence where sun reflection will provide additional heat. Black plastic at base of plants or a tire placed on the soil will also help provide heat for earlier ripening. Fertilize monthly and water deeply when dry.

Organic Certification by Washington State Department of Agriculture

My plants survived a late frost in June.  They stopped growing for a while. Then they got skinny.  They started out with a nice thick stem though.  We got a few small tomatoes in July.  Mild flavor.
I read people's reviews and they were mixed regarding flavor.  Mine weren't tasting like a beef steak but way better than grocery store offerings are in the spring!  I'm giving them another try.