More On Square Foot Gardening

Hang in there.

Yes, I know it has been a few days since my last post.  I have no excuse.  Right now I am trying to figure out how to get videos on this blog, because I have a few really neat ones I'd like y'all to see.  So, hang in there, I'm with you.  I will get this figured out yet.  Thanks for your patience.

The Best Laid Plans....

Today began with good intentions.  As usual, my good intentions get messed up when I take a day off to do some work around the homestead.  In order for me to do what I intended, I had to get some gas.  So I had to make a "quick" trip to town.  From there on, it was fouled up.

Not that I didn't accomplish anything, I did.  Quite a lot, in fact.  Just not what I had intended to accomplish.

I did manage to get the new raised beds filled in with dirt and the soil amended with, of course, Fertrell.  I put in some Jersey Green sand and Kelp meal and Super 3-2-3.

I also dug into a long needed task of removing the fragrant sumac bush and brambles from in the center of the garden area.  I have been mowing around that thing for years, always intending to remove it but never actually getting at it.  I wanted to fill the beds and move on to the task I had planned for in the first place, working on fence. But I turned around and had a stare down with that bush.  I think it even bowed up at me.  I took its challenge.  Now I no longer have to look at it.

Then there were the usual chores around the homestead to be done, so, I never got at that fence.  Oh well, my children think I'm a hero because their beds are finished and my wife is pleased with the work we did also, so I think it is all good.

Tomorrow I head to the city for a gun show.  My family will be joining me as there is a very large consignment sale next door.  So I get to shop the gun stuff (yippee!) and they get to shop the sale, a win-win for sure.  We'll also take the metal detector and hit a city park for Civil War relics, if there is time.

I love the warmer weather, and am glad for the oppoertunity to take a day off from work and work here, which is where I'd rather be.  Chime in, what have you been doing around the house?  Leave a comment, I love to hear from you.

Meat Rabbits-Rebirth

After a long hiatus, we have new baby bunnies!  Two of our does had seven pinkies, each.  Two died, leaving 12, so far.  We are waiting on another doe, due anytime. 

This has been along wait.  We lost track of our rabbitry awhile back, but, recently got back on track. 

The family loves the meat they provide and it is very good for you.  So, in about 8 weeks, we'll have some meat in the freezer and some to sell.  Good news.

No Snow, But Did Build Some Garden Boxes

Well the snow never came but the rain sure did.  I understand that even Dallas got several inches, yet, we didn't-darn. 

We decided to just go on with the day, yesterday, even though the impending doom of snow was coming.  We went strait to work on some things that needed done.  I built three new garden boxes for gardening the square foot way.  It was simple enough.  There are two smaller boxes for the girls to have for their own.  I forget what they plan to grow, but they are excited to start.  I am excited to see what they can produce. 

I then made a box for my wife.  They were placed out in the garden area with weed barrier under them.  I still have to fill them.  Of course you know, that we garden with raised beds, anyway.  Until now, we used concrete, mason blocks for the beds.  As the price of these went through the roof, we switched to un-treated lumber.  We don't want the chemicals from treated lumber, so, we just plan on replacing them every few years.  We will start with the one, in addition to all the other beds that already exist.

After I made that box, we went out to prune our fruit trees.  I tell you that accomplishment feels good.  We have never pruned our fruit trees, knowing that it has to be done.  Now it is done, for this year and we are thankful for that.

I then set in to make the square foot grids that fir over the gardens.  These help determine, exactly, where to plant.  They sit right on top of the edges of the beds.

I then attempted to straiten out the tacoed wheel on my daughters bike.  As an old bike mechanic, I found this one to be a challenge and needed to step back and re-think it.  She didn't taco the wheel, we bought it from a thrift store and it came that way.  We may have to buy a new wheel.

Here are some pictures of what we built.

To the right are three potato boxes.  Simply fill them with dirt and add another when the greens come out.  This method should make harvest very simple by taking off each box and picking up the potatoes.  Below, are the same boxes, unstacked.  They are one foot square, usind 1x8 lumber simply screwed together.

This is a shot of the beginning stages of the grids.  We used lath boards in 4 foot lengths.  We then stapled them together in one foot squares.

This is a shot of one of the grids on the 4x4 box I made for my wife.  The lumber was 1x6 and screwed together to form a 4x4 box.

This picture shows some of the grids placed on the existing raised beds.  We are going to apply the square foot method to all of the gardens.  Now for some warmer weather....

Doing It The Square Foot Way-Before We Get More Snow

Well, here we are, worjing in the garden.  Getting it ready for the upcoming season.  Both my wife and I are eager and excited for warmer weather.  We all love to be outside.  We bought a bunch of material for more raised bed gardens.  My wife is going to try the "square foot method" in a couple new beds.  I can't wait to see the results of this.

Anyway, this afternoon, I got out the weed trimmer for the first time since last fall.  I wanted to take care of some tall grass that had infiltrated the garden area.  I couldn't get to it last fall because of the monstrous winter squash we had spilling out everywhere.  So, I fired it up and away I went, even working up a sweat in this 70 degree weather.

I can hear some of my readers, quit rubbing it in, we still have snow on the ground! 

Well, that is why I brought it up.  Here I am, working up a sweat on a nice day in the Ozarks, looking forward to the nice weather and outdoor activities, all with the anticipation of snow Saturday night and Sunday.

You heard me.  We are expecting some snow this weekend.  We go from one extreme to the other around here.  Although, there is an old saying around here, If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes, it'll change.

I keep hoping it will, but it doesn't look like it.  It's going to get cold and nasty again, for a couple of days.  Guess we need to make the best of today, then, don't we?  Isn't there something scriptural like that?

I'm sick of winter.  Maybe this will be the last hurrah for the season.  Oh well, on Monday it is supposed to warm back up again and the ground is so warm, right now, that nothing should stick.  I guess there is a silver lining somewhere.

5th state exempts guns. Is Washington noticing?

5th state exempts guns. Is Washington noticing?

We need to be watching this a supporting the same in our respective states.

Still Slow On The Homestead

Things are still pretty slow around the homestead.  We were awaiting to order broiler chicks, but found out we don't have to wait now.  We have taken orders for this spring batch and are looking forward to that.  I have been thinking on how to deliver water inside the tractors better.  I may have a solution, but it will be dificult as the chicken tractors are made of PVC.  It is one of the draw backs of the pipe design that it is hard to build anything onto them.  They have a wooden base, so that is a place to start.

My plan is to build a platform on the back of the tractor to set a bucket on.  From there, I can hang a bell waterer inside the tractor and, hopefully, gravity will take over.

My beautiful wife will be speaking at an herb gardening club tomorrow.  She was invited to do this last fall and she has been planing it since.  She will be promoting Fertrell and selling some salves and tinctures she has made.  I think she is a bit nervous, but she will do fine.

Plans are also in the works for additional fence and a re-stocking.  We are looking at a couple of pigs for the freezer and some beef to fatten on grass, utilizing some mob grazing techniques I have learned.  Lots to do and very little time.

In keeping with out preparedness plans, we bought a new safe.  We really like it and if you don't have one, get one.  You will need to keep your firearms out of the hands of evil doers.

That is all, for now.  We are all just looking forward to warmer weather and the flea market.  Until next time...

State plan fines feds $2,000 over gun rules

The only flaw, I can see in this law, is that they forgot about U.N. officials. Otherwise, hurrah! for Wyoming! There is a growing wave of states taking back their rights, folks! Keep it up!


State plan fines feds $2,000 over gun rules

Thursday Night Date With My Girls

For some time now, my two precious, radiant, little girls and I have spent time together on Thursday nights.  I, as the daddy, started this one day as I noticed that my girls were missing me.  The signs are pretty evident.  They develope an attitude and begin to doubt your authority and the like.  They just seem to act up in, according to the world, insignificant ways.  This is almost always an indication of daddy, not mommy, losing the hearts of his children.  The thought of that causes me pain, so I came up with the idea of devoting time to just them, at least once per week.

We do things of their choosing, most of the time.  Usually play a game, lately, watching short movies.  Sometimes daddy falls asleep, and I am amazed at how forgiving they are.  They are just happy to have their daddy, all to themselves.

Tonight, Abbie (9), wanted to read from the Psalms.  So we sat down with bibles in hand and read from God's word, together.  Both girls read to me, and I am blessed to have spent time with them.  God has blessed me with the salvation of them and a desire to learn more about Him.  I am blessed because of the strings of fellowship that we tied together.

The hardest thing about this was keeping from expounding on what we read.  I had to control the urge as their minds are not ready for my "deep explanations".  The important thing is that there is power in God's word and simply reading it has benefits.  I do believe that I enjoyed this evening more than all the others.

Father, thank you for making me a wealthy man.  Thank you for giving me the hearts of my children.

How Much Ammo Is Enough?

There will be many view points on this topic.  As many as there are stars, I'm sure.  One can never be prepared too much, I believe.  On our homested, we have the means to provide food and shelter.  But I have also taken into consideration the safety, or, defense, of our homested.

Part of that has to do with ammunition.  If you have guns (you should as they are a sure defense against tyranical government), you will want ample ammo when you need it.

A wise thing might be to have guns in a common caliber so ammo is easy to "find".  If not, and you're like me, you have guns in not-so-common- calbers.  In this case, you want lots.

For a long gun, my suggestion is at least 1000 rounds.  Be sure to keep it safe from predators and thieves.  You can have some for "plinking" and hunting, as well.

For a pistol we keep a minimum of 500 rounds.  These are great for self defense and in close quarters.  Yeah, I've heard that you should keep a shotgun in thhouse for intruders, but, heck. I just don't want to replace the walls.  Pistols are good for carrying around the homestead and can be utilized very quickly and effectively.

Do keep a shotgun.  For mine I have 250 rounds.  I just don't see using it that much, but, should the need arise, I have it.  In close quarters, they can be very unstoppable.

How much is enough?  I don't know, but I do feel safer with these numbers I have suggested.  I am working on the long gun ammo, but if you reload, this is a bonus.  I have a friend that has even learned to mold his own bullets with lead from the tire shops.  This make for very cheap ammo.  It takes time, though, so consider that.

Any other suggestions are welcome, thanks for stopping by.

The Coming Economic Collapse

Collapse and Survival: Industry Strategies in a Changing World (World Industry Studies ; 1)

I'm affraid I have to get "all political" on you, once again.  This is a subject that has been on my mind for a while.  As I watch the government continue in its irresponsability, I am inclined to believe that we are in for a economic melt-down.  I posted a while back, a lilst of things to do in an emergency, and I ask that you re-visit that post and take notes.  Food will be the biggest thing to be concerned with.  If the economy goes down, people will be hungry enough to raid those who are not so hungry.

So, there are two things that are on my mind along these lives.  One is to get a good safe.  If you keep your guns, ammo and valuables in a good safe, the chances are reduced of losing them to a thief.  I have been looking at some safes and a guy can spend a ton of money on one.  I don't have a ton of money, so I found a good one for the right price at Lowes.  Yes Lowe's has safes.  This will be a place to keep my valuables out of the hands of thiefs, along with my long guns and ammo.  I may need them.

The other thing to keep in mind, and this is where the Alph Strategy comes in, is make plans for preserving your harvest and stocking up on food.  It wasn't that long ago that people did this as part of their everyday routine, so, if you don't know where to start, ask around.  That old knowledge is still out there.  Stock a pantry and keep it stocked.  It does not have to be economic problems to force this, it can be a fire or tornado or hurricane.  Heck, even an earthquake.  Canned goods will come in handy, anytime.

So, as we watch the usurpation of our country unfold, irresponsible government spending and socialism creep in, stand back and get ready to defend your home.

Treasure Hunting

We are all excited for the weekend.  I have gained permission to hunt two spots that have very promising potential with our metal detector.  One place is the remains (foundation) of an old hotel, built in the 1860's.  The other is parts of an old town road.  The girls are flouring in their love for history and are excited, to say the least.  Us parents are a little more reserved (yippeee, hurrah, yahooo!), ahem.

We will take the camera and I hope to report some cool, historical finds.  A few coins would be nice, as well.  To boot, it looks as if God is going to grant us nice weather.  So, wish us happy hunting!

What's In A Cow's Name?

I read a little blurb that I found interesting and I thought I'd share it with you.  It appears that a couple of veterinarians in the United Kingdom have won an award for their study on dairy cows.  Their study found that cows that are given names actually produce more milk, when you use their name regularily.  They found that cows are very responsive when handled by caring, friendly owners that call them by name, to the tune of 258 liters per year.  Now I don't think naming your livestock is so meaningles as I had thought.

The Giant Killer-A Must Read

With all the things I have to do around the homested, I still find myself at a loss for things to post.  It doesn't seem this slow around here, but it really is.  There is not that much happening.  I am busied with catch up things.  Things like building book shelves or readying the garden.  Planning for the upcoming season is heavy on my mind, right now.  We also have our new family hobby of metal detecting taking some time.  However, all this will change as we move closer to spring.  We will be ordering chicks soon, building fence and planting the garden.  Then come butchering and preserving and all the other chores that come with summer.

Until the flood gates burst, I felt I had to tell you about a great little book I just finished reading to the girls.  It is called The Giant Killer and is a story of two young boys, sent to the home of a preacher to find some discipline.  The young mother reads to them about several giants we all face in our lives.  The tales are told in allegorical form and instruct us on how to face and kill each giant using the sword of Truth.  This is a very powerful book and should be a must read in all Christian homes with young children.  I say young children because it is when we are young that the battles are easiest.  As we age, the giants are more entrenched in our wills and harder to defeat.  It is of the utmost importance to train and teach our young people to face thier giants while young.  You will enjoy this book, I promise.