Shots On The Farm

The girls went out with their cameras' and took a few shots around the homestead.  I thought I'd share them with y'all.  The ducks are a recent addition and quite fun to have around.

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

My wife informed me last week that it is time to start thinking about the garden.  Indeed, this mild winter, thus far, has given us the "bug" to get out and plant.  If you are preparedness minded, this is a subject of importance, so I wanted to share with you a great seed company called Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds.  Click here to visit their site.  They deal in old, sometimes ancient seeds, but the great thing about heirloom seeds is that they are open pollinated and you can save the seeds from your produce each year.  Non GMO, non tainted, non Frankenstien food.  For a survivalist, this is a must have.  They are about an hour away from us, so my wife makes the trip yearly to stock up, but they also have a very nice catalog to order from.  Good people, great company-check them out.

Subpeona Coming To Holder Soon

Good.  Eric Holder is coming under greater scrutiny over the Fast and Furious failure.  It is apparent that Holder gave some misleading and skewed information at his last appearance to testify (Ya think?) But things are shaping up to get ugly for Mr. Holder and, perhaps, the Justice Department.  There are even allegations that the plan was originally hatch by Hillary Clinton (another surprise).  Is there anything legal about this government?  Read more here...

The USDuh Proposes Another Animal I.D. Tracking System

Here we go again, another "traceability" proposal from the USDuh.  Look, all I want is smaller government, I really don't care that other countries buy meat from the USA.  It is just another means of taxation.  Read more here...

Is Financial Collapse A Foregone Conclusion?

I hope that it is not too late, but I think that we all need to be prepared for something big to happen, economically.  There are several nations in Europe that are on the brink of default, which this article explains and just might set off the dominos.  As a believer, I need to think of my wife and children, not just their safety and sustenance, but their spiritual well-being.  My children are saved, but are they prepared for what might lay ahead in the near future?  Am I, for that matter?  The time for keeping our heads in the sand is at an end.  Use the link and read the article.  This is not to scare anyone, God has been and always will be in control, just be aware and keep a level head.

Citrus Greening Desease In Florida

As a produce manager, I wonder how this story could affect the price of citrus across the board.  It seems the former housing boom that busted in Florida is creating a chemicle disease that is spreading rapidly and affecting the citrus crops in Florida.  This could be a big deal as other citrus growing states would not be able to meet the demand and prices will rise.  Read more using the link.

Federal Hoop Houses

First of all, I think high tunnels, or hoop houses are cool.  They are a cost effective way for small time folks to extend their growing season.  But, should the government be spending money on this?  What really bugs me is the descrimination.  For poor farmers, the government will pick up half the tab to build a hoop house.  If you are a minority, you get 80-100%.  How about we just don't use tax money for this.  What is your opinion?

Neo-Organic

I recently came across the term neo-organic.  At the time, it was in the headline of an article that I did not have time to read.  Since then, I can't remember where I saw it.  I did a small bit of research to try and find the definition of this neo-term.  I have to admit that I did not spend a bunch of time doing this research as I had other things I was doing, which is nothing-neo.  So I am incredibly curious as to what, exactly, people mean by neo-organic.  If you have spent any time reading this humble blog, you will know that I am not a fan of all things organic.  I do think farmers should farm organically, naturally, let me be clear on that.  However, the USDuh organic label, to me, seems misleading as the USDuh (USDA) has proven itself inept at enforcing regulations.  How do you know when the object is truly organic?  Do you know the farmer/farm?  I think the whole thing is misleading.  So, on that note, can someone explain what is meant by neo-organic?  Is this a neo-improved version, or a neo-way of saying the same thing?  Fill me in.

An Apple That Doesn't Turn Brown After Slicing, The Latest In Genetic Engineering

Come on people!  Do we really need an apple that doesn't turn brown when sliced?  This is the latest in genetic engineering, coming out of Canada.  Are scientists just bored, or what?  The bottom line to all of this is the mighty dollar, these apples are purported to be cheaper to grow and will last longer after slicing.  My question is, why does man think he has to improve on everything?  Just cut your apple and eat it, done.  Am I just to old fashioned?  God made things perfect, don't mess with it-right?

Sharpton Wants Rush To Be Quiet

For the record, I am not a huge fan of Rush Limbaugh, Hannity, etc...  I am, however a freedom lovin', South lovin', Christian, conservative and I believe in the right of freedom of speech, no matter who you are.  Only communists and socialists silence their opposition.  Sorry for the political rant, but you need to read this article about Al Sharpton.  He thinks Rush should be silenced, along with all the others through the FCC (another government agency we don't need).  The troubling aspect of this is that Al is not the only one who thinks this way, a growing number of liberals want to close the mouths of their opposition.  Time for a revolution?

Never Too Late To Think About Gardening For Survival

Here is a great article for the survival minded types and those that look toward a more sustainable life.  This is remedial information for some, but let's face it, there are lots of people out there that don't know the first thing about growing a garden, much less growing enough food to sustain themselves for an extended period.  The linked article is for those that don't know where to begin when it comes to growing a garden.

Appearance Affects Farmer's Market Sales

Do you sell stuff, or produce from your homestead at a farmers market?  If you do, then here are some tips you might want to look at.  I work in a retail environment and I can attest to the wisdom presented in this article, presentation is everything.  As a produce manager, I notice that apples will sell better when the display is near overflowing.  Conversely, if the display is low, say one layer, people won't hardly touch them.  To take it one step further, the way I dress and carry myself is very important, as well.  People want to feel good when they spend their money.  Times are tough, this is more important now than ever.

Elderberries The Next Super Berry Craze?

As super foods go, there are some that are what they say they are, and some that are not.  Elderberries could be the next super food craze and they are what they say they are.  My wife uses them to ensure our health all the time.  Farmers in Missouri (where we are) are getting excited about the potential of elderberries.  Lots of folks grow them and are native all over the place.  Maybe it is time to think about getting your slice of this pie.  Read the linked article for more information.

Many People Are Getting Privy To The Evils Of Agribusiness And Processed Food

This is a bit of good news for local agriculture and a possible hit to big agribusiness.  As Alan Nation, of the Stockman GrassFarmer reports, the growth of small producers in and around major cities is expected to continue.  The credit of this article goes to the author, Mr.Alan Nation, read on:

Local Ag Seen Getting Big Soon


Monday, 25 October 2010

A group of futurist experts and authors convened by the politically conservative business magazine Forbes have predicted that by 2018, only eight years from now, 20 percent of the food eaten in major urban areas of the USA will be grown adjacent to or in the city itself. The magazine notes that this is a huge number and would really shake up modern American agriculture which is currently built around a small number of large-scale farms and long-distance shipping. "In addition to making our cities more resilient, the health benefits, for both our bodies and our planet, of consuming food that is grown within a small number of miles of our homes or workplaces are significant," the magazine noted in its October 25th edition.

George Washington On Crop Rotation

General Washington was not just a great, revolutionary leader, he was a great farmer whose heart was always at Mount Vernon, even while he was away.  Can you see any wisdom in this for the homesteader who plants raised bed gardens?


"Consequently two things must be engrafted into our plan: 1st, Crops which are useful on our farms, or saleable in our markets, and 2d, the intermixing these crops by such relations and with such dressing as will improve, instead of exhausting our lands. To effect these is the great desiderata of Farming, and ought to be the pursuit of every farmer. On this ground every experiment is a treasure, and the authors of them valuable members of Society. "




George Washington

(Letter to Charles Carter, January 20, 1788)

Square Foot Garden Construction

More On Square Foot Gardening

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.

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.