Gardening
Valentine’s Day for Homesteaders
Valentine's Day is next Tuesday. You usually get one of two responses to this celebration. You either get someone who just loves it and is looking forward to doing something special for those he/she loves. Or, you get a groan accompanied with resentment for a day where he/she feels obligated... »
Orchards and Vineyards
If you have ever dreamed of having an orchard or vineyard on your property, now is the time to act on it in Southeast Texas. Not only are farmers planting early spring crops or getting ready to do so, but this is also the time to plant trees and vines. The nurseries and feed stores in my area have many... »
Early Spring Gardening
Our fall garden was a big disappointment. Our goats got out of their fenced-in area and devoured my vegetable plants. They stripped the broccoli leaves, ate the cabbage to the roots, etc. The only things they left alone were bunching onions. I guess they didn't want onion breath. The spinach was resilient and is almost ready to beginning giving us leaves... »
Reclaiming our Garden
My husband and I are slowly reclaiming our garden from the out of control growth of weeds and grass. I honestly have no idea where all of this grass came from since we have gardened twice a year in this same plot for years. My only guess is that these seeds have been lying dormant waiting for any signs of... »
Save My Garden
In all my years of gardening, I have never seen anything like my fall garden. Because of the drought, I decided to plant in a row without raising the soil and making furrows. I placed stakes on each end of the straight line so that we could tell where the vegetables would grow. I watered every night for about two... »
Gardening in a Drought
My family and I are trying to adapt to the incredibly dry conditions. We even considered not planting a fall garden, but while coming up with all the pros and cons, I convinced myself to go for it anyway. We finally finished planting everything Tuesday. I usually plant in raised rows. They are easy to see. Walkways are naturally created and... »
To Garden or Not To Garden?
My favorite time to garden is the fall. Late August is the optimum time to begin a fall garden in my area of Texas. Here it is on the 24th and I am still trying to decide whether or not I will plant. Usually it is a no-brainer. Plant a garden. However, this is an extraordinary year. We are in the... »
All-Seasons Cabbage
The one vegetable I am most surprised that all five of my children like is cabbage. We eat it raw in salads and coleslaw. We use it as a base in vegetable stir-fry. Our favorite way to eat cabbage is steamed and then sauteed in butter. Traditionally, cabbage is a... »
Lessons in the Garden
I hope that everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend. I have not written in over a week because life got in the way. When life gets as hectic as it has been, I try not to stress over my lack of writing. I do it because I enjoy it, and... »
Food Storage Homesteading-Style
As food prices have continued to increase, many people are beginning to store a food supply. It is not only economical, but great to have when a natural or man-made disaster occurs. I know that as Hurricane Ike approached the Gulf Coast, you could not find a can of tuna or a bottle of water on any grocery store shelf... »
Go to the Ant
I have been so busy lately that I took longer off from writing than I expected. Let me catch you up. Jake showed his heifer, Sugar, at the Houston Livestock Show during Spring Break. It was quite an experience for him and for us as well. It is only the world's largest livestock exhibition. We are so proud of Jake. He... »
A Garden Expansion
Yesterday was a beautiful, sunny day in February. I so enjoyed getting my hands and feet dirty. I sunk them deep in the freshly tilled soil in the unplanted section of my garden. Our garden is going to look a little different this year. Since my family is going on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet(SCD), we are not going to plant potatoes,... »
Gardening in February
We have thawed out. Yesterday was such a beautiful day. My husband, Andrew, and I went on a long cross country walk. We are trying to enjoy the pleasant, mild days now before any more cold fronts approach. Our average freeze dates extend to March 5th; therefore, we could definitely see more winter weather. However, if you believe that Punxsutawney Phil... »
How Much to Plant?
Have you been to the grocery store lately? Food prices are on the rise, and who knows how high they will climb? When I read history, especially about times of war and occupation, one thing always jumps out at me. The people in rural areas get along much better than people in urban areas. Why? It is simple. In a rural... »
First Frost
On Wednesday the first flock of geese flew over my house honking and flying in their typical "V" pattern. My father was with me. We discussed briefly how beautiful the sight was, and then he said, "In two days we will have cold weather." Having just watched the weather forecast for the week, I replied that on Friday night the low... »
