Posted in Homestead Garden and Farm

I happend upon this really neat photo index for herbs this morning, while attempting to identify a lovely little plant that popped up after our much needed rains. 

NaturesHerbal has some links to other "herby" things, too.  I found a Poison Ivy  Relief kit that my dear friend Debbie needs right this minute! 

Speaking of Poison Ivy relief....I am searching, without much success, for Jewelweed seeds.  I found a source for plants, but would prefer seeds if possible.  If any of you are fortunate enough to have Jewelweed growing wild on your homestead, I would be so very thankful if you would share some seed with me.  I will gladly pay for the seeds and the postage if you would be kind enough to send them my way! 

Blessings,

Catherine

Posted in Homestead Garden and Farm

I'm getting ready for the Fall & Winter growing season.  How about you? 

I always enjoy the Bountiful Gardens newsletter, and this month they advertised the Winter Vegetables Collection .  Ten seed packets for $19.50 is a pretty good deal; especially since they sell heirloom, untreated, sustainable..."Good" seeds!

I know that we have gardeners from all over, with very different climates and growing conditions; so I'd love to hear what you grow in the Fall and Winter in your area.

In Fall, I grow pretty much the same things as in the Spring garden.   Many things actually do better in the cooler days of Fall since we can often go from Winter to almost summer-like conditions quickly. 

The Winter garden allows us in the "heat zone" to grow those lovely greens like spinach, lettuce, mustard, etc. that can't take our hot weather during the spring and summer.  Onions, beets, turnips, kale, broccoli and cauliflower also enjoy the winter weather here in the heart of Texas.  3 herbs that do well in my winter garden are: Parsley, Cilantro, and one of my favorites, Calendula.  Oh, and my favorite flower of all, which  has edible flowers, too- Violas! 

Oh, I am ready, ready, ready for the cooler days ahead!

Blessings,

Catherine

Posted in Homestead Garden and Farm

Hello dear friends!
I tell you, the weather has been rough around here... our garden has suffered. It hasn't helped that Shannon and I have not been ourselves either.  We are thankful for what we have been able to get out of the garden, what we have been able to preserve for the winter. One thing that is doing quite beautifully though is my Luffa's.  Dear Rhonda Jean sent me a package of seeds when we had a swap and I am so excited to harvest these once they have dried.
Silly as it may sound, I always thought luffas were a type of sponge from the sea. I had NO idea it was something to grow in the garden.
Her site has some great info on how to prepare these for use.
You let these dry on the vine and then once dried you can harvest the seed and peel the skin.  Then you soak them in a bit of bleach water and let them dry... after dried they are ready for use or for gift giving.
I would love to get my own soap made so I could give a gift of soap and luffa. 
But I am having a terrible time trying to find lye.  Any ideas where I can buy this.  I have tried Lowes, Home Depot, Walmart... I can't find it. 
Thanks for your visit.  May God bless you and your Homestead.
From my Homestead to Yours,
~Chas~
Chasity L. Burrell
Senior Editor Homesteadblogger
Heritage Acres Farm

Posted in Homestead Garden and Farm

I know I've posted articles about this topic before, but I am convinced that a good, deep layer of mulch is a must in the garden. 

The summer heat is almost unbearable here in the "heart of Texas", and my garden has been the most pitiful thing this year.   I finally decided to just give up and wait for time to plant the Fall crops.  But, the jalapeno and serrano pepper plants were still living, though I was having to water them every day, and they still looked sad and wilty.  I wanted to keep them alive until we move in hopes to transplant them into containers and take them with us. 

In a burst of gardening energy one morning before the scorching heat set in, I raked up a whole bunch of dead leaves and other "mulchy looking stuff" from under the trees and brush at the back of our property line.  I put a thick layer- at least 6 inches, on top of the layer of cypress mulch already in place, around the pepper plants.  When I first put it down, it was about halfway covering the plants themselves, but after watering it wasn't quite so tall.  I watered thoroughly, making sure to soak not only the mulch, but the soil underneath. 

I kid you not, those pepper plants look so much better, and haven't wilted since!  I've even gone a few days without watering, and they are not only thriving, but setting fruit again. 

I've always mulched, but since I've bought bagged mulch in the past, I didn't mulch quite so deeply.  From now on, I'm going to be more thrifty and rake up whatever looks "mulchy" in my yard, and perhaps offer to rake a few neighbors leaves come Fall, too!  

Mulch your gardens thickly!  Your plants will thank you. 

Blessings,

Catherine

Posted in Homestead Garden and Farm

How about growing your own Vanilla beans!  Logee's has a new variety which sounds very tempting to try:  Vanilla planifolia variegata . 

The variegated "Calamondin Orange" would also be fun to grow if you have a greenhouse, sunroom, or live in a warm climate.  Unfortunately for me, they can't ship citrus plants to Texas.  I really don't understand that, because you can buy citrus trees at the nurseries here.  Some oddball  regulation, I suppose. 

Oh well, I'll just request the Vanilla plant for my all too quickly approaching birthday, and be happy to get a new "pet"!

Blessings,

Catherine

Posted in Homestead Garden and Farm

This is a good video for those interested in sustainable agriculture.  It is particularly helpful for those of us who are renting or have limited space.

Anyone here with advice on this subject, please share it with us, too!  This is something our family and a few good friends are looking at putting into practice in the very near future. 

Blessings,

Catherine

Posted in Homestead Garden and Farm

There are lots of ways to dry your fresh garden herbs. my sister dries hers in a dehydrator. But my favorite is to air dry them as follows.

  
Here's How:
Gently wash herbs and pat dry with paper towels.
Tie two to three stalks together.
Hang upside down in an airy, dry spot.
Herbs will dry in one to two weeks under favorable conditions.
When herbs are dry and crumbly, remove leaves from stems.
Crush leaves with a rolling pin or leave whole.
Pack in an airtight container or zip-top bag with air removed.
Use within 6 months.
Tips:
Pick best leaves just before herbs bloom.
Harvest in early morning as soon as dew has evaporated.
Herbs only hold their potency for about 6 months.

If it is damp out and humid inside I put them in my hot-water heater closet to dry. I am always on the lookout at garage sales for little glass jars with tight lids to store my herbs in.

Grandma Rosie at Grandma Rosie's Texas Home

Posted in Homestead Garden and Farm

1. Nantes are medium length and cylindrical.
2. Imperators have extra length and durability for packing and shipping. This variety is best worked in deep, loose soil.
3. Chantenays are wide at the top, shorter and blocky. They are suitable for shallow, heavy (read clay) soils.

Kristin Hoffman homesteads with her family in the hills of East Tennessee and blogs about alternative energy, family farming, and home schooling with her husband at www.solarfamilyfarm.com. The Hoffmans also run Knot4Fun, a family business dedicated to teaching kids the practical skill of knot tying and adventurous outdoor play. Kristin can be found processing the many gallons of milk from her (now) two Jersey milk cows. Yikes!