Homesteaders

[Raech]

Herbs are the easiest to grow in my opinion. Only thing you have to remember is to trim it back, basil is the worst because it grows too quick for me. I am taking my square garden and making it into a mostly herb garden with a couple peppers along the back side. My herbs are just basil, oregano, rosemary, chives and sage for now. I forgot to cut my chives and they arent looking so hot, I'm hoping they come back this spring.

Let my bunny go in the berry patch yesterday, in her yard cage, so she could eat the grass that was growing around the blueberry bushes and forgot to put her in the hutch last night. Went out first thing this morning to put her in and we had a heavy frost, so she was huddled up in the corner and her water was frozen. On the upside she ran into her hutch pretty quick and did a great job getting the grass ate down and some of the strawberries were thined out. Going to see if I can make a run that connects to her hutch so she can eat more grass during the day without me moving her little cage every hour.

 

[OrganicFarmWife]

Herbs are the easiest to grow in my opinion. Only thing you have to remember is to trim it back, basil is the worst because it grows too quick for me. I am taking my square garden and making it into a mostly herb garden with a couple peppers along the back side. My herbs are just basil, oregano, rosemary, chives and sage for now. I forgot to cut my chives and they arent looking so hot, I'm hoping they come back this spring.

Let my bunny go in the berry patch yesterday, in her yard cage, so she could eat the grass that was growing around the blueberry bushes and forgot to put her in the hutch last night. Went out first thing this morning to put her in and we had a heavy frost, so she was huddled up in the corner and her water was frozen. On the upside she ran into her hutch pretty quick and did a great job getting the grass ate down and some of the strawberries were thined out. Going to see if I can make a run that connects to her hutch so she can eat more grass during the day without me moving her little cage every hour.

Part of the problem is deciding what to grow. Basil and chives are good, I use them. Many of the spices a use will not grow here. Sage grows wild. Very willing to experiment just having a hard time starting. :/

 

[rancher hicks]

Ok this is what I have so far, sorry about the sloppiness, art and detail are not my strong suits.


I have grapes established, would love to get raspberries and blueberries going (I know chickens are going to make that hard, will have to get some sturdy cages) My orchard is absolutely pathetic (and maybe it is that cedar rust? they are alive but do not grow or produce much) so I am planning on ripping that up and starting again. I am going to get a couple apple and sour cherries, grow from there.
I tried to grow my squash beside the old hog shed last year. Not enough direct sun, and was decimated by squash bugs

So going to try to grow then in the center of the drive.
I would also love to get some nut trees established somewhere, but that is mostly just dreaming at this point.

This is the kitchen garden, it is the foundation of an old shed, so it is surrounded by cement and is 30×30. I put straw down for weed control and walk ways. I also surrounded the garden with marigolds. I have a permanent garden adjacent to the south, same thing, it is 30×14. I have not gotten it drawn up yet, but it now has onions, and garlic growing in it. I am going to start a patch of asparagus, rhubarb, and strawberries this year. I also want to try to grow some herbs, but am a little intimidated by that.
My largest problem with my garden is Morningglorys. They take over every year. It was better last year, hopefully I can be put there even more this year, the kids are bigger, and really keep the dang things down

Be encouraged. Rome wasn't built in a day. Not even two days.

 

[Chicken girl 15]

The best gardener is always making improvements. That's how great things happen. Every year try several new things. This year make it herbs. I am making it a point to add 3 types of kale.

Never down yourself for what went wrong ,always encourage for what will go right next time.

 

[rancher hicks]

The best gardener is always making improvements. That's how great things happen. Every year try several new things. This year make it herbs. I am making it a point to add 3 types of kale.

Never down yourself for what went wrong ,always encourage for what will go right next time.

OH Kale, I forgot to order Kale. It freezes well and is good in soups.

Some years I have a good crop, some years not. Well somethings do better some years than others. This is why you can a lot of food.

 

[rancher hicks]

What's your method for planting greens? How do you ensure that you have greens all year?

 

[OrganicFarmWife]

I am really excited! A New organic nursery Is opening up near me. He is just a small start up, and he is going to have to sell to some larger towns if he has any hope of making it. But he is starting out right, advertising on the local swap sites. I Told him I would order from him as soon as I get exactly what I want together. I love supporting small local businesses.

 

[Chicken girl 15]

I stagger plant my dark greens. My lettuce I do up until it dies from the cold. This year I'm building a snow box to try for winter. We eat a lot of tacos so we need it year round. I will let you know if it works in our weather.

 

[Molpet]

OH Kale, I forgot to order Kale. It freezes well and is good in soups.

Some years I have a good crop, some years not. Well somethings do better some years than others. This is why you can a lot of food.

how do you freeze your kale? blanch and just freeze?
My kale seems to be good in the garden until -11 f ...I still have kale out there

 

[Chicken girl 15]

I don't even blanch my kale to freeze. Mine seems to do great going from garden straight to freezer. I pick it and put it in freezer bags.