Homesteaders

[OrganicFarmWife]

 



Thanks I've got to remember that. Asparagus is a good food. 

I have trouble remembering it is food too, it tastes so much like  stink weed.

You eat a lot of stink weed do ya? Your poor wife, does it have the same effect garlic has?

 

[duluthralphie]

Good to know on the Walmart tree and growth in the hardiness zone you're aiming for. Does that reverse apply as well - for instance I'm in zone 9/10 {right on the line} - would I have trouble with a tree grown in zone 4?


Winter kill is the problem for us, I have no idea if it works the other way. Most of the fruits we have require cold weather to set fruit, ( as I understand it) so that might limit you. You send me Grapefruits and I will send you apples...

Asparagus - I have been wondering if I could get it to grow here. After taking the hedge out, that bed would be a nice spot to put asparagus I think. I love grilled asparagus, but never buy it because it's so expensive.


I found this on asparagus. " Asparagus grows well in all U.S. Department of Agriculture zones except for zones 10 and 11. The reasons behind this is that the plant needs cold winter temperatures below freezing so they are able to go dormant for a period of time, which is important for its growth"
Came home to a blessing today - while daughter and I were gone picking up the chicks, the neighbor girls {who are at my house all the time} mowed my lawn, raked it all, and finished cutting most of the hedge. I was leaving all that for tomorrow to work on while keeping an eye on the chicks.

 

[FrugalmamaTx]

the tree situation is a yes. Find varieties that grow well in your zone. I'm not sure Apple trees would grow good in the south, but peaches would. Newer varieties are developed for individual zones. Lilacs would not do well just like Tulips that need what is called "Vernalization".

Basically it is a cold period where specific plants not only go dormant(theyhit the pause button until the weather warms) but must be exposed to a certain number of days with minimum temperatures or they will not flower. Scientists are not certain why some plants need longer periods of cold than others but they believe plants store this information and pass it on genetically.

Too some animals, including breeds of chickens do better in different climates. I've a friend in Israel who tried Brahmas only to find this did not survive in the heat. The Buckeye is another breed developed for the cold weather of Canada.

As for those girls who did all that work? Send them over here. You are certainly blessed.

In an episode of "Little House on the Prairie an angel ( I think ) says, sometimes folks will do for strangers what they won't do for their own.


Pro 27:10

Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbourthat is near than a brother far off.

Hmm....I will pull up the list of recommended varieties again and see what it says before I go shopping. I was planning on just waiting for the annual free fruit / nut tree giveaway in January that our city parks and rec does - all those are vetted to do well in our area. But the temptation of getting started now instead of in January on the fruit trees is a big one. I'm still trying to decide on what fruits to grow though. I know peaches are out {we're allergic} and my neighbors have a very prolific grapefruit tree so I'd like something different so we can eventually trade.

awesome neighbor girls. Sounds like they need a special desert made.

They are a blessing to me - I love them like they are my own girls. Spoil them rotten too. Both of them and my daughter have a sleepover planned for tomorrow night so I can reward their hard work with ice cream, taquitos and pizza. Plus they've been playing / caring for the new baby chicks since I brought them home.

 

[Chicken girl 15]

.I kinda forgot where I put my seed potatoes. Today I moved a feed bag and there they were. They will grow ok won't they? Or did I let them go too long?

 

[Chicken girl 15]

Would any of you happen to know what that plant is and if it's good for anything?

 

[Chicken girl 15]

Same with this. Its fuzzy!! And my chickens won't touch it. Is it a waste of space or does it have a use?

 

[OrganicFarmWife]

Same with this. Its fuzzy!! And my chickens won't touch it. Is it a waste of space or does it have a use?

The bottom and one looks like lambs ear. I was told it was used as tp by Indians, but do not quote me.

 

[OrganicFarmWife]

.I kinda forgot where I put my seed potatoes. Today I moved a feed bag and there they were. They will grow ok won't they? Or did I let them go too long?

I keep my potatoes and try to grow what is left the next year. By spring some of my potatoes look like that. They always grow fine, just be sure to plant them so the sprouts are shallow I usually keep the tips just at ground level so it can find the sun.

 

[Serenashome]

Same with this. Its fuzzy!! And my chickens won't touch it. Is it a waste of space or does it have a use?

@OrganicFarmWife I was so tempted to quote you but I restrained myself. hehe

Yes this is wooly lamb's ear it is a medicinal herb and has antibiotic properties. It is recommended for topical use and has been used as a bandage forever. It absorbs well and provides protection for wounds as well as helping the blood clot more quickly. It has also been used by Native Americans for 'that time of the month'.

 

[Serenashome]

I know I'm a little late on the asparagus conversation but I started mine in a raised bed two years ago. We are harvesting for the first time this year. We purchased heirloom organic seeds and direct sowed first week of May. It's been going like gangbusters ever since. The nice thing about an asparagus bed is once you get it established if you do not take too many spears and maintain the root health you will have asparagus for 20 years and the only real work you do it clear the dried fern each spring.

I'd highly recommend it.