There are many benefits of gardening, the health professionals will tell you that it lowers blood pressure, the gardener gets some exercise and fresh air. This may all be true, however, I believe that it goes deeper than that. I believe that it fights off the long winter that has just left or is on its way. I believe that it is Gods way for us to connect to the land that he gave to us to care for, to feel, smell, and touch that which he has given to us. It is a place of miracles where each plant that grows, it is as if God is saying here I am see what I can do. It is a place to think, rest, and talk to God of all the things of the day that is on your mind. Oh it will give you food, it will green up your yard, it will attract the birds of the area, could it be that they are there to see God as well. I can hear some of you saying that they don't believe in God all I can say is that in the little area that I have growing all my vegetables, God has shown himself to me over and over. I see plants so fragile and small grow to be a strong and hardy plant and I think of my life and how I was blessed to raise my children and the blessing that he has given to me.
The garden is more than just a place to grow a plant. Its a place to grow. Share a garden with your children, your neighbor, your parents or some old friends maybe even some new friends. Like the plants that die off in the fall so will everyone you know and so will you. Your harvest can be more than just vegetables it can be a life full of happy memory’s picked from your back yard garden. Grow what you can and your harvest may be more than you ever expected. Gardening is a great hobby and habit to pass on to the next generation. Every time I work in my garden I am reminded of the times I spent in the garden with my mom, and all my grandparents. I think of what I learned out in that backyard garden.
Till Next Time
Happy Gardening
Showing posts with label garden. Show all posts
Showing posts with label garden. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Worms or No Worms that is the question.
Now most of you who have read and or seen my You Tube videos know I have raised worms for composting. Unfortunately over the last year they have been dying off little by little. I have found myself in a spot where I need to ask do I replace the worms I have lost of just do with out? So I had to do some investigating as to why the worms dyed. The only thing that I can come up with for any kind of good or descant answer is that the tap water that I have here is bad for the worms. So If I am to get more worms I will need to filter the water. I also think that there might be some rodents eating some of the worms but I believe that the rodents are doing minimal damage. Now for the big point is the cost of replacement, worms are going for about $90.00 for 5 pounds that comes out to just about $18.00 per pound. If they live than all will be good, if they dye off than not so much.
I am thinking that I will be buying more worms in March or April as it worms up out side and the worms have a better chance of making it. I will keep you posted on how that is going and were I am in the process.
The benefits of using worms for composting far out weights not having and using the casting in the garden. I have used the castings to make a tea out of and used it as a spray on plants as an insecticide (I have seen it kill gnats and hard shelled insects) I use it as a liquid fertilizer and the castings as a soil amendment. I also use the worms to compost my trash. Such as coffee, coffee filters, tea and tea bags, vegetable waste, all kinds of paper products, I even will at times get manure and throw it in as a little treat for the worms. So there is some of the things I have been thinking of, I will be blogging more on worms and how to raise them, and some of the down falls.
If you are in the same situation as I am or if you have been thinking about getting in to worms stay posted for a lot of great information on worms.
Till Next Time
Happy Worming
I am thinking that I will be buying more worms in March or April as it worms up out side and the worms have a better chance of making it. I will keep you posted on how that is going and were I am in the process.
The benefits of using worms for composting far out weights not having and using the casting in the garden. I have used the castings to make a tea out of and used it as a spray on plants as an insecticide (I have seen it kill gnats and hard shelled insects) I use it as a liquid fertilizer and the castings as a soil amendment. I also use the worms to compost my trash. Such as coffee, coffee filters, tea and tea bags, vegetable waste, all kinds of paper products, I even will at times get manure and throw it in as a little treat for the worms. So there is some of the things I have been thinking of, I will be blogging more on worms and how to raise them, and some of the down falls.
If you are in the same situation as I am or if you have been thinking about getting in to worms stay posted for a lot of great information on worms.
Till Next Time
Happy Worming
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Cold Cold Cold,
Today we hit a high of 11 degrees, and we are expected to drop well below 0 tonight, and here I am thinking about what to plant in the garden this year. I was hopping to have a cold frame built and some seeds in the ground by now but it just hasn’t worked out yet. So I am thinking that I will be out in the cold tomorrow getting a cold frame up and put some lights in there to warm it up some. I would like to get some lettuces in the ground in the next week or so. There is some things that will do well in the cold but I'm thinking that this cold might be just a little to cold, I'll try it and see. Some of the vegetables that can make it in a cold frame are beets, Brussels sprouts, carrots, collards, kale, parsley, and spinach.
I am also going to put in cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, radish, spinach, parsley, kale and I might put in beets. Mainly because that is what I like to eat and that is what I like to grow so we will see how it all goes.
Till next Time
Stay Warm and Happy Planting
I am also going to put in cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, radish, spinach, parsley, kale and I might put in beets. Mainly because that is what I like to eat and that is what I like to grow so we will see how it all goes.
Till next Time
Stay Warm and Happy Planting
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Sale and buying seeds for 2011
Okay lets start with the seeds.
I've had my seed catalogs for weeks now and I think I have a list of what I am going to get for 2011 and here is my list from two different companies.
Mayflower = Bean
Old Homestead (Kentucky Wonder Pole) = Beans
Bull's Blood = Beet
European Mescalin = Salad
Rocky Top Lettuce = Salad
California Wonder = Sweet Pepper
Golden Marconi = Sweet Pepper
Italian Pepperoncini = Sweet Pepper
Super Shepherd = Sweet Pepper
German Giant = Radish
Bloomsdale Long Standing = Spinach
Giant Noble = Spinach
Hopi Pale Grey = Squash
Pink German Tree = Tomatoes
Raspberry Lyanna = Tomatoes
Riesentraube = Tomatoes
Rom = Tomatoes
Early Flat Dutch = Cabbage
Red Acre = Cabbage
Early Snowball = Cauliflower
Boston Pickling = Cucumbers
Amish Snap = Snap Peas
Wando = Shelling Peas
I still need to go through and pick out what herbs I want but here is a good start for the vegetables. I hope to be getting the order out this next week so I can get to planting. I still have some seeds left from last year so those will be going in as well.
Now for the sale I went to yesterday. It was beyond words, big would just start to describe this 16 acre over twenty mobile home and other trailers filled with all kinds of stuff. Some so packed you could not even get in. If you have the time and the energy to go to these extra extra large sales you can make out here is some of the things I got.
Heavy duty potato cutter (est. value $59.00), one full set and 4 parcel sets of poker chips
4 LP's, 7 buttons, 7 leather tools (est. value $50.00) , a Coors bar caddy (est. value $10.00), 2 small glass bottles, and the killer for the garden about 40 to 50 square feet of cobble stone and other brick. I estimate the brick at over $125.00 and I only payed $20.00 for all. Now it did take 3 hours of looking and moving but I will use the brick and I have gotten rid of the bar caddy, LP's, I'm keeping the potato cutter. That is my deal of the week. More to come as I get time. (Big smile)
I've had my seed catalogs for weeks now and I think I have a list of what I am going to get for 2011 and here is my list from two different companies.
Mayflower = Bean
Old Homestead (Kentucky Wonder Pole) = Beans
Bull's Blood = Beet
European Mescalin = Salad
Rocky Top Lettuce = Salad
California Wonder = Sweet Pepper
Golden Marconi = Sweet Pepper
Italian Pepperoncini = Sweet Pepper
Super Shepherd = Sweet Pepper
German Giant = Radish
Bloomsdale Long Standing = Spinach
Giant Noble = Spinach
Hopi Pale Grey = Squash
Pink German Tree = Tomatoes
Raspberry Lyanna = Tomatoes
Riesentraube = Tomatoes
Rom = Tomatoes
Early Flat Dutch = Cabbage
Red Acre = Cabbage
Early Snowball = Cauliflower
Boston Pickling = Cucumbers
Amish Snap = Snap Peas
Wando = Shelling Peas
I still need to go through and pick out what herbs I want but here is a good start for the vegetables. I hope to be getting the order out this next week so I can get to planting. I still have some seeds left from last year so those will be going in as well.
Now for the sale I went to yesterday. It was beyond words, big would just start to describe this 16 acre over twenty mobile home and other trailers filled with all kinds of stuff. Some so packed you could not even get in. If you have the time and the energy to go to these extra extra large sales you can make out here is some of the things I got.
Heavy duty potato cutter (est. value $59.00), one full set and 4 parcel sets of poker chips
4 LP's, 7 buttons, 7 leather tools (est. value $50.00) , a Coors bar caddy (est. value $10.00), 2 small glass bottles, and the killer for the garden about 40 to 50 square feet of cobble stone and other brick. I estimate the brick at over $125.00 and I only payed $20.00 for all. Now it did take 3 hours of looking and moving but I will use the brick and I have gotten rid of the bar caddy, LP's, I'm keeping the potato cutter. That is my deal of the week. More to come as I get time. (Big smile)
Bottles
Bricks
Bar Caddy
Potato Cutter
Till Next Time.
Happy Hunting / planting
Monday, January 24, 2011
Seeds Seeds Seeds
Okay, I have been looking at my seed catalogs for a few weeks now and I think I know what I want to get but than I look at the other catalog and it changes. I know I have one acre to plant but 1. I don't plant the whole acre and 2. I don't have the water for all that growing. But I'm thinking that I sure would like to plant some sunflower's, they grow wild here so if I plant some they should grow.
I also would like to do more herbs this year something a little more hardy and ease to grow here in the high plains. I also have been studying the past few years and have come to the decision that I need to use raised bed's and I will put some hardware cloth down than dirt over the top. (That will keep the voles and the moles out of the vegetables. I would also like to get some grass to grow in a part of the garden and make like a little flower sitting area out there well see how that goes. First things first and that is to get the garden seeds so back to the catalogs I go I'll keep you all up dated.
Till Next Time
Happy Gardening
I also would like to do more herbs this year something a little more hardy and ease to grow here in the high plains. I also have been studying the past few years and have come to the decision that I need to use raised bed's and I will put some hardware cloth down than dirt over the top. (That will keep the voles and the moles out of the vegetables. I would also like to get some grass to grow in a part of the garden and make like a little flower sitting area out there well see how that goes. First things first and that is to get the garden seeds so back to the catalogs I go I'll keep you all up dated.
Till Next Time
Happy Gardening
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Making Russian Tea.
Today I decided to make more Russian Tea. I have it posted on my you tube channel. Click on the title for the link to the video. Russian Tea is just Tang, Sugar, Instant Tea, Lemon Kool aid, Cinnamon, and powder cloves. I picked a great day to make the tea it is now 25 degrees and snowing, great night to drink a cup of Russian Tea. I am working on plans for some hot boxes I want to make and get in the garden. I might start that project tomorrow I'll see how that goes. Here are some photos of the snow hope that you all are worm 
.
Till Next Time
Stay Warm!!!
.Till Next Time
Stay Warm!!!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Things done Things done
Planted some onion and tobacco seed. (See my you tube video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rpRhEwJmf4
and got the porch frame in and leveled out now all I need to do is get the 2 X 6's and put them on I'll let you know when I get it done. So with any luck and a lot of hard work I should have the back deck finished before summer. That way I will be able to make my large trough. So if we have some more nice days I should have more to talk to you about.
and got the porch frame in and leveled out now all I need to do is get the 2 X 6's and put them on I'll let you know when I get it done. So with any luck and a lot of hard work I should have the back deck finished before summer. That way I will be able to make my large trough. So if we have some more nice days I should have more to talk to you about.
Till Next Time
Happy Planting
Sunday, January 9, 2011
A new Year a new start
Seed catalogs are arriving and now I need to decide who to get my seeds from. I will be planting the onion seeds and tobacco next week, in starter pots. I should do some tomato plants also. So here we go were off and in to 2011 gardening season. I have decided to start an Etsy store I'm still working on the name and some of the things I will be selling. I will be selling my art work, mostly things made from leather or wood, however, I am leaving that door open for more. I hope that I post more on here, You tube. FB, twitter and my space. I hope I didn't leave anyone out. I'm looking forward to a great and prospers 2011.
Till next time
Happy new Year
Till next time
Happy new Year
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Garden Composting
So by now we all know that adding compost to your garden is a good thing to do, but, how do we go about getting compost? One reason we might garden is to save some money. If that is the case than we don't want to go out and spend all kinds of money on compost.
You can make your own compost. Composting doesn't have to be your collage science project that became so complicated that even the professors don't even fully understand what is going on.
Composting is nature reclaiming that that belongs in the soil. In reality we don't have to do any thing for composting to take place. Our roll in composting is and should be minimal.
My way of thinking, here is my part of the composting process.
I find the location. I can build the bin, dig a hole or buy a snazzy new composer. I get to add the goodies, and keep out what I don't want in my compost. I get to water and turn it. Now that is all that I do, I can do more, or less as I want. Once I start putting waste in a pile the microbes start the break down process that is needed to make compost. Now I can leave it or I can help make it a pleasant place to be around.. (and if I lived in town my neighbors will appreciate that.)
Here is the basic to “easy” composting.
Size, stay with compost bins 3 x 3 x 3 up to 6 x 3 x 3 remember you will need to turn your pile. My bins are 4ft long by 2 feet wide by 2 feet deep. I chose that size because for me it is a manageable size.
Your bin / pile needs to be large enough to generate heat. Heat is a part of the composting process.
Now with some of my compost I will feed to my worms and I will let them take over from this point. The compost that I don't feed to my worms will need more work. I will water, turn and give it time to compost. When I start a bin I will first add straw, or grass to keep the material I want to compost off the bottom and let air in. Once I add the first layer of material to the bin I will add about ½ to 1 inch of soil to cover the material that is to be composted. The soil will serve a dual purpose, 1 it will cover the material and help keep fly's down and rodents out of the bin. 2. There are microbes in even the worst soils that will “kick start” the composting process. Now all I do is let the little fungi and microbes do there work for a few months and we will have nice rich compost.
There are a lot of great web sites and books on composting, I have cut my trash to the curb down by about 80 to 85% of what it was before I started composting, also I figure that I have payed for everything I compost once why pay for compost when I can make my own.
Till next time
Happy Composting
You can make your own compost. Composting doesn't have to be your collage science project that became so complicated that even the professors don't even fully understand what is going on.
Composting is nature reclaiming that that belongs in the soil. In reality we don't have to do any thing for composting to take place. Our roll in composting is and should be minimal.
My way of thinking, here is my part of the composting process.
I find the location. I can build the bin, dig a hole or buy a snazzy new composer. I get to add the goodies, and keep out what I don't want in my compost. I get to water and turn it. Now that is all that I do, I can do more, or less as I want. Once I start putting waste in a pile the microbes start the break down process that is needed to make compost. Now I can leave it or I can help make it a pleasant place to be around.. (and if I lived in town my neighbors will appreciate that.)
Here is the basic to “easy” composting.
Size, stay with compost bins 3 x 3 x 3 up to 6 x 3 x 3 remember you will need to turn your pile. My bins are 4ft long by 2 feet wide by 2 feet deep. I chose that size because for me it is a manageable size.
Your bin / pile needs to be large enough to generate heat. Heat is a part of the composting process.
Now with some of my compost I will feed to my worms and I will let them take over from this point. The compost that I don't feed to my worms will need more work. I will water, turn and give it time to compost. When I start a bin I will first add straw, or grass to keep the material I want to compost off the bottom and let air in. Once I add the first layer of material to the bin I will add about ½ to 1 inch of soil to cover the material that is to be composted. The soil will serve a dual purpose, 1 it will cover the material and help keep fly's down and rodents out of the bin. 2. There are microbes in even the worst soils that will “kick start” the composting process. Now all I do is let the little fungi and microbes do there work for a few months and we will have nice rich compost.
There are a lot of great web sites and books on composting, I have cut my trash to the curb down by about 80 to 85% of what it was before I started composting, also I figure that I have payed for everything I compost once why pay for compost when I can make my own.
Till next time
Happy Composting
Monday, August 2, 2010
New can be good.
I got this recipe from a friend of mine.
When I first saw it my mouth started watering, however, it sounded like it would take for ever to cool and my family likes to eat NOW not when dinner is ready. So I did put it off for a bit than I just decided to go for it and it didn't take all that long to get it to the table.
Apricot Chicken with Almond Raisin Rice Pilaf.
( okay) I left out the raisins but that is just me.
1 ½ T. olive oil
2 lbs. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts in ½ – pieces.
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp cinnamon
2 pinches cardamom
½ tsp cumin
½ tsp ginger
½ tsp salt
1 large onion
1 large clove garlic, minced
2/3 c dried apricots, cut in quarters
1 c apricot preserves
2 (61/4 oz) cans rice pilaf mix (I used the box)
4 c reduced sodium chicken broth
2/3 c raisins
1 c slivered almonds
Mix paprika, cinnamon, cardamom, cumin, ginger and salt in a bowl; add cubed chicken, tossing to coat. In very large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chicken and onion; saute 7 to 10 minutes or until chicken is cooked. Add garlic, apricots and apricot preserves the last 2 minutes of cooking add stir. Keep warm. In the meantime, prepare pilaf according to pacage directions, substituting chicken broth for water and adding raisins. Serve chicken over rice and sprinkle with almonds. Makes 8 servings.
(By: Shirley Penkoff Amazing Grace Fellowship cookbook)
This is a great dish, the next time I make it I think I will add less apricot preserves. It was a little two sweet for me. I think I will just add about ½ cup maybe 2/3rds cup.
Give this a try hope you like it as much as I did.
Till next time
Happy Cooking
When I first saw it my mouth started watering, however, it sounded like it would take for ever to cool and my family likes to eat NOW not when dinner is ready. So I did put it off for a bit than I just decided to go for it and it didn't take all that long to get it to the table.
Apricot Chicken with Almond Raisin Rice Pilaf.
( okay) I left out the raisins but that is just me.
1 ½ T. olive oil
2 lbs. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts in ½ – pieces.
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp cinnamon
2 pinches cardamom
½ tsp cumin
½ tsp ginger
½ tsp salt
1 large onion
1 large clove garlic, minced
2/3 c dried apricots, cut in quarters
1 c apricot preserves
2 (61/4 oz) cans rice pilaf mix (I used the box)
4 c reduced sodium chicken broth
2/3 c raisins
1 c slivered almonds
Mix paprika, cinnamon, cardamom, cumin, ginger and salt in a bowl; add cubed chicken, tossing to coat. In very large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chicken and onion; saute 7 to 10 minutes or until chicken is cooked. Add garlic, apricots and apricot preserves the last 2 minutes of cooking add stir. Keep warm. In the meantime, prepare pilaf according to pacage directions, substituting chicken broth for water and adding raisins. Serve chicken over rice and sprinkle with almonds. Makes 8 servings.
(By: Shirley Penkoff Amazing Grace Fellowship cookbook)
This is a great dish, the next time I make it I think I will add less apricot preserves. It was a little two sweet for me. I think I will just add about ½ cup maybe 2/3rds cup.
Give this a try hope you like it as much as I did.
Till next time
Happy Cooking
Monday, June 21, 2010
There Back
There back, the rodents, that is. Just like the movie Poltergeist, they just wont stay away.
The reason I believe is that there is a new home going in right behind our house, and the construction is pushing the rodents our way. Here is the dilemma, I have done everything I wrote about in my blog RODENTS IN MY GARDEN on October 15, 2008. So what to do if that fails? I have installed an electric fence around the garden, it is a two wire fence one wire is 2 inches off the ground and the other is about 4 inches off the ground. That seemed to keep them out, however, now my electric fence charger seems to be broken so I will replace it with a new one and see how that goes. Now for the little
prairie dogs. I have used the dog, disturbed there burrows, nothing. I was doing some research on how to remove prairie dogs, and this came up. "Using a transistor radio, play rock and roll music. The prairie dogs don't like the pitch of most rock and roll music and will leave." so I will be trying that SOON. I will post findings as I get them. As if that wasn't enough they are sloping there yard so that the rain run off will be heading right toward my house. I'm thinking that if I but in a small ditch at the end of my property. Hope that works. I will be getting flood insurance also that now is a must have..
Till next time
Happy Gardening
The reason I believe is that there is a new home going in right behind our house, and the construction is pushing the rodents our way. Here is the dilemma, I have done everything I wrote about in my blog RODENTS IN MY GARDEN on October 15, 2008. So what to do if that fails? I have installed an electric fence around the garden, it is a two wire fence one wire is 2 inches off the ground and the other is about 4 inches off the ground. That seemed to keep them out, however, now my electric fence charger seems to be broken so I will replace it with a new one and see how that goes. Now for the little
prairie dogs. I have used the dog, disturbed there burrows, nothing. I was doing some research on how to remove prairie dogs, and this came up. "Using a transistor radio, play rock and roll music. The prairie dogs don't like the pitch of most rock and roll music and will leave." so I will be trying that SOON. I will post findings as I get them. As if that wasn't enough they are sloping there yard so that the rain run off will be heading right toward my house. I'm thinking that if I but in a small ditch at the end of my property. Hope that works. I will be getting flood insurance also that now is a must have..
Till next time
Happy Gardening
Monday, April 19, 2010
Spring 2010
Spring is here, we might get one more spring snow but for the most part the cold days and nights are over for now.
I harvested some asparagus yesterday, about 3 lbs. Made some wonderful soup with it. It is looking like this year will be good for my asparagus. I have three rows they are 1, 2, and 3 years old so I should get just enough for us.
The elephant garlic has nice leaves on them now, and I have some table garlic that I must have missed last year coming up, so we should get some garlic. The onions have started to show along with some of the raspberry. I have decided to only plant ½ the garden in vegetables this year and the rest in herbs and flowers. I planted some field flowers in a area about 20 x 20 I hope that they come up it should be really nice.
I have planted carrots, beats, Swiss chard, and kale. I hope today I can get the beans, peas, and cabbage in the ground. (I know I am running late on that but that is my life right now)
I had a class on trough making, I think it went well. It looked like everyone learned something and had a good time.
Now I have some troughs that I will have to plant up. I will but flowers and herbs in my troughs. I think that troughs just mix up the garden enough to make it fun. If you haven't made a trough yet you may want to give it a try. Troughs are a fun way to garden.
Till next time
Happy gardening
I harvested some asparagus yesterday, about 3 lbs. Made some wonderful soup with it. It is looking like this year will be good for my asparagus. I have three rows they are 1, 2, and 3 years old so I should get just enough for us.
The elephant garlic has nice leaves on them now, and I have some table garlic that I must have missed last year coming up, so we should get some garlic. The onions have started to show along with some of the raspberry. I have decided to only plant ½ the garden in vegetables this year and the rest in herbs and flowers. I planted some field flowers in a area about 20 x 20 I hope that they come up it should be really nice.
I have planted carrots, beats, Swiss chard, and kale. I hope today I can get the beans, peas, and cabbage in the ground. (I know I am running late on that but that is my life right now)
I had a class on trough making, I think it went well. It looked like everyone learned something and had a good time.
Now I have some troughs that I will have to plant up. I will but flowers and herbs in my troughs. I think that troughs just mix up the garden enough to make it fun. If you haven't made a trough yet you may want to give it a try. Troughs are a fun way to garden.
Till next time
Happy gardening
Thursday, March 25, 2010
More Troughs
I have written and put up videos on you tube (http://www.youtube.com/user/HighPlainsGardening ) and it seems that people can't get enough of them. (I think that is just great)The troughs are made out of hypertufa, that is a mixture of Portland cement, peat moss, sand, and perlite. (That is the most common ingredients) They are lighter than stone or concrete. It is durable and once it is weathered and cured will hold up to the weather just fine. To make a trough you just add one part of each Portland cement, peat moss and perlite add just enough water tell the mixture is like cottage cheese but will hold together when pressed. Let stand for 10 or 15 minutes, this step is very important. After your set time check to see if the mixture is still holding together. If it is to dry add a little water, if to wet add some peat moss. For a mold you can use two boxes one smaller than the other. But the larger box in a trash bag with the opening on the out side of the box but mixture about 1 to 2 inches thick in the bottom and tamp down. Take the other box put in a trash bag with the opening on the inside of the box but smaller box in side toe larger box fill with play sand now make sure the smaller box is the same distance away from all the sides. Fill the sides with mixture tamp down. Let set for seven days to dry and cure. Remove sand, open bag remove box, remove bag. Now carefully tip your trough and box up side down and remove. If it wont come out you can tare the box to get the pot out. You can set the pot out side for a few weeks than put plants in your mew trough. For more information go to my you tube channel for videos of how I have made my troughs.
I hope you give this a try.
I give classes through the Pueblo County Master Gardeners program once or twice a year. Taking a class on hypertufa is fun and ease than doing it on your own. Classes run form $20.00 to $75.00 per person depending on where you take the class. Some classes are filled up a year ahead of time.
Till next time
Happy Trough Making / Planting
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Bees are in Big trouble.
We need to do whatever we can to help out the bee hive population. I will post the latest news release on CCD (colony collapse disorder) at the end of this blog.
Just some of the ways we can help is to stop using pesticides. I believe that pesticides are a major factor in the reduction of the honey bees.
Another way I am going to help and do what I can is I am going to plant more plants that attract more bees. If they come to my place for there pollen they are less likely to go someplace where pesticides are used.
The “experts” claim “many causes, including parasites, viruses, bacteria, poor nutrition and pesticides.” I wonder if it is the same batch of experts that got us in this mess. Without the honey bees we as a human race are in for starvation. Bees pollinate about 1/3 of the food we eat. The question is how much of the plants that need pollination that the livestock eat? (that we also depend on for food ) Now lets not just include domesticated animals but wild ones as well.
We each need to do our part to help out the bees if we can. If you have any ideas please leave your comment below. Thank you.
Here is the link;
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100324/ap_on_sc/us_food_and_farm_disappearing_bees
or click on title this link is for Yahoo news so I dont know how long this will be up.
Till next time
Happy Planting
Just some of the ways we can help is to stop using pesticides. I believe that pesticides are a major factor in the reduction of the honey bees.
Another way I am going to help and do what I can is I am going to plant more plants that attract more bees. If they come to my place for there pollen they are less likely to go someplace where pesticides are used.
The “experts” claim “many causes, including parasites, viruses, bacteria, poor nutrition and pesticides.” I wonder if it is the same batch of experts that got us in this mess. Without the honey bees we as a human race are in for starvation. Bees pollinate about 1/3 of the food we eat. The question is how much of the plants that need pollination that the livestock eat? (that we also depend on for food ) Now lets not just include domesticated animals but wild ones as well.
We each need to do our part to help out the bees if we can. If you have any ideas please leave your comment below. Thank you.
Here is the link;
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100324/ap_on_sc/us_food_and_farm_disappearing_bees
or click on title this link is for Yahoo news so I dont know how long this will be up.
Till next time
Happy Planting
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
New or Added information
I have decided to expand my blog to cover urban farming this year. I feel that that is more in line with what I have been doing, (there just wasn't a name for it at the time) I just was doing what needed to be done. Now it has been a few years since I have had chickens, rabbits or horses but I hope that some of you might find the information that I have learned helpful or at the least entertaining. A bit of back ground of some of the animals I have raised. Chickens, rabbits, ducks, turkeys, horses, cats, dogs, and fish ( aquarium fish, not for eating) I have canned, frozen and dyed fruit and vegetables. I have grown and from produce that I have bought from farmers markets and the grocery store.
I plan on covering more art, and more cooking. (Two things I love to do and share.)
Till next time.
Happy Planting
I plan on covering more art, and more cooking. (Two things I love to do and share.)
Till next time.
Happy Planting
Starting plants from seeds up date
I finally got two videos up loaded to YouTube. The address for my you tube channel is
http://www.youtube.com/user/HighPlainsGardening (see link click on title)
While you are there you may as well follow my YouTube blog also. I put videos up all the time.
Just click on the subscribe tab.
I need to transplant the tomatoes and the cucumbers, but it wouldn't hurt to transplant everything that I have planted so far. Now all I need to do is make the time.
Please ask any questions you may have or just leave a comment.
Thank you.
Till next time
Happy Planting
http://www.youtube.com/user/HighPlainsGardening (see link click on title)
While you are there you may as well follow my YouTube blog also. I put videos up all the time.
Just click on the subscribe tab.
I need to transplant the tomatoes and the cucumbers, but it wouldn't hurt to transplant everything that I have planted so far. Now all I need to do is make the time.
Please ask any questions you may have or just leave a comment.
Thank you.
Till next time
Happy Planting
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Seeds 2010 season
Okay, I have been getting bombarded with this years seed catalogs. So it must be that time of year were we all buy up all the neat seeds that we hope will grow in our zone.
I was going to just use only the seeds that I have left over form last year and the year before. I was doing good till I started looking at the King of all seed catalogs Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds.
This catalog is so good that they call it the “Pure Seed Book” I love it.
So I have decided to do an inventory of last years seeds and I have 71 packs of seeds, now that is more than enough for my 1/10 acre garden and than some but, I looked at Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, and I know that the germination on old seeds go's down (right?) so I have justified getting more seeds, and I will be ordering seeds I don't have so all is good.
I will only be ordering 12 more packs of seeds. (Not to bad)
I have started seeds indoors last week. Mostly herbs, but I did plant some lettuce, I am ready to be eating my own green once again. I am thinking next winter I will have two flats of lettuce going all year.
It looks like I will be out side in the next few weeks getting the garden ready for planting. I will keep you informed as to how it is going.
Till next time.
Happy Planting
I was going to just use only the seeds that I have left over form last year and the year before. I was doing good till I started looking at the King of all seed catalogs Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds.
This catalog is so good that they call it the “Pure Seed Book” I love it.
So I have decided to do an inventory of last years seeds and I have 71 packs of seeds, now that is more than enough for my 1/10 acre garden and than some but, I looked at Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, and I know that the germination on old seeds go's down (right?) so I have justified getting more seeds, and I will be ordering seeds I don't have so all is good.
I will only be ordering 12 more packs of seeds. (Not to bad)
I have started seeds indoors last week. Mostly herbs, but I did plant some lettuce, I am ready to be eating my own green once again. I am thinking next winter I will have two flats of lettuce going all year.
It looks like I will be out side in the next few weeks getting the garden ready for planting. I will keep you informed as to how it is going.
Till next time.
Happy Planting
Saturday, September 26, 2009
The 2009 season is winding down
The 2009 growing season is coming to an end here, we have been getting rain and cold temperatures at night. I decided to get the tomatoes in even though a lot of them are still green. All the beans are harvested, still waiting for the dent corn to dry. We have snow peas that need harvesting I'll keep picking till they die out. Brussels sprouts will be another month or so, but it looks like I can get the pumpkins soon. I planted a late crop of turnips, carrots, and Swiss chard and believe it or not I finely got carrots to come up not a lot but some I'll take the victory. Now that all most all the tomato plants are up I'll be burning them so I can get the ashes in the the ground for next year. Here is a good place to add, do not compost any tomato or potato plants. The plants can carry a soil born pathogen that will contaminate your soil. Some scientist estimate that the pathogen lives in the soil for up to 100 years. This pathogen will spread disease to your other plants and make the ground unusable. So with that in mind I just burn the plants to be safe. I have enough trouble in my garden I don't need to add more.
I made some green tomato relish for the first time this year and canned it, it is so good. I have been thinking of all kinds of dishes that it will go good with. Keep an eye out for new recipes, I will share with you how I use the relish.
I've dried the beans, and the beats are caned and frozen. Now I am just waiting for the last few vegetables to finish up and I'll be prepping for next season. For me this is an exciting time of year and a sad one, I get to see all that God has given this summer and the hope of next year, but I also see the garden emptying out after I pull or turn the plants under. But winter is coming and to me that is the start of new hope for next year. So lets hope for a good winter, a nice white blanket over the ground as the soil sleeps and gets ready for work next summer.
Till next time
Happy Gardening
I made some green tomato relish for the first time this year and canned it, it is so good. I have been thinking of all kinds of dishes that it will go good with. Keep an eye out for new recipes, I will share with you how I use the relish.
I've dried the beans, and the beats are caned and frozen. Now I am just waiting for the last few vegetables to finish up and I'll be prepping for next season. For me this is an exciting time of year and a sad one, I get to see all that God has given this summer and the hope of next year, but I also see the garden emptying out after I pull or turn the plants under. But winter is coming and to me that is the start of new hope for next year. So lets hope for a good winter, a nice white blanket over the ground as the soil sleeps and gets ready for work next summer.
Till next time
Happy Gardening
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Bees in the garden
It's amazing, went all summer and only saw a few bees, today there where a lot of them. I counted 15 but there where more. Bees have been suffering from CCD (Colony collapse disorder.).
From what I have read and seen CCD is not fully understood yet. Some think it might be a might causing the decline of bees, while some think it is a virus. Some have blamed it on the environment and the use of chemicals on crops and other plants to control insects. There are some that say it is a combination of all of them. Regardless of the cause it is something we all need to be concerned about.
CCD has been confirmed in 24 U.S. States and parts of Canada, it also has hit India, Brazil, Australia, The U.K and parts of Europe. So why the big fuss? With the decline of these pollinators the human race is in big trouble. I have heard that if there where no more bees mankind would die out in as little as three months and as long as a year either way it will impact mankind in a very negativity way. So what can I do? Grow plants that attract bees, lay off the insecticide and herbicide. For more information on CCD you can go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colony_Collapse_Disorder and http://www.ars.usda.gov/News/docs.htm?docid=15572 there is a lot of information on CCD on the web it is worth a look.
Till next time.
Happy Gardening / bee pollinating.
From what I have read and seen CCD is not fully understood yet. Some think it might be a might causing the decline of bees, while some think it is a virus. Some have blamed it on the environment and the use of chemicals on crops and other plants to control insects. There are some that say it is a combination of all of them. Regardless of the cause it is something we all need to be concerned about.
CCD has been confirmed in 24 U.S. States and parts of Canada, it also has hit India, Brazil, Australia, The U.K and parts of Europe. So why the big fuss? With the decline of these pollinators the human race is in big trouble. I have heard that if there where no more bees mankind would die out in as little as three months and as long as a year either way it will impact mankind in a very negativity way. So what can I do? Grow plants that attract bees, lay off the insecticide and herbicide. For more information on CCD you can go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colony_Collapse_Disorder and http://www.ars.usda.gov/News/docs.htm?docid=15572 there is a lot of information on CCD on the web it is worth a look.
Till next time.
Happy Gardening / bee pollinating.
Monday, July 6, 2009
The 15 Minute Storm.
We got rain 1” in fifteen minutes with high winds (I would guess 25 to 30 mph) and pea size hail. Most of the rain washed the soil down the road. The corn got shredded I am going to let it go, however, I'm not expecting a lot form it. I hope that it still reaches 12 to 13 feet like it should with this variety
should. Here are some photos of the garden after the storm. Like I said the corn was trashed and one Brussels sprout plant got hit but every thing looks good. If any thing I shouldn't have to water for a day or two and if we get some rain tonight I won't need to water tell Wednesday or Thursday for sure. I still need to finish the weed burning project, when it drys out it looks like I have some work cut out for me.
So Till next time
enjoy the water
Happy gardening
should. Here are some photos of the garden after the storm. Like I said the corn was trashed and one Brussels sprout plant got hit but every thing looks good. If any thing I shouldn't have to water for a day or two and if we get some rain tonight I won't need to water tell Wednesday or Thursday for sure. I still need to finish the weed burning project, when it drys out it looks like I have some work cut out for me.
So Till next time
enjoy the water
Happy gardening
Click on Photos to enlarge
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