Sunday, December 10, 2023

How Long Will My Seeds Last?



As spring approaches (ok maybe it's a ways off) and seed catalogs begin to fill up the mail box, one question gardeners ask is how long will my seeds last? Can I use my seeds purchased last year?  Unfortunately seeds of wild species live the longest, while those crops we enjoy as food crops have a shorter life span.  Some weed seeds can remain viable in the soil for up to 50 years, yet for crop plants the average seed life ranges from 3-6 years.

Sow Many Seeds

Understanding the fascinating anatomy of a seed will help you in storing your seeds and determining when and how often you should replace your seeds. Every seeds is a living entity.  It contains a embryo that given the right conditions will grow into a seedling and producing plant.  All vegetable crops are orthodox seeds meaning the are produced with low moisture content and meant to remain dormant until growing conditions are right.  This allows these seeds in nature to survive a winter and germinate in the proper season.

Seed Planting Schedule  

Several factors determine how long a seed remains viable (capable of producing a vigorous producing plant).  Seeds with hard seed coats will store the longest. The seed coat keeps out moisture and oxygen which keeps metabolism low.  The thinner or softer the seed coat the shorter the storage life.  

The longer a seed is stored the lower the germination rate.  Germination rate is the percentage of seeds that will germinate given the right conditions and produce a vigorous healthy plant.



What does all this mean to the gardener?  Ideally, I believe it is wise to purchase seeds for each season.  I try to purchase the amount of seeds I will cultivate in a season. I store the remainder of my seeds in the paper envelops they came in.  I place the seed packets in a dark, cool, dry place to use again next year.    If open stored this way, your seeds can be viable for 2-6 years depending on the variety.  Onion and parsnip seeds are the exception. They should be replaced every year. I replace seeds older than 3 or 4 years, because as seeds age the germination rate lowers and time is wasted replanting seeds that did not germinate.


I have included a link to a Seed Viabilty Chart from High Mowing Seeds.  This is only a guideline because it all depends on good storage practices. So get those seed packets out, throw out the old, and get your orders in so you will be prepared to plant on time in the coming season.

Seed Viability Chart


Monday, December 4, 2023

Setting Goals for Your Homestead












 Resolutions, goals, projects whatever you call them now is the time to implement and schedule them.  Tearing off the last calendar month of 2019 hopefully has you feeling satisfied with the person you have become and the direction you are heading.  If not there is always another year, a fresh start.



There are so many aspects of our lives it can sometimes be overwhelming to know where to focus your energies. I know in my life that my priorities are faith, family, and freedom.  When I pay proper attention to them the important things fall into place and the unnecessary things falls by the wayside.  I never regret the time I focus in these areas.



 I also enjoy working with my husband on improving and taking care of our 5 acres which includes gardens, orchards, berries, herbs, dairy goats, chickens, ducks, and seasonal pigs.  All these provide food for our family as well and enjoyment.  We believe in being as self reliant as possible.



 
Our family approaches self reliance as a life style choice.  I believe it is our responsibility to provide and care for our families and to manage the resources the Lord blesses us with wisely so that we can be prepared to serve and help others.  It's about being a wise steward.



 It's not so much the projects but the process of what you become while learning to live providently that is so satisfying.  I value the intangible aspects of being a homesteader.....the satisfaction of work, the knowledge you gain and can share, the peace of being prepared, the security of knowing how to do it yourself, and a deeper appreciation for the blessings the earth offers.




"To own a bit of ground, to scratch it with a hoe, to plant seeds and watch their renewal of life. This is the commonest delight of the race, the most satisfactory thing 
a man can do."



 With winter, comes a renewed dedication to my garden and farm.  Every time I open a jar of almond pears or spicy peaches I'm grateful I took the time to grow and preserve my own food.  





So What Now?

New year, new goals and a look back at what went well and where we can improve.  With the new year comes new ideas I want to try and of course the new ideas from years past that never came to fruition. Sometimes my new ideas and my husband's ideas aren't exactly the same so time is spent prioritizing our goals.  





I thought I would share how I set goals for our homestead.  I like to evaluate things in three areas:

1.  Maintenance
2. New Improvements
3.  Expanding or reducing the farm 

I do this in each homesteading area.  Here's some ideas


 



Maintenance:  

This includes repairs and general maintenance of what we already have in place.  Replacing aged garden boxes, maintaining water systems, replacing weed block in garden paths, adding mulch,  sharpening and repairing tools, painting barns and coops, fixing rain gutter, repairing fences. etc.


New Improvements:

This includes any new projects.  This is the fun part.  These can be practical or fun.  Ideas can be a herb garden, BBQ pit, play area for grand kids, milking equipment, adding beehives, a new breeding buck, root cellar, or greenhouse.


 Expansion or Reduction:

OK this is the hard part.  Is it practical to expand the farm or do I need to simplify and eliminate some areas? I struggle with that reality. Sometimes we simply bite off more than we can chew or health or current circumstances make it necessary to cut back.  

It's important to consider finances.  You can't be self reliant if you have to go into debt to maintain what you have. 


The family dynamics change.  When the kids leave home you have less help but also fewer people to feed.  

Determine if you enjoy what you are doing and the time it requires.  Perhaps you do not like milking goats or pruning an orchard.  Be honest and don't feel guilty about your decisions.
   

"The sun, with all those planets revolving around it and dependent on it, can still ripen a bunch of grapes as if it had nothing else in the universe to do."



Take time to find joy in the journey.  Find pleasure in the task you are engaged in.  I've learned that there is always tomorrow.  Be content and happy with what you accomplish each day.  After all "gratitude is a mark of a noble soul and refined character."  Part of gratitude is believing you are enough, you have enough, and you do enough.



The pictures are from a 2015 snow storm.  So beautiful!


Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Christmas Gifts for the Homesteader



As the holiday season approaches finding that perfect gift for those you love can be challenging.  To me the perfect gift is first, affordable and within your budget limits.  It can be easy to get caught up in the seasons festivities and over spend. Second, the gift shows you know them personally and put some thought and love into the gift.  A gift from the heart is always appreciated and cherished.  Gardeners and homesteaders are always fun to shop for if you are into those hobbies and lifestyle choices and challenging if you are not.  So here are some ideas for gifts. Keep in mind your homesteader may have some of these items but often new improved equipment is fun to get. Accessories and supplies for these items could also be your focus and may fit in better with your budget. Affiliate links are included in this post.

Incubator to hatch chicken and game birds


Chicken egg rack or basket

Lots of styles and fun options to store eggs on your counter or look for a wire basket to gather eggs


Sourdough starter kit or needed accessories


Good kitchen scale

Useful for canning, sour dough bread making, and soap making.

Yogurt maker

Insta pots often have a yogurt function.  Other items that are useful if using raw milk are a stainless stock pot, long whisk, and thermometer. 

Dehydrator

I have been using an older cheaper dehydrator but this has some features that would be wonderful to have like a quiet fan, even heating, auto functions, and temperatures high enough to do jerky. I might have to ask Santa for an upgrade. 


Cheese making kits, mold, cultures and supplies

If new to cheesemaking a kit is nice.  If experienced there are molds, presses and always cultures that are needed.



Fermenting kit or supplies


Pruners

I love my Stihl pruners they are lightweight and sharp.  I have both lopper sizes to accommodate different branch widths.  I always carry my hand pruner in a leather pouch on my belt. I have separate hand pruners to trim goat hooves.  Check out the battery garden pruner. That could be really handy. Can't say enough about Stihl products.  A must for the the garden and home orchard. Pick up at your local hardware store.

 Books 

I always have a gardening book on my wish list plus a gardening read included in my daily reading. 

 

   

Pressure canner for canning

I like a weighted pressure canner.  Dial pressure canners need to be  checked every year to ensure the dial is accurate.  This can be done at an extension office so it's not a problem but maybe an inconvenience if you are not close.

 Stainless steel water bath canner

These are durable canners for the serious canner.  Don't forget accessories for canning if you are looking for a cheaper option or stocking stuffers.

Attachments for Kitchen Aid such as pasta maker or meat grinder

Homemade pasta is simple to make with the Kitchen Aid pasta maker. Beet or spinach powder can be added to make colorful healthy pasta.  If you raise beef, pork, turkeys or hunt a meat grinder is a great gift idea.


Smoker or accessories

I have a Traeger and love it. If your homesteader has a smoker look for accessories such as silicon gloves, sauce pots and basting brushes, marinade containers, racks for veggies and meats, pink butcher paper meat claws, prep and serve trays. Lots of fun options and a variety of price ranges.


 Rubs, sauces, for smoking.  Herbs for canning.

If you can, BBQ or smoke then having a variety of herbs, seasonings and sauces is a must.  These are fun inexpensive stocking stuffer ideas. These can be bought in kits or individually.  Any hardware store that stocks smokers and BBQs will have lots of options.  You could put together themed herb collections for canning pickles, relishes, salsa or chili. 

Vacuum Sealer

Perfect to extend self life of products you are freezing and prevent freezer burn.  Great for raw or smoked meats, veggies and fruits. If you freeze leftover bbq and smoked meats you can just put the bags directly in boiling water to reheat and it keeps meat juicy, moist and delicious.

Mason jar vacuum sealer

I love this little gadget. Mason jars make great storage jars.  I use it for dehydrated and freeze dried fruits and veggies. Great for anything you store in mason jars that needs to be kept fresh!




   

Heated water buckets

These are a huge time saver for the homesteader and provide constant water for your animals in the winter months.  They come in different sizes and are perfect for chickens, goats, dogs, cats, and other farm critters.


Insulated bibs and gloves

Doing farm chores is much more enjoyable if you are warm.  Insulated bibs, flannel lined jeans, a durable jacket, and insulated gloves are all great gift options for any homesteader


Fireplace cast iron kettle or humidifier

For those with wood stoves these add moisture to the air. They not only add humidity but you can add cinnamon sticks, oranges, or cloves to make your home smell like the holidays. Be sure to look for rust resistant humidifier that have a porcelain enamel coating.

 Muck buckets

You can never have enough buckets.  I really like the flexible ones with handles.  These can be used to haul supplies out to the garden or animals, for weeds, deadheading flowers, mixing fertilizers or potting soils. The uses are endless.  Any utility buckets or muck buckets are all great for the homestead.  


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Gardening knee pads or kneeling pads

Comfortable water resistant knee pads make weeding, planting, and harvesting much easier.  They can also be used to do household chores. Easy on the knees and inexpensive.


Seed Saving Supplies

If your homesteader saves seeds there are lots of fun gift ideas. Mesh sifters with assorted screen sizes, pollinator bags, and seed packets are a few ideas the seed saver would enjoy.


 . 



1/2 gallon mason jars or other storage jar

These are perfect to store dehydrated and freeze dried product.  Add and few oxygen absorbers and vacuum seal the lids for longer storage.  Also great for pasta and grains.


Food proccessor

Makes slicing and grating quick and easy for canning, freeze drying, dehydrating veggies, fruits, and cheese.  Make biscuits, party, and pie crust with the dough attachment, and puree salsas.


Onion Chopper

A huge time saver for chopping and dicing onions, peppers, cucumbers, potatoes and other produce for canning. All evenly diced!


Other Ideas:

  • Tickets to a local Farm Conference
  • Good knife set
  •  Cutting boards
  • Pastry mat, bowl scraper
  • Kitchen shears
  • Clippers for goats
  • Tattoo kit for goats
  • More goats, chickens, cows, pigs, horses and ducks 
  • Gift cards to favorite online nurseries and seed companies


I appreciate the holiday season as a time to reflect on the many blessing the Lord has given my family.  I enjoy the opportunity to think of others and give of myself.  I cherish the greatest gift of the season... Our Savior.  Merry Christmas!








Saturday, November 18, 2023

Pomegranate Jelly



OK, I can't grow pomegranates in New Harmony.  But it sure is nice to have family in Moapa Valley, Nevada which is home of the pomegranate festival held the first weekend in November. My mom is wonderful to always bring me a gallon of  fresh pomegranate juice.  It's great to drink fresh and makes a delicious jelly. It's one of our family favorites.

The recipe is out of Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving .  This is great book. It has some really good unique recipes and produce combinations. Each recipe has tips and suggestions for how to use the product after you can it.  Some of my favorite recipes are out of this book.  And I always try new recipes each year.  No reason to eat the same thing year after year. 




 Pomegranate Jelly

3 1/2 cups of pomegranate juice
 1 package powdered pectin
5 cups of granulated sugar


  • Whisk juice and powdered pectin in pot.  
  • Bring to a boil.  
  • Add all the sugar.  Return to boil.  Boil 1 minute.  
  • Skim foam off the top of jelly.
  • Add to jars.  Wipe rims.  
  • Adjust 2 piece lids and process 10 minutes in a boiling water canner. 
  •  In New Harmony add 10 minutes to the time for high altitude.


Skim the foam off.

Fill hot jars.  I put mine in dishwasher and leave in there until I'm ready to fill them.  Wipe rims.  Keep lids in scalding but not boiling water.





Thursday, November 2, 2023

Preparing the Homestead for Winter





A snowstorm in Feb 2013




With colors turning and leaves falling in the wind, it's time to prepare the homestead for winter. Before long we will have weather like the picture above.  Preparing now means that you can rest for a season this winter.  Just kidding when do homesteader ever rest!

Preparing the Garden for Winter:

Dig up any potatoes and cure them in preparation for storage.  Curing allows the skins to harden and bruises and small cuts to heal.  This can be done in your garage or under a porch if it is not too cold. Do not wash the potatoes just brush dirt off after curing.



Harvest any remaining winter squash and pumpkins. If there are nicks or unripe squash or pumpkin they go in the pig pile.  They love any treat from the garden.

Gathering the last pumpkins, squash, and dried corn used for cornmeal.

The pig pile of nicked or under ripe produce.
Squash

Winter squash will keep til spring with very little preparations.  Start by picking and storing mature squash.  The squash is mature if the skin cannot be pierced by you fingernail.  Always leave the stems on.


Curing squash

During the curing process moisture is lost and the skins harden. Acorn squash should not be cured and likes lower temperatures than other squash. They prefer temperatures of 45-55 degrees anything over that and they become stringy and dry.  A green skinned acorn squash should stay green.  There are orange and white skinned varieties.  The white skinned do not store as well and should be eaten first. 

Other winter squash should cure for 10-14 days.  They can be stored on a porch with temperature 55-60 degrees and brought in if a freeze is expected. 

Storing Squash

Squash do not like temperatures below 50 degrees.  They can be stored in a side room, basement, or a pantry that is not too warm.

Pumpkin are treated just like squash but do not store as long.  When storing both squash and pumpkins do not pile them but leave space between and do not store them on a concrete floor.

This is a great rack for storing squash.  It allows for good air circulation and can be put in the coolest room in the house or in a garage.



Pull up all garden plants.  I make two piles.  One goes to the burn pile or dump.  This includes all tomatoes, squash, and any plant that is disease prone.  By the seasons end there may be mildew and blight on these crops and I don't like to put them in the compost pile.  The second pile includes garden plants that are going on the compost pile.  This include corn stalks, not used for decorating, and disease free plants.

The burn pile.

The start of the debris going on the compost pile includes both green and brown material.


Weed one last time.  Any perennials weeds you leave are sending energy down to the roots to get ready for next spring.  Disrupting those plans will make spring weeding easier.

Put a layer of compost on top of your soil.  I don't like leaving bare ground.  

Leave cover crops to winter kill and incorporate into the soil in early spring 

Install any low tunnels on the fall garden boxes.  Be prepared to double lay when a freeze approaches meaning you will lay a row cover directly on the plants under the low tunnel.

Gather and preserve any herbs.

Drain and store  your water systems if necessary.

February 2015 snow storm.  The raised bed gardens.


The Goat Barn

One last cleaning of the stalls is in order before it gets too cold.


After the stalls are clean I lime (purchase agricultural lime at the feed store) the stalls by sprinkling lime on the floor of the stall and lock the goats out for a day.  The lime helps to kill bacteria by lowering pH and if done through the spring and summer kills fly larvae.

After a day or two, I put down pine shavings or straw, and happy goats can return to their comfy stalls in the barn. I prefer straw it seems to last longer.

Some of the 2015 spring kids.


Fresh bedding is always appreciated.


Have the kidding pen prepared and heat light ready for kidding if needed.

The buck barns get a layer of straw for the winter.

The buck barns.

Put electric water buckets in the stalls.  These are one of a homesteader's best investments.  It beats trying to dump out a bucket of frozen solid ice and hauling water for the winter.  It also gives them access to water continuously.

A view of the goat barn.

The Chicken Coop

One last cleaning of the coop and hauling all manure and bedding to the compost pile

Spray the nesting boxes and perches with pyrethrin and neem oil for pest control.  I use the same one I use in the garden.

I like using straw (weed free) in the chicken house it seems to last longer. Weed free means less weed problems with your spring compost.







If you want eggs through the winter have a light inside the coop

Heat lamps are not necessary as long as the coop provides shelter.

Have electric water buckets ready to plug in for freezing nights

The Duck Pen

 Provide an area for them to get out of the weather.  Large dog houses work great or a small duck house.  I actually house the chickens and ducks together.

Put an electric water bucket in their pen. 





I let my ducks roam the field garden during winter and early spring.  That allows some grass to grow back in their pen and they are great at hunting out hiding pests.




Don't Forget the Canines and Felines

 Although I no longer have dogs, I do still have cats. Provide a place to get out of the weather. Dog houses with a welping pad that heats when pressure is on is a great idea or a warm spot in the garage.  The water for my dogs and cats is a bucket system.  We have one in the garage that goes out in the morning and the frozen bucket goes back into the garage to thaw.  The cats have a couple cat houses to keep warm.



I am smiling! This IS my happy face!

Belle, the lab, is the best bed warmer.  The cats love her.

Clean Out the Freezer

Make room for the fresh pork of your fall butchered  pigs or beef or lamb.


Landscape Trees

Continue watering your trees as needed until they lose their leaves.

Pines and evergreens should get a good watering up until Thanksgiving or when the ground freezes.  They continue to transpire through the winter and need an occasional watering.  






The Orchard

I'm going to refer you to a previous post on fall orchard care. 


The two most important things to do are your fall spray when 1/2 leaves drop and a cooper spray at leaf fall.  

The second thing is to paint trunks and lower scaffold branches if snow and sun scald is a problem.  Use an indoor latex paint.  Dilute it with 50/50 with water and you can add a little Neem oil to the mixture.


Berries

I wait for spring to do any pruning

You can spray a horticulture oil at leaf fall if disease or overwintering pests are a concern.  Cooper can also be used to help prevent disease, but only if you are concerned about an disease you have had trouble with.  


General Preparations

Get a load of wood and have it chopped and stacked out of the weather.



Roll up and store hoses that are not in use

Gather any tools you have in the fields or garden and store out of the weather.

Drain and cover swamp coolers

Check the strength of you antifreeze in your vehicles and add winter washer wiper fluid

Wash and get out winter gear:  Carthart overalls, coats, gloves, hats, boots etc.

 Take inventory of your garden and orchard sprays and fertilizers.  Winter is a good time to purchase these.  Organic fertilizers are fine to store and do not good bad. Chemical fertilizers do not store long term.

Get a a supply of hay for the winter.  Don't run low on any feeds in case weather prevents you from traveling to the feed store.  Feed is so important to help your animals stay warm so be sure to always feed regularly and have a few extra bags on hand.




There are things I love about each of the four seasons.  I hope you find beauty even in the winter.