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.

Organizing and Ordering Seeds

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

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!

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.

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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!

Amazing Turkey Brine! Smoking' Turkey!

Fantastic Savory Turkey Brine & Smoked Turkey

Simmer and then cool the brine. You can leave it covered at room temperature in a sauce pan while you roast the turkey.  You will be injecting the brine every 2 hours.

2 cups apple juice
2 cups water
1/2 cup salt
3-4 fresh garlic cloves
1 cube butter
2 cups brown sugar
2 tsp ginger
20 whole cloves
2-3 Tbs Lowery's Seasoned Salt

Inject into the breast, thighs, and legs

Rub with olive oil, paprika, seasoned salt, minced garlic, or favorite seasonings

Strain the garlic and whole cloves out and put inside turkey

Loosely cover with foil.

Inject the turkey every 2 hours while roasting

Cook until temperature reaches 180 degrees.

If smoking cook 15 1/2 lb turkey for 10-11 hours at 250 degrees.  Inject every couple hours when adding wood.  This can also be roasted in your oven.  We usually do this one in the oven and use the recipe below for smoking a turkey.


Smoked Turkey

For a 10-12 lb turkey

4 cloves of minced garlic
2 Tbs seasoned salt
1/2 cup butter
1 can of coke
1 apple quartered
1 onion quartered
1 Tbs garlic powder
1 Tbs salt
1 Tbs ground black pepper

Preheat smoker to 225-250 degrees
Use Hickory Pecan wood mix
Rinse turkey and pat dry.
Rub with crushed garlic and sprinkle with seasoned salt
Place in disposable roasting pan
Fill turkey cavity with butter, cola, apple, onion, garlic powder salt and pepper
Cover loosely with foil

Smoke at 250 for 10 hours or until temperature reaches 180 in thickest part of the breast and thigh.  Bast the bird every 1 -2 hours with juices.  You can also inject this with the above brine.

Fresh frozen veggies from the garden!

Ripening Green Tomatoes Indoors

As mornings get chillier and the days get shorter, the demise of the summer garden is inevitable. As you harvest and prepare root crops, fruits, and winter squash for winter storage don't give up on the tomato.  The first frost does not need to end your tomato season!  Mature green tomatoes can be ripened indoors.

Some basic knowledge of you planting zone is helpful.  Do you know your average first frost day? The average first frost date is the average date at which a light freeze may occur.  There is a 50% chance it will occur before the date or after the date.  

Light Freeze:  29-32 degrees, tender plants killed

Moderate Freeze:  24-28,  widely destructive to most plants

Hard Freeze:  24 and colder with heavy damage

Look up your average spring and fall frost dates here:

Frost Dates

 In New Harmony the average first frost is October 9th.  So when October comes you need to watch the weather to be prepared to bring in mature green tomatoes before a freeze.  As daytime temperatures fall below 60 degrees, tomatoes are less likely to ripen on the vine. You can pick green tomatoes at this point and bring them indoors to ripen and remove your tomato plants from the garden or wait until a frost is predicted.

Picking Green Tomatoes

The best tomatoes for ripening indoors come from young plants still in their prime not older worn out plants that have been bearing all season.

Most gardeners have volunteer tomato plants that spring up in random places in the garden which are perfect for producing green tomatoes late in the season.  

Before a frost gather your mature green tomatoes.  Do not bother with the small whitish colored tomatoes, they will not ripen.  Pick only the mature green or riper tomatoes.  A mature green tomato is well developed, shiny, and medium or deep green.  Pick without stems. (Root Cellaring)

Most importantly pick before frost because frost damage can prevent proper ripening.  Interestingly, tomatoes that have some color are less sensitive to low temperatures.

Bring the tomatoes inside and sort them. Separate riper ones from green tomatoes.  

Keep some out to ripen right away.  Green tomatoes ripen quickly at room temperatures.  Spread them out single layer out of direct light in a room with temperature between 60-70 degrees.  A mature green tomato will ripen at room temperature in about 2 weeks.  If the tomatoes are already starting to turn then they will ripen faster.

You can wrap them individually in paper, place them in a box in the pantry,  or keep them in a drawer to protect them from direct light.

To keep some tomatoes to ripen later, store them at temperatures of  55- 60 degrees to keep them on hold.  Bring a few fruits at a time into warmer room temperatures to gradually ripen and enjoy throughout the fall. (Root Cellaring)

As tomatoes ripen they produce a gas called ethylene.  Bananas and apples also produce this gas. This gas actually promotes ripening.  

To quicken the ripening process you can place a few tomatoes in a brown paper bag with an apple or banana with green still on the tips.  

Another way to save some of those tomatoes for later in the season is to pull up the whole vine and hang it in a garage or shed.  The remaining leaves and stem will continue to nourish the fruit.  Be sure to hang where there is good air circulation and do not pull them up wet or they may just rot.

A great resource for preserving your harvest into winter is found in the book Root Cellaring by Mike and Nancy Bubel. 

Hopefully you will be able to continue enjoying garden fresh tomatoes an extra 4-6 weeks after a frost.

Fall Garden Chores

 Signs of fall in my garden and yard are the return of the deer in my orchard and when my maple leaves and Virginia creeper start turning colors.  Fall with all its beauty is somewhat unpredictable in Utah.  We can have beautiful warm days then a cold chilly day warning you that winter is not too far off.  

Beautiful buck posing for the camera!  I usually have 3 or 4 hang out during hunting season.  This one was with one smaller buck and a doe and two older fawns.  Absolutely gorgeous.

The maple turning in the front yard.

 I still have veggies in the garden being harvested and a few fall crops but it is definitely time to clean out the garden and prepare for winter. 

Garden Chores:

• Remove all spent plants including fallen leaves.
• If you planted beans to harvest dry, cut the plants off at ground level.  Leaving the roots of nitrogen fixing legumes gives you the full benefits of these amazing plants.  To attain the benefits of the nodules of rhizobium bacteria you need to separate the vegetative part of the plant and allow the roots to decay in the soil.  I inter-plant lots of dried beans with summer crops for this purpose as well as for the harvest of dried beans.
• Remove all weeds.
• Spread a layer of compost, composted manure, or fresh grass clippings on the surface.  You can grow turf without chemicals. Growing a Lawn Organically  Use only chemical free clippings on your garden.
• If you are done watering, drain and store any water pipes that do not need to remain in the garden through winter.
• If you are growing fall and winter crops be sure to have row covers and a low tunnel in place to protect your crops. Below are some links to help you out with extending the season.

Row Covers 

Low Tunnels 

Principles of Fall and Winter Gardening 

Celery hanging out with Marigolds

Chard which sweetens up with cool weather.

Kohlrabi planted in late August for a fall harvest.

Mustard greens for fall harvests.

Landscape Chores

• Weed all flowers beds, around perennials, shrubs, and trees.
• Cut spent flowers unless you want them for winter interest
• Mulch around plants.  Mulch is anything that can be placed around plants on top of the soil to reduce water loss, prevent weeds, and insulate plants in the winter.  Organic mulches are the best option.  These could include compost, aged manure, fine pine wood chips, leaves, or grass clippings. 
• Trees and shrubs need to go into the winter watered.  The moist soil acts like an insulator protecting roots from freezing.  Usually if you do one last watering around Thanksgiving that prepares them for winter.
• Drain water systems 

I love these pale yellow marigolds.

I'm still enjoying the beauty of the season but with the size of my gardens I have to start now so I'm finished before its too cold to work outside.  These fall chores will ensure you are prepared to plant when the time is right and save you work in early spring.

Crab-apple

Tomatoes are still coming.

Pineapple tomato a beautiful and delicious heirloom.