Gardening 2023

[Mad Dog 1]

Why our foods won't grow.

Taking the video as true , then this effects everyone including those that we are told are it paying for it & carrying out , I ask how are they not being affected as well , do they have an antidote , all the people involved in the spraying in the air , how are that not affected when the step out of the aircraft they were in , as said if this is truly happening there is no escape for the good & bad people , which I cannot understand the logic

 

[Survivor_316]

HOW TO MAKE VANILLA!

“Ever notice how expensive vanilla extract is? Where we live, a tiny 1oz bottle goes for $5 - $7. Thats super expensive. However, there is a huge difference between the natural stuff and the imitation. Natural vanilla comes from vanilla beans grown in either Madagascar or in Tahiti (each has a slightly different flavor).

Imitation vanilla is made from vanillin (the primary flavor component of vanilla). Vanillin is manufactured from a substance called guaiacol. The world's guaiacol supply is derived from refining regular old petroleum. Thats right... you're eating the same stuff that is derived from what you fill your car up with every day. Then they add in "carmel coloring" to make it look like the real thing... but those colorings are full of cancer causing man-made dyes.

We took a hard left turn from that and have been making our own pure vanilla extract. We use top shelf vodka and vanilla beans. We do one batch with Tahitian beans and one with Madagascar beans. The beans need to infuse for 6 months to a year to really impart the flavors, but the result is amazing. The alcohol cooks off in baked goods, so no worries there.

Here is a batch that we started in February and its already turning that golden color from the vanilla beans. You have to have a little patience, but this is a half gallon of the real thing at a tiny fraction of the cost of buying it and without eating petroleum! You can reuse the beans over and over again several times to make additional batches also... further lowering the cost.”


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Purpose Driven Homestead @Purpose_Driven_Homestead

Eww. I didn't know that's how imitation extract was made. Gross. I didn't use it, thankfully.

 

[McPurvus]

HOW TO MAKE VANILLA!

“Ever notice how expensive vanilla extract is? Where we live, a tiny 1oz bottle goes for $5 - $7. Thats super expensive. However, there is a huge difference between the natural stuff and the imitation. Natural vanilla comes from vanilla beans grown in either Madagascar or in Tahiti (each has a slightly different flavor).

Imitation vanilla is made from vanillin (the primary flavor component of vanilla). Vanillin is manufactured from a substance called guaiacol. The world's guaiacol supply is derived from refining regular old petroleum. Thats right... you're eating the same stuff that is derived from what you fill your car up with every day. Then they add in "carmel coloring" to make it look like the real thing... but those colorings are full of cancer causing man-made dyes.

We took a hard left turn from that and have been making our own pure vanilla extract. We use top shelf vodka and vanilla beans. We do one batch with Tahitian beans and one with Madagascar beans. The beans need to infuse for 6 months to a year to really impart the flavors, but the result is amazing. The alcohol cooks off in baked goods, so no worries there.

Here is a batch that we started in February and its already turning that golden color from the vanilla beans. You have to have a little patience, but this is a half gallon of the real thing at a tiny fraction of the cost of buying it and without eating petroleum! You can reuse the beans over and over again several times to make additional batches also... further lowering the cost.”


View attachment 19505

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Purpose Driven Homestead @Purpose_Driven_Homestead

One year I made bottles of vanilla for Christmas gifts for my family out safe decorative bottles with directions on how to add more vodka as needed. They loved it.

 

[user 7704]

Estimating I moved about 100 gallons of wet, rotting leaves from the pool cover and threw them over the railing so I can put them on the garden for mulch.

100 gallons of wet leaves is very heavy and I am lying her with an ice pack. I have to clean the cover now to get off all of the nasty crud.

Leon is ready to go swimming.

 

[user 7704]

My husband came home and after about 10 minutes he says, " you have not moved a muscle since I've been here. What did you do today to paralyze yourself?"

He actually noticed.

 

[Mountain trapper]

Today I ordered a pint of Onslought yellow jacket poison. This is the only poison that I know of that when added to bait, like cat food, the YJ will take it back to the nest and kill the entire nest. Queen and all. Every year I put out traps and catch thousands of yellow jackets and hornets with no noticeable reduction in their numbers. I have high hopes for this Onslought.

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

The #1 Key to Growing Full-Size Fruit Trees in Small Spaces​

David The Good

April 12, 2023


Did you ever wish you could harvest fruit in your backyard, but think you just don’t have the space to grow fruit trees?

You might want to rethink that assumption!

I realized years ago that the supposed maximum size of trees isn’t a set thing. If you stay on top of pruning, you can do some amazing things with your fruit trees—including grow multiple fruit trees in a small space.

https://thegrownetwork.com/fruit-trees-small-spaces/#comnt
Think your yard is too small for fruit trees? Never say never! Here’s the trick to growing healthy, full-size fruit trees in small spaces!

Did you ever wish you could harvest fruit in your backyard, but think you just don’t have the space to grow fruit trees?

You might want to rethink that assumption!

I realized years ago that the supposed maximum size of trees isn’t a set thing. If you stay on top of pruning, you can do some amazing things with your fruit trees—including grow multiple fruit trees in a small space.

While visiting the farm of a man who had formerly worked for the University of Florida, I saw peach trees that were kept at an easily pickable 8-foot height via aggressive pruning when they were young.

More recently, I saw a fruit-laden tamarind tree that had been repeatedly cut by a local electric company—at only about 6-foot in height! The branches stuck out sideways low to the ground and bore pods after the center was cut down. Instead of harvesting fruit with a long pole from branches 40 feet in the air, the owners could just pick by hand.

A full-size tamarind tree can easily shade most or all of a typical backyard. A full-size apple can almost do the same. Yet the answer we are often given to this issue is to “plant dwarf trees.”

Dwarf trees are deliberately grafted onto rootstocks that restrict the growth of the tree. Unfortunately, this also leads to weaker trees that die much younger than standard fruit trees.”

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

5 Free, DIY Compost Activators​

The Grow Network​

April 11, 2023

Help your compost break down faster with one of these 5 free, DIY compost activators—and you’ll quickly end up with black gold!

Compost Activators: Get Better Compost in Less Time​

Did you ever notice that some things compost beautifully, while other things bog down your bins? I try to keep an eye out for the exceptionally good compost activators that I come across. These can be very handy if you keep big compost piles, because they help your compost heat up and finish faster.

You May Also Enjoy:
“Nature Is an EXTREME Composter—You Can Be Too!”
“15 Simple and Inexpensive Homemade Fertilizers”
“Composting Meat, Dairy, Bones, and Human Waste!”

To be totally honest, some of the best things I’ve found aren’t actually free. I keep a bag of cottonseed meal fertilizer on hand just so that I can kick a slow pile of compost into gear, or finish a pile up quickly for an upcoming planting.

But you don’t have to spend any money at all if you don’t want to. Here are 5 compost activators that are free for the asking (if you ask the right person).

5 Free, DIY Compost Activators​

A quick word of warning: if you’re using compost tumblers and putting in mostly fresh kitchen scraps, these nitrogen boosters are probably not a good idea for your tumblers. It’s more likely that a nice carbon source like dry leaves or shredded paper would speed your compost up.

The following 5 compost boosters are nitrogen sources, which are intended for people who have big piles of compost with dead leaves from the yard, dead weeds, etc.

Compost Activator #1—Yard Waste​

Compost Booster #2—Supermarket Waste​

Compost Booster #3—Coffee Grounds​

Compost Booster #4—Hair​

Compost Booster #5—Urine​

This one will be a little easier for the fellas—but with a jar or bottle, anyone can contribute their “spare nitrogen” to the compost pile. If you host a barbecue or an informal party, put a little sign in the bathroom and ask if the guys wouldn’t mind peeing on the compost pile instead. They can contribute if they’re comfortable with it.”

Entire article here: 5 Free, DIY Compost Activators - The Grow Network

 

[Survivor_316]

The #1 Key to Growing Full-Size Fruit Trees in Small Spaces​

David The Good

April 12, 2023


Did you ever wish you could harvest fruit in your backyard, but think you just don’t have the space to grow fruit trees?

You might want to rethink that assumption!

I realized years ago that the supposed maximum size of trees isn’t a set thing. If you stay on top of pruning, you can do some amazing things with your fruit trees—including grow multiple fruit trees in a small space.

View attachment 19563







The #1 Key to Growing Full-Size Fruit Trees in Small Spaces - The Grow Network
Think your yard is too small for fruit trees? Never say never! Here’s the trick to growing healthy, full-size fruit trees in small spaces!

Did you ever wish you could harvest fruit in your backyard, but think you just don’t have the space to grow fruit trees?

You might want to rethink that assumption!

I realized years ago that the supposed maximum size of trees isn’t a set thing. If you stay on top of pruning, you can do some amazing things with your fruit trees—including grow multiple fruit trees in a small space.



More recently, I saw a fruit-laden tamarind tree that had been repeatedly cut by a local electric company—at only about 6-foot in height! The branches stuck out sideways low to the ground and bore pods after the center was cut down. Instead of harvesting fruit with a long pole from branches 40 feet in the air, the owners could just pick by hand.

A full-size tamarind tree can easily shade most or all of a typical backyard. A full-size apple can almost do the same. Yet the answer we are often given to this issue is to “plant dwarf trees.”

Dwarf trees are deliberately grafted onto rootstocks that restrict the growth of the tree. Unfortunately, this also leads to weaker trees that die much younger than standard fruit trees.”

I love this! I do find that dwarfing rootstock tend to mature and set fruit earlier, though.

I always wanted to espalier a few trees, but I am too scatterbrained to manage it well.

 

[user 7704]

I have a MEYER lemon and it has had 2 full size lemons since last Fall and they do not look like they are ever going to ripen. Not one spot of yellow anywhere on them.

 

[user 7704]

Just ran across this

 

[poltiregist]

I hand weeded around my mullein plants this morning . I am estimating I have around 100 . I tried planting them by seed a few years ago but that attempt failed . What I have now came up voluntarily in a location I find acceptable . For any that might be wondering what is mullein or what is it good for , I want it for after SHTF and toilet paper is no longer available , It has very large soft fuzzy leaves . Yep we will be the group with the nice smelling as-es , At least during the late summer and fall of the year . Everyone else will be walking around smelling like sh-t . A leaf of that plant might could be used for barter like they used to do with tobacco leaves .

 

[user 7704]

I hand weeded around my mullein plants this morning . I am estimating I have around 100 . I tried planting them by seed a few years ago but that attempt failed . What I have now came up voluntarily in a location I find acceptable . For any that might be wondering what is mullein or what is it good for , I want it for after SHTF and toilet paper is no longer available , It has very large soft fuzzy leaves . Yep we will be the group with the nice smelling as-es , At least during the late summer and fall of the year . Everyone else will be walking around smelling like sh-t . A leaf of that plant might could be used for barter like they used to do with tobacco leaves .

I had a huge one last year so I let it go to seed and drop. So far, I haven't seen any seedlings. I was hoping to make a tincture because I read it is great for lungs and breathing.

 

[user 7704]

I'm guessing you have earlier Spring than I.

 

[Survivor_316]

@Arcticdude

Saw this and thought of you- Snow Fameuse, an apple for high altitudes.

 

[user 7704]

I am ready to harvest some garlic mustard. I read that it can be frozen or dried. How do you guys save it. I read about how much vitamin c it contains and it seems worth the trouble. I have eaten some of it raw and it seems really bitter

 

[user 7704]

Wow, lemons can take 9 months or longer to ripen

 

[user 7704]

We are going to have a ate frost tonight. I'm glad I have not planted any seedlings, just seeds.

 

[poltiregist]

This past early winter , I ordered by computer fig tree cuttings , for rooting . I had 17 . Though a lot of trouble taking them inside and outside battling cold weather now have 11 leafed out . I have homes for all of them . With sugar prices about to explode and the economy destroyed by Biden and friends , a sweet treat may be as valuable as perhaps the early pioneer days .

 

[Cindyd]

I have some beef steak tomatoes coming along, green beans, peas...lots of things blooming and starting to produce right now..these are in one of the raised beds..

Looks like I need to replace a board on one..haa

 

[rainingcatzanddogs]

Yesterday, I brought in most of my first round of radishes. I left the larger ones to go to seed so I can collect and re-plant. Did you know that the greens are edible like collards?

Most recipes call for them to be sauteed, but, I like to add them to salads. They are high in iron and magnesium, and there is some evidence that they help with Alzheimer's symptoms and lung issues. To me, they have a slightly tangy taste and when mixed with other lettuce, the texture is good.

 

[user 7704]

Every year I get more stubborn due to the fact that I can't plant seeds unless they offer something other than beauty. I brought smaller pots to the yard this morning and ended up planting all edibles. Mostly herbs.

I will plant flowers that self seed like zinnias and marigolds. They served the bees and marigolds keep pests away.

I feel as though I am wasting space if I plant flowers without a dual purpose.

 

[Mountain trapper]

The wife has 75 tomato plants sprouted and are about 4"-5" high already. Plus she has a couple trays of bell peppers and other vegetables sprouting. She's planted chives twice and for some reason they won't grow. We have 12 Concord grape plants in a bucket in the garage and 5 fruit trees on hold down at the nursery.
It's still well below freezing at night and in the low 40's for high temps. We're getting very little sun so the snow is melting slowly, but it is melting.

 

[EastenerWesterner]

My wife just was out plantIng plants bought from big box. It’s my way of disproving her Darwin theory of plants.
I know she enjoys it, just wont listen to me. I like to use pony poop as a natural fertIlizer.
Built her a nice raised bed garden, fenced, with the capability of adding electric fence. I know i will be the one watering it.
New place, automatic waterers. Probably wont need Much either.

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

Every year I get more stubborn due to the fact that I can't plant seeds unless they offer something other than beauty. I brought smaller pots to the yard this morning and ended up planting all edibles. Mostly herbs.

I will plant flowers that self seed like zinnias and marigolds. They served the bees and marigolds keep pests away.

I feel as though I am wasting space if I plant flowers without a dual purpose.

Me too! I have even trimmed down my plantings this year to those I know, 1) we will eat, 2) those that will last for months in cool storage (root cellar), 3) those that produce more per plant, 4) and those I love to can.

Will be adding a few flowers for bees. I am even considering planting herbs instead of flowers in my many hanging porch planters.

The herbs I planted around some fruit trees last year are up and growing! A few didn’t make it, but 85% did! And I’ve had to do nothing!!

 

[user 7704]

Worked in the main garden for 5 hours. Smart weed is going to kill me. I hate it. It came in in a bag of rye I planted one fall.

It has moved from the yard to the gardens.

 

[Mountain trapper]

Won't be long now...

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

In two weeks I am attending a learning weekend at Polyface farms…you know the one owned by Joel Salitin. The processes he uses to raise animals and grow food is acclaimed worldwide.

So, if you have questions of any kind, post them here or pm me and I will get answers for you!

 

[Mountain trapper]

View attachment 19681



In two weeks I am attending a learning weekend at Polyface farms…you know the one owned by Joel Salitin. The processes he uses to raise animals and grow food is acclaimed worldwide.

So, if you have questions of any kind, post them here or pm me and I will get answers for you!

I have to say that raising animals and food on a place like in the picture above would be easy, fertile soil, plenty of rainfall. Just about opposite of our place.
Sounds like a great weekend, and I'm sure that you'll learn a lot.

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

Interesting. This shows how many types of seeds have already been taken from us!! Not good folks. Not good. Start keeping your own seeds!!

The top numbers are from 80 years ago, showing hundreds and hundreds of different types per vegetable. The lower numbers show a dozen to a few dozen types for each vegetable.

Myself, I have two tomato types that I’ve searched everywhere to purchase, without success. The plants this year will be kept totally for seeds.