This weeks preps check-in

[Doreena]

I can’t say I have ever eaten a rubarb, that I can remember anyways. I always say I will try anything once, twice if it’s fun!

Yum...rhubarb pie and tarts! My grand mom made some great ones!


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[Doreena]

My first plums of the season. There are 2 trees in the back yard that did nothing for the last few years, this year they are bent down with fruit! They are small but I will make a lot of plum preserves or butter... haven’t made a dent in them but made 8 half pint and one 4 oz jars yesterday.

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[Brent S]

My first plums of the season. There are 2 trees in the back yard that did nothing for the last few years, this year they are bent down with fruit! They are small but I will make a lot of plum preserves or butter... haven’t made a dent in them but made 8 half pint and one 4 oz jars yesterday.

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I have about six plumb trees, but didn’t get a single piece of fruit this year off them. We had a late freeze and it took out all the blossoms. The one thing I’ve learned is plant many different things and lots of them. Each year is a crap shoot as to what will produce. With more variety you increase the odds you’ll get something to eat. I hope I never have to survive off what I have planted, but it does supplement my food supply. Good advice is talk to a local nursery or two and find what plants grow well there. If a tree or bush is high maintenance to grow I don’t want it. My most recent additions were five pear trees. They supposedly do really well here and produce lots of fruit. I have about 50 different trees now. I had more but some disease and some chainsaw work on the high maintenance peach trees lowered the count some. My plums may take a hike one day as they are getting some diseased spots on them. They take a little maintenance, and I just am not getting out in the yard as much as I like.

 

[Maverick]

Ordered a 2500gal potable water tank to compliment my two 1500gal fresh water tanks. We finally have the 800gal tank done using the water pumped from the creek, we well use this for the garden and green house.

 

[Brent S]

Ok, calling it a bug out vehicle to tie my camper into something to do with prepping is a stretch, but I brought home a 2012 R pod camper today and am really excited! As soon as the wife recovers from some medical procedures I will take her and the dog off for a four day weekend in the Smokey mountains. I could still tent camp but she needs a little more comfort now days. I picked it up in waynesville today, and the temp was only 81deg at the elevation there. I’m dying to go somewhere where it’s cool at night right now.

 

[Doreena]

Ok, calling it a bug out vehicle to tie my camper into something to do with prepping is a stretch, but I brought home a 2012 R pod camper today and am really excited! As soon as the wife recovers from some medical procedures I will take her and the dog off for a four day weekend in the Smokey mountains. I could still tent camp but she needs a little more comfort now days. I picked it up in waynesville today, and the temp was only 81deg at the elevation there. I’m dying to go somewhere where it’s cool at night right now.

I will have to look that up, but it sounds great! Congrats! And ditto on the somewhere cool. My sis lives in Maine and even they are in the 90s and will be for at least a week.


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[Brent S]

I mashed the last of the grapes from last fall that I had frozen. I got ten gallons of pure muscadine juice that will make 5 gallons of red and white wines each. Freezing the grapes dosent change the flavor at all and makes it easier to press the grapes when thawed out. This is just in time as the concords will be ripe before long, then more muscadine after that. It’s nice to have some room in the big freezer again.

 

[Petoski]

I have about six plumb trees, but didn’t get a single piece of fruit this year off them. We had a late freeze and it took out all the blossoms. The one thing I’ve learned is plant many different things and lots of them. Each year is a crap shoot as to what will produce. With more variety you increase the odds you’ll get something to eat. I hope I never have to survive off what I have planted, but it does supplement my food supply. Good advice is talk to a local nursery or two and find what plants grow well there. If a tree or bush is high maintenance to grow I don’t want it. My most recent additions were five pear trees. They supposedly do really well here and produce lots of fruit. I have about 50 different trees now. I had more but some disease and some chainsaw work on the high maintenance peach trees lowered the count some. My plums may take a hike one day as they are getting some diseased spots on them. They take a little maintenance, and I just am not getting out in the yard as much as I like.

Our plums are the same. The previous owner said they didn't make much fruit but our first year we had 7kg off 1 tree. This year we will be lucky to get 7 plums. I am following the same logic as you. Plant lots of different types of food and go for the types that require the least amount of work.

 

[Doreena]

Our plums are the same. The previous owner said they didn't make much fruit but our first year we had 7kg off 1 tree. This year we will be lucky to get 7 plums. I am following the same logic as you. Plant lots of different types of food and go for the types that require the least amount of work.

Last two years, no fruit, this year, 49.5 pints of plum preserves!


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[SheilaT.]

Nothing on the scale of Danil, but I picked my first couple of yellow squash and enough beans for dinner on wednesday, there are more squash coming on and I have plenty of beans for the next couple of days.
I'm pleasantly surprised at how good everything is looking and how well it's all cropping in planters. I'm really won over.

 

[Dani]

Nothing on the scale of Danil, but I picked my first couple of yellow squash and enough beans for dinner on wednesday, there are more squash coming on and I have plenty of beans for the next couple of days.
I'm pleasantly surprised at how good everything is looking and how well it's all cropping in planters. I'm really won over.

I'm sure if I had to container all my produce id probably kill them.. . . eventually anyway. This is why I don't grow housrplants. Stick it in the ground, most times I'm ok. Sounds like you are doing good with your and able to eat fresh produce. Nice to be able to cut down on that grocery bill.

 

[SheilaT.]

I'm sure if I had to container all my produce id probably kill them.. . . eventually anyway. This is why I don't grow housrplants. Stick it in the ground, most times I'm ok. Sounds like you are doing good with your and able to eat fresh produce. Nice to be able to cut down on that grocery bill.

LOL, normally I'm much the same, especially with houseplants. The move thwarted my garden this year so I decided to have a go in a few planters that can be moved along with us when we eventually go. I lifted the Garlic this morning too and it's done really well, I have it curing now and then I'll choose the best 3 or 4 bulbs to keep for next years planting and plait the rest for the kitchen.

 

[Dani]

LOL, normally I'm much the same, especially with houseplants. The move thwarted my garden this year so I decided to have a go in a few planters that can be moved along with us when we eventually go. I lifted the Garlic this morning too and it's done really well, I have it curing now and then I'll choose the best 3 or 4 bulbs to keep for next years planting and plait the rest for the kitchen.

I'm actually considering digging up some peppers and maybe a tomato e when it starts cooling down this fall or winter. You just never know when we will get cold. Half the time we wear shorts at Christmas. Wondering if I might be able to keep them going by bringing in the house at night and cold days. I do have one of those collapsible greenhouses but during the day time it would probably be too hot. Probably have to do like seedlings. . . Open and close it up a few times a day. Amazing what we can do when we put our minds to it

 

[Brent S]

I'm actually considering digging up some peppers and maybe a tomato e when it starts cooling down this fall or winter. You just never know when we will get cold. Half the time we wear shorts at Christmas. Wondering if I might be able to keep them going by bringing in the house at night and cold days. I do have one of those collapsible greenhouses but during the day time it would probably be too hot. Probably have to do like seedlings. . . Open and close it up a few times a day. Amazing what we can do when we put our minds to it

I know a guy that’s kept an orange tree alive a few years now here. It lives in the basement over winter with just a fluorescent light. Not sure if he gets fruit or not, but it’s alive anyways.

 

[Brent S]

I'm actually considering digging up some peppers and maybe a tomato e when it starts cooling down this fall or winter. You just never know when we will get cold. Half the time we wear shorts at Christmas. Wondering if I might be able to keep them going by bringing in the house at night and cold days. I do have one of those collapsible greenhouses but during the day time it would probably be too hot. Probably have to do like seedlings. . . Open and close it up a few times a day. Amazing what we can do when we put our minds to it

The biltmore house in Asheville has an amazing greenhouse. They grew vegetables all year. Of course he had a whole staff that their sole job was to tend to it, heating or venting as needed. Luckily today we can buy automatic vents and watering systems. I still have not seen an automatic weeding machine yet though!

 

[Dani]

The biltmore house in Asheville has an amazing greenhouse. They grew vegetables all year. Of course he had a whole staff that their sole job was to tend to it, heating or venting as needed. Luckily today we can buy automatic vents and watering systems. I still have not seen an automatic weeding machine yet though!

When you find one let me know !

 

[Doreena]

I know a guy that’s kept an orange tree alive a few years now here. It lives in the basement over winter with just a fluorescent light. Not sure if he gets fruit or not, but it’s alive anyways.

My mom had an orange tree that got to be about 4 feet tall for years in Michigan. Never produced any fruit though. In when it was cold out, out for the summer


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[SheilaT.]

I have an automatic weeder, it only works intermittently, does an OK job ....it's a son. runs on beer and home baking so can be a bit expensive.

 

[Mountain trapper]

We just finished weeding our garden today. We let the weeds get a little out of hand and it took two days get it all weeded. I tilled another section of the garden so we can plant some garlic and more onion sets. Got the orchard mowed and everything watered.
Yesterday was hot and miserable. The temp hit 87 degs with 19% humidity, and it only cooled down to 65 last night. That's more like August weather. Today is more normal at 62.

 

[DrHenley]

87 degs with 19% humidity is what we call mild dry heat. LOL.

 

[SheilaT.]

Now I have a couple of empty planters I decided to sieve the roots and crap out the compost and refill one to sow some spinach in. I might sow a few stump rooted carrots in the other, will have to check what seeds I have.

 

[Maverick]

We just finished weeding our garden today. We let the weeds get a little out of hand and it took two days get it all weeded. I tilled another section of the garden so we can plant some garlic and more onion sets. Got the orchard mowed and everything watered.
Yesterday was hot and miserable. The temp hit 87 degs with 19% humidity, and it only cooled down to 65 last night. That's more like August weather. Today is more normal at 62.

Humidity been really low here too 13-24% hovering in the 80s-90s high for this time of year looks like early fire season [emoji20]

 

[Brent S]

I just finished hooking up the new well. It’s not connected to the houses yet, but the 80gal tank is pressurized and I will check for leaks. None visible right off anyways. I watered the greenhouse with it today for the first time. It’s clear and Icy cold, and had double the pressure my hose had connected to the house. Can’t wait to hook up my house to it and have the county disconnect their water line. Unfortunately I have about 100’ of digging to connect to my house, and at least a quarter of that will be by hand due to buried lines and stuff. Luckily I have a backhoe for most of it though.

 

[Mountain trapper]

We finished excavating the foundation for the house today. It took about 3 days of digging to get it right. Found out that part of the water line that will feed the house is only 46" deep. We'll have to dig up a section of line and rebury it to 60". The concrete guys should be out to pour the footers next week. Due to the distance the concrete guys have to travel up to our place they tack on an extra $400 per day for travel time.
They finished roofing the shop today and will start on the wiring and siding next week. Also next week we'll excavate the hole for the solar panel mount. The pole mount is a 21 foot 8 inch schedule 40 pipe.
I retilled part of the garden yesterday and the wife planted another dozen tomato plants, some onion and garlic bulbs and lavender seeds. And I finished the fence around the garden and orchard this morning. Just need to build 1 more gate.
Got all the hay home, but I've been too lazy to unload the last trailer load. There's only about 3-1/2 ton of hay left on the trailer, but it can wait.

 

[jimLE]

I pulled a no brainer goof last Sunday. I was using a hand held leaf blower. In which I've done i don't know how many times over the years. I moved my left hand to a diff n better location. Thats when 2 fingertips touched the extremely hot muffler .and it to be no more then 1 sec for 2 burn blisters to show up.been using anti bacterial cream n bandaids ever since.because of this. the aloe vera plant is now on my to buy list.as well,as more bandaids

 

[Kevin L]

I just joined a gym.

I've been stashing guns, ammo, food water, medical stuff, etc..

And, of course, I let myself get out of shape.

I started using the stairmaster (you know you're making progress when you need to vomit), and lifting weights.

Also, about 2/3 to 3/4 of my work commuting is on my bicycle

 

[Brent S]

I just joined a gym.

I've been stashing guns, ammo, food water, medical stuff, etc..

And, of course, I let myself get out of shape.

I started using the stairmaster (you know you're making progress when you need to vomit), and lifting weights.

Also, about 2/3 to 3/4 of my work commuting is on my bicycle

Getting and staying in shape should be a priority, just not sure what my excuse is.... I’m glad you’re making a really good effort.

 

[Brent S]

I picked another gallon of blueberries just now.. the bushes are now about six feet tall, and 5yrs ish. It takes a while for most plants to get mature enough to start producing wel. I’m hoping to get another 15 good years out of these bushes. My point here is if you think you can just plant some fruit trees when times get tough, think again. You’re likely to starve well before they start producing. Plant now while times are good.

 

[Dani]

That's what I don't get about. . Putting off till the time comes. But why when there are so many things that need years in order to get established and produce? Or even planting a garden? It takes time and a lot of work to get your soil right in order to actually produce decently. Doing it on a regular basis is key. My boss lady just said that it was close to the end of season for us. I told her I'm year round here. I pulled up one row of cantaloupe this morning cause they were done, but I will be replacing with some sort of southern bean. Just cause one thing taps out during the extreme heat and humidity doesn't mean you can't replace with something that will grow this time of year. Knowing what works and when to plant is another thing that people need to get used to for their region. Lots of folks plant butternut for a fall crop. Here I plant mine during the spring. I do what works for me and has been proven year after year.

 

[Proud Prepper]

I did some reorganizing in my attic. I counted 412 rolls of toilet paper, 64 rolls of paper towels between there and the bathroom closet. I threw out some old holiday decorations and used the space for old magazines(populer mechanics and hunting, fishing mostly) and paper plates. I will also add the old set of encyclopedia's as soon as I aquire more sealable containers.

Split about a bunch of wood earlier in the week with the electric log splitter.