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gardening – Page 5 – Homesteader Depot

Homesteader Depot

Tag: gardening

  • Why You Should Keep a Homesteading Journal

    Why You Should Keep a Homesteading Journal

    As you embark on your homesteading journey, whether that is buying several acres of land and starting a full-fledged farm, or simply growing herbs on your windowsill and trying a few simple home ferments, it is incredibly beneficial to keep a journal.  Heres a few tips on why and how to journal.

    Why? 

    Journals are, literally, records of events. So as you begin gardening, raising animals, trying home cultures, and generally doing more things simpler, greener, and for yourself, you’ll want to keep track of your efforts, method, and progress.

    First of all, it’s fun! You can look back in a few months and remember how far you’ve come.

    But more importantly, it can be extremely helpful. As you work with inexact sciences like gardening or fermenting, you’ll probably want to remember what worked, and what didn’t. If you battled a serious bout of pests, it might be very helpful next year to look back and pinpoint the precise timing so you can take precautionary measures this year, for example. Or if you are selling eggs, keeping track of your chicken production and income can help calculate the cost and whether or not is productive for you.

    How to journal?

    The great thing is, there’s no exact science for homestead journaling!  You can find tons of great, free resources on the internet for worksheets, charts, and recordkeeping for gardening and homesteading, if you like that sort of thing, or you can simply keep a diary and record your day-to-day events.  What works for some folks may not work for you and vice versa, this is about you and recording what was successful for you.

    Bullet journals are very popular these days, and the simple method for a sort of DIY journal might be ideal for tracking planting records, daily tasks, and achievements, etc. The sky is the limit!

    However you choose to record your journey, you’ll learn as you go what’s helpful to record and track. The important part is to do it! This is how homesteaders and farmers learned and grew back in the day, so it’s just as beneficial today as always.

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  • Companion Planting Visual Guide (Infographic)

    Companion Planting Visual Guide (Infographic)

    Companion planting is a gardening practice that involves strategically planting certain vegetables next to one another for their mutual benefit. It can lend itself to great success in the garden, but it can be a bit confusing and overwhelming to plan out.

    This infographic from MomWithAPrep.com is a fantastic cheat sheet for figuring out the best “companions” for each garden vegetable. It also includes potentially bad companions, so you can rule those out too.

    Why not give companion planting a try this spring? Grab this infographic and refer to it as you plan out your garden this year. Enjoy!

     

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  • How to Use Up Extra Tomatoes

    How to Use Up Extra Tomatoes

    Too many tomatoes is a great problem to have! Whether you’ve found a killer deal at the grocery store or farmer’s market, or your garden is overflowing with juicy, ripe, tomatoes just begging to be used up, having too many tomatoes on your hand is awesome, but also poses a big challenge. How on earth can you use up all those delicious tomatoes?

    Well, we’ve got you covered. All it takes is a little creativity! Here are some great suggestions for how to make the most of a big bounty of tomatoes.

    Canning 

    This is the classic way to preserve extra tomatoes, and definitely on the top of the list for a reason. You can can them whole, diced, pureed, or in delicious tomato sauces or even salsas! Then, all winter long, you can add your tomatoes to pastas, casseroles, chili, etc.

    Ferments

    You can of course can up all your tomatoes or tomato sauces, but did you know you can lacto-ferment them too? We’re big fans of lacto-fermentation around here, which not only naturally preserves tomatoes, it will enhance the nutritional content as well! Lacto-fermented salsa (recipe coming soon!) is a great way to make the most of a lot of tomatoes, and preserve them long-term.

    Trade

    Do you live in a big farming and/or gardening area? Try talking to your friends and neighbors and see if their gardens are overflowing with something you don’t have! Trade some tomatoes for delicious cucumbers or zucchini, or even dairy, eggs, manure, whatever they’ve got to spare!

    Freeze

    If canning or lacto-fermenting aren’t your thing, you can of course always just chop them up and freeze them! Frozen tomato can be used much in the same way that canned tomato can be. This is a great option if you don’t have too much time to invest in complex preservation projects but would still like to have a nice supply of tomatoes on hand to use through the winter.

     

    Tomatoes are delicious, nutritious, and a cornerstone of many great dishes. If you end up with a lot of them, make sure you use them and preserve them well!

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  • Tips for Successfully Transplanting Seedlings

    Tips for Successfully Transplanting Seedlings

    We’ve posted a few helpful articles this spring on how to start your seeds indoors. But what happens after that?

    Here is a simple guide for how to successfully transplant seedlings in the garden.

    Think Ahead 

    First of all, you’ll want to make sure before you even start your seeds that what you are planting is transplant-friendly. Not everything does well when transplanted, so direct seed sow whenever recommended.

    Also, for the seedlings you do plan on transplanting, designate room in the garden for them beforehand, taking into account the expected size of both the seedling and the adult plant.

    Timing is Everything

    There are two key factors to finding the right time to transplant. First of all, you need to take advantage of the window in which your seedlings are healthy and established enough to transplant because they can get very unhealthy and even die completely if you wait too long. Again, this will take some planning ahead.

    Secondly, make sure to do it at the right time of day. When seedlings are transplanted, it can be hard on them, so transplanting in the middle of the day will add unnecessary stress on them as they sit in the hot sun. Opt for early morning or, even better, early evening, so that have all night to recover and retain moisture.

    Water, water, water

    The most important aspect of transplanting is to give your fresh transplants enough water, and frequently as well. Again, they’ll be taxed after being taken out of their cozy little pots, and they’ll need lots of water to absorb the nutrients in the soil and strengthen their roots to properly establish themselves in their new home.

    Water well right after transplanting, and keep the soil around them damp constantly for the next few days at least. You’ll notice the difference if they don’t; while they might naturally appear a little wilted at first either way, they’ll perk up within 12-24 hours if they’re taking well to the garden bed. If they still appear wilted, they might not be getting enough water. Of course, use your own judgment here, because you won’t want to overwater either.

     

    There’s nothing as rewarding as filling a new garden bed full of healthy, fresh seedlings! Follow these basic tips to make your transplants healthy and happy.

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  • 4 Reasons to Keep Weeds

    4 Reasons to Keep Weeds

     

    Any serious gardener puts one thing at the top of their list when it comes to gardening headaches: weeds! What if I told you that it doesn’t have to be this way? The first step in conquering your weed problem is to change your mindset! Here are four compelling reasons to rethink the role of weeds in your homestead:

     

    Reason #1, They’re The Easiest “Superfood” You Can Grow!

    Have you ever heard of a variety of “super spinach” that didn’t bolt at the first sign of heat, had 4% of your recommended protein requirements and blew the calcium content of chard and regular spinach out of the water? Gotcha! I’m talking about lambsquarters, an incredibly common and hardy “weed”. What about another salad green that is bursting with omega 3 fatty acids and even more beta carotene than those carrots you lovingly tend to? It’s purslane, and you’ve probably been ripping it out of your garden for years! Both of these common weeds can be used fresh or in myriad delicious recipes, so leave them be!

     

    Reason #2, Attracting Beneficial Insects

    A bee doesn’t care if a flower was intentionally planted or wild. Other beneficial insects such as ladybugs, tachnid flies, hoverflies, parasitic wasps and lacewings use wild plants for food and shelter. Weeds also act as “bait” for prey insects such as aphids. This may not sound great, but wouldn’t you rather have aphids munching on weeds than your tomatoes? Plus, they won’t be munching for long before the ladybugs come around! A garden without a thriving ecosystem of insects is not healthy. If plants are healthy and vigorously growing, a little nibble here and there won’t be a problem. Here are just a few plants that attract beneficial insects:

     

    Alfalfa

    Butter and Eggs

    Clover

    Dandelion

    Goldenrod

    Tansy

    Yarrow

    Reason #3, They’re A Natural “Green Manure”

    Research shows weeds to be “dynamic nutrient accumulators”. This means that these plants shoot roots deep into the ground and pull up nutrients that they accumulate in their leaves. When they lose their foliage in the fall, the nutrients build up in the topsoil, making an instant fertilizer. So, if you see the following weeds in your garden, leave them alone and let them do their job:

     

    Borage

    Chickweed

    Chicory

    Clovers

    Dandelion

    German Chamomile

    Lambsquarters

    Lemon Balm

    Common Mullein

    Mustards

    Nettles

    Peppermint

    Red Root Pigweed

    Plantains

    Purslane

    Shepherd’s Purse

    Thistle

    Yarrow

     

    Reason #4, Wild Plants Can Be Potent Medicines

    Stung by a bee? Chew a plantain leaf and apply it like a band-aid. Wild plants can be used for anything from seasonal allergies to an upset stomach. Many of the plants we consider to be “weeds” were carefully introduced to this land by earlier settlers to be used as food and medicine because there was no drugstore or doctor’s office. Back then, you had to and knew how to, harvest wild plants for medicine. Those were the days!

    The next time you’re in the garden, start thinking about weeds as “resources” or “volunteers” instead of pests. To keep their population under control, you can nip in the bud or harvest regularly. Pick them before they go to seed to keep them from dominating your garden. Just like in life, it’s all about striking a balance!

    Does THIS Common Weed Grow in Your Backyard?  Find Out Here>>>

  • Best Clothing for Gardening

    Best Clothing for Gardening

    If you spend a lot of time out in the garden, you’ll know how important good quality, functional clothing is.

    You don’t need just any old pair of jeans and t-shirt that you don’t mind getting dirty, although that might be your outfit of choice. Your gardening clothes will need to not only be able to withstand dirt stains, sun, sweat, and rain.

    Here are some pointers for choosing functional, comfortable, and sturdy gardening clothes.

    Covering 

    Most seasoned gardeners opt for long sleeves and pants when spending time in the garden. This provides a nice barrier against the sun, as well as dirt or potentially itchy plants and grass. Covering clothing can actually keep you cooler than short sleeves and pants, in many cases, so long clothes are great for both cool, damp morning harvests, and hot, mid-summer weed pulling sessions.

    Breathability 

    A very important factor of good gardening clothes is that they are breathable, especially if you choose clothing that covers your skin. Light colors might show dirt, but they’ll reflect the sun and heat well also, so white, beige, and tan clothing are ideal. Natural fibers or shirts and pants specifically designed for breathability are great for letting your body heat vent out and cool air in.

    Function

    Clothing with lots of pockets or loops for tools are very nice as well, although you can also opt for a garden belt or apron. There are many available on the market, and plenty of designs you can make for yourself as well. If you’d prefer to use your clothing to store seed packets, tools, twist-ties, and other gardening paraphernalia, clothing items like cargo shorts or vests with lots of pockets can be very handy.

    Sturdiness 

    While old jeans or dress shirts are great for cheap garden clothes that you won’t mind getting beat up and dirty, but you might want to invest in some quality pants and breathable, functional tops that will last. Being out in the hot sun all day, worn down by dirt, and washed frequently, can wear away at clothing, so if you’re recycling old clothes for garden clothes, they’ll probably be in tatters pretty soon. This might be just fine for you, especially if you go through clothes quickly anyway, but just something to keep in mind. If you garden frequently, it might be a very worthy investment to get some well-made, quality clothing to withstand a few seasons out in the garden.

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  • How to Choose What to Plant This Year

    How to Choose What to Plant This Year

    It’s spring time, and if you’re an experienced gardener, you’ve probably been planning out your spring garden and what to plant for months now.

    But if you’re just getting started, either on your very first garden or second or third, you might be overwhelmed with the amount of choices for what to grow in your food garden this year.

    Here are a few tips for how to narrow down your options and choose what to plant:

    History 

    Obviously, if you’ve gardened already, you’ll want to think about what you’ve successfully grown in the past, and go with what worked. But also be honest with yourself about what didn’t work.

    For example, you might have really had your heart set on growing tomatoes, but if you struggled with pests or diseases last year, or simply didn’t have much of a harvest, you might want to skip them this year. However, just because a crop failed, that doesn’t necessarily mean you should always skip it, if you learned a lot in the process and can take some simple measures that might prevent the trouble you ran into last year, it may be worth it to give it another shot.

    Region

    If you are a first-time gardener and don’t have a garden history as a starting-off point, do some research on what grows best in your region. That doesn’t necessarily mean your zone, although you should definitely have a good idea of what your zone is and what grows well there. But the climate and soil in your town or county will play a factor as well. Talk to friends and neighbors who have gardens and ask them what they recommend, or local farmers and nurseries.

    Know your garden

    Every garden space is different, and if you don’t have full sun, your neighbor might be able to grow something that will never work in your garden. If you have partial shade all day, there’s still plenty you can grow successfully, so don’t worry. Just watch the sun patterns in your intended garden space for a few days, and plant accordingly.

    Know your lifestyle

    You’ll also have to take into account how much time, energy, and physical ability you have to put into your garden. If you work full-time, for example, you won’t want to plant anything that requires constant watering unless you can set up a drip irrigation system, for example.

    Also, anything you plant and intend to consume, you’ll have to harvest and process. When choosing seeds, make sure you know what’s involved in harvesting and preserving, and that it’s something you’ll actually consume! You don’t want to get to harvest time and have a wonderful, productive crop go to waste because you’ve got no time to process it.

     

    In the end, while it’s always best to play it safe, don’t be afraid to experiment, too. If you’re a first-time gardener, even if your first garden isn’t perfect, you’ll still learn a lot in the process! Happy planting!

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  • Simple and Natural Homemade Pest Control Tips

    Simple and Natural Homemade Pest Control Tips

    Most homesteaders have gardens. In fact, they have large gardens and they rely on the food they grow to feed their family throughout the year. If that sounds like you, then you know just how problematic it can be when you have pests that try to take hold and destroy your crops. Fortunately, there are some natural methods you can use to combat those pests. Here are some of the ways to get control of your garden once more so you do not have to worry about bugs and slugs ruining your harvest.

    Slugs can be a real pain, and they often feed on leaves and on seedlings. During the rainy season, they can be a real problem. You can use a range of methods to deal with the slugs, including essential oils. Some of the essential oils that can help to repel slugs include peppermint and cedarwood. Place five to six drops of the oils into about a cup of water, and then spray around the bottom of the plants. It can help to keep them away. If you notice slugs on the plant at the time of spraying, you can remove them by hand.

    A good way to keep other pests away from your plants is to add 12 ounces of water along with about 10 drops of peppermint essential oil, one tablespoons of liquid dish soap, two cloves of minced garlic, and a tablespoon of cayenne into a container. Mix it well and let it sit for about a full day. Strain it and then add it to a spray bottle. Spray this on the plants that are having problems with the pests about two to three times per week, and always after a rain.

    These are just a couple of simple tips to help you deal with pests in the garden. It is a constant battle, but you can have the upper hand.

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