Sunday, June 26, 2011

Raised Bed Update

This year, we added 3 raised garden beds to the homestead. We have a large garden as well, but decided to change things up a bit. The large garden now grows corn, beans, some of our onions, and our viney plants (cukes, zukes, melons, and winter squash). We hope to add more raised beds as time goes on.

*San Marzano Tomatoes *

In the tomato bed, we have tomato plants staked up down both sides of the bed. We've found that twine we cut off our hay bales is best to staking tomatoes (seen above). In the middle of the beds, we are growing beets, carrots (seen below), and rutabagas. On the ends, we filled the holes of the concrete blocks with soil. They are the current home of mint plants and multiplier onions (seen below).

*Sweet Bell Peppers*

*Green Cabbage*
I think this fall, when we plant more cabbages for canning saur kraut, I will plant them under row cover to help avoid cabbage worms. This wet spring has really prevented Bt from sticking to the plants to keep the worms at bay.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Updates don't grow on trees, ya know!

Alright, we've been a bit busy. Well more than a bit. Having a baby definitely changes routines around here. Needless to say, things take a bit more time and effort, so I spend less time on the computer.

We've gotten quite a bit accomplished. My raised beds are full, and the big garden is full as well. We had to move our blueberry bushes to a new spot, and we've got more trees in our orchard! In the kitchen, I've tried several different bread recipes, made a few types of cheese, and been dehydrating a few things (mostly chamomile and green onions).

Pictures and details soon! If there is anything you're curious about, ask away!