Farm & Garden - Feature Articles

Bountiful Bees

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 03:00:21 -0600

Is it possible to love an insect? I never would of thought so 15 years ago. But that was before I began my adventure in beekeeping. Since becoming a back yard beekeeper, I have grown to deeply admire the remarkable qualities of these endearing creatures of nature. And as a gardener, I have witnessed first-hand the dramatic contribution they provide to plants of all kinds. With honeybees in my garden, it's bounty has increased by an order of magnitude. And then there is that wonderful bonus they generously give me: a yearly harvest of sweet liquid gold.

Saving Seeds

Mon, 07 May 2007 04:00:15 -0600

The robins have arrived. The soil is warming. Green is bursting from shrubs and trees. Flowers are popping up everywhere. The exuberance and joy of another cycle of growth and life is spreading wildly.

And you’ve caught the excitement. It’s planting time!

One of the satisfactions of gardening and farming is saving your own seeds. You can keep treasured heirloom varieties, hardworking performers and your favorite colors and tastes to use year after year. You can experiment with breeding and crossing difference varieties to create something entirely new. The possibilities are endless.

Introduction to Livestock

Mon, 02 Apr 2007 02:00:01 -0600

I walked out of the city and into livestock thanks to a pony and my friend Deb. Steve’s dad bought our oldest daughter a pony for Christmas when she was 10. We didn’t have a barn, a pasture or much of a clue about taking care of a pony beyond proper grooming. Deb boarded the pony on her farm for us. She was willing to teach me all that she knew about goats, sheep, pigs and cattle while my daughter tended to her pony. Deb gave me a great start. The most important lesson I’ve learned is one I pass along as often as possible: Raising livestock can be as complicated as you want to make it.

Raising livestock can also be reasonably uncomplicated. Something is going to go wrong some where along the way. That’s just the way it is. I’ve learned to move unborn goat kids around without giving it a second thought. I’ve retrieved Belted Galloway cattle from a corn field a half mile up the road using farmcollies I bred and trained. The kid couldn’t have been prevented. It’s just one of those things. The cattle incident could have been avoided. That shouldn‘t have happened, especially not two mornings in a row... I’ve since learned more and put it to good use.

Modern Day Maple Syrup

Mon, 05 Mar 2007 03:00:41 -0700

The rhythmic drip drip drip of sap filling buckets isn't gone, but it isn't as common as days gone by. You're less likely to see galvanized buckets with their shiny covers hanging on the sides of maple trees these days. Farms that depend on their syrup as part of their yearly income have upgraded their equipment and made big changes. Instead of buckets you'll find miles of tubing running between trees, down slopes, uphill, into tanks and out to sugarshacks. These tubes take the place of buckets. They eliminate labor-intensive dumping from bucket to tank. Easier, yes, especially on the back, but making maple syrup still involves a lot of labor.

Grow Lights

Mon, 05 Feb 2007 03:00:36 -0700

Grow lights have been used to aid germination and growth in plants for decades. The common household light bulb we used beside our seed trays each spring have been replaced by much more effective bulbs. We no longer have to turn our leggy seedlings in hopes of them not growing into 4" tall plants with two leaves before we scrap them and start again, with similar results the next time. No more lamps turned on their sides while being held in place (hopefully) but other solid objects. For just a few dollars we can all afford to have grow lights in our homes.

Feeding the Plant, Nourishing the Body

Mon, 01 Jan 2007 03:15:55 -0700

Good Food. Red delicious apples, fresh-picked carrots, ripe garden peas, fresh sweet corn - all enliven our senses to the thought of their sweet flavors. They not only taste good, they are good for us. We humans are a product of our surroundings and past experiences. Our bodies subconsciously, and consciously, tend to desire food that is good for us. It knows what it needs. Inventive food manufacturers have learned well how to prey on some of these cravings, but the primitive intuition of the body’s seeking for its needs is ever present. We must become the growers of nutritious food by allowing the plants to fulfill their full nutritional value through our careful tending of their needs. Growing nutritious Good Food, not just plants to eat is our objective.

A Homegrown Christmas

Mon, 04 Dec 2006 01:00:35 -0700

Whimsical Traditions

“Mom, Julie won’t believe me! She says that Santa is real and he wears blue!” shouted my seven year old son, Jon. This was a conversation I never could have imagined.

I was desperately trying not to laugh while explaining that “four year olds don’t always know everything seven year olds know.” But I was also somewhat distracted. I was trying to picture Santa in blue, and only coming up with Elvis crooning Blue Christmas.

“Mom, Mom? You know Santa doesn’t wear blue; tell her!” I assured him I would take care of it and off he ran. Julie climbed up and snuggled tightly into my arms while I once again told her our story of St. Nicholas. I really thought the issue was settled.

Thoughtful Christmas Gift Ideas

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 04:00:24 -0700

I’ve recently learned that you don’t have to live on a farm to be a farmgirl. Farmgirl, they tell me, is a state of mind. I struggled with my gift list this year until I asked myself, “What would a farmgirl do?” It’s an odd question to ask myself since I am a farmer but it worked. I make most of the gifts I give for holidays. They’re usually tied into my farm in some way. There isn’t always an interest in or the time to make gifts though, so a backup plan is sometimes called for. And that’s when you can start feeling like you’ve hit the wall on ideas. It can be hard to find just the right gift no matter how many times you walk the mall or shop online. Here’s what I came up with while putting together this year’s gift list.

Preparing Farm Tools and Equipment For Winter Storage

Mon, 02 Oct 2006 04:00:04 -0600

It feels odd to be writing about preparing for winter since it’s now August, and sweat obscures my vision, and my fingers are sticking to the keyboard as I work. But those sensations are merely reminders of the conditions that our tools and equipment are exposed to in our service. Moisture, salt and other chemicals – both natural and synthetic – dirt, and physical exertion are as much experienced by the equipment we rely on as by ourselves.

Row Cover Technology

Mon, 04 Sep 2006 02:00:56 -0600

What Are Row Covers and Why Should I Use Them?

A row cover is a piece of cloth that growers use to cover plants for either frost, weather or insect protection. They come in many sizes, thickness' and materials. They usually come cut to fit a row or bed but there are also covers that can cover large expanses. They are laid on top of the plants or on hoops, anchored with rocks, staples or other material. They then can keep hail, frost or insects at bay.

Pickling - A Mystery of Nature!

Mon, 07 Aug 2006 03:00:32 -0600

How does knowledge come alive and evolve? We can only assume that wisdom and skill comes with a lot of trial and error, probably a few unlucky incidences, and definitely at least one lucky accident. Haven’t we all wondered who was brave enough to eat the first raw oyster? Who was the first to realize that meat was far safer and much tastier when cooked over a fire? And who, for goodness sake, was the first to learn how to pickle food? Perhaps it began with a stray cucumber, tossed and left to soak in a barrel of sea water and later found by a very hungry soul. Or it could have been some long ago Indian woman who began to notice how nature itself fermented and pickled grains and vegetables if left in the sun or in salty water.

Bloom With A View

Mon, 03 Jul 2006 03:00:23 -0600

We have all heard the phrase “curb appeal.” It is a popular trend today to create a home and garden that is appealing to the eye of those passing by – perhaps to those interested in buying your property, to neighbors who have wonderful gardens themselves, or to guests who find their way up your drive. While my husband and I love the idea, we like experiencing the flip side of that viewpoint. We like to enjoy our gardens and flowers, and also our vegetable plants, from within! It makes the planting, weeding, mulching and pruning efforts even more “worth it” to see your garden not only when you are outside, but also when you are in your home. Nothing pleases me more than walking past our large dining room window and seeing the huge vine of Confederate Jasmine in full bloom and swaying in the breeze. We purposely planted it to cling to a large Sweet Gum tree in our rear yard, just in sight of our dining room. For three to four weeks each spring, it is a tall column of fragrant beauty followed by a showering of petals that drift and fall, as if snowflakes were floating among the new green of Spring. What a show!

Succession Planting In The Backyard Garden

Mon, 05 Jun 2006 00:03:20 -0600

Succession planting makes the most of the space you have available in your garden. This is especially helpful in small backyard gardens where space is limited but it‘s useful for any size garden. Your goal is to not leave space unplanted. You’ll carefully plan your spring, summer and fall crops to match the expected seasonal temperatures and weather. Your ultimate goals are to increase the amount of food you grow in your garden and to never leave space unplanted.

Double Digging, The Gardener’s Workout

Mon, 01 May 2006 02:00:43 -0600

Ah, spring! The warmer temperatures and longer days will soon lead to…bikini season. Not what you expected me to say, was it! This is garden season, and there’s no time for the gym! Let me introduce you to the fabulous workout that will get you ready for both garden and bikini seasons. Double digging!

Lambing Basics

Mon, 03 Apr 2006 03:00:09 -0600

Lambing time on the farm is always exciting to me. I get to see how our breeding program is progressing and I get to enjoy a couple of months of watching “lamb races” before most of the lambs are shipped off.

I’ve learned over the years that there are several things that help lambing go more smoothly each time. There are many things to consider before your lambs actually hit the ground.