Seedlings are ready to transplant and It’s also a full Moon perfect timing!
My Tomato and Pepper Seedlings are ready now to transplant to bigger containers and wouldn’t you know it the April Full Moon! Pink Full Moon they call it, And no the moon won’t be pink . It was given that name by the native tribes because of the spring pink flowers that spread on the ground. Pretty cool huh!
I will say it pays to buy Heirloom seeds and non-GMO for this is the first time my seedlings have ever survived! Happy Camper here I might add.
I used a starting potting mix and potting cups and they look good this evening.
Hopefully in a couple weeks I can harden them off and get them ready to plant in garden! Have you planted your gardens yet? These above are Jalapeño peppers and Tomato plants both Heirloom plants.
I’m hoping for a good harvest this year with the new plant boxes and more energy(losing weight helped me there)! Plus I love gardening and planting new Perennials on my trails and small flower beds.
I plant mainlyPerennials because one they last longer and two I don’t have to replant every year! One of my favorites are Lavender and Echinacea (cone flower). Both of these plant are hardy in my area and so beautiful when in bloom not to mention they both have medicinal qualities also! I like to dry my Lavender and use the wonderful smelling buds for soap, lotions and sachets, the lotion is very relaxing just before bed ,heck I have even sprinkled some on our sheets and pillows at night! The cone flower I dry for tea especially during cold and flu season it’s a great Immune booster!
Cone Flower
Lavender
I planted some seedings of Heirloom seeds only a third came up and holding their own still small so time will tell.
What grows in your garden?
Experiment and have fun with Mother Nature and don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty!
1/3/4 c Flour ( here is where i changes it a bit; ( I used 1 cup organic coconut flour and 3/4 c of half wheat and half white).
1 c. sugar. ( I use Trivia) sweetener as an option
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1 c. milk
1/4 c Butter melted; (I use part coconut oil)
1 . egg beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup of Berries ( blueberries, cranberries, blackberries, etc.)
Grease muffin pan. Preheat oven to 375.
Stir together in large bowl the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
In another bowl stir together milk, butter, egg, and vanilla.
Add to the dry ingredients and stir until blended. Batter will be lumpy. Fold in your choice of berries. Fill muffin tins 3/4 full, sprinkle with a little sugar or not and bake for 20 Min or until done.
Thats it, easy fun and good for you!!
Another good baking day at “Marston’s Ranch” till next time!
Are you tired of the back aches, sore knees, or have physical limitations, But love to garden and grow your own produce; I know I’m ! Well here’s a suggestion for you and a few tips to help you out and give you something to think about this coming gardening season!
Raised Garden Boxes
I approached this topic as the plan for my own garden this year due to poor quality of and lack of soil here on the river. Our soil is mostly sand and very dry and hot no matter how much watering it seems was never enough and a lot of our plants either would not produce in quality or quantity ! So the plans soon is to make our own garden boxes and bring in new soil along with the added compost and such.
So the fastest way to get good deep fertile soil is to make the Raised Beds! They can yield up to four times more than the same amount of space as in planted rows and save you money and time! I’m all for that! Not to mention less back, knee and stress on the body!
The plants also grow closer together and crowd out the weeds therefore you spend less time and effort weeding plus it makes watering and harvesting efficient and easier.
Did you know that planting in a triangle will yield more? I didn’t, So we need to pay attention how we arrange the plants AND by doing this you can fit 10-14% more plants in each bed!! I’m for that! Just don’t plant them too close to each other.
Weight yield is more important than the number of plants per square foot. Sometimes it’s hard to remember or think ahead what it will grow into!
Small garden? No problem, Grow up! go vertical hence Tomatoes, Pole Beans, Melons, can all be supported by fences, cages, or stakes, plus it saves time by going up it provides more air to circulate which means less Fungal Diseases!
Some great ideas for growing vertical are becoming more popular especially small yards, apartments and also for just the great looks! You can hang a shoe organizer up from a rod and attach heavy hooks through top holes of shoe garment to hang on the rod and fill each pocket up to an inch with compost and plant herbs, lettuce, flowers and such, the water will seep through the canvas material. Also you can use pallet boards leaning up against the house or garage and pack with dirt to plant herbs . I have see large plumbingtubes with drilled holes in them and attached together in shapes where plants are grown in the large holes drilled into them. Check out Pinterest.com for some great resources and DIY ideas on vertical gardening.
Grow Vining crops along the sides of your beds, You could even place buckets or cement blocks along the sides of your boxes AND have extra plants! I think I’m going with the cement blocks, and add some marigolds in a few boxes also! Just use what you have or can find.
Another thing to think about before you plant in your cute boxes is to make sure you have compatible plants such as the “Three Sisters” Corn, beans, and squash. The corn stocks support the beans and the squash grows on the ground shading out the weeds! More compatibles include Tomatoes, basil and onions.
Use your transplants that already are a month or so old when you plant them and they will mature faster, plus the pride you have from seeding them yourself!
Remember no pressure treated wood is allowed to grow “Organic Food” If you want to meet these high standards choose a different wood material. The EPA recommends use naturally Rot-Resistant woods like Red Cedar, Black Locust or Red Wood. I don’t know about you, but I didn’t know this or thought about it!
Check out some local lumber yards for Raised Garden Kits also if your not into building.
Raised Beds can also be used on a cement patio if you don’t have the yard space or want it closer to your house; keep in mind your plants need sun at least 6 hours of sunlight a day to thrive, Also Remember to block up one end of your box a little to allow for drainage if you chose this option.
farmers almanac Another great source for planting, and when to plant by the moon forecast and more.
You may ask ok what kind of soil do I use? The best is Homemade soil blend of 50% Topsoil made of healthy loom, 50% compost which can be manure, animal manure or fish compost.
The best Premium soil is :
1/3. Peat Moss
1/3. Vermiculite
1/3. compost blend
I really like the idea of mulching the paths between the boxes it gives it a finished look and will keep the soil cooler, plus keep the weeds down! As you can see my Old Garden lacks any structure! Lay a landscape cloth on your path and cover with 2-3 inches of mulch or sawdust, Also when laying the fabric down allow it come up 1′ against the bottom board of box and staple it in place. The much will cover it.
One of the most important things to know is your plant zone which will tell you when you can plant according to each state. Here is a USA Zone Map to help you decide.
.USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, 2012. Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. Accessed from https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
Now that you know when to start planting, Think ahead and start your own seedlings!
If you really want to start your own plants from seeds I think thats great! And what better satisfaction than doing it all your self . Here are some Tid-Bits from the ( Good Ol Farmers Almanac ) I read and you might enjoy!
Try using some things you may have around the house instead of purchasing seedling trays such as, Toilet Paper roll, Cut four slits in one end and fold in edge and fill with compost and your seeds plus you can plant the container and all! It’s Biodegradable.
Ice Cream cones are also great to start seeds in as well as 1/2 of an egg shell and what about empty egg cartons the paper ones.
Do you live in the country or farm and bothered by deer eating in your garden? You should try this DIY Deer Repellent. Mix 3 Tab hot sauce, 3 Tab minced garlic and 3 raw eggs, blend all together in blender and add to 1 gal of water and pour into spray bottle to spray your plants with and respray after a rain. Insects are always a pest for gardeners and here is a few natural ideas without the chemicals! Try planting Basil near your windows or doorways to repel flies and mosquitos, Plant some Dill near your tomatoes to prevent tomato hook worms .( Oh speaking of that , Did you know a tomato hornworm (also known as a tobacco hornworm) is like a humming bird ! it grows into a type of humming bird moth!! yup you heard me they are brownish 2-2.5 inches with no beak just a long roll out tongue and sucks nectar from flowers just like a real hummingbird!! ) Go figure. That’s Sci-Fi for ya! THAT I read in the Farmers Almanac!!
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And what about those pesky weeds! Try your own homemade weed killer, Mix 5 Tab of dish washing soap per 1 quart of water and add to a spray bottle to spray the plants with, Oh an it works great on Aphids too! I use it every year!
Hopefully your plants are in the garden now or soon to be and you have all your garden tools, aprons, buckets or baskets to make things go smoothly and water nearby for your growing season! Stay tuned and in a few months it will be time to talk about how we preserve all your garden harvest.
Well this is just a little information I gained while researching the Raised Garden Beds of how and why I chose to go this route and sharing a little information on how to get started with your own seeds or seedlings with you.
Happy Gardening and stay green and dirty Gardners!
Well of course a salad! Always a salad, But what else? Well let out some chopped ham on it, some chopped tomatoes, broccoli and don’t forget a little cheese! I’ll use cheddar today.
But I still wanted something ! You ever get that way ? Just need to change it up a bit dress it up a little!
Well I found two English cucumbers in the fridge you know those big long baby’s almost as long as a billy club man!
Well I peeled and chopped those up then chopped some cherry tomatoes, baby carrots and for good measure I added some dried cranberries!! Little garlic powder, salt, course pepper, some Ranch dressing about 1/2 cup and Wolah!! A newly created “Cucumber Salad” And man was it good and just put a big dollop right on top my salad and it was the bomb!
So just use your imagination and think healthy for you never know what you’ll come up with!
ON THIS ICY WINTER STORM DAY I DECIDED I WOULD TAKE YOU WITH ME TO MY FOOD STORAGE CLOSET AND ARRANGE AND SHARE SOME OF MY TIPS AND IDEAS ON BASIC FOOD STORAGE. ENJOY!
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON FOOD STORAGE BASICS click on link below.
IN A LARGE NON METAL BOWL MIX YEAST AND WARM WATER AND ALLOW TO SIT FOR 10 MIN. ADD SUGAR, SALT, AND WHITE FLOUR. BEAT WITH WOODEN SPOON OR MIXER UNTIL SMOOTH. SET IN WARM PLACE UNTIL LIGHT AND BUBBLY.
MEANWHILE COMBINE HOT WATER WITH THE BROWN SUGAR, OIL; COOL TO LUKE WARM. ADD 1 BEATEN EGG AND ADD TO THE YEAST MIXTURE.
ADD WHEAT FLOUR AND MIX.
TURN OUT ON FLOURED SURFACE AND KNEAD, OR WITH BREAD DOUGH MIXER 4-7 MIN. DOUGH SHOULD BE ELASTIC.
COVER AND LET RISE TILL DOUBLE , ABOUT AN HOUR.
DIVIDE DOUGH INTO TWO GREASED LOAF PANS AND COVER AND LET RISE TILL DOUGH REACHES TOP OF PAN
A great chocolate cake ( not so healthy, But a family favorite)
2 sticks butter
2 c. Sugar
2 T cocoa
4 eggs. Well beaten
1-1/2 c. Flour
1 Tsp vanilla
1-1/2 c. Coconut
1-1/2 c nuts
1- 7 oz jar Marshmallow cream
cream together the butter, sugar and cocoa. Add well beaten eggs. Mix all with electric mixer. Add flour, vanilla, coconut, and nuts.
Put batter into greased cooking sheet with 4 inch sides or a jelly roll pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 min . Remove from oven and spread the jar of marshmallow cream on hot cake. Frost when cool!
Did you know? All whole-wheat bread is brown, but not all brown bead is whole wheat.
By Law, bread that is labeled “whole-wheat” must be made from 100 percent whole-wheat flour.
Bread labeled “wheat” bread need not be made from whole-wheat flour and is likely made from mostly white flour.
Theirs something for you to chew on!!
Whole-grain breads are important for dietary fiber. They also contain folate, magnesium and phosphorus in addition to the nutrients found in enriched white bread.
So what are whole Grains? Well whole grains are products that contain the Entire kernel, or all the kernel that is edible. Some examples are whole wheat, cracked wheat, oatmeal, whole cornmeal, popcorn, brown rice, whole rye, and scotch barley.
whole grain “doesn’t have to mean bread or cereal. It can be rice cakes, corn tortillas or taco shells,(yum), whole-wheat pasta, scotch barley in soups, or tabbouleh salad.
We should eat six-nine servings of grain a day! Unless your a Keto- Eatter!
Well theirs a little food for thought! Happy Grains to You!
Info /Resources: University of Illinois EXTENSION; family nutrition program
In large mixing bowl combine regular flour, yeast, cocoa powder and caraway seeds until blended well.
In a saucepan combine the water, molasses, butter, sugar and salt; heat until just warm and stir to melt butter. Add to dry mixture. Beat at low speed for 30 sec and then turn to higher speed and beat for 3 minutes more.
By hand, stir in enough rye flour to make a soft dough. Turn out onto floured surface and knead until smooth, adding more rye flour as needed, about 5 minutes. Cover and let stand 20 min.
Punch down dough and divide dough in half. Shape each half into a round loaf ; placed on greased baking sheets or 2 greased bread pans. Brush surface of bread with a little cooking oil. Slash tops of loaves with a sharp knife. Let rise until double, about 45-60 min.
Bake at 400 degrees or until bread looks done.
This bread is amazing! soft, and Great Taste with good fiber!
I found the recipe in “The Homestyle Amish Kitchen cookbook”
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