Uncharted Heritage: Spring

Showing posts with label Spring. Show all posts

20180407

The Fruit Cocktail Tree

Angel Buff April 07, 2018 0 Comments

Adding fruit to our little homestead.

We would love to someday have a small orchard on our property. There are already a couple of large pear trees that need some care. We are working to figure out what we need to do to get them healthy and productive.

Thursday we bought a couple of blueberry bushes (we will talk about the blueberries another day) and we also purchased a "fruit cocktail tree."

What is a "fruit cocktail tree"?

It is a fruit tree that has had branches [typically from the same species] grafted onto it. Our tree has peaches, plums, apricots, and nectarines. However, one of the limbs (nectarine) seems to be dead. Only time will tell for sure. This was the only one available at our local nursery with four possible fruits, so we figured we would try.

Why did we choose a "fruit cocktail tree" to begin our orchard?

Well, why not? 😊 It will be pretty awesome and amazing to see different fruits growing on the same tree after all. But that is not the only reason.

Since we are on a tight budget, we were not sure if we will be able to purchase any other trees this spring. This tree gives a variety of fruit within the one tree. It seemed to be a good idea as a start to our orchard. I am very excited to see this tree grow and produce.

For more information on planting and pruning fruit trees, we referred to: Storey's Basic Country Skills: A Practical Guide to Self-Reliance and Back to Basics: A Complete Guide to Traditional Skills

20180323

Planning Planting

Angel Buff March 23, 2018 0 Comments

A couple of weeks ago I shared our tentative plan for companion planting in our garden. Now it is time to decide just where in our yard we will place each of these sections of vegetable combinations, and to make preparations to actually start planting.

Time for a little more research... I learned which plants can and cannot be started indoors (mostly obvious) and which plants do not want their root systems disturbed. I also learned ideal timing for planting each vegetable. (It is important to note that we live in USDA Hardiness Zone 7, so depending upon where you live, timing could be different for you.)

So far my journal has been extremely helpful to us. I am able to jot down notes quickly and scribble out plans, sit down for some research, keep it close by when we are outside working, and hopefully look back on it in the future-- to learn from what we have tried in the past.

At the moment we have taken our companion planting notes and configured it into four main garden areas in our yard. We are preparing the ground and will begin planting soon.

Alright, we got lots of work to do now...see you later...

20180312

Vegetable Garden Companion Planting - Our Tentative Plan

Angel Buff March 12, 2018 0 Comments

This year we are going to try companion planting. One of the benefits of companion planting is protection from pests and diseases when planting in the right combinations.

I have been studying the vegetable companion guide in Storey's Basic Country Skills (picture below), as well as various online resources.

To begin grouping the vegetables we want to plant, I got out all of our seed packs, sat down with them and began to pair items up following the chart, and removing items that were not preferred. Almost as if I was playing a card game. If I had an item that was not listed on the guide, I would check for references online.

After I used all my ~~cards~~ seed packs, I began to make lists of the combinations, adding items I didn't have a seed pack for, and also any special notes of things to consider when we begin planting.

We ended up with six garden groups (shown below). This is our basic (tentative) grouping plan.

I am excited to get started, and anxious to see how well our gardening and groupings work out this season.

Do you garden using the companion planting method?

This post is linked at Saturday Sparks @ Pieced Pastimes

20180220

Planning and Journaling

Angel Buff February 20, 2018 0 Comments

It is almost Spring and we are excited to be planning our garden.

I put together a gardening/homesteading journal - nothing fancy - just an old, unused notebook with pockets, folders, notebook paper [for notes] and blank pages [to draw out plans] - something easy to keep up with and something that doesn't matter if it gets a little dirty when used outside. It will be nice to have something to carry around and make notes with.

I believe the journal will be a great tool to keep track of what works well, as well as to make notes of our failures. Hopefully we can learn from our mistakes each year, make adjustments, and improve. I really wish this is something that we started a lot sooner.

Do you keep a gardening and/or homesteading journal/log?

Something that we are planning to change up this year is the location of our vegetable garden. Our previous location seemed ideal. We enjoyed the proximity of the garden to the house and the shed. It also was on a hill, but leveled. The garden, well, it just looked good there. So what is wrong with this location? Morning Glories! and Bindweeds! Pesky weeds that are disguised as innocent flowers. But these weeds grow quickly, are nearly impossible to get rid of, and they choke out the vegetables.

We spent a little time the other day examining the property for a new location to try this year. We have a few ideas, though nothing has been determined yet. Before we make a decision we are going to do a little research about what we are wanting to try growing this year - we are currently working on our list.

20130504

...the time of the singing of birds is come…

Angel Buff May 04, 2013 0 Comments

Every year, since the birth of our daughter in 2011, a ‘little birdie couple’ has built a nest above the screen door on our front porch. This year was no exception. And in the midst of all that is hectic, these birds are a nice distraction, a reminder to slow down and enjoy life in the moment. I do so enjoy watching the Mama and Daddy Birds as they build the nest and subsequently feed and care for their little ones. They work so hard all day long, rain or shine, selflessly caring for their little babies. And all too soon the little baby birds will leave their comfortable nest and make their appearance.

“The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come…” ~Song 2:12a (KJV)

20130219

Buds and Blooms...All Things New

Angel Buff February 19, 2013 0 Comments

The sun is shining again with its warmth, and the days are getting a little longer. The trees are budding, and, if you take the time to look around, you may just spot a blooming flower.

Spring isn’t here yet, but you can feel it near, with its new hopes. We are moving forward, we are making plans.

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. ~Rev. 21:5 (KJV)

Uncharted Heritage

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20180407

The Fruit Cocktail Tree

Adding fruit to our little homestead.

What is a "fruit cocktail tree"?

Why did we choose a "fruit cocktail tree" to begin our orchard?

20180323

Planning Planting

20180312

Vegetable Garden Companion Planting - Our Tentative Plan

20180220

Planning and Journaling

20130504

...the time of the singing of birds is come…

20130219

Buds and Blooms...All Things New

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