Week of 04/29/18
Cut chickweed in summer garden and feed to chickens, add rain barrels to house and sheds, transplant herbs, sow beet and carrot seeds.
Cut chickweed in summer garden and feed to chickens, add rain barrels to house and sheds, transplant herbs, sow beet and carrot seeds.
Week of 10/29/17
Harvest roses and marigolds for winter products, transplant outdoor flowers to greenhouse growing tubs for fall production, garden and greenhouse for cold weather, clean & spruce up chicken coops.
Harvest roses and marigolds for winter products, transplant outdoor flowers to greenhouse growing tubs for fall production, garden and greenhouse for cold weather, clean & spruce up chicken coops.
Week of 09/10/17
Clip roses and make rose jam, transplant mustard and kale seedlings, work on winter hoop houses, put lavender infused oil to use in lotion recipe.
Clip roses and make rose jam, transplant mustard and kale seedlings, work on winter hoop houses, put lavender infused oil to use in lotion recipe.
Week of 08/13/17
Sow late green beans, transplant fall tomato seedlings in greenhouse, begin incubating eggs, prune blackberry brambles.
Sow late green beans, transplant fall tomato seedlings in greenhouse, begin incubating eggs, prune blackberry brambles.
Week of 08/06/17
Fertilize tomato plants, harvest zinnias and basil varieties for teas, dry and infuse herbs in greenhouse, sow fall calendula seeds.
Fertilize tomato plants, harvest zinnias and basil varieties for teas, dry and infuse herbs in greenhouse, sow fall calendula seeds.
Week of 07/09/17
Add compost to squash, sow pole beans, pick blackberries, braid onions to hang in cellar.
Add compost to squash, sow pole beans, pick blackberries, braid onions to hang in cellar.
Week of 06/11/17
Transplant pumpkin seedlings to garden, weed and lay straw mulch in garden beds, plant out late tomato plants, harvest roses and marigolds for products.
Transplant pumpkin seedlings to garden, weed and lay straw mulch in garden beds, plant out late tomato plants, harvest roses and marigolds for products.
Week of 05/28/17
Move meat birds to chicken tractor, plant potatoes in coldframes, sow spinach and lettuce in shady garden spots, add compost to greenhouse tomato plants.
Move meat birds to chicken tractor, plant potatoes in coldframes, sow spinach and lettuce in shady garden spots, add compost to greenhouse tomato plants.
Week of 05/14/17
Weed and mulch garden, plant mid-season potatoes, finish planting perennial shrubs.
Weed and mulch garden, plant mid-season potatoes, finish planting perennial shrubs.
Week of 05/07/17
Move meatbirds to chicken tractor, sow more zinnias and sweet corn, mulch tomato plants in garden.
Move meatbirds to chicken tractor, sow more zinnias and sweet corn, mulch tomato plants in garden.
Week of 04/30/17
Plant tomato seedlings in garden, add straw around strawberry plants, sow cucumber seeds in cold frames, transplant borage seedlings to rightful spots.
Plant tomato seedlings in garden, add straw around strawberry plants, sow cucumber seeds in cold frames, transplant borage seedlings to rightful spots.
Week of 04/16/17
Sow calendula and zinnia seeds, move citrus tree pots outside, regroup and organize chickens for spring, sow more peas and potatoes.
Sow calendula and zinnia seeds, move citrus tree pots outside, regroup and organize chickens for spring, sow more peas and potatoes.
Week of 04/02/17
Sow peas and lettuce together in garden, sow early beans in raised bed, transplant strawberry plants to inside fenced garden.
Sow peas and lettuce together in garden, sow early beans in raised bed, transplant strawberry plants to inside fenced garden.
Week of 03/19/17
Till lower garden, plant out early veggies in raised beds, sow warm weather seeds in greenhouse, pick up meat birds from hatchery.
Till lower garden, plant out early veggies in raised beds, sow warm weather seeds in greenhouse, pick up meat birds from hatchery.
Week of 03/12/17
Plant onions and potatoes in raised beds, prune rose bushes, stake raspberry & dew berry vines.
Plant onions and potatoes in raised beds, prune rose bushes, stake raspberry & dew berry vines.
Week of 03/05/17
Move chicks to outdoor pens, set more eggs in incubator, transplant greenhouse seedlings to larger pots, prep gardens for spring planting.
Move chicks to outdoor pens, set more eggs in incubator, transplant greenhouse seedlings to larger pots, prep gardens for spring planting.
Garden Hints...
The winter landscape may seem blah, but despite appearances there is still some gardening to do. Newly planted plants and shrubs still need some care even though dormant because beneath the surface, roots are still growing. Give them about an inch of water a week throughout the colder months if no rain or snow is blanketing the ground. Come springtime when the garden awakens from slumber, you'll be rewarded with happy healthy plants bursting forth from the unthawing earth!
January 14, 2016 11-6pm
New Year Trade Show
Capital Mall Commons
Jefferson City, Mo
03/26/18
Zucchini to hoophouses, Visalia onion starts, sow radish and carrot seeds in coldframes, finish pruning roses and fruit trees
Week of 02/26/17
Sow tomato seeds in greenhouse, plant onion sets in raised garden beds, mulch garlic to control weeds, put up picket fence in workshop yard.
02/05/17 prune brambles and move gooseberry bushes, prep coldframes for late winter showings, mend raised bed garden fence.
01/08/17 Harvest Mache greens from field garden & transplant some to greenhouse, clean & organize toolshed, add coop muck to asparagus bed.
Zucchini to hoophouses, Visalia onion starts, sow radish and carrot seeds in coldframes, finish pruning roses and fruit trees
Week of 02/26/17
Sow tomato seeds in greenhouse, plant onion sets in raised garden beds, mulch garlic to control weeds, put up picket fence in workshop yard.
02/05/17 prune brambles and move gooseberry bushes, prep coldframes for late winter showings, mend raised bed garden fence.
01/08/17 Harvest Mache greens from field garden & transplant some to greenhouse, clean & organize toolshed, add coop muck to asparagus bed.
01/01/17 Move laying hens and roosters into greenhouse for winter, mend garden fence, transplant gooseberry bushes to new spot while they're still dormant.
12/25/16 Dig sweet potatoes in cold frames and plant garlic bulbs in their place, move chicks to outdoor brooder coop, cut back rose bushes and harvest remaining rosehips.
12/18/16 Sow winter kale and spinach in greenhouse, move fibro flock into greenhouse for winter breeding, incubate Olive Egger chicken eggs.
Fall is for planting! Now is the time to get spring-blooming bulbs in the ground, shrubs and trees snugly situated in their spots, and perennial plants permanently placed. The cooler temperatures of fall along with the return of regular rain make for an ideal planting season. Get everything situated in the landscape before the ground freezes, and then let them settle in over the winter. By the time spring hits, they'll be all rested and ready to perform. And you won't have to do a thing but enjoy them!
12/04/16 Harvest rosehips for teas, clean chicken coops and prep brooder box for new chicks, set fibro chicken eggs in the incubator.
Harvest mustard greens for new tea blend, organize greenhouse and shed, groom greenhouse tomato plants.
11/13/16 Gather roses and marigolds for jam, plant late garlic bulbs, move potted plants to greenhouse for the winter.
11/6/16Plant tulip bulbs beneath pear tree, clean & prep greenhouse for winter gardening, set fibro chicken eggs to hatch in incubator.
Week of 10/23/16
Plant garlic bulbs and shallots, sow late kale, take cuttings of tomato plants for spring planting
Plant garlic bulbs and shallots, sow late kale, take cuttings of tomato plants for spring planting
Begin fall garden clean-up, plant spring-blooming bulbs, gather herbs and flowers for drying before first frost hits
Week of 10/02/16
Plant lavender seedlings, sow winter spinach, harvest gourds & pumpkins, gather & store dried beans & black-eyed peas for winter soups .
Plant lavender seedlings, sow winter spinach, harvest gourds & pumpkins, gather & store dried beans & black-eyed peas for winter soups .
As summer flows into fall, flower beds can start to look a little peaked. It's easy to perk them up by cutting back tired, overgrown annuals and popping in a few colorful cool-weather plants. Mums, ornamental or edible cabbages and kales quickly add a bit of seasonal flair and keep landscapes looking great well into cold weather!
Week of 09/18/16
Make Spiced Pear Butter and Elderberry Syrup, prep chicken coops for fall, sow winter greens for chickens
Week of 09/11/16
Harvest basil and marigold, sow winter kale, cut back zinnias, pick fall pears
Week of 09-04-16
Pick fall green beans and Brussels Sprouts, sow red lettuce, work on new products for fall festivals.
Pick fall green beans and Brussels Sprouts, sow red lettuce, work on new products for fall festivals.
Week of 08/28/16
Prep greenhouse for fall plants, continue harvesting herbs and flowers, re-organize chickens and coops
Prep greenhouse for fall plants, continue harvesting herbs and flowers, re-organize chickens and coops
As I harvest the spring vegetables in the garden, I am often left with bare spaces in the beds. I like to fill these spaces by sowing green beans. Beans sprout and mature quickly, and I'm able to harvest from the plants well before the frost hits in the fall. It's a great (and tasty)way to make the most of my garden space!
Week of 08/21/16
Plant cole crop seedlings in fall garden, sow late scarlet kale for us & forage kale for chickens, harvest blue basil and for tea, plant coldframes with winter veggies.
Plant cole crop seedlings in fall garden, sow late scarlet kale for us & forage kale for chickens, harvest blue basil and for tea, plant coldframes with winter veggies.
Week of 08/14/16
Make elderberry syrup and spiced pear butter, prune annual flowers for fall blooms, pick & freeze tomatoes for winter canning
Make elderberry syrup and spiced pear butter, prune annual flowers for fall blooms, pick & freeze tomatoes for winter canning
Week of 08/07/16
Harvest and dry herbs, stake green-eyed pea vines, harvest pears and elderberries
Harvest and dry herbs, stake green-eyed pea vines, harvest pears and elderberries
Week of 07/31/16
Sow cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower in greenhouse, and beans, zucchini, spinach, kale in garden for fall harvest.
Sow cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower in greenhouse, and beans, zucchini, spinach, kale in garden for fall harvest.
Week of 07/10/16
Harvest and dry Bachelor Button flowers, pick green beans, take meatbirds to butcher
Harvest and dry Bachelor Button flowers, pick green beans, take meatbirds to butcher
Week of 07-03-16
Weed gardens, harvest chamomile and calendula, plant lemongrass seedlings
Weed gardens, harvest chamomile and calendula, plant lemongrass seedlings
Week of 06-27-16
Dig potatoes; sow more kale, cilantro & dill, finish planting pumpkins for fall harvest
Dig potatoes; sow more kale, cilantro & dill, finish planting pumpkins for fall harvest
Many veggies and herbs grow great in containers, and look good on a sunny patio or other outdoor space. Here's one of my favorite combinations: a patio tomato, an Italian basil, and a sweet bell pepper. I plant this group in an old wash tub near the porch because I use them all the time. When I need a tomato or a pepper or a bit of basil quickly, having them nearby saves me a trip to the garden. I don't even have to leave my front porch!
Week of 06/19/16
Prune blackberry brambles and begin harvesting ripe berries, plant late watermelons by the pond, sow summer beans and cucumbers, harvest garlic and shallots
Prune blackberry brambles and begin harvesting ripe berries, plant late watermelons by the pond, sow summer beans and cucumbers, harvest garlic and shallots
Move small chicken tractor between fruit trees and let chicken trio scratch up the weeds, continue mulching garden paths, harvest lavender and rose petals for scrubs and soaps, plant pumpkins and gourds.
Week of 05/29/16
Mulch rows and paths in lower garden, separate rare breed chickens, harvest broccoli and peas from spring garden, plant sunflowers in kale patch for summer shade
Mulch rows and paths in lower garden, separate rare breed chickens, harvest broccoli and peas from spring garden, plant sunflowers in kale patch for summer shade
Week of 05/22/16
Plant pole beans and pumpkins in sweet corn patch, move meatbirds to chicken tractor, sow French marigolds everywhere.
Plant pole beans and pumpkins in sweet corn patch, move meatbirds to chicken tractor, sow French marigolds everywhere.
Week of 05-15-16
Mulch garden paths; harvest asparagus, green onions, greenhouse tomatoes for market; stake grapevines; pick strawberries in greenhouse; plant sweet corn in lower garden and watermelon seedlings by pond.
Mulch garden paths; harvest asparagus, green onions, greenhouse tomatoes for market; stake grapevines; pick strawberries in greenhouse; plant sweet corn in lower garden and watermelon seedlings by pond.
5-8-16
Mulch garden rows, sow another patch of cilantro in garden, sow dill near cabbage and nasturtiums near squash as pest repellants, move meatbird chickens to larger area.
Mulch garden rows, sow another patch of cilantro in garden, sow dill near cabbage and nasturtiums near squash as pest repellants, move meatbird chickens to larger area.
I usually wait until at least May 1st to plant the warm season crops in the garden. Tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, and green beans like nice warm weather and do best if planted sometime around Mother's Day. They'll survive if set out earlier, but they won't do much but shiver until the soil warms up!
Week of 05/01/16
Plant tomato, basil, and zucchini seedlings in garden, sow marigolds and zinnias outdoors, plant cucumber and watermelon seedlings in coldframe boxes.
Plant tomato, basil, and zucchini seedlings in garden, sow marigolds and zinnias outdoors, plant cucumber and watermelon seedlings in coldframe boxes.
Week of 04/24/16
Spring clean and organize chicken coops, finish planting early crops, sow sunflowers and okra in garden, weed asparagus bed
Spring clean and organize chicken coops, finish planting early crops, sow sunflowers and okra in garden, weed asparagus bed
Prune and trim spring flowering shrubs immediately after blooming ceases. They start the process for next year's blooms as soon as they finish this year's, so don't wait to trim. Otherwise you may stunt or stop them from putting on their show next spring...and that would be tragic!
Week of 04/17/16
Plant purple potatoes, move chicks to chicken tractor, begin harvesting asparagus, clean & organize workshop
Plant purple potatoes, move chicks to chicken tractor, begin harvesting asparagus, clean & organize workshop
Week of 04/10/16
Plant out tomato seedlings, sow marigolds & zinnias, weed garden boxes, plant window flower boxes
Plant out tomato seedlings, sow marigolds & zinnias, weed garden boxes, plant window flower boxes
Carrots are a fun and nutritious vegetable to grow, but they aren't always easy. Thankfully, there's a trick to growing them in our clay-based, stony, Ozark soil. Since carrots love deep, fertile soil, it's best to plant them in pots or, like I do, old wash tubs. I fill the tubs with potting soil, toss the seeds on top, and sprinkle them with water. As the seedlings sprout up, I thin them so there's an inch between each one. I toss those thinnings into my early spring salads, and let the rest grow to their heart's content. With regular water and adequate sunlight, they'll develop into nice straight roots that look and taste great!
Week of 04/03/16
Condense breeding chickens to same pen, continue sowing greens in garden, sow calendula in raised beds, groom blackberry brambles and grapevines
Condense breeding chickens to same pen, continue sowing greens in garden, sow calendula in raised beds, groom blackberry brambles and grapevines
Week of 03/20/16
Transplant greenhouse seedlings to larger pots, till lower garden, sow calendula seeds, stake peony plants
Transplant greenhouse seedlings to larger pots, till lower garden, sow calendula seeds, stake peony plants
I hope you got your garden ready for planting, because it's time to sow! Most early, cool weather crops can be sowed in the garden beds right now. This includes all the leafy greens you've been craving, the peas and radishes, even potatoes would probably be okay. Just remember, it may be a little while before anything starts sprouting up, but once it does it will have been worth the wait!
Week of 03/13/16
Move chicks to outdoor pen, sow zucchini & cucumbers in coldframes, plant onions & more peas.
Move chicks to outdoor pen, sow zucchini & cucumbers in coldframes, plant onions & more peas.
Week of 02/28/16
Incubate Cayuga duck eggs, separate breeds of chickens, plant potatoes and sow kale in garden beds, continue sowing spring seeds in greenhouse
Incubate Cayuga duck eggs, separate breeds of chickens, plant potatoes and sow kale in garden beds, continue sowing spring seeds in greenhouse
Spring is just around the corner, and that means it's time to start planning our gardens. Take advantage of the final days of winter by browsing seed catalogs, plant books, and garden websites to gain inspiration. Place catalog orders soon, because in a few weeks, the weather will warm and it will be time to step out into the garden and start sowing! feb 2016
Week of 02/21/16
Place seed & plant order, sow spring spinach & kale, move chicks to brooder box, repair chicken tractor
Place seed & plant order, sow spring spinach & kale, move chicks to brooder box, repair chicken tractor
Week of February 14, 2016
Cut and stack firewood, continue clearing fencelines, clean and organize greenhouse for late winter sowings
Cut and stack firewood, continue clearing fencelines, clean and organize greenhouse for late winter sowings
Hints: 2/12/16 Back in the old days, homesteaders got their gardens started early--early February, to be exact. They'd just sprinkle seeds of salad greens over the garden bed, even if it was covered in snow, and wait for them to grow! These days, we can do the same with lettuce, spinach, kale, or any other cool weather-loving greens. As the weather warms up, our seeds will sprout up, and our gardens will be off to a nice early start. We'll be just like our ancestors...minus the cell phones and internet!
Week of 02/07/16
Lay straw on coop floor for insulation, begin incubating eggs, organize workshop
Week of 02/07/16
Lay straw on coop floor for insulation, begin incubating eggs, organize workshop
Week of 01/10/16
Add straw to nestboxes, continue mending fences, mulch perennials for winter protection, research growing ginger and turmeric
Add straw to nestboxes, continue mending fences, mulch perennials for winter protection, research growing ginger and turmeric
