by Texas Homesteader ~
I needed a heat-free way to peel fresh garden tomatoes. I already knew that the standard way to peel a fresh garden tomato is to dip it in boiling for a few seconds until the skin splits, then plunge into an ice bath before peeling.
But a typical summer here in NE Texas involves much heat & humidity and I don’t want to add any of that to our home. What’s a southern gardener to do?
by Texas Homesteader
A sweet friend recently shared with me a pot of chocolate mint. Oh how I love mint and although most people say it can be an invasive plant I’ve planted various kinds & have never had it survive over a year. It’s not really a brown-thumb issue, it’s a “planted the house in the hole of plant-life death” issue. LOL I have trouble getting any plants, trees or shrubs to survive in our front or back yards. Must be something in the soil…
So I may plant this mint in a decorative pot on my porch instead, but the blasted heat of summer is here and RancherMan & I are about to leave town for a few days so I dare not plant it outside now. I can keep it in the house short term, but how will I keep it watered while we’re away? Check out this Homestead Hack for keeping plants watered.
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by Texas Homesteader ~
I have several planters on my front porch that greet our guests with beautiful lush growing plants. But the beauty you’re enjoying need not be just for the eyes.
Check out today’s Homestead Hack for dual-purpose plants.
by Texas Homesteader
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Gardening is a fun hobby, but c’mon there’s lots of work involved too. From planting seeds or tender seedlings to standing under that hot summer sun watering, weeding and harvesting.
Seeing that basket of fresh healthy produce is enough to make it all worthwhile of course. But oftentimes your harvest comes all at once as feast or famine. After putting in all of that tender loving care to your precious garden it’s important to make sure none of your hard works goes to waste.
For instance I harvested my onions when their growing time was up. But how to make sure a whole garden full of onions can be enjoyed instead of being sat aside deteriorating until they’re only compost worthy? You can bet your hat I won’t be letting my hard work go to waste!
by Texas Homesteader
One day I saw that our free-range hens had been in the planted beds scratching the mulch and in the process scratching & eating my plants. Gggrrrrr… Let’s see, what can I do to protect these seedlings as they grow?
Say it with me kids – use what you’ve got! Check out the Homestead Hack I used to successfully protect my seedlings from our free-range hens.
by Texas Homesteader ~
Don’t you just hate squash bugs? Me too. They gain their foothold early and decimate your squash plants in no time.
And squash bugs are notoriously difficult to control. The only sure way I know of is to remove all eggs and also both adult and nymph bugs by hand.
Today’s Homestead Hack is timely. Use what ya got!
by Texas Homesteader ~
Using a foot-long twig to mark the area where you planted seeds in your garden has two important benefits: Saving your seedling now and saving water later!
Do it now and your garden will benefit all season long. How? Check out this helpful Homestead Hack!
by Texas Homesteader ~
I was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years ago. There were many frightening aspects of going through that diagnosis and recovery. But I was surprised to find many blessings along the way as well!
Living & working on a cattle ranch means I certainty couldn’t do my ranching chores for awhile. And my strength was zapped so it was difficult to even do the simple things like cook and clean, and planting my beloved garden was out of the question.
But a group of friends surprised me by showing up at my door early one Saturday and planting my garden for me. Tears of joy and appreciation streamed down my face as I was touched by their kind gesture. I truly felt the embrace of God Himself that day.
D’ya hear that??? Felt the embrace of GOD. Now that’s a powerful feeling, my friends!
