So sweet and yummy! What do you do with all these berries? Make jam, of course! Once you taste your own fresh strawberry jam, you'll never buy store-bought jam again! And, if you've never canned anything in your life, this is a good place to start. It takes about a half hour or so and … Continue reading The Strawberries are Here!
The Animal Whisperer: The Bunnies are Here!
I've been planning to get rabbits to fertilize my garden, but as busy as we are, there has been no time to plan, and even less time to build a rabbit hutch. I've learned after many years of marriage, planning doesn't work very well around here anyway. I've learned just do it now and we'll … Continue reading The Animal Whisperer: The Bunnies are Here!
Grapevine Support
One of the things we love most around here is homemade jelly/jam/preserves. Strawberry is number 1, but our next fav is a toss-up between blackberry and grape. Concord Seedless Grapes are the perfect thing to grow for jelly. We bought six grapevines from Willis Orchards and they sent us seven, so we're going to have … Continue reading Grapevine Support
Planning the Orchard (Plan B)
Look what I bought!! 1 - 4' Fuji Apple Tree 1 - 4' Golden Delicious Apple Tree 1 - 4' Gala Apple Tree 1 - 3' Compact Stella Cherry Tree 2 - 4' American Crabapple Tree 1 - 4' Persian Mulberry Tree 2 - 4' Belle of Georgia Peach Tree 2 - 4' Bartlett Pear … Continue reading Planning the Orchard (Plan B)
Losses on the Farm: Hawks and Lepto
We’ve suffered a major loss on the farm due to hawks and lepto. I’m sure you know hawks like to grab little ones such as chickens and bunnies, but perhaps you don’t know what lepto is. Short for leptospirosis, it is a nasty and often fatal bacteria that comes from the urine of cattle and … Continue reading Losses on the Farm: Hawks and Lepto
Labor on Labor Day – or – Fencing Sucks
The most important thing you can do on your homestead to protect your livestock is install some good fencing! And, this not only goes for goats and horses, it's for all of the animals in your charge. Sadly, our new farm has zero fencing, and I can speak for everyone involved when i say, "Fencing … Continue reading Labor on Labor Day – or – Fencing Sucks
Tales from the Animal Whisperer: Earl the Rooster
I have hens - no rooster. We lived in a place with neighbors, and I didn't think they'd appreciate a rooster, but now that we have the farm, I kept my eyes open for the last two months for a chance to re-home an unwanted rooster. You know, people get a bunch of chicks every … Continue reading Tales from the Animal Whisperer: Earl the Rooster
Tales from the Animal Whisperer: Barn Swallows & Pigs
Barn Swallows nesting on the porch and, oh, btw, I bought a pig.
New Homestead Dos and Don’ts
I bought some land to set up a country homestead. Now what?
The Best Words of Advice (so far)
New homesteader? Dos and Don'ts.
Trace Creek Acres 