During the first two summers we lived here, we planted over 150 trees and shrubs of various types, all supposed to do well in this hardiness zone (5A). (See https://eclecticmusings.blog/2020/06/18/usda-hardiness-zones/ for explanation). Fourteen of them were eaten and killed by local antelope before we got our fence. Ouch! Several more were killed by the steers … Continue reading Baby Trees, Dirt, and a Revelation
Self-Reliance
My thoughts on my personal journey towards becoming less dependent on a fragile society.
You Built a Wala-what-i?!?
Imagine with me, if you will, a scene in Idaho, a beautiful mountain valley, part of the Snake River channel. It's the dead of winter. The snow is almost 4' deep on the ground. The river has been completely frozen over for more than a month because the daytime temperatures haven't made it above -10 … Continue reading You Built a Wala-what-i?!?
Nanoclay – The Liquid Turning Desert to Farmland
This looks promising! Reducing water needs nearly 50% is HUGE for attempts to grow crops on this bit of high desert. Time to look at my soil test results again and see just how much (little) clay there is in my soil and see if I can improvise on this myself. Nanoclay: the liquid turning … Continue reading Nanoclay – The Liquid Turning Desert to Farmland
GARDENING, WEATHER, CLIMATE & MICROCLIMATE
Few things can have a greater impact for good or ill on a garden than the weather, or, put in another word, climate. Planting and harvest dates, i.e. growing seasons, are quite different from one town to the next. The average length of the growing season in our two counties here is about 14 ½ … Continue reading GARDENING, WEATHER, CLIMATE & MICROCLIMATE
There Couldn’t Be Any Contention In The World…
if everyone had food like this. That was my cherished husband's comment as he ate dinner this evening. It was a simple dinner... an omelet made with eggs from our chickens, left over vegetables from our garden that I had cooked last night, herbs from the garden, and cheese plus fresh corn on the cob … Continue reading There Couldn’t Be Any Contention In The World…
FAST FOOD FROM YOUR GARDEN – 22 in a MONTH or LESS + 12
Okay, so a month doesn’t begin to compete with your local fast food restaurant. Still, most people think of raising vegetables as something that takes ALL SUMMER! But, that doesn’t need to be the case. There can be several excellent reasons for wanting to grow some speedy crops, ranging from an apartment dweller with very … Continue reading FAST FOOD FROM YOUR GARDEN – 22 in a MONTH or LESS + 12
USDA Hardiness Zones
What are the USDA zone designations and what do they mean to you as a gardener? The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone maps have been developed based on AVERAGE maximum cold temperatures in the winter to help people determine which plants have the best chance of surviving in their area. But, the Hardiness Zones are pretty … Continue reading USDA Hardiness Zones
The DIRT on DIRT
We walk on it. Children play in it. We hate it on our cars and collars. Sometimes we even make dirty jokes. But when it comes to growing flowers and vegetables, dirt is no joking matter! To a plant, dirt is much more than a place to put down roots so you don’t blow away … Continue reading The DIRT on DIRT
My Mother’s Gardening Secret
My mother was widely considered to always have the best garden for miles around, for as long as I can remember. When asked what her secret was, she would always tell people, “The secret is in the soil.” That’s all. Just, “The secret is in the soil.” Some would then ask her if she made … Continue reading My Mother’s Gardening Secret
Busy Days! And Seed Saving
It's spring! That means outdoor activity around here has sprung into high gear. The hyacinths and tulips have finished their bloom cycles. The strawberries, peaches, apricots, plums, and nectarines are blossoming. The onions that overwintered, as well as the freshly planted ones, are coming up strong and healthy and happy. The rhubarb that the chickens … Continue reading Busy Days! And Seed Saving
My Musings on Many Things 
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