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Monday, February 12, 2024

Sweet summer time blackberries!

 For the last several years here at our farm, I have reserved the month of July to pick and peddle blackberries.  These are a tame variety which the University of Arkansas developed several years ago.  They are acclimated to our climate and growing conditions.  We originally planted 150 plants across the road from where we built our house in 2012.  After about 3 years of they plants not getting any bigger than about 2 feet tall, we decided we needed to do something different.  The deer were keeping them munched down and they would never bloom.  I set to work digging as many as I could and replanted in our yard.  The deer don't bother them any more as we have dogs that stay in the yard.  To my knowledge, we've never had anything bothered by the deer.  It's well worth the bag of dog food every couple of weeks!  Since moving, they have done very well.  Some years better than others.  Last year, I picked and sold 100 quarts.  That's not counting what we used and what I gave away to neighbors and family.  This year, not quite 80 quarts.  They're not finished yet, but not enough for me to take and fill orders.  They're beginning to dry up as they normally do.  The vines have done their job and the berries will begin to dry on the vine.



The berries seemed to be a little smaller than in past years.  There were so many, I think that is perhaps why a bit smaller.  

Sooo....with so many berries...you sell and give as many as you can.  But, there are still more!  I've made wine, jelly, syrup and numerous desserts as well as eating as many as we can fresh and feeding them to Pearl and Ace, the horses, they love them too!








Monday, February 5, 2024

Seed starting!

 Wahoo!!  The seed catalogs have started rolling in and it's time to start thinking about the garden and growing delicious things and beautiful flowers!  They couldn't have come at a better time either.  We were having artic temps and it was miserable!  Zero degrees for us is very difficult and unpleasant.  I understand though that that is normal for some folks, but for us in Zone 6a, it is a difficulty.  Our blue ball waterers even froze which is a first for us.  Fortunately, we still had some water troughs and hoses that weren't frozen.  Twice a day, we would drag hoses out and fill the troughs.  Then, we would have to drag the hoses back into the shop to keep them from freezing.  We had to do that for about 4 days.  It took several days for the blue ball waterers to thaw as they are well insulated and it kept the frozen water frozen for a few extra days.  

     Now, we have been having glorious weather.  Warm and the sun has been shining!  I even started some pepper and tomato seeds in the sun room in a tote.  After a week, I've got peppers and some tomatos that have sprouted.  Let the growing begin!!





Don't hesitate to use what you have available.  I'm always recycling things and starting seedlings is a good time to do it!  I use a tote with individual seed containers in it.  I use a heating pad under it to give it the warmth it needs to get those seeds started.  Warmth is the key!


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This link is good for 15% off of your order.  I have ordered from them before and was pleased with their seeds.  Go get you some!


Sunday, January 14, 2024

Staying warm!

 Recently, I purchased something that has been a wonderful addition to the household.  We use down

 filled duvets on our beds after experiencing them in Finland.  They are marvelous on the bed in the

 winter time and make for marvelous sleeping.  However, they do not warm the bed before someone

 gets into it.  I discovered heated mattress pads and they are wonderful!  I searched and found one I

 thought would work and my oh my!  What a difference a little electric heat makes!  I sometimes suffer

 from lower back pain and it's like having a body length heating pad under my body!  



https://amzn.to/4aYHzVk
Warm Storm Heated Mattress Pad Queen, Electric Bed Warmer 10 Heat Settings 12 Hours Timed Off, Electric Mattress Pad Dual Control with 15" Deep Pocket...
Size:60 x 80 in

This is a wonderful heated mattress pad!  With this cold winter we're experienceing, you'll stay toast warm and be able to lower your thermostat and save money!