Hi Ashley. I have two questions. First, have you ever tried making your own sunflower oil or nut oil? I recently watched a video online where a gentleman used a Oil Press Machine from Vevor to make his own sunflower oil. I understand how the machine works but was wondering if it would be worth it. What could you do with sunflower or nut oil that you couldn't do with Lard, tallow, etc.? And what would the shelf life be for homemade sunflower/nut oil? Could you seal it in a jar like you do with lard?
My second question has to do with Pyrethrum, Dalmatian (Pyrethrum cinerariaefolium. This plant is used in natural insecticides to help with squash beetles. Last year all my squash plants were killed by squash beetles so I reached out to Jackie Clay, from Backwoods Home, and she told me to get a specific all natural insecticide. I did and plan to use it this year but I also bought seeds of the Pyrethrum plant and plan to plant it throughout the space where I plan to grow my squash. Do you think this will work or will the plant need to be ground and possibly made into a liquid for it to be effective. Do you have issues with growing squash and if yes, how have you dealt with it.
If you had to start all over, how would you lay out your garden? How would you plan what to grow, how many plants to grow, and where to put them in the garden? How would you choose how much to grow if you were just starting out verses running a sustainable homestead? I’m just starting my first in ground garden after doing some small raised beds last year and I’m trying to plant enough but not bite off too much.
Ashley, ok, I'll ask. Last year I tried growing strawberries. Mind you, I know nothing about growing them. Bought some "ever bearing" plants. Wow, that was disappointing. I live right on the edge of zone 6, just below zone 5. Any articles, recommendations would be great.
Reading this made me shiver. So far my small garden (2nd year gardener) is showing beets, spinach, mint, celery, bok choy, & eggplant. And tomato seedlings are just beginning . if I am not mistaken… I think I have a raspberry tree! I thought I killed it last year, and used it as compost in one of my containers lol! Oh wouldn’t that be so lovely??!
I have a question you might be able to help me with. Sweet Potatoes.
For months, I had these beautiful long vines coming from the container where i put a couple sweet potatoes ends with long white stringy roots. When the vines froze In January, they died, but there was only one sweet potato. Am I supposed to to cut the vine and put it in water to develop roots, or get the root from the sweet potatoes? Any answer will fill in the many gaps I have trying to comprehend growing sweet potatoes. Thank you for all you do! I appreciate you.
It is the time of year when all my evergreens are putting out their new fresh, tender shoots. So this is what I want to gather for Pineneedle tea. Can I dry these shoots and enjoy this tea All year? Or is Pineneedle tea always best fresh cut?
They produced very slightly and what they produced were tiny strawberries at best. I had them in a grow tower in, what I believed, was good soil. Eventually they died... I believe due to the heat. Last summer was pretty hot for this area. The fertilizer I used was a 3-10-5 mix. I treated them at the beginning of the season and again when they started producing those small strawberries.
Hi Ashley. I have two questions. First, have you ever tried making your own sunflower oil or nut oil? I recently watched a video online where a gentleman used a Oil Press Machine from Vevor to make his own sunflower oil. I understand how the machine works but was wondering if it would be worth it. What could you do with sunflower or nut oil that you couldn't do with Lard, tallow, etc.? And what would the shelf life be for homemade sunflower/nut oil? Could you seal it in a jar like you do with lard?
My second question has to do with Pyrethrum, Dalmatian (Pyrethrum cinerariaefolium. This plant is used in natural insecticides to help with squash beetles. Last year all my squash plants were killed by squash beetles so I reached out to Jackie Clay, from Backwoods Home, and she told me to get a specific all natural insecticide. I did and plan to use it this year but I also bought seeds of the Pyrethrum plant and plan to plant it throughout the space where I plan to grow my squash. Do you think this will work or will the plant need to be ground and possibly made into a liquid for it to be effective. Do you have issues with growing squash and if yes, how have you dealt with it.
If you had to start all over, how would you lay out your garden? How would you plan what to grow, how many plants to grow, and where to put them in the garden? How would you choose how much to grow if you were just starting out verses running a sustainable homestead? I’m just starting my first in ground garden after doing some small raised beds last year and I’m trying to plant enough but not bite off too much.
I think your tractor is just like ours . My husband loves that thing. What do you use it for, and do you find anything lacking for what you need?
Ashley, ok, I'll ask. Last year I tried growing strawberries. Mind you, I know nothing about growing them. Bought some "ever bearing" plants. Wow, that was disappointing. I live right on the edge of zone 6, just below zone 5. Any articles, recommendations would be great.
Reading this made me shiver. So far my small garden (2nd year gardener) is showing beets, spinach, mint, celery, bok choy, & eggplant. And tomato seedlings are just beginning . if I am not mistaken… I think I have a raspberry tree! I thought I killed it last year, and used it as compost in one of my containers lol! Oh wouldn’t that be so lovely??!
I have a question you might be able to help me with. Sweet Potatoes.
For months, I had these beautiful long vines coming from the container where i put a couple sweet potatoes ends with long white stringy roots. When the vines froze In January, they died, but there was only one sweet potato. Am I supposed to to cut the vine and put it in water to develop roots, or get the root from the sweet potatoes? Any answer will fill in the many gaps I have trying to comprehend growing sweet potatoes. Thank you for all you do! I appreciate you.
Hi Ashley,
It is the time of year when all my evergreens are putting out their new fresh, tender shoots. So this is what I want to gather for Pineneedle tea. Can I dry these shoots and enjoy this tea All year? Or is Pineneedle tea always best fresh cut?
Hi,
I remember that you sent something about buying books online through you. I can't find the email. How does the process work?
Thanks!
Gail
They produced very slightly and what they produced were tiny strawberries at best. I had them in a grow tower in, what I believed, was good soil. Eventually they died... I believe due to the heat. Last summer was pretty hot for this area. The fertilizer I used was a 3-10-5 mix. I treated them at the beginning of the season and again when they started producing those small strawberries.