I'm thinking about planting a patch of barley. Before corn, the Europeans used barley for their animal feed. I have a scythe, know how to sharpen it, and will give it a go this year. Barley dreams!
We planted barley last year, and hull less oats too...but the wild turkeys flew in and plucked up every last seedling right as they germinated. They've never taken anything from the garden, but they sure loved those! No crop for us, so make sure you watch that one.
Ashley, you are a blessing to me! You are a wealth of information and I tap into it often. I made orange marmalade and 3-fruit marmalade this past week. I will be planning my garden and looking to buy turkeys. I have chickens and I finally found success in breeding them so I don't have to buy them. I wish I had started when I was younger. I always feel like I'm trying to catch up ... but all is good!
Nice! Turkeys were one of our favorite animals to keep, always so friendly and personable. When we left the door open on a cool summer day, they walked right in and took up residence in the living room. They weren't skiddish at all, so I couldn't even shoo them out...I had to pick them up one by one and take them outside. Those little guys would come up and crawl into my lap when I was weeding out in the yard, no treats required, just wanted head scritches. I love Turkeys!
This is the time of year when I debate with myself endlessly about if I should try to use up all the seeds saved from before last year, order new varieties, or buy lots of starts of familiar things from the local organic farm. It always ends up being some combination of these, but this time of year I'm always back and forth about which crops to focus on. Always an adventure.
As always, a plethera of information..I was wondering when I should start seeds and what kind to buy. I read "somewhere" about not using seeds past the year you got them...but proof is in the pudding if you're using your leftover seeds every year. thanks Ashley!
Some seeds only last one year (onions, parsnips, and others) and just aren't viable past that. If we have extra seed of those, we actually just broadcast seed it in the fall of the year we got it, knowing it's useless come the next spring. Fall planted parsnips/onions actually do decently well.
Others are good for 2-3 years, like melons/cucumber/etc.
And some will last decades with good storage, like tomatoes, corn, beans. It really just depends on the type. I should actually put together an article on that...it's not obvious, and it's hard to find information.
Oh my goodness! So many helpful things to read about! As an aside, the picture of the seed catalogs would look wonderful, framed and in a "planty" spot. You are the BEST!
Freezer stratification will work but you have to allow periods of thaw. I don't do freezer stratification any more as I can never remember to take out the seeds. I just put the bag in the garage and it works pretty well.
Thanks for the Earthbeat link! Mostly we buy medicinal from Richo Cech over at Strictlymedicinalseeds.com. Nice to find a little company this side of the country!
Ha! I'm the queen of type-os! Thanks for catching that, I fixed it (though it doesn't change the email already in you inbox, at least it fixes it on substack).
I'm thinking about planting a patch of barley. Before corn, the Europeans used barley for their animal feed. I have a scythe, know how to sharpen it, and will give it a go this year. Barley dreams!
We planted barley last year, and hull less oats too...but the wild turkeys flew in and plucked up every last seedling right as they germinated. They've never taken anything from the garden, but they sure loved those! No crop for us, so make sure you watch that one.
Have scythe, will grow barley! I love it.
Scything is a great core exercise too!
Ashley, you are a blessing to me! You are a wealth of information and I tap into it often. I made orange marmalade and 3-fruit marmalade this past week. I will be planning my garden and looking to buy turkeys. I have chickens and I finally found success in breeding them so I don't have to buy them. I wish I had started when I was younger. I always feel like I'm trying to catch up ... but all is good!
Nice! Turkeys were one of our favorite animals to keep, always so friendly and personable. When we left the door open on a cool summer day, they walked right in and took up residence in the living room. They weren't skiddish at all, so I couldn't even shoo them out...I had to pick them up one by one and take them outside. Those little guys would come up and crawl into my lap when I was weeding out in the yard, no treats required, just wanted head scritches. I love Turkeys!
I love this story!
Same thing I said in my email: Thank you for the absolute WEALTH of information. You're the best!
Thank you Marcela!
This is the time of year when I debate with myself endlessly about if I should try to use up all the seeds saved from before last year, order new varieties, or buy lots of starts of familiar things from the local organic farm. It always ends up being some combination of these, but this time of year I'm always back and forth about which crops to focus on. Always an adventure.
It's tricky, some things keep year to year really well...others not so much! We're always playing the same game =)
As always, a plethera of information..I was wondering when I should start seeds and what kind to buy. I read "somewhere" about not using seeds past the year you got them...but proof is in the pudding if you're using your leftover seeds every year. thanks Ashley!
Some seeds only last one year (onions, parsnips, and others) and just aren't viable past that. If we have extra seed of those, we actually just broadcast seed it in the fall of the year we got it, knowing it's useless come the next spring. Fall planted parsnips/onions actually do decently well.
Others are good for 2-3 years, like melons/cucumber/etc.
And some will last decades with good storage, like tomatoes, corn, beans. It really just depends on the type. I should actually put together an article on that...it's not obvious, and it's hard to find information.
Oh my goodness! So many helpful things to read about! As an aside, the picture of the seed catalogs would look wonderful, framed and in a "planty" spot. You are the BEST!
That is kinda artsy, isn't it =)
Honestly! I would frame that!
another well done atta girl for you .
Thank you Joe!
Cold stratification is not done in the freezer
Freezer stratification will work but you have to allow periods of thaw. I don't do freezer stratification any more as I can never remember to take out the seeds. I just put the bag in the garage and it works pretty well.
What are the best asparagus for California and where can I order them. Thanks
Thanks for the Earthbeat link! Mostly we buy medicinal from Richo Cech over at Strictlymedicinalseeds.com. Nice to find a little company this side of the country!
Yesterday with the day off for MLK, I made spiced honeys: chai, turmeric, and a savory one with garlic and herbs to mix into tomato sauce.
Darn! I planted a patch last year but didn't harvest one plant. We do have turkeys and they're looking pretty tasty right now.
Ha! I'm the queen of type-os! Thanks for catching that, I fixed it (though it doesn't change the email already in you inbox, at least it fixes it on substack).