Garden rewards

Although I have taken on a full time job...........which I love...............and by the end of my shift I have found myself exhausted at times...............

I have still managed to stay on top of my gardening and to get the things taken care of that I need to do in it. This weekend I was able to harvest the radishes I had planted! They are a little smaller than the ones I buy in town, but they taste wonderful!
These radish seeds came from Hometown seeds, in a survival package they sent to me. I have to say that these seeds are wonderful! They all sprouted when the instructions on them have said they would and the plants seem very healthy. This weekend I planted the last of the packages. I planted Kentucky Wonder Beans and Sweet Corn. I planted squash, zucchini, tomato, pepper and cucumber last week in containers in the greenhouse. The cucumbers have already sprouted and I will transplant them to the garden in about a couple of weeks or so. I have never had much luck with corn. In the early stages of the plant, the large moths that live in this area , lay their eggs inside of the stalks. The larvae, when hatched, them eat on the new corn. What the worms do not get, the birds destroy. So I am anxious to see how this turns out this year. All together, I have been very pleased with this seed company. They send such a great amount in the packages, that I still have so much seed left for future planting, and it looks like I might have a wonderful harvest from their seeds.

All around me, in the area where I live, there are fresh plowed fields..........in wait..............for cotton or grain to be planted. I love to see how these fields seem to stretch on.....forever.
Here in my little "farm" my garden is taking off with new sprouts of beets, cabbage, radishes, onion, carrots, peas, and spinach..........and a few more things on the way.

Inside the green house the pumpkin seeds I have planted have all begun to sprout.
I plan to plant these plants in late May.

I planted two different types of pumpkin this year and several varieties of decorative gourds.
I love to grow pumpkins and gourds. Their leaves are big and beautiful and it's exciting to see how big a pumpkin might get to be. I have made an announcement to all family and friends that I will live to be 105 and will be selling my pumpkins in a little stand by the road.........along with apples...........from my some day orchard............
It's the best kind of dream ever...............to me.

Wildflowers of the Prairie

I cook at a small diner from 6:30 in the morning until 2:00 in the day. After work, I still have enough day time left to enjoy walking with Sophie, (my dog) and my life's sweetie, my husband. Last week, we went looking for meteorites, (didn't find any), but found some pretty rocks instead. Today, we walked the grounds and discovered that the Blue Bonnets I planted last fall have started coming up and blooming. There are several wildflowers that naturally grow here on the prairie farm grounds.........Indian Blanket , Ox-eyed Daisy, and Prairie Aster, to just name a few. However, Blue Bonnet has not been growing on these grounds..................the reason I planted seed last fall. Farther along in South Texas, Blue Bonnet covers fields and acres............a blue ocean of petals to be seen far and wide. Many Texas artists paint pictures of this beautiful sight. Hopefully, the Blue Bonnets I have planted will go to seed and start multiplying in the same way. I would love to see a photo of my farm, surrounded by a field of Blue Bonnets.

Happy Easter Dear Blogging Friends!

Making it all work

Just have to turn the television off..............so much trouble in the news today.

I look over to the large stack of bills waiting for my attention................not right now.

I head out with Sophie for a long walk and a quiet talk with God..................He listens.

I have plants sprouting in the garden, plants in the greenhouse waiting to be planted, projects needing to be stitched and finished, and animals needing attention..................and now............

a job opportunity............I was offered..........I accepted...........I was given..................

now if I can just make it all work together...............

Walking Along

I took a walk with my husband today, through the grounds and along the field road. We spend a great time looking for rocks during these walks. It is amazing just how pretty and colorful rocks are! Walking back on the road that leads home, a strong fragrance could be smelt in the air.................almost like honey. It was coming from the bush in the above photo. One thing I have not yet done, but plan on doing, is to research and learn the names of the different native plants that grow here on the grounds. There are so many, and each one has a different blossom or berry on them. This is the time of year that each one shows off it's prettiest dress.

My Day

From the early morning.............
Throughout the day.................

and to the setting of the sun..................life here on the farm is ...........

pleasant!

It doesn't look like much now, but underneath all of this blank, still earth, are dozens of tiny seeds, laid carefully in rows.................waiting for the moisture and sun to bring them to life. I spent much of the day planting the seeds that Hometown Seeds sent to me. Only the early spring seeds, such as spinach, beets, carrots and such. Late spring planting will come later and I will be planting corn, tomatoes, squash and my favorite..................pumpkins! I still have a rodent running loose in my greenhouse.............so planting in there is halted until my rodent termination process is successful.

Where did this day go? It seems like I just got up.............

and now the late afternoon sun is filling the room with it's soft gold tones, through the window.This has been such a busy day. I got a lot of things taken care of that needed my attention. There was a mouse in my greenhouse! That is what has eaten my young sprouts down. I quickly remedied this situation.............no pictures.............too graphic.............and I moved a lot of my plants out of the greenhouse..........such as the 30+ aloe vera..........and put them in a protected sunny area.Now I have empty shelves and plenty of room in the greenhouse to sprout the flowers and plants I want to grow. I just hope Old Lady Winter doesn't pull a trick on me and send one more cold blast of snow.
I cleaned out the pond............the goldfish have grown so much since summer..........and I scooped up this little creature............It's good to see life in the pond. Now I can see the goldfish and the frog due to the clean clear water. Tonight, Daylight Savings time kicks in and we are to spring forward one hour. This will make the days a little longer and I can get much more done.............I hope.

From The Earth

Although the days are dusty with high gusts of wind and the nights are still pretty chilly, all over the grounds of the farm, life is bursting forth. My asparagus bed is full of heads breaking the ground and the onion tops are full and bright green.

Inside the greenhouse.......the cabbage I planted has sprouted..........however....out of 10 plants.......this is the only one remaining. They were there one day.............gone the next.............because something is in the greenhouse, eating the sprouts.............it might also be in the soil. Such a disappointment! I have done some research and it is suggested that I "bake" my soil in the oven to sterilize it. This I will be doing this weekend. I might also have a mouse in the greenhouse.............one is inside of my son's car.........parked not very far away from the greenhouse. I am determined to find out the source........no matter what it takes.

Farmstead

old house in Sarahsville, OH
Not too much to post about this week..............as this is a time of waiting..............waiting to plant..........waiting for the harsh wind and dirt to stop blowing............waiting for the sprouts in the greenhouse to poke their heads above the soil.
Every time I see photos of old houses........like the one above.........my heart feels a tug. I wonder if I ever get this place turned into the farm that I long for.............will it all end up like this poor old lady? I have to say...........I am the only one in this household who really wants to see something prosper out of these grounds. Not that everyone else is uncaring...........not at all............it's just.......... they have other dreams.............other things to do with their mind and hands. The thought of staying in this area and taking over...........is the last thing they would ever want to do. As I look at this wonderful old house.............I wonder who kept the household going...............how many children banged the screen door, what was planted on the grounds...............what prayers were spoken within those walls. What made them leave it behind and why hasn't someone come to rescue it?......................I wonder.................

Close The Gate!

While my back was turned, and I was busy in my work, the latch to the gate of the chicken yard came loose(I didn't hook it right) and Gideon saw his chance and got out to stretch his legs. This was only a few minutes before I spotted him, but as some of you know............only a few minutes can be devastating in a garden when a chicken is loose. I don't know how he managed to get out without the others following him, but I was grateful that he was the only one to chase. But he looks so pretty in the middle of the stock flower.........it was sad to put him back into his yard. I used to let all of my chickens have free run around the grounds...........but this soon brought ruined flower beds, predators and death to the farm, so for their own safety..........and my sanity.............they are kept in their yard.
Maybe one day, when I don't care about what grows anymore........I might let them have free run again, but I have a feeling I will always want to grow flowers and keep chickens until I am 109..............at least!

Computer Woes

Hi, everyone......thank you for all of your sweet comments. Just want you to know that I will be absent for a bit..........my computer has died..........the funeral will be quick and swift, but the recovery will be slow.........so until a new computer enters my life and fulfills my blogging destiny.......I will be thinking of all of you...................maybe by then, I will have more to talk about than chickens, gardening and Sophie...........but of course, they will still be the topic bouncing around. So happy blogging days ahead to all of you and I can't wait to be back here again! blessings,Kathleen

Being Happy In Any Circumstances

Annabelle is one of the oldest ducks here on the farm. She is from the first batch that I brought out here over 8 years ago. Because the drakes are too aggressive with her, I have her separated during the day so that she can enjoy walking the grounds and swimming in her pool.

Her pool sprung a leak. I poured out the water and had to remove it to place some adhesive on it and to allow it to dry. This did not bother Annabelle at all. As you can see, she is just as happy in a mud puddle. As I walked upon this scene, it made me think of Paul in the Bible when he stated that he had learned to be happy no matter what his circumstance might be............

"Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need."Philippians 4:11-12

I have to say...............before we lived here..............we lived in a small house.............in a horrible gang and drug ridden neighborhood.................yet, even at that time, I was content...............a little scared...............but content. I worked the small ground and watched things sprout and bloom.............I raised 3 little ones and we had the sweetest times there. Now I look at my life.............more ground to work.......... my nest is just about empty(this is somewhat sad for me).........but I am content...........and grateful.

Snowy Day and Blossoms

Another snow came along and snowed for a good part of the day. Just for a while, I sat out in the frozen stillness of the front porch and watched the big flakes fall. My gardens are ready for planting..........but on days like this...........I spend much of the time designing, planning, and stitching. My "site" is ready for me to start selling my handmades "on line", but no matter how long I stitch.........it takes forever to get enough things accumulated to sell.
In no time, the sun came out and the snow quickly melted. Even in these frozen temperatures, the stock flower produces it's fragrant blossoms in the vibrant color of purple. This is such a strong, hardy plant. It stays green all year long. It grows up to 2 ft. with wood like stalks and can tolerate the Texas heat and drought. I have just transplanted a little over 80 of these young plants in a solid role to serve as a natural fence along my flower garden. So far, some of these plants have lived here on the grounds for 2 years.

Gardening Regions

I spent a big part of my day researching zones and regions for Texas, and the seeds I received, and whether or not they could be planted during our long spring and summer seasons. I was surprised to find out that I can now plant the beets, cabbage( will sprout these indoors first), carrots, Swiss chard, spinach, and radishes between now and March.............and then plant them again at fall time. The radishes I can actually hold off until later, if I want. I have not planted much of these types of vegetables, so I am learning a lot........ just from accepting these seeds. I have also changed the plans on where I am going to plant the root vegetables. The ground of garden spaces I have worked over during the years is so much deeper and softer, than the new space I have just tilled........... a much better place for carrots to develop, as well as beets and radishes. So I will just go along and find the right spots as the time approaches for each vegetable seed to be planted and hope that I am successful. It is freezing today......with a chance of snow. I am planning on planting in a couple of weeks.

Early Planting

This week, I spent much of my time finding the perfect spot

for a new garden space. I have my original garden spaces that I used last year, and really was not planning on planting too much more than what I have planted in the past. However, in the mail today, came a large batch of seeds. Some vegetables, like corn, tomato, squash and peppers, I have grown before, but other vegetables such as beets, Swiss chard and cabbage, I have never tried.
I tilled up a fairly good size area, and there is still plenty untouched area if I decide I need more planting room. I usually wait until Good Friday to do my planting, however, with the cabbage, onion, Swiss chard and beets, I am going to be planting by the first week of March. Some seed I will be starting in the greenhouse and then planting after they sprout and harden off. I am really doing this garden as part of a test to see how some of my composted soil does compared to the regular existing soil. I also plan to start my pumpkin seeds soon, as I really like planting the plants instead of the seed right into the ground. By the time May comes, I should have sturdy will rooted plants. I still need to put up a surrounding fence to keep out the rabbits and I also worry about the harsh winds that I know will soon begin to blow.

New In The Nests

From all of the heavy rain and snow, the hen house has become extremely dirty. I usually always fill the nests with fresh hay.............which in no time winds up scratched out of the boxes and onto the hen house floor. In no time the nest boxes are bare.

This weekend, I tried something new.............although I have to say, I was a little hesitant to try it. And I have to admit...........it was on sale and extremely cheap......................wood shavings. Upon opening the bag, I was surprised to find the shavings very soft and not splintery as I thought they would be. I filled the nests boxes and put some underneath them on the floor..............a place where some of the hens like to make a nest.
By the time I had the partial bag put away in storage and came back to the hen house, Clara Bell had already made herself comfortable. So far the nest boxes are still full and the chickens have left the shavings alone. They are not interested in trying to eat it either...........which was one worry I had had. I have noticed that in other stores, this type of bedding is more expensive than the hay I buy. But I won't mind paying a little extra if this lasts longer.

There's always a way!

Talking with different people about selling my potted plants from my greenhouse, led me to the realization that one cannot sell growing plants without a LICENSE.

Not even in front of one's own home. One can sell produce from any thing they grow, just not the living plant itself. After some research and a few phone calls, the most effective call placed to Austin, Texas, I hold in my hand the application for the license to sell my potted plants! There are different class license with different fees. I fall under a class 2, where I can sell out of my greenhouse and from my home. The fee is $110.00 a year. I got the license application just by calling the state Department of Agriculture and a very informative person, emailed the required documents to me to print off. Now my only obstacle is I don't have near enough potted plants sprouted to make up for the license fee and I don't have yet enough customers to purchase them. I want to at least double my money to make up for the fee. So, this license application will go rest in my file and I will set out to work on planting, sprouting, and getting word out about my plants.

My goal...........to have this accomplished by next year................time will tell. But I am glad in all of this that there is always a way to make something work!

Timing And Experience

Last night was the first Farmer's Market meeting. I was asked to bring my embroidery work to show to everyone. So with a bag full of my work and my dreams ..........of being this little farm..........in my mind.........I found myself in a small group of the friendliest folk. They loved my work, my ideas of selling it, along with flowers and pumpkins I hope to sell as well, ...........yet in the middle of it all...........I realized, how really unprepared I am.

I have only small gardens, no tractor, acres of unworked land, and big...................dreams.

These seasoned farmers were talking about their tractors, their acres of worked, plowed land and of all of the produce they will have every Saturday and Tuesday from July through October.

My embroidery takes weeks to months to finish,................. my garden only produces enough (if I were lucky) to sell one good sell. I am thinking of keeping my embroidery to sell "on line" and my flowers and pumpkins, the small batch there will be........to local small stores...............for right now...........until I really get things going in bigger ways. I have until July to give this a lot of thought. Only time and experience will tell.