Pin2ShareShareTweet2 SharesAs garlic planting time rapidly approaches, I want to share an update on the 2023- 2024 garlic growing season here at CG Heartbeats Farm. I tried a couple different ideas to hopefully improve the growing process. The plot I planted in has not been as fertile and high producing as other garden areas in… Continue reading How to Raise Garlic: Production and Storage
Category: Gardens
Put Your Chickens to Work on the Homestead
PinShareShareTweet0 SharesChickens offer two readily known assets to a homestead in producing eggs and meat. I have found a third use for chickens here on CG Heartbeats Farm. While I am likely not the first to do so, in this post I share how I have put chickens to work on the homestead. Humble Beginnings… Continue reading Put Your Chickens to Work on the Homestead
Tokiwa Tokyo Green: How to Raise Abundant, Heirloom Cucumbers
Pin1ShareShareTweet1 SharesTokiwa Tokyo Green Cucumbers were one of the 10 seed packets I picked as a gift from Baker Creek Seeds in the Fall of 2019. I really wanted a different cucumber variety, but this one was the only available. I felt disappointed at the time. Based on the information on the package Tokyo Green… Continue reading Tokiwa Tokyo Green: How to Raise Abundant, Heirloom Cucumbers
How to Process Bread and Butter Pickles
PinShareShareTweet0 SharesMy grandma used to make Bread and Butter Pickles. They were my favorite over dill pickles. I recall an open jar of bread and butter pickles on many a Sunday dinner table. I usually ate a few with whatever what served that day. We did not need to be eating sandwiches to eat bread… Continue reading How to Process Bread and Butter Pickles
Plant Trials on a Homestead
PinShareShareTweet0 SharesTrying New Garden Plants 2020 I continue to research, conducting unofficial plant trials, as I look for the best producing plants which also market and provide value to local and online customers. Late last year, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds donated 10 seed packages of my choice as way to support both this website… Continue reading Plant Trials on a Homestead
5 Ways to Use Garlic
PinShareShareTweet0 SharesHere are 5 ways to use garlic in your kitchen. I have included recipes I created over the last few years. One might need a bit of bravery to pop a whole clove of garlic in their mouth and start chewing. I have been known to do just that. 5 Ways to Use Garlic… Continue reading 5 Ways to Use Garlic
Sowing Seeds
PinShareShareTweet0 SharesLast week I excitedly started my Monday morning. I determined I would be sowing or planting seeds. What is so fun and exhilarating about sticking tiny, often hard to see, little pieces of what looks like nothing, in soil? Potential. The prospect of all to be seen from a tiny start. Future hopes and… Continue reading Sowing Seeds
5 Reasons to Shop Local Farmers Markets
PinShareShareTweet0 SharesI recently learned of a story telling how a great uncle hauled cucumbers into a local town about 7 to 10 miles from the homestead. Here sat large wooden barrels where cucumbers soaked to be hauled off on the train as pickles. It must have taken an entire day to drive with horses pulling… Continue reading 5 Reasons to Shop Local Farmers Markets
Winter Season ~ Goals
PinShareShareTweet0 SharesWinter Solstice The shortest day of the year has come and gone, Winter Solstice being yesterday. I do not mind the short amount of sunlight as much as I do the days of temperatures below 20 degrees (and lower) that often follows in January and February. Being honest I hope for one of those… Continue reading Winter Season ~ Goals
Garlic ~ Year 4
PinShareShareTweet0 SharesThis fall marks the 4th year I have planted garlic. I love thinking back to the first year. I planted about 6 cloves each of 3 varieties: Music, Montana, and German. I recall my Dad helped me prep the ground in a flower bed I was not using for anything. Really, it was one… Continue reading Garlic ~ Year 4