3 new varieties of tomatoes that I'm excited about, also a hardy, short season watermelon that I'm hoping will thrive. We're also trying okra this year, love to eat it but have never grown it. What zone are you in?
That was soooo lovely. Yes, looking forward to gardening with you. The bricks around the fireplace look just fantastic. You have paint on your arm. Lol. Been there. So over on my side of the world, Townsville, Australia we had drought breaking rain every day for a wk. 200-300mm in the last 24hrs and another 150-200mm coming tonight, 200,000 very happy people here tonight. Oh to be able to garden!
That’s such great news! There’s nothing like rain after a drought. Its started to warm up here and and when I went out yesterday afternoon the snow was melting. I almost cried with happiness! 😊🌞🌱
A speciality from Switzerland that my mother used to make is Doerr Bohnen, or dried green beans. You harvest them, blanch them briefly and dehydrate at 35 degrees celcius. In the farm houses, you would often find them in a fabric bag or old pillowcase in the pantry. To use them, you soak them overnight in water, drain, cook with sauteed onion and garlic, as a side dish or with cooked with smoked bacony ribs and boiled potatoes. Absolutely delicious. Aroha from New Zealand.
My fave way to prepare turnip: cube and boil until just tender. Drain then toss with a knob of butter, 1 tbsp. brown sugar or honey and a dusting of dried dill. OMG so yummy. Even my grown son who has HATED turnip all his life likes it this way.
I was excited watching you unpack your seeds! When you plant your beans, try using a garden inoculant (available at most greenhouse/nursery). Inoculants are natural occurring cultures of nitrogen-fixing nodule bacteria in a peat based medium. I used it last year and had wonderful success. Mine was from McKenzie seeds. Easy to apply just before you plant beans, peas, lima beans and sweet pea seeds. Good luck.
For your 2019 garden I dehydrate both shredded zucchini and sliced cabbage. It stores well and rehydrates well for stoops stews and casseroles. The Swiss chard I blend up and freeze in ice cube trays. For soups and smoothies.
Planning the garden is soo exciting. Two notes on spinach. I would think it should be possible to add lots of spinach to tomato sauce or salsa and can those. You can overwinter leafy lettuce, spinach and kale in an unheated greenhouse. Depending on your temperatures maybe even into February.
Hey! Love the video! Excited to see how everything does:) I'm in Tennessee and was raised in Mississippi so on the okra! It's super slimey if you can and put up so just be so to dry off and get your favorite fry batter together and fry them up in some oil! We grow it every year, it's my husbands favorite! Happy gardening and hope you enjoy!
Awe yes! The warmer weather has already hit us down here so just the feeling of spring is wonderful! I subscribed to your channel to learn how YOU plant though! My family and I are moving up north next year so I'll have to re learn EVERYTHING. So excited and looking forward to more videos. -Stephanie
@@LittleMountainRanch I'm sure you know this , but okra loves heat just like peppers and tomatoes . Might I suggest you try starting the okra in your greenhouse next year before moving it outdoors . There's no lack of heat in Georgia during the summertime so all my heat loving veggies go nuts !!! Love your channel and like so many others I've seen in the comments ; have been binge watching the last few days LOL !
That looks like an awesome seed haul. And obviously I couldn't agree more about the West Coast Seeds being the place, lol. I'm interested to know how the seed blocker works out for you. We dried some greens for winter last summer, and I was happy with them. I don't known if dandelions are a weed for you, but you could bulk up your dried greens with them, and then save some space. You might like Red Russian kale too, it is not as flat as dinosaur kale, but it gets big tender leaves, and is pretty hardy (if you want some I have a million, so I could alway mail you some). Also, where are the radishes? Lol, they are so easy so I love them. Can't wait to see everything growing in the summer! I can relate to your impatience, lol
I'm looking forward to trying the seed blockers, too. And yes, West Coast Seeds = pure awesomeness. Dandelions are my favourite wild plant. I love them for so many reasons, but especially because me bees get their first nectar flow from them. Wild harvesting is something I've always been interested in and I'm hoping to collect lots of wild greens to dry this year. I have some radish seeds left over from last year but never plant a lot of them. I love them because they're the first harvest ready veggies, but we're not huge fans of the them. I'd love some Red Russian kale seeds! I'll message you.
I spilt soup on my computer so I’ve been watching you but on my phone. I am so old school my phone is for making calls so I had to wait for my son to come over and show me how to leave a comment! So just in time for my tip on growing your beans. Look up inoculant. It is a powder you put in the dirt as you plant the seeds needed to start the proper growth. Comes in different size bags and is a must for beans and peas.
Seeds! I love seeds. Every year, I marvel at the seeds I plant. What amazing, miraculous packages of diversity and life; they are just mesmerizing to me. Ooooh, I love okra. Pick it when it is no more than 5 inches long, unless you got a variety that is not woody. With your family, assuming it grows (it loves heat just like a tomato or melon does), _you will need _*_at most_*_ 2 plants; smaller families usually only plant 1._ Otherwise, you'll be able to feed the entire province. (Hmm, I bet the pigs will eat them.) Okra is like peas, you need to harvest every day. When you cook it, it will be mucilaginous like an oyster. Some people don't like that texture, so they put it in stews and soups; others bread and fry it. It makes great pickles, too. Congrats on 3K subs.
Thank you! It was excited to pass the 3000 milestone this morning. 🙂 Thanks for the tips of the Okra - on the advice of another subscriber I'm going to grow it in the greenhouse - hopefully that will extend the season long enough to get a harvest. I love seeds, too! I really can't wait to get into the garden!
I am very interested in seeing how you use the soil blocks as well. Here in FL where we have just sand and I have to make soil CONSTANTLY, I use horse, goat & chicken manure and all organic matter that we trim cut up, chip etc to amend the depleted soil. I likely 'grow' more soil than I do vegetables, but without it I have no food! lol I also dehydrate my kale, arugula, spinach and even lettuce to put in smoothies, soups etc. it's a fantastic way to preserve leafy greens!! We love sauerkraut too! Kids like it but not their fav.... :-) My okra didn't do well, and just so you know it can be slimy. Fried is best IMO. lol Peas, I love to put into salads. Even the shelling peas I will harvest somewhat young and cut them up shell and all for stir fry, salad even soups.
You could teach me a thing or two about composting! I’m looking forward to getting in that train. It’s almost criminal that I don’t use more of the manure I have here!
It's a little intimidating at first because people make SO many rules, it's not hard and once you get going you will be SO happy to make your own rich fertile soil!!. Nature takes care of herself and will reclaim everything.... When you have to scoop a stall (If your cows are in a stall, or maybe scoop out of a pen if you want to really get started!) pick an out of the way (but not too hard to get to) place, put the manure right on the ground, add some hay or dry matter of some sort, over the manure keep layering in that fashion until you have good pile a 3-5 feet high, cover with hay, then start another pile next to it do the same and so on. It only take a 2 months here in florida, but I imagine if you start now you will have a huge amount of compost for next years garden. When you can dig in to the pile and it's not hot and doesn't smell strong it's ready to use. You can always take a small scoop, plant a seed in it and if it grows so will your garden! If you don't 'want to layer you can simply make a pile of manure keep piling it up it will compost itself, just not as quickly. (dig from the bottom with this) Even though we are in completely different climates compost is something the earth makes all by itself! you will be fine. just start... that's the hardest part!! I love your videos! wish I had more time to watch lately, it's getting busy down here we are nearing the end of our growable season. Summer is our down time.... I have to chuckle - we really don't have a down time. in the summer we are making soil and over-summering garden beds! :-)
Thank you for that, Kim, really. You made it seem really simple. I have to do some more cleaning tomorrow so I’ll get started. I was wondering, how long does it take to compost Pig manure? I’ve heard it’s way longer than cow, horse etc.
It is longer than horse or cow. From what I understand - I have not personally worked with pig manure, it takes about 6 months. It needs to be piled up and allowed to heat up and then cool down on it's own. You can also speed the process up with a dark tarp. Make sure to add a layer of carbon (hay, leave and twigs straw etc) on the ground before you pile any manure when that breaks down (especially for pig manure) you will know it's done. Another thing I tell people is if you are not sure - get a small pot put some compost/soil in it plant a seed if it sprouts and starts to thrive your compost is ready to plant in. :-) Another sign is smell. It should smell like soil, with slight undertones of manure but not ammonia/urine at all. :-D Happy Composting!!
We are trying to grow kale again. We failed the last time. Carrots will also be new for us. And a new variety of spaghetti squash. I also wanted to say, I really love watching your videos. I can't get enought...lol.
Thank you so much for watching. I'm so glad you're enjoying them. I don't know where you are, but if you start your Kale plants indoors they should be ok.
Zucchini chips in the dehydrator. Toss zucchini slices in a bowl with salt pepper sage, oregano rosemary, ( you can even use powdered kale!) olive oil and lemon juice. ... Arrange seasoned zucchini slices in a single layer on dehydrator trays. dehydrate at 125 degrees for up to 24 hours or until completely dehydrated and crispy. Store in an air tight container SO yummy!!!
If you are going to cook okra, there are a couple of ways that the kids might actually eat, lol. Pick, clean, cut into sections (wheels), coat in cornmeal and deep fry. Then you can do a hoecake where you also cut up, mix in cornmeal and press into a cast iron pan. Use bacon fat for the hoecake. Cook until brown on one side, carefully flip browning the other side. Good eats!
You can also use in soups or stews. It acts as a thickener, and if just fried in a pan without cornmeal, it can be a bit slimy. I like it, but most non-southerners don't.
Hi I’m a new subscriber from North Germany! Here is kale a old traditional vegetable and we can let it in the garden over the winter. He is hardy in our zone but must harvested if the temperature gets lower than -10°C and there is no snow. I really like you videos! We have a holiday house in Sweden and like the nature in Scandinavia. And pictures from Canada often looks like the landscape in the north of Europe!☺️ I hope my English is not to bad. Beneath my mother language I speak more often Swedish than English!🙈
Your English is great! I have several friends from Germany and they all say it’s very similar. Our temps get to cold for Kale past October but I love dried Kale, so that’s ok. Thanks so much for subscribing! I’m really happy to have you here.
I shred zucchini then hang it in cheesecloth over a pan overnight. Next you squeeze out water as much as you can. Put them in small freezer bags in the amount you would use to make zucchini bread. so nice to have them in the winter.
Little Mountain Ranch- My growing seasons is from late May to late October/ November. I am in zone 5-6. I am new to gardening so I will try to grow a little bit, of everything until I found -out what works best for me. I will grow flowers, root vegetables, vine vegetable, leafy greens, berries Bush’s, and the lists, goes on. I am thinking about starting to make videos, but I am nervous about that, because I don’t know everything about Gardening. I just do it because, the food you grow taste so much better and its fun to Gardening!
Contender beans are early and delicious and are super prolific! They are they are the only beans I ordered already for spring 2019 lol. I also dehydrate zucchini for using during the winter.
Hi Chelsea, I've been binging your videos for a couple of months and loving everything about your channel, lifestyle, philosophy. I was wondering if you have your spaghetti sauce recipe with the kale in it on any of your videos? Thank you, Kate from Cornwall
I love okra but I have southern roots. Do not let them get large before you pick them. We always pick at about 1 1/2 inch long. When they are small they are tender if they get to big they are woody and not pleasant to eat. Also use gloves to harvest as they have little stickers. They are great in soups as they will thicken it. They are slimey and that can be off putting when boiled. Hope you enjoy the okra.
What a wonderful selection of seeds ....can't wait to see it all come to harvest!!! I didn't order any seeds this year, I have so many left over from last year and have been given so many from friends that I will plant this year. Stay warm and remember that spring will soon be here!! 2ft of snow ...Yikes ...we are in our third or forth day of rain with two or so more days of rain yet to come. All my best to the LMR gang and say howdy to Farmer Dan!!
I will pass on your hello to Farmer Dan. He's outside feeding the cows at the moment. It's sunny and warm today!! Wooohoooo! We're above 0 and the snow is melting. Spring might actually coming!
Put your bean seeds in enough water to make them wet and add inoculant to it. It comes in a package like seeds. Follow package directions. Works great, I have done this for 40 years or more.
We have had really good luck with a bean called rattlesnake bean. It’s a gorgeous plant and they have a beautiful flavor. Not sure of your setup, but beans tend to like something to climb on such as a cattle panel.
Exciting! I'm planning on planting a small garden this year, however, my baby is due in june so I have to be realistic how much I should plant. But my mom will be here and take over the gardening while I recover.
That's awesome that your mom is going to come and help out. I'm excited for you. It's a bit of a weird feeling to be on the other side of the having babies stage of life. It's such a magical, wonderful, challenging time and I miss it - I know, that must seem crazy when I have 11 kiddos. :)
I’d love to hear more about the soil blocks and how they work. I really want to get away from plastic trays. They are such a pain and irritating to wash each year. I have always wondered how they hold up! Such a great garden haul. I can’t wait to see what you guys do with it all!
I think I detected why the kids were being silly...did you catch it. Once again really enjoyed seeing your excitement over the coming season to plant! So, what were you painting white? T and the Phantom (that’s me) also will be glad when all this”white global warming “ runs its course! Your Kale with the “ribs” is an interesting idea and I like the way you explained how to process it. Pat Westley on the head for me! Keep up with them thar chores ( that was for the White House feller on the Hill)! Thanks again C. Hi to all D SKA LJ ....well you get the idea!😃. Omelette you go now!
Yeah seeds! Love soil blocks! I actually attended a workshop today about making soil blocks. BTW, you should also buy the mini blocker to start seeds in. You should be able to grow lettuce using soil blocks in your greenhouse later in the season.
Our family totally !Ives squash, according to us you can never have too much. Usually plant 5 types of squash. ALWAYS spaghetti, yellow straight neck, Italian zukes, regular zukes, and butternut (patty pans turbanz and delicata at times). Squash NUT here!
Thanks for sharing with us! That soil block maker is cool, I'm looking forward to seeing how it goes. We're trying to go much bigger with our gardens this year and trays were something I had to invest a few bucks into. Great video and wishing you the best in this year's growing season :) ~Stephanie
Who what why?? Did anybody thumbs down this Informative Video lol.. Thank you Little mountain Ranch gave me a couple good ideas for my Garden this year :) take care!
Awesome seeds. I would like to get those soil blocks but I don’t have the money right now. I can’t believe you’ve never had fried okra. That’s a classic down here in the south.
I got my soil blocker last year and oohhhhh So simple and awesome I don't have the large one and I just plant my little ones in the ground and it works as well .... man do you have a huge garden planned ... My isn't anywhere near that big
Hooray Chelsea ~~ You have your seeds~~ & I got some of mine ~~ Spring is on it's way!! Great choices ,, thank's sweetie for sharing all your tips --gonna give that kale a try this year(Dry tons of herbs but have never done Kale))))~Hoping we all have a super good growing season~I'm on the east coast~ Rhode Island~~So short growing season here also...
My wife actually has two soil blockers, the 4 and the 20 hand held depending on what size seeds she is starting. The starting mix she uses is from Johnnys Selected Seeds out of Maine which is where she gets most of her seeds. The mix is Johnny's 512 Mix : Excellent for seed starting, transplanting and container growing. 512 Mix is made from a 1/2" screened blend of sphagnum (brown) and sedge (black) peat mosses, compost and perlite. Contains ample nutrients to carry most plants from seed to transplant. Some high nutrient-demanding crops may benefit from supplemental feeding. The mix does not require as frequent watering as all-sphagnum mixes like Redi-Earth or Pro Mix, and is excellent for soil blocks, trays and small containers. Available in three sizes. Johnny's 512 Mix is approved for use by MOFGA on MOFGA certified-organic farms. I hope this helps.
I would suggest for short season tomatoes ; Sub Artic and Health Kick both are meaty medium size round . They were developed for us in Edmonton. Health Kick is more nutrient dense and has the most flavour. My brother in law starts 50 of each; every two weeks starting 6 weeks ago. He grows them to flowering or fruit set; in his green house, for sale at the week-end markets in gal pots. And he has always sold out. And he is 77 like me. I start my pole beans in saved toilet paper cores then transplant the end of May with the core 1" below the surface. 1000 ft. up the hill here in North Van; my climate is close to yours; but less sun, I only get 5-6 hours here in the shade of the forest. the old guy Bert
Hi Bert! Great idea for the toilet paper roles - I'll start saving up. I am looking forward to when my little ones are a little older and I can invest more time into selling products off of our property. Hopefully I'll be able to do honey this year... I do have 5 litters of piglets on the ground and 2 more to go so I'm feeling pretty good about that. The garden is my next project once these pigs are done. Hope you have a great day, Bert!
I feel behind already! I need to clean up my area where I start seeds and get started! I’m excited to see how the blocks go. I like the idea of them because you don’t need plastic, but then I also wonder if compacted soil is really the best growing medium for seedlings. I know a lot of people use them with success so they’ll probably work well. Happy planting!
Oh and, have you ever checked out homesteading family? They have some great fermentation videos. And I think she has 11 kids too! So she preserves an impressive amount of food. I asked her once and I think she said she preserves something like 1500 jars in a good year! She also has a cool egg preservation technique that might be fun to try.
I wasn't sure how they would work either which is why I didn't bu the larger block makers. I'm going to get the things I need to make the blocks and start next week so I'll let you know how it goes.
Oh Chelsea...seeds are like a new baby, wonderful when they are expected but a lot of work when they arrive! I LOVE buying seeds and I like starting seeds, planting seeds and watching them grow but I am not happy when the weeds grow faster than the plants. I am out in the garden early, early, early because it gets too hot for me to weed here in the mitten state. You make me laugh at just the thought of eating kale...at first I think that you must be dutch (my daughter lives in the Netherlands and is married to a native dutch boy) as they eat it in stampot (mashed potatoes with kale mixed in) but I think of kale as only useful for decorating a salad bar and pitching when it gets dirty:). I like greens and eat a lot of greens as they have the healing properties and with 3 back surgeries...I need all the "healing properties" I can get. Now cabbage is another thing altogether, sauerkraut is to die for on a hotdog or a brat with mustard. Kids, you haven't lived until you've had kraut on a hotdog!!! BUT...I wouldn't walk across the road for okra-TOO SLIMY, YUCK, YUCK, YUCK, YUCK, YUCK! I do hope you have a better summer this year than last and your garden will provide you with many, many rewarding meals. I can about 4-6 bushel of tomatoes every fall as I too make all my own sauces and I like to eat just a dish of hot tomatoes as a side dish, YUM, YUM, YUM, YUM, YUM! Come now Chelsea dear...we grow our seeds in soil and wash the dirt off our hands, every GOOD gardener must know the difference to be a successful gardener. On that note, I just roared when you bought fertilizer when you have cows, chickens and pigs. There is NO better fertilizer than composted manure. Being a master gardener...trust me when I say that you have a gold mine on that farm for garden amendments between animal waste and leaves. I say get those animals to work for you on every level, dear girl!:) I do enjoy watching people's hauls no matter what the product and I thank you for sharing your seed haul with us. I am waiting for that grocery haul you were telling us was coming and Jack is waiting for a peek into Farmer Dan's heavy equipment stash too. I will enjoy your greenhouse adventures and am hoping that Mom and Mom-in-law will share what they are up to this new growing season too as this gardener can't live on food alone, flowers have an important place in my life since I've never met a flower I shouldn't be growing!!! Jack can attest to that as he has to mow around all my flower gardens and it is no easy feat when there are very few straight lines of grass to mow. He thanks God every time he mows that we have a little plot here on the river for mowing is a BIG job not due to the size of our "plantation" but because of the vast amounts of gardens. We call our property "God's little plot" but little is not a plus for this chore :). I haven't been posting the last couple vlogs as the rain, it cometh this February and we got surrounded by river and our cute little retirement cottage became a houseboat. We did not take on water in the cottage but the workshop had about 7 inches so Mr. Jack and Miss Vicki put on our wellies and out we went to clean up so that projects can resume as soon as we are back on track. So we felt just like those ducks going up and downstream playing in the water. For some reason I just don't find that to be a fun activity...must be because I don't have feathers! I hope you didn't miss me for that would have been a waste of your precious time on the Ranch but I just wanted you to know that I did watch AND hit the like button but just ran out of day for commenting even though I probably would have had a thought or two to share. I will say that Aurora with the chickens always makes my day...kids and chickens, how can anyone not enjoy that? I think about the new bull and hope he is busy about the job of growing up so as to perform the job he is being expected to fulfill even though he isn't sporting the "Chocolate Chuck" moniker I so thought he looked like. Spring is coming Chelsea and I am sure that there will be Sebastopol chicks at your local farm market just waiting to become a part of the Little Mountain Ranch...are they on your list for 2018? I'll be watching and wondering if one time when you give us a bit of a peek into your busy life I'll see a frilly goose or two-or a gaggle:). Until next time...Happy, Happy!!!:):):)
I may have wondered just a little we you’d gone, but I had no doubt you’d be back in all of your commenting glory. 😊 As to the compost - I know, seems a little strange considering I’m living on a gold mine of poop... I’ve been so busy the past few years with my new little ones and the farm that I haven’t had the time to get organized with it. I have piles kicking around but haven’t done a thing to them. I am planning to get with the program this year and not humiliate myself with store bought fertilizer a moment longer than necessary. Lol I have the grocery haul video done and I’m just tuning it up before posting so watch for it next week. The Mom’s would love to do another video. My mother-in-law is just opening a gallery in the next few weeks and my mom is gearing up for planting. She’s as impatient as I am. As for the geese, I’m on the hunt as hatching season starts to heat up. They’re not as easy to find as I thought. Kate’s going to be raising ducks and says I can put a few geese in with her quackers. As for Dan, tell Jack that he just brought home another dump truck body and promises me he will do a video for me. I can’t say when, but I’m working on it.🌸❤️
I think I found some Sebastopols! An elderly fellow from out west of here is going out of them and I'm hoping to land some breeding stock. They are hard to find so might be a good little business for Kate.
Oh my Gosh...did you hear that squeal of excitement? That wasn't your piggies but Miss Vicki all the way down here in Michigan. I NEVER thought you would find any because they are not a normal farm animal but if you do...I will be so excited to see those disheveled cuties waddling along with the rest of the Little Mountain Ranch stars of the farm. I am so curious to see if they are born with the ruffled feathers or they grow into that look. I hope Miss Kate will say yes and will be just as excited to mother such unique geese as I will be to watch her as she takes on this challenge. Oh Miss Chelsea, you have made my day just for finding it in your heart to try to expand your animalistic horizons up there on the homestead. God love you girl and you go Kate!!! OH HAPPY DAY!!!:):):)
I would love to know how you do pickles and your fermented things. Or the resources where you found those recipes. I attempted pickles one year and it was a complete fail and made me not want to do that again. Your video has got me excited about the growing and harvesting season!
I have a great recipe for pickles that I'll post below my pickling video when it comes out in the summer. If you're pickling before me, message me and I'll send you the recipe! I'd post it here but I'd have to go look for it in the depths of my recipe box.
We're in the middle of a snowstorm. I kinda have the winter blues if I'm honest. I've planted onions, leeks and shallots. I know in a little lesson than 10 days I have a bunch more seeds to start. But I'm so tired of worrying about my loved ones on these treacherous roads :/ Rant over! Weren't you going to post the seed list? I have good luck with Blue Lake beans. I like bush rather than pole beans! If it is too cool and wet...the seeds will rot. I usually plant and wait ten days and then re-plant in the spots it didn't come up. It also could be mice eating the seeds. That happens to me with peas. This year I am going to start them in the house and then plant outdoors. Don't completely abandon the flowers on the deck. I plant flowers in every raised bed inbetwixt my veggies to encourage pollinators to visit my garden. I truely believe it has helped my production...especially cucumbers! (My favorite variety for slicing is Beit Alpha).
I feel you! We had a snow storm yesterday and I just about crawled back into bed. lol Thanks for the reminder, I'll post the list in a few minutes. I plan to plant lots of flowers in the garden, like you suggested. I have bee hives quite close to the garden, so pollinating is usually not an issue for me, but I love the look of flowers in the garden either way. Have you planted Borage before? It's supposed to be great for attracting bees.
I love sorting my seeds! Have you looked into zucchini chips? I bake them, but you could probably use the dehydrator. Could you tell me about the poncho/wrap you're wearing? Is it hand knit?
I haven't made chips, but that's a great idea! My sister gave the poncho to me a few years ago and I don't know where she got it, but I love it. I wear it all the time when I'm inside in the winter because I'm always cold.
I would wait to put any new herbs into the ground until the risk of frost has past. If you are starting from seed, start indoors as early as possible because herbs take forever to get going. :) Some hardy perennial herbs are Angelica, lemon balm, bee balm, garlic chives, sweet cicely, anise hyssop, lovage, lesser calamint, mountain mint, garden sage, winter savory, French tarragon, thyme. I found this list on the Far North Gardener site.
I love fermenting anything! I haven't done a ton of it, but I've enjoyed it so far. When it hits that time of year I'll get some videos up on the topic.
If your kids don't like beets, try yellow beets. I find beets too strong, but I totally love yellow beets! I've introduced many beet haters to yellow beets and they like them. Actually I prefer yellow tomatoes (fresh) better than red, but cooked I like red better. Our whole family loves purple beans way better than regular green Beans. My brother introduced me to lemon cucumbers, which I like much better than other cukes. We always joke that we don't grow anything that's the right co!or (we love blue potatoes too)
I did order some yellow beets and will get the kids to try them out. They don't mind them as much if they are pickled or roasted, but they aren't big fans. I love the idea of feeding the kids veggies that are little out of the ordinary, they would love that.
Yes! I'm looking into that for next winter. I would love to get away from the grocery store as much as I can and it's the veggies in the winter that keeps me needing to go.
I live in Toronto and grow a couple of 20x10 flats of mostly broccoli micro greens a week and also some Oregon peas. I give away about 1 flat a week to friends and family. They are not very filling but very very nutrient dense. I bought the seeds from mums and the plastic 20x10 flats and some seeds from sprout master. I also have two 48 “ long lights to extend the lighted hours. The broccoli seeds grow best in coconut coir (husks) which I bought from the “medicine” hydroponic store. They have the very best stuff. For them only the very best quality is good enough. But a little expensive. Curtis stone the urban farmer and khang Starr are two big proponents of growing micro greens and have lots of advice on you tube.
Thanks for sharing. I live close to LifeGoesNorth so I know about the cold, snow and short growing season. I have used seeds from Denali Seed Company www.denaliseed.com/. Last year I grew some Early Tanana, Glacier, Siberian and Polar Beauty. I liked how well the grew compared to the Romas and Supersweet 100.
I watch your video squash soup why don't you save your seeds to replant them for the next you. I save a few of seeds from different plants I planted last year.
Because there’s too much cross pollination in my garden and none of the seeds will grow true to the parent stock. Might be kind of fun to plant a few and see what we get.😊
So brave of you to try new things. I'm surprised you are going to try Okra. Okra is one of those vegetables you either love or you hate - no in between. Kids generally don't like it because when boiled it is slimy if overcooked. I like Okra boiled with my fresh lima beans. You add the okra when the beans are done. Just put in, put a lid on the pot, sit off the burner and the steam cooks the Okra. Most of my family loves fried breaded Okra. Okra is unforgiving if it's needs aren't met but when it receives the heat that it loves it grows and grows with little work. With the right high temps you will be harvesting Okra every couple of days. Don't let it grow big - cut the pods off when they are just 2 - 3 inches long or the Okra will be tough and horrible to eat. Also, when you go to plant it, the day before take your seeds and scrape them gently over a piece of sand paper. This is called scarifying. Okra seed is very hard and this gives the inside of the seed a chance to come out and get growing. After you scrape your seeds over sand paper, put them in a small bit of water and soak overnight. That helps get them growing also. Some people nick the seed with a sharp knife but I find rubbing it over the sand paper works good and no cuts from a knife slipping. Even if you learn you don't like Okra you will love the flower blossoms - very pretty plant. Sometimes toward the end of the season I will let a few plants grow huge pods. Just leave them on the plant until it dies. Then set the pods out in the sun and let them dry further. Very nice and unusual to use in fall flower arrangements or wreaths. Or save the seeds for next years growing season. I wonder if you could grow Cantaloupe or Watermelon in the greenhouse? I'd bet on the Cantaloupe. Watermelon might be tricky and they do take up a lot of space just to get 1 or 2 fruits but wow what a treat that would be for your kids! I am excited about learning how things grow different between our different climates. You are growing Brussel Sprouts, greens (Kale, Spinach, Turnips) and Beets in the summer. Here in South Carolina I grow them in the fall/winter. Happy Growing. I was excited when I got my seed order in also. And yes, I played with the packages and planned where and when to plant. It's all part of the fun.
Thank you so much for all the tips. I genuinely appreciate it! I’ve grown watermelon before, but further south than we are now, but I’ve never tried cantaloupe. It might be a fun one for the kids to try.
Are you planting anything new this year?
No new veggies, but goals of preserving enough tomatoes, peppers and herbs for the winter.
3 new varieties of tomatoes that I'm excited about, also a hardy, short season watermelon that I'm hoping will thrive. We're also trying okra this year, love to eat it but have never grown it.
What zone are you in?
Officially it's 5, but I grow for 4 because our frosts are so unpredictable. A short season watermelon!? I'd love to try that. Where did you get it?
Nothing new, just refocusing on the garden this year.
You’ve inspired us to start our very first garden! My munchkin Phoebe & I are planting strawberries, tomatoes, blueberries and carrots!
my mother use to store root veggies in a cedar chest in sand . she did carrots, beets, potatoes, etc. they stored beautifully and lasted a long time
That was soooo lovely. Yes, looking forward to gardening with you. The bricks around the fireplace look just fantastic. You have paint on your arm. Lol. Been there. So over on my side of the world, Townsville, Australia we had drought breaking rain every day for a wk. 200-300mm in the last 24hrs and another 150-200mm coming tonight, 200,000 very happy people here tonight. Oh to be able to garden!
That’s such great news! There’s nothing like rain after a drought. Its started to warm up here and and when I went out yesterday afternoon the snow was melting. I almost cried with happiness! 😊🌞🌱
A speciality from Switzerland that my mother used to make is Doerr Bohnen, or dried green beans. You harvest them, blanch them briefly and dehydrate at 35 degrees celcius. In the farm houses, you would often find them in a fabric bag or old pillowcase in the pantry. To use them, you soak them overnight in water, drain, cook with sauteed onion and garlic, as a side dish or with cooked with smoked bacony ribs and boiled potatoes. Absolutely delicious. Aroha from New Zealand.
Thank you for sharing that.😊
Love the thumbnail! You look so cozy and excited!
So excited!!
My fave way to prepare turnip: cube and boil until just tender. Drain then toss with a knob of butter, 1 tbsp. brown sugar or honey and a dusting of dried dill. OMG so yummy. Even my grown son who has HATED turnip all his life likes it this way.
Beet jelly is really good too!
I was excited watching you unpack your seeds! When you plant your beans, try using a garden inoculant (available at most greenhouse/nursery). Inoculants are natural occurring cultures of nitrogen-fixing nodule bacteria in a peat based medium. I used it last year and had wonderful success. Mine was from McKenzie seeds. Easy to apply just before you plant beans, peas, lima beans and sweet pea seeds. Good luck.
I will do that! Thanks for the tip.
For your 2019 garden
I dehydrate both shredded zucchini and sliced cabbage. It stores well and rehydrates well for stoops stews and casseroles.
The Swiss chard I blend up and freeze in ice cube trays. For soups and smoothies.
Thank you!
Planning the garden is soo exciting.
Two notes on spinach. I would think it should be possible to add lots of spinach to tomato sauce or salsa and can those. You can overwinter leafy lettuce, spinach and kale in an unheated greenhouse. Depending on your temperatures maybe even into February.
We can’t over winter anything except for some Kales here, it’s just too cold, but we’re planning a grow room which will be a game changer.
Hey! Love the video! Excited to see how everything does:) I'm in Tennessee and was raised in Mississippi so on the okra! It's super slimey if you can and put up so just be so to dry off and get your favorite fry batter together and fry them up in some oil! We grow it every year, it's my husbands favorite! Happy gardening and hope you enjoy!
I’m looking forward to trying it! Thank you so much for watching! I got into my greenhouse today and even just standing in there was bliss!
Awe yes! The warmer weather has already hit us down here so just the feeling of spring is wonderful! I subscribed to your channel to learn how YOU plant though! My family and I are moving up north next year so I'll have to re learn EVERYTHING. So excited and looking forward to more videos.
-Stephanie
Always fun to see what everyone else likes to plant 😊
We live in Georgia and absolutely LOVE some okra !!! Fried , stewed tomatos & okra and my favorite of all ; pickled okra !!!
I wish mine had grown! I’m trying again next year!😊
@@LittleMountainRanch I'm sure you know this , but okra loves heat just like peppers and tomatoes . Might I
suggest you try starting the okra in your greenhouse next year before moving it outdoors . There's no lack of heat in
Georgia during the summertime so all my heat loving veggies go nuts !!! Love your channel and like so many others I've
seen in the comments ; have been binge watching the last few days LOL !
That looks like an awesome seed haul. And obviously I couldn't agree more about the West Coast Seeds being the place, lol. I'm interested to know how the seed blocker works out for you.
We dried some greens for winter last summer, and I was happy with them. I don't known if dandelions are a weed for you, but you could bulk up your dried greens with them, and then save some space. You might like Red Russian kale too, it is not as flat as dinosaur kale, but it gets big tender leaves, and is pretty hardy (if you want some I have a million, so I could alway mail you some). Also, where are the radishes? Lol, they are so easy so I love them.
Can't wait to see everything growing in the summer! I can relate to your impatience, lol
I'm looking forward to trying the seed blockers, too. And yes, West Coast Seeds = pure awesomeness.
Dandelions are my favourite wild plant. I love them for so many reasons, but especially because me bees get their first nectar flow from them. Wild harvesting is something I've always been interested in and I'm hoping to collect lots of wild greens to dry this year.
I have some radish seeds left over from last year but never plant a lot of them. I love them because they're the first harvest ready veggies, but we're not huge fans of the them.
I'd love some Red Russian kale seeds! I'll message you.
Thanks for listing each seed for us
You're welcome!
I spilt soup on my computer so I’ve been watching you but on my phone. I am so old school my phone is for making calls so I had to wait for my son to come over and show me how to leave a comment! So just in time for my tip on growing your beans. Look up inoculant. It is a powder you put in the dirt as you plant the seeds needed to start the proper growth. Comes in different size bags and is a must for beans and peas.
Thank you, I'll do that!
Hope you're having a great day, my friend.
Seeds! I love seeds. Every year, I marvel at the seeds I plant. What amazing, miraculous packages of diversity and life; they are just mesmerizing to me.
Ooooh, I love okra. Pick it when it is no more than 5 inches long, unless you got a variety that is not woody. With your family, assuming it grows (it loves heat just like a tomato or melon does), _you will need _*_at most_*_ 2 plants; smaller families usually only plant 1._ Otherwise, you'll be able to feed the entire province. (Hmm, I bet the pigs will eat them.) Okra is like peas, you need to harvest every day.
When you cook it, it will be mucilaginous like an oyster. Some people don't like that texture, so they put it in stews and soups; others bread and fry it. It makes great pickles, too.
Congrats on 3K subs.
Thank you! It was excited to pass the 3000 milestone this morning. 🙂 Thanks for the tips of the Okra - on the advice of another subscriber I'm going to grow it in the greenhouse - hopefully that will extend the season long enough to get a harvest.
I love seeds, too! I really can't wait to get into the garden!
I am very interested in seeing how you use the soil blocks as well. Here in FL where we have just sand and I have to make soil CONSTANTLY, I use horse, goat & chicken manure and all organic matter that we trim cut up, chip etc to amend the depleted soil. I likely 'grow' more soil than I do vegetables, but without it I have no food! lol I also dehydrate my kale, arugula, spinach and even lettuce to put in smoothies, soups etc. it's a fantastic way to preserve leafy greens!! We love sauerkraut too! Kids like it but not their fav.... :-) My okra didn't do well, and just so you know it can be slimy. Fried is best IMO. lol Peas, I love to put into salads. Even the shelling peas I will harvest somewhat young and cut them up shell and all for stir fry, salad even soups.
You could teach me a thing or two about composting! I’m looking forward to getting in that train. It’s almost criminal that I don’t use more of the manure I have here!
It's a little intimidating at first because people make SO many rules, it's not hard and once you get going you will be SO happy to make your own rich fertile soil!!. Nature takes care of herself and will reclaim everything.... When you have to scoop a stall (If your cows are in a stall, or maybe scoop out of a pen if you want to really get started!) pick an out of the way (but not too hard to get to) place, put the manure right on the ground, add some hay or dry matter of some sort, over the manure keep layering in that fashion until you have good pile a 3-5 feet high, cover with hay, then start another pile next to it do the same and so on. It only take a 2 months here in florida, but I imagine if you start now you will have a huge amount of compost for next years garden. When you can dig in to the pile and it's not hot and doesn't smell strong it's ready to use. You can always take a small scoop, plant a seed in it and if it grows so will your garden! If you don't 'want to layer you can simply make a pile of manure keep piling it up it will compost itself, just not as quickly. (dig from the bottom with this) Even though we are in completely different climates compost is something the earth makes all by itself! you will be fine. just start... that's the hardest part!! I love your videos! wish I had more time to watch lately, it's getting busy down here we are nearing the end of our growable season. Summer is our down time.... I have to chuckle - we really don't have a down time. in the summer we are making soil and over-summering garden beds! :-)
Thank you for that, Kim, really. You made it seem really simple. I have to do some more cleaning tomorrow so I’ll get started. I was wondering, how long does it take to compost Pig manure? I’ve heard it’s way longer than cow, horse etc.
It is longer than horse or cow. From what I understand - I have not personally worked with pig manure, it takes about 6 months. It needs to be piled up and allowed to heat up and then cool down on it's own. You can also speed the process up with a dark tarp. Make sure to add a layer of carbon (hay, leave and twigs straw etc) on the ground before you pile any manure when that breaks down (especially for pig manure) you will know it's done. Another thing I tell people is if you are not sure - get a small pot put some compost/soil in it plant a seed if it sprouts and starts to thrive your compost is ready to plant in. :-) Another sign is smell. It should smell like soil, with slight undertones of manure but not ammonia/urine at all. :-D Happy Composting!!
We are trying to grow kale again. We failed the last time. Carrots will also be new for us. And a new variety of spaghetti squash.
I also wanted to say, I really love watching your videos. I can't get enought...lol.
Thank you so much for watching. I'm so glad you're enjoying them.
I don't know where you are, but if you start your Kale plants indoors they should be ok.
I am in Northwest Pennsylvania. I will try to start it inside then!!!
Zucchini chips in the dehydrator.
Toss zucchini slices in a bowl with salt pepper sage, oregano rosemary, ( you can even use powdered kale!) olive oil and lemon juice. ...
Arrange seasoned zucchini slices in a single layer on dehydrator trays.
dehydrate at 125 degrees for up to 24 hours or until completely dehydrated and crispy.
Store in an air tight container
SO yummy!!!
Yum!
If you are going to cook okra, there are a couple of ways that the kids might actually eat, lol. Pick, clean, cut into sections (wheels), coat in cornmeal and deep fry. Then you can do a hoecake where you also cut up, mix in cornmeal and press into a cast iron pan. Use bacon fat for the hoecake. Cook until brown on one side, carefully flip browning the other side. Good eats!
You can also use in soups or stews. It acts as a thickener, and if just fried in a pan without cornmeal, it can be a bit slimy. I like it, but most non-southerners don't.
I'm looking forward to trying it. From what I'm understanding it's kind of a love it or hate it plant. Thanks for the tips.🙂
You're welcome. If you need recipes I can send you my grandmother’s. :D
That would be wonderful! Thanks.
Hi I’m a new subscriber from North Germany! Here is kale a old traditional vegetable and we can let it in the garden over the winter. He is hardy in our zone but must harvested if the temperature gets lower than -10°C and there is no snow. I really like you videos! We have a holiday house in Sweden and like the nature in Scandinavia. And pictures from Canada often looks like the landscape in the north of Europe!☺️ I hope my English is not to bad. Beneath my mother language I speak more often Swedish than English!🙈
Your English is great!
I have several friends from Germany and they all say it’s very similar. Our temps get to cold for Kale past October but I love dried Kale, so that’s ok.
Thanks so much for subscribing! I’m really happy to have you here.
I shred zucchini then hang it in cheesecloth over a pan overnight. Next you squeeze out water as much as you can. Put them in small freezer bags in the amount you would use to make zucchini bread. so nice to have them in the winter.
I’ve done that too a few times. Have you ever tried zucchini relish? It’s to die for!
My brother does that too (I will if I get a freezer) a d he makes zuke bread all year long.
Bet the kids would like some Pink Popcorn from WCS. The kid in me does.
You’re growing seasons makes me feel, so blessed to be living in Ontario!
LOL - what is your growing season? When do you plant?
Little Mountain Ranch- My growing seasons is from late May to late October/ November. I am in zone 5-6. I am new to gardening so I will try to grow a little bit, of everything until I found -out what works best for me. I will grow flowers, root vegetables, vine vegetable, leafy greens, berries Bush’s, and the lists, goes on. I am thinking about starting to make videos, but I am nervous about that, because I don’t know everything about Gardening. I just do it because, the food you grow taste so much better and its fun to Gardening!
Being a beginner is fine - people will enjoy learning with you and you’ll learn a lot from your subscribers - I know it’s been that way for me. 😊
I’m going to be doing soil blocks too! I should be starting already, but I haven’t even ordered my seeds yet!ack!!!
Get on it girl!😉
Contender beans are early and delicious and are super prolific! They are they are the only beans I ordered already for spring 2019 lol. I also dehydrate zucchini for using during the winter.
I'll try them out, thanks!
Hi Chelsea,
I've been binging your videos for a couple of months and loving everything about your channel, lifestyle, philosophy.
I was wondering if you have your spaghetti sauce recipe with the kale in it on any of your videos?
Thank you,
Kate from Cornwall
I love okra but I have southern roots. Do not let them get large before you pick them. We always pick at about 1 1/2 inch long. When they are small they are tender if they get to big they are woody and not pleasant to eat. Also use gloves to harvest as they have little stickers. They are great in soups as they will thicken it. They are slimey and that can be off putting when boiled. Hope you enjoy the okra.
Thanks for the tip about the gloves. i didn't know that!
I'm looking forward to trying it!
What a wonderful selection of seeds ....can't wait to see it all come to harvest!!! I didn't order any seeds this year, I have so many left over from last year and have been given so many from friends that I will plant this year. Stay warm and remember that spring will soon be here!! 2ft of snow ...Yikes ...we are in our third or forth day of rain with two or so more days of rain yet to come. All my best to the LMR gang and say howdy to Farmer Dan!!
I will pass on your hello to Farmer Dan. He's outside feeding the cows at the moment.
It's sunny and warm today!! Wooohoooo! We're above 0 and the snow is melting. Spring might actually coming!
Put your bean seeds in enough water to make them wet and add inoculant to it. It comes in a package like seeds. Follow package directions. Works great, I have done this for 40 years or more.
Love west coast seeds. I get so excited when my seeds come in
The patio snackers are awsome we plant them all the time and eat them all summer.
I’m looking forward to trying them.
We have had really good luck with a bean called rattlesnake bean. It’s a gorgeous plant and they have a beautiful flavor. Not sure of your setup, but beans tend to like something to climb on such as a cattle panel.
Thanks for the tip - I'll look into them.
cant wait to start planting and harvesting too!!
I was outside all day today in the sun which made me feel so uplifted and hopeful that spring is actually coming!
Exciting! I'm planning on planting a small garden this year, however, my baby is due in june so I have to be realistic how much I should plant. But my mom will be here and take over the gardening while I recover.
That's awesome that your mom is going to come and help out. I'm excited for you. It's a bit of a weird feeling to be on the other side of the having babies stage of life. It's such a magical, wonderful, challenging time and I miss it - I know, that must seem crazy when I have 11 kiddos. :)
I never thought to ferment Swiss Chard! that's a great idea!! I usually have tons!
I can't wait for gardening season either!
It can't come soon enough! 🙂
I’d love to hear more about the soil blocks and how they work. I really want to get away from plastic trays. They are such a pain and irritating to wash each year. I have always wondered how they hold up! Such a great garden haul. I can’t wait to see what you guys do with it all!
I’m so curious, too. I know what you mean about the plastic trays - such a pain.
Definitely going to have to look into this more! Thanks for the insight!
Thanks so much!
I think I detected why the kids were being silly...did you catch it. Once again really enjoyed seeing your excitement over the coming season to plant! So, what were you painting white? T and the Phantom (that’s me) also will be glad when all this”white global warming “ runs its course! Your Kale with the “ribs” is an interesting idea and I like the way you explained how to process it. Pat Westley on the head for me! Keep up with them thar chores ( that was for the White House feller on the Hill)! Thanks again C. Hi to all D SKA LJ ....well you get the idea!😃. Omelette you go now!
I was painting the stairs. I laughed when i saw that in editing!
Wesley says, hi and so do the rest of the crew. ❤
I just thought they were being silly because they always are. Lol
That makes me excited to start gardening this year! Thanks!
Awesome!
I like your seed variety
Thanks, Stephan. 🙂
Yeah seeds! Love soil blocks! I actually attended a workshop today about making soil blocks. BTW, you should also buy the mini blocker to start seeds in. You should be able to grow lettuce using soil blocks in your greenhouse later in the season.
Awesome, thanks, Todd!
Our family totally !Ives squash, according to us you can never have too much. Usually plant 5 types of squash. ALWAYS spaghetti, yellow straight neck, Italian zukes, regular zukes, and butternut (patty pans turbanz and delicata at times). Squash NUT here!
They are the BEST! I forgot to get patty-pan eeds! I have to remedy that right away!
Thanks for sharing with us! That soil block maker is cool, I'm looking forward to seeing how it goes. We're trying to go much bigger with our gardens this year and trays were something I had to invest a few bucks into. Great video and wishing you the best in this year's growing season :) ~Stephanie
I'll let you know how it works. I'll be using them next week and will do my best to film it. ❤ Thank you for watching!
Big smile.. Blessings
Who what why?? Did anybody thumbs down this Informative Video lol.. Thank you Little mountain Ranch gave me a couple good ideas for my Garden this year :) take care!
Thanks, Trav! 🙂
Looking forward to your posts on soil blocks. Do you have a special potting soil you use?
There’s a mix the company I bought them from recommends. I’ll try it and let you know how it goes.
Swiss chard you can dehydrate, as well~ Great choices for seeds~ Thank you for sharing! :)
Great suggestion.
I haven’t tried spinach yet but I did Swiss card and I really like how it turned out.
Awesome seeds. I would like to get those soil blocks but I don’t have the money right now. I can’t believe you’ve never had fried okra. That’s a classic down here in the south.
I just planted the okra in the greenhouse today! 🌱
I got my soil blocker last year and oohhhhh So simple and awesome I don't have the large one and I just plant my little ones in the ground and it works as well .... man do you have a huge garden planned ... My isn't anywhere near that big
So glad to hear they work well! I’m excited to try them... I get to start next week. Wooohooo!
We had kids using it ... it is great
Hooray Chelsea ~~ You have your seeds~~ & I got some of mine ~~ Spring is on it's way!! Great choices ,, thank's sweetie for sharing all your tips --gonna give that kale a try this year(Dry tons of herbs but have never done Kale))))~Hoping we all have a super good growing season~I'm on the east coast~ Rhode Island~~So short growing season here also...
So happy! I wanted to thank you for being at my live show. That meant a lot to me.❤
I haven't gotten into drying herbs, but I hope to do so this year.
My wife always uses her soil block maker for starting seeds.
Would you mind sharing with me the soil mix she uses?
My wife actually has two soil blockers, the 4 and the 20 hand held depending on what size seeds she is starting. The starting mix she uses is from Johnnys Selected Seeds out of Maine which is where she gets most of her seeds.
The mix is Johnny's 512 Mix : Excellent for seed starting, transplanting and container growing. 512 Mix is made from a 1/2" screened blend of sphagnum (brown) and sedge (black) peat mosses, compost and perlite. Contains ample nutrients to carry most plants from seed to transplant. Some high nutrient-demanding crops may benefit from supplemental feeding. The mix does not require as frequent watering as all-sphagnum mixes like Redi-Earth or Pro Mix, and is excellent for soil blocks, trays and small containers. Available in three sizes. Johnny's 512 Mix is approved for use by MOFGA on MOFGA certified-organic farms. I hope this helps.
It does! Thank you so much!
I would suggest for short season tomatoes ; Sub Artic and Health Kick both are meaty medium size round . They were developed for us in Edmonton. Health Kick is more nutrient dense and has the most flavour. My brother in law starts 50 of each; every two weeks starting 6 weeks ago. He grows them to flowering or fruit set; in his green house, for sale at the week-end markets in gal pots. And he has always sold out. And he is 77 like me. I start my pole beans in saved toilet paper cores then transplant the end of May with the core 1" below the surface. 1000 ft. up the hill here in North Van; my climate is close to yours; but less sun, I only get 5-6 hours here in the shade of the forest. the old guy Bert
Hi Bert! Great idea for the toilet paper roles - I'll start saving up.
I am looking forward to when my little ones are a little older and I can invest more time into selling products off of our property. Hopefully I'll be able to do honey this year... I do have 5 litters of piglets on the ground and 2 more to go so I'm feeling pretty good about that. The garden is my next project once these pigs are done.
Hope you have a great day, Bert!
I agree with the Sub Arctic Plenty, they are a great tomato.
Tip: don’t forget to plant for the bees and butterflies...pollinators 🦋🐝
Martine 🇨🇦
Yes! 🌷🌹🌼🌸😊
I feel behind already! I need to clean up my area where I start seeds and get started! I’m excited to see how the blocks go. I like the idea of them because you don’t need plastic, but then I also wonder if compacted soil is really the best growing medium for seedlings. I know a lot of people use them with success so they’ll probably work well. Happy planting!
Oh and, have you ever checked out homesteading family? They have some great fermentation videos. And I think she has 11 kids too! So she preserves an impressive amount of food. I asked her once and I think she said she preserves something like 1500 jars in a good year! She also has a cool egg preservation technique that might be fun to try.
I haven't but I will go take a look. 1500 jars! That's amazing! I'd love to get to that level.
I wasn't sure how they would work either which is why I didn't bu the larger block makers. I'm going to get the things I need to make the blocks and start next week so I'll let you know how it goes.
Oh Chelsea...seeds are like a new baby, wonderful when they are expected but a lot of work when they arrive! I LOVE buying seeds and I like starting seeds, planting seeds and watching them grow but I am not happy when the weeds grow faster than the plants. I am out in the garden early, early, early because it gets too hot for me to weed here in the mitten state. You make me laugh at just the thought of eating kale...at first I think that you must be dutch (my daughter lives in the Netherlands and is married to a native dutch boy) as they eat it in stampot (mashed potatoes with kale mixed in) but I think of kale as only useful for decorating a salad bar and pitching when it gets dirty:). I like greens and eat a lot of greens as they have the healing properties and with 3 back surgeries...I need all the "healing properties" I can get. Now cabbage is another thing altogether, sauerkraut is to die for on a hotdog or a brat with mustard. Kids, you haven't lived until you've had kraut on a hotdog!!! BUT...I wouldn't walk across the road for okra-TOO SLIMY, YUCK, YUCK, YUCK, YUCK, YUCK! I do hope you have a better summer this year than last and your garden will provide you with many, many rewarding meals. I can about 4-6 bushel of tomatoes every fall as I too make all my own sauces and I like to eat just a dish of hot tomatoes as a side dish, YUM, YUM, YUM, YUM, YUM! Come now Chelsea dear...we grow our seeds in soil and wash the dirt off our hands, every GOOD gardener must know the difference to be a successful gardener. On that note, I just roared when you bought fertilizer when you have cows, chickens and pigs. There is NO better fertilizer than composted manure. Being a master gardener...trust me when I say that you have a gold mine on that farm for garden amendments between animal waste and leaves. I say get those animals to work for you on every level, dear girl!:) I do enjoy watching people's hauls no matter what the product and I thank you for sharing your seed haul with us. I am waiting for that grocery haul you were telling us was coming and Jack is waiting for a peek into Farmer Dan's heavy equipment stash too. I will enjoy your greenhouse adventures and am hoping that Mom and Mom-in-law will share what they are up to this new growing season too as this gardener can't live on food alone, flowers have an important place in my life since I've never met a flower I shouldn't be growing!!! Jack can attest to that as he has to mow around all my flower gardens and it is no easy feat when there are very few straight lines of grass to mow. He thanks God every time he mows that we have a little plot here on the river for mowing is a BIG job not due to the size of our "plantation" but because of the vast amounts of gardens. We call our property "God's little plot" but little is not a plus for this chore :). I haven't been posting the last couple vlogs as the rain, it cometh this February and we got surrounded by river and our cute little retirement cottage became a houseboat. We did not take on water in the cottage but the workshop had about 7 inches so Mr. Jack and Miss Vicki put on our wellies and out we went to clean up so that projects can resume as soon as we are back on track. So we felt just like those ducks going up and downstream playing in the water. For some reason I just don't find that to be a fun activity...must be because I don't have feathers! I hope you didn't miss me for that would have been a waste of your precious time on the Ranch but I just wanted you to know that I did watch AND hit the like button but just ran out of day for commenting even though I probably would have had a thought or two to share. I will say that Aurora with the chickens always makes my day...kids and chickens, how can anyone not enjoy that? I think about the new bull and hope he is busy about the job of growing up so as to perform the job
he is being expected to fulfill even though he isn't sporting the "Chocolate Chuck" moniker I so thought he looked like. Spring is coming Chelsea and I am sure that there will be Sebastopol chicks at your local farm market just waiting to become a part of the Little Mountain Ranch...are they on your list for 2018? I'll be watching and wondering if one time when you give us a bit of a peek into your busy life I'll see a frilly goose or two-or a gaggle:). Until next time...Happy, Happy!!!:):):)
I may have wondered just a little we you’d gone, but I had no doubt you’d be back in all of your commenting glory. 😊
As to the compost - I know, seems a little strange considering I’m living on a gold mine of poop... I’ve been so busy the past few years with my new little ones and the farm that I haven’t had the time to get organized with it. I have piles kicking around but haven’t done a thing to them. I am planning to get with the program this year and not humiliate myself with store bought fertilizer a moment longer than necessary. Lol
I have the grocery haul video done and I’m just tuning it up before posting so watch for it next week.
The Mom’s would love to do another video. My mother-in-law is just opening a gallery in the next few weeks and my mom is gearing up for planting. She’s as impatient as I am.
As for the geese, I’m on the hunt as hatching season starts to heat up. They’re not as easy to find as I thought. Kate’s going to be raising ducks and says I can put a few geese in with her quackers.
As for Dan, tell Jack that he just brought home another dump truck body and promises me he will do a video for me. I can’t say when, but I’m working on it.🌸❤️
I don't like okra, but pickled okra is totally diff, and I LOVE pickled okra!
I think I found some Sebastopols! An elderly fellow from out west of here is going out of them and I'm hoping to land some breeding stock. They are hard to find so might be a good little business for Kate.
Oh my Gosh...did you hear that squeal of excitement? That wasn't your piggies but Miss Vicki all the way down here in Michigan. I NEVER thought you would find any because they are not a normal farm animal but if you do...I will be so excited to see those disheveled cuties waddling along with the rest of the Little Mountain Ranch stars of the farm. I am so curious to see if they are born with the ruffled feathers or they grow into that look. I hope Miss Kate will say yes and will be just as excited to mother such unique geese as I will be to watch her as she takes on this challenge. Oh Miss Chelsea, you have made my day just for finding it in your heart to try to expand your animalistic horizons up there on the homestead. God love you girl and you go Kate!!! OH HAPPY DAY!!!:):):)
Cabbage dehydrates well & works great for soups & stews. Looks like you paint like me & wear it well. lol
Thank you!
lol - I noticed the paint when I was editing. Yup, it's pretty much everywhere by the time I'm done.
I always love your videos.Have you ever tried broad beans they are without a doubt my favourite vegetable.I never hear a mention of them anymore
Thank you so much. I haven’t, but I’ll get a package with my next order and give them a try.🌱
I agree with the spaghetti squash i still have two left and they are still good
They last forever and are so good. We make bake them with a meat sauce and mozza - Yum!
I had no idea spaghetti squash stayed good so long. We used to make a lot of it, don't know why we stopped making it. Have to get back on it. :)
Congrats on 3k subs!
Thank you, Herve! 🙂
we found if you dehydrate the okra and then add to soup, the okra does not come out slimy
Thank you!
The seed block machines look fantastic......just wish we could buy one in Australia...:(
The ones I have are made in the UK so maybe you could order them in if the shipping wasn’t too bad.
Thank you will check kit out...:)
I would love to know how you do pickles and your fermented things. Or the resources where you found those recipes. I attempted pickles one year and it was a complete fail and made me not want to do that again. Your video has got me excited about the growing and harvesting season!
I have a great recipe for pickles that I'll post below my pickling video when it comes out in the summer. If you're pickling before me, message me and I'll send you the recipe! I'd post it here but I'd have to go look for it in the depths of my recipe box.
Little Mountain Ranch great thank you!!
We're in the middle of a snowstorm. I kinda have the winter blues if I'm honest. I've planted onions, leeks and shallots. I know in a little lesson than 10 days I have a bunch more seeds to start. But I'm so tired of worrying about my loved ones on these treacherous roads :/ Rant over!
Weren't you going to post the seed list? I have good luck with Blue Lake beans. I like bush rather than pole beans! If it is too cool and wet...the seeds will rot. I usually plant and wait ten days and then re-plant in the spots it didn't come up. It also could be mice eating the seeds. That happens to me with peas. This year I am going to start them in the house and then plant outdoors.
Don't completely abandon the flowers on the deck. I plant flowers in every raised bed inbetwixt my veggies to encourage pollinators to visit my garden. I truely believe it has helped my production...especially cucumbers! (My favorite variety for slicing is Beit Alpha).
I feel you! We had a snow storm yesterday and I just about crawled back into bed. lol
Thanks for the reminder, I'll post the list in a few minutes.
I plan to plant lots of flowers in the garden, like you suggested. I have bee hives quite close to the garden, so pollinating is usually not an issue for me, but I love the look of flowers in the garden either way. Have you planted Borage before? It's supposed to be great for attracting bees.
Little Mountain Ranch i haven't. But I see you tubers use it with great effect in their gardens. So I should.
I love sorting my seeds! Have you looked into zucchini chips? I bake them, but you could probably use the dehydrator.
Could you tell me about the poncho/wrap you're wearing? Is it hand knit?
I haven't made chips, but that's a great idea!
My sister gave the poncho to me a few years ago and I don't know where she got it, but I love it. I wear it all the time when I'm inside in the winter because I'm always cold.
How exciting!! What herbs would be safe to plant early?
I would wait to put any new herbs into the ground until the risk of frost has past. If you are starting from seed, start indoors as early as possible because herbs take forever to get going. :) Some hardy perennial herbs are Angelica, lemon balm, bee balm, garlic chives, sweet cicely, anise hyssop, lovage, lesser calamint, mountain mint, garden sage, winter savory, French tarragon, thyme. I found this list on the Far North Gardener site.
Little Mountain Ranch great thank you so much.
How about fermented pickles? I'd love to learn how
I love fermenting anything! I haven't done a ton of it, but I've enjoyed it so far. When it hits that time of year I'll get some videos up on the topic.
what's the paint on you arm all about o yes good job
I was painting my stairs before I filmed and forgot to wash my arm. lol When I paint it gets everywhere!
At first I thought it was a dressing for a wound. Glad it's just paint!
If your kids don't like beets, try yellow beets. I find beets too strong, but I totally love yellow beets! I've introduced many beet haters to yellow beets and they like them. Actually I prefer yellow tomatoes (fresh) better than red, but cooked I like red better. Our whole family loves purple beans way better than regular green Beans. My brother introduced me to lemon cucumbers, which I like much better than other cukes. We always joke that we don't grow anything that's the right co!or (we love blue potatoes too)
I did order some yellow beets and will get the kids to try them out. They don't mind them as much if they are pickled or roasted, but they aren't big fans. I love the idea of feeding the kids veggies that are little out of the ordinary, they would love that.
Oh, soil block makers! What brand was the fertilizer?
Gaia All Purpose 4-4-4
Gaia, thank you, I'll see if there
s a distributor on the east coast.
What about fermented spinach?
Have you tried it? I thought maybe it would be kind of slimy.
Yay seeds
Soak your beans ..helps to help start to grow...
homesteader peas will feed the kids all summer..
I know you are looking to grow in the summer. But for winter growing consider micro greens. One the veggies with the highest nutritional value.
Yes! I'm looking into that for next winter. I would love to get away from the grocery store as much as I can and it's the veggies in the winter that keeps me needing to go.
I live in Toronto and grow a couple of 20x10 flats of mostly broccoli micro greens a week and also some Oregon peas. I give away about 1 flat a week to friends and family. They are not very filling but very very nutrient dense. I bought the seeds from mums and the plastic 20x10 flats and some seeds from sprout master. I also have two 48 “ long lights to extend the lighted hours. The broccoli seeds grow best in coconut coir (husks) which I bought from the “medicine” hydroponic store. They have the very best stuff. For them only the very best quality is good enough. But a little expensive. Curtis stone the urban farmer and khang Starr are two big proponents of growing micro greens and have lots of advice on you tube.
Thank you so much for that!
Thanks for sharing. I live close to LifeGoesNorth so I know about the cold, snow and short growing season. I have used seeds from Denali Seed Company www.denaliseed.com/. Last year I grew some Early Tanana, Glacier, Siberian and Polar Beauty. I liked how well the grew compared to the Romas and Supersweet 100.
Awesome, thanks for the suggestion. I'll pop over and check out your channel. :)
You will love okra!!!
I watch your video squash soup why don't you save your seeds to replant them for the next you. I save a few of seeds from different plants I planted last year.
Because there’s too much cross pollination in my garden and none of the seeds will grow true to the parent stock. Might be kind of fun to plant a few and see what we get.😊
So brave of you to try new things. I'm surprised you are going to try Okra. Okra is one of those vegetables you either love or you hate - no in between. Kids generally don't like it because when boiled it is slimy if overcooked. I like Okra boiled with my fresh lima beans. You add the okra when the beans are done. Just put in, put a lid on the pot, sit off the burner and the steam cooks the Okra. Most of my family loves fried breaded Okra. Okra is unforgiving if it's needs aren't met but when it receives the heat that it loves it grows and grows with little work. With the right high temps you will be harvesting Okra every couple of days. Don't let it grow big - cut the pods off when they are just 2 - 3 inches long or the Okra will be tough and horrible to eat. Also, when you go to plant it, the day before take your seeds and scrape them gently over a piece of sand paper. This is called scarifying. Okra seed is very hard and this gives the inside of the seed a chance to come out and get growing. After you scrape your seeds over sand paper, put them in a small bit of water and soak overnight. That helps get them growing also. Some people nick the seed with a sharp knife but I find rubbing it over the sand paper works good and no cuts from a knife slipping. Even if you learn you don't like Okra you will love the flower blossoms - very pretty plant. Sometimes toward the end of the season I will let a few plants grow huge pods. Just leave them on the plant until it dies. Then set the pods out in the sun and let them dry further. Very nice and unusual to use in fall flower arrangements or wreaths. Or save the seeds for next years growing season. I wonder if you could grow Cantaloupe or Watermelon in the greenhouse? I'd bet on the Cantaloupe. Watermelon might be tricky and they do take up a lot of space just to get 1 or 2 fruits but wow what a treat that would be for your kids! I am excited about learning how things grow different between our different climates. You are growing Brussel Sprouts, greens (Kale, Spinach, Turnips) and Beets in the summer. Here in South Carolina I grow them in the fall/winter. Happy Growing. I was excited when I got my seed order in also. And yes, I played with the packages and planned where and when to plant. It's all part of the fun.
Thank you so much for all the tips. I genuinely appreciate it!
I’ve grown watermelon before, but further south than we are now, but I’ve never tried cantaloupe. It might be a fun one for the kids to try.
Herbs
I’m hoping to start an herb garden this year, but it might have to wait.