Nearly 20 years ago, we set out to create a self-reliant homestead. Now we produce our own food and our own power, and can tackle whatever craziness this wild world throws at us. If you’re ready take back control from Big Pharma and Big Food and feel confident facing Everyday Emergencies, join us.
Common Sense Home Good News Letter 5/9/26
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The month of May toddled along, seemingly unsure of whether or not it wished to commit fully to the season of spring. In spite of cool conditions, the orchards began to wake up. The blossoms filled the air with ambrosial sweetness, inviting visitors to linger and enjoy, especially when a bit of sunlight joined in the welcome. This week we are tackling the late emerging plants like hardy kiwis and pawpaws, and cleaning up the spent rugosa rose and blackberry brambles. The roses had some pest damage last year, so we're burning the dead canes to reduce pest pressure. We use these for gathering rose hips, so I want to make sure they get some TLC. Last year we got a bit behind on things and they were rather neglected. Rugosas are tough, but these particular plants are in an exposed spot on a hill, so they take a pounding from the wind. Couple that with dry conditions, and they were not happy. The older blackberry patch is easier to manage since we made the rows a little narrower, but the thorns still have a bite. It looks like our new patch of thornless Doyle blackberries survived the winter, so I'm looking forward to seeing how those take off once the weather warms up. Our beehive made it through the winter, too, and the ladies have been enjoying the fresh food after a long winter. Before the orchard trees, shrubs like haskaps and Cornelian cherries provided them with some of their first fresh food of the season. One of our ongoing goals is extending the pollen and nectar season, including plants like witch hazel, which blooms in the fall, and hazelnuts, which provide pollen as early as March. We have family coming over for Mother's Day brunch, so I'd best sign off and get the duck patrol in and my kitchen cleaned up. To all the moms, have a blessed day. This Week’s Resilience & Abundance Boost
Resilience grows through patient tending, caring for what sustains us season after season. All our best to you and yours, Laurie (and August IV, August V, and Duncan) This week's featured articles...This old-fashioned seven layer salad will take you back to simpler times of church suppers, family reunions, graduation parties, and backyard cookouts. We dug up the parsnips out of the garden recently, so I thought it was a good time to mention this often forgotten vegetable. I love that they can hold in the ground all winter and give us one of the first fresh harvests of spring. Speaking of gardening, these next garden guests are not very welcome. I'm talking about squash vine borers. If you want to eliminate them in your garden, one of the most important steps happens at planting time. With the recent hantavirus scare, I thought it was a good time to review how to safely clean up rodent droppings and debris. Mother's Day Sale - $50 off mixers + 25% off select attachments at Nutrimill.com. Sale ends May 11th. |
Laurie Neverman @ Common Sense Home
Nearly 20 years ago, we set out to create a self-reliant homestead. Now we produce our own food and our own power, and can tackle whatever craziness this wild world throws at us. If you’re ready take back control from Big Pharma and Big Food and feel confident facing Everyday Emergencies, join us.
The kitchen table was cluttered with empty glass bottles from maple syrup - not because he made syrup himself, but because a friend who does might need some. There were empty egg cartons sitting on a kitchen shelf - not because he raised chickens, but because friends who did might need some extra cartons. When trees went down in a tornado, he worked with his brother-in-law's sawmill to salvage lumber, and turned other trees into firewood. The old house he lived in, purchased from his...
The flowers of the blue-eyed grass were scattered about the semi-wild areas of the yard, like specks of deep blue sky fallen to the earth. As quickly as they appeared, they vanished, making way for summer blooms like birdsfoot trefoil and dame's rocket. Nature's artwork was ever-changing, making each walk through the yard a new adventure for those who paid her heed. We had old friends over for a visit on Memorial Day, sharing a meal and hanging out in the south yard fishing in the big pond...
She hummed her way around the yard in a seemingly haphazard pattern, while in truth, her flight was guided by knowledge and purpose. Some days she worked her traplines, visiting the same flowers in the morning and afternoon because she knew the nectar would be replenished. Other days she was led to new harvests by ultraviolet nectar guides on flowers that acted as miniature landing strips, or by changes in fragrance denoting peak nutrient value. One day she might seek out specific herbs for...