The Thrifted Planter

Just Grow Something

homestead

Carving Pumpkins: A Step by Step Guide

     5 Comments

It’s fall and fall means Pumpkins! Pumpkin carving is such a fun and easy way to get into the Halloween spirit. No matter if you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, there are a few simple steps you can follow to create a spooky and festive jack-o’-lantern. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the process of carving a pumpkin, from choosing the perfect pumpkin to adding the finishing touches. Now let’s get right to it!

pumpkin jack o lanterns. carve a pumpkin

How to Carve a Pumpkin

  1. Choose the right pumpkin. The best pumpkins for carving are large and round, with a smooth rind. Avoid pumpkins that are soft, bruised, or have cracks. The bigger the pumpkin, the more fun it will be to carve!
  2. Gather your supplies. You will need a sharp knife, a cutting board or newspaper, a spoon, a bowl, a marker, and a flashlight or candle (optional).
  3. Prepare your pumpkin. Cut off the top of the pumpkin with the knife. You can put the pumpkin on it’s side and cut 2-3 inches from the stem. Or you can sit the pumpkin upright and cut downward into the pumpkin. Be very careful so that you are not injured. Use the spoon to scoop out the seeds and stringy flesh. Save the seeds for roasting or planting.
  4. Sketch your design. If you are not sure what you want to carve, you can find designs online through googling, Pinterest or in books. You can also draw your own design on a piece of paper and then transfer it to the pumpkin. Or if your good at drawing you can sketch directly on the pumpkin.
  5. Start carving. Use the knife to cut out your design. Start with the large features and then work your way to the smaller details. Be careful not to cut too deep or use too much pressure, or you could break the pumpkin.
  6. Add details. Once you have the basic shape of your design, you can add details with the knife. You can also use a marker to add details, such as eyes, eyebrows, and teeth.
  7. Light your pumpkin. If you are using a candle, place it in a high-sided glass or cup to prevent it from tipping over. If you are using electric lights, you will need to run a cord through the hole in the top of the pumpkin. A better and safer option is to use battery powered lights! There’s no risk of fire and no need for electrical cords.
  8. Display your Pumpkin. Now comes the easy part! Picking a great spot to display your masterpiece!
carving pumpkins

Here are some additional tips for carving a pumpkin:

  • Use a sharp knife. A dull knife will make it more difficult to carve and could cause the pumpkin to break.
  • Cut slowly and carefully. Don’t rush, or you could make a mistake or worse cute yourself.
  • Use a cutting board. This will help to protect your work surface.
  • Have fun! Carving pumpkins is a great way to get creative and have some fun.

Now that you know how to carve a pumpkin it’s time to get started! Be sure to display your pumpkins for all to see!

Happy Fall!

How to Dry Herbs for long storage life!

     1 Comment

Herbs have been used for centuries for their medicinal properties. They are rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, and other nutrients that can help boost health and well-being. There’s no reason not to include herbs in your daily routine.

dry herbs

There are many ways to dry herbs. Here are a few of the most popular methods:

  • Air-drying: This is the simplest method and requires no special equipment. Simply wash the herbs and remove any wilted or damaged leaves. Tie the herbs in small bundles and hang them upside down in a dark, cool, and well-ventilated place.
  • Oven-drying: This method is faster than air-drying, but it can be more damaging to the herbs. Preheat the oven to the lowest setting. Spread the herbs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 2-3 hours, or until the herbs are dry and brittle.
  • Dehydrator: This is the most efficient method for drying herbs. Dehydrators heat the air to a specific temperature, which helps to preserve the flavor and color of the herbs. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for drying herbs in a dehydrator.

Once the herbs are dry, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. They will stay fresh for up to 6 months.

dry herbs

Herbs you can grow yourself for tea! Read this!

Here are some tips for drying herbs:

  • Choose the right herbs: Not all herbs are created equal. Some herbs, such as basil and mint, are best used fresh. Others, such as oregano and thyme, can be dried and stored for later use.
  • Harvest the herbs at the right time: The best time to harvest herbs for drying is when they are in full bloom. The leaves will be at their most flavorful and aromatic.
  • Wash the herbs gently: Before drying the herbs, wash them gently with cool water to remove any dirt or debris.
  • Remove any wilted or damaged leaves: Once the herbs are washed, remove any wilted or damaged leaves.
  • Dry the herbs quickly: Once the herbs are washed and trimmed, dry them quickly. Air-drying is the best way to do this.
  • Store the herbs properly: Once the herbs are dry, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. They will stay fresh for up to 6 months.

By following these tips, you can easily dry your own herbs and enjoy their fresh flavor all year long. You can even create your own herb blends, teas and seasonings. When you grown your own herbs they taste so much better than anything you would buy from a store

Happy Gardening

Ciearra

Starting a Homestead Easy!

     Leave a Comment

Homesteading is a lifestyle choice that involves living off the land and being as self-sufficient as possible. You can create a homestead in any space you have big or small, apartment or farm. It can be a rewarding experience, but it’s important to do your research and plan ahead before you get started and don’t worry if you don’t do everything right. Baby steps are key when making lifestyle changes. Here are a few tips on starting a homestead:

starting a homestead
  1. Do your research. Before you buy any land or livestock, it’s important to learn as much as you can about homesteading. Read books and articles, watch documentaries, and talk to other homesteaders. The more you know, the better prepared you’ll be for the challenges of homesteading. If you live in a small space you need to plan how deep you want to go into homesteading. There are so many aspects that don’t involve having land so find homesteaders who live under the same circumstances you do.
  2. Set goals. What do you want to achieve with your homestead? Do you want to grow your own food? Raise animals? Produce your own energy? Once you know what you want to do, you can start planning how to make it happen.
  3. Find the right property. Not all land is created equal when it comes to homesteading. When you’re looking for property, consider the following factors:
    • Size: How much land do you need?
    • Location: Is the property located in a climate that’s suitable for the crops and animals you want to raise?
    • Soil: Is the soil fertile enough to grow crops?
    • Water: Does the property have access to water?
    • Zoning: Make sure the property is zoned for agricultural use.
  1. Make a budget. Homesteading can be expensive, so it’s important to make a budget before you get started. Factor in the cost of land, livestock, equipment, and supplies.
  2. Start small. Don’t try to do too much too soon. Start with a small garden and a few chickens. As you gain experience, you can gradually expand your homestead.
  3. Be patient. Homesteading is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time, patience, and hard work to build a successful homestead. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately. Just keep at it, and you’ll eventually reach your goals.
starting a homestead

For tips on raising chickens read this post!

Here are some additional tips for starting a homestead:

  • Get involved in your local community. There are often local groups and organizations that can provide support and resources for homesteaders.
  • Take classes or workshops. There are many opportunities to learn new skills and techniques that will help you on your homesteading journey.
  • Don’t be afraid to experiment. Homesteading is all about learning and trying new things. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Just learn from them and move on.
  • Don’t let having a small space stop you and don’t let having a large space frighten you from getting started.
  • Get started right where you are and learn as you go along
starting a homestead

Starting a Homestead can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. With careful planning and hard work, you can create a sustainable lifestyle that’s right for you and your family.

Happy Gardening

Ciearra

Top Tips for Raising Chickens from Hatch to Coop

     1 Comment

Raising chickens

As a backyard homesteader adding chickens to your homestead for the first time can seem quite scary. Being responsible for those little fluffy butts can make one quite nervous. Before we delve into raising chickens you need to know that sometimes chicks/ chickens die and there’s nothing you can do about it. They are delicate especially when they first hatch and sometimes even in a adult chickens death you just don’t know what happened. So don’t beat yourself up if you lose chicks. Raising Chickens can be a scary endeavor but these tips will give you the confidence to get started.

This blog post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission to fund my houseplant habit if you use these links to make a purchase. You will not be charged extra, and you’ll keep me in the garden. It’s a win for everyone, really.

Before you even think about bringing home chicks you will need to check your city ordinances especially if you live in a suburb or inner city. There’s nothing worse than trying to hide chickens from your neighbors and city. Some places may only allow hens and not roosters so it’s better to be safe than sorry. Once you’ve established that you can in fact have chickens you have to find space to keep them.

Chicken Coop

Raising Chickens

Chickens like to roost at night and if you don’t provide a coop they will try and roost anywhere that’s off the ground. Coops are good for protecting chickens at night from predators and Inclimate weather. Your site will need a coop on level ground that doesn’t flood. There are some MUST haves when it comes to building or buying a chicken coop. You will want to make sure the coop can be closed up at night so a door where the chickens can come in and out but can be locked when they go to sleep.

Air vents preferably two so that there is a cross breeze. Air flow is very important in a coop during the seasons. It allows heat and moisture to escape.

An access door for easy cleaning and checking on your birds along with nesting boxes where your chickens will lay eggs. I know this sounds like a lot but, prefab coops come with all this and if you are not handy with building prefab is the way to go If you build your own you will want to make sure to include all of these necessities.

There are so many options for chicken coops from wood to plastic and large to small. All have pluses and minuses.

To learn about the 100% Recycled Plastic Nestera Chicken Coop Read this post!

Protecting Your chickens

raising chickens

You will need to decide if you want your chickens to free range, stay in a run or both. Either option is fine its all up to you and how your property is set up. If you live in a area with a lot of predator pressure you may want to keep your chickens in a run. Or if predators are not as prevalent you may consider allowing your chickens to free range.

Many think that using chicken wire will protect their chickens from predators but many predators can get through chicken wire. Chicken wire is only good for keeping chickens in but not at keeping predators out. Hardwire cloth is what you need to use when you are protecting your coop and run.

Raccoons, possums, snakes, weasels, hawks, dogs, foxes are just a handful of the predators who would love to eat your chickens. Pretty much any animal that eats meat would love to make a meal out of your flock. If you have dogs as pets you are going to have to teach them to be chicken friendly.

If you live in an area that has bears, bobcats etc. You may want to reconsider the whole chicken keeping idea because there’s not enough hardwire cloth in the world that will keep a hungry bear or big cat away from your flock.

Picking out Chicks

raising chickens

Now for the fun part of picking out which chicken breed is right for your homestead. Believe it or not there are many different breeds that serve multiple purposes. You can pick chickens for egg production, Meat, breeding, Egg color, Broodiness, Cold tolerance, heat tolerance, friendliness the list goes on. Many backyard homesteaders choose for friendliness and egg production but as your experience grows your curiosity for different poultry will change.

Ordering chicks online is a very common thing these days, the chicks are typically shipped just after they hatch. Make sure that the company you are buying from has good reviews and that your chicks have their shots prior to being shipped. You will pay more when having chicks shipped to your home.

Many areas have stores that sell chicks starting in spring through late fall. Two major retailers where you can buy in store in the midwest are Rural King and Tractor Supply

Setting up your brooder

When you bring your chicks home you will need a place to put them. A brooder is a sort of a nursery for chicks. It has a substrate, heat source with food and water. There are many configurations of Brooders but its best to start small with your first flock. Chicks require a specific temperature each week in the brooder to ensure they transition to being outside in the coop. They are unable to regulate their own temperatures in the beginning.

You can keep the brooder in your home, garage, barn wherever you have space. What’s most important is that the chicks be kept under stable temperatures.

You can make brooder out of just about anything. The most basic brooder can be a plastic tub. It’s a very simple set up and can be very cost friendly.

For a chick brooder checklist read this!

Daily Care

chickens on grass field

Once you have your chicks you will have so much fun looking after them. They are cute, tiny, fuzzy and make the most adorable sounds. Every day you will need to clean their brooder. Chicks are messy and no matter what you do they will get messier and smellier as they get older. So cleaning the brooder daily is key to keeping the smell down.

They need fresh food and water daily. You will likely need to change the water multiple times a day as the chicks will kick their bedding in it or will poop in it. There’s no way around the messes that they will create.

Chicks grow so fast. You will see them change almost daily, it’s sad and exciting all at once. The fuzz will disappear and feathers will show up in their place. They will look more and more like chickens daily and before you know it they’ll be laying eggs.

Transitioning 6 Weeks Old chicks

Six weeks is such an exciting time for your chickens! They are so much bigger than those day old poof balls you brought home. They are finally at the stage where they can move into their coop. To start this transition be sure that you start with small increments of time within a run. Keep a close eye on them as they are very vulnerable at this time.

Day One: One Hour

Day Two: Two Hours

Day Three: Four Hours

Repeat this until your chicks are out for eight plus hours. If you are transitioning during winter take longer with your transitioning schedule as your chicks will need to get used to colder temperatures. You will want to keep them in a run attached to their coop while they are still learning about being outside. When your chickens start spending the night outside you will want to keep a close eye on them making sure they learn how to get into their coop. You may find yourself putting them into the coop at night for a while. It’s natural for them to go roost at night.

I have heard that certain breeds do not roost such as silkies but you’ll want to do your research on the breed(s) you choose.

Smart Chickens

selective focus photography of white chicken

Once your chickens have learned to put themselves to bed in the evening all you need to do is make sure they are all in then close and lock the coop door. If you wish to let them free range you can start doing so. They will come back to the coop each night to sleep. When free ranging your chickens especially in the beginning keep close eye for predators and make sure they get back into the coop each night.

If you choose to free range your chickens they will supplement their diet with lots of greens and bugs. Chickens will eat anything so if you don’t want them to eat your vegetables or ornamental plants you’ll have to put up a barrier, otherwise it’s fair game. If you are keeping your chickens in a secure run than you will want to provide snacks such as fresh leafy greens, herbs, dried soldier fly larvae the list goes on.

**Do your research before you give your chickens any new foods. There are some foods that they shouldn’t eat**

See raising chickens isn’t so scary! Now that your chicks are big chickens now there’s so much to look forward too! Chickens are so goofy and provide endless entertainment along with fresh eggs so take good care of them and they will reward you for years to come.

Happy Homesteading

Ciearra

10 Things Gardeners Should Do During Winter

     Leave a Comment

The Winter season can be a tough time for everyone. Its cold, dark, depressing, and there’s not a ton to do besides wish for warmer weather. I feel like for us gardeners, it can be even more dreadful because we are not outside doing what we love, which is tending to our gardens. I’ve got a list of 10 things to keep gardeners busy over winter.

red wooden house near trees

Read Read Read!

I know you’ve got a ton of gardening books or other books lying around that you haven’t touched all season or at all. Winter is a great time to pick up a book and study or be lead on a great adventure. Be sure that you are taking notes for the next garden season.

Organize your Seed Collection

If you’re like me, you probably have seeds all over the place. Now is a great time to get new seed containers and organize your collection. Having an organized collection will help you find the seeds you need when you need them.

Deep Clean and Sterilize your Containers and Tools

This is very important for my seed starters. You need to have clean pots to start your seeds in to help prevent spreading disease and dampening off of your seedlings.

Plan your Next Garden Season

Winter is the time for planning and drawing out garden design. Once the season starts, you can still plan but it gets so busy once it’s warm enough to plant.

Save Money for Projects

Now that the season has ended, it’s a good time to plan next year’s garden budget and save money for the garden. Gardening can get expensive real quick, so create a plan and stick to it.

Visit your Local Greenhouses and Conservatories

These places are a refuge during the winter months and provide so much inspiration for the garden. Many Conservatories offer a reduced price day and/ or special events days.

Make Lists and Source Products

Make a lists of needs for your garden then source out best prices. Compare prices and buy what you need for cheaper. During the winter you can get some great clearance deals.

Take Gardening Classes

Sign up for gardening courses online or in person; there’s always something to learn about plants and soil.

The winter months can be dark – both literally and figuratively – but any one of these tips can help you past the time until spring. I hope you enjoyed this list of what gardeners should do over winter.

Happy Gardening

Ciearra

The Full Guide to Growing Garlic! It’s Easy!

     Leave a Comment

Growing garlic is so rewarding and easy. Home-grown garlic tastes so much better than store bought garlic hands down. Not only does garlic taste better home-grown, but you can try so many different varieties which offer many different flavors. Once you grow garlic for the first time, you will always grow your own garlic.

This blog post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission to fund my houseplant habit if you use these links to make a purchase. You will not be charged extra, and you’ll keep me in the garden. It’s a win for everyone, really.

two white garlics. growing garlic

How to grow Garlic

You can buy garlic from just about anywhere. There are many websites, big box stores, and plant nurseries that sell garlic bulbs for fall planting. You can even grow the garlic you buy from the grocery store! Before you pick out your garlic, you will want to know your growing zone. There are many varieties of garlic and they all grow differently in different zones.

If you want garlic that you know will grow well for you, it’s best to shop with a garlic grower within your state or similar growing zone. I grow garlic in Ohio, so I order my garlic from a garlic seller right here in the Buckeye state. I know that the garlic I order from them should do well for me.

Soil

A good garlic harvest starts with planting in good soil. Garlic grows best in loose soil with a PH between 6.2 – 7. Anything lower means your soil is a bit too acidic, and you will need to add in lime to get your levels up. You can use at-home soil tests that are widely available in store or online. Here’s a test you can snag from Amazon. Growing garlic will require a loose soil. Tilling your native soil will help loosen it up and if needed, you can add in compost to help keep the soil fluffy.

Fertilizing

Prior to planting, I add in my fertilizer. I like bone meal, which is great for planting your garlic in because it helps give your cloves a little root boost prior to winter. Once spring approaches, I start fertilizing regularly with an organic fertilizer. My favorite to use is fish emulsion.

When your garlic begins to produce scapes, lay off on the fertilizer so that your garlic can focus its energy into bulb production.

bunch of aglio di paceco on a surface

Planting Garlic

Separate each bulb into cloves, making sure to leave the skin on the individual cloves. Any cloves that are small, rotted, or dried can be left out. Plant your garlic in rows and space out your bulbs 4 – 6 inches apart to leave enough room for your clove to develop into large bulbs. I plant my garlic pointy side up no matter if its hard or soft neck garlic. Planting garlic two to three weeks before your first frost is a great time because it allows the garlic time to set roots before the first frost. After planting, we place a small layer of mulch over the top.

Garlic Scapes

Beginning in May or earlier or a little later depending on your growing zone, you will begin seeing your garlic send up flower stalks also known as scapes. Scapes are delicious but take energy away from the growing garlic bulb. Most gardeners cut these off once they start to curl.

Want to know what to do with your garlic scapes? Check out this post!

Harvesting Garlic

Harvesting time may vary depending on where you live but the rule of thumb is when the lower leaves dry and get crunchy. If you want to take a peek at your bulbs to see if they are big enough; feel free to pull the soil back from the bulb. If you think they need a little more time in the ground, then leave them for a week or two more. The latest I’ve harvested is mid-July. If you leave the bulbs in the ground too long, you risk the chance of them splitting and you don’t want that, as those bulb won’t store very well.

Drying and Storing Garlic

Curing your garlic can seem daunting. All you need is a space that is dry or not too humid and has good airflow. You can put your garlic in your garage or on a covered porch. Be sure if it’s not windy you keep a fan on them to aid in the drying process. I cure my garlic on wire racks in my screened in porch. The goal is for the wrappers around the individual cloves and the bulb to dry at the same pace. It takes around 3-4 weeks for the garlic bulbs to fully dry. Once they are dry you can cut the stalks back and store your garlic. Garlic shelf life depends on how you store them and the variety of garlic you grew.

For Tips on what to do with all of your garlic check out this post!

Additional tips for growing garlic:

  • Plant in the fall. Garlic is a cool-season crop, so it’s best to plant it in the fall. This will give the cloves time to develop roots before the ground freezes.
  • Choose a sunny spot. Garlic needs at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day.
  • Prepare the soil. Garlic grows best in loose, well-draining soil. Amend the soil with compost or other organic matter before planting.
  • Plant the cloves. Plant the cloves 2-3 inches deep, with the pointed end up. Space the cloves 4-6 inches apart in rows that are 12-18 inches apart.
  • Water regularly. Garlic needs about 1 inch of water per week. Water deeply, but less often, to avoid overwatering.
  • Fertilize monthly. Feed your garlic with a balanced organic fertilizer once a month during the growing season.
  • Mulch. Mulching will help to keep the soil moist and suppress weeds.
  • Harvest when the leaves start to turn yellow. Garlic is ready to harvest when the leaves start to turn yellow and fall over.
  • Choose the right variety. There are many different varieties of garlic, so choose one that is well-suited to your climate.
  • Soak the cloves before planting. Soaking the cloves in water for 24 hours before planting will help them to germinate faster.
  • Cut off the scapes. The scapes are the flower stalks that garlic plants produce. If you want to grow large bulbs, you should cut off the scapes when they are about 6 inches long.
  • Protect from pests and diseases. Garlic is relatively pest- and disease-resistant, but you may need to take some precautions to protect your plants.

Garlic is one of the easier vegetables to grow. They are low maintenance and there aren’t many pest issues to deal with. Keep up with watering and fertilizing, and you will soon be harvesting your own delicious garlic straight from the garden.

Happy Gardening

Ciearra

%d bloggers like this: