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Save money on “green” dishwashing liquid by buying in bulk and using it as a general purpose liquid cleaner

Published on 2012-04-27 10:39:17

A few days ago, I posted about my homemade spray and wipe cleaner, which is simply just a squirt of regular dish-washing liquid in water. But I want to go a step further and talk about where to buy dish-washing … Continue reading → > read more

I found cilantro self-seeded in my garden yesterday

Published on 2012-04-24 17:35:54

Yesterday I was out hacking down weeds and noticed mass areas of some sort of plant coming up. When I inspected it closely, I was very happy to discover that it is cilantro, self-sown from the plants that I purposely … Continue reading → > read more

Now THIS is a chitted potato plant!

Published on 2012-04-23 10:56:25

If you are not familiar with the term, to “chit” plants means to start them early. Most often this term refers to potatoes. Many gardeners purposely put their potato seed out into the light to get their potatoes to start … Continue reading → > read more

Have you ever had kale on your pizza?

Published on 2012-04-22 16:58:55

If not you should! Kale on pizza is pretty good. We make pizza pretty frequently here. The dough recipe that we use is out of The Joy of Cooking. The kale plants here at my house are saying sayonara to … Continue reading → > read more

Comment on Vegetable garden seed review: vit corn salad by Vegetable gardener cook

Published on 2012-04-20 22:46:05

Samuel, I highly recommend Steve Solomon's book. He goes over this very discussion in great detail and has a list of reputable sources. http://www.mysuburbanhomestead.com/steve-solomons-gardening-books/ > read more

Comment on Vegetable garden seed review: vit corn salad by Samuel Luna

Published on 2012-04-20 20:48:25

Hello Vegetable Gardener Cook, Thanks, on a related note, I planted a lot of seeds this year for the first of all time. Many sprouted seriously speedily, but now feel stunted in the backyard. Only a couple of tomatoes and three cucumbers appear to be to be thriving. Of these, they are a completely different brand then the dying kinds. With the cucumbers, only three sprouted of this brand name, which was dissapointing, but they are the only types that appear like they will Generate specific Vegg [..] > read more

Comment on Hey home gardeners: is that potato you are growing an indeterminate or determinate variety? Why you should care… by Sustainable Scientist

Published on 2012-04-20 11:21:07

I learned this about potatoes as well the first year I tried growing them in towers. MIne, it turned out, we're mostly early varieties and I buried them alive. Since then I have treated all my Potatoes like early varieties, rather than figure out what they are. I will again dig up this issue! > read more

Comment on The easier and cheaper homemade spray and wipe cleaner by Gillian

Published on 2012-04-19 18:49:49

Vinegar is a great antibacterial and grease cutter. If I was you I would add about a third vinegar to that water. > read more

Comment on The easier and cheaper homemade spray and wipe cleaner by Grace Peterson

Published on 2012-04-19 18:48:01

Great idea. But yeah, where to get the dish soap? I buy it at Costco about once a year. It lasts forever. I think something a little more "green" would be good. I'll have to check back and see what you come up with. I love spray bottles! > read more

Comment on Frugal living tip: washing soda is dirt-cheap in large 50 pound sacks by Homesteading notes: how to make homemade Washing Soda, AKA soda ash or sodium carbonate |

Published on 2012-04-19 11:57:15

[...] Please note that I have just figured out that you can actually source sodium carbonate in large 50 pound bags, which results in significant [...] > read more

The easier and cheaper homemade spray and wipe cleaner

Published on 2012-04-19 11:49:31

I used to love love love a spray and wipe cleaner that I got at a local Trader Joe’s. But, that spray and wipe cleaner costs $3. Recently I sat down and read through the ingredients to see if I … Continue reading → > read more

Comment on Why I grow Black Mitla Tepary Beans every year by Vegetable gardener cook

Published on 2012-04-19 11:06:00

Interesting... the catalog makes it sound like these berries are oh so wonderful! > read more

Comment on Why I grow Black Mitla Tepary Beans every year by Vegetable gardener cook

Published on 2012-04-19 11:04:48

Indeed! > read more

Comment on Why I grow Black Mitla Tepary Beans every year by Vegetable gardener cook

Published on 2012-04-19 11:04:33

Cool! You are in Australia, though, right? Does it get pretty hot there? The bummer here is that we are very close to the ocean, and the sea-breeze cools us off significantly at night, which our plants do not like. > read more

Comment on Make a piggy bank out of a mason jar by Vegetable gardener cook

Published on 2012-04-19 11:02:54

Yes, the lids are awfully expensive, aren't they? Gotta find ways to use them all. :) > read more

The root cause of ALL food-borne illness outbreaks and a basic food-safety primer

Published on 2012-04-17 11:47:57

There are two new raw milk outbreaks, and a new massive lettuce recall because of salmonella contamination. These two new outbreaks compelled me to write this piece, which I consider a primer on basic food safety science. When I debate … Continue reading → > read more

Why I grow Black Mitla Tepary Beans every year

Published on 2012-04-16 10:30:17

I’m stocking up on my supply of beans, and I thought I would write a short post about this variety for you all. This is a dry bean, just like other black beans. It grows prolifically, and is drought tolerant, … Continue reading → > read more

My purple sprouting broccoli is coming on!

Published on 2012-04-14 18:50:30

Isn’t this purple-sprouting broccoli pretty? It’s just now coming on, and I will be eating it over the next couple of weeks. Actually, these plants were highly neglected. Had I kept them well-watered, weeded, fertilized, etc., I probably would have … Continue reading → > read more

Hey home gardeners: is that potato you are growing an indeterminate or determinate variety? Why you should care…

Published on 2012-04-13 11:58:39

Some time ago I noticed that some of the growth characteristics of my potato plants behaved differently than others. In this post, from two seasons ago, I noted that one variety (labelled as “yukon gold” by the seller) grew a … Continue reading → > read more

Frugal living tip: buy coffee cheap online

Published on 2012-04-12 14:25:06

I’ve been asked by friends to send them a link to the offee that they drink while they are visiting me at my house, because it is really good and are surprised to learn how cheap it is. The coffee … Continue reading → > read more

My seed-starting buddy

Published on 2012-04-12 10:50:42

> read more

Get ready to battle the imported cabbage-worm this growing season

Published on 2012-04-11 13:23:34

A friend of mine asked me recently about a type of caterpillar he had found on some broccoli that he was growing last year. I’ve got some fairly extensive experience in dealing with these pests, so I thought I would … Continue reading → > read more

Make a piggy bank out of a mason jar

Published on 2012-04-10 12:16:11

Here is yet another idea for you on reusing your mason jars (and especially all those “spent” lids!). This is the piggy bank we’ve created created for our son. He’s been given piggy banks as gifts before, but the problem … Continue reading → > read more

Did you know that parsley will readily self-seed?

Published on 2012-04-09 11:53:13

I did not know until recently that parsley will seed itself in the garden until it decided to seed all by itself. This is great news for me, because I have always had a hard time forcing it to germinate. … Continue reading → > read more

Winner of my vegetable seed giveaway!

Published on 2012-04-06 11:28:50

The winner of my vegetable seed giveaway is: Richard Haynes. Contact me above with your address please, and your kale seeds will be in the mail soon for you to sow out in the garden. Congrats! > read more

Make your own shaker can for your homemade scouring scrubs

Published on 2012-04-06 11:09:33

This project is quick and easy. Take a nail and gently tap holes into the lid of a mason jar. Voila! A simple, homemade version of the store-bought shaker can. Do you make your own scouring scrubs? I do. They’re … Continue reading → > read more

What are your reasons for drinking raw milk?

Published on 2012-04-03 22:11:31

As many of you know, I am quite leery of raw milk. I am currently having a debate on The Healthy Economist’s blog about the consumption of “sour” raw milk. Rather than continue bombarding her with my thoughts, I thought … Continue reading → > read more

Frugal living tip: washing soda is dirt-cheap in large 50 pound sacks

Published on 2012-04-03 08:59:43

Do you make homemade laundry detergent? If so, now its even cheaper to make yourself! Did you know that you can buy both baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and washing soda (sodium carbonate) in large 50 pound sacks? I had no idea … Continue reading → > read more

Save money by mixing your own seed-starting mix

Published on 2012-04-02 11:27:18

Have you priced seed-starting mixes recently? If so, you’re wallet is probably feeling a bit gouged. If you take the time to mix up some seed-starting mix for yourself, you will save some serious cash over the long run. Let … Continue reading → > read more

When raising chicks, make sure to check them periodically for clogged up vents

Published on 2012-04-01 15:59:15

This chick’s vent is obviously pasted up. “Pasting” happens when poo gets stuck around their vent holes and gets clogged up. This is important to clear away, as it can become so clogged that the chick can no longer eliminate. … Continue reading → > read more

Dirt-cheap garden plant markers

Published on 2012-03-30 08:29:49

These homemade garden tags are super quick to make and efficiently keep track of the plants in your garden, unlike other plant markers that get lost in in the soil. I make them out of the cardboard that I cannot … Continue reading → > read more

Vegetable seed giveaway

Published on 2012-03-28 17:17:28

Over the last couple of years I have been so impressed by the performance of White Russian kale that I decided to grow and save my own seed. The reason that I like it so much is that it is … Continue reading → > read more

Got Slugs in your garden? Get solutions that actually work (not the same old misinformation)

Published on 2012-03-24 17:03:23

This article is written in two parts. The first part is what I call my Slug Manifesto. If you’re short on time and just need to know what works without needing to know the details of why most of what … Continue reading → > read more

On renting toys online–here’s a business I wholeheartedly recommend

Published on 2012-03-23 12:59:22

Several months ago I had an idea about starting up a toy rental service. My son’s room is filled with toys that he’s only played with a few times and I thought: wouldn’t it be great to offload these toys, … Continue reading → > read more

Overwintered radishes

Published on 2012-03-23 01:53:15

Late last summer, I planted several varieties of radishes. For some reason or another, such as a freak hot spell, I assumed all my radishes were dead. I’ve been busy being mommy to my four year old boy and a … Continue reading → > read more

Writers like myself are (still) being targeted with legal action for using common phrases by the Devraes family—-take action!

Published on 2012-03-22 14:34:17

Good thing the name of my blog is: My SUBurban Homestead, because if it was My Urban Homestead, then I would likely get a “cease and desist” letter from the Devraes family saying that I do not have legal right … Continue reading → > read more

From the archives: Advice on buying a seed-starting mat for your seedlings

Published on 2012-03-19 15:28:23

Seedling heat mats are little mats that are used to place underneath plants and typically used in conjunction with indoor grow lights to start seedlings indoors. I like to use a seedling heat mat because it helps stave off damping-off … Continue reading → > read more

The quickest, most accurate way to figure out what seeds to plant and when: the soil temperature method

Published on 2012-03-18 14:18:16

How do you know which vegetable varieties to start when? When I first started doing a lot of vegetable gardening, I created a convoluted calender detailing which vegetable varieties to start at certain times of the year. But this method … Continue reading → > read more

Does your local feed store offer a free chick day?

Published on 2012-03-17 22:13:29

I have several feed stores near my house, and I noticed that two of them have an annual free chick day. One of the stores offers five free meat birds and the other offers five free egg-laying breeds. This is … Continue reading → > read more

It’s seed-starting time! Have you ever tried to make your own newspaper pots instead of buying pots?

Published on 2012-03-16 19:27:11

Last year I had stumbled onto a method of making seed-starting pots out of newspaper. I am thrilled to report that it works very well! I wish I had known about this before investing the money in seed-starting pots. The … Continue reading → > read more

The perfect edible winter gardening plant combination: miner’s lettuce and leeks

Published on 2012-03-10 12:28:50

Last Summer I allowed my slug-repelling, shade-tolerant miner’s lettuce to self-seed and planted my leeks in the same spot. I’m so glad I did! The miner’s lettuce is helping to blanch the leeks (though I did mound the soil around … Continue reading → > read more

Homestead overload & health issues: why I no longer own livestock

Published on 2012-02-19 12:27:27

I’ve developed some sort of relapse-remitting illness that my health care providers haven’t figured out. I feel sick a lot and I have a new baby. With those two combinations, I’m just not able to do much right now and … Continue reading → > read more

Nichol’s garden nursery offering awesome cyber monday deal!

Published on 2011-11-28 13:03:09

I just saw a link on my facebook page that Nichol’s garden nursery is offering some deals on their website for cyber monday. Nichol’s is a great seed supplier. The best deal, I think, is 20% off gift certificates! I … Continue reading → > read more

Looking for great children’s book recommendations for Christmas?

Published on 2011-11-28 12:48:47

On my new blog I’ve been posting children’s books that we’ve enjoyed. Here is a link to that page, where you can see the recommendations and purchase through Amazon or copy and paste into your library search catalog. The link … Continue reading → > read more

Two great educational toys to consider for younger children

Published on 2011-11-27 13:21:48

I rented these two toys recently from Toyconomy, and thought I would share them with you. My son has really enjoyed them! The first is a toy drill. What’s great about this drill is the bench that comes with it, … Continue reading → > read more

Announcing my new website entirely devoted to homeschooling

Published on 2011-11-20 16:07:00

I blogged a few weeks back about the possibility of homeschooling my four year old. Since then, I’ve run into so much information and I am bursting with ideas! And so, I thought it only fitting to start a new … Continue reading → > read more

Here’s why you should be concerned about raw milk: a raw dairy owner who is in complete denial that his products caused children to be hospitalized–again!

Published on 2011-11-18 13:32:48

Organic Pastures is under scrutiny again after several children have become sickened after drinking his products. The owner says: “All the milk actually being consumed by the people themselves was taken to a lab and tested and that test, all … Continue reading → > read more

Homeschooling: learning about the seasons

Published on 2011-11-15 22:43:34

There are four seasons and I know them all: winter, spring, summer and fall!The following are the resources I came up with for teaching my four year old about the seasons. My child really enjoyed them and I will want … Continue reading → > read more

Did you know that it is really easy to make your own microwave popcorn?

Published on 2011-11-15 21:56:42

The other day I was wanting to make a quick, relatively nutritious snack, and I was curious to find out how easy it would be to pop my own popcorn in the microwave. The results were outstanding! And I didn’t have have … Continue reading → > read more

Homeschooling: a list of young children’s educational television shows with links to descriptions of the programs

Published on 2011-11-13 19:37:55

As I come up with homeschool themes for my four year old, I have been checking some of the “educational” shows that he watches to see if there is any supporting material. Clicking through so many links to find the … Continue reading → > read more

Homeschooling and unschooling–pros and cons–I need your input

Published on 2011-11-12 23:48:52

My oldest child is preschool age, which we attempted this year. I thought he might really enjoy it, and so did he. When he first started going, he was very upset about being left without me, then he got used … Continue reading → > read more

Here’s a shocker for you–there is a type of sugar that is actually good for your teeth, and has 40% less calories

Published on 2011-11-05 10:12:15

Sounds too good to be true doesn’t it? I know. I’ve stumbled across products containing xylitol many times, but I hadn’t given much weight to the claims about it (I guess I’m still bitter about all the claims made about … Continue reading → > read more

I may be out of commission for awhile

Published on 2011-07-01 16:32:58

I gave birth to my baby girl Summer girl very prematurely yesterday. She was only at 29 weeks and 2# 12oz. She’s doing exceptionally well, as am I. To make a very long story short, I stopped feeling her move … Continue reading → > read more

On growing shallots–should the flower head be removed?

Published on 2011-06-29 16:34:30

In this photo, you can see my shallot plants growing. This is the second year that I’ve grown shallots (last year they wimped out on me in the extremely wet spring, so I didn’t face this issue), so they are … Continue reading → > read more

Which part of broccoli do you like the best?

Published on 2011-06-28 13:11:38

My umpqua broccoli plants are busy making lots of sideshoots (for those of you who haven’t grown broccoli, sideshoots are little shoots that grow after you harvest the main head). My husband says broccoli is his favorite vegetable. But, he R > read more

Vegetable gardening seed review: red salad bowl

Published on 2011-06-24 15:37:33

Another lettuce variety that has grown prolifically for me is Red Salad Bowl. Germination has been very high and this is the perfect plant to progressively thin out or to harvest outer leaves over a long period. For other vegetable … Continue r > read more

Vegetable gardening seed review: Kweik lettuce

Published on 2011-06-24 15:28:24

Gorgeous bright green butterhead. This lettuce has performed quite well for me. This is one area I direct seeded of kweik lettuce. I’ve been progressively thinning out the plants. I like it very much, and hope I can get quite … Continue r > read more

Vegetable gardening seed review: Devil’s Tongue lettuce

Published on 2011-06-24 14:52:33

This year, I direct-seeded lots of lettuce seedlings, because I am hoping to grow a whole bunch of my own seed, so that I can stop paying $3 for tiny seed packs. My garden is well dotted with several lettuce … Continue reading → > read more

Garden notes for the day

Published on 2011-06-23 14:26:28

Strawberries are finally starting to ripen. My ripening is in-sync with the u-pick farms, which is good news because I originally thought that these berries may not be getting optimal sun, as they only get around 7 hours at this … Continue read > read more

Tips for earlier lettuce harvests

Published on 2011-06-13 15:21:20

I had an “aha” moment when perusing the seed catalogs this year. One of them (I cannot remember which) mentioned that with loose-leaf lettuce, you can cut the lettuce at the base and then the plant will regrow. Well, I … Continue re > read more

Strawberry season is almost here–do you know where your nearest U-pick farm is?

Published on 2011-06-08 14:31:37

My kiddo can eat strawberries by the gallon when they are in season. I sure hope to grow a whole lot myself this year, but if not, I’ll be visiting the nearest u-pick farm, which is actually just a five … Continue reading → > read more

I managed to grow abundant cilantro this year. Yippee!

Published on 2011-06-03 19:35:33

I know, cilantro doesn’t seem like a difficult herb to grow, but it is notoriously difficult. The problem is that cilantro likes very high germination temperatures, like 65 degree soil. Around here, that doesn’t usually happen until June > read more

Here’s how you can tell the difference between male and female (or hen and tom) turkeys

Published on 2011-05-21 16:08:12

Turn on the chainsaw. No really! If, like me, you haven’t figured out who’s male and who’s female in your flock by six months of age, turn on the chainsaw and they will generously show you their male characteristics. So … Cont > read more

My new milk goat

Published on 2011-05-19 21:06:13

I know I know. Like we need another animal, right? Well, actually we do, because it turns out that our sweet Billy is likely not mature enough to breed, which means we’ve got goats, but no milk. And, the whole … Continue reading → > read more

Vegetable gardening seed reviews: two varieties of leeks

Published on 2011-05-15 14:41:52

I sowed both of these varieties on the same day, with the same soil, and they’ve been growing in the exact same conditions right next to each other. Obviously, one variety is far more vigorous than the other variety. The seeds on … Cont > read more

Supai Red Parch Corn and discussion on seed life/viability

Published on 2011-05-13 12:25:14

This year, after reading Carol Deppe’s book The Resilient Gardener, I am going to try growing Supai Red Parching corn. Parching corn is what corn nuts are made out of, but the homegrown stuff is supposed to taste significantly better … Co > read more

Garden Ramblings

Published on 2011-05-12 22:44:11

Happy forget-me-not patches still going strong. I’ve had my tomato plants out under tunnel cloches for a couple of weeks now. They’re pretty happy. Today I decided too put several gallons of free coffee grounds down as mulch underneath th > read more

How to pasteurize milk at home

Published on 2011-05-09 14:05:38

I was asked recently how I go about pasteurizing my milk at home. I was hoping that my goats would have kidded by now, so that I could show you in pictures how I pasteurize my milk. But, they have … Continue reading → > read more

Happy Mother’s Day!

Published on 2011-05-08 19:53:24

Here’s a few pleasant garden photos for you: I found this great old “tool” shed on craigslist, that an antique re-finisher guy was selling, showed it to my husband and he bought it for me for Mother’s Day. Woo-hoo! It is R > read more

Clackamas County Master Gardener’s Spring Fair

Published on 2011-05-03 11:53:17

Last weekend was our Clackamas County Master Gardener’s Spring Fair. This was the first year I’ve attended, mostly for volunteer purposes. I was surprised by how huge this event is! My job was handing out brochures/maps to folks, and sinc > read more

How I start my plants indoors from seed

Published on 2011-05-02 13:55:32

I was asked by a reader recently to give some pointers on how I’ve been starting and growing my pepper plants (you can read my story about my happy indoor pepper garden here). So, I thought I would write an … Continue reading → > read more

I went to a plant swap today…

Published on 2011-04-30 21:43:47

and it was actually pretty cool. Here’s the plants I found: sweet william Daphne Carol Mackie (a veteran Master Gardener and local landscaper told me this is one of the best for our climate). Sweet little miniature-looking euphorbia. Coreopsi > read more

I love green garlic!

Published on 2011-04-29 20:07:31

Here’s a reason to grow your own garlic: green garlic. Green garlic is the same thing as green onions–picked for their immature stalk. This is something green that is available when the garden is still warming up. The flavor of … Co > read more

Do copper collars protect plants against slugs?

Published on 2011-04-29 13:07:22

Well, I really hate to report this, as I was sent these little copper collars as a product review. Unfortunately, they didn’t work at all. This is the healthiest-looking broccoli plant, but it still has damage from slugs. This plant … Con > read more

Miscellaneous garden notes (perennials and vegetables)

Published on 2011-04-28 19:10:16

How many heucheras can you get from dividing your overgrown plants? A lot!!! Unfortunately you can’t see them well (yet) in this photo. I took the three plants I identified last season and divided them up. Turns out its pretty … Continue > read more

My happy indoor pepper garden

Published on 2011-04-26 22:44:46

I have nearly 30 pepper plants that I am cultivating indoors, until it is warm enough for them to go outside. Get this–not only are they happy indoors, but they are thriving. Many of the plants have profuse flowers, and … Continue reading > read more

What is up with the lack of compassion for the children who have gotten sick from drinking raw milk?

Published on 2011-04-22 14:01:39

Boy, there is so much hatred spewed at me over my concern of the safety of raw milk consumption. It’s as if people think they are speaking to the owner of a big agricultural company whose only motive is profit, … Continue reading → > read more

Can you tell the difference between male and female turkeys?

Published on 2011-04-20 11:16:40

Evidently I can’t. So, if there’s any experienced turkey raising folks out there, I would love to hear from you. The top four turkeys are Red Bourbon turkeys, that we raised from poults. To me, they all look like hens. … Continue re > read more

Thoughts on raw milk yogurt

Published on 2011-04-19 12:39:13

As you know, I am very concerned about the recent trend of consumption of raw milk and especially feeding it to young children. But even more concerning is that I’ve seen a surge in folks advocating raw milk yogurt–a practice … Cont > read more

Perennial ID help needed

Published on 2011-04-18 12:00:07

As most of you know, I moved to this property about a year and a half ago. I inherited many plants some of them I don’t have a clue as to what they are (or someone told me and I … Continue reading → > read more

American Chinchilla baby rabbits for sale

Published on 2011-04-17 11:03:35

A new litter of babies was born the other day, and they will be ready for their new homes in about 5 weeks. Please let me know if you would like me to contact you when they are ready. They … Continue reading → > read more

Book review: Urban Homesteading: Heirloom Skills for Sustainable Living

Published on 2011-04-15 13:04:03

I received a complimentary pre-release copy of Urban Homesteading: Heirloom Skills for Sustainable Living so that I can review it for you. To purchase this book or to find out more information, check out the authors’ website. The book is … > read more

Happier Honeyberry bushes

Published on 2011-04-13 11:57:08

A couple of months ago when I was taking my Master Gardener course I ran around taking several pH tests to find out the acidity profile of my garden. I was very surprised that the soil that my honeyberry bushes … Continue reading → > read more

The next phase of OSU Master Gardener training

Published on 2011-04-12 12:01:39

My classes have ended and I passed the final exam a couple of weeks ago in my Oregon State University Master Gardener training. The next step for me is to be involved in the monthly chapter meetings and lots of … Continue reading → > read more

Vegetable gardening seed review: Alderman peas

Published on 2011-04-11 14:56:43

In short: thumbs down. This is the third year in a row that I have attempted to grow Alderman peas. The previous two years gave me nothing. Very poor germination and couple of spindly plants that never ended up producing … Continue reading U > read more

My combo Asian plum tree, covered in pollinators

Published on 2011-04-10 11:42:29

This Combo Asian Plum tree is the first of my fruit trees to bloom this year, and I spent some time in the sun the other day checking out all the insects on it. I was really surprised to see … Continue reading → > read more

When life gives you lemons… or, when your dog is being naughty…

Published on 2011-04-09 22:50:06

Sometimes you can find ways to turn a bad situation into a helpful situation. Take the following photograph, for example. This is a picture of my naughty dog Porter, our wire-haired dachshund, digging in the soil. What is he doing? … Continue r > read more

My happy indoor lettuce plant, and why produce from home gardens tastes better

Published on 2011-04-08 13:06:07

Here’s a picture of a lettuce plant I’ve been growing indoor for awhile now. Isn’t it pretty? It’s a buttercrunch lettuce from Johnny’s. The plant moves around a lot, sometimes its under grow lights, sometimes it is in t > read more

Homemade grow light stand

Published on 2011-04-07 23:12:59

My mother brought this to me recently. Isn’t it lovely? She used to grow lots of produce for her local farmer’s market, but recently decided to scale back her growing efforts. So, she had some extras of these light stands … Continue > read more

Vegetable garden seed review: vit corn salad

Published on 2011-04-06 11:41:37

I seeded these back in September along with the Miner’s lettuce. They are just now growing, and my dog has destroyed most of their bed. These are remarkable in that they seem to be another green that slugs don’t seem … Continue read > read more

Random photos

Published on 2011-04-05 11:09:14

Our bee hive in early spring

Published on 2011-04-04 12:07:17

My husband took this photo of his beehive the other day. I really liked it so thought I would share it with you. If you click on the photo, you will see a little more detail. If you like this … Continue reading → > read more

Vegetable garden seed review: Miner’s lettuce

Published on 2011-04-03 19:32:18

I seeded these plants very early last fall, as the plant packet from Territorial says that the plants will grow unprotected throughout the winter. They germinated, but didn’t start growing for me until February. Yesterday I noticed that they ar > read more

Pleasant garden surprises after a freak deep freeze

Published on 2011-03-13 13:44:17

I must have had a craving or something for broccoli right around the 1st of the year, as I started a whole bunch of Umpqua broccoli plants (which is way before I normally would start them). If you haven’t grown … Continue reading → > read more

My first experience rendering lard, and what we had for dinner afterward

Published on 2011-03-12 12:46:15

This is a meal that I made after I was finished rendering out the lard: beef stroganoff with barley risotto and roasted asparagus. I used lard in lieu of butter any place it was called for in recipes. The sauce … Continue reading → > read more

Reflections on our first pig-raising experience

Published on 2011-03-09 13:56:17

Warning: this is not a vegetarian post. Yesterday a local mobile slaughter unit came to pick up the pig that we’ve been raising. They were very nice and professional and handled the job in a clean, humane manner. The pig … Continue readin > read more

Vinegar AKA acetic acid as an herbicide–does it work?

Published on 2011-03-05 13:22:23

Have you ever seen recommendations to use vinegar as an alternative to synthetic herbicides? I have, and have been curious about using them. I have some seriously pesky blackberry and ivy problems on my property, and thought perhaps a vinegar … > read more

Fruit tree spray schedule for the Willamette Valley

Published on 2011-02-19 12:04:44

I have many young fruit trees, and want to ensure their success. I’ve been trying to figure out exactly what I should be doing to help my fruit trees. I’ve read many different recommendations, including spraying for fungicide, insecticide > read more

Oregon State University plant disease database

Published on 2011-02-18 10:33:34

I thought I would share this link with you, as I am finding the layout of this site to be extremely helpful. This website is maintained by Oregon State University extension, and so the diseases that are found on this … Continue reading → > read more

How to easily determine your soil texture

Published on 2011-02-15 14:42:52

This is a project I’ve done for my Master Gardener training course, and thought I would share it with you. This is a very simple project. Grab a quart sized mason jar and fill it halfway with your soil. Add … Continue reading → > read more

Fighting like cats and dogs

Published on 2011-02-13 18:50:23

Mason bee workshop

Published on 2011-02-13 12:59:45

Yesterday I attended an interesting workshop about mason bees, held by the Home Orchard Society for Master Gardeners. I learned some interesting tidbits about the orchard mason bee, and took some photos for you. There were many examples of how … > read more

Garden ramblings

Published on 2011-02-11 21:28:14

Today I had enough energy to get out and get some stuff done in the garden. Hooray! I transplanted out some more Umpqua broccoli. My first transplant of those was a few weeks ago, and to my surprise they’ve actually … Continue reading > read more

I spy Hellebores blooming

Published on 2011-02-08 16:21:07

Can spring really be just around the corner? The hellebores that the previous owner had planted are telling me it is so. I really like these plants, and unfortunately I rarely notice these bloomers when I walk outside, unless I … Continue readi > read more

Homemade newspaper pots

Published on 2011-02-06 20:22:33

Have you ever made your own newspaper seed starting pots? I have not. I’ve always been concerned that they would be too flimsy to hold up. But I was reading through Suburban Hobby Farmer’s blog, and he had a link … Continue reading > read more

Did you know that there is a bee that is exclusively attracted to squash blossoms?

Published on 2011-02-06 15:29:10

Actually, it is a bee that is attracted to all cucurbrits. It is called the squash bee. It looks very much like a honeybee, but it isn’t–it is a solitary bee. Nests are built by females in the soil near … Continue reading → > read more

Mummy berry of blueberries

Published on 2011-02-05 13:08:34

Have you ever seen your blueberries shrivel up and die right on the bush? I’ve seen it a couple of times on my blueberry plants. I learned awhile ago that this disease is caused by the disease called Mummyberry. But … Continue reading > read more

Strawberry “Grey Mold”

Published on 2011-02-04 13:28:25

Have you ever seen your perfectly ripening strawberries suddenly start getting moldy while they are still on the plant? I have. I thought it was annoying but didn’t think much of it until I read in my master gardener course … Continue rea > read more

Master Gardener volunteer orientation

Published on 2011-02-04 01:06:55

Today was my orientation for my Oregon State University master gardener volunteer work training. If you’ve been following the blog for awhile, you’ve undoubtedly noticed that I have been working and writing about the master gardener schoo > read more

Here’s a cool link for you: A Pocket Guide to Common Natural Enemies of Crop and Garden Pests of the Pacific Northwest

Published on 2011-02-02 15:18:57

Even though this is geared for the Pacific Northwest, I thought it would be an interesting link for you all to check out. This is a great little guide to beneficial insects in the garden. It shows what they look … Continue reading → > read more

Bacterial ring rot on potatoes

Published on 2011-02-01 14:18:35

I have seen bacterial ring rot many times in potatoes that I have harvested from my garden, but never knew what it was until reading through my Master Gardener coursework, so I thought I would share it with you. Since … Continue reading → > read more

Book recommendation: Garden Insects of North America

Published on 2011-02-01 12:44:04

Actually, I don’t have this book but my instructor in my Master Gardener course says that this is the definitive guide. Do you have a copy of this book or have you checked it out? What did you think of … Continue reading → > read more

I’m a couch preg-potato

Published on 2011-01-29 20:39:23

If you haven’t read my earlier post, I am pregnant again! I am finding the fatigue and sick feelings overwhelming. I’m so tired that I can fall asleep on the couch with the lights on, the news blaring, and everyone … Continue readin > read more

Winner of my artichoke seed giveaway

Published on 2011-01-23 13:53:30

Diagnosing nutritional deficiencies in plants–part 5–symtoms that affect the terminal buds

Published on 2011-01-21 14:32:15

The last type of nutritional deficiency I will discuss is that which affects the terminal buds of the plant. A terminal bud is the bud that is at the very end of the stem. Sometimes this means the very last … Continue reading → > read more

Diagnosing plant nutritional deficiencies–part 4–symptoms that show up on the newest leaves

Published on 2011-01-21 14:24:28

For symptoms that show up on the newest leaves, you are likely noting a deficiency that is immobile in nature. Immobile nutrients include sulphur, iron, manganese and copper. Do the leaves show green veins? If so, your deficiency is likely … Co > read more

Diagnosing plant nutritional deficiencies–part 3–symptoms that show up on old leaves

Published on 2011-01-21 14:20:49

For symptoms that show up on the oldest leaves, this indicates that the nutrient is mobile in nature. That means that it has the ability to move from the oldest leaves to the newest leaves. Mobile nutrients include nitrogen, phosphorous, … Cont > read more

Diagnosing nutritional deficiencies in plants–part two–are the symptoms in old leaves or new leaves?

Published on 2011-01-21 14:07:33

For part one, see this post, which will rule out other conditions. The second question to ask yourself is whether or not the symptoms that you see are in old leaves or new leaves. This question is an important distinction … Continue reading > read more

Diagnosing nutritional deficiencies in plants–part 1–ask yourself these questions first

Published on 2011-01-21 13:55:23

I’ve just started getting into the subject of diagnosing fertilizer or nutrient problems in plants in the master gardener course that I am taking. The subject is very complicated and not easy to figure out. In addition, if you are … Conti > read more

How to reduce the amount of compaction by your feet when preparing soil by using a digging boards

Published on 2011-01-17 12:42:46

I’ve been working a bit in my garden, and noticed that when I stand on the soil after I’ve tilled a certain area, the compaction is greater. One way to get around this is to use what is called a … Continue reading → > read more

What is frost heave?

Published on 2011-01-17 12:23:58

I’ve never heard this term before today, but I’ve noticed the phenomenon in the garden. Frost heave is what happens when the soil is exposed to repeated freezing temperatures. Since water expands when frozen, the frozen soil will push the > read more

Which crops tolerate part sun?

Published on 2011-01-17 12:12:17

If you’re working on planning your vegetable garden, one thing I’ve just learned is that the crops that need the most sun are crops that fruit. The crops that can tolerate smaller amounts of sun are leafy vegetables, such as … Conti > read more

Organic sources of immediately available nitrogen

Published on 2011-01-17 00:07:20

Most organic sources of fertilizers are slow release, meaning that they require microbial action of the soil to break down. But sometimes, immediate availability of nitrogen in the soil is desired. One thing I’ve been surprised to learn is that > read more

Figuring out fertilizer application rates

Published on 2011-01-16 22:55:21

I’m ashamed to admit that my head swells up every time I think about fertilizer. Taking the master gardener course has helped shed some light on the issue, but the only question I got wrong on my quiz was in … Continue reading → > read more

Today we found out the hard way that some flea medicines aren’t intended for cats

Published on 2011-01-16 15:39:44

In fact, some flea medicines are extremely toxic to cats. This morning I got up to let our dogs out, and I noticed our kitty splayed out on the floor, trying desperately to get up and go out with the … Continue reading → > read more

Unusually high temperatures outside–lots of tasks done in the garden!

Published on 2011-01-14 21:59:36

Today I did a whole lot of work out in the vegetable garden, since the temperatures are quite warm here. The high today was around mid 50′s! I popped some peas in the ground after I soaked them. I planted … Continue reading → > read more

Urine as fertilizer–is it immediately available to plants?

Published on 2011-01-14 09:51:51

I asked my instructor today about the use of urine as fertilizer. I wanted to know if it was immediately available to plants. She said no, the chemical component of urine is urea, which must be broken down by bacteria … Continue reading → > read more

Does Sluggo really break down into fertilizer?

Published on 2011-01-14 09:16:46

I asked my instructor today if products like iron phosphate really break down into a fertilizer. She said yes, they break down into iron, a micronutrient, and phosphate, a macronutrient. This appears obvious, but I’ve had folks insist that addi > read more

Tips on purchasing truckloads of soil or compost

Published on 2011-01-13 11:38:51

Since the Portland area has awful clay soil, I’ve purchased many truckloads of soil over the years, and I wanted to share some advice with you. Most often we purchase compost to add to our soil. In the last year … Continue reading → > read more

Amending the soil–which time of year is best?

Published on 2011-01-13 10:53:59

I’ve often heard that the best time to work your soil is in the fall. But today, I’ve found out through my class that is only partially true, especially here in the Pacific Northwest. Adding organic matter at any time … Continue rea > read more

Today I tested my soil pH myself

Published on 2011-01-12 18:39:35

As part of my Master Gardening course, we are to get oriented to with our garden’s soil pH. My teacher wanted me to send off for one of those reports through a lab that works with extension services, but as … Continue reading → > read more

Another video of our piggy “squealer”

Published on 2011-01-12 00:58:08

I couldn’t resist taking another video of our pig. We’ve named him Squealer because he was so incredibly loud when we first tried to move him. Check out his funny smacking noises. �2011 My Suburban Homestead. All Rights Reserved.. > read more

Cool links for the Pacific Northwest gardener

Published on 2011-01-12 00:54:44

These were given out in my master gardener course syllabus. Thought you might enjoy them! • PNW Plant Disease URL: http://plant-disease.ippc.orst.edu/ • PNW Weeds URL: http://weeds.ippc.orst.edu/pnw/weeds • PNW Insects URL: http://insects.ippc. > read more

Dose of super cute–video of my son Guy playing doctor

Published on 2011-01-12 00:22:34

I know I’ve shared this video in other places, but it is my absolute favorite video of my son Guy. If you’re looking for a quick pick me up, this is a great video to watch! �2011 My Suburban Homestead. … Continue reading → > read more

I’m very sleepy

Published on 2011-01-11 20:48:28

Want to know why? I’ve got another little bun in the oven. Yep, that’s right, this girl’s got another baby comin’. I meant to read a whole lot literature in my Master Gardener class today, but I can hardly keep … Continu > read more

Humboldt County authorities review the raw milk literature

Published on 2011-01-11 11:12:01

Humboldt county has reviewed raw milk literature, which was requested by the owner of the largest raw milk dairy in California. Humboldt county offered the following analysis. In short, they found that most, if not all, references that tout the ̷ > read more

Foliar feeding—-which nutrients are absorbed?

Published on 2011-01-11 10:46:21

If you haven’t already been following along, I am taking the Oregon State master gardener class, and sharing my notes online. I’ve been taking notes about foliar feeding. Since I’m not totally certain how this works, I’ve been > read more

What exactly does “burn” mean in context of over-fertilizing plants and what does it look like?

Published on 2011-01-10 21:47:37

I don’t know how long I’ve wondered this, and just finally got an answer to my question. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read about the dangers of “burning” a plant by over-fertilizing it. My instructor says t > read more

Check out our lunch: homemade link sausage with homegrown flageolet beans—-cooked on top of the woodstove

Published on 2011-01-10 17:23:39

We had the most amazing lunch today! And the best part is that it was really simple. The sausage was the sausage that I had talked about a couple of weeks ago in this post. These are the roasted red … Continue reading → > read more

A few notes and concerns about foliar feeding

Published on 2011-01-10 15:10:30

I wanted to find out more information about foliar feeding through my master gardener class, so I pressed my instructor’s for more information on the subject. The whole subject is still a little confusing to me. If you are not … Continue > read more

Garden planning: when is your last (and first) frost date?

Published on 2011-01-10 14:11:57

When you go to plant your seeds this spring, you’ll probably notice many references to your last and first frost dates. This is because many vegetables in the garden are extremely sensitive to frost. For example, on these asparagus seeds … > read more

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