January Harvest Tally

201 lbs Produce

Eggs:     73 Duck       14 Chicken

Garden Report

The mild winter has really confused plants and humans alike.  Trees are blooming a might early (the bees are busy easy!) and the colder weather crops are going to seed faster.  Plus,  'tis the perfect temperature for aphids.  Boy, they are lovin' it under the row covers.   The Army of Aphids  was  camped out underneath the row covers; but, now  since we are having a mild  "winter" , we can  take the covers off.

The warm, dry winter weather has let us do a bit of garden improvements.  We fixed up one of the fence lines that had gotten away from us, added a few new raised beds, redesigned the front yard, built a new trellis and planter boxes (using recycled materials).  Even after 25 years, there is always room for improvements to be made as we learn to grow along with the garden and every year presents new challenges.   Weather, especially!

A few hundred soil block made  and seeds planted ( btw: we do have extra soil blocks seedlings available from time to time at the Front Porch Farm Stand  Open Sun- Fri  9 am - 7 pm )

In a few weeks,  time to start those summer crops!

Perennial herbs & fruit trees pruned and ready for spring!  Wildflower seeds sowed in the parkway and tucked in empty spaces in the garden to attract butterflies and beneficial insects.

Vegetable Planner Chart Giveaway

We are going to kick off the 2012 growing season by giving away Vegetable Chart each month this whole year!  Each time we post our monthly Harvest Tally we'll be giving away this handy chart answers the following:

When is my local frost date?
Vegetable Growing & Planting Times?
Indoor Planting Times for seed flats?
Seed Planting Times & Quantity?
Plants - When to purchase and plant?
How deep do they plant, and how far apart?

HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

How big of garden do you have?

Are you planning on "growing more of your own groceries" this year?

Leave a comment in the box and if we receive over 100 "comments" we'll not only give away one, but THREE, charts!

NOTE: If you repost this giveaway via Twitter or Facebook or write about it on your blog - or anywhere online - you may ADD an additional comment or comments for each time you shared the link for additional chances to win! (Just make sure to share the url address in the comments box).

This giveaway will end on Feb 29 2011 at 12 PM PST. Open to all persons in the US and Canada.  ONE ENTRY PER PERSON

Winner will be chosen by Random.org and will be e-mailed. The winner has 48 hrs. to respond to e-mail or another winner will be chosen.

Let's Get Growing!

Anna apple blossom

The groundhog is like most other prophets; it delivers its prediction and then disappears~Bill Vaughn

 Funny, isn’t it, how, with all of the radar, satellites and other sophisticated weather tracking devices that we have, we still rely on a rodent, also known as a woodchuck, whistle-pig or land-beaver, to give us the lowdown? Isn’t that just a little bit like relying on a refrigerator repairman to tell us which fashion jeans to buy? Groundhog Day

Spring?

Spring looks like it's begun to sprung!  Thanks to our mild winter, the fruit trees are blooming a might early, if you ask me.   Let's hope we don't have a cold snap; otherwise, it will be a poor fruit year and a poor fruit year means not much to "Put Up" come summer.  Heck, maybe I  can take a vacation this year.  Kidding!

The mild winter has been somewhat of a blessings for us humans. We didn't even make a dent in the wood pile.  With no rain, new garden projects are being tackled that would have otherwise been pushed to spring.

The ol' groundhog has predicted 6 more weeks of winter.  Mr. Punxsutawney,  maybe you don't know this, but winter has never even really arrived!  Are you really saying that you are not giving up hope...yet? Or, do you know something we humans don't?  At this rate, spring is just around the corner!

Rain, Rain Please Stay

We are in trouble!    Deep trouble.   You know it's going to be a "bad year" when we are in high fire alert in January!    Last week's rain was a blessing indeed but now is a mere memory as temperatures have jumped back up into the 80's and there's a dry wind blowing.   It's too darn dry!   Unfortunately, they are saying with the high pressure  parked on top of us, it is highly unlikely we will make it up to normal annual rainfall.  That's grim news.

I know many of ya'll in other states (like Texas)  are in a drought too and we join you in your prayers for rain relief.

Word has it that it's been a mild winter across the country.  How are things looking where you are?

Everybody who visits the garden goes bonkers over the bottle borders we have.  I like the look on their faces whey they exclaim, "Are those bottles?" and I reply, "They sure are!"  You can tell right then an there those bottles gets their imaginative juices flowing!

We started using bottles as garden borders over twenty years ago.   As we built up our garden (as we  kept composting and building up our soil), we needed something cheap that wouldn't decompose after a few years.   When we'd deliver our produce to restaurants, I would spot, then pick up, the pretty green and blue bottles that were dumped out back.  Perfect!

A simple, cheap and colorful edging.  Definitely a creative and  attractive recycling/reuse.

Now bottle borders are popping everywhere!  Seems that I blogged about our Bottle Border in 2003, as a reader recently reminded me saying:

"Thanks to one of your posts about putting in a blue wine bottle border, I started a wine bottle border in my front yard. I can't drink wine because it gives me a headache, but that's okay, because everyone around here saves their empties for me, and I must have hundreds by now. So far, my border snakes abound on the inside of my picket fence. It's all curves, as putting them in a straight line just didn't work out. The more colors the prettier it is. It's a work in process, as I only put in around 10 each weekend. I have alot of weeds and roots to dig out, so getting them inserted can be time consuming. Alot of people that see my border, think it's a great idea. It is certainly a pretty way to recycle." - Nancy

Love it when readers remind me of some good posts and ideas.   After 10 years of blogging, I  tend to forget and it's good to revisit some of the Tips & Tricks that we've passed on over the years.

 :: Resources ::

Use Glass Bottles as Garden Edging

Front garden gets a new makeover

Putting in a bottle border

Placing pavers from a salvage yard

Love the round pattern!

Coming together! Second hand patio set from my Grandmere

Over these past few weeks, the front yard garden has gone through an extreme makeover.   Thanks to a local salvage yard and a second hand patio set, we've transformed a "garden space" into a "people space."

Farm Stand customers are always saying how they would love to sit in the garden and enjoy the sights, smells and sounds.   Thanks to the quick and creative work from our gardeners, Front Porch Farm Stand Customers  now  have their wish!  Of course, we aren't done yet!  Plans are to have a friend make an arbor that will support a climbing rose.  MMMMM.  I can just envision sipping tea surrounded by the scent of roses, jasmine and herbs.  Divine.

Treat Yourself

Retreat from the hustle & bustle of city and Refresh your spirit.   Place your order and reserve your garden space! Just one of the perks that come from being a Front Porch Farm Stand member (Open Sun - Fri 9 am - 7 pm  Close Saturday).

Not a Front Porch Farm Stand customer or member?  Then sign up at info(at)urbanhomestead(dot)org and ask to be put on the free Produce Membership List!

Support local foods & community!

Lend a Hand

Are you excited about this new garden space and  wonder how you can help?    We are doing this expansion for your benefit on a limited budge so please consider donating to this community space.  Remember your donation is TAX DEDUCTIBLE!

Calling all local artisans.  Do you make functional and decorative garden products or art?  Contact us at info(at)urbanhomestead(dot)org

Make our garden place your space!

PS Notice the Ollas, or clay pot irrigation?   This unglazed pottery works extremely well to irrigate our herbs and edible landscaping.  Now back in stock at Urban Homestead Supply

Prayers were answered not once but twice last week!   We enjoyed a few days of rain - what a blessing!  Forecasters are predicting that there are more storms on the horizon, so let's continue to pray that they are right because we really, really do NEED the rain and that means Justin is out of a job for awhile - yeah!

Of course, this first chance of rain in the new year made us all go into a tissy, getting the garden ready to receive the liquid blessings.

Wildflower seeds were scattered, seedlings transplanted, blueberries given a caffeine boost (leftover coffee grounds), etc.  I'll have to post pics of the garden soon.  In fact, we are doing a few yard re-dos, especially the front garden.   Working on making it more "people" friendly.

Readers, how has this winter been for you?

Winner Announced

Homegrown Music Giveaway goes to Dawn Harris.  Congrats and thank you to all who entered to win.  For those who didn't win I highly recommend checking out ToneWay's "GETTING STARTED " FREE workshop Series

I've been asked countless times how do you know how deep to plant seeds.   A simple and very effective way to figure out how deep to plant or how much dirt to cover seeds is to gauge the SIZE of the seeds.

A simple rule we follow is: "The size of the seed is how deep you cover with soil."   Quite elementary, my dear, and very simple to remember if you are without instructions on the back of your seed packet.

There are a number of different types of seeds that require different conditions to grow. Some seeds may need light to grow, some may need darkness, and. believe it or not,  some may even need to be charred by fire. There are so many variations in the ideal conditions to stimulate seed germination you need to ask yourself:  How does seed size impact the process of germination? Do certain size seeds need special conditions?

Very small seeds usually are planted at a very shallow depth.  They will receive 10% to 20% of the light incident on the soil surface.  The reason for the shallow planting is that these seeds have very few reserves for producing shoots. If they were planted any deeper, the shoots would not manage to go the full distance. Plants that germinate like this are termed “positively photoblastic."

As an aside, the above article states that many weeds are also "positively photoblastic." Their seeds can enter a state of dormancy after being worked into the soil or, unfortunately, when inadvertently put into the compost heap.  Many farmers will insist on working the soil at night to reduce the possibility of weeds occurring as there is no light to trigger the seed germination.  If the soil or compost heap is turned over once and exposed to the light, the seeds will awaken and you will now have weeds to contend with but a layer of mulch will deprive the weeds of the needed light.  We have used mulching here extensively for over 25 years.  In fact, that is how we started all this by smothering our back lawn (er weeds) and  front lawn with a layers of newspapers and mulch.   Now, we are about a 1 1/2 feet higher than our neighbor!  Yeah, I know I said something of the sort in our award winning little film - check out the clip where it shows me on top of the compost pile!

With it feeling more like Spring than Winter, I've been busy planting hundreds of soil blocks full of peas, greens and more!  And of course, watering MORE than I should for this time of year - that's bad!   Normally the hose & I  takes a hiatus during winter, but not this year.

I'm really worried, with winter not shaping up, there's no rain.  It's sooo dry, it's scary - really scary!   We are praying that we get some desperately rain and snow - and soon!

:: Resources ::

Heirloom & Organic Seeds - featuring our fave varieties that we sow

Soil Block Maker - the most used garden tool, I make thousands every year!

Making Soil Blocks - a highly efficient way to start your seedlings

Check out our GARDEN supplies too!

Drum roll please.....

The 2011 harvest "weigh in" is in!   We  also have THREE winners who will receive a Little Homestead in the City Calendar (btw these beautiful calendars are NOW on SALE and we only have a FEW left in stock! )

1. 5,739 guessed by Mari

2.  5,698 guessed by Weekend Homesteader

3. 5,765 guess by Kim

Congrats!  Y'all were pretty near the mark!   Please email (info@urbanhomestead.org) us your snail mail address - thanks!

Although we didn't top our 3 ton 6,000 lbs from our 1/10 acre, we were pretty durn close and are continually blessed to have such a productive harvest in such a small space.

Looking forward to another growing season in 2012 and are hard at work this winter season tweaking the garden to hopefully make it MORE productive.  While we bask in the glorious sunshine with temps hoovering at a warm 88 degrees we are taking this opportunity to "make hay while the sun shines."

December Harvest Tally

327 lbs Produce (fruits, vegetables, herbs)

Eggs  86 (Duck)  16 (Chicken)

20  Jars "Put Up"

2011 Finally Tally

5,725 lbs Produce (fruits, vegetables, herbs)

Eggs 1236 (Duck)  522 (Chicken)

659  Jars "Put Up"

Here's to a BOUNTIFUL 2012!   Happy growing everyone!

Salvaged wood...

Turned into raised beds

While some of the plants are on winter hiatus, we human's work has only just begun!

Every winter, the garden undergoes a bit of an upheaval or overhaul.  This 'down' season is crucial for the overall well- being of the garden.  What improvements or tweakings we do will determine what kind of growing season we have next year (barring the weather, of course)  It's a season to take stock and make adjustments.

Time for a "hair cut"

Chop Chop!  There's pruning of the fruit trees, blueberry bushes,  and perennial herbs also get thinned out.  Removing "the Three D's"  (dead, diseased or damaged) branches help with the overall health of perennial plants. WHY PRUNE? 

Thanks to global weirding, the guys are busy building a cold frame (got some nice wood, cheap wood from the Habitat for Humanity store just down the road from the homestead). We are also doing a bit of reorganizing in the garden.

There is a slew of things on the "to do" list and we are still cleaning up from "one of the worst natural disasters to befall Pasadena in 100 years. " (See Wild Wind )    Pasadena streets are still lined with downed trees and limbs... ours included.  It's a massive clean up undertaking from the  destruction of trees.   Sadly, the famous  LA Arboretum received extensive tree damage and is closed indefinitely.     City services are turning all the downed trees into free mulch for Pasadena residents  which is available at one of the Rose Bowl's parking lot

With a farm, nothing is static.  So, unlike our neighbors with their plain lawns and ordinary ornamentals, our yard has us doing mental gymnastics just to keep up.  One of the major challenges is space - or rather the lack of  space - to keep supplies, dirt, compost piles, and salvaged wood.  We can't just pile it here or there because  it gets in the way.

Ollas

Speaking of lack of space... come and get 'em!  The shipment of OLLAS  have arrived.   All sizes are in stock and ready to ship (or to be picked up if you are in the Los Angeles/Pasadena area)

Clay pot irrigation. Studies have show 80% more efficient that drip irrigation

Longtime readers will know that we LOVE saving water and using ollas in the garden (Learn more about using clay pot irrigation in the garden) , not to mention Sis  and I did a bit of shopping - thanks to the packing material the ollas were packed in.

More about our second- hand clothes scores in a later post...

I'm dreaming of spring, what about you?

Home gardens could grow 50% of humanity’s food supply on less than 10% of the world’s arable farmland.  -- energybulletin.net

It's unsettling start to winter but I guess what should we expect as the past couple winter seasons have been pretty mild.  Considering many parts of the country are already getting a dusting of the white stuff,  we shouldn't complain!

On the tally front, we still have ONE more month left and are inviting ya'll to guess the "2011 Harvest Tally"

Sadly, looks like we won't be topping our 2010 tally of 7,030 lbs but getting close to our annual average 6,000 lb harvest we've sustained for many years in a row. It still amazes me that our little 1/10 acre continues to be so productive - what a blessing!

It's dipped to freezing three nights a row and more cold nights are forecasted.   Usually the first freeze around hear holds off till January but there is nothing "normal" about the weather hereabouts.

Since it looks like the climate's changing it maybe that we have to replace our lightweight row covers with thicker ones.  Of course, going to cost us a pretty penny!

Through this lean winter season Sis & I were thinking of having a "Bake Sale "or something to help us raise some extra funds for the farm.

November Harvest Tally

552 lbs Produce (fruits, vegetables, herbs)

Eggs  106 (Duck)  20 (Chicken)

85  Jars "Put Up"

2011 Year to Date

5,398 lbs Produce (fruits, vegetables, herbs)

Eggs 1150 (Duck)  506 (Chicken)

639  Jars "Put Up"

Guess the Tally

Don't forget to join our guessing contest.  Comments close at the end of December.  We'll select THREE winners who will receive a 2012 Little Homestead in the City calendar.

Good luck!

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED.  We will be tallying up the 2011 harvest numbers and announcing the winners soon!

Fallen leaves

Clean up!

Row covers and extra sheets protect the greens and crops underneath

Winter has come early and with a  fury here to a "weather-less" land of So Cal.

What a week... hurricane force winds... now bitter cold. Poor salad greens  which were first blow- dried are now freeze- dried.

Thanks to everyone for their concern, wishes and donations from EM  and  JA .  We are extremely grateful and counting our blessings as we were spared any heavy damage. We had a ton of cleanup to do - picking up all the debris.  More than 750 trees downed in Pasadena and over 40 homes destroyed. Some folks are still without power and water.   We had a friend stop by yesterday to use our computer as he and his family are, after four days,  still waiting for power to be restored.

So we are VERY VERY thankful.  We may be out of the salad & leafy green business for a while though we still have our home sweet home.  Of course, this minor disaster made us feel so blessed that we live in an old house.  Not only that, but  we also did some "prepping" and had food, water and emergency supplies in stock. Read previous post about "Being Prepared"

The clean up will take months.  Local flora prides such as  the LA Arboretum will be closed indefinitely as they estimate that over 50% of the trees are gone or damaged. Sad to see such majestic trees toppled.

The Front Porch Farm Stand has been clean up from all the debris and is still open, so please come out and support local foods and farms or purchase homestead supplies online

This setback means we REALLY need your continued support (there are certainly other food goods that you can purchase!) more than ever to keep our farm stand and  supply going and growing for another year.

Coming soon... harvest tally totals and another giveaway!