Garden time is coming

[Jimi]

Hi, Jimi!

Did you know that powdery mildews are one of the most incredibly destructive fungal species?

To date, there are roughly 900 species of powdery mildews impacting over 10,000 species of plants in 200 countries across six continents. Whew, that’s a lot of big numbers!

The economic impact of powdery mildew is too vast to calculate, causing field loss all over the globe. Because of this, management is vital to protecting your garden. That’s why we created this complimentary eGuide for growers that explains how to prevent and manage powdery mildeEG.

Download The Powdery Mildew Guide HERE

By preventing and managing the powdery mildew in your garden, you not only protect your area but also help prevent the spread to others. And the good news is that the strategies for preventing and managing powdery mildew don’t take a lot of time and effort.


Inside the The Powdery Mildew Guide, you’ll learn:

The difference between powdery mildew and downy mildew
The life cycle and growing conditions, so you know when to watch out
Natural prevention strategies
Strategies for mechanical and biological control
Last resort organic dusts and sprays

Why sacrifice your harvests when you can easily prevent and manage powdery mildew?

When it comes to protecting your garden, the right strategies help ensure that you keep more of your harvests.


Get The Powdery Mildew Guide HERE

To your disease-free harvest!

The Grow Your Own Vegetables Team

 

[Jimi]

Here's my pick of the day

 

[Jimi]

Keep Your Tomatoes From Getting Blossom End Rot​

Keep Your Tomatoes From Getting Blossom End Rot

It's the scourge of tomato lovers and gardeners—blossom end rot. After waiting what seems like forever for our tomatoes to ripen, it's disheartening to see those brown splotches on the bottoms of the fruit. While blossom end rot can't be cured, it can be prevented or minimized, and it's fairly...

seedsnsuch.com

 

[Jimi]

Hi Jimi, We’ve all seen the footage and heard warnings from scientists. In just a few years, we could reach a point of no return, with climate change threatening our very existence. But you can be part of the change! This new riveting and hopeful film tells us what we can do that could make all the difference. >>> Watch Eating For Tomorrow and find out what we can do to help heal our planet. As gardeners, we understand the profound impact we can have on the environment. Eating For Tomorrow is a spellbinding and award-winning film that will open your eyes and show you how we really can turn things around. Featuring Oscar-winner Kate Winslet, Sir Richard Branson, Tony Robbins, Indigenous elders, and the world’s leading environmental experts, this film will open your eyes and show you what we can do to solve the climate crisis. Change IS possible. >>> Stream Eating For Tomorrow FREE while it’s available this week. For example… … People used to smoke in doctor’s offices, and now we know better. … Cars didn’t used to come with seatbelts, and now we can’t imagine not wearing one. … Women used to not be allowed to vote, have jobs, or open bank accounts on their own. As a gardener, you’re already a changemaker. You know that every seed you plant and every vegetable you harvest is a step towards a more sustainable future. A better world is possible, and that’s what the Eating For Tomorrow film is all about! Grow Your Own Vegetables Team PS–This award-winning film has generated rave reviews. Check out a few… “This film needs to be screened all around the world. In every school and to every politician.” “This documentary has totally changed the perspective of myself and what I see.” “This left me speechless. This is a must-see.” >>> Don’t miss catching the film while it’s available free for a limited time

 

[Jimi]

Jimi,

I have always been interested in wealth. I grew up in a family that hovered above the poverty line, and like most people, I thought "wealth" meant accumulating a large amount of money.

After my first career as an electrical engineer and consultant, I studied with Roer Kiyosaki (of Rich Dad, Poor Dad) and launched my own real estate investment business. I did well and amassed a portfolio of 65 houses I was leasing to tenants with the option to buy.

I had built a successful career and was earning a good income for me and my family.

Even though the business was doing well, my intuition kept telling me something was wrong.

Being successful in real estate meant carrying a lot of debt. If the tenants could no longer afford rent, I could easily get stuck with a lot of highly leveraged properties and no income to pay them off-a terrifying prospect that kept me up at night.

Essentially, foreseeing the crash of 2008, I decided to unwind my investments. I understood that we were about to enter a period that would be extremely difficult and affect everyone.

Throughout human history, humans have faced challenges that involve tremendous upheaval and hardship: natural disasters, civil wars, hyperinflation, totalitarian regimes, plagues, and pandemics.

The recent global pandemic has shown us how quickly these changes can happen, from lack of access to medical care and unemployment to empty grocery store shelves.

Our entire way of life is extremely vulnerable.

I wanted to learn everything I could about how people had survived such crises in the past. Security and medical access are big issues, but while doing the historical research, I saw over and over again that the most difficult part of navigating a tumultuous period is consistent access to food.

I do not come from a farming background, nor was my family the "live off the land" type, so I set out to learn everything I could about how to grow food.

I started with my own garden and several of my favorite vegetables.
After a while, I added a few animals I could raise on my own.

Pretty soon, I became interested in herbal medicine...

I spent hours studying gardening books and watching instructional videos to develop my skills.

I knew I wanted to produce deeply nutritious, organic, clean food in a truly sustainable way so I could always feed my family.

As my family and I continued to see success from our efforts, I decided to share my knowledge with like-minded others.

I put together a workshop for my neighbors to teach them they could make better use of their backyards.

My workshop became so popular that I got calls to turn it into a video that could reach others outside my community.

I filmed a video and a website about it in 2009, and The Grow Network was born.

I'm not advocating that people live completely off the grid unless that's what the want.

I get my bloodwork checked every year.

I buy things in stores when I want to.

But I also know that the bulk of my needs can be met in my own backyard.

It's truly empowering and a purposeful way of life. And you can do it too!

From now until the end of July, we've made the most viewed presentations from The HomeGrown Food Summit available for free viewing.

Click here to watch now.


***The above is an excerpt from Marjory's book, "The Grow System: The Essential Guide to Moder Self-Sufficient Living-from Growing Food to Making Medicine" ***

If you haven't already read the book, or you'd like another copy to gift, click here to purchase one now.

The reviews speak for themselves...

[ARTICLE] Three Sisters Garden: Grow More Food with Less Work
A small garden that produces high yield and enriches your soil—yet needs minimal care? Say hello to the Three Sisters garden agricultural tradition. Click here to learn more.


[VIDEO] The Almond Project Update
The Omens have been coming in and are being prepared for processing. Click here to watch this one-minute video update.


[FREE FROM OUR FRIENDS] Use Food to Activate Fat-Burning Hormones
Despite what you might've been told, weight loss goes deeper than simply "calories in vs calories out." Where are those calories coming from? What does your lifestyle look like? Is your body in balance? What are your hormones doing? These and more are pieces of the puzzle regarding sustainable weight loss.

In this masterclass, you will learn:

• The actual cause of weight gain that you probably don't know about.
• The 2 most important hormones for weight loss.
• The top foods to eat and avoid to keep your weight hormones stable.
• The significance of the mind-body connection when it comes to losing weight, including how visualization and meditation can help you rebalance your hormones & lose weight.
• And much more!

Click here to start watching now!

 

[Jimi]

​

Healing Herbs List: Safe and Effective Herbal Home Remedies​ Growing up in a large Lebanese family, herbs and spices were not only used to flavor food but to cure common ailments. I distinctly remember ginger for upset tummies, and barley water for babies recovering from illness. Read More​

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​ How to Make White Wine Vinegar Flavored With Herbs​ I was walking through my herb garden with a local herb expert, Rita Heikenfeld, when she spied my patch of scallions all a-bloom. She exclaimed, “Oh Erin! You have to get those flowers off before they go to seed. I’m going to get you a recipe for flavored wine vinegar!” Read More >

​ Growing Sweet Basil: Don't Let Good Basil Go Bad​ Do you have any experience growing sweet basil? I've had a lot of success in growing herbs outdoors, but growing basil has always been our most successful crop. Read More >

​

​ Home Remedies for Headaches Using Essential Oils and Herbs​ As a lifelong sufferer of headaches (I had my first migraine at age 6!), I’ve found that very often I get better relief from my headaches when I use essential oils and herbs rather than over-the-counter painkillers and without any of the nasty side effects. Read More >

​ A Guide to Growing Chives​ Whenever I think of growing herbs outdoors here at Timberlakes, I think about growing chives. Chives are about the sturdiest and most dependable herb variety we grow, and they take acclaim for the longest productivity period each year. Read More >

 

[Jimi]

​

Companion Plants for Pest Control​ In this video, Noreen Thomas of Doubting Thomas farms shares how her farm uses strategic companion planting as organic pest control against flies. Watch Now​

​

​ Invisible Deer Fence​ Maintain your garden aesthetic and learn how to keep deer from eating plants by replacing bulky fence posts with an invisible deer fence. Read More >

​ Gardening Problems and Solutions​ Hear from fellow gardeners on their gardening problems and solutions and experiences, and glean some new gardening practices. Read More >

​ How to Scare Crows Away: Make a Garden Scarecrow​ Learn how to scare crows away -- and other pest animals -- by making a garden scarecrow from scrap materials that you have on hand. Read More >

​ What Is Eating My Plants?​ What is eating my plants? From bugs to birds to animals, find out how to keep your garden pest free without the use of chemicals. Read More >

 

[Jimi]

Jimi,

Did you know that 55% of U.S. households have a garden? 18.3 million U.S. households started gardening in 2021.

This translates to a whopping 71.5 million households that participate in some sort of gardening activity.

That’s 185.9 million people, ranking the U.S. among the top 3 gardening countries worldwide, preceded by Australia and China.

Growing food (fruits, vegetables, berries, and others) has been the fastest-growing gardening category in the past five years.

Yes! That’s a win for our community.

According to the National Gardening Association, 35% of U.S. households, or 42 million households total, grew vegetables, fruits, and other foods as of 2021, an increase of 6 million from five years prior.

Growing vegetables was the most popular trend within the food category, and tomatoes were the most popular vegetable grown in 86% of the food gardens.

How many of these vegetables do you grow?

Not surprisingly, 91% of people who garden are homeowners, and their gardening occurs in their backyards.

Meanwhile, condominium or apartment owners and renters usually garden indoors, do container gardening or join a community garden.

The average U.S. garden is about 600 square feet and produces $600 worth of food, with the average return on investment being 757%!

That’s amazing!

Did you know that a 100 to 200-square-foot garden can feed one person year-round?

The average person gardens just 5 hours per week.

That’s less than an hour per day!

We want to ensure you’re making the best of your growing space.

For the next week, you can watch The Best of The Home Grown Food Summit for free!

Click here to watch now.

Watch and rewatch the top 12 presentations of ALL-TIME!

As an extra special Thank You to The Grow Network Community, we’re offering $50 OFF every Home Grow Food Summit, EVER!

That’s over 250 presentations on growing and preserving food and everything in between, making it less than ¢.50 per video presentation.

Use code: 50OFFHGFS

Click here to take advantage of this limited-time offer.

 

[Jimi]

Hey Jimi, Looking for a simple starter salad or side dish that's easy & fun to make? This Spicy Smashed Cucumbers Recipe is full of flavor and a hint of heat. ​

 

[Jimi]

Ok here's my Pick of the day, really yesterday but I was too sore to put them on



My second so far this year and still several rows to go

 

[Jimi]

​

This week’s edition of Home Gardener’s Weekly has us looking to the future - on a small scale and a large scale! As good stewards of mother nature, we know the importance of making the most of the harvest we grow and the environment in which we do so. This week, you have access to a very helpful resource to teach you all about troubleshooting your garden obstacles to set you up for success. We also have a great blog post from one of our experts about the best way to combat pest infestations and keep your garden healthy. Thanks to one of our partners, we are bringing to you a very exciting opportunity to view the award-winning documentary, “Eating for Tomorrow,” highlighting the long-term effects our eating habits make on the planet.​ ​

Find all this and more in this week’s newsletter! ​ ​

​ ​

Thank you for joining us on this garden journey. Together, we'll nurture the beauty of your garden and the well-being of your body and mind. Happy Gardening! Grow Your Own Vegetables Team​

 

[Jimi]

​

Store Vegetables All Fall and Winter Without a Root Cellar​ Find out which temps are ideal curing, how long to cure, and which vegetables will store the longest using this old-fashioned method of food preservation and storage. Watch Now​

​ How To Dehydrate Potatoes​ Learn how to dehydrate potatoes for various uses. A potato can be sliced, diced, shredded, cooked, or uncooked for dehydrating. Dehydrated potatoes are great for long-term storage. Read More >

​ Pickling Food Preservation Techniques​ Explore pickling food preservation techniques to capture the riches of seasonal foods to last throughout the year. Read More >

​ Home Canning for Beginners: How to Can Your Food Year-Round​ Read home canning for beginners to learn how to can food throughout the year, including tips for choosing jars, hot pack versus cold pack, pressure canning, and boiling water bath canning. Read More >

​ How to Make Fermented Garlic​ Learn how to make fermented garlic as a preservation method. This will pique your taste buds with its rich umami flavor, which lends the ferment a note of sweetness. Read More >

 

[Jimi]

Hi Jimi, As a gardener, it’s probably no surprise to you that the Northern Hemisphere is on track to have one of the hottest summers on record. According to the Weather Channel, “the first six weeks of summer have shattered heat records in parts of the country.” But it’s not just heat that is changing the landscape of the planet. We’re up against ecological disasters, with climate change, pollution, and deforestation threatening our collective future and the planet we call home. But rather than give up, a team of scientists agree: There’s one KEY thing we can do to help prevent irreversible damage. But we must act now if we want to make a difference before it’s too late. This week you have free access to the incredible documentary called Eating For Tomorrow — a special extended version of the wildly popular hit film Eating Our Way To Extinction. When you register for this limited-time screening, you’ll also get a free e-book of planet-friendly recipes from Michelin Star chefs. Get it all now! Jimi, this film will open your eyes, give you hope, and show you how YOU can help shift our current trajectory. >>> Stream Eating For Tomorrow FREE while it’s available this week. Grow Your Own Vegetables Team PS–Please do yourself and our planet a huge favor. As Leonardo DiCaprio put it, “This is a film future generations will wish everyone watched today.” >>> Don’t miss catching the film while it’s available free for a limited time

 

[Jimi]

Hello Jimi, There's still time to register for Dr. Isaac Eliaz's Open Heart Medicine Meditation and Healing Retreat, taking place September 18-21st at the Fairmont Orchid Hotel on Hawaii's Big Island. This retreat represents the culmination of Dr. Eliaz's 50 years of meditation, training, and practice. You'll learn the principles of Open Heart Medicine and gain practical tools for daily use that can significantly impact your health. Open Heart Medicine leads to tangible changes in your well-being, mental processes, and life experiences. It enhances any ongoing healing journey, helping you move from reactivity to responding through compassion, nourishment, and restorative energy. The retreat offers guided meditations, energy work, and hands-on strategies to improve personal growth, stress management, and overall health. Dr. Eliaz's approach combines Eastern wisdom with Western medical expertise, teaching you to address blockages, trauma, and cellular healing. Space is extremely limited for this intimate gathering, ensuring personalized attention and an opportunity to work closely with Dr. Eliaz. Don't miss this chance to transform your life in one of the most potent healing environments on Earth. Surrounded by 32 oceanfront acres and adjacent to an ancient petroglyph field, you'll connect deeply with nature, yourself, and a community of like-minded individuals.​

Join Us - Reserve Your Spot Now​

If you have any questions or need assistance with the purchase process, our support team is ready to help. Simply reply to this email, and we'll get back to you promptly. We have also included a few frequently asked questions below. You can find a complete list of FAQs on the retreat page. What is included in the retreat package? Accommodations: Four nights at Fairmont Orchid, arrival Tuesday, September 17th departure September 21st. Meals: Breakfast on September 19th – 21st, Lunch on September 18th – 21st, Dinner September 18th – 20th Activities: Guided meditation practices and hands-on healing sessions. Mind-body practices including yoga, qi gong, and breathwork. Detoxification and theoretical lectures and teachings. When should I arrive? When should I leave? Your retreat package includes 4 nights at the Fairmont Orchid starting Tuesday, September 17th, departing on Saturday, September 21st. We have secured a limited number of rooms before and after the retreat at a deep discount. These are allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis. You will be prompted at checkout to purchase any additional nights if this is of interest. If you decide to stay on Saturday afternoon and Sunday Dr. Eliaz will be leading an additional informal evening meditation on Saturday and a morning meditation on Sunday. Dr. Eliaz strongly recommends staying one extra night if possible to allow for the effect of the retreat to settle in. The two additional group meditation sessions on Saturday evening and Sunday morning will also support the integration process. Will there be special meal/food options? We will be serving nourishing and detoxifying Ayurvedic meals, as well as gluten-free and vegetarian options. How do I get there? The closest airport is Kona International Airport. You can take a taxi to the hotel from the Kona International Airport or if you want to rent a car it is an easy 30-minute drive up the coast from the airport Thank you for being a valued member of our community. We can't wait for you to experience the incredible beauty of the Big Island of Hawaii with Dr. Isaac Eliaz. Click here to secure your spot now. We hope to see you soon!​

 

[Jimi]

[ARTICLE] 6 Ways to Use Alcohol on the Homestead
Alcohol distillation has long been associated with the production of alcoholic beverages, but its applications extend far beyond intoxication.
This ancient technique has many practical uses on the Homestead.
Click here to explore some lesser-known benefits of alcohol distillation, from crafting herbal tinctures to producing fuel and preserving fruit.
Read more...

 

[Jimi]

Is your garden starting to wilt with the heat?

Or perhaps it's just bursting to the point you're harvesting every day and giving stuff away. Time for a clean out!

This is one of my favorite dishes when I need to use up all of those veggies. Plus, it makes my children want to watch the movie (we're big Pixar fans around here).

Roasted Garlic Ratatouille​

​

Roasted garlic sauce, covered in paper-thin spiced vegetables. You can take extra time to arrange it in a stunning pattern.

This would be perfect for an impressive summer dinner or appetizer.

Stacey says, "Not only is the presentation of this beautiful, but when I walked into the party the smell of it turned noses! It was delicious! Thanks for sharing!"

Roasted Garlic Ratatouille​

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More ways to use up those veggies:

Italian Sausage Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes​

​

This 30 minute weeknight meal comes together so easy! Italian Sausage Pasta with Cherry tomatoes is perfect for using up those summer vegetables coming from your garden! Swap the veggies for whatever you have on hand. It’s absolutely delicious; who can say no to sausage and pasta?

Italian Sausage Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes​

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Aunt Joy’s Creamy Cucumber Salad​

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This dreamy Creamy Cucumber Salad recipe is a famous one from Aunt Joy! Thinly sliced English cucumbers soaked in a simple 4-ingredient dressing made with mayo and cream. Top with some fresh herbs and don’t forget the thinly sliced onions! It’s crisp, refreshing, and the perfect side dish to complement your summer BBQ.

Aunt Joy's Creamy Cucumber Salad​

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Stuffed Bell Peppers​

​

Classic Stuffed Bell Peppers done right! Say no to bland and watery stuffed peppers. This baked stuffed peppers recipe is easy to put together (hint: we’re using the microwave), healthy, and really flavorful thanks to a blend of fun spices and a couple secret ingredients. If you are looking for a low carb easy dinner, look no further!

Stuffed Bell Peppers​

 

[Jimi]

Ok here's my Pick Of The Day


Even after the tornado that passed over un and did damage to my maters the maters are startin to come on last of my cukes prolly the tornado flattened the fence they were growin on and pulled them up by the roots, left me with one plant

 

[Jimi]

The little yellow maters are super in salads, sweet and delicious ^^^^^

 

[Jimi]

My pick of the day but I dug them just before dark last night

 

[Jimi]

Hey Jimi,

While your neighbors are out buying tough, out-of-season vegetables all winter long, you can be harvesting fresh veggies straight from your backyard.

Winter gardening can be a challenge, but with the right knowledge and strategies, you can do it!

If you’re ready to conquer the cold, come join our friends over at Seedtime for the online Winter Garden Challenge, starting TODAY

Sign up for free here!

​

During the challenge, you’ll get to hear from some of the best growers and homesteaders in the country:​

• Eliot Coleman​
• Luke Marion​
• Kevin Espiritu​
• Justin Rhodes​
• Melissa Norris​
• Jill Ragan​
• Josh & Carolyn Thomas​
• Michael Kilpatrick (me!)​
• And more…​

They’ll teach you how to overcome the toughest winter gardening challenges, so you can get the most out of your garden all year long.

Yes, count me in!​

 

[Jimi]

​

Wednesday, July 31 @ 1 PM CST​ Plan Your Fall Garden: A Workshop to Extend Your Growing Season through Fall​ FREE ONLINE VIDEO WORKSHOP The time for spring planting has passed, but it's not too late for you to start a vegetable garden this year! Get out your plant lists, your planners, and your spreadsheets, and we'll carve out the time and space to intentionally plan your vegetable garden! Learn More​

 

[Jimi]

Jimi, at some point we all experience aphids. They’re one of the most common garden pests. Some aphids—like cabbage aphids—can ramp up to an infestation FAST!

There are so many colors of aphids that they may as well have a Skittles candy endorsement: green, yellow, pink, brown, black, gray, white, and even clear!

That’s why we created the aphid guide—to help you prevent aphid infestations and manage populations.

Download Your Guide to Aphid Management HERE


Inside the Your Guide to Aphid Management, you’ll learn:

♼ The life cycle of an aphid and why it’s important to know
Natural prevention strategies
Strategies for mechanical and biological control
Last resort organic dusts and sprays

Why sacrifice your harvests when you can easily prevent and manage aphids?


Get Your Guide to Aphid Management HERE

To your pest-free harvest!

The Grow Your Own Vegetables Team

 

[Jimi]

Hey Jimi, These are some crazy times, and it’s good to be prepared for anything. Preserving and storing all your favorite fresh vegetables and herbs is one way to stock up so that you enjoy healthy meals without going to the grocery store all the time. Imagine all the foods that boost your immunity. Now imagine having them right at your fingertips whenever you want them. This is a gamechanger…today more than ever! Let's face it—store-bought pasta sauce is NEVER as good as fresh homemade sauce. When you make your own, you know it’s chocked full of nutrients without all the crazy weird preservatives. Are you ready to start preserving fresh food for yourself? Would you like to know how to preserve all the basics like pasta sauce, salsa, hot sauce, pickles, dried herbs, sauerkraut, and more? My friends at Grow Your Own Vegetables provide mentorship to thousands of people, teaching them how to nourish their loved ones with fresh, organic food. They want to help you, too! They have released a brand new webinar to teach you how to stock your kitchen full of fresh nutritious goodies. Register for the webinar now and get started preserving your harvest ​ You’ll discover: How to save food for later using 6 simple methods How to save up to 40% on your grocery bill every year How to think like a restaurant owner when prepping for meals How to create a system for preserving your harvest during peak season How to put creative meals on your table year-round How to stock your kitchen with the “Harvest Into Meals” food preservation system PLUS, you’ll receive a downloadable Quick Guide to discover which preservation methods are right for you. Imagine a kitchen full of fresh meals just waiting for you and your loved ones to enjoy, making dinner prep so much simpler. Click here to join me for this complimentary webinar See you there!

 

[Jimi]

Hey Jimi,

As food prices continue to rise, you've probably been checking prices more often as you load up your grocery cart.

Or, if you're like our family, you are planting a bit longer row of beans, or tucking in a few more tomato plants.

If you're feeling the pinch, storing more of your farm or garden harvest might be on your mind this season. But what’s the best way to SAVE and STORE all those veggies? And how much time and equipment is it going to take?

When those bushels of beans come in, the worst feeling is all that hard work going to waste! No one wants that!

To help you preserve more food this year and cut back on grocery costs, my friend Stacey Murphy is hosting a FREE masterclass! She'll teach you how to preserve more of your food AND convert your preserved food into meals for your family.

Join for free!​

This is not just about a bunch of canned tomatoes here. We’re talking ready-made meals with that summery burst of flavor and nutrition all year long.

You’ll hear about Stacey’s complete Harvest into Meals preservation system including…

• Garden fresh recipes​
• Meal planning​
• Food storage​
• Canning​
• Fermenting​
• Drying​
• Dehydrating​
• Pickling​

We're talking a lifestyle where your freezer and your pantry are always full of healthy, home-grown food. When it's time to make dinner, you run to your food storage instead of the grocery store. How much would that save you on grocery bills?

When you have a preservation system in place, you can eat from your garden or farm long past your seasonal harvest.

Join for free today, and start learning how you can preserve food in new ways...and use it to create tasty home-grown meals!

Get started!​

 

[Jimi]

Here's my Pick of the day for today

 

[Jimi]

But only after Jean went through and picked these


Her's tasted better

 

[Jimi]

Ok here's my Pick Of The Day for today



Had to cut another pepper for salad, many more still on
Still gettin broccoli every few days
And some maters, I still can't get over how good the little yellow ones are, these

Wapsipinicon Peach Tomato ( 78 Days)

A two bite tomato with an unbelievably delicious nectar-like, juicy flavor. Your taste buds will surely melt and thank you when you put this tomato in your mouth. Named for a river in northeastern Iowa, the Wapsipinicon Peach Tomato produces a plentiful supply of light yellow fruits with tinges...

www.superseeds.com

So tasty

 

[Jimi]

How To Grow And Pick Green Beans​

How To Grow And Pick Green Beans

Green beans are a garden superstar—easy to grow and harvest. A row or trellis of green beans will produce a prolific crop and have you feeling like a green thumb, enjoying the tasty crisp flavor you can't get from a store-bought bean. While the typical green bean is green, these veggies aren't...

seedsnsuch.com

 

[Jimi]

If you’ve ever been through a hard season fighting pests, diseases, or weeds, Jimi, you probably felt like you were playing a game of “whack-a-mole” running from problem to problem, right?

This can be so discouraging! It can drain the joy that you experience gardening and even make you wonder if gardening is really worth the effort.

That’s why we created a special pest management guide—so you can prevent pests before they arrive and know the keys to manage them when they show up.

Download the Successful Pest Management for the Organic Grower eGuide

Inside the Successful Pest Management for the Organic Grower eGuide, you discover:

How to focus on management instead of elimination
How to form a schedule of simple prevention strategies
How to make observations, simple notes, and action steps
How to partner with nature to do most of the work
How to use worry to your advantage


When you have the RIGHT mindset about pests and diseases in your garden, you’ll find that you spend very little time and effort dealing with them. You might even find that it seems as if your garden grows almost entirely on its own!

Get the Successful Pest Management for the Organic Grower eGuide HERE

To your abundant harvest!

The Grow Your Own Vegetables Team

 

[Jimi]

​

All About Crop Rotation​ Explore your options for crop rotation to keep soil fertile and discover the advantages of crop rotation for longevity. Read More​

​

​ Growing Turnips for a Comeback​ Growing turnips helps this lowly veggie regain its most favored vegetable status. Read More >

​ Cultivating Buckwheat​ Learn how you can add buckwheat to your crop rotation to enhance your soil, feed your livestock, and reap a hefty honey harvest. Read More >

​

​ Best Radish Types for Fall​ How long do radishes take to grow? Some may take as little as three weeks, or as long as eight or nine. See our favorite radish types for fall gardening! Read More >

​ Growing Mangel-Wurzels​ Mangel-wurzels, a large root vegetable, easily break-up the soil, tilling for you, and make delicious salads, pickles, in addition to being healthy livestock feed. Read More >

 

[Jimi]

​

Harvesting Honey​ This video covers how to harvest your honey — with or without an extractor — from how to safely remove bees from honey supers to honey extraction methods. Watch Now​

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​ Culinary Uses for Market Garden Produce​ Join the folks from Congaree and Penn as they discuss the ways the produce from the market garden is integrated into their farm-to-table restaurant, including the cooking techniques. Watch Now >

​ Top Storage Crops: How to Store Fruits and Vegetables​ Learn how to store fruits and vegetables, such as how to store potatoes from garden, in ways that best extend your harvest and keep your family fed. Read More >

​

​ How Is Honey Harvested?​ How is honey harvested? Learn about honey, how it’s made, and how to harvest it from a Langstroth hive from master beekeepers. Read More >

​ Harvesting Tips to Extend Your Harvest​ Here are some harvesting tips to keep fruiting vegetables and pod-producing plants cropping for longer. Read More >

 

[Jimi]

Jimi,

We live on the edge of uncertainty these days, with every headline referring to some new global crisis.

As homesteaders and (shhhh) closet preppers, we know that it's best to think about the future NOW while everyone else is blissfully in denial.

You know better than most that once your local area is hit with a significant blow that disrupts essential services, it's more than just a minor inconvenience.

It's serious!

Survival isn't just about stocking up on canned goods and dried foods.

Or even having an alternative energy source or whatever else the cliché prepper is thought to stockpile.

It's about having the KNOWLEDGE and RESOURCES you'll need to keep going. Comfortably.

One of the things that is often overlooked is alcohol.

Yes, you read that right.

Alcohol.

Have you ever thought of alcohol as more than just something people drink to relax?

Have you ever considered distilling alcohol yourself?

What about the benefits of alcohol beyond putting it in a glass?

Let's take a look at the ways alcohol can be used…

Herbal Tinctures for Potent Herbal Remedies
Alcohol is essential in the production of herbal tinctures. These tinctures are an effective and natural way to fight disease and infection and boost your immune system. By using alcohol to extract the essential compounds from herbs, you can create powerful medicines right in your kitchen.

First Aid and Wound Care
High-proof alcohol is used as an antiseptic to clean and disinfect wounds, reducing the risk of infection. But you already knew that didn't you? Did you ever consider that you could use some of the byproducts of alcohol distillation in your first aid kit? Well, you can!

Disinfection
In addition to first aid, alcohol can be used to disinfect surfaces. Its ability to kill bacteria and viruses makes it an invaluable tool for maintaining a clean and sterile environment, especially in times of uncertainty.

Preserving Fresh Fruits
Alcohol is a fantastic way to preserve fruits. By creating a fruit mash and making alcohol, you not only extend their shelf life but transform them into something new to be enjoyed year-round. Did you know that you can even make your own vanilla extract using alcohol?

Bartering and Trading
Alcohol has a historical significance in barter and trade. If times get really bad, alcohol could be one of those things you wish you had on hand, whether for first aid or just to take the edge off. Possessing the knowledge how to produce alcohol and even owning your own still may just be your meal ticket someday.

Fuel Production
Alcohol can even be mixed to run small motors… How cool is that?!

Now that you know the incredible benefits of alcohol beyond the drink, why not take it a step further?

Our NEW Weekend Project, Distilling Alcohol, was created to provide you with an overview of the alcohol distilling process.

Discover the Art of Distilling for yourself and learn:

• The basics of distillation with a three-part video series that walks you step-by-step through the process
• How to safely and effectively distill alcohol at home
• A 42 page full color eBook discussing how to get started; including the essential equipment, ingredients, and techniques required to get started
• And a special unboxing video from Marjory where she opens her brand new alcohol still

Unlock the full potential of alcohol on your homestead and enjoy the myriad benefits it brings. Click here to sign up now.


Happy distilling!

 

[Jimi]

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​ Building Soil: Build Your Beds: Borders, Compost, and Soil​ Now we're getting down to earth! Leah Webb dives into how to start building your garden beds and where to do so. In supplemental videos, she also goes over considerations for choosing types of borders, soil and compost based on factors including cost and aesthetics. Watch Now​

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​ ​ Build Permanent Garden Beds and Paths​ This guide helps you build permanent garden beds and paths, includes gardening tips, when to add compost, creating instant gardening beds and how to build new garden beds. Read More >

 

[Bliss Doubt]

Ten traditional native American gardening techniques:

10 Traditional Native American Gardening Techniques

Age-old wisdom and growing techniques from Native Americans—from companion planting to sustainable practices.

www.almanac.com

 

[Jimi]

Here's my pick of the day


I am gonna make pizza slices out of the zuc. haven't had any of those for about a year

 

[Jimi]

How do you know when to plant your winter crops for the best results & highest yields?

So many growers miss out on high yields for their winter crops, just because they plant a week or two past the ideal planting window

Or because they don’t know how to help their crops acclimate to the temperature drops.

Earlier this week I spoke at Seedtime’s Winter Garden Challenge, and shared some tips for avoiding this pitfall & other winter growing mistakes.

So if you’ve been struggling with mapping out your planting dates or knowing how to get high winter yields, this is for you!

First, What Are You Planting?​

You’ve decided to start growing over winter…but what do you grow? The most common response is “winter crops, of course!” Carrots, spinach, lettuce, and all the other cold season veggies.

But winter growing is not quite as clear cut as switching from ‘summer crops’ to ‘winter crops.’

Instead, here at the Farm on Central, our winter crops fall into three different categories:

1. Extended crops: These are summer/fall crops that we grow into the frosty months, by using rowcovers to extend the growing season.​
2. Cold season crops: These are your typical hardy, cold weather veggies like carrots and spinach.​
3. Overwinter crops: These are crops that we plant/seed in the fall and overwinter, then harvest in the following spring.​

As an easy exercise, take a notebook and make a column for each of these three categories. Then start writing down crops for each column. What do you already grow that you can extend later into the year for a longer harvest? What cold weather crops will grow in your area? What can you cover with straw or row covers and overwinter?

When to Plant: Working Out Exact Dates​

Once you know what you want to grow, knowing when to grow it is a whole different story.

First, to understand your winter growth cycle, you need to look at three basic factors:

• Light​
• Temperature (both soil & air)​
• Environment​

Quick Tip: Know Your Persephone Period!​

Coined by Eliot Coleman, the Persephone Period is the winter stretch during which you get less than 10 hours of sunlight per day. Here at the Farm on Central, our Persephone Period starts around November 13, but yours will start on a different day, as your daylight hours are dependent on your location. If you haven’t already, you can use a day length calculator to find out when your Persephone Period starts and ends: http://www.solartopo.com/daylength.htm​

The Persephone Period matters, because during this time period, crop growth slows almost to a standstill. So when winter gardening, your goal is to plant your crops early enough to bring them to maturity (or almost to maturity) by your Persephone Period start date. Extended season crops should be completely harvested and done by the time the Persephone Period begins.

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As a general rule of thumb, you can calculate your ideal planting time by using the following formula:

Persephone Start Date - (Days to Maturity + 2 Weeks Cold Adjustment) = Planting Date​

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So, for example, if we want to plant winter spinach here at the Farm on Central, our formula would look like this:



November 13 - (27 days to maturity + 14 cold adjustment time) = Planting Date

Simplify that, and we get November 13 - 41 days = Planting Date.

Count back 41 days from November 13, and we get October 3 as our planting date.

Simple, right? Remember, this is NOT a foolproof way to determine planting times. But it’s a solid starting formula. If you are transplanting instead of direct seeding, make sure to factor in transplant time as well. Often transplanting is actually a better option, so you can start your winter crops early in trays, then move them into the ground after your fall harvest is over.

Quick Tip: Avoid Drastic Temperature Changes​

Usually it’s not the cold temperatures that pose a problem, but the temperature transitions. Even cold weather crops need time to adjust, so a quick drop in temperature can ruin your crops. Use high tunnels or row covers to protect your crops during large temperature drops, and ease them into the cold weather slowly.​

What about overwinter crops?​

With overwinter crops, the philosophy is completely different. You’re simply using your garden/farm as a refrigerator where your crops can lie dormant until spring. The goal is to get them rooted and growing, then hit pause on growth. So you need to allow enough time for your plants to be well-established before the Persephone Period, but not fully matured. Straw or row covers are key, so you can keep your overwintered crops insulated and protected.

 

[Jimi]

NEW TO WINTER GROWING?​

As a quick reminder, our full Winter Growing Success course is available when you subscribe to our Small Farm University ($47/month)!

If you’re not already a part of SFU, consider joining both for the winter production training and the regular Q&As! Between our exclusive community and the Q&As, you can get full support while working out your winter growing systems in addition to the courses.

Click here to learn more!​

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Do you grow year-round? Hit reply and let us know your best tips/systems for growing winter crops in your area!





To thriving,

 

[Jimi]

​ What's Wrong With My Pepper?​ Does your pepper look like this? We can help. How to Fix Common Pepper Problems​

 

[Jimi]

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This week’s edition of Home Gardener’s Weekly will inspire you to expand your gardening knowledge and embrace preservation methods. We have a fantastic masterclass happening now that will teach you 3 strategies to simplify preserving and storing your harvest. Our blog this week introduces the concept of the circle of awesome—a simple way to invest in your own gardening knowledge by committing to a short time frame of learning each week. We are also introducing our newest event, Enjoy the Harvest, coming in September, featuring visionary fresh food guru’s ready to inspire your culinary creations.​ ​

Find all this and more in this week’s newsletter! ​ ​

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Thank you for joining us on this garden journey. Together, we'll nurture the beauty of your garden and the well-being of your body and mind. Happy Gardening! Grow Your Own Vegetables Team ​ ​

If there is a topic that you would like to see in future newsletters, please let us know by replying to this email. This newsletter is for YOU and your gardening success!​

 

[gopher_byrd]

 

[Jimi]

Here's my "Pick of the day" for today
rummaged through the maters, even though mother beat them up might get enough to be worth cannin.



4 and a half pounds of the little yellow ones, those come off 2 plants today
Almost 9 pounds of the pink ones
And 3 and a half pounds of the Roma style, gonna make up some catsup with some of those soon, or maybe pizza or tomato sauce.
If my maters wouldn't of gotten so beat up I'd be cannin today

 

[VapeOn1960]

Not a good year for our vegi garden... it's been so hot! Peppers and tomatoes crapped out (and the nursery gave me the wrong peppers... not the Fresno Red I wanted) Oh well...
My New Zealand spinach (in a container) is doing well (I move it in/out of sunlight) Ready for first harvest.
Waiting for cooler weather to plant peas.

 

[Jimi]

One of the #1 most common questions I get is… how do I get rid of these pesky pests? That’s why I’ve decided to devote the next 2 Urban Grower’s Guide emails to pests alone. Article: The most common pests I see and what to do about them Article: What’s eating my garden? An Epic Mystery with a Twist at the End Finally, one way to bring your urban farm or garden in balance is by incorporating animals. Whether you're dabbling with the idea and want to know what it entails, or you are READY to raise some chickens, goats or other livestock, we will walk you through the process with our Signature Course, Urban Animals: How to Raise Chickens, Goats and More in Your Backyard! Go here to see everything that's covered in the course.

Greg Peterson Your Urban Farmer

P.S. Did you know the average hen produces one cubic foot of manure every 6 months? Plus, young laying hens produce up to 6 eggs per week! Click Here to learn how to reap the benefits of incorporating animals in your farm or garden... even if you live in a city.

 

[Bliss Doubt]

A while back I posted an article about the fact that one in every four yards in the US has lead contaminated soil. I haven't revisited that article, but I think the assumption was that lead contamination is widespread because of settled exhaust particulates from the era of leaded gasoline, and from all the old lead paint, but this podcast is very enlightening:

Don't Poison Yourself! Let's clean up our backyard environment.

Much of what we call "disease" is not being spread between people or animals--it is toxins in the environment. One of the big backyard toxins is fertilizer which is being made out of Chinese industria

rumble.com

It's an hour long, really interesting, though it rambles a bit in places. It's mainly about the fact that the fertilizers available to farmers and gardeners are contaminated with Chinese industrial waste incl. arsenic, lead and cadmium among other things, which do not have to be disclosed on the packaging. It not only goes into the foods we are growing, but all over the soil and grass, to harm children and pets. It's also about organic cheats that are allowed by state governments and USDA.

There are solutions. This great podcast touches on how working within the ways of nature is not some naive fantasy, but an urgent necessity if we are to avoid being poisoned, each and every one of us.

I'm with Dr. Merritt. I want to see the return of ladybugs, butterflies and bees to our world. It just felt like the world was once so beautiful it almost hurt, and now it is perishing under schemes of profit greed, disregard for human health, and outright hatred of us by those who could do anything about industrial poisons.

 

[Jimi]

I'm with Dr. Merritt. I want to see the return of ladybugs, butterflies and bees to our world. It just felt like the world was once so beautiful it almost hurt, and now it is perishing under schemes of profit greed, disregard for human health, and outright hatred of us by those who could do anything about industrial poisons.

I am too there are so many bugs that you just don't see anymore and you know it's the crazy pesticides they use in growin food

 

[Jimi]

Ok here's my pick of the day for today

 

[Jimi]

[ARTICLE] The Power of Plant Covers
As the cold winter months approach, they pose a significant challenge from dropping temperatures, frosts, freezes, ice, and snowfall. All of this can damper your gardening plans, threatening the health and vitality of your beloved plants. But fear not! A practical solution to this seasonal problem is extending the gardening season with plant covers.
Click here to read the full article.


[VIDEO] UPDATE: Soil Detox Project
The first soil test results are back. Guess what they found in the soil?
Click here to watch this short 1:52 video

 

[Jimi]

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The What, Why, How, and When of Garden Cover Crops​ Are cover crops just for market gardens? Not at all! Learn how to use cover crops in your home garden to build and protect your soil. Watch Now​

​ Harvesting Buckwheat and Processing It for Food​ Buckwheat is a popular cover crop and a flavorful food. Learn about harvesting buckwheat, processing it, and using it in a delicious buckwheat recipe. Read More >

​ Make A Summer Cover Crop Mix​ Looking for a summer cover crop mix? Plant your own summer legume cover crops or other plants for weed suppression and a boost to soil organic matter. Read More >

​ Building Soil​ Learn about soil, what it’s made of, and how to improve the health of your garden and farm soil. Read More >

​ Cover Crops on Urban Farms​ Find out why cover cropping isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. These city farmers have adapted the practice to suit their unique challenges. Read More >

 

[Jimi]

Hey Jimi,

You’re invited to come join me for the online Regenerative Legacy Summit: How to Farm and Ranch for the Next Generation, hosted by AG Steward. This online event kicks off on August 13-14, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Pacific.

I’ll be joining 20+ other speakers who are sharing on regenerative agriculture, economics, and finance. Come learn strategies for running a regenerative farm that generates stable income…despite the current economic difficulties. If you’re trying to build a farm or ranch that will last for generations to come, this is the event for you!



Why This Summit is Unmissable:

• Transformative Learning: Two days filled with insights from 20+ industry leaders.​
• Connect with Experts: Network with pioneers in regenerative agriculture.​
• Practical, Actionable Knowledge: Directly applicable advice for your business.​
• Build a Sustainable Future: Balance profitability with environmental stewardship and community well-being.​

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It’s also FREE!​

Simply sign up, show up online, and soak up the 20+ talks ​

Register HERE​

 

[Jimi]

There are so many ways to experience your garden, Jimi.

But there’s one thing they all have in common—besides the plants!—and that is…

When an obstacle arises, the garden can quickly become a source of frustration and stress.

If you’ve ever experienced this, you’re not alone.

That’s why we created this complimentary guide to help you move through many garden obstacles by using the Grow Your Own Vegetables Circle of Awesome.

Download Your Copy of Troubleshooting Garden Obstacles


Inside this eGuide, you’ll learn:

The eight main categories of gardening
How to use them to move through garden challenges with less stress and more ease
What questions to ask to solve many of the most common garden challenges

Get this FREE eGuide and the done-for-you templates so you can troubleshoot your garden obstacles and take your garden understanding to new heights!

Learn the Key to Troubleshooting Garden Obstacles

Whether you’re new to gardening or a well-seasoned grower, this eGuide can help you sleuth your garden mysteries.

To less work & more harvest!

The Grow Your Own Vegetables Team