Winter in Ohio vs Compulsive Gardening

This has been one unusual winter here in Ohio. Or utter lack thereof. We've had little snow and the weather has been more akin to a very early spring than the heart of winter. Luckily we did get snow this weekend that seems to be staying a spell. Kiddo was happy yesterday to have finally gone out to play in it. Sled riding, snow angels,and  snow balls made for lots of fun with Daddy.

I have garlic growing out in the garden that bigger than anything I had last season. Hopefully it will still grow for me come spring's official arrival. But the un-winter like weather has me impatient, chomping at the bit, absolutely frothing for garden weather to kick off. LOL I've been busy putting in the effort to choose what I really want in my garden this year. Last year I primarily settled on plant varieties I could get my hands on at the local Walmart. Very few were heirloom, a vast majority were hybrids.  I had a bumper crop of squash, pumpkins, corn, and beans. But I felt  things could have been better.

 I was in LOVE with my heirloom Dutchman and Djena Lee Golden Girl tomatoes, while other varieties I could have lived without. So for many reasons I have decided to go the route of  95% or better of my garden planted in heirloom varieties. Going with heirloom vegetables is my experiment on getting away from sub standard GMO tasteless produce. I for one am not keen on GMO  foods (which is a whole different discussion for the future). Secondly, I want what is in my garden to taste good. I want my food to taste like what I remember from my childhood. A tomato tasted like a tomato, and not a bland pile of mush.

Heirloom seeds are not the only major revolution in this year's garden. This year I'm adding 7 additional beds to my 8. And they will ALL be made over into raised beds. This will allow me to have my garden elevated somewhat above the occasional puddles that develop in the low areas. My plants wont get drowned, and the clearly defined edges will allow for weedwacking to keep the yard tidy. (This is a must since I live in town!) PLUS the boxes will be filled with better quality soil to promote better growth. The raised beds will also warm sooner in the spring and allow me to plant sooner. But the biggest surprise to this years garden will be the addition of Gooseberry, Currant, Elderberry, Haskap, and Strawberry beds. Once established along with my black raspberries, my family will be able to enjoy fresh fruit right out of our own garden!

But while I've reached my limit of what I'm investing in my garden this spring, the planning doesn't stop  there. With Raised beds in place, I'll be able to construct quick hoops (and maybe one cold frame)  to extend my growing season into colder months. With determination I may be able to add several more raised beds next year. But a priority for next year will be the addition of cranberry beds, as well as a dwarf apricot tree and a dwarf cherry tree.

Sigh. If only spring would arrive instead of teasing us Ohio gardeners, then all would be right in the world!


                                     Cheers!~ Mama Homesteader

Introducing the "Little Lady"

    In my last post, WAY back in November, I commented on my desire to unplug from some of my modern conveniences. My clothes iron was my prime example. I hated the modern one and rarely used it. Since switching to my cast iron beauty, I actually enjoy using the iron. I don't use it much but I do smile every time I see it and use it.
   In my latest attempt to unplug I've acquired a 1916 Singer 127 Treadle Sewing Machine- the "Little Lady". While the machine was in excellent condition, it still needed help. After a new belt, a thorough cleaning, some new parts, and adjusting her tension- she works like a dream! I can sew through heavy materials easily, while my modern Brother machine groaned at the very thought. And the rhythmic clicking of the shuttle is relaxing. Even Sarah has fallen in love with Mama's new sewing machine! And the best part, no electricity needed (with exception of a small lamp if needed). Even better still, any part I may need can be bought inexpensively online. One less product to break down, and have to be completely replaced! I can fix this myself :)
So here she is, my "Little Lady"-

Soon I hope to have some video of the old gal in action. But if your interested in the meantime, scroll back to my "1900's House" post. In one of the clips you will find Mrs. Bowler using a similar sewing machine.

                       Until Next Post! Cheers!~ Mama Homesteader

Time to Unplug

As I've contemplated a simpler homesteading life, I've found a desire to unplug and get away from some newer tech in my home. I've started with my electric clothes iron. It's big, it's clunky, it's ugly and I don't use it all that much.  So it's on its way to a new home, being replaced with a vintage 6lb cast iron clothes iron. I bought it on Ebay for a few bucks. It's heavy, so when I do use it I'll be getting a workout . It also looks nice, fitting into my  new idea of functional and decorative. My DH laughs at the concept. But I figure that by downsizing some of the stuff in my kitchen and replacing some things with vintage items- I'll have a tidy and aesthetically pleasing kitchen. Ah bah, who am I kidding- I just like old stuff, hence my husband ;p

                  Keep in mind this is the first of a handful of changes I want to make, so stay tuned!


                                                        Cheers! ~ Mama Homesteader

1900 House: Part 3

The final clips to "1900 House" courtesy of effectiveideologeme at Youtube!


















I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did!


Cheers! ~ Mama Homesteader

1900 House- Part 2

 Here is the second installment of "1900 House" courtesy of effectiveideologeme on Youtube!


















Hope you enjoyed this installment of "1900 House"! I will return again tomorrow with the last installment of the series, as well as my response to watching the series.


CHEERS!~  Mama Homesteader

1900 House: Part One

A few years ago I was excited to find a show airing on PBS called " 1900 House." Being the history nut I am, this show is right up my alley. The concept was taking a modern British family, modern being 1999 in this case, and transporting them to the year 1900. The family would live a full three months in house that would have been typical for the middle class at the time.

The following clips are the first seven parts to the series. They follow the creation of 1900 House and the first day of the Bowler Family at their new abode. Special Thanks to affectiveideologeme for these clips!

















I certainly hope you've enjoyed these clips. I will post two more series of clips this week so that you can follow the series to its end. In the future I also plan of including "Frontier House" and "Regency House" for your entertainment.


              Cheers!~ Mama Homesteader

Root cellaring with No root cellar

Also known as the Great Carrot experiment:)

I went to the local farmer's market on it''s last day, October 18th, for my last chance at a huge selection of fresh produce. What I walked away with was 12 bunches of carrots, more honey, and lemongrass. And yes, I bought that many carrots on PURPOSE:) All summer I had visions of root cellaring these yummy treats, because quite frankly, store bought carrots pale (more like albino) in comparison.

All the sites I visited suggested storing root vegetables in either damp sand or damp sawdust. This year I'm opting for damp sand because we just happened to have two bags of play sand and an empty tote. So I carefully layered  my carrots and sand, then tucked it all in my hall closet. It's not precise by any means, but its cold. In the fall and winter, its warmer than the outside but colder than the house. Good enough, at least at the moment.

After safely tucking my carrots in for the winter, I went on vacation for the weekend. I had planned on grabbing one or two for kiddo on the long drive to Virginia, but forgot them in the rush....



What I found when I came home ( at this point they had been stored just over a week), dumbfounded me. My carrots had started to sprout. Apparently I needed to take the tops clear off and had forgotten to do it. So I had to redo my carrots all over again. The turnips are fine being stored the same way. The squashes are hanging out in a basket and are doing swell for now.

Now to kick back on this little experiment, save for weekly checkups, and savor those yummy carrots all winter long! I'll post come spring on how this worked for us!


                                                           Cheers! ~Mama Homesteader