Jill, I love all your gardening stories and updates! My husband grew up in USSR, where his family "homesteaded" for survival in a small village. He taught me about green tomatoes; in the fall before the green ones get ruined by rain or frost, his family would pick them all, bring them in the house, put them on newspaper, and let them slowly ripen over the next few months. I made a page on my gardening website about it; it really works. We have had fresh ripe tomatoes until Christmas here in Oregon where our season for fresh tomatoes usually ends about now. https://www.vegetable-gardening-online.com/how-to-ripen-green-tomatoes-indoors.html
As I was reading your delightful synopsis of current farm life, I was reminded of the abundance of Nature Spirits that reside there too. With the help of the deva's, fairies, gnomes and all the rest of the Kingdom, your bounty is assisted. They love being appreciated and acknowledged. Nothing in this world grows without the help of the Nature Spirits, showing their care, wisdom and endless participation. You are truly blessed with their presence, as we all are.
You guys really provide a wonderful blend of intellect with practical life. A nice mix that resonates with me. Thank you. I'm about to order your homesteading book - and that's a great video promo for it. Wish I could get a copy autographed
You mentioned the Amish as an intentional community and they are. I was immersed in their world for 20+ years. I know things about them that not many others would. They do walk the walk, even if sometimes they simply have to because of their ordnung/church rules. One "insider" tidbit is that they know they rely on us "Englishers" to be able to do what they do because they need an outlet for their products (either farm products or furniture or services like carpentry) for money to come in even though they are very self-sufficient otherwise. That's neither good nor bad, it's just the way it is. They're good folks and they rubbed off on me quite a bit. They still call for advice on their cows and we get to catch up. The closest settlement is 2 hours due north in Farmville, VA (gray buggy Lancaster Amish).
I love your Substack! I find it very motivational!
Yesterday I got the rest of my soil pep and a little mushroom compost put into the garden. Such a good feeling and I am ready to rest my shoulders! My garden is only 20' x 35' and this year I grew very little because I am in Utah and we had very little water.
Learning from my mother helped over the many years, but this year I have heavily relied on AlterAI (thank you Dr. Malone for that recommendation) to fine tune my soil amendments. We are finally getting rain and I am really looking forward to next Spring!
I have a great fondness of the Fall season. Smell, light, the closing of a time in preparation for renewal.
I always find surprise at this time here in CO. We've been in constant overheat this summer and this extended into October with days in the 80s instead of the 60s. Today reverts to something more Fall like (40s) and, of course, will remain until we are subjected to a few nights of freezing (or close). Then back to the 70s-80s. Therefore, I must determine a way to eek out more ripening tomatoes on the vine with coverings and insulation. I've stubbornly done this over years to keep my crop going into November. Squash plants are gone, watermelons too (we managed 4 in a smallish space) but only 2 of quality. Peppers were abundant, Jalapenos were Hot this year. I'm continuing to experiment with different crop ideas.
I'm always delighted with a Homestead article and find much encouragement to strike out in my own limited space. The informational video I forwarded to others.
I just separated my ginger a week ago, did have sprouts on a grocery store chunk, so thought I'd try. My greenhouse isn't heated, so they come in the house in the winter. Second year teeny harvest of one (tiny!) chunk...😄😄
Sorry, I subscribe to Dr.Gundry’s health protocol, tomatoes and peppers are full of lectins, leading to leaky gut syndrome. All disease starts in the gut, therefore, a healthy gut is desirable , one without holes in it, one without lectins in it.
Lectins are real, and certain lectins, particularly those found in raw or improperly cooked kidney beans, can be toxic.
But that does not mean the lectins in ripe tomatoes and peppers damage the intestinal lining or cause chronic disease. Increased intestinal permeability is a legitimate medical phenomenon. However, the claim that ordinary consumption of tomatoes and peppers causes "leaky gut" has not been demonstrated in convincing human clinical trials.
Nor is there scientific justification for claiming that all disease begins in the gut. Tomatoes and peppers provide valuable vitamins, fiber, and phytochemicals. Unless someone has a specific intolerance or medical reason to avoid them, there is little scientific justification for eliminating these nutritious foods from the diet.
A plausible biological mechanism is not the same thing as demonstrated human disease.
Inflammatory, trace toxins, consumed regularly from the chemically managed food sources plus such items as sucralose and carrageenan in my view, are the main culprits.
Observe that the Italians, who eat more tomatoes and peppers than just about any other culture, don't seem to have issues with "leaky" gut - as Americans do...
me :) right. exactly and I am over it now.. amazing.. really.. I got it specifically from .. yes chewing Nicorette gum.. which caused a lesion in my gut.. that was proven by FIVE COLONOSCOPIES Later. the lesion was removed too.
the Italian diet of lot of veggies salads.. tuna. .chicken .. fruit and sea food and olive oil is good. one I still eat like that now. again.
I also used that protocol for years.. and guess what.. My gut is not leaking anymore. I don't know what happened. I think it started w/ the Apples.. fresh apples and over the course of two years.. believe it or not. LEAKY gut is gone. I have to be very careful about what I eat.. but I do now get to eat real food. a little miracle. I remember drinking Orgain for two years.. and finally had the courage to eat.. cottage cheese.. and it went uphill from there. I read the label on the Boost/Orgain said 100 per cent fat and cholesterol :) pinch of protein :) kidding but close enough.. I quit drinking it that day.. switched to Yogert for a year.. a long story. BUT I NO LONGER HAVE LEAKY GUT. I do know it is real. .because I had it. now I have something else. always something. Good luck w/ that Patrick I mean that. :)
I talked to a few ladies at the swimming pool and their tomatoes didn’t ripen and were small. Most of our tomatoes ripened but they were small. We usually grow Roma tomatoes. They make great sauces and soup. We dried our herbs. Our squash usually produces 20-30 squash but we got 4. Three small squash and one larger one. The mice ate 1/2 of our carrots. We have never had that happen before. Too much ground being disturbed by making a tennis court and parking lot. We had a great crop of green peppers which was suppose to be red peppers. I think someone was trying to be funny and moved the tags. We had to plant our green beans a few times they wouldn’t germinate. Peas were good except the week they would have needed to be harvested we were out of town. The fruit trees blossoms all had their blossoms frozen. It was a weird garden year.
I’ve been following you for the past year or so and enjoy all your posts. My grandparents came from Russia. My grandmother told me stories of the farm they lived on until she came here at about age 16. Prior to WWII they moved their family to a farm they bought in n e PA. When I was about three years old I have a vague memory of my grandmother milking the cow. She fed us squirts of milk directly from the cow. I recall all this as I follow you around your farm and feel what must be the tug of genetic memory. But at age 84 my only attempt to follow your prescription for a healthier life is to buy four grow bags and plant tomatoes cucumbers spinach and lettuce. Here in Florida I’m able to start late in the season and hope to have a harvest sometime next month.
I too dislike our winters here in this part of Virginia, so I hope to take a mid winter break to the Florida Keys in February.
You wrote marigold petals are edible, really? Wow, my grandma had marigolds planted all around her garden spaces, but we never ate the petals. I’ll need to give it a whirl, as I too still have lots of marigolds blooming. We will see the overnight temps drop this weekend so I’ll harvest a few blooms to add to my salad! Thanks for the info.
Thank you Dr. JG Malone! :) My garden failure was not getting anything to grow. I have changed my strategy. I installed a 300 Gallon tank with drain. Filled it with 18 bags of Miracle Grow soil, and 11 Lbs of coconut coir. I have a cover crop planted of beans, peas, vetch and a few others I cannot recall... all designed to add nitrogen, keep weeds out, and be turned over in spring! Fingers crossed!
Love to hear your farm stories and always wonder how you both have the strength and time to all you do!
Jill, I love all your gardening stories and updates! My husband grew up in USSR, where his family "homesteaded" for survival in a small village. He taught me about green tomatoes; in the fall before the green ones get ruined by rain or frost, his family would pick them all, bring them in the house, put them on newspaper, and let them slowly ripen over the next few months. I made a page on my gardening website about it; it really works. We have had fresh ripe tomatoes until Christmas here in Oregon where our season for fresh tomatoes usually ends about now. https://www.vegetable-gardening-online.com/how-to-ripen-green-tomatoes-indoors.html
This is great. I love your website.
Thank you so much. I appreciate very much all your information and efforts on behalf of all of us. I'm amazed at how you find time to get it all done.
Yay for your ginger growing!!!! I've never been able to grow it. Now I am hopeful...Thanks for the info!
A pleasant interlude. A possible insight re tree fruit prices. Love the logos and pix! Thanks for sharing!
Fall's my favorite too. Would that more of it won't lend itself to my being outside. Much appreciate the vicarious opportunities.
Much success with your undertakings. Splendid to have so many change of pace opportunities!
Good health and many pleasures!
As I was reading your delightful synopsis of current farm life, I was reminded of the abundance of Nature Spirits that reside there too. With the help of the deva's, fairies, gnomes and all the rest of the Kingdom, your bounty is assisted. They love being appreciated and acknowledged. Nothing in this world grows without the help of the Nature Spirits, showing their care, wisdom and endless participation. You are truly blessed with their presence, as we all are.
You guys really provide a wonderful blend of intellect with practical life. A nice mix that resonates with me. Thank you. I'm about to order your homesteading book - and that's a great video promo for it. Wish I could get a copy autographed
You mentioned the Amish as an intentional community and they are. I was immersed in their world for 20+ years. I know things about them that not many others would. They do walk the walk, even if sometimes they simply have to because of their ordnung/church rules. One "insider" tidbit is that they know they rely on us "Englishers" to be able to do what they do because they need an outlet for their products (either farm products or furniture or services like carpentry) for money to come in even though they are very self-sufficient otherwise. That's neither good nor bad, it's just the way it is. They're good folks and they rubbed off on me quite a bit. They still call for advice on their cows and we get to catch up. The closest settlement is 2 hours due north in Farmville, VA (gray buggy Lancaster Amish).
Looking forward to your book 🙂
Enjoying your prose with the comedic remarks about the missing of memos by the tomatoes 🍅… 🤭
🍅… 🤭 :)
I love your Substack! I find it very motivational!
Yesterday I got the rest of my soil pep and a little mushroom compost put into the garden. Such a good feeling and I am ready to rest my shoulders! My garden is only 20' x 35' and this year I grew very little because I am in Utah and we had very little water.
Learning from my mother helped over the many years, but this year I have heavily relied on AlterAI (thank you Dr. Malone for that recommendation) to fine tune my soil amendments. We are finally getting rain and I am really looking forward to next Spring!
I have a great fondness of the Fall season. Smell, light, the closing of a time in preparation for renewal.
I always find surprise at this time here in CO. We've been in constant overheat this summer and this extended into October with days in the 80s instead of the 60s. Today reverts to something more Fall like (40s) and, of course, will remain until we are subjected to a few nights of freezing (or close). Then back to the 70s-80s. Therefore, I must determine a way to eek out more ripening tomatoes on the vine with coverings and insulation. I've stubbornly done this over years to keep my crop going into November. Squash plants are gone, watermelons too (we managed 4 in a smallish space) but only 2 of quality. Peppers were abundant, Jalapenos were Hot this year. I'm continuing to experiment with different crop ideas.
I'm always delighted with a Homestead article and find much encouragement to strike out in my own limited space. The informational video I forwarded to others.
Thank you both for being You!!
I just separated my ginger a week ago, did have sprouts on a grocery store chunk, so thought I'd try. My greenhouse isn't heated, so they come in the house in the winter. Second year teeny harvest of one (tiny!) chunk...😄😄
Sorry, I subscribe to Dr.Gundry’s health protocol, tomatoes and peppers are full of lectins, leading to leaky gut syndrome. All disease starts in the gut, therefore, a healthy gut is desirable , one without holes in it, one without lectins in it.
Lectins are real, and certain lectins, particularly those found in raw or improperly cooked kidney beans, can be toxic.
But that does not mean the lectins in ripe tomatoes and peppers damage the intestinal lining or cause chronic disease. Increased intestinal permeability is a legitimate medical phenomenon. However, the claim that ordinary consumption of tomatoes and peppers causes "leaky gut" has not been demonstrated in convincing human clinical trials.
Nor is there scientific justification for claiming that all disease begins in the gut. Tomatoes and peppers provide valuable vitamins, fiber, and phytochemicals. Unless someone has a specific intolerance or medical reason to avoid them, there is little scientific justification for eliminating these nutritious foods from the diet.
A plausible biological mechanism is not the same thing as demonstrated human disease.
Inflammatory, trace toxins, consumed regularly from the chemically managed food sources plus such items as sucralose and carrageenan in my view, are the main culprits.
Observe that the Italians, who eat more tomatoes and peppers than just about any other culture, don't seem to have issues with "leaky" gut - as Americans do...
me :) right. exactly and I am over it now.. amazing.. really.. I got it specifically from .. yes chewing Nicorette gum.. which caused a lesion in my gut.. that was proven by FIVE COLONOSCOPIES Later. the lesion was removed too.
the Italian diet of lot of veggies salads.. tuna. .chicken .. fruit and sea food and olive oil is good. one I still eat like that now. again.
I also used that protocol for years.. and guess what.. My gut is not leaking anymore. I don't know what happened. I think it started w/ the Apples.. fresh apples and over the course of two years.. believe it or not. LEAKY gut is gone. I have to be very careful about what I eat.. but I do now get to eat real food. a little miracle. I remember drinking Orgain for two years.. and finally had the courage to eat.. cottage cheese.. and it went uphill from there. I read the label on the Boost/Orgain said 100 per cent fat and cholesterol :) pinch of protein :) kidding but close enough.. I quit drinking it that day.. switched to Yogert for a year.. a long story. BUT I NO LONGER HAVE LEAKY GUT. I do know it is real. .because I had it. now I have something else. always something. Good luck w/ that Patrick I mean that. :)
I talked to a few ladies at the swimming pool and their tomatoes didn’t ripen and were small. Most of our tomatoes ripened but they were small. We usually grow Roma tomatoes. They make great sauces and soup. We dried our herbs. Our squash usually produces 20-30 squash but we got 4. Three small squash and one larger one. The mice ate 1/2 of our carrots. We have never had that happen before. Too much ground being disturbed by making a tennis court and parking lot. We had a great crop of green peppers which was suppose to be red peppers. I think someone was trying to be funny and moved the tags. We had to plant our green beans a few times they wouldn’t germinate. Peas were good except the week they would have needed to be harvested we were out of town. The fruit trees blossoms all had their blossoms frozen. It was a weird garden year.
I’ve been following you for the past year or so and enjoy all your posts. My grandparents came from Russia. My grandmother told me stories of the farm they lived on until she came here at about age 16. Prior to WWII they moved their family to a farm they bought in n e PA. When I was about three years old I have a vague memory of my grandmother milking the cow. She fed us squirts of milk directly from the cow. I recall all this as I follow you around your farm and feel what must be the tug of genetic memory. But at age 84 my only attempt to follow your prescription for a healthier life is to buy four grow bags and plant tomatoes cucumbers spinach and lettuce. Here in Florida I’m able to start late in the season and hope to have a harvest sometime next month.
I too dislike our winters here in this part of Virginia, so I hope to take a mid winter break to the Florida Keys in February.
You wrote marigold petals are edible, really? Wow, my grandma had marigolds planted all around her garden spaces, but we never ate the petals. I’ll need to give it a whirl, as I too still have lots of marigolds blooming. We will see the overnight temps drop this weekend so I’ll harvest a few blooms to add to my salad! Thanks for the info.
We have a very Australian problem with our apple and pear trees-kangaroos.
The adolescent males with high testosterone levels practice their fighting skills on young fruit trees and frequently snap the trunks.
We have also planted a chestnut and hazelnut orchard which the kangaroos are also enjoying!
Thank you Dr. JG Malone! :) My garden failure was not getting anything to grow. I have changed my strategy. I installed a 300 Gallon tank with drain. Filled it with 18 bags of Miracle Grow soil, and 11 Lbs of coconut coir. I have a cover crop planted of beans, peas, vetch and a few others I cannot recall... all designed to add nitrogen, keep weeds out, and be turned over in spring! Fingers crossed!