Monday, April 23, 2012

A New Endeavor

Over the past few years, we've been slowly "thinning" our garden pursuits.  We gave up on the rhubarb that the chickens kept getting into because...well...rhubarb is yummy and all but only when mixed with copious amounts of sugar and turned into a dessert.  Not that that there is anything wrong with that.  Unless you're trying to eat less desserts, of course.

We're only growing sugar peas this year because sitting and shelling a bushel of garden peas only to get a few pints (delicious as they are) makes us go a little crazy.  Growing only as many carrots and onions as we need to to get through canning season (tomato sauce, etc.) has become the norm since for the life of us, we can't get them to store properly.

Then, there are the different varieties of squashes we've grown.  There really haven't been that many, but once we discovered our favorite (butternut), why grow the kinds you need an ax to break into?

Ten different kinds of tomatoes?  I don't think we ever grew ten kinds, but now we're done to three or four-  Romas, a slicer and two heirlooms (one from a neighbor and one from a friend).

See?  We're simple-minded folks- honing our pursuits and attempting to become more time-efficient homesteaders.  Waiting to mow the grass until it's shin-high is another time-saver.  (Actually, we're just having mower issues.)

But then.  We hear more about a new endeavor.  Then, we read about it.  Then, we (mostly Jamey this time) research it a little more and before we know it, we're smitten with the idea and realize that the real reason for "thinning" might simply be to make room for a new project.  Care to guess what it is?

I'll give you a few choices and then, hopefully, show and tell you later this week.

A) A Pig
B) Mushrooms
C) Bees
D) Earthworms



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28 comments:

  1. I'm guessing bees. They make yummy honey, and with the declining bee population, it would be good for all the crops that require insect fertilization! I have been amazed that over the past 5-7 years I have not been able to grow zucchini - the crop that EVERYONE has too much of! And all because of no bees! (or very few) So I vote for bees, even if that's not what you are doing. :)

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  2. Bees is what I think. Don't know why. I guess you seem like a bee person to me.

    We are just getting started on our garden. Finally we are staying in one place long enough for one, AND we have full sun for once.

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  3. It's NOT a pig! I'm guessing it's earthworms...why not? Sounds like fun!

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  4. I hope it's not mushrooms. They're maddeningly finicky, especially outside. And you already have a great crop of earthworms, what with that deep mulch in your gardens. I'm guessing, with all those fruits to pollinate, and your desire to eat simple foods.....it's honeybees.

    I love hearing about your homesteading 'shenanigans'--it's inspiring to this in-town gardener!

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  5. I guess "C" although the kiddo's would love some piglets or 2. I'm also on a new endeavor.My daughter ,teaching me a little more about computer stuff ,so I can enter more blogger giveaways,the big stuff,I can find ones that giveaway something I always wanted to something I need .like I'm entering to get more gift cards to buy Richie that lap top. I already won a $50.00 target e-card,but I can't have all my gift cards scattered ,so I need some amazon gift cards or visa than I can buy one.I am giving Richie the target card for a graduation present. but it sounds easy but after they tell you to go like 35 different face book pages and tweet on them all-wow than I have to remember how to find the URL ECT ECT,WISH ME LUCK AS I DO FOR YOUR NEW ENDEAVOR

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  6. I vote Bees! Yummy honey, pollination for food and flowers....yes Bees :)

    Blessings,
    Janet

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  7. BEES! So many reasons to get them!

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  8. I'm guessing bees. :-) And I'm now down to 4 varieties of tomatoes as well. Here's my take on onion storage.....keep them in the basement for a couple of months, and then chop them all up and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once they're frozen, put in a large freezer bag. When you need onion, just scoop out what you need. Works great for us!

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  9. Such hard choice! They'd all be wonderful...but I've narrowed it down to two: bees or mushrooms. I'll go with...mushrooms!

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  10. I hope it's bees! I just got my first swarm a few weeks ago and it was THRILLING! I have thrown myself into the local Bee Guild, as I'm hooked for life.

    As far as storing carrots: have you tried dicing and then dehydrating? I do it with them and onions and celery and it works great for use in pot pies, soups, chicken and dumplings, etc.

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  11. I'm with the canned quilter, all of the above!

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  12. I am going to guess bees, although I really want you to get a piggy.

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  13. I think mushrooms- your husband seems like a 'fun guy' I'd like to try them but I don't have mush room.

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  14. Ooooohhh!!!! I am hoping it is BEES!!!! We just started buying honey from a little old house in Amish Country nearby and it is AMAZING! How awesome would it be to just go out the back door! Can't wait to hear what the new thing is this year. Pigs would be good, too........mmmmmm, can just taste the bacon now.......when did I start looking at animals as dinner and not cute things to pet, I wonder?

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  15. Ursula via email writes...

    Bees?

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  16. I am going to guess bees as well. We love honey in our house and (well I anyway) would LOVE to have bees of our own someday. For right now though, I'm still working on the garden and hope to have chickens next year...we're a work in progress :) Can't wait to hear about your latest endeavor (and your current ones, of course)!!

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  17. Ok, that's tough. Earthworms and bees would be on our list of new things to try. For you I would guess probably earthworms.
    Blessings,
    Missy

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  18. Oh, I hope it's a pig!!!! We love our pig. And we are going to love the bacon even more :) But a pig might be a big jump from gardening....:) Stevie@ruffledfeathersandspilledmilk.com

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  19. I'm thinking bees or a pig. Maybe because I want to be tackling one of those. :) Can't wait to find out!

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  20. I"m guessing bees, since I know you try to eat less meat. We've done pigs before, but if you can trap the wild ones just across the road,in theory that'll be cheaper.:) Crystal

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  21. It's definitely bees because I remember you were looking for bee suppliers last fall.

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Just a friendly reminder, if you know me personally please try to refrain from using my name. There are those who may try to locate me, break into my pantry and steal my pickled beets. Thanks:-).

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