This evening we spent a fair amount of time in the garden. It has been neglected because of wet and then hot weather. Today we hit 100 degrees so an evening of weeding is what we had to do.
(see the empty bed back there? Swiss chard is now planted.)
The turnips we pulled last week have been replaced with swiss chard seeds. My mom says the plants are beautiful reds and purples so I can't wait to see them. Not sure how you eat them, but I'm game!
A couple garden posts ago, I talked about our worm problem. Someone suggested using soap and water and spraying it on the plants. I did that. However, I think they did not like it or something, especially the cauliflower because the leaves are now all brown.
We went out and tied all the cauliflower leaves (what there was left) around the cauliflower heads to blanch them. Some were already turning purple and while you can eat that, I read that the purple parts are more bitter. So its best to stop that as soon as possible.
The little one is not a fan of gardening this week. She's not really a fan of heat though so you can imagine what she feels like today. She does, however, enjoy harvesting things! We found several LARGE squash today. They're special striped type squash. I can't wait to cook with them. Tonight I found this Squash Bread recipe, hoping its similar to zucchini bread. I'll let you know.
I've been reading the book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle
and it is an eyeopener. I plan to teach the little one the difference between organic, heirloom, genetically modified plants. I don't think she had much of a clue where our food came from before we planted a garden. We plan to shop more organically and locally from here on out. Read the book, wonderful.
and it is an eyeopener. I plan to teach the little one the difference between organic, heirloom, genetically modified plants. I don't think she had much of a clue where our food came from before we planted a garden. We plan to shop more organically and locally from here on out. Read the book, wonderful.
Our tomatoes are growing so wonderfully, although they're like a wild fire bramble bush! Hubby tied up the plants he could, by scrounging around for sticks to use. He got a bit inventive when he found a broken old broom handle.
Pretty soon we'll be doing a fall planting. Things you can pick in the fall such as lettuce, spinach, peas, beets and swiss chard. I'm looking forward to beets. Have you seen some of the ones you can plant? Stripes, like a candy cane! I can't wait. No one in my family will eat them but me, Yay me.
Believe it or not, I'm already thinking of next year's plantings. I've decided to go with organic heirloom vegetables and have been ordering catalogs. I shouldn't be so eager for another planting. I should be crossing fingers for this year's crops! lol
Feel free to follow me through Google or Facebook to be updated about my gardening and homeschool adventures. I'll follow you back as well. Have a great weekend!
* Linked to Homeschool Village Garden Challenge *
* Linked to Homeschool Village Garden Challenge *
. They're expecially good to have in the winter when the chickens can't find worms. We grew a few for a very short time while studying bugs one year in homeschool (they grow into beetles). I think its been about 3 years? Anyway, I found out that you can continually grown them and freeze the larvae to have chicken feed in the winter. Who knew! I plan to do this, although my family is going to balk at having frozen worms right up against their frozen veggies, meat and fruits in the freezer. I better start praying for a separate upright freezer! lol
and listening to a dramatized version of the 
books. Summer homeschooling at its best! 
that are about ready to lay. We could use some free food about now. As I see it, if we get chicks, they won't start laying for another 6 months. We're talking December. Eggs for Christmas. That seems like a long time away! Then, to add insult to injury, if they come into maturity (ie: 5-6 months old) during the winter months, they won't start laying until spring. What's up with that?! 
. And a winter coop as well. Then, after I've felt like we've committed well enough by building the coops, I will feel happy to get the chicks. The other idea was to get a couple pullets and a couple chicks. Although I'm not so sure the pullets won't start pecking the chicks to death. Anyone know?
, 
)
at the thrift store and tornadoes can destroy your city!) plus our church is going down to Joplin, MO next week to help with the devastation there from tornadoes, so we've been discussing all of that
(we're still discussing him, and need to order books, but the discussion started because I named my dog Winston Churchill because our first dog's name is Clementine. Winston's wife's name was Clementine, it seemed fitting. Also, he came up in some book the little one is reading as well.) 
going and I plan to study American history, as well as the World's history during the time America was settled, up until now. Other than that, I'm open to suggestions. Could use a good foreign language program. We might study Spanish or mandarin Chinese? Who knows. :)
but as of yet we have not let her. I found several 
, some a spinoff of when 
. For now, that will appease her interest. I found these for me: 
by Dr. Laura Schlessinger
(I've been reading extensively on eating to the low glycemic index so this was a great find for me!)
them and froze for future eating. It's so nice to stock up food I've grown for when we might need it in the fall, like when I run out of money before I run out of month! lol
