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Sharing Organic Gardening Tips, Natural Remedies and Farm Life.
Gardening Tips To Help You Where You Are
4 Tips to Build and Feed Your Soil in the Winter
7 Plants to Plant that will Produce an Abundance of Food and are easy on the budget!
Winter is the Perfect Time to Plan and Even Start Your Garden
- Leaves and Twigs- for those of you who hate raking and disposing your yard leaves and twigs are going to love me for this! Take all of your leaf litter and put right on top of your garden soil. About 3-8 inches thick. To weigh it down, you can use netting or a tarp with bricks or cinder blocks on the edges and a few in the middle. The lea
- Leaves and Twigs- for those of you who hate raking and disposing your yard leaves and twigs are going to love me for this! Take all of your leaf litter and put right on top of your garden soil. About 3-8 inches thick. To weigh it down, you can use netting or a tarp with bricks or cinder blocks on the edges and a few in the middle. The leaves and twigs will decompose and feed your garden all Winter plus help cut back on future weeds! If you want the leaves and twigs to break down faster, run over them with your mower that has a mulching ben set up and use the shredded leaf matter on your garden soil. Adding Leaves and twigs to your garden soil adds tons of nutrients, helps the garden retain moisture for less watering in the future, and leads to less CO2 releases because you are layering and not tilling the soil. (More on this in a later post). *Important Tip- Make sure to water the leaves on the garden heavily when they are first added especially if your area is getting little to no rain at that time. Just make sure to allow them to air out a little afterwards about 3-4 hours before covering.
- Layer Wood Chips delivered by your local Arborist- Doing this not only Feeds your garden tons of nutrients slowly it also helps with suppressing weeds giving you an abundant garden with less work; and that's always a plus! It also is a huge help at keeping moisture levels in the garden ideal for much less watering in the future. This is one of my favorite secrets to an amazing Garden! Look up your local Arborist or check out https://getchipdrop.com Important Tip- make sure to water the wood chips heavily when you initially add them especially if your area is getting little to no rain at that time. You will not need to cover your wood chips. They are normally heavier and do blow around.
- Compost (especially with cow, horse, or chicken manure)- Layering homemade or ordered Organic Compost is another awesome way to feed your garden soil slowly through the winter and give you an abundant garden. Layer it 3-4 inches thick. What I love about putting compost in Winter versus Spring is you have a less chance of your plants or seeds being over fertilized since the compost will have plenty of time to release nutrients slowly.
**Guess what? If you garden in Pots or raised beds you can still use this method. Just layer on top the same way!**
*Bonus Tip* If you want to fast track 1st Year Garden add all three of these methods in layers about 2-3 inches each layer and let it have all Winter to prepare you for an epic 1st year garden!
Winter is the Perfect Time to Plan and Even Start Your Garden
7 Plants to Plant that will Produce an Abundance of Food and are easy on the budget!
Winter is the Perfect Time to Plan and Even Start Your Garden
Ready to start your first organic garden this spring or re-design your present one? Winter is a great time to plan or recreate your masterpiece!
What will you need?
1.) A Lined Page Notebook and a Sketch Pad
2.) Pencils, Markers or highlighters
For a New Garden, you need to 1st decide the size or how many pots or raised beds you want. Make su
Ready to start your first organic garden this spring or re-design your present one? Winter is a great time to plan or recreate your masterpiece!
What will you need?
1.) A Lined Page Notebook and a Sketch Pad
2.) Pencils, Markers or highlighters
For a New Garden, you need to 1st decide the size or how many pots or raised beds you want. Make sure the area you pick gets enough sun too.
Decide what you want to grow then find out the growing requirements for example: Spacing, Height of plant, what to plant next to it and what to avoid, when to plant, when to harvest and does it need support like a cage or pole? I can't stress enough how getting know your garden is. It helps ensure a healthy, happy and abundant garden.
Get to know your plants- learning how much they produce, when and how long will ensure that you plant enough to benefit your needs. I can't stress enough how getting know your garden is. It helps ensure a healthy, happy and abundant garden.
Ask yourself these questions:
1.) Do I plan to can or dehydrate for future consumption or am I just wanting to supply myself fresh produce seasonally.
2.) What varieties grow well in pots or raised beds?
3.) Am I willing to experiment with different varieties?
Now Get to the Drawing Board
Whether it's your 1st garden or you are changing a present one, this is where you can let your imagination run wild and free!! This is the fun part! Preparations below are for a No-Till Garden or Raised Garden.
1.) Draw the shape and size you want your garden. Making sure to show what sides of the garden face North, East, South and West. (this will help you plant each plant where it needs to go ensure proper sunlight)
2.) Now add your plants! Don't forget to calculate spacing with the size of your garden.
3.) Now let's go outside and make this happen! (For in-ground and raised bed gardens) Put a tarp or tarps over the area you plan to use after you've layered one or all of the 3 things I posted in the article "4 Tips to Build and Feed Your Soil in the Winter"
Cover it with a tarp held down with bricks etc. Let it set all Winter only uncovering right when you plan to plant your garden.
This will kill the existing grass and weeds while slowly adding nutrients to your soil preparing it for planting.
Gardening Tips For those gardening in pots
1.) Make sure to pick out pots that will last a long time and will grow the plant you want to grow without becoming root bound.
2.) Make sure to check pots to see if they have proper drainage. Some pots will need to have holes drilled in them. I prefer Clay pots or Cloth. Cloth singes the roots of the plant to keep the roots stimulated, which helps the plant mature fully without becoming root bound and it also grounds the plant. I have had great luck with using cloth over traditional.
Well, I would say you are now on your way to Organic Gardening and Self-Reliance!
7 Plants to Plant that will Produce an Abundance of Food and are easy on the budget!
7 Plants to Plant that will Produce an Abundance of Food and are easy on the budget!
7 Plants to Plant that will Produce an Abundance of Food and are easy on the budget!
You want to make sure to plant crops that will produce as much food as possible. Eating what you can fresh and then canning, dehydrating, freezing, fermenting or freeze drying the rest for long term storage and no waste. The 7 Plants I plant to ensure an abundant harvest every time are listed below.
1.) Cucumbers- Eat fresh or make ferment
You want to make sure to plant crops that will produce as much food as possible. Eating what you can fresh and then canning, dehydrating, freezing, fermenting or freeze drying the rest for long term storage and no waste. The 7 Plants I plant to ensure an abundant harvest every time are listed below.
1.) Cucumbers- Eat fresh or make fermented pickles. Fermenting preserves the nutrients compared to water bath or pressure canning. As a bonus ferments are full of gut loving pro-biotics and are anti-inflammatory. Bonus, helps keep your chickens hydrated in the summer and the seeds act as a dewormer!
2.) Tomatoes- especially the grape or cherry varieties. They produce a ton of fruit. Great for fresh eating and preserving. Dehydrated tomatoes make a great candy alternative with their sweet and chewy texture.
3.) Zucchini- produces large Veg's with high yields. I love them sliced thin on a mandolin then put into an over with a little parmesan cheese and cooked till crisp. Best salty snack ever!
4.) Jalapeño peppers have very heavy yields. I enjoy making all kinds of poppers and dips with them. I dehydrate the rest and make powder. The powder is great in soups to add a little flavor and heat, in dips, and I love the powder on my pizza.
5.) Crookneck Squash- are fast growing and abundant producers! Great sautéed, baked or dehydrated to use in stews or soups later.
6.) Luffa- are fast growing abundant producers and have another great use! The young fruit can be eaten raw or cooked tasting similar to cucumber or Zucchini depending on the variety. The mature fruit is dried naturally in the sun then once sanitized make great exfoliating sponges or make great non-stick pan scrubbers.
7.) Tatsoi Greens- One of my all time favorites and it produces! One of the richest sources of Vitamin C. It has a sweeter taste than most greens, so kids tend to love it. Not to mention it has compounds that lower the risk of cancer and is great for eye health. Out of all the greens I plant, these are the hardiest and most bug resistant in my opinion. For seed collection, just let one go to bolt and you can collect the seeds. Bonus, my chickens love them too!
The other reason these plants are easy on the budget besides producing lots of food per plant is their seed production. Each Vegetable or fruit has tons of seeds for saving up for the next planting season!
The Must Haves Our Farm Can’t Live Without
Keeping Everyone on the Farm Healthy and Preventing or Healing Injuries
Keeping Everyone on the Farm Healthy and Preventing or Healing Injuries
Keeping Everyone on the Farm Healthy and Preventing or Healing Injuries
I have been blessed to see and experience the amazing benefits of Red-light therapy for over 20 years. It is one thing this farm cannot live without! (link and coupon code below)
I saw the amazing results, it healed my Blue Heeler, Sasha's, CCL injury in record time! It Brought multiple horses over the years, out of colic within 10 minutes, stopped laminitis in its tracks, and healed wounds on everything from chickens to dogs with little to no scarring.
Red-light devices are a wonderful thing to have on hand as the red light acts as an anti-inflammatory, antiviral, pain reliever, and wound healer. And as far as acupressure points, it stimulates them much faster, and without the risk of scar tissue that you can receive with acupuncture needles.
There are red light devices that are safe enough to use around the eyes and some that are strong enough to penetrate bone. And making sure you purchase them through a time-tested and quality source is a must.
Click on my link below to find out more!
https://shop.photonichealth.com/?ref=1BNo6WFrOGK
Use coupon code Blissfulheartsfarm25 for $25 off!
Sale Sitewide happening now!
Following God’s guide to Health using His Provision.
Keeping Everyone on the Farm Healthy and Preventing or Healing Injuries
Keeping Everyone on the Farm Healthy and Preventing or Healing Injuries
I took another leap of faith and enrolled in school for Herbalism and Aromatherapy. Combining my experience with formal training will hopefully give me the added confidence to continue on the journey to self-sufficiency. The best part is I can share it all with you helping you achieve the same.
I am currently taking classes with the Amazing Dr. Jones of HomeGrown Herbalist. You must check out his YouTube Channel!
Below is a link to check out their courses and products. They are a respected and trusted source for all things Herbal! I highly recommend their Buttermint Swirl- Loose Leaf Tea. I added a tad of cream and honey to mine as recommended and it was divine!
https://homegrownherbalist.net/?rfsn=
Vibrantly Healthy Chickens and More Eggs!
Keeping Everyone on the Farm Healthy and Preventing or Healing Injuries
Vibrantly Healthy Chickens and More Eggs!
#1 Supplement/Treat: Strong Egg Shells, Beautiful
Feathers and much more & It’s easier on the budget!
GrubTerra is my trusted source for over 2 years now for black soldier fly larvae. My chickens have never been healthier and happier! And as an awesome bonus, they are quite a bit cheaper than the popular meal worms and have 75 times more calcium compared to Mealworms, they’re high in protein, 15% higher in fat plus they have lysine and phosphorus, which mealworms do not.
use my discount code, blissfulhearts, and get an additional 10% off
Gardening Must Haves
Gardening Must Haves
Vibrantly Healthy Chickens and More Eggs!
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Our Feline Friends
Gardening Must Haves
Our Feline Friends
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Dogs will be Dogs
Gardening Must Haves
Our Feline Friends
Having 4 wonderful dogs will make you an expert on what works and what doesn’t. I like to find excellent products that don’t hurt the pocketbook, but I will not skimp on the quality. Another important thing I’m looking for, is excellent customer service. So below, I’ve listed some products and companies I trust.
*More coming soon*
Budget Friendly Delicious Recipes with 6 Ingredients or Less
2 Ingredient Biscuits! No Butter or Lard!
Greens, A Tad Healthier & Still Full of Flavor!
Sausage Gravy With a Twist, A Family Favorite!
These 2 ingredient Biscuits are light and fluffy. They're my new go to biscuit most of the time. And they are a great beginner biscuit.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups Self-Rising Flour Sifted
- 3/4 cup -1 1/2 cup Heavy cream (This amount will vary because humidity, climate, altitude of where you live and if you sift your flour.)
Directions:
Put flour in a large bowl and make a well in the center. Then add in 3/4 cup of Heavy cream at first. Very Gently fold it in. We don't want to over mix. After a minute or two check to see if it needs more Heavy cream. Your dough should look like regular biscuit dough not too wet and not dry.
Put your dough on the counter and press it out with your hands, don't roll it. Press dough till its 3/4 -1 inch thick then cut out biscuits.
I prefer a butter or oiled cast iron skillet but use what you have.
Align biscuits in pan slightly touching.
Bake in a pre-heated 450 degree oven for 10-12 minutes.
ENJOY!
Sausage Gravy With a Twist, A Family Favorite!
Greens, A Tad Healthier & Still Full of Flavor!
Sausage Gravy With a Twist, A Family Favorite!
This thick and creamy sausage gravy has been a staple in my family for years. It was by a happy little "accident" that it became a family favorite even with my Father-in-law who was the sausage gravy and biscuits king!
Ingredients:
- 1 Lb Jimmy Dean Maple ground sausage (this is the happy accident, I grabbed maple sausage instead of the regular)
- 1 Quart Heavy cream
- 1-1 1/2 cup water (adjust to how thick you like your gravy)
- 1-11/2 Tbs Black Pepper to your taste
- Salt to taste
- 1-2 Tbs all-purpose flour
Directions:
- Cook Sausage fully on medium heat then sprinkle flour and black pepper into sausage and stir for 2-3 minutes.
- Add Heavy cream and water. Bring up to a boil for 2 minutes then reduce heat and let simmer and thicken 10-15 mins.
- Salt to taste if needed.
- Serve over biscuits.
- I also put out pure maple syrup for anyone wanting to add a tad extra like I do!
ENJOY!
Greens, A Tad Healthier & Still Full of Flavor!
Greens, A Tad Healthier & Still Full of Flavor!
Greens, A Tad Healthier & Still Full of Flavor!
Choose your favorite greens. I prefer collards, kale, or turnip greens for this recipe.
Ingredients:
- Greens of your choice 2 large bunches fresh or 2 bags pre-chopped
- 2-3 Smoked Turkey wings depending on size or 1-2 Turkey legs.
- 2-3 Tsp Black Pepper to taste
- 32 oz chicken broth or stock
- Salt to taste towards the end. I personally haven't had to add any.
- Water- once your turkey and greens are in the pot, put enough water to just cover.
- I personally never add sugar to my greens but after a taste test, if you feel you need a tad, I'd start with a Tablespoon at a time.
Directions:
- Wash greens thoroughly, even the pre-bagged ones.
- Put all the ingredients into the pot. Bring up to boil on Med High heat. Boil for 10-15 minutes. Stir often not to burn.
- Reduce heat to Med Low and simmer for 2-5 hours. This varies greatly depending on type of greens and how tough they are. I've never had any that took longer than 3 hours but I have heard it taking as long as 5.
- When they are nice and fork tender add salt if needed and cook 10 minutes. Let them rest for 10-15 minutes. The turkey should be falling off the bone. Make sure to carefully remove all the bones before serving.
Great served with Cornbread and some Hot Pepper vinegar!
And don't forget to drink some of that "pot liquor" aka greens juice. I normally have a cup to sip along with my greens.
Did you know "pot liquor" contains high amounts of minerals and vitamins our body needs including iron, Vitamin C, K, and A!
Daddy Frank's Italian Chicken Tenders with Lemon
Mamma Barbara's Flavorful Baked Chicken Pieces With Peas & Onion
Greens, A Tad Healthier & Still Full of Flavor!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. Chicken Breast Tenders
- 2 Eggs beaten.
- 11/2 cups Italian herb seasoned breadcrumbs
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 1/4 tsp. cayenne for those that like a little heat *optional
- High heat cooking oil like Avocado. About 1 inch deep in your cast iron skillet or pan of your choice
Directions:
- Beat eggs till nice and smooth
- Put Italian herb seasoned breadcrumbs, cayenne, salt and pepper into a zip lock bag
- Dip Chicken tenders into egg and coat well. Then put 3-4 tenders into the Ziplock bag mixture and shake until coated well.
- Repeat until all tenders are well coated
- Set skillet on med or med-high heat. Drop in a dime sized amount of breadcrumbs mixed with a little egg until it forms a ball into the oil to see if it is hot enough.
- Once oil is ready carefully (to prevent oil splashing) lay your tenders into the oil. Cook 3-4 mins on each side until golden brown and crispy.
Daddy always had either green beans cooked with tomato sauce and garlic or a pasta salad on the side.
Mamma Barbara's Flavorful Baked Chicken Pieces With Peas & Onion
Mamma Barbara's Flavorful Baked Chicken Pieces With Peas & Onion
Mamma Barbara's Flavorful Baked Chicken Pieces With Peas & Onion
Ingredients:
- Whole 5-6 lb. chicken cut into pieces or your favorite parts of the chicken equaling 5-6 lbs.
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 1-2 Tsp Paprika
- 2 cans of peas and onions or Peas, onion, and mushrooms (I use the Le Sueur brand in the silver can) or better yet use your home-grown canned peas and onions. For me the canned always gives it the distinct flavor I am looking for. It just wasn't the same with frozen.
- 2 1/2 Tbs Avocado oil or high heat oil of your choice
- Preheated oven set on 375 degrees.
Directions:
- Put Chicken pieces into large Zip lock bag or a bowl.
- Pour 1 Tbs of oil over the chicken and massage or stir until it's fully coated.
- Add Salt, Pepper, and Paprika and massage or stir until fully coated.
- Add 1 Tbs of oil to bottom of baking pan and coat evenly.
- Place chicken in pan and bake for 30 minutes.
- mix 1/2 Tbs oil into peas adding a pinch of salt and pepper. Then add pea mixture into pan evenly around chicken pieces. The pea mixture will soak up all that delicious flavor.
- Bake another 25-35 minutes until golden brown and done.
- Serve with drippings of the pan drizzled over the Chicken and Pea Mixture.
Grama's Fried Deer Medallions. No Gaminess Here
Mamma Barbara's Flavorful Baked Chicken Pieces With Peas & Onion
Mamma Barbara's Flavorful Baked Chicken Pieces With Peas & Onion
Ingredients:
- Deer Tenderloin
- 2 eggs beaten.
- 1 1/2-2 cups rice flour (if you don't have rice use all purpose. (I definitely prefer the rice flower).
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Onion Powder
- One large onion sliced into thin sliced thin
- Enough Beef tallow to deep fry in fryer or deep pot.
*Tip* I always dip a spoon in a tad of water and dip it into my flour mixture to see if the seasoning is up to parr. If you can't taste your seasonings then, you won't taste them once it's fried either.
Directions:
- Cut Deer tenderloin in 1/4-inch medallions. To make it easier to cut put tenderloin in freezer for about an hour. Then add medallions to large Ziplock bag or bowl with sliced onion and 1/4 tsp salt massaging or stirring well and let set overnight. This will pull some of the gaminess out of the meat.
- When you are ready to prepare the medallions throw out the onions and rinse the meat and pat dry it thoroughly. Drying the medallions properly is very important.
- Make sure your oil is heating up
- Add flour, salt, pepper and onion powder into a Ziplock bag or bowl.
- Dip medallions into the egg and then place 5-6 at a time into flour mixture and shake or stir them in until fully coated with a thin layer, not too thick.
- Put the coated medallions into the fryer or pot once oil is hot enough for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
Serve with homemade Fries or Mac-n-cheese. Or have them as a game day appetizer like I did with a few dipping sauces to choose from. They were gone in 5 mins! A Huge Hit!!
Help the Farm Grow as I Continue My Education
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve conditions. Your donation will help me grow my platforms that will help others learn to become more self-sufficient where they are and within their budget. It will help me continue my education in Organic gardening, Herbalism and Aromatherapy. I am finally taking formal studies after over 20 years of my own personal experience.
