We got our corn (all 49 rows of 250 feet), squash, and pumpkins, 4½ rows (250-foot) of Dakota Pearl potatoes in before the heavy rains a few days ago. We ended up with another 2 inches each day for two days.

I bought more seed potatoes and went out to see if I could plant them but came right home. There were 4 inches of water in the potato trench and I couldn’t walk on the field because it was too muddy. I sure hope the seeds don’t rot in the ground before it dries up. The rain could be a good thing, getting the seeds off to a good start. Or the ground could be too wet and they’ll rot. We’ll see how things work out.

Meanwhile, between rain storms that have continued, Will and I got steel posts pounded in next to the tomatoes, the Wall-O-Waters pulled off of them and wire cages up on nearly all of them. Until we ran out of cages. Oh well, some will just have to be tied up to the stakes. We grew and planted out so many different varieties for our new little seed business that we ran out of cages at 75 plants.

Staking-tomatoes

Will has been trying to get our new bigger hoop house up and running between other big projects. We’re late this year because spring was a month late in coming. He’s got the framework all up, trying a few new ideas…chiefly bracing the sides and ridgepole as we may leave the plastic on over winter. Now if it ever quits raining and blowing, he’ll get the plastic on and we can get our crops planted inside.

Hoop-house-frame

David and I will be leaving for a week’s trip to Montana to visit my adopted son, Javid, who is recovering from a pressure sore in a nursing home in Helena. He’s in a wheelchair and receives services through the state. If you think you have fewer and fewer freedoms, try being handicapped! They decided that he’d be “better off” in a nursing home permanently instead of his own apartment with a job. You bet he’s not going for that one! He wants to move back to Minnesota to be closer to family and, hopefully, a more disability-friendly state.

So I won’t be able to blog on Wed. Don’t worry, David and I will just be on the road and I’ll be back on Monday. Will is taking care of the homestead while we’re gone and I’m sure he’ll have plenty of new things to show us when we get back. See you soon! — Jackie

8 COMMENTS

  1. I have two 12 by 24 hoop houses made with a Johnney’s hoop bender from chain link top rail. The first one we left covered for four years now with no problem. We do sweep them off when it snows. I have three three foot raised beds in each. We planted early greens in late april and transplanted tomatoes in wall o waters the first of may. We have been eating greens and radishes for three or four weeks and asian turnips for two. Keeping them covered makes for much earlier planting. Have had frost within the last week and it was 34 last night. We also have a 12 by 24 heatable (with a wood stove or propane) green house. Put pots of tomatoes in it may 15 and I not only have tomatoes set but one is almost ripe. I have been collecting early, cold tollerant varities from the seed houses. Most are determanent. Here in the Copper River Basin of Alaska you just can’t grow tomatoes in the regular garden most years. Affe also grow our beans, squash, and cucumbers in the hoop houses and peppers in the green house. Good luck with the new hoop house.
    Howard

  2. Prayers for you and your family……isn’t it heartbreaking the way some things are completely taken out of our hands and put in the hands of someone that “knows better what’s good for us”……how did this country get to be that way? Praying he can move back closer to you all…..

  3. Prayers for your son Jackie and I wish you and David a very safe trip. Glad things on the homestead are coming along. Thanks for the update!

  4. Try Manuka honey on open sores that are hard to heal or any open wound. We used it on a wound that most of the flesh rotted of on our dog from a rattlesnake bite and she healed completely after the vet told us she would probably not make it and if she did, she would need major skin grafts! I use it all the time now.

  5. We’re from the gubbamint and we’re here to help you.

    Uggggghh.

    Best wishes to Javid – you go, Momma Bear!

  6. God bless your son, and absolute best wishes to your son. What a terrifying thing! I know he will overcome.

  7. Prayers for your trip and for your son. It would be nice if he could go back to be closer to you all. As to the garden, I have asparagus and peas. I hate doing fairs!!!

  8. Best wishes to your son. I sure hope he gets back into his own apartment and a job. it’s unbelievable how “they” made this decision for him that will so obviously impact his life negatively. So wrong.

    I shall never tell you anything about my garden. If we took a tour it would be over in 20 minutes! I am so amazed at all you prepare, plant, harvest, and store.

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