Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing You all a lovely Thanksgiving! And thank you for being a visitor to this blog. I really appreciate you.
~The Victory Gardener~

Compilation Cd's Now Available at Small Town Living

Wanted to let you all know that we have revised the Small Town Living Compilation Cd's to encompass all issues of the magazine through to Aug/Sept. 2009! That means that you receive 18 issues of the magazine on a cd! Over 1,000 pages of information!
What a terrific gift for yourself, a friend, or family member!
Stop by the website at www.stliving.net to order your copy now!

The Compilation CD Includes:

18 Issues of Small Town Living

Over 1022 Pages of Small Town Living Articles,

Stories and Photos.

Searchable Content - Find the stories and articles

you want in seconds.

Practical Advice on:

Gardening

Livestock

Small Business Guidance

Herbs

Crafting
-------------

Late Fall- Early Winter Garden Chores

Spring/Summer garden season is pretty much behind us now,but that does not mean that we cannot be doing something in our yards or gardens that will be of benefit to them come next Spring when the gardening season again starts in full swing. So just what can be done in and for the garden during those dull,gray days of late Fall and when those cool days of December are nearly upon us?
Well this is the time to actually look around and access your garden and yard.
Are there any limbs that are dead or dying on any of your shrubs? Now is the time to remove them.
Don't just discard them against the curb..you can actually make a small pile of them against a fence to assist birds during the winter months to have a bit of shelter.After the snow and cold has passed, then of course feel free to discard them.
Have you had a lot of leaves fall from the trees in your yard this Fall? Rake them up and instead of bagging them up and putting them out on the curb, use those leaves to mulch your flower beds to keep your plants extra warm during the winter. The mulch of leaves will help protect tender roots and as the leaves decay they add nutrients to your soil. If you have an over abundance of leaves, add the extras to your compost pile.
Although a lot of the plants and flowers that we are used to seeing bloom during the Spring and summer have now gone dormant, we can still add a bit of color and fun to our yards during this time. How you might ask?
Well, late Fall and Winter time is a terrific time to start helping the birds in your backyard.
Set up bird feeders and keep them full. Provide a daily clean water source.
String popped popcorn onto the branches of the trees in your yard for a bit of festive decor. Totally "for the birds".
Slice orange pieces very thinly and string them onto string for the orioles.
Then don't stop there with enjoying your yard and garden and what it had to offer this year..check the shrubs and trees in your yard for any abandoned,left over nests from the Spring time. Place the nest into a paper bag and spray with a bit of bug spray and seal, Let set for a week then remove and decorate with fake birds and fake eggs if you'd like. Have a few branches that you've snipped from a few trees? Bring a handful of them in and arrange them in a clear glass vase..string them with a few bits of bead garland for flair or create a few tiny colorful tissue paper flowers and hot glue them to the branches.
Or attach small fake birds to the branches.
Have a few Fall leaves that you have gathered? Frame them in a picture frame.
Have fern leaves? You can use them as stencils by painting onto the leaves with green paint then lightly pressing them onto fabric. Use the fabric to create new toss pillows for your couch.
These are just a few ways that even though the garden may not be in bloom during the Fall and Winter..you can still enjoy the beauty of nature.
Just a bit differently..and a bit "outside of the box".
Have fun decorating and enjoying nature and your garden year round.
~The Victory Gardener!~

Shame on me..but here I am now..Let's Talk about Trees

Shame on me for not having posted here in a while. Please forgive me. I've been a wee bit busy as of late. But..here I am again.:0)
And here are a few gardening tips for you!
-------------
Let's talk about Trees:
------------------
This is the time of year when those that have had a garden this Spring and Summer have begun the process of either sowing their Fall gardens in areas that still have not encountered freezing temperatures(things like broccoli,snow peas, and lettuces), or for those that have already encountered frosty evenings or even snow those gardens have been laid to rest for the year.
What has been leftover has been either tilled under, or uprooted and cast into the compost bins to become soil addends for next Spring.Or quickly canned up to use for the winter pantry.
So, what to do when the garden season has drawn to a close?
-------------
Start planning for the next season!
If you had the joy of planning and planting out your first garden this past year you have no doubt learned quite a bit through the process. A few of the what to do's and what not to do's. Write these things down in a garden journal. Yes!... you should create a garden journal if you have not done so yet.
In another post I will share with you how to start a garden journal, so don't panic if you hadn't thought of that... you can just start one for next year. No worries.
Anyhow..back to the topic... So..now that the garden has been put to rest you can start planning for next year.
------------------
I'd like to suggest that you start thinking about trees.
Do you have trees in your garden area,or in your yard that are actually dual purpose trees? Trees that provide both shade and food?
If not, this is the time to start thinking about expanding what you grow to include fruit or nut bearing trees.
Gardening does not just include a vegetable plot, but gardening also includes fruit and nut producing specimens as well.
------------------
Early Spring is a good time to purchase and plant fruit trees and nut trees. Why? Because if you live in an area prone to freezing temperatures and you try to plant trees right ahead of frosty temperatures or snowy nights...well your trees will suffer. The young trees will not have had a chance to get their roots established well enough to withstand the elements. Where as trees planted in early spring have a little bit better chance to slowly get themselves established for the seasonal changes to come.That is not to say that some specimens can't be planted in the Fall, you just must be very careful that the tree has plenty of time to begin to get established before cold and freezing weather sets in.Root systems on young saplings/young trees are tender.
-----------
When choosing a fruit or nut tree variety do your research!
Look at the growth descriptions of the plant. How tall does it grow? How wide do the branches spread out? How long does the tree live?
Also an important thing to consider..what zone does this plant grow best in?
What are the water requirements? Does it need fertilizer, or any soil amendments to grow at its best?
Does it need another tree to help pollinate it to bear fruit?
Is it actually something that you and your family will enjoy eating the fruit from?
-----------------
These are all factors to consider in your choices.
Then, by all means..when your tree or trees arrive from the nursery..that is if you have ordered them from a catalog or other source. Make sure that you follow the planting directions. Don't get in a hurry and think that you can just plop a tree in the ground and be done with it, and that you will have stellar results. It doesn't quite work that way.
Take your time and read the planting instructions.Make sure that you dig the hole properly. That you have the root ball at the correct depth. That you have adjusted the roots properly to allow them to spread out and to be able to grip the soil.
----------
One thing that folks tend to do with young trees is they plant them, then forget them.
Please do not do this. Your young trees will need plenty of water for the first several months to 6 months, to even a year after being planted to establish their root systems properly.Of course do not drown them either. If you notice any curling of the young tender leaves, chances are your tree could use a bit of water.
---------------
Now where to find sources for good nut and fruit trees?
-----------
Here are some places to get you started.
Now is the time to request catalogs from these companies. It is always fun to start getting gardening catalogs in the late Fall and early December when the gardens have been laid to rest..that is the time when we can fight a bit of the cabin fever that winter chill brings by pouring over lovely photos of things that we wish to grow and plotting and planning out next years gardens.
----------------
STARK'S BRO'S:
Provides some heirloom varieties of Apple Trees, also dwarf varieties for those with small yards.Cherry trees, blackberries, blueberries and more.
http://www.starkbros.com/access?action=category&categoryID=3&currentPage=2
------------------
WILLIS ORCHARDS:
Provides Banana trees, and fig trees,pomegranates and more.
http://www.willisorchards.com/category/Fruit+Trees?gclid=COOcgs7XzZ0CFRQhnAod23uUsQ
-------------------

~The Victory Gardener!~

New Issue of Small Town Living e-zine on website

Just a note to let you know that

the new Oct./November 2009 issue of Small Town Living e-zine is now available online at:

http://www.stliving.net/

Featured in this issue:

Buckeye Chickens

What We Learned Through Our CSA Adventure (one families adventure with their first year of having started a CSA(community supported agriculture)highly recommend this article if any of you are thinking of starting a CSA type farm)

My Journey To Veganism

Soap Making 101

The Do's and Don't's Of Moving To A Small Town

Gifts From the Pantry
....and more.

Please feel free to share the e-zine with family and friends. Thank you and Happy Fall!

A few Garden Quotes to share with you

I recently found a darling little book filled with garden quotes from different poets/writers from ages past. I thought I'd share a few of them here.

Some of these would look very cute embroidered on a tea towel, or used in artwork, or on handmade note cards or tags.
---------------

The love of gardening is a seed that never dies.

--------

Who loves a garden still his Eden keeps,

Perennial pleasures plants,

and wholesome harvest reaps.

----------

I wish everyone had a garden,

And would work in it himself.

The world would grow sweeter tempered at once.

----------------

To cultivate a garden is to walk with God.

----------------

The man who has planted a garden

feels that he has done something

for the good of the whole world.

-----------

Scatter seeds of kidness

Everywhere you go:

Scatter bits of courtesy-

Watch them grow and grow.

Gather buds of friendship:

Keep them till full grown:

You will find more blessings

Than you have ever known.

-------------------------

~The Victory Gardener!~

More about Growing Greens...with Recipes and Storing Tips

Growing Collard Greens:

------------------------

Collard greens require a well draining soil as well. You can prepare the soil for your collard greens by either turning in a good compost matter at least 4 inches deep into the soil, or by using a fertilizer that is a 10-10-10 variety.

Rake the fertilizer or compost into the soil. Create mounds that are at least six inches tall, as the collards can have roots that reach about two feet in depth.Space the rows at least two and a half to three feet apart.Sow the seed at a depth of 1/4 of an inch. Keep soil moistened. Seeds will germinate in about 7 days.

Once the plants reach about 6 inches tall thin them out to a spacing of at least 1 1/2 to 2 feet apart.If you notice the leaves on your collard plants starting to have a paler green color to them instead of a rich deep green color, you will need to add a side dressing of fertilizer to each row of plants.Add only one teaspoon of fertilizer per plant, mix the fertilizer into the soil well and water in. This may need to be done every 6 weeks as the plants grow.

Begin harvesting the leaves from the plants when the plants reach about 10 inches tall. Harvest from the bottom of the plants,discard the leaves at the very bottom (the first 3-4 leaves), as they can be tougher, then harvest the others,leaving the upper leaves on the plant.You can also choose to harvest all at once, by simply cutting the plants down when they are about 12 inches tall.----------------------------

Growing Mustard Greens:

------------------------Mustard greens are a fast growing green that pack plenty of nutritional value.Being ready to harvest in about 45 days from seed sowing.

Mustard greens can be eaten either raw or cooked.They add a bit of pep to the salad, and are a great winter time green that freezes well for use in soups, or as an accompaniment to meats like pork chops,ham, and other hearty winter time fare.

Mustard greens are a "cut and come again" crop, meaning you can cut what you need from the plants as you need it, through to winter frost.

----------------- Direct sow the mustard seed into the garden. No need to make rows for the mustard greens really, as they can be grown rather close together.You can even create a raised bed specifically for this variety.

Sow the seed at a depth of 1/3 to 1/2 inch deep. Allow to grow until the plants reach about 2 inches in height then thin to 3 inches to 5 inches apart.

Begin harvesting the outer leaves on your plants when they are 4 to 5 inches tall.If you choose the "cut and come again" method of harvesting remember to cut frequently for a steady harvest through to frost.If you choose to harvest the plants all at once, remember that they reach full maturity at about 45 days if you wish not to use them as a "cut and come again" variety of plant.

-----------------------

Storing of Greens:

------------------------------

With any of the greens make sure that you wash them thoroughly, checking the leaves over for any bugs or worms that may have attached themselves to the leaves. Swish in water very well and rinse until the leaves are clean. Wrap the greens in paper towels and store in plastic bags in your refrigerator for 3-5 days.

------------------

Freezing for later use:

-------------------------

All of these greens can be used for later dishes by freezing.

--------------------

You will need to do a fast blanch of the greens to prepare them for freezing.With any of these greens remove the stem ends and cut the leaves into smaller pieces.Make sure that the greens are all rinsed very thoroughly and free of bugs(unless of course you like the added protein...ha)

Separate the greens into one pound increments.You will need two very large stock pots.Have a large stock pot in your sink filled with 5 quarts of ice cold water.

Yes, using ice cubes in the water is a good idea, you want this water to be very cold.Using another heavy stock pot with a tight fitting lid fill this pot on your stove with 5 quarts of water.Bring to a steady rolling boil.Have a timer handy as you will need it.

Place the greens into the boiling water and immediately put the lid on and begin timing the greens immediately. Let them boil for 3 minutes exactly.Remove at the 3 minute mark and immediately dunk into the cold water bath.

Let set in the cold water bath for a full five minutes. Drain and pack into freezer bags,remove as much air as possible from the bags, and label.Immediately place into your freezer.Frozen greens will keep in your freezer for up to a year.

----------------------

Recipes:

--------------

Turnip Greens With Pot Likker

-----------------

(A good old Southern staple, this recipe comes from a War time era cookbook."Pot Likker" is the vitamin rich water that is left in the bottom of the pan after cooking the greens, this water has a good flavor from the greens, and is generally poured back over the greens prior to serving , and it is usually what the cornbread served alongside the greens is dipped into...yumm... good eatings!)

-----------

1/2 pound salt pork

1 quart cold water

4 quarts fresh turnip greens

1/4 teaspoon salt

Dash of pepper

---------------

Place the salt pork in cold water,heat to boiling and cook for 45 minutes.Wash the turnip greens in several waters and clean well.Put into the pot with the pork and cook for 1 hour.

Drain water from the greens and meat Reserving 1 1/2 cups of the water. Chop the greens rather fine and season well.Place greens on hot dish.

Arrange the pork over the top of the greens.Pour the 1 1/2 cup of hot water in which the greens were cooked over top of the greens and meat.

Serve with corn bread.

Makes 4 servings.

(***Hog jowl can be substituted for the salt pork) (****You can also cut up the root into small chunks and use in this recipe)

-----------------------------

Mustard Greens With Bacon

---------------------

Fry 6 slices of bacon in a large frying pan.Remove from pan, drain and crumble. Set aside. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the bacon drippings in the frying pan.

Meanwhile clean 1 pound of fresh mustard greens thoroughly.Remove stems and cut the greens into small pieces. Add the greens to a large saucepan of water until just covered.Bring to a rolling boil and let boil for about 8 minutes.

Remove from heat and drain.Add the greens to the skillet and add the bacon back in to the pan.

Now add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar.

Simmer all together over a low heat for 5 minutes.Salt and pepper to taste.

Serve with black eye peas and corn bread.

Makes about 4 servings.

-----------------------

Collards & Lentils

------------------

6 slices bacon

1 small onion,diced fine

1 garlic clove,chopped fine

1 pound fresh collard greens, cleaned and cut into small pieces,inner stems removed.

Salt and pepper to taste

2 cups cooked lentils

------------------------

Fry bacon in a large skillet until crisp.Remove from pan, drain and crumble. Set aside.Reserve 3 tablespoons of the bacon drippings.Add the onion and garlic into pan and saute until onion and garlic are tender and translucent.

Add the collard greens into the skillet and toss. Let cook until greens are tender, about 12 minutes.Add lentils and salt and pepper into pan, let heat through.

***Serve over steamed rice if desired.Goes well with pork chops or ham dishes.

Makes 4 servings.

---------------------

~Happy Gardening!~

~The Victory Gardener!~