Questions About Seeds And Germination

By Jannie Vaught There have been some questions coming up about seeds and germination. People thinking the seeds they purchased are not viable. Germination, the sprouting of a seed, spore, or other reproductive body, usually after a period of dormancy. The absorption of water, the passage of time, chilling, warming, oxygen availability and light exposure may all operate in initiating the process. Britannica definition. When … Continue reading Questions About Seeds And Germination

The First Day Of Summer Is Almost Here

By Jannie Vaught But the high temperatures we are having feel like it has already arrived. How is the “First” day of summer determined? The timing of the June solstice is not determined by a specific calendar date, but by when the Sun reaches its northernmost point from the celestial equator. Therefore, the solstice won’t always occur on the same day. This year 2022 the … Continue reading The First Day Of Summer Is Almost Here

Stacking Functions In The Permaculture Garden Homestead

By Jannie Vaught What is the definition of permaculture? Originally the word “Permaculture” was the combination of two words “permanent and “agriculture”. Two Australian men named Bill Mollison and David Holmgren coined the term in the 1970’s. It is an agriculture philosophy that allows us to use the resources that we have around us to the fullest potential. The principles of permaculture are. Observe and … Continue reading Stacking Functions In The Permaculture Garden Homestead

Summer Has Arrived With All The Fun Of This Season

By Jannie Vaugh Time for vacation, family meals and gatherings and of course the gardens are in full production. Tomatoes, Peppers and basil to name a few. The corn is tasseled and the pollen is falling on the silk it won’t be long for corn harvest. During this heat-soaked busy time it is where you will see the impact of watering and intense sun. Consistent … Continue reading Summer Has Arrived With All The Fun Of This Season

This Year The First Day of Summer Came On Sunday, June 20

By Jannie Vaught With all the very stormy Spring we are having and all the up and down temperatures I am looking forward to Summer. We need sunshine to ripen the tomatoes and kick start the lagging flowering. It is just an unusual weather year. This week I would like to bring up some issues I am having this season with insects. Cabbage moths and … Continue reading This Year The First Day of Summer Came On Sunday, June 20

June Veggies To Plant With Seeds

By Jannie Vaught Here we go: Cantaloup, Warm Greens, Okra, Peas Southern, Pumpkin, also if the vine borers got your squash, re-plant at the end of June first of July. Things to transplant Sweet potato slips. Flowers for this month. Mexican heather, Marigold, Flowering balsam, Lantana. Impatience, Nicotina, Periwinkle, Verbina, Hamelia, Begonia, Salvia, Purslane, Zinnias, Petunias, Pentas, Gomphrena, Cosmos, Cleome, Coreopsis, Dusty Miller, Coleus, Aster, … Continue reading June Veggies To Plant With Seeds

With More Spring Showers Again The Gardening Learning Curve Is Underway

By Jannie Vaught Not being used to such a wet season after the debilitating freeze there are new chapters of observation and working with nature. At this time of year, I begin seed saving from the winter lettuce. These plants stood through the freeze and I did a little trial and covered a portion with frost cloth and some I left open to the weather. … Continue reading With More Spring Showers Again The Gardening Learning Curve Is Underway

This Spring Has Been Challenging And At The Same Time Abundant

By Jannie Vaught Although the gardens are slower than normal the fruit and nuts trees are hanging full. And when the sunshine breaks through the cloud cover it will be a garden extravaganza! I am referring to this season as my adapting to the weather experience. Every day is a new learning column in my personal book of how to garden. I would like to … Continue reading This Spring Has Been Challenging And At The Same Time Abundant

A Large Part Of Growing Food Is In Preserving Your Crops

By Jannie Vaught From Fruit to Vegetables the lasting result is a pantry full of healthy preserved food. About this time of the growing season, I am taking stock of what I am going to need in a few months. My preserving methods are easy. I can tomatoes and all the stone fruit according to the USDA food safety and use the Blue Ball canning … Continue reading A Large Part Of Growing Food Is In Preserving Your Crops

Designing Your Garden, Landscape, And Applying A Design That Has “Feelings”

By Jannie Vaught Yes, how about a happy, healing, or relaxing garden design? Take some time to look at all 3 levels. Ground level, mid-level and upper story. Are you trudging to the back to plant, water and compost or can you enjoy possibly a curved walk under fruiting or flowering tree a row of native grasses, flowers, and grains along the walk to the … Continue reading Designing Your Garden, Landscape, And Applying A Design That Has “Feelings”

July In The Garden

  By; Jannie Vaught Well here we are almost at the end of a hot July!  What to do in the garden? Sow seeds: Amaranth, Black eye peas, Corn, Cucumbers, New Zealand spinach, Okra, Pumpkin, Squash (winter and summer). Fruit: Cantaloupe and Watermelon. Herbs: Anise, Basil, Bay Laurel, Catnip, Cumin, Horehound, Lavender, Oregano, Perilla, Rosemary, Sage, Santolina, Savory, Sorrel, Tansy, Tarragon, Thyme, Transplant: Eggplant, Peppers, … Continue reading July In The Garden

The Uninspired Garden

By Jannie Vaught Just when your garden is struggling and your enthusiasm is at an all-time low, something or someone steps into your path and shares with you something that sets that spark a light. This happened this Saturday at our LLano farmers market. Elizabeth Mcmahon “Beth” horticulture county extension agent for Gilespie county, regularly comes to Llano farmers market and has her lovely produce … Continue reading The Uninspired Garden

This Is A Time For Family Gatherings, Cookouts, watermelon, Cantaloupe And Sliced Tomatoes

By Jannie Vaught And here in central Texas, we are under severe heat warnings! Do all the above before the peak noontime or as the sun goes down! Heat exhaustion is a serious complication and can come on suddenly, especially for children. Drink water at least one cup per hour and stay inside. That said as we journey into this drought we are conscious of … Continue reading This Is A Time For Family Gatherings, Cookouts, watermelon, Cantaloupe And Sliced Tomatoes