Ever since I was quite young, in August I would often get conscripted to help pick and process apples. It involves running around with giant apple-picking poles while being chased around by wasps, all the while avoiding over-ripe apples falling from the tree in a deadly rain. I assure you it was thrilling, especially the […]
The Applesauce Time of Year Read More »
Something is clearly different about the native prairie. The lighter green color may just be a result of the prairie growth being younger (several months, versus perennial grasses and plants established for many years). The much young prairie also already shows taller plant growth. The partridge peas were blooming this week, and were prettier than
Prairie versus Endemic Read More »
Despite the removal of eight trees and arborvitae in the last two years, my childhood home’s yard is filled with shade. Thus, we have lots of hosta, which my mom had picked up quite a number of varieties of, and is now quite attached to. But, with my parents retiring and moving fully to the
The Great Hosta Evacuation Read More »
When I learned most of what I know about cuttings, it was in Hort 1001: Plant Propogation in a university greenhouse. In addition to being the nicest place on campus in the middle of winter, it was also a perfectly maintained facility. Alas, now I am on my own, and must make my own systems.
Cutting Bed Mist Irrigation System Read More »
While cleaning to move, an old PS3Eye – a webcam for the PS3, was found. Turns out this little device has a 640*480 camera and 4-microphone array that have made it popular for DIY’ers for making motion trackers, virtual Alexa-style assitants, and so on with Raspberry Pi’s. It’s pretty much plug and play. I’ve got
Just one more piece to the Pi… Read More »
It can be difficult, as an absentee farmer, to really have a good idea of what is going on with everything that is being managed. Now true, my parents are about to retire and stay at the farm full-time, but I won’t be doing so myself any time soon. There’s also just something weird about
Logging Weather, Solar, and Sensor Data for a Smart(er) IoT Farm Read More »
Having spent quite a bit of time messing around with a Raspberry Pi, where it took hours just to get a few temperature probes running, it was refreshing to have a nice, made for consumer object like setting up the weather station: an AmbientWeather Osprey 2902. I chose this station because the company provides more
Weather Station Setup Read More »
With my plans to expand my propogation of plant cuttings for operations like building a hedge, I built a mist bed to start them in. Well, I haven’t installed the actual mist heads yet, just the sand bed. I’m a bit behind posting, more engaged with doing projects than sharing them. Construction was quite simple,
I somehow failed to take and upload any pictures of my cold frame in operation, so here have a stock photo of a similar one. Mine, however, was placed high up on our ‘fortress’ raised bed, exposed to winds. Cold frames have a long history as an agricultural tool to expand the growing season, in
Cold Frames Need Insulation/Wind Protection: Measuring the Benefits of a Cold Frame Read More »
Curious what a prairie looks like just over a month after planting? The soil quality variation across the site can be clearly seen here in the plant growth (best soil variable, generally to the right). The mammoth grey stripe sunflowers I planted are the only plants that were immediately identifiable. The rest is mostly… grass.
Prairie Update and Gossip Read More »
