Thursday, May 30, 2013

Compost Tea

Woah! look at me,, Im blogging like 2 times in one week ( or 2 weeks or whatever,, either way its unusual for me ;)
I am going to try and do more " how to" blogs.... I receive so many question on homesteading.. and in our busy schedule its hard to answer all the questions individually..... So as I feel inspired to do so, I will put some how to's up here for y'all....

For some reason this spring, my front Garden looks "blah"..  as in "blah" I mean,, kinda a yellow hue, small leaves, etc... just "blah"Nothing like it did last year... We did add compost which had chicken manure in it, leaves etc..,, but I am thinking maybe we did not add enough..
Our Front garden was the first garden we started when we moved here 7 yrs ago,, so as you can imagine,although Ive added nutrients, Im wondering if I have  depleted  the soil and not replaced with enough earthy goodness.....

Photo of front garden,,, so its still filling in, and while it doesnt look awful, certain things ( like me beans) really could use some help.. and while I would like to blame it all on the weather........... its probably isnt TOTALLY the weathers fault,, my babies needs some nutrients!!!






My usual regimen is compost around the plants and fish emulsion solution..... ( which I totally recommend!!! it will help your plants tremendously!)

This year I decided to try Compost Tea and "Garret Juice" ( developed by "THE DIRT DOCTOR" Dr. Howard Garret)

What you will Need
~ Compost ( your own compost is fine, although Ive ready worm castings work amazing)
~ a 5 gallon bucket
~ Pantyhose
~ fish emulsion or seaweed extract
~ an aquarium pump ( about 5-10 dollars at a pet store, you will also need to purchase the hose)
~ Molasses
~apple cider vinegar
~ A garden fairy if at all possible ;)


* check the garden or strawberry Patch..... the garden Fairies are usually there and totally willing to help ;)


** Fill your 5 Gallon bucket up with Rain water ( or from the hose, but we all know rain water is better..;)

*** Fill the pantyhose with about 1 lb ( I used about 3 cups) of compost...



** Place compost filled panty hose in  the 5 gallon bucket, and then add 1 Tbsp Mollasses and 1 Tbsp Fish Emulsion or Liquid Seaweed...


 
 
** Attach hose to Aquarium pump, tie a rock to the hose to keep it at the bottom of the bucket.... Be sure pump is about 12" above the level of the water, but not directly over... ( just read directions on pump before using :) Turn on the pump and let aerate for 24 hours!!
SHAAZAM~!*!*! you have Compost Tea! Use within 8 hours..
 
 
 
 
 
To use Compost Tea,, fill your watering can about 1/3 the way full with the tea, and fill the rest with water.. water around base of plant or on leaves.....
 
 
TO MAKE "GARRET JUICE" Foliar Spray....
 
Mix
1 CUP of Your Compost Tea
1 Ounce Liquid Molasses
1 Ounce Apple Cider Vinegar
1 Ounce Liquid Seaweed ( I might just use the fish emulsion, although the recipe DOES call for liquid seaweed, I just couldnt get my hands on any this week.. its says to add the liquid seaweed AND fish emulsion for "Garret Juice PLus" :))
1 Gallon Water
 
Use this as a Foliar Treatment for your plants ( on the leaves)...
 
 
I am going to Spray the "Garret Juice" On my Plants this evening, hopefully I will have some amazing results! I have read extensively about this and its has amaaaazing reviews!
 
Now go take care of your garden, and it will Take Care of you!!!!
 
 
 
 
Blessings
 
The Cools
 

Friday, May 24, 2013

A labor of love

yep, its that time of year, where you spin in circles, so busy, and hope that you can just keep everything afloat and running smoothly. I often Joke with my Husband and say " maybe we should just move into a condo." hehe,, of course he looks at me like I am absolutely crazy.:) Not that condos are a bad thing ( trust me, some days I do fantasize) but Its just not "us"....
This time of year has both Robb and I exhausted.  Trying to balance everything and still find peace in it all is tricky...But there are so many moment throughout the day where I exhale,look around, and realize this IS the life I LOVE... this Labor Of love **************

A few ( ok a bunch) of photos over the past month,,... I am picking gallons of strawberries, the bees are bringing in honey, and the garden is really starting to finally take off ( its been a cold wet spring here)
Right now we are still planting, inspecting hives ( and pulling honey soooon) weeding, mulching , composting, harvesting, (almost) canning, and attending the market... Our Off grid system is still where it was last month......such is life... the last peices of the puzzle will be finished up soon, when we have time to exhale. Ohhhh and we ALWAYS make time to go to the Creek behind our house too, no matter how busy ;)

 
 
 
Back gardens really filling in....




                                                               Harvest
                                                                 Herb boxes for the Market
                                                                  My lil peanut helping harvest greens for the Market
                                                                          :)


                                                                     My husband in Bee yard #1


                                                             until next time


                                                                 The Cools