Things have been a bit crazy around here this last month. LOTS going on. I had two set of company from out of state, and simply had a BALL! However, it didn't give me enough time for the internet. So, all my posts this month will be for July rather than June. I hope all of your homesteads are simply booming along! I had lots of apricots and plums this year, and things are looking good for a nice peach crop, apple crop, and pear crop. I lost quit a bit of the apricots due to too much rain at one time, and lots of cracking before ripening. However, this was my first major apricot crop, and I am excited beyond belief to have gotten what I did! The garden is looking weedy, but productive. Getting lots of cucumbers, and squash, onions, and dill right now. However, most of my tomatoes in the greenhouse didn't make it. However, God was watching over me, and sent some volunteers. Interestingly the fourth of July tomatoes, which are a "hybrid" according to Burpee, came up this year true to type. It is my considered opinion that if they are actually a "hybrid", it wouldn't be hard to reselect an OP strain. They are a fantastic tomato! It is raining again today. I plan on catching up on the interior of the homestead. The homestead interior often suffer due to chores in the exterior. On the list today, is doing something with some early ripening peaches, making some cheese, working on my catch all room(my bedroom), and making ahead some food for the family. I also have butchering that needs to be done if the weather lets up a bit. I plan on putting on a big pot of stew. I have potatoes in the ground that really need to have been dug yesterday. However, I probably won't get to them until friday. I only hope they are holding down there. I plan on starting some tomatoes from seed and see if I can get a big crop for fall. Lately i have taken to using carpet for mulch. I really like it. It is quite effective at controlling weeds, and keeps the crops accessible. I will go out cut a small hole in the carpet, and plant my seeds in the whole. I planted the squash this way. It worked wonderfully. At the end of the year I will roll it up, check it for decay, and hopefully use it for two years. It is something I will use more and more for melons, squash, tomatoes, peppers, pumpkins, broccolli, cauliflower, cabbage. Well i am off to get to work instead of just talk about work. Have a great Day!!

Little Bit farm

-- Little Bit Farm (littlebit@bright.net), June 30, 2004