vegetables
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Seed Sorting Season: Turning Snow-Crete Days Into Garden Planning Wins
During winter, with outdoor gardening activities stalled due to ice and snow, focusing on seed organization indoors becomes essential. This productive task involves gathering all seed packets, sorting them by type, and noting important details. With organized seeds and plans… Continue reading
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Garden Planning on this Snowy Day
On a snowy January day, I refined my seed-starting plan for both personal and farmstand vegetables. Embracing winter’s slower pace, I organized plants by their start dates, optimizing growth in our greenhouse. Careful timing ensures strong transplants and healthy harvests,… Continue reading
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Preparing the Homestead for a Major Winter Snowstorm in Virginia
This weekend, a winter storm is anticipated in Virginia, initially forecasted to bring 24 inches of snow, now revised to over 12 inches. Past experiences have prompted proactive preparations for animals, greenhouses, and power outages. Emphasizing readiness ensures safety and… Continue reading
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Planting Garlic in Winter: Why Cold Weather Sets Garlic Up for Success
Discover the resilience of garlic as it transforms unexpected garden relocations into thriving opportunities! Learn why winter planting yields stronger, healthier bulbs and how to successfully relocate your garlic in cold weather. Continue reading
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Five Grocery Store Items We Don’t Buy Thanks to Our Homestead
Homesteading offers the joy of reduced grocery runs by producing essential items at home. The journey has eliminated the need for store-bought eggs, chicken, honey, tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes. This fosters self-sufficiency, enhances culinary quality, and strengthens connections to food.… Continue reading
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Post-Thanksgiving Homestead Winter Preparation
The J & J Homestead blog post highlights preparations for winter after Thanksgiving, focusing on keeping chickens and bees warm. The author shares insights on using radiant heaters thoughtfully, maintaining proper coop conditions, and winterizing hives. The article emphasizes early… Continue reading
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Why November Is My Favorite Month of the Year
November is a unique month that bridges autumn and winter, offering a sense of hope, gratitude, and coziness. It invites reflection and appreciation for the year’s bounty while encouraging a slower pace before the rush of December. The warmth of… Continue reading
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The First Impression of J & J Homestead: A Place Where Purpose, Simplicity, and Stewardship Come Together
Experience a homestead where purpose and passion flourish. At J & J Homestead, every visit is a step into a life built on intention and connection to the land. Discover the warmth of belonging and the joy of purposeful living. Continue reading
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The Best Books to Help You on Your Homesteading Journey
Creating a homestead library is essential for self-reliant homesteaders, offering guidance on topics like raising chickens, gardening, and beekeeping. Valuable books not only provide practical skills but also deepen understanding of the processes involved. Despite the prevalence of digital resources,… Continue reading
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Why We Love Homesteading in Agriculture Zone 7b
Living in USDA Zone 7b shapes our homesteading experience with a diverse climate that allows a lengthy growing season of about seven months. This enables us to cultivate various crops year-round, support pollinators, and foster sustainability. Despite challenges like humidity… Continue reading
