Uses for Old Christmas Trees

Sorry no real write up on this post. This is the audio version of a previous blog post that you can read here. Don't let a resource go to waste. There are lots of uses. You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or Stitcher and download the episode to listen to later.

Be sure and join the listener appreciation event. Help us grow the podcast.

Bringing Rural Back

Homestead Blog Hop 63

It is difficult for me to realize that this is the last blog hop of 2015. There have been so many wonderful posts from so many talented writers. I am so privileged to be able to be a part of this hop. I hope you will take some time and check out some of the articles that are shared.

I would like to remind you to check out our podcast and sign up for the listener appreciation contests. The first prize will be given away when the podcast reaches 1000 subscribers. You can listen and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or each episode will be embeded here on the blog as well. Thank you for your continued support.

Welcome to the Homestead Blog Hop!

Now on to the hop... Homestead Blog Hop will take place every Wednesday and is for all things homesteading: real food recipes, farm animals, crafts, DIY, how-to's, gardening, anything from-scratch, natural home/health, self-sufficiency, self-reliance, natural remedies, essential oils, & more! Basically anything related to homesteading.

Meet and Follow Your Hosts!

Kelly - Simple Life Mom (Facebook/Pinterest/Twitter/G+) Katey - Mama Kautz (Facebook/Pinterest/Twitter) Jennifer - Homesteading on Grace (Facebook/Pinterest/G+) Amanda - Idlewild Alaska (Facebook/Pinterest) Gregg - The Rural Economist (Facebook/Pinterest/Twitter/G+/Instagram) Bonnie - The Not So Modern Housewife (Facebook/Pinterest/Twitter/G+)

Featured Posts from the Last Homestead Blog Hop

Each week we will choose three posts to feature. Each post will be shared on all social media platforms by all of the hosts! Here are the features from Last Week's Hop:

1. Environmentally Friendly Compostable Bamboo Toothbrush from Taylor Made Homestead

2. How to Dry Citrus Slices and What to Do With Them from Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth

3. Cranberry Pecan Spiced Skillet Granola from Strength & Sunshine

Congrats! Feel free to grab the featured on button for your post.

Just right click and 'save image as...'

Guidelines for this Get-Together:

1. Click on the “Add your Link” Button below and add a great image of your project or recipe. Make sure you link to the page of your family friendly post – not the main page of your blog!
2. Try to visit at least a few other blogs at the party. Be sure to leave a comment to let them know you stopped by!
3. Please link back to this post somehow (a text link is ok). This is one thing we look for when choosing who to feature. We will share on multiple social media if you are featured!

Let the Party Begin!

2015/2016 Looking Back, Looking Forward

2015 has been a little bit of a roller coaster ride. There have been good times and bad times. The have been victories and challenges. I thought you might enjoy a look back. Listen and subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher

Be sure and join the listener appreciation event and share this show. Consider rating the podcast on iTunes or Stitcher

2015 In Review

On The Blog

2015 has been the most prolific year yet on the blog. We have released more posts this year than we ever have and as a result there have been more people who have read at least one of our posts than ever before.It is both encouraging and humbling to realize that in some small way we are helping people embrace a more sustainable and prepared lifestyle the top posts of 2015 were:

13 Things We Need to Learn from Our Ancestors
Small, Micro, and Cottage Business Ideas
24 Uses for Vet Wrap
Global Economic Collapse: Can It Really Happen Part 1
Global Economic Collapse: Can It Really Happen Part 2

On The Podcast

In 2015 we finally pulled the trigger on starting the podcast. When this post is released we will have 30 episodes live. I have learned a lot in the process. I have really big hopes for the podcast in the coming year. We have also introduced the listener appreciation event. If you will promise to share the podcast in any real way, you can enter. The first prize we will be giving away is a $50 amazon gift card. Just like the blog we have covered a wide range of topics. Most times we have had a full write up with each podcast, but sometimes there will only be show notes.

On The Home-front

We had a very productive garden this year, though it was scaled down a bit. Our daughter decided that she wanted to join the marching band at the local high school and that has been a very good thing for her. My wife and I are trying to figure out ways to spend more time together, but I guess a lot of couples are trying to do that. I guess that is enough of a year in review.

2016 Looking Forward

I am actually very excited about 2016. I know there are always the fears of the unknown, but there is also the adventures of the unexplored. That is where I am going to focus my attention and encourage you to do more than you ever thought possible.

In 2016 we will be expanding the garden and the home orchard. I will be adding some very old varieties of apples, pears, and plums. Be looking for lots of information about that.

My wife and I are looking at several small business ideas. I am planning on ratcheting  up the blog and podcast. Don't worry, the information will always be free. We have decided to think and act differently, we are throwing away the box and I encourage you to as well.

Bringing Rural Back

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Check out The Rural Economist on Pinterest

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Affiliate Link Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive compensation for links, endorsements, testimonials, or recommendations for any products mentioned on this blog. If you see something you are interested in, check them out. Thanks for your consideration.

The SIIS System to do Almost Everything

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I talk to a lot of people. Everyone has something they want to accomplish, but they cannot figure out how to even get started. I found myself consistently give a modified version of the exact same advice. I just recently realized that this advice could be applied to almost everything. I myself am applying the principles that we are about to cover on my blog, homestead, and in our families preps. These same principles can be applied in starting a new business, learning a new skill, developing a community, or really anything.

After you have decided something is a good idea you can either jump in half cocked or you can diligently research your idea. I have done a little of both, but after you have done all of the research you want to do you are faced with the action steps. The problem many people run into is they don't have the money to get started, or at least they think they don't. Many people run to the bank and ask for a loan. This is fine sometimes. Sometimes though an idea for a business or homestead is difficult to explain. If you don't have good credit or a sound business plan the banks will not loan you money. Even if they will, you have placed yourself in debt or as I am beginning to view it, you have placed yourself in bondage to the loan company. This is true of every aspect of life. I know that it is nearly impossible to buy a home or land without getting a loan, after that you can do most things on your own with a lot less money.

So What Is The SIIS System?

I am sure that someone else has come up with this concept, only I have not been able to find it anywhere. I know that no one else calls this type of system the SIIS system. How do I know this? Because I have looked and looked to make sure. So at least the name of the system is my own. The SIIS system is a way that you can do almost anything without jeopardizing your financial well being. It doesn't matter if you are wanting to start a business, homestead, get out of debt, or are looking at getting started being more prepared the SIIS system will help you accomplish your goals and dreams.

Small

 Unless you have a significant amount of money and time at your disposal or you have no responsibilities, you may find that you will have to start any new venture off small. Very few things can't be started this way. Most anything can be started in your spare time and with very little money.

What are the benefits of starting small? There are actually many. You will be learning the skills needed in your new adventure. You will be more able to gauge the interest, better than you would be able to otherwise. You will learn a lot about cost management, marketing, time management, and so much more. If you fail you haven't placed your family in jeopardy. You haven't gone into debt. You can start with what you have.

Intentional

This part is a challenge for many. We live in an ADD society, everything is vying for our attention. Flashing signs, billboards, screaming commercials, and even notifications from our smartphones can break through our concentration at times. When we look at the intentional part of the SIIS system, what have to realize that most things are incremental. The intentional stage is when you spend time planning and developing action steps and goals.

 Intentional actions and developing your plan and goals will help prevent us from just doing anything that we think will advance us toward our end goal. We have to have a plan.

Incremental

Each step must build on the last. This sounds simple, but it is not as common as you would think. I have seen been guilty of doing everything and anything that appears to advance me toward my goal.  This sounds like a good idea, but many times this creates chaos. Doing things in a designated order are always better.

Action steps should be small enough to achieve fairly easily. One of the biggest problems many people have is that they set very lofty goals and get discouraged before they reach their goals. They don't have a way to recognize all of the things they have accomplished that have moved them closer to that goal.

A strong building cannot exist if there is not a strong foundation. When building a business or learning a new skill the incremental aspect still exists. Things have to be learned or done in a certain order.

Steps

Up until this point, everything we have talked about has been in the realm of thought and planning. The greatest plan in the world means nothing if a person doesn't act on it. This is the point where we have to get off of our laurels and get to doing something.

Failure is always an option. As much as I hate to say that it is true. I have heard several people say that failure isn't an option, they have placed themselves in a situation that if they fail it will be a catastrophic blow to their financial lives and sometimes even to their relationships.

Failure is part of anything worth doing. I cannot tell you how many times I have done something that didn't work out the way I expected. Some adventures I have completely failed. That is fine. I have learned from every challenge, you can to.

Bringing Rural Back

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Check out The Rural Economist on Pinterest

Visit The Rural Economist's profile on Pinterest.

Affiliate Link Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive compensation for links, endorsements, testimonials, or recommendations for any products mentioned on this blog. If you see something you are interested in, check them out. Thanks for your consideration.

Local CHTF: Why Prepare

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There are a lot of people that make fun of preppers. That is until something happens that shows just how important preparedness can be. There are tons of people that believe that all preppers are worried about a global or national calamity. While there are a few that are focused only on the end of the world as we know it (TEOTWAWKI), most are just interested in making sure their family is able to weather whatever is thrown at them. Many in the preparedness world call it SHTF. I like to keep my blog and podcast as close to rated G as possible. So what does CHTF mean? It means the Crap has Hit The Fan. This doesn't have to occur to everyone at once or even the same way, as you will see.

Local disasters are much more likely to occur than a world changing event. Local disasters can change a person's life just as dramatically as a national event. How we prepare and react to localized emergencies determine our outcomes. I am going to tell you a story of how an event can change the lives of some and leave others completely unscathed.

Wednesday December 23 the weather people were calling for severe storms. Luckily I was at home and didn't have to work. My wife was at work, but things didn't get bad till after she arrived home. The storms came and there wasn't much damage where we were. There was damage further north and further south. We were right in the middle and all of the really bad stuff just parted around us. We were blessed. There were people who lost a lot. Some even lost everything. If that were the end of the story that would be bad enough, but it was only getting started.

The severe weather as far as tornadoes and straight line winds had passed, but the rain remained and boy did it remain. We had three straight days of heavy downpours mixed with breaks in the rain. The ground was already saturated, so there was no place for all of this water to go except to build up and start running to anywhere and everywhere that was lower than where it started out.

Remember this started the day before Christmas Eve. Lots of people were traveling to visit family and friends. Christmas Eve we saw more rain, but we were able to go visit family and get home without any incidents.  Christmas day was when the troubles started. We woke up and fixed our breakfast. All of our gifts had already been given with the exception of the nephews. My sister in law came over with one of the boys. While she was here is when the real rain hit. Now I want to tell you, we knew it was going to rain, but no one could predict what the outcome would be.

The first flash flood warning came just before 3 pm. My sister in law stayed a while thinking that she could wait till the rain passed and then go home. Nope. The warnings just kept coming and kept being extended. She finally decided that she was going to try to go home. We decided that we would follow her. She had to make three or four detours to be able to reach her home. At this time is when we received the news that several counties where closing roads. Again luckily we live on a hill and if we see flooding things are really bad for a lot of people, but getting home was another matter.

We were able to get home without too much trouble. Again we were blessed, others weren't so lucky.

Now you may be wondering why I am talking about this at all. Here is the reason. There were people who couldn't get home and there are people who can't leave home. Not only that, there are some people who don't have a home to which they can go. Every part of a preparedness plan is applicable to someone in this event. Those who can't go home needed to have a backpack or as many people call them a bug out bag. Those who can't leave home need to have food storage. And those whose homes are now underwater needed to have an evacuation plan as well as a backpack and several possible routes planned.

For many this is not a short term event. It is not over today and it won't be tomorrow. There are several that will be dealing with the effects of this storm for weeks, if not longer. So you see preparedness is not just about the zombies marching to the human buffet line. It is about things that happen every single day.

Have a plan for each of these possibilities. As you can see it is not paranoia, it is being responsible.

Bringing Rural Back

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Check out The Rural Economist on Pinterest

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Affiliate Link Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive compensation for links, endorsements, testimonials, or recommendations for any products mentioned on this blog. If you see something you are interested in, check them out. Thanks for your consideration.

Front Porch Friday #13

Sorry, there are no featured posts this week. We have all been incredibly busy. I will feature two posts next week, one from the last weeks submissions and one from this week.

I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

• Please share your posts that are homesteading, prepping, homemaking, or frugal living in nature.
• Please be family friendly, although Zombies are ok.
• Please visit the blog that linked before you. Share the love.
• Older posts are okay, but please only share on the Hop once.
• If you would like to be featured I ask that you have linked back to this post
• By linking up here you are giving permission to share your post, if featured.

 

<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.mamakautz.com" title="Mama Kautz"><img src="http://mamakautz.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/150x150.jpg" alt="Mama Kautz" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Christmas Greeting 2015

This is just a simple Christmas Greeting from the Bringing Rural Back Podcast and 3 members of the Rural Round Table. You can listen and subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher.

Sean and Monica Mitzel with The Prepared Homestead. Our permaculture and food preservation experts.

Melissa K. Norris host of the Pioneering Today Podcast.

Patrick Blair with www.survivalathome.com

I hope you enjoy the podcast. 

Merry Christmas

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You can like The Rural Economist on Facebook follow on The Rural Economist on Gplus. We now have a YouTube channel and we cover all sorts of things. Hop on over and check them out, oh and don't forget to subscribe. I have just joined Instagram if you would like you can follow us HERE. We will be sharing several things over the next year, I hope to see you there. 

Check out The Rural Economist on Pinterest

Visit The Rural Economist's profile on Pinterest.

Affiliate Link Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive compensation for links, endorsements, testimonials, or recommendations for any products mentioned on this blog. If you see something you are interested in, check them out. Thanks for your consideration.

Homestead Blog Hop 62

 

Welcome to the Homestead Blog Hop!

It is hard to believe that it is already Christmas. We have been working so hard and I am sure you have as well. Christmas should be a time for family and reflection, even if you are not religious. The mere premise of the Christmas season should cause us to pause and evaluate our lives. Just think about it, Peace on Earth and Goodwill to Men. How much of that are we really trying to live?

 

Now on to the hop... Homestead Blog Hop will take place every Wednesday and is for all things homesteading: real food recipes, farm animals, crafts, DIY, how-to's, gardening, anything from-scratch, natural home/health, self-sufficiency, self-reliance, natural remedies, essential oils, & more! Basically anything related to homesteading.

Meet and Follow Your Hosts!

Kelly - Simple Life Mom (Facebook/Pinterest/Twitter/G+) Katey - Mama Kautz (Facebook/Pinterest/Twitter) Jennifer - Homesteading on Grace (Facebook/Pinterest/G+) Amanda - Idlewild Alaska (Facebook/Pinterest) Gregg - The Rural Economist (Facebook/Pinterest/Twitter/G+/Instagram) Bonnie - The Not So Modern Housewife (Facebook/Pinterest/Twitter/G+)

Featured Posts from the Last Homestead Blog Hop

Each week we will choose three posts to feature.Each post will be shared on all social media platforms by all of the hosts! Here are the features from Last Week's Hop:

 

1. 9 Christmas Cookie & Candy Recipes You Will Love from Medium Sized Family

 

2. Meaningful Gifts for Kids: A Minimalist’s Guide from Purposefully Simple

 

3. Assembling a Real Tool Box For the Homestead Kid from Lady Lee's Home

Congrats! Feel free to grab the featured on button for your post.

Just right click and 'save image as...'

Guidelines for this Get-Together:

1. Click on the “Add your Link” Button below and add a great image of your project or recipe. Make sure you link to the page of your family friendly post – not the main page of your blog!
2. Try to visit at least a few other blogs at the party. Be sure to leave a comment to let them know you stopped by!
3. Please link back to this post somehow (a text link is ok). This is one thing we look for when choosing who to feature. We will share on multiple social media if you are featured!

Let the Party Begin!

hbh62.docx

Interview with Scott Terry

In this episode we talk with Scott Terry with www.northcountryfarmer.com, www.backwoodsresistance.com, and Christian Farm and Homestead Radio. Scott is a busy man, a good man and a member of the Rural Round Table.


Bringing Rural Back

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You can like The Rural Economist on Facebook follow on The Rural Economist on Gplus. We now have a YouTube channel and we cover all sorts of things. Hop on over and check them out, oh and don't forget to subscribe. I have just joined Instagram if you would like you can follow us HERE. We will be sharing several things over the next year, I hope to see you there. 

Check out The Rural Economist on Pinterest

Visit The Rural Economist's profile on Pinterest.

Affiliate Link Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive compensation for links, endorsements, testimonials, or recommendations for any products mentioned on this blog. If you see something you are interested in, check them out. Thanks for your consideration.

The Importance of Keeping Your Word

Listen and subscribe on iTunes        Stitcher   

In this episode we talk about how honesty is becoming rare. Sorry, I am not going to do a full write up of this one.

We have gotten to the point where we actually expect to be lied to. Companies and politicians lie to us all the time. We are so used to being lied to that it doesn't even faze us anymore. Really? That is so sad.

If you enjoy the podcast please share it with someone. There will be a full write up for the post and podcast on Monday.

Don't forget about the Rural Round Table. Want to know who is on the Round Table? Check these wonderful people out.

Have a topic you would like me to cover? Let me know.

Bringing Rural Back

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required

Email Address * 

First Name 

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You can like The Rural Economist on Facebook follow on The Rural Economist on Gplus. We now have a YouTube channel and we cover all sorts of things. Hop on over and check them out, oh and don't forget to subscribe. I have just joined Instagram if you would like you can follow us HERE. We will be sharing several things over the next year, I hope to see you there. 

Check out The Rural Economist on Pinterest

Visit The Rural Economist's profile on Pinterest.

Affiliate Link Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive compensation for links, endorsements, testimonials, or recommendations for any products mentioned on this blog. If you see something you are interested in, check them out. Thanks for your consideration.

Front Porch Friday #12

This week has been incredibly warm for December. I have been fighting with our cellular provider. I hope it works out, but if it doesn't you will hear all about it I am sure. 

Gregg's pick this week is Saving Money with Chicken Hind Quarters by Plain and Simple Homestead. I have done this several times and it is always a good idea.


Mama K chose Becoming More Self Sufficient by Oak Hill Homestead

• Please share your posts that are homesteading, prepping, homemaking, or frugal living in nature.
• Please be family friendly, although Zombies are ok.
• Please visit the blog that linked before you. Share the love.
• Older posts are okay, but please only share on the Hop once.
• If you would like to be featured I ask that you have linked back to this post
• By linking up here you are giving permission to share your post, if featured.

 

<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.mamakautz.com" title="Mama Kautz"><img src="http://mamakautz.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/150x150.jpg" alt="Mama Kautz" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Homestead Blog Hop #61

 

Welcome to the Homestead Blog Hop!

It's hard to believe that we are only 9 days away from Christmas. It only seems like yesterday when I was planning the spring garden. Time just seems to be going by faster and faster. If we are working on becoming more self reliant the time to get things done is now. 

If you are a blogger I would like to remind you to link to a specific post and not your homepage. Thanks. 

Now on to the hop... Homestead Blog Hop will take place every Wednesday and is for all things homesteading: real food recipes, farm animals, crafts, DIY, how-to's, gardening, anything from-scratch, natural home/health, self-sufficiency, self-reliance, natural remedies, essential oils, & more! Basically anything related to homesteading.

Meet and Follow Your Hosts!

 Kelly - Simple Life Mom (Facebook/Pinterest/Twitter/G+) Katey - Mama Kautz (Facebook/Pinterest/Twitter) Jennifer - Homesteading on Grace (Facebook/Pinterest/G+) Amanda - Idlewild Alaska (Facebook/Pinterest) Gregg - The Rural Economist (Facebook/Pinterest/Twitter/G+/Instagram) Bonnie - The Not So Modern Housewife (Facebook/Pinterest/Twitter/G+)

Featured Posts from the Last Homestead Blog Hop

Each week we will choose three posts to feature.Each post will be shared on all social media platforms by all of the hosts! Here are the features from Last Week's Hop:

 

1. 8 Simple Ideas for Keeping Your Overnight Guests Comfortable and Welcome from Little House Living

 

2. Winter Eggs - How to Get Them from Just Another Day on the Farm

 

3.Winter Emergency Car Kit from Little Blog on the Homestead

Congrats! Feel free to grab the featured on button for your post.

Just right click and 'save image as...'

Guidelines for this Get-Together:

1. Click on the “Add your Link” Button below and add a great image of your project or recipe. Make sure you link to the page of your family friendly post – not the main page of your blog!
2. Try to visit at least a few other blogs at the party. Be sure to leave a comment to let them know you stopped by!
3. Please link back to this post somehow (a text link is ok). This is one thing we look for when choosing who to feature. We will share on multiple social media if you are featured!

Let the Party Begin!

The Rural Round Table

 Listen and subscribe on iTunes

This is our first full episode of the Rural Round Table. We have a mini interview with Stacey Lynn Harris of www.gameandgarden.com and her first answer on cooking rabbit. 

Tiffany Davis from www.imperfectlyhappy.com answers a question about a grandparent homeschooling a grandchild. She mentions the homeschool legal defense. 

Scott Terry from www.northcountryfarmer.com and www.backwoodsresistance.com answers a question about small property dairy animals. 

This is a really good episode and I am sure you will enjoy it. If you have any questions for our Rural Round Table do not hesitate so send them to theruraleconomist@gmail.com.

We are really looking forward to all of your questions.

Bringing Rural Back

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You can like The Rural Economist on Facebook follow on The Rural Economist on Gplus. We now have a YouTube channel and we cover all sorts of things. Hop on over and check them out, oh and don't forget to subscribe. I have just joined Instagram if you would like you can follow us HERE. We will be sharing several things over the next year, I hope to see you there. 

Check out The Rural Economist on Pinterest

Visit The Rural Economist's profile on Pinterest.

Affiliate Link Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive compensation for links, endorsements, testimonials, or recommendations for any products mentioned on this blog. If you see something you are interested in, check them out. Thanks for your consideration.

The Personal Sovereignty Series: The Awakening

Personal sovereignty to some is a very scary subject. Just the thought that they have to be completely responsible for themselves and their families is enough to make some people run and hide. We have been told that no matter what happens there will be someone or an organization that will be there to pick us up. Many, myself included, have found this not to be the case. In today's episode we talk about the realization that personal sovereignty matters.


At some point in most people's life something happens that jolts their personal sense of justice. It can be political, crime, social, work, or even family related. It really doesn't matter what the cause. It doesn't have to be anything really traumatic, it can be something as simple as someone with whom you thought there was a good level of mutual respect and finding out that you are simply a source of something they need. Whatever the cause, there are events that will force us to step back and take a hard look at our world. For many of us we realize that we just don't like the way things are going.

I have talked to many people who feel that they are being used by someone or something and that their lives are being programmed by someone on the outside.  How we react next will determine a lot of our attitude and future. The reactions vary widely. Some people just sink themselves into reality television or sports. Some people drink alcohol or do drugs. Others will go to the doctor and get a prescription for antidepressants. A very small group of people look around and decide they have had enough. They want to live a more free and full life. Great!! Some even go so far as to make a public declaration. After the exhilaration of this defiant act has passed they are faced with a looming question. Now What?

Sovereign Citizens

 There is a movement out there called the sovereign citizen movement. I understand their ideals, but their methodology is what I question.  They believe that they can just abstain from the entire system. They try to avoid taxes by filing a form in court, they avoid all of the aspects of the governmental system. I like what they are trying to do, but the way they are trying to do it is causing a lot of them to wind up in jail and or prison. I am of the opinion that we should work within the system that we have been handed and try to open people's eyes to the fact that individuals do a much better job of taking care of their family, friends, and neighbors than any bureaucracy. The bureaucracy really doesn't care about you all they care about is maintaining power. 

The Programming

Some people just don't see it and for others it is obvious. Our system is set up to make sure that everyone is locked into it. It doesn't matter what your situation, the system has a place for you. I am serious. If you will think about it the welfare system is a perfect example. There are people that are on the welfare system is set up in a way that once you get on it, it is very difficult to get off. I have known people that have had to be on the system for a short period of time and as soon as they start working they have a realized loss of living conditions working from what they had while on the system.

 The Process

Personal sovereignty is a path not a destination. I don't know anyone that is completely self reliant. That shouldn't stop us from working toward being more so. As we continue we will talk about individual ways to become more sovereign.

I hope you enjoy the podcast.

Bringing Rural Back

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Front Porch Friday #11

This week has been a bit of a challenge. My wife has been fighting a cold. I always hate when any member of my family is sick, but sometimes it just happens. Enjoy the hop.

Gregg's pick this week is How to Render Tallow by Oak Hill Homestead. This is a really good skill to have.

Mama K chose Preparing for an ISIS Terrorist Attack. For 2 reasons. #1 I am still a Prepper, although I don't write about it too much any more (there's only so many topics) #2 Sadly, it seems to be a when not if scenario.

• Please share your posts that are homesteading, prepping, homemaking, or frugal living in nature.
• Please be family friendly, although Zombies are ok.
• Please visit the blog that linked before you. Share the love.
• Older posts are okay, but please only share on the Hop once.
• If you would like to be featured I ask that you have linked back to this post
• By linking up here you are giving permission to share your post, if featured.

 

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Things You Can Do Now To Prep for Next Growing Season

Here in the northern hemisphere we are still not officially in winter. Even though there is a good bit of time before spring, I am already thinking about what we will add and grow next year. There are several things that we can do to improve our next harvest and increase our long-term food sovereignty.

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Cleaning up the garden bed

After the growing season has ended there is some cleanup that has to be done. Plants that have played out need to be removed. They can simply be cut off even with the ground. This will leave the roots in the ground that when they rot will add to the soil's structure. The vines and stems that have been removed can either be composted, shredded and used as a component in mulch or burned. 

The only time you shouldn't leave plants anywhere near your growing area is if the plants are diseased. If plants are diseased they should be pulled up roots and all and disposed of either in the garbage or by burning.

This is also the perfect time to remove tomato cages and stakes. Tomato cages may need to be cleaned and stacked up somewhere so they will last longer. Leaving wire cages in the ground will make them rust faster and shorten their usable lives considerably. The same is true for wooden or bamboo stakes. Simply by removing them from the ground and placing them somewhere out to the weather their lifespan is extended. While removing the infrastructure you will want to inspect each component. You may find that some of the pieces will need to be replaced. 

If you need to add to your garden infrastructure this is a good time to do so. You can find tomato cages and/or stakes an nearly everything else through either the yard sale pages on social media or through Craig's list. Now is the perfect time to look for bee boxes, garden tools, and really any type of equipment. Some people try gardening for the first time and decide that it is not for them. Other people will sell unused or unneeded equipment or supplies to help them pay for the holiday season.

Planning

It may seem early, but it isn't. For me this is the time of year where I think about how everything produced. What varieties did well, what didn't? For the varieties that didn't do well, is there something I could have done to give them a better opportunity to grow? Were they in the wrong place? Did these varieties get enough sunlight or water? 

Now is also the perfect time to think about whether or not you wish to expand or reduce your growing area. If you are planning on adding growing beds, where will you put them? What size will they be? What will you put in them? If you are going to be adding raised beds, doing so now will allow them time to get settled. If you are planning on adding garden space in the ground you can lay them out and begin preparation. 

How would I prep an in ground garden bed for next season? By starting now you can save yourself a lot of hard work next season. Placing plastic or tarps over the area where you are planning on planting next year will help you a lot. This will cause many of the weed and grass seeds to germinate and die throughout the season. This will reduce that amount of weeding that will be necessary next year. This is especially helpful if you are planning on working with a no till system. 

Now is also the time you can order your seed and nursery catalogs. To any hardcore gardener a seed or nursery catalog is as good as the old Sears Wish Book. I may be dating myself a little there. You can check out new varieties of fruits and veggies and see what you might want to try next season. Here is the link to request White Harvest's Catalog. 

Mulching

Last year I moved completely to no till gardening and I was very pleased with the results. Now is when I will be mulching the garden bed heavily. This is also a time of year when there is plenty of resources available to do the job. Fallen leaves make a great mulch and will gradually improve the soil as well. Mulched leaves are best, but just raking leaves and piling them in your garden spot will still help. Whole leaves should be piled 8 to 12 inches deep across your entire garden bed. Ground leaves should be about 4 inches deep. This will inhibit winter weed growth and will be a good base for your spring garden. These leaves will breakdown slowly. As it rains and snows then melts nutrients will slowly leach out of the leaves and into the soil. Doing this alone will improve the quality of your soil. This is especially important for people with heavy clay or sandy soil. The addition of organic matter will move both of these more toward the center and a much more fertile growing environment.

This is also a perfect time for a side business. People everywhere are trying to get rid of this very useful resource. If you live in or are close to an urban, suburban, or even semi rural area there are plenty of people who will pay to have their leaves removed. There will be a few that will want the leaves moved from their yard to their garden, but very few. With a little determination and a blower/vac/mulcher ,a teen or really anyone can turn this into a decent supplemental income. Just think, you could be being paid to obtain a resource that you want. 

What do you need to start this kind of seasonal business? Well, that depends on your area. There are some places that in order to do this you will have to have a business license. I will admit that drives me crazy. The government has to have their hand in everything it can get. Other areas all you have to do is have transportation, a rake and garbage bags or a mulcher. Place some fliers around and it won't take long before you are in business. You might even want to work an elderly neighbors yard for free in exchange for them telling their friends about your service. This can be not only good advertising, but also a good service to your community.

Planting Bare Root Trees

Winter is the best time to plant bare root trees as long as your soil isn't frozen. Bare root trees are bought when the trees are dormant. This means you don't have to be as careful with them. Bare root trees are typically less expensive than potted trees. These trees are normally available December through February. I have found that there is a larger selection of trees available as bare root. I think this may be because shipping is much easier. 

I myself have made my wishlist of fruit trees that I wish to plant this winter and have given them to a friend of mine who works with a nursery to see if they can get the varieties that I am looking for. Some of the varieties would be considered rare and all but 2 are very old, over 100 years since discovery. You can bet there will be several posts and podcasts about them in the future. 

Building Infrastructure

 Due to the reduction of homestead chores, this is a perfect time to build infrastructure. Again this is dependent on whether or not your soil is frozen. Fences, and outbuildings can be built now and be in place for the beginning of the next growing season. The shorter days do create some challenges that we do not have in the summer, but there are so many more things that need to be done in the growing season.

Equipment Maintenance and Repair

I cannot tell you how many times I have talked to a small engine repair person who has said that as soon as the growing season starts they cannot keep up with the workload. If you need to have your tiller, tractor, mower, or whatever serviced now is the perfect time and you won't be waiting while the grass grows or you are losing growing season because the repair guy is backed up.

Now is also a good time to clean up and care for your hand tools. Hoes, axes, and scythes may need to be sharpened. All wooden handles can be wiped down with boiled linseed oil.

As you can see there are several things that can be done in the winter, especially before the weather gets too bad or you have had too much rain or snow.

Bringing Rural Back

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You can like The Rural Economist on Facebook follow on The Rural Economist on Gplus. We now have a YouTube channel and we cover all sorts of things. Hop on over and check them out, oh and don't forget to subscribe. I have just joined Instagram if you would like you can follow us HERE. We will be sharing several things over the next year, I hope to see you there. 

Check out The Rural Economist on Pinterest

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Affiliate Link Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive compensation for links, endorsements, testimonials, or recommendations for any products mentioned on this blog. If you see something you are interested in, check them out. Thanks for your consideration.