Merry Christmas, "The True Reason"

   I wanted to take a minute to wish each of you a "Merry Christmas" and share with you a few of my favorite treats of this Holiday! With all the hustle and bustle we sometimes forget the the real reason of Christmas. Here is my favorite song to as a reminder of the true reason,  "O Holy Night"!  God Bless you all!

Luke 2: ⁶ So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. ⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

⁸ Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. ¹⁰ Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. ¹¹ For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

¹⁵ So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. ¹⁷ Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. ¹⁸ And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. ¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

"Garden Tool Maintenance 101"

   Well we talked about in "Things to do, in the Garden, in the fall" garden tool maintenance and in "Winterizing Your Lawn Mower" about the importance of maintenance. Now lets put it to use!  You will just need a few things:

Tools Needed

1) Steel brush, to brush all of the hard debris and rust off the steel surfaces!
2)Bucket of warm soapy water, to wash down all the tools.
3) WD40, is to treat the steel parts of the hand tools to prevent rust.
4) Tung Oil or Linseed Oil, is to treat the wooden handles of the tools for prevention of rot and to keep them strong.
5) Old Rags, washing and application of  oils.
6) Spray Paint, for spray painting certain tools.
7) A file, for sharping.

  
  Tool maintenance is another not so fun but necessary gardening job, that again must people want even know you have done. I take that back your children and grand children will because if you take time to do this you will be able to pass your tools down to them!
  With the steel brush, Soapy water and Rags, you are going to clean the tools of all dirt and/or rust. After you let the dry use the file to sharpen the tools that may need an edge. Then Spray down the metal parts with WD40 to prevent rusting, unless you are gonna paint the surface. If you are gonna paint the surface DO NOT spray it with any oil, the paint won't stick! Finally, I used Tung Oil and an old rag to rub all the wood surfaces down, you can do this 2 or 3 times if you would like for more protection. Just let then set in sun to dry before putting away for the winter!

Before Cleaning

Before Cleaning

  When you look at the tools in the picture's, think of the money saved from taking care of them. I only bought one of the shovels the rest were pasted down to me from Dad and Grandpa's! So you can see how frugal this is in the long run and we can use every penny saved in this economy today!

After, Just Like New!

  Final Tip: My Dad had a 5 gallon bucket of sand sitting on the inside of the door of his shop. He would mix used motor oil in with the sand. Ever time he used his tools and would return to put them up he push the steel ends of the shovel (for example) down into the oily sand. This would clean the dirt of and give them an oily protection from rust. I haven't done it yet, only because I just remembered it while I was cleaning my tools. That will be next!

"If by doing some work which the undiscerning consider “not spiritual work” I can best help others, and I inwardly rebel, thinking it is the spiritual for which I crave, when in truth it is the interesting and the exciting, then I know nothing of Calvary love." ~ Amy Carmichael

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"Roof Maintenance isn't fun but Nessesary"

 Maintenance on your house or garden shed roof isn't fun but necessary, if you want your roof to last for a long time. Its part of "Fall Garden maintenance"! There are just a hand full of things to do but I think the must important one is cleaning the debris of so as it won't lay there and rot and must of it makes great compost anyway! Probably the second most important is cleaning out the gutters. If you don't do this the water tends to work its way back under the shingles and cause the roof boards to rot and at extreme, water can leak into the building and cause major damage on the inside!
  So here are the tools you need: 1) Ladder 2)Small hand shovel 3) A Broom 4) Hammer 5) A tube of black tar and caulk gun and 6) Gutter guards if you choose.

Debris on roof!

Very full Gutters!

  As you can tell by the pictures my workshop/garden shed set under trees. So I needed to climb up on the roof and clean, so why not do the other maintenance while up there? Lets face it a roof is something you want to last for a long time!
  1) Use the broom to sweep off all debris. As you do this look for roofing nail heads that may have worked up. When you see this situation, lift up the shingle to expose nail head, put a little tar under the head and drive it down with the hammer. The tar will seal any leak that may have been there. Also look for any damaged shingles, you may have to replace those as well.
  2) Use the little hand shovel to clean out the gutters. As you go give the gutter nails a little tap with the hammer, the nails tend to work out over time.
  3) To make life simpler next time you could do like I did and put gutter guards on. There are many to choose from, you just pick what you think is best!

Gutter Guards

  Like I said its not fun work and must people won't even know you did it but it is very necessary to the long life of a roof, especially if you have trees around. The work of a gardener is never done! 

Matthew 8:8  The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed."

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"TGP" for Small Groups, Home Schoolers, Families and More!

Me Gardening!

  As you know, one of the most important SEEDS I like to plant is that of the Gospel. I look at the body as one of the most important gardens that we can tend as we live on the earth. And our children need to be cultivated in the right direction, so as to be ready for what this old nasty world has to offer!
  Well my wife had been looking for a Bible study to do with my daughter for quit some time. She finally came across one called, "The Gospel Projected", she told me about it and we decided to buy it. I thought it was just towards teenagers and Kids but I  was wrong. As we sat and went over the first lesson, I started learning a lot! Its not just for kids! It's for everybody, Adults, Students and Kids.
 From what I have read and through our own use, there are many other application that it can be used for. Home Schools could use it as a 3 year elective, Small Bible home groups could use it, Use it like we are, for a family study or as it is attended, for your church to have an in-depth study of the Bible! Pastors do your church a favor!

From the site:

  "The Gospel Project is a Bible study resource that invites Adults, Students, and Kids of all ages to dive deeply into God’s story of redemption through Jesus Christ. In every lesson, participants are immersed in the gospel and learn how when the gospel works on them, they become a part of the story, too, the very hands and feet in God’s gospel project.
   Led by General Editor Ed Stetzer and Managing Editor Trevin Wax, The Gospel Project is designed to unify an entire church under a single Christ-centered curriculum. Separate study plans for adults, students, and kids ensure the proper focus and depth for each age group."

  I am not gonna try to sell you on it, I am just so impressed that I wanted to share it with you so that maybe you can share it with your Pastor or other Christian friends. I truly believe that you will have a wonderful time learning Gods Word.  I hope you will enjoy it as much as we are going to!

Preview 1 Month Free! And how to buy

 

 

 

 

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Cleaning Bathtubes and Dog "stuff", with ease!

  My wonderful wife found a better way to clean the bath tube and I wanted to share this with you. My wife has asthma really bad and must smells and chemicals really hurt her lungs and send her into a asthmatic fit. So she is always trying to find an alternative to toxic chemicals to clean with. She normally uses "Mrs. Meyers" but when she was surfing on the web a while back she stumbled across a mixture that not only doesn't affect her lungs but it cleans the bath tube like know other thing I have seen. I didn't even have to scrub that hard when cleaning it for her last time, that's impressive!

  And if that ain't impressive enough, my daughter had a friend stay over last night and they played in the back yard. Well, we have a dog and I guess I didn't get all the "land mines" scooped up. Her friend step in,,, well you know, lol! When I was cleaning them for her, they appeared clean but that smell was still there. You know the smell, you just can't get if off it seems. So a thought came to me to try the new cleaner, so I did and low and behold the smell came totally off! Now that's totally impressive!
 So what is this totally impressive cleaner I speak of? It's a mixture of Dawn Dish liquid (the blue original) and White Vinegar. Do NOT use the concentrated dish liquid though, very hard to clean off! 
  The Recipe:
  Equal Parts of Dawn Dish Liquid and White Vinegar
  Mix in a spray bottle of your choice
  Microwave for 2 minutes
  Shake again
  Spray on surface to clean, wait a few minutes and rinse
  We use a sponge with scrubber on the tube 

Well I hope you have as must success as we did and if you have anymore uses for it please feel free to share. We love a funny story!

  

"Properly remembering our past sins with shame will deter us from repeating them and help us receive God's saving grace. When we recall our failures through the lens of Christ's mercy, God produces in us ongoing repentance and deepening humility." ~ Robert D. Jones

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"Cool, Cheap, Mini Root Cellars" and Memories of Dad!

  I saw this yesterday and just had to share it with you all! It reminded me of how my dad used an old "Chest Freezer" one time to store root veggies in. He barred it in the ground right up tho the edge of the door, so you could get into the mini root cellar with easy access! Now granted we had an an old conventional root cellar, about 15x20 in size with a room over top of it, but dad never through anything away and usually found a use for it, one day! There are many ways you can make a mini "Root Cellar", as long as you keep the veggies dry and cool. We could probably do a whole series on mini root cellars but we won't. This is just to stir the thinking of the "Urban Gardener" that can not build a conventional cellar or even have the room to build one!
  Well here is what reminded me of the Ol' Root Cellar and of my Dad, "Mother Earth News".

Other Examples "Mini Root Cellars" are:
1) Use a larger trash Can with lid
2) Cut the top of a plastic 55 gallon drum off
3) Plastic storage containers

If you would like to Build a larger "Root Cellar" Here a a few good How-To links!
1) How to Build a Root Cellar
2) A Basement Root Cellar
3) Tips on Building a Root Cellar

VEGGIES AND APPROXIMATE STORAGE TIMES:
You want to maintain temperatures at 32° to 40° F (0 to 4 C)
Cabbage.......3-4 months
Brussels Sprouts.....3-5 weeks
Jerusalem Artichokes..1-2 months
Carrots........4-6 months
Chinese Cabbage...1-2 months
Eggplant........1-2 weeks
Parsnips........1-2 months
Rutabagas......2-4 months
Squash........4-6months
Radishes........2-3 months
Tomatoes.......1-2 months
Cauliflower......2-4 weeks
Broccoli.........1-2 weeks
Beets........4-5 months
Pumpkins......5-6 months
Potatoes.........4-6 months
Turnips.......4-6 months
Although the above storage times are approximate, check periodically for spoilage.

  Well I hope you get inspired and inventive? If you have any other ideas for any type of root cellar, mini or conventional, please share with us! 

Proverbs 12:3 "A man is not established by wickedness, But the root of the righteous cannot be moved."

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Bradford Pears Trees, You Can Keep Them!

 You may think of the "Bradford Pear Tree" as that beautiful white flowered tree that lines the roads or long driveways of most newer built subdivisions. Maybe you think of the great autumn colors and how long the keep there leaves in the fall. Maybe you like how the birds are attacked to your yard to enjoy the little treats that they produce. Well, that's fine a good but you can keep them all! At one time we had 6 total planted on our little city lot but do to winds, snow and just their weak splits we only have one left. Its not just us its many neighbors in my neighborhood have had the same luck. Just today, I had to cut down another one! Yes, I agree that they are very pretty trees but they will not last you very long. I would try other trees such as "Purple Plumb", "Dogwood","Crab apple" or if you have to have an ornamental pear, try a "Cleveland Pear".  
  They split easily, they grow suckers, and they have a very shallow root system. As they grow taller, much stress is put on the lower and larger joints of the tree, which invariably causes splitting.Its not fun planting beds around them either, since the roots are so shallow. And let me tell you the stumps take forever to decompose and they shut suckers up off the stump for years to come. So if you have to cut one down, which if you plant one I guarantee you will in your lifetime, be sure to have the stump ground out of the ground (approx. 300.00 plus dollars). The trees may also suffer from fire blight or entomosporium leaf spot, both diseases that can kill the tree if left untreated.So in my opinion, leave it untreated, lol!
  I tried trimming them as the experts say to do. Every Year I would prune them back but Oh know that doesn't work either. Face it, Stay clear of these weak trees. Unless you leave somewhere were the wind doesn't blow, the snow doesn't fall or the rain isn't to long, lol!
  The Bradford Pear tree was introduced into the United States in 1963 by the USDA, having been planted here since after the turn of the last century. They are originally native to Korea and China and I wish they would have kept them! It is a fast growing tree that flowers early in spring before any leaves are born and have a short life because of the quick growth!
  Well I have done what I can to warn you, lol! So now its up to you what you do with the info provided! Good Luck and God Bless!


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What do you SEED in this picture?

Look Very Very Closely!

Photo by: TheRedeemedGardener

Photo by: TheRedeemedGardener

  

  

  Pardon the use of words there but I couldn't resist (SEED)! What I see is next years "Blue lake" Pole Beans SEEDS! Yes its the end of the growing season but you still can think of next year as you clean up the garden beds for the winter. That is if you do not year round garden. Saving seeds from your beans is much easier than you may think and here is how.

Saving Bean seeds:

1) Let the Bean Fully mature on the plant.

2) Either let the beans totally dry out on the plant or pick the biggest filled pods from the plant string them on some string and hang them in a warm/dry place to dry out.

3) When the pods are as dry as a "popcorn fart", just crumble the bean pods in your hand to remove the bean itself.

4) As with any other seed you save. Put the beans in an airtight/dry container or plastic baggy.

5) Store them with the rest of your seeds for next year in a dry place.

6) Next season when you are ready to plant, remember to soak your bean seeds in water for 24 hours before planting. This will help germination!

If you didn't catch my post on saving Tomato Seeds, here it is as well! "Saving Tomato Seeds, for next year".

Tips for Saving Beans:

•  Choose beans from plants that are strong, prolific, and disease-free. Remember: healthy plants = healthy seeds = healthy plants next year.
•  Only save those dry beans that are large in size, smooth, and whole. Don't save seeds that are smaller than the others, wrinkly, or broken.
•  Only save seeds from heirloom, open-pollinated beans. Hybrids won't come true from seed.

 

Mark 4:30  Then He said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? ³¹ It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; ³² but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.”

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"Black Gold and Other Soil Amendments"

   Well this is the time of the year when I will tuck most of my beds in for the winter, other then the one that I plant fall/winter crops in! There are many things to do in the fall but to me the must important thing to do is soil preparation for next year, The soil is the "Heart of the Garden".
 There are at least four factors to consider in selecting a soil amendment:

• how long the amendment will last in the soil,
• soil texture,
• soil salinity and plant sensitivities to salts, and
• salt content and pH of the amendment.

 Soil tests can determine the salt content, pH and organic matter of organic amendments. The quality of bulk organic amendments for large-scale landscape uses can then be determined.
  Remember each plant that you have planted has had its fill of a lot of the minerals and vitamins that are in the soil. So its our job to help replace those key elements so we can get the best out of our garden next season. Some people will plant a cover crop, which with my bed that I have kept open for fall/winter crops that what I will do but with the others I believe I will just use good old "Black Gold and Other Soil Amendment"!

The Redeemed Gardener

   If you don't know what black gold is, it's the product of those free compost bins I made in the beginning of the year. Read more on that at "Dirt Cheap Compost" and don't worry if you live in the city you can have compost with the "Champion Composters", worms! Here to the right is a hand full of the finished product out of my compost bins. I also mixed in equal parts of horse manure that I got for free from a friend of mine at church, you remember her from the trip we made to see her new born baby goats! All I had to do is go pick it up and they are glad to get rid of it! After I worked that into my beds, I took a couple scoops (about the size of a large coffee can) of die chicken manure and scattered it on top of the soil. Chicken manure is very rich in stuff that the soil needs. I got 5 gallon buckets of it for free as well from a friend of mine that owns chickens and by just asking he gave me some! Then as with the other Amendments I work it down into the soil.

Chicken Poop in a Bucket, lol!

  Why work it into the soil, because amending a soil is not the same thing as mulching, although many mulches also are used as amendments. A mulch is left on the soil surface. Its purpose is to reduce evaporation and runoff, inhibit weed growth, and create an attractive appearance. Mulches also moderate soil temperature, helping to warm soils in the spring and cool them in the summer. So that leads me to the final thing that I do to tuck them in for the winter and that's put a good layer of my mulched up leaves/grass mix, from the yard right on top of the soil, about 4 to 6 inches will do. Then I will work that in in the early early spring to the soil as well. You can also use bark mulch as well and here is a great video to watch on the use of mulch in the garden, "Back to Eden". These are just some of the things I do to get the soil prepared for winter and for next season. There are also many different "Organic and Inorganic Amendments" out there, I just chose Organic for all the best reasons! Here is a very good article I found from "Gardener's Supply Company" that is more in depth from the professional side of this subject. Remember I am a simple farm boy (living in the city) that has been known to be called "Jethro" before, lol! Those of you that haven't been with me for a while should read that article for a good ol knee slapper of a laugh!
  So for us simple folks here is a recap:

•   Test your soil, to see what it is missing and what type it is
•   Locate the type of Amendment you need for your garden (free/organic is best)
•   Work you Amendment into your soil
•   Tuck your Garden in with a good layer of mulch, (leaves, bark, news paper, etc)
•   And let God do the rest, "He Promises"

"You must keep all earthy treasures out of your heart, and let Christ be your treasure, and let Him have your heart." ~ C.H. Spurgeon

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Antibacterial Sanitizer's can weaken muscle contraction

  This was an interesting article that came out the other day on Good Morning America! It seems the ingredient "triclosan", an ingredient found in "anti bacterial" products has been found by scientists to not be so good for you!  Used in antiseptic hand soaps, shaving gel, toothpaste, deodorant and other hygiene products, a new study has found the chemical can weaken muscle contraction including your heart. Here is the article from Good Morning America!  It doesn't sound to good to me!
  Here is what the FDA says about the situation, "FDA Article". They are having study's done of their own to see if there is any truth to it! I myself have always said that we in the USA have used so many antibacterial products that we have killed of good bacterias as well, making us more likely to get sick, when we are exposed to germs and bugs! Sure we should wash our hands and keep a clean house but come on. I have been around people that are afraid to touch a door knob without putting antibacterial sanitizer on their hands! I ate dirt growing up and yes, even stuck a few penny's in my mouth and I turned out just fine, lol!
     Here are a couple articles on the health benefits of "Good Bacteria" and what happens if you kill it off!
A List of Good Bacteria
"What Are good bacteria?"
"Bacteria Keeps the immune system primed to fight infection"

Results of Tomato Stake Trials!

Results of Tomato Stake Trials are In!

 I don't like tomato cages so this year I tested four different tomato stakes, from left to right they were: 

   1) Steel T-posts 2)Wooden Stakes 3)Bamboo Stakes 4)Store bought Plastic coated Stakes

 First, was the Steel T-Post. I liked them the most, they were very sturdy and didn't ever bend over, held up to strong winds and the heavy laden fruit on the plants! They do cost a little but the will last for a very long time. I am sure you could use small pipe or re-bar as well.
 Second, the old fashioned wooden stake. They were sturdy but not quit tall enough, not very costly. They only real problem I see is that you may only get 2 or 3 years out of them do to termites and rot.
 Third, was the Bamboo stakes.These were my second favorite! They were free, remember my neighbor/friend Jason? Well, he found a patch of what we call around here "River Cain", AKA "Bamboo". All we had to go do was cut it and haul it. They were tall enough because we cut them 9 to 10 feet tall, so after putting about 2 feet in the ground, they were just right. They held up to the wind and laden fruit and Bamboo doesn't rot so they should be around for awhile!
 Fourth, were the cheep plastic coated stakes. I really thought these were gonna be the best thing since sliced bread until the all powerful "Derecho Storm" hit and bent them right over to the ground and I mean to the ground! The other 3 did just fine in the storm but the plastic stakes that a buddy talked me into trying bent right over. I will just used them to stake my pepper plants next year, never tomatoes again, lol!
  I know there are other ways to stake tomatoes out there that I didn't try this year.. If you have tried something different and have had success or failure please share with us.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 

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Winterizing Your Lawn Mower!

   As you can tell my lawn mower has seen its better days, lol! I can't even remember how old it is, as a matter of fact I received it used many years ago from my dad. It used to be blue but a couple of years ago, I decided, since all the blue paint had peeled off, that I would paint it, so off to Lowe's we went. 

By the:Redeemed Gardener

  When we got there, I told my daughter, that was 10 years old at the time, "pick out whatever color you want and I will paint my mower that color."   WHOOPS!
  She took her time and was really thinking this over, then handed me Bright Lime Green! Reluctantly I said, "Are you sure about this color?"
  Without blinking an eye she said, "Well daddy, I was gonna get you hot pink but I figured that was to girly!" I looked at her without saying a word, put the Lime green paint in the buggy,  and left, lol! Hay, the bright side is, we had a few lawn mowers stolen in the area this year but mine wasn't!
  Well, must of us in my area of the world are getting ready to put the old lawn mower up for the winter months. But do just wheel it into the out building and expect it to start right up next spring. If you want it to last you for years to come, here are a few helpful hints to help it last longer!

1. Change the oil and filter on your lawn mower. This simple step gives you an opportunity to check the system for any contaminants and ensure that you’ll start the next mowing season off with a supply of fresh oil. Drain the old oil while the engine is still warm in order to get a complete flush and prevent any contaminants from settling back into the mower's oil pan. 
    
2. When storing your lawn mower or any tool that you have with a engine, either drain your fuel tank completely or adding a fuel stabilizer. Since fuel can begin to decompose after being dormant for a month or more, the stabilizer will help protect against carburetor clogs from old fuel. After you add the fuel stabilizer, run the mower engine for about 5 minutes. 
    
3. Now is a great time to tighten all of your mower's nuts and bolts as well as check the belts, filters and safety shields. Repair and treat any chipped or scratched metal surfaces, and apply a very light coat of engine oil to pivot and wear points to prevent rust. Even sharpen the blade!
    
4. Check your mower's operator manual for any other winter storage suggestions, such as checking the battery, if you have one. Then be sure to store your mower in a safe, dry building. If you store your lawn mower outside, cover it with a waterproof tarp.

So just remember as you put your tools up, they will last longer, if you take proper care of them! And then when it gets as old as mine, you can start adding Synthetic oil to the mower every time you put gas in it to keep it from locking up, LOL!

  

"Good habits are hard to acquire but easy to live with. Bad habits are easy to acquire but hard to live with."

Making the Nation Right, But NOT on Election Day?

  I have been watching and listening how people have been acting and conversing, leading up to the 2012 Presidential Election. It pains me to see how Christians can take up for, acted and talk about their party or candidate but they can't even defend their Savior Jesus Christ or His teachings! I am not gonna go into a rampage about this subject. I just want to post what God's Word says to do about turning a nation like the U.S. around and putting it back on track. This is truly the only way it will happen folks!

2 Chronicles 7:14 "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. ¹⁵ Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place" 

   We must also pray for our leaders and not destroy them with our mouth! Why? Because God's Word says that "He sets Kings and deposes them (Daniel 2:21)." Because “the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes (Daniel 4:17).” So if we humble ourselves and do as Gods Word says. God says HE will heal our nation, not a politician!! Even though evil men abuse their political power, meaning it for evil, God means it for good, working “all things together for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 2:28). Here is the promise but we must do our part first!

2 Chronicles 12:6 "So the leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, “The Lord is righteous.”⁷ Now when the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah, saying, “They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance. My wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak" 

Here is a good article on "Got Questions", "How should a Christian view Politics?" 

  So if you are a Christian reading this, please do your part! Humble yourself, Pray, Seek God and turn from your wicked ways. He will hear from you and He will heal your lands!! God Bless each of you!


Linked to:
Thursday favorite things 
Teach Me Tuesday 
Barn Hop 82 
On, In and Around 
The Beauty of His Hands 

Things to do, in the Garden, in the fall?

      Well it is getting to be that time of the year where the leaves are changing, the days are getting shorter and for some harvest time! Some of us are starting to plant Fall Crops  and others are closing the garden down for the fall. Which ever your plans for your garden you have, start with a plan. Last week I gave you "10 vegetables to grow in fall" , this week I am compiling a list of other things to do in the fall for you to get started with.
  1)Finish the harvest:You can pick green tomatoes before a frost and they will continue to ripen inside. Pick those that are full size and starting to turn yellow. Wrap each tomato in a piece of newspaper or paper towel. Take a few out at a time and place on a sunny window sill to ripen. Harvest tender crops like peppers, eggplant, and cucumbers before the first frost. Harvest all other above ground crops before a hard freeze. Dig potatoes, Jerusalem artichokes, carrots, onions, and other root vegetables before the ground freezes. Pumpkins won’t continue to ripen after picking but you must pick them before a hard freeze and protect them from freezing. 

Photo By" The Redeemed Gardener

  2)Clean up the vegetable garden: This is the dirt, not so fun part but it needs to be done. Must everything can go in those "Dirt Cheap Compost Bin's", and the rest you can burn on the garden if you would want to!  Cover exposed soil with a layer of compost, straw, leaves or other material, especially in areas that don’t get much snow or plant a "cover crop". Also put away your cages and stakes for next year as well.
  3)Soil test and amend your soil: Fall is a great time to have your soil tested and make adjustments to soil pH or amend nutrient imbalances. Get the soil tested as early as possible, you’ll generally get results back from the lab faster than in the spring but leave time before the soil freezes to add amendments. 
  4)Make garden plans for next year: Perennial plants are mature, so make decisions on whether the garden is too crowded or whether it needs more plants or some changes made. It’s a good time to make some notes about annuals and vegetables that grew well or didn’t do well so you won’t repeat mistakes in the spring. Find those plant tags you stuck in beside plants and write down variety names you want to remember. You’ll be surprised what you forget over the winter or at least I forget a lot, lol! Take some pictures of the mature garden to remind you what it looks like as you drool over plant catalogs in the winter. 
  5)Divide those perennials: "Dividing Plants are free" and a fun gift for family and friends! So get the shovel out and divide some of your perennials!
  6)Fix the lawn:Fall is the perfect time to fertilize the lawn and to repair or replace the grass. Fall fertilization allows for good root growth, and gets the grass off to a good start in the spring. Chopping the leaves that fall on your lawn with a mower and letting them remain on the lawn is another way of returning valuable nutrients back to the soil.

Photo by: The Redeemed

 7)Plant:  Fall is the best time to plant your new additions like trees, shrubs, fruit trees, bulbs, garlic and even your perennials that you have divided!
 8)Start laying out a winter Bible devotional plan!
 9)Tools:   If you decide to fall garden, so to continue to have fresh veggies later on then happy gardening to you! But if you are do for the season like must people are, don't forget this last and most forgotten task that must people do forget. I have been guilty myself!
  Clean those shovels, sharpen those blades and chains, fix those handles, hose down your mower and other equipment and don't forget the underneath side of everything, store everything in its proper place and easy to find for next year, and something to help keep away some of the headache for next year is "PUT STABILIZER IN YOUR GAS" or drain it, lol! I have fussed at myself many time for not doing so, as I yank my shoulder off trying to get something started. You have been there or you wouldn't be laughing right know!
  Well here is a few Ideas, leave your other ideas at the bottom and if you have a blog and a great fall helpful idea, Please feel free to leave a link back for use!

Linked To:
Rural Thursday 
Thursday Favorite things 
Home and Garden Thursday 
FG Friday 78 
Fertilizer Friday 
Frugal Tuesdays! 
Harvest Monday 
Barn Hop 82 
Blog Carnival #28 

10 Vegetables to Grow in the Fall

   Some people have asked, "What can I grow in the fall to winter months in my garden?"  Well here are 10 very easy to grow veggies that you can enjoy in the cool season and sometimes into the first snow! As you plant and grow please let me know how your crops are doing! I trust everyone has had a great growing season so fare?

	By: The Redeemed Gardener Broccoli - Broccoli seedlings should be planted 10 weeks before the first frost date in your area. This means planting them during the last hot summer days so it's important to mulch around them to help keep the ground cool and moist. Feed the plants 3 weeks after transplanting into the garden. Use a low nitrogen fertilizer. 70 days to maturity.
	Brussels Sprouts – Brussels sprouts are ideal for fall gardens because they really taste best when allowed to mature in cool weather. In my mid-South garden, summer comes too quickly to grow them in the spring garden. Set the plants out in mid-summer. It will take about 3 months before the sprouts appear. They are ready for harvest when they are firm and green. 90 days to maturity.
	Cabbage – Plant seedlings 6 to 8 weeks before the first frost. If the heat of summer is still intense when it's time to plant in your area, give the young plants protection from sun. Cabbages are heavy feeders that require fertile soil rich in organic matter and consistent moisture. 70 days to maturity.
	Cauliflower - Plant seedlings 6 to 8 weeks before the first frost. Cauliflower can be tricky to grow. Rich soil and consistent watering are the keys. Fluctuations in temperature, moisture and nutrients can cause the plant to "button" or produce small, undersized heads. Blanch the heads by tying the outer leaves together over the heads when they are about 2 to 3 inches across. This keeps them from turning green and becoming bitter. 60 days to maturity.
	Kohlrabi - Kohlrabi is a member of cabbage family, but it looks and tastes similar to a turnip. The bulbous edible portion grows just above the soil line. Shade young plants from summer sun. 40 to 60 days to maturity depending on variety.
	Lettuce – Sow seeds in late summer. Provide the seedlings with consistent moisture and shade from the afternoon sun. 45 to 60 days to harvest depending on type and variety.
	Mustard Greens – Sow seeds 6 weeks before the first frost. Seeds will germinate in soil that is 45 to 85 degrees F. Keep the soil consistently moist to encourage rapid growth and tender greens. 45 days to maturity.
	Radish – Sow seeds for radishes 4 weeks before the first frost. Winter varieties such as China Rose, mature slower, grow larger and store longer. They should be sown about 6 weeks before the first frost. Sow the seeds evenly so you don't have to thin them. No feeding necessary, but soil should be fertile and well drained. They are quick to mature so check them regularly. They are ready to harvest as soon as they are of edible size. 25 to 50 days to maturity depending on variety.
	Rutabaga – Sow seeds 12 weeks before the first frost. In regions where summer is long and hot, wait to sow seeds until night time temperatures are consistently around 50 to 60 degrees F. Rutabagas are a cross between cabbage and turnip. Although they are suitable for early spring gardens, they seem to have the best flavor when grown in fall. Keep the soil consistently moist to prevent roots from forking. 90 days to maturity.
	Spinach – Sow seeds 5 weeks before first frost date. The short days and cool, moist weather of fall is even better for spinach than spring. An established spinach crop will last well into winter and can survive temperatures down into the 20s. Spinach prefers very fertile soil to encourage rapid growth and tender leaves. 45 days to maturity.  "Don’t say, “How could God forgive me for that!” (whatever that is). Don’t think that God’s forgiveness is a begrudging forgiveness and with that thought deny some of God’s glorious love. And don’t think that God’s promises are only for other people. If this is how you are thinking, you must realize that your own sins, no matter how big, are not bigger than God’s pleasure in forgiveness."  Edward T. Welch Linked with: Blog Carnival Country Garden Showcase Barn Hop 80