homesteading
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Unexpected Germination: Granny Smith Apple Seed in Refrigerator
Last April, we bought some Granny Smith apples and stored them in the crisper drawer in the refrigerator. We forgot all about them, and they stayed in the fridge for over a month. Surprisingly, one of the apple seeds germinated in the cold condition of the refrigerator. Apple seeds require this cold stratification process before…
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Debunking the Bias Implication of ‘Indian Summer’
Recently, while researching a post I was writing, I came across a term I have referred to over the years. The term that I am talking about is ‘Indian summer.’ I casually threw it out there when referring to the warm weather in the fall. Now, I am not the best speller, so I always…
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A Gardening Surprise: Discovering Sweet and Hot Banana Peppers
Today, we picked the last handful of sweet banana peppers from the garden. I decided to plant a variety of yellow sweet banana peppers to add some color to the Veggie-Bed this year. To our surprise, one of the four plants turned out to be hot peppers, which we didn’t realize until I had taken…
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Resilient Tiny Yellow Watermelon in Urban Garden | Eco-Friendly Growing
This tiny yellow watermelon is the only survivor from a volunteer plant that started in our neighbor’s garden. When we moved it to the Veggie-Bed in the middle of July, it had a tough time adjusting to its new surroundings. We’re really hoping for a long summer so that this little guy has a chance…
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Understanding Soil Texture: Components and Testing Methods
Soil conditions can vary, but most vegetable plants have specific soil requirements. In this post, we will discuss soil texture components and our method for testing soil texture at the Veggie-Bed. It’s important to remember that the soil in your vegetable garden can be improved with the right knowledge and effort. Excessive sand can deplete…
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Torrid Fruits from Hades: The Fiery Journey of Cowhorn Peppers
Hot peppers, a staple in almost every vegetable garden, are incredibly versatile. From freezing to roasting, blending with a sauce, pickling, canning, or drying, there are countless ways to transform these fiery capsicums into culinary delights. At the Veggie Bed, we found ourselves with an abundance of cowhorn peppers (Capsicum annuum, Plant variety – Cowhorn…
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Testudines in the Veggie-Bed: A Heartwarming Journey (revised version)
We had the pleasure of witnessing a heartwarming event at the Veggie-Bed. In the early morning hours, a female Eastern Box Turtle slowly made her way across the lush grounds. It was a delightful sight to see one of these intriguing creatures exploring our garden. It’s no surprise that turtles are common visitors in gardens…
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