WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW BEFORE GETTING INTO BEEKEEPING?

 

Before getting into beekeeping, there are several important things to consider:

Local regulations: Check your local regulations to ensure that beekeeping is allowed in your area. Some cities and towns have restrictions or prohibitions on beekeeping, so it is important to check before investing time and money into starting a hive.

Allergies: Beekeeping involves working closely with bees, so it is important to know whether you are allergic to bee stings before starting. If you have a severe allergy to bee stings, beekeeping may not be safe for you.

Time commitment: Beekeeping requires a significant time commitment. You will need to check on your hives regularly, typically every 7-10 days during the active season. You will also need to spend time preparing your hives for winter and maintaining your equipment.

Financial investment: Beekeeping can be expensive, particularly if you are starting from scratch. You will need to invest in hives, protective clothing, tools, and bees. It is important to budget for these expenses before getting started.

Learning curve: Beekeeping is a skill that takes time to learn. There are many resources available to help you get started, including beekeeping courses, books, and online forums. However, it may take time to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully maintain a hive.

Hive location: Bees need a suitable location for their hive. The location should be sheltered from the wind, have access to water, and be free from pesticides and other chemicals.

Hive maintenance: Beekeeping involves maintaining the health of your hive. This includes checking for pests and diseases, feeding your bees when necessary, and managing the growth and productivity of your hive.

Overall, beekeeping can be a rewarding and fulfilling hobby, but it is important to do your research and understand the commitment involved before getting started.

HOW TO LIVE SUSTAINABLY ON A SMALL LOT

 

Living sustainably on a small plot can be a fulfilling and environmentally conscious way of life. Here are some tips on how to do it:

 1.       Gardening: Growing your own fruits and vegetables is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and eat fresh, healthy food. Start small by planting a few easy-to-grow vegetables, such as tomatoes, lettuce, and cucumbers. You can also consider companion planting to maximize the use of your space and natural pest control. Use compost and other organic fertilizers instead of chemical ones, and practice water conservation by using drip irrigation and mulching.

2.       Backyard chickens and ducks: Raising backyard chickens and ducks can provide you with a sustainable source of eggs and meat. Make sure you have enough space for them to roam and provide them with a comfortable shelter. Use their manure as a natural fertilizer for your garden.

3.       Beekeeping: Keeping bees can be a great way to support pollination and produce your own honey. Research the laws in your area before getting started and invest in proper equipment and education to ensure the safety of yourself and your bees.

4.       Collecting rainwater: Collecting rainwater is a great way to conserve water and reduce your dependence on municipal sources. Install a rain barrel or other rainwater harvesting system to capture and store rainwater for use in your garden.

5.       Reduce waste: Consider composting food scraps and yard waste to create a nutrient-rich soil amendment for your garden. Use reusable bags, containers, and utensils to reduce waste in your daily life.

6.       Support local businesses: Support local farmers and businesses by purchasing food and other goods from them. This not only helps the local economy but also reduces the carbon footprint associated with transportation and shipping.

7.       Use natural pest control: Instead of using chemical pesticides and insecticides, use natural methods to control pests in your garden. Companion planting, using predator insects like ladybugs and lacewings, and using natural repellents like garlic and chili pepper spray are all effective ways to keep pests at bay.

8.       Conserve energy: Use energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs and consider installing solar panels or other renewable energy sources on your property. Unplug electronics when not in use and use a clothesline or drying rack instead of a dryer.

9.       Reduce water usage: In addition to collecting rainwater, there are many other ways to reduce your water usage. Install low-flow faucets and showerheads, fix leaks promptly, and plant drought-tolerant plants in your garden.

10.   Support wildlife: Create habitats for wildlife by planting native plants and providing food, water, and shelter. Build birdhouses and bat houses and consider creating a small pond or other water feature to attract amphibians and other aquatic wildlife.

11. Growing fruit trees is another great way to live sustainably on a small plot. Not only do fruit trees provide delicious, fresh fruit for you to enjoy, they also provide habitat for beneficial insects, such as bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. When choosing fruit trees, consider selecting varieties that are well-suited to your climate and soil conditions. Some popular fruit trees for small plots include apple, peach, plum, cherry, and pear trees. You can also consider growing dwarf varieties, which take up less space and are easier to maintain.

Living sustainably on a small plot requires dedication and effort, but the rewards are well worth it. By taking steps to reduce your carbon footprint, conserve resources, and support the environment, you can make a positive impact on the world around you.

A Jewel in the Fall

Persimmon is a popular fall fruit in China. It has long been enjoyed in China not only as a delicious fruit, but also for its multitude of health benefits. Persimmons are high in nutrients and can increase the body's metabolism. Ripe persimmons contain 15% sugar, 1.36% protein, 0.57% fat. It is rich in soluble fiber, vitamins A and C, and minerals including calcium, phosphorus, iron and other elements. However, because it's high tannin content, certain rules need be to observed when consuming persimmons.

In Chinese medicine terms, persimmon is:
a) Cool in nature, therefore it can remove excess heat in the body.
b) Sweet and Astringent in property, enters the stomach and spleen meridians. Which means it has the property to generate Yin fluids, dissolve and remove phlegm, stops bleeding.
c) It it suitable to ease the symptoms such as dry cough, sore throat, high blood pressure and cleans the arteries. Therefore, it can benefit chronic illnesses like chronic bronchitis, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, internal and external hemorrhoids.
Although it has many benefits,  there are cautions one needs to be observed when consuming persimmons. Persimmon is high in tannin, an acid that gives it the astringent property. So when eating persimmons, you should avoid certain food.

Through thousands of years of practice, the Chinese people observed a set of rules to allow them enjoy persimmons without potentially being harmed. They are:
1) Do not eat persimmons with an empty stomach. When you are hungry, the stomach has a higher acid content, eating persimmons in an empty stomach can irritate the stomach and may cause minerals to precipitate and cause stones to form in the body.
2) Do not consume a large amount of persimmons in one sitting. Because of its tannin content, consuming large quantities of persimmon can interfere with the body's mineral absorption ability.
3) Peel the persimmons before eating. There is a concentrated amount of tannin in the skin, therefore removing the skin will lessen the chance of consuming too much tannin.
4) Do not eat together with seafood, especially crab. Both persimmon and crab are cool in nature, eating them together will compounding the cooling effect to the body, and can bring on the imbalances of the body. The proteins in shrimp or other sea food could possibly react with the tannic acid, causing discomfort.
5) Do not eat it together with yam or sweat potato. When the starch from yam or potato ferment in the stomach, it could react with persimmon, resulting the fibers and other materials to form settlement that could influence the normal function of the stomach, in severe cases, could result in blocked intestine.

With that in mind, enjoy this unique fruit mother nature has to offer!

Best Simple Pound Cake

This is a pound cake made with the real things, it is super easy and soooooo delicious! I am putting this recipe up to share with all as well as to remind myself how to make it next time.

Ingredients:
2 sticks of butter (1/2 pound)
1-2/3 cups of sugar
5 eggs (from my hens)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 table spoon half and half

Instructions:
Pre-heat oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit
1. Cream together sugar and butter in the mixer or with a hand mixer
2. Add eggs, one at a time, keep mixing
3. Add salt and half and half and sift in flour, mix well
4. Pour batter in a round fluted pan
5. Bake in the oven for one hour

Variations: Add lemon zest and lemon juice instead of half and half.

Serving suggestion: Serve with fresh strawberry and vanilla ice cream.

Growing Tomatoes From Seeds

Old German Tomato

If the last day of frost supposed to be April 15, then it's time to start your tomatoes. Tomatoes should be started 6-8 weeks before the last estimated frost date. So if you haven't started them yet it's time to do it. It actually also depends on your set up, if you have a heat mat and lamps then starting them a little late is OK, if you do not then start them a little early. Tomatoes typically germinate between 3-10 days, depending how fresh the seeds are and the temperature you start them at.
Here are a few steps to follow if you want to grow your own tomato plants from seeds:
(1) Select the varieties you like to grow
(2) Get fresh potting soil, and if they are not pre-fertilized, add a small amount of fertilizer
(3) Fill 4" pots with potting soil, moisten slightly.
(4) Place one seed on each corner, cover with more potting soil.
(5) Water well, and keep in a warm, sheltered space.
Check periodically and water when necessary. You only need to keep the soil moist, not drenched. When the tomato seeds germinate and about 2" tall:
(6) Separate them and transplant them into their own 4" pots. Keep them there until ready to transplant.
(7) Transplant the tomatoes when the night time soil temperature is above 50 degrees F consistently. Add

Small seedlings

Tomato ready to transplant

What to do with expired vitamin pills?

If you ever have vitamins and other health supplements that are expired, don't through them away, feed them to your plants. You can do this for your indoor plants as well as the outdoor ones. Make sure you water the plants well after you fed them the vitamins. You will be surprised how much vibrancy they can bring out the plants. And best of all, what not? waste not!

Homemade Strawberry Lemon Zest Jam

Strawberry Lemon Zest Jam

Strawberry Lemon Zest Jam This is my all-time favorite jam. When make strawberry jam. It is delicious with a tangy surprise of the lemon zest. It makes a great gift for anyone.
Ingredients:
5 cups crushed strawberries (about 5 lbs)
Zest from 2 lemons
1/4 Cup lemon juice
1 pack of fruit pectin
7 cups granulated sugar
8 half pint (8 oz) glass preserving jars with lids and bands
Directions:
1. Heat jars in hot water
2. Combine strawberries, sugar, lemon zest and lemon juice in a large saucepan. Gradually stir in pectin. Bring the mixture to a full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down. Cook for an additional minute. Turn off the heat.
3. Pack hot jam into hot jars with 1/4 inch head-space. Wipe rim with a paper towel dipped in hot water. Place jar lid and screw band until finger tight.
4. Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. Remove jars, tighten lids and allow to cool.