Garden trials

So our spring and start of summer has been a very soggy one so far. Unending rain and high winds and hail have made even the most experienced lover of the land ready to throw in the towel. We are struggling to keep seeds from rotting if not washed away among the rain wash outs.

I've been tinkering with how to bring nutrients to our hillside.
So I've started some test patches. Ive done it in the past but not really documenting the progress or results. The following are two test sites I'm tinkering with.
These I have planted common buckwheat. A hardy cover crop known to increase nutrients back into the soil.

Test patch #1



Patch one is the bare loamy silt like soil that is our entire hillside. You can see after 5 days I have successful but weak germination.


Test patch #2



This patch is located directly where our chicken run was just a few weeks back. So hot raw chicken manure combined with one bag of garden soil. Obviously a hit with the buckwheat! This was also planted same time as the other test patch.


My goal is to figure out the most cost effective and beneficial way to propagate our severly desolate hillside. It was not only effected by years of pollution from our local zinc company but also a fire and the previous home owner stripped the topsoil for profit. Needless to say it's been tough getting anything to grow.

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Green Thumb!

Sugar Bean is proving she's got her mommas love for gardening!
We took this time for her to be totally independent start to finish with only a tiny bit of guidance.
We discussed how plants grow and what they need. Even about companion planting. Which she joyfully stated, "Well we need to get some Basil mommy!" lol!





















Then she got to make big bubbles with her daddio!



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Homemakers challenge!

Join the challenge with us! Starting May 1st we are taking the 31day Homemakers challenge!
Want a clean house by the end of the month? Work right along with the rest of us and learn along the way. To care for your home and family with love. It's not just about having a clean house, it's a journey.
Click on the above link and join us! We all struggle but we don't have to do it alone. Supporting each other thru the mundane!


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Giveaway #2 Brain Games!

A total awesome Brain Games book slam full of games for writing, thinking, math and more! We loved it! First few pages with pencil writing but clean otherwise. 608 pages!


If you would like to win this little goodie...
Become a follower of this blog and leave a comment letting me know you're following with an email address to contact you if you win!

For a second chance to win... comment on another post on this blog and leave a comment here letting me know!

BEST OF LUCK!!!! Check back for other giveaways!

This giveaway is open to US residents until Wednesday May 4th at 8:00 P.M EST, at which time I will randomly choose a winner. Please be sure you leave a way to contact you in your comments (via your blog or an email address). If I don't hear back from you in three (3) days, I'll have to select another winner.

BEST OF LUCK!!!! Check back for other giveaways!

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Giveaway! 1st grade addition

Little ones can use all the help they can get with math practice. Here is a great little workbook with addition practice and drills.

If you would like to win this little goodie...
Become a follower of this blog and leave a comment letting me know you're following with an email address to contact you if you win!

For a second chance to win... comment on another post on this blog and leave a comment here letting me know!

BEST OF LUCK!!!! Check back for other giveaways!

This giveaway is open to US residents until Wednesday May 4th at 8:00 P.M EST, at which time I will randomly choose a winner. Please be sure you leave a way to contact you in your comments (via your blog or an email address). If I don't hear back from you in three (3) days, I'll have to select another winner.

BEST OF LUCK!!!! Check back for other giveaways!

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Curriculum Clean out!

Curriculum Clean Out begins tomorrow! Get ready for some awesome giveaways as we destash our excess and bless other homeschool families. Click on the link below to see other great giveaways!




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Happy Easter!

The weather surprised us this morning and the sun broke out! Perfect weather for some Egg hunting and playing! Hubby and I took tons of pics, too many to post but I'll share a few here.




















And some from after lunch hanging out in the yard...















Happy Easter Y'all!

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