Looks like everyone is as busy as I'm getting ready to be.

My extra part-time job needs me to work this week, so I'll be heading out to do that in a few minutes. It has been a wonderful past 3 weeks of more time at home. I will miss it SO much.

My regular job is fixing to get crazy too. We've located an old classroom on the side of that building that we'll be leasing from the new buyers. Anyway, that room is being used to hold junk, so a co-worker and I will be sharing it for an office. It's a nice room. I designed it after the 2013 tornado hit the building. It should hold all of our things until we have a new place. It will be a little weird because I will be in the middle of the little early childhood school that is currently leasing from us. First thing is to get it cleaned out and the stuff mostly belongs to the early childhood school. Stuff that should have been gotten rid of a long time ago.

I was able to bring up the sweet potatoes from the shop. They're in the utility room now. Made a curry type of dish with some of them last night after work.

I was also able to use the last of the kale in the hoop house, although it might sprout new leaves soon. When is Persephone Days over? End of January? I just looked. We might be right at 10 hours of daylight right now. It will tip over to light and longer days soon. Like later this week. Maybe if I read it right. lol

Anyway, so maybe that kale will grow again.

I did water the hoop house after work too. Really there's just bolted lettuce, a large pot of parsley and the kale and arugula. I'm going to try spring potatoes in there. And add another small, pre-made raised bed for lettuce/greens.

I might move the Greenstalk to the shop porch just because it gets more shade. Where it is currently, it's all sun, all day. A little shade is a good thing in Oklahoma. I'm probably going to buy 2 short Greenstalks for flowers. Those will also go on the shop porch. We need to replace the half whiskey barrels because they're rotting. They've lasted 10 years tho.

Tom fixed my nesting box situation after work yesterday. Hopefully this will encourage them to start laying in the boxes again. We're only getting 0 to 3 eggs a day right now. Maybe that will change soon.

I guess I better get moving. I have to drive to Nichols Hills and still need to pack my backpack.

I had tried to post 2 times in the past couple of days, but something did not go right.

I have been playing with my new tractor, trying to get ground ready. I bought a used 5 shank cultivator for it. The cultivator has 5 worn plows on it, I have ordered more plow points to go on it. I have extra points in the shop, but they are something that I try to keep on hand, and I don't have enough to "tune" up both the 9 shank, and 5 shank cultivators. The small cultivator also had 6 "S" spring type of Danish plows that follow the 5 deeper digging shank plows. I have ordered 3 more "S" spring plows to add to the back of the small cultivator. I have also ordered extra points and hardware for the "S" plows. It is sort of a pain to get spare parts, because I am not sure what brand I own. By the time I get all 14 plow points on that cultivator I will have the small tractor over loaded, but I will raise the lift and not cultivate as deep.

I also have a tiller and a lawn mower sitting out in the lawn that wont start. It s a never ending battle trying to keep all of my junk running, and I just cant get around well enough, nor see well enough to keep things repaired.

I still have not planted my garlic. I got the till out to prep the soil, but could not get the tiller started. It is a little warmer today, so may I can get the tiller running. I would also love to get the mower running also because I really need to mow some henbit and blow some leaves.

I had better shut up and go to the funeral home, Madge and I are trying to make end of life arrangement, and she has just called from the funeral home, and states that I need to come to town and sign something. I think that she is trying to start early on me, but I plan on fooling her, I plan to put dying off till the very last thing I do on earth.

Busy week already. We worked cattle yesterday - so good to have that done for 6 months.

Got seeds out yesterday in preparation to plant next week. I want to start snapdragons and peppers. Still looking for affordable periwinkle seed.

My niece gave me a packet of cards that are seed mats. Just about 3x5, one for each month.

It just says mixed flowers and herbs. Will be interesting to see what comes up.

This morning we took loader off the big tractor and got it ready to put brushhog on it. So still haven’t done any gardening work. Always something that needs to be done first. Beautiful day outside - but we certainly need rain.

Jennifer I am only getting 2-3 eggs a day. A few weeks ago I got 5 in one day and got so excited, then down to 3-4, now usually 2-3 day. Don’t know why, I guess when time is right they will lay. My new pullets shpuld start about mid April. Daughter and son-in-law got us a mouse trap - a lid that fits on top of 5 gallon bucket and tips the mice into the bucket - I hope to catch the critters in the chicken house and the grainary.

Larry, you sound very busy.

Here y’all are.

Glenda, it does not take much to keep me busy. I am so slow that it takes me all day just to fall down. It is too hard for me to remove the load from my John Deere, so I just leave it own, and the little tractors, I use the loader so often that I just don't want to remove them, even tho they both have quick disconnects on them. I know that it is better not to have the extra weight on the front of the tractor all the time, but so far I have not noticed any problem, other than the loader being in the way, and it being harder to work on the tractor.

Three of Madge's kids came down today, and we have been discussing end of life items, we have been having a few tears, but these are the things that need to be talked about. I feel that I have done the best that I have know how to provide for the family, but all things come to an end. It is time for someone else to step in and help look after a few things. We are giving away most of the things that someone may want, but some of out junk no one would want.

I was able to work more in the garden yesterday. I got the tiller and mower both running, and still need to do more work with both, but not being able to walk well, and the mower kicking up so much dust, it is hard to work long with either.

I was able to work the area for the garlic deep and loose. I will add more compost and maybe plant garlic after the kids leave if I have time.

I replied to everyone's comments last night but lost the post.

Anyway...y'all sound busy.

I'm at my normal job today. Not much to add to the conversation.

Excited that my Hydrovase (gift from Ethan) finally sprouted. They're white snapdragons.

I got a couple of wintersowing pots done, prepped a few more. That's the extent of my gardening for the last few weeks.

I'm struggling with this new in office schedule. I think it'd be easier if they'd just set it and leave it. But it's like every week they have to change something. Which day I go in, how many days I go in, where I'm supposed to sit.

Larry, my grandmother did that. She bought one of those plans where you pay a set amount for everything. Picked out the casket, paid for the stone to be cut (she already bought her stone when her husband died, so it was just a matter of carving the date), the flowers, everything. Then she lived another 20 years and everything was covered. But it was much easier on dad, he really didn't have to make any decisions.

HJ, keep up the rambling posts. I enjoy hearing what everyone is doing.

Yesterday was Rick's BD.

I found more of his seed that he ordered last year. It's in new packages. From memory, it's more Contender, BlackTurtle, and Quickpick peas. I'll have all of those to share if anyone wants them. I'm going to take a few of the Contenders and a few of the Quickpick peas, but don't need a half pound.

I was able to pull seeds for this year's garden. And have a list of what to buy. Not much this year but still need to buy onions and a few potatoes.

That sounds awesome, Jennifer. I wonder when and where we’re gonna have the spring fling this year.
I know for sure I’m not gonna make long drive this year. I don’t have the time or the energy right now if it’s in or around Norman, I will definitely consider it. I wish everybody didn’t live so far apart.

Jen, you're ahead of me. I haven't done anything yet.

Well, other than ordering my seeds, which I did tonight. Onions too. The only thing I need to buy is a small bag of Yukon Gold and a few June bearing strawberries. I should be under $100 for everything.

Seems like the SF is dwindling. I hope it continues tho. If nothing else, maybe a few of us can get together at my house even if it's not a full blown SF. The north and east people, other than Rebecca, haven't been coming for understandable reasons. Does it seem like the FB group is slow too? And Lisa and Bruce aren't posting much there? I suppose everyone is sorta moving on/growing past.

I would like to see Regina's place when it's not raining so much. And buy some meat too. But, maybe we could do that on our own. I can't think too much about it right now. I'm just trying to get through my next couple of months. I have a feeling there won't be days off other than Saturdays.

As I was thinking about buying potatoes, I had a really sad memory of Rick cutting potatoes in our shop to let scab over last year. I was sorta rude and didn't help him because of busyness. I wish I had know how sick he was. That was almost a year ago. I was being stubborn because I needed to cut back on the amounts we grew and was cranky about it. I feel like I wasn't a good friend during that time. Lots of regrets.

I'm happy to get the seed ordered. But, still need time to winter...and have been doing pretty well with that. Every other night, I'm going into my office to journal a bit and/or read. It's been incredibly nice.

I lost a hen today. She was one of the youngest ones. Her name is Cupcake. A cuckoo maran. Very sweet and easy hen. She's been off for about 2 weeks. I'm not getting more chickens until these pass on. But, when I do build a new flock, I want at least one cockoo maran.

I'm about to head to the bath, but need to take Juno to the shop and Josi out to walk.

Have a good weekend, Friends!

Jen and Larry, I meant to say that Rick had all of his end-of-life plans made regarding funeral and burial. For that I am grateful. He did it way back when his parents died. Before I knew him. I sure wish he had a will, tho. There's life insurance, investments, and his house. I guess it won't go to anyone because it seems like his family isn't interested in doing anything.

I'm trying a new variety of onion. Southern Bell Red. Does anyone have experience with it? Red Creole is one I like to grow even tho it doesn't grow large bulbs. It stores pretty well. I found 3 small ones and used them last week. So...6 months or so? I've had them last longer, but 2025 was not a good onion year for me. Red Creole does bolt more easily, so I'm going to plant my onions a bit later--in March. I might even plant those mid-March.

Kim, if you can get your hands on some Highlander, it's a good one. It's considered "long day" but is also recommended for "intermediate day" The neck is thin so it seems to cure more quickly and easily. And, north Texas is included in "intermediate day".

It is one of my favorites.

I also ordered Texas Legend.

This year, I need to chop and freeze onions IF I get a good harvest. Honestly, I don't know where I'm going to plant them all. When we quickly rebuilt the back garden last year, we only came back with 2 beds. They longer bed wasn't built back. I might just put them at the edges of other beds--the peppers, tomatoes, okra, etc. They'll be pulled before those other plants get too big.

Not many plans for today. Yay. I'm meeting my sister for lunch and I'm going to clean more floors this morning. Might go to Hobby Lobby. Tom is doing OT today.

Do any of you have a favorite June bearing strawberry?

Earliglow strawberry is my favorite June bearing, but for some reason they are hard to find.

Jennifer don’t beat yourself up about Rick. From what you’ve said and his posts you were a good friend always. That doesn’t mean you always agree. Older people who have been through tough times are often “over achievers”. They like to plant and grow things, but tend to plant and want to preserve more than they need or will use. I’ve had family members and friends who had canned and frozen food that was way past usable because they produced more than they could use or give away. I enjoy planting, growing, and sharing but I’m guilty of planting too much of something then trying to share it with someone who really doesn’t want it. Then I’m aggravated because they don’t! I still work at just planting what we actually need and use instead of extras that I know we won’t need.

I started a few lettuce, spinach, and flower seeds yesterday in jugs. I really don’t do much winter sowing, not sure why. This year I have a lot of gallon jugs - we have humidifiers that I got to help my husband with his breathing and use distilled water for them so plenty of jugs - decided to use them. I’ve mentioned before that I got a lot of seeds from my cousin that passed way. He had seeds that were new and some that are 8-10 years old. I’ve never tried Sugar Daddy sweet peas or Space Hybrid spinach but I planted them yesterday.

So far this morning our low is 12°.

I am still trying to get ready for spring. I went to Ft. Smith Fri. for a yard of compost. Unloading the compost was not as much fun as I had hoped, but for the most part it is done. I will try to make some adjustments, then go for another load. I want to get the gardens in good shape because this may be my last gardening year.

I now have 2 wheeled walkers, one for outside, 1 for in the house. I can use my rear tine tiller for a powered walker, and push things around with the tractor. Most of the parts have come in to get the cultivator that I bought up into fine shape. I am sitting my rows up to about 9 or 10 feet spacing so I can mow, or drive the tractor between them. With that much space I can add another row in between them if I want. I have most of all three gardens broken up with my tractor and cultivator, but I will have to do some finish work with the rear tine tiller.

Glenda, it was 11 degrees here when Madge got up this morning. My back is still giving me problems, so I rested longer in bed this morning. The kids have got me a back brace, and a fanny pack to carry my pocket knife and phone in while I am out working. I told them that I needed that to carry my knife and phone on the outside of the back brace so I could get to them with ease. I feel that I have done about all I can do to prep myself for spring gardening. I would love to come to spring fling, but I doubt that I will be able to, but I do hope Y'all have a great time.

Glenda, I'll keep on the look out for some Earliglow. I have liked Chandler in the past. The size and shape and taste of the berries. They're also sometimes hard to find. I've dedicated a bed in the kitchen garden to June bearing strawberries. For me, strawberries seem to do better out of the Greenstalk. They're more productive. Maybe it's foolish to dedicate an entire bed to June bearers, but I really do miss the days I had lots of berries. I'm going to put everbearing on the east side of the chicken pen. I haven't had a good strawberry year since 2021.

Larry, unloading compost is such hard work.

We need to bring soil and compost in to top off all of our garden beds. Not looking forward to unloading it.

Has anyone had issues with pets getting sick from ingesting sweet peas? I ordered some and am trying to decide where to put them. I also ordered butterfly peas and might put them on the east side of the chicken pen with the everbearing strawberries.

I've had native scarlet sage in that area but will keep them on the north side of the pen. Next to that bed is a large pot of native passion vine, I get very few flowers, if any, because of fritillary caterpillars. I sure wish those little critters would share with me. lol

I might move that pot to the native garden. And around the pot on the ground is the patch of Tulsi. I would like to keep everything in it's designated place, but know that the scarlet sage and Tulsi will pop up everywhere.

I wanna mix up some non natives with the natives otherwise nothing looks good in my backyard area. We have so many native critters that decimate anything I plant very quickly, which is fine and good. But I do want something pretty to look at too. For me.

Is anyone familiar with Kaylee from the Honeystead? Somehow she has plenty of passionflowers. I'm assuming Virginia has fritillary caterpillars too. My property is just a critter magnet. Honestly, it's amazing that I get anything to harvest or anything pretty to look at.

Okay....have a good week, Friends.

Y’all’s posts cheer me up. This forecast does not

I know, Kim! It looks like we have 3 days where we won't get above freezing. I am hoping that it comes in later on Friday rather than earlier.

Me to Jennifer. I am going to get some spray foam and put around my pipe coming into the house. I don’t know why I never tried that before. I have had a foam pipe wrap on there, but the dog always steals it for a toy. I also need to get some water stored up because even if my water doesn’t freeze, my drain usually does.

Our forecast is nothing to brag about either. It is 42 now at a little after noon, I told Madge that if it got up to 50 that I would try to do a thing or 2 outside, I just don't handle the cold well.

Larry I don’t like the cold. Or extreme heat either. I would just like it to be 72 to 80. Somewhere in there is great for growing. I’m trying to get a handle on bugs in the heated greenhouse number one. Apparently they’ve been using lots of spray organic stuff so of course the bugs are taken over. Mostly aphids so I keep blasting the plants with water. I did order 1500 ladybugs and they have gone to town on one section of the greenhouse. I wish I could take videos and show y’all what’s going on in there. There are about 15 beastly tomato plants that have never been trimmed. They are sprawling all over the aisles and it is just a hot mess. I know I’ve never been a fan of trimming tomato plants at all, but in a greenhouse it is absolutely necessary for airflow. The new greenhouse is up and running with new soil and lots of things are sprouting. Everything I’ve ever really dreamed about is coming to fruition and all of the knowledge that I have gained from y’all and Dawn over the years is seeping out.

Kim, a friend of mine use to work for a company that had some greenhouses in Florida, I loved to hear him tell stories about the stuff that they grew in the houses.

I have planted so many things. Beets, carrots, beans, peas, okra? Melon? , flowers, radish, and trays and trays of seeds. It is so much fun

I dumped out 3 bags of compost yesterday planning to pant my garlic, which should have been planted months ago, but I could not get my tiller started. My tiller in around 25 years old, and I am much older than that, so starting can be a problem. I am just not strong enough to spin an old cold engine fast enough to start. Today I may try to get the tractor in close enough to the bed to work the soil. When I was younger it would have been on problem to work the soil by hand, but I expect those days are gone forever...I have frest fuel I can pour into the tiller, that may help with the cold weather starting.

Kim, I'm a 60 to 75 girl. 60 and sunny or 75 and overcast.

I've watched some of the YouTubers with high tunnels prune their tomatoes. You're right. They seem to needs lots of airflow. People get so bent out of shape about pruning or not pruning. Different practices work for different people. Do what works for you, is what I say.

How's your ladybugs doing?

Larry, that is so frustrating about your tiller. Have you ever planted garlic this late?

I'm home today. Was hoping to work at the "new" job, but they didn't need me today. I really enjoy being home, but also want to build up my Oregon fund.

I'm cleaning out a cabinet in the utility room. Dozens of spices that Rick brought over. Trying to decided what to do with them all. He was so funny. He didn't just buy one of anything. Need pickling salt? Why buy one large bag when you can buy 10.

I'm trying to figure out my Friday. I hope the stuff comes in later in the afternoon evening. I would like to help my daughter out with my grandson but don't want to be stuck on I35 if it's snowing/sleeting. If it comes later in the day, I could go up early. He goes down for a nap at noon and generally sleeps for 2 hours. I could leave once he's down for his nap and I could head on home. Maybe she can arrange her meetings and calls around that. She works from home.

Kim, the weather people are saying that you could get freezing rain in Texas. Do you have backup power or anything if electricity goes out?

Larry I can’t get a mower started anymore. Some things like opening jars etc are best left for the neighbors. Jennifer ladybugs are alive and breeding. I do not have secondary power source. Not sure what will happen but I’ll have a full tank of gas when I get home from work Friday. I trim two fig trees and took the cuttings and potted them up, but I have 50 cuttings. It would be nice to get a few more fig trees in the orchard. I’ve got seeds at the main office, but my trays don’t come in till tomorrow, so I’m not getting in a hurry to get up there and get them. I ordered some mini bell peppers and some eggplant and hope to get some of each started Friday I don’t plan on being here Saturday or Sunday, but hopefully everything will be OK. Most of the seeds I planted last week are already up so they’ll be all right. They won’t be desperate for water by time. I get back Monday or Tuesday. My sugar snap peas and carrots and purple potted beans and long noodle beans and radish that I directed are already up in the greenhouse.

Jennifer, I have never planted garlic this late. I tried to plant garlic late Oct. in the past, but I have gotten to the point that I cant get anything done on time. I seem to be so tired and out of breath that sitting in the recliner is the only thing that I do well.

I did get the tiller started. I drained the gas out of the carburetor, and let the gas drain a while in hope to get any water that might be left in the tank before putting the plug back into the carburetor bowl, then cranked a few times and the tiller started. By the time I got a small spot tilled I was out of breath. I well rest a while and try to plant about 150 garlic. My plan is to plant, and not expect to harvest, if it does mature I will harvest some for summer and fall use, if not, it is in a spot that I can just leave it all summer. I plan on planting peppers on the south side of the garlic.

I just don't enjoy getting out and working in the garden like I use to, but I still enjoy doing things on the tractor. I wish I had a neighbor that liked to do gardening work. I can use the tractor and keep enough ground torn up to feed a lot of people.

I even made a small garden spot over in the wildlife garden. I may plant some flower, or something like that over there, but I will have more garden area than I need here at the house. I have the two gardens in the yard, and the pasture garden here at the house to care for, and I expect that will be more than I can handle.

Well, I did get around 150 low quality garlic cloves planted and mulched. I tried to pick up a load of compost, but there was a very long line so I just came on home without the compost.

I did not find the tractor hardware in Fort Smith that I wanted, but Madge and I did have a very enjoyable lunch.

It is 41 degrees now, and it looks like the temp will be dropping all day with maybe some pretty rough weather between now and Mon. night. The coldest temp forecasted as of now is 2 degrees Mon. night. I hope all of you have everything cold protected, because I expect your forecast is as bad, maybe worse than mine.

After I brought Madge home yesterday, I went to visit some of my folks that are old and worse shape than I am. I feel guilty for not visiting the folks, but it seems that Madge and I both spend all of our time running back and forth to the Doctor.

I still have a lot that I need to do outside, but I just don't handle the cold well, and I am a wimp.

Well done Larry. I seeded these in the greenhouse yesterday. I am doing some more today. I’ll have 10 trays when I am done. 720 cells total :0

I'm glad you got your garlic planted, Larry!

Those are great varieties, Kim! So much fun.

Wow. It is cold. They're saying it could be below freezing for 9 days. This is where it gets tricky with the chickens. We don't have anything to keep their water thawed. I don't mind switching out waterers and/or bringing a waterer into the storage side of the coop and let a few at a time get a drink. Some of them are freaked out by that. I've done it before. I've got some old chickens and this will be hard on them. I'm prepared to lose some. The young and healthy ones should be just fine. Their coop is insulated, but 9 days below freezing will cause it to freeze inside Even the shop will freeze. The shop cats have their warming mats, tho. I'll be home for a few days so will be able to handle it all.

How's everyone else doing? Kim, has the rain started there yet? We haven't had anything yet.

Yes
Rain and cold wind. Thankfully we are not getting that cold

Jennifer, I’m glad I don’t have any livestock at this point to have to deal with. I hope everybody stays warm over at your place. It has been raining most of the day at work and at home and I had so many errands to run. I was thankful to get home in my nice warm house. I was going to let my dog in to sleep in the house and she’s hiding somewhere I hope someplace really warm. I called for her for two hours, but now it’s raining too heavy I’m not opening the door. I always wanted to build an awning over my door. I got a lot done at work today, but I was only there for 3 1/2 hours.

She probably found a good hiding spot, Kim. You're cold there, but not as cold as we are here so she's probably fine especially if she's dryish.

My chickens wouldn't come out this morning so I took the bottoms off of their hanging feeders and slid them into the coop. I also took a waterer into the coop and I think they all got a drink. I put the picked on ones in the storage side of the coop and they got a drink and some food. I would have stayed out there a bit longer with the waterers but my hand start burning after 15 or 20 minutes in this temperature even with my sealskin gloves. I came in once to warm them up and went out again. But, I'm in now until this afternoon.

Because I really do love the snow in some ways, I walked Josi around the property before bed. It was so pretty. The snow made it light out even at 1030p so I could see everything. It's weird. I could also see the red lights of everyone who has a heat lamps on their animals. Little spots of red around the area. Makes me nervous.

I would do fine in this weather if it wasn't (weren't?) for my hands.

It is a lot of extra work, tho. But maybe people who live in this all winter have systems in place.

My Johnnys order came in last night.

Take care and be safe.

Jennifer, a good seed order makes things a little more tolerable doesn’t it? We start dreaming and planning. This last month has been a whirlwind for me getting settled into my new work and now I am going to look at what I’m going to be doing here. I will be downsizing a bit of my garden. I am literally locked in my house. My door is frozen shut. I think my neighbor is gonna come over later and help me get it unjammed. I have at least two days off and possibly Monday because they may close Monday and since I live so far away from work, I am not gonna be risking anything. I’m trying to make a plan of what I’m gonna do so that I don’t just wander around wasting time. Which of course there’s not much room to wander only 6 feet. I am going to go through all my seeds, update my inventory and start pulling things that I want to plant this year so far the only thing I know on my list is noodle beans and okra. Those did so well for me last year. And there’s no fussing or begging them to grow. I have my onions ready to plant and I am glad I didn’t get them in the ground before now because they probably would’ve bolted pretty quick. I do want to get some carrots in a pot. The neighbors dogs came over and tore out a pot. They dug up several pecan trees I had growing. I think they were after a frog, but I just have to put all of my pots in my fenced in area and not do anything outside of the fenced area because otherwise I’m just gonna be cussing all year these stupid dogs anyway off to do my seed inventory

We are up tp 19 degrees now, it only dropped to 18 last night, but we had snow and light mist, and now look to have about 2" of snow. I have not been out, and don't expect to go out. I don't think it is a good idea for me, or Madge to risk slipping on the ice.

Our weather forecast shows for things to get worse before they start getting better, more Ice, and snow is expected. I am so glad that we don't have animals to care for. Madge has been feeding the birds, but when everything is covered with ice, and/or snow she feeds the birds on a table on our porch. I have more bulk seed than I can use, I may just let Madge start using some of the seeds that I have too many of to help feed the birds.

Yes, you and Madge stay indoors, Larry. Don't risk a fall.

Kim! I can't believe you're frozen in your house! That's crazy.

I've been doing little chores around the house. The house plants are getting some love. A little fertilizer and wipe down.

I'm watching Oklahoma Gardening on PBS. They are showing how to use store bought veg/fruit to make plants. But, Kim....would you ever want to start a pineapple or avocado? You have heated greenhouses at your work and how fun would it be to have pineapple and avocado trees?! Do your employers like those foods? If I had a heated green house, I would do that for sure.

My neighbor just delivered me some venison soup and cornbread. Hot and delicious. Larry, I think you should stay inside until everything‘s melted and nothing is slippery. Jennifer I have two avocado trees in the greenhouse right now. They have not been managed properly so they are a bit unruly. And a pineapple would be amazing. I also thought about that shampoo plant. I would think that would be so cool. There’s enough room in the greenhouses to do lots of experiments. For the amount of food that I have to grow if they were managed properly, the small greenhouse would’ve been more than sufficient And the big crane house would would’ve been unnecessary. But I’m not gonna tell him that I’m just gonna grow all the things that I possibly can and have a large variety for their diet.

I love that, Kim. Grow all the things that you've ever wanted to grow. They'll probably love the wide variety. They are fortunate to have you as their gardener now. You have skills and experience. And a love for growing things.

Got the animals fed. It's a chore but it went very well this morning. Pretty sure we got the 10 inches that showing in the Norman area. Josi (the dog) did not want to go out this morning. But, we got it done too.

The tiny refrigerator got moved to my office so that clears up an outlet for my grow lights. Maybe those will get set up today. It's nearly time to start some seed. Probably will do that next weekend. Not sure which seed yet. Spinach for sure. I didn't have a good spinach year last year and do like it a lot. Sweet peas too. This variety is supposed to be a little more heat tolerant. It's called Mammoth. Any experience with it, Kim? Honestly, I should tuck in a few seeds outside once the snow melts a bit.

March 1 works best for tomato and pepper starting for me.

The herbs....it will be interesting to see what will make it through these single digit temperatures. As of Thursday, the eucalyptus was still alive. Maybe I'll just start all the herbs and have extras if the others do make it.

The local honey got left at work so the fire cider can't be finished today but will probably strain it and add the honey later.

It's nice having the small fridge in the office. It's low profile so you don't even notice it really and it's easy to check it. It was stuck in a corner in the utility room and always got buried. I was able to look and see that there are 2 bottles of kombucha that's probably very tart now. And only one thing that needs to be strained--elderberry honey. That little refrigerator is supposed to be for those types of things.

Beef stew is on the menu for lunch today. It takes a little time so I'll start that in an hour or so.

Is everyone finding things indoors to keep busy?

It is amazing Jennifer. All the things I’ve dreamed of with a greenhouse are exactly what I thought it would be. The mammoth are a very good pea. I bought a pound of Oregon and have been using that for years. I even donated some at work because I wanted to get some planted as soon as possible, and I am a little tired of the same variety every year. I like to change it up. I am staying warm. I got my seed inventory done and now I just need to put it into the computer. Once I get that updated, then I can print it out. My goal every year is to add as I buy things and delete as I use things, but that doesn’t always happen. Last year I got so many seeds at that trade that they never got added in. And of course I used half of them. Y’all stay warm

I need to go start digging through my seed stash, that is another thing that I need to cut back on. Being as I am really wanting to cut back on gardening plants, I see no reason to have so many seeds. I don't do well at getting Madge to use the things that I plant, I think one reason is that she had just as soon not have my input in the kitchen. I have found that if I harvest and prep everything out side she is more apt to use the produce, but she had rather not have anything extra sitting around. I on the other hand had rather harvest a, and prep enough for more than one meal, placing the extra in the fridge, or freezer for later. It is hard to plant and harvest just what you will be using at the time you want to eat it. I often till in what we don't need, but that also seems to be a waste of time and garden space.

I want to mark up a piece of plastic pipe and try to mark the pipe at 8 and 10 feet apart. I have never planted that far apart in the past, so I have know idea how many rows of produce I can plant. Madge and my daughter both are on me to cut back, and really, I have to, I just can't take care of a large number of plants.

I want to grow some very large stuffing jalapeno peppers this year. I ordered some Giant jalapenos last year, but they were only a little larger than what I have grown in the past. Do any of you have any suggestion as to what seeds I should buy?

Our snow is now about 4+ inches, and the temp so far has dropped to around 11 or 12 degrees.

so far this has been a little less than what was forecasted. I am ready for all this cold and snow to just go away.

Craig’s grande from Baker Creek is supposed to be a big one.

I've grown Craigs Grande for a few years. For me, it's a good medium sized pepper. I like it a lot. It's not grande (for me). It's not like a poblano, but good.

I'm out of that seed and decided just to use my "Dawn's Pepper" seed for jalapenos this year.

New thread coming up! So we don't have to scroll for days. lol

I looked on a site, Johnny's, I think, it had a lot of Jalapenos that I never heard of, I think I will order that has a lot of disease resistance. I had so much disease this past year, more than ever before. I also want to plant some plants in new ground to see if I can bypass some of the disease problems that I had. I am also going to buy a new load of compost to till into the new spot. I have also ask my neighbor to buy me some plants from where he buys plants this spring. He gets some kind of large jalapeno from a supplier over in the edge of Oklahoma.

I restarted my computer again, now I see the old post.