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1. Hugh, I have found that if I plant radish seeds when I plant my squash and pumpkin my garden stays free of squash bugs. You must leave the radishes to grow even when they look ready to eat so they will go to seed – but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I just make sure I have 3 or 4 radishes growing as the squash and pumpkin plants grow.

   1. Don’t worry about them going to seed.

      Add the whole seed pods to fermented veggies, especially kimchi

2. re:
   Zucchini and Squash

   At the local branch of the NaturalGrocers chain last Sunday afternoon, we participated in their cooking class about zoodles. We made enough for about thirty folks to sample… but it was a nice day, so only six students showed up.

   That’s OK. All the more for me… four heaping plates worth. Yum!

   Their demonstration kitchens are gluten-free, so this’s an excellent way to craft an extremely satisfying pasta-like meal with few carbohydrates… and very high in nutrient-dense vegetables.

   To make zoodles, insert a vegetable such as zucchini into a spiralizer, and twist.

   We can make a meal from zoodles topped with a mock marinara made with cauliflower and beets.

   For folks with dairy concerns, cashew cheese is a great substitute. Layer everything in a couple 9×12 casserole pans, cover, then warm it slightly in the oven or on the grill.

   Along with some ground elk patties on the grill at our outside kitchen, this is just about perfection.

   We wrap the burgers in a lettuce wrap topped with a pinch of fermented cabbage. Smiles all around.

   I’m getting hungry just thinking about it…

3. Our two building projects are still under way with the new pole barn almost being done. Since the pole barn wasn’t done when anticipated I am having to move much of the “stuff” from the garage to the basement so that the builders have room to work. Was really hoping I only had to move that “stuff” once as most of it will be going into the new pole barn. The footer to the addition is poured and expect that crew to start the basement wall either today or Monday.

   This week I picked up a few handfuls of various hardware. Mostly screws but some electric wire crimps too.

   Weeded around the blue berry bushes, added some information to my prepper note book. Packed up some stuff in our in town shelter getting it ready to move to the BOL.

   Researching and looking at different garage/pole barn organization/storage ideas. Found some stuff I’m going to use.

4. This week the weather has been mild for this time of year so we got a lot done in the garden. Burned off the corn stalks and some weeds to get ready for fall planting. Grapes are producing nice clusters but have not started to turn yet. We are harvesting everything else so my canners and freeze dryer are getting a work out.

   Our area suffered two late freezes after the fruit trees had budded and there was a lot of damage. The pear, apple and peach trees only have sporadic fruit. The younger plum and cherry trees didn’t produce this year. I’ll have to hit the farmers market for fall fruit.

   We had a new family buy a property down the road so we did the usual country thing and went to say hello. They seemed like nice folks and we chatted for a few minutes and I invited them to stop by and visit sometime. As I was leaving the driveway I saw the California plates on their car and I am ashamed to say my thoughts were oh no, California liberals are invading! Most folks in our area are conservatives and libertarians so this should be interesting.

5. Bury your pumpkin vines. The vines will set additional roots so that even if disconnected from the main plant, they will develope. The squash bugs don’t seem to like the dark, either.

6. Red moon last night and red sun this morning. Hay is in the barn. Spending every moment running the irrigation sprinkler I can.

7. : This week the weather has been mild for this time of year so we got a lot done in the garden. Burned off the corn stalks and some weeds to get ready for fall planting. Grapes are producing nice clusters but have not started to turn yet. We are harvesting everything else so my canners and freeze dryer are getting a work out.

   Our area suffered two late freezes after the fruit trees had budded and there was a lot of damage. The pear, apple and peach trees only have sporadic fruit. The younger plum and cherry trees didn’t produce this year. I’ll have to hit the farmers market for fall fruit.

   We had a new family buy a property down the road so we did the usual country thing and went to say hello. They seemed like nice folks and we chatted for a few minutes and I invited them to stop by and visit sometime. As I was leaving the driveway I saw the California plates on their car and I am ashamed to say my thoughts were oh no, California liberals are invading!

8. We are having a problem with Japanese beetles. If you shake the tree branches (peach and apple) early in the morning they fall right to the ground. I then let the chickens out, throw a little corn around. No more beetles ! Works in the garden too, just watch out for your tomatoes.

9. We continue to haul wood to dry and split. Food wise, the dehydrator is running round the clock. I keep running out of jars and room and realized a few years ago that I could dehydrate veggies and fruits for little space. Very helpful.

   The other prepping we have been focusing on is our physical fitness. The entire family us working to extend our hiking endurance and increasing core strength.

   Finally, in looking at winter blankets, we are in need. I will be gathering the materials to make a quilt or two using some wearing blankets as batting. I am also going to take an old fur coat and make a fur throw for the winter. I like projects that are free and recycle.

10. Our garden has produce a bumper crop of cucumbers so yesterday bread and butter pickels and dill pickels were canned up. Also made a few jars of dilly beans. The husband spent the day splitting firewood. Today the rest of the cucumbers will be made into relish. Also the chicken coop will be cleaned out as we have 2 chickens setting so we are expecting a bunch of new chicks any day now.

11. Part of my prepping involves reclaiming discarded food. Today, I brought home three cartons of strawberries, five pounds of various other fruits, twenty pounds of yougurt in various sized containers, and a twelve pound case of uncured hickory smoked bacon. The bacon and yogurt were still cold. I’ll save some for our little homestead and give the rest away to friends (including one who is struggling financially and lacking food) who are visiting in a few hours.

    I have a little prayer: Accepting Divine bounty, I share freely. A reminder of the source and encouragement to be generous.

    All this when the garden is thriving. Oh, and I agree about burying the affected part of the squash vine. It has worked for me many times.

    Carry on.

    1. We have been blessed with a local program that gathers about to expire food and sad looking fruits and veggies. It is a true godsend for our family and an opportunity to put up for the future. Uncured bacon is amazing!

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