Aww-- look who decided to show up! -Cherokee purple tomato starts are sprouting!

 If you've been seeing the new photos on Pinterest or this blog, you will know that these tomato starts were seeded just days ago, and look!  So far, I am very happy with the sprouting rate of these Cherokee Purple tomato seeds!  Now, remember these are heirloom seeds, so the flavor should be up, and the production should be more natural.  So, one way to offset that is to leave a little more room for more plants of the heirloom variety without having a mono-culture in your garden.  How can we protect these tomatoes in the garden and make a best-case environment?  Companion planting!  In our upcoming blog, I will be expanding on what my strategy is for pest control and maximizing the square footage production while companion planting at the same time.  Check back during the season to stay up to date with the progress and inspire your own planting strategies!

Planting the Seeds of Wisdom-- Salad, Onions, Bell Peppers

 February Seedling Starts/ Feb 10th:  Black Seeded Simpson, Texas Grano Onion, Rocket Salad, Black Beauty Peppers, Red Bell Peppers, Yellow Bell Peppers

SEEDLING MEDIUM CHOICES

Today I used the last of a bag of seedling mix from last year and then perused the internet for this year's seedling mix.  Coconut Coir bricks, Vitamin C powder, Gypsum, and vermiculite.  I seed a lot of seed starts because the last freeze in the Florida 9a zone is March 13th and the overnight temps are still around 45 degrees.  So, I think that maybe we just might have one more freeze.  The cold snaps have already killed off the tops of my banana trees because when we moved, I lost a lot of supplies.  Burlap sack and the like, being one of them.  I have my bananas in huge pots, but no garage now to bring them in.  

FEBRUARY SEEDLING STARTS

I started the Cherokee purple tomatoes on the 5th, in the metal bookshelf I have in front of my window in the bedroom.  So this rack of seedling starts will go on the next shelf.  I slanted my air conditioning vents downwards more to stop the seedling mix from drying out too much and making the sprout that is going to come up too cool.  Would be a novice mistake, right?  So, I used to do hair, and I have a ton of water spray bottles and I hung one off the side of the bookshelf to spray them in the morning when I open the curtains.    

MAPPING OUT YOUR SPACE

Then comes the mapping,  I have a 3 inch 3-ring binder that I keep all my garden info in.  Last year I crowded my tomatoes a little too much and then the predators came for them in droves.  I subsequently pruned them back as much as I could, but I would really like to not run out of square footage this year.  So, planning is key, getting the most out of the space, and companion plant as much as possible as well. I am planning the carrots on one side of the raised bed and the tomatoes on the sun-facing side of the raised bed opposite of the carrots.  I sowed in the carrots on a staggered line the tomato cages waiting patiently for the seedling starts, upside down, spaced out properly.  This should deter my overwhelming motivation to just fill spaces at random because my patience is zero sometimes, I just want to get everything in!  I also cut back my seedling activities to balance out, so I don't have too many seedling starts and not enough square footage to plant them!

Planting the Seeds of Wisdom - Heirloom Cherokee Purple Tomato

 Heirloom Cherokee Purple Tomato

Tomato Starts, Growth, Zone 9a, Harvest

For Florida Zone 9a, February marks the beginning of the seed starting season.  In 2021, the last freeze was March 13th.  Work your weeks back and we have the seed starting indoors around the 5th of February.  I started my Cherokee Purple seeds in my bedroom window on a metal bookshelf this week.  

Some of the plants that you can start right now are:

Sow:  

Carrots

Onions-Varieties Recommended: Sweet White Walla Walla, Red Creole, Yellow Spanish, Candy Hybrid

Seedling Starts:

Tomato- Varieties Recommended: Cherokee Purple and Everglade Brandywine,  Siberian, Roma, Heirloom Blend

Broccoli

Lettuce- Varieties Recommended:  Buttercrunch, Mesclun Mix, Black Seeded Simpson

Peppers- Varieties Recommended: California Wonder, Early Jalapeno, Sweet Banana, Super Chili

Herbs:

Italian Basil, Greek Oregano, French Thyme, Broadleaf Sage

Flowers:

Annuals: Zinnias, Marigolds, Geraniums

Perennials: Rudbeckias, Daisies, Poppies, Coneflowers

Marigolds are great to have in the garden because they serve a couple of purposes! Marigolds are great for bees and fauna, attracting ladybugs and paper wasps to the eco-system to help manage pests. Just don't go overboard because they can take over and get quite big and their stems get tall!

Marigolds are not only great for pollen creation, but also they naturally protect your plants. See this article for some great info on the pungency and toxicity of Marigolds!

Gathering the Seeds of Wisdom-- The Name' tuber

'Name' the Plant of Many Names

The Chinese yam, Shan Yao, Cinnamon Vine, Korean Wild Yam...NAME'

Sometimes, when my kids are being especially well behaved-- getting good grades, being helpful, doing their part without complaining...you know the drill...I let them pick out anything they want from the produce section.  Yes, this is dangerous.  And, NO, they don't have Durian/ Jackfruit where I shop when this occurs.  A couple weeks back, my son brings up this tuber that looks like a handgun out of StarWars.  Name' was it's name.

🔍 Let's Check it Out  👀👀👀

Herb: Chinese Yam

Latin name: Dioscorea batatas

Synonyms: Dioscorea opposita, Dioscorea polystachya

Family: Dioscoreaceae (Yam Family)

Medicinal use of Chinese Yam: 

The Chinese yam, called Shan Yao in Chinese herbalism, is a sweet soothing herb that stimulates the stomach and spleen and has a tonic effect on the lungs and kidneys. The tuber contains allantoin, a cell-proliferant that speeds the healing process. The root is an ingredient of "The herb of eight ingredients", traditionally prescribed in Chinese herbalism to treat hyperthyroidism, nephritis and diabetes. The tuber is anthelmintic, digestive, and gently tonic. It is used internally in the treatment of tiredness, weight loss, poor appetite, poor digestion, chronic diarrhea, asthma, dry coughs, frequent or uncontrollable urination, diabetes and emotional instability. It is applied externally to ulcers, boils and abscesses. 

The tubers are harvested in the autumn and can be used raw or baked. The leaf juice is used to treat snakebites and scorpion stings. The roots of most, if not all, members of this genus, contains diosgenin. This is widely used in modern medicine in order to manufacture progesterone and other steroid drugs. These are used as contraceptives and in the treatment of various disorders of the genitary organs as well as in a host of other diseases such as asthma and arthritis.

Description of the plant:

Plant:

Perennial

Height:

3 m
(9 ³/₄ foot)

Flowering:

September
to October

Scent:

Scented
Perennial

Habitat of the herb:

 

Found in an apparently wild situation in valleys and on the slopes of hills in China. Prefers sunny slopes in the wild.

Edible parts of Chinese Yam: 

Tuber - cooked. A floury texture with a very pleasant flavor that is rather like a potato. The tubers can be boiled, baked, fried, mashed, grated, and added to soups. They store well and for a long time and can also be left in the ground and harvested as required in the winter. This is a top-quality root crop, very suitable for use as a staple food. Arrowroot can be extracted from the root, though this is not as good at binding other foods as the starch from D. japonica. The root contains about 20% starch. 75% water, 0.1% vitamin B1, 10 - 15 mg% vitamin C. Fruit. A starchy flavor, it is said to be very good for the health. We wonder if this report is referring to the tubercles.

Propagation of the herb:

 

Seed - sow March to April in a sunny position in a warm greenhouse and only just cover. It germinates in 1 - 3 weeks at 20degrees C. Prick out the seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow in a greenhouse for their first year. Plant out in late spring as the plant comes into new growth. Basal stem cuttings in the summer. Division in the dormant season, never when in growth. 

The plant will often produce a number of shoots, the top 5 - 10 cm of the root below each shoot can be potted up to form a new plant whilst the lower part of the root can be eaten. Tubercles (baby tubers) are formed in the leaf axils. These are harvested in late summer and early autumn when about the size of a pea and coming away easily from the plant. They should be potted up immediately in individual pots in an unheated greenhouse or cold frame, covering them with about 10mm of soil. 

Protect them from mice etc and keep the soil moist but not wet. They should come into growth in the spring, plant them out in early summer when in active growth.

Cultivation of Chinese Yam:

 

Found in an apparently wild situation in valleys and on the slopes of hills in China. Prefers sunny slopes in the wild.

Known hazards of Dioscorea batatas:

 

Edible species of Dioscorea have opposite leaves while poisonous species have alternate leaves. From Natural Medicinal Herbs.net

Common name for Name?  Cinnamon Vine 

There is some confusion over the correct name for this species. One report says that D. batatas is an invalid name that is often erroneously applied to two distinct species D. opposita and D. japonica. The Flora of China accepts D. batatas as a synonym for D. polystachya. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. Forum thread on Houzz.com

(Dioscorea batatas) Cinnamon scented flowers and heart-shaped leaves adorn this vigorous deciduous vine. In the mountains of northern China, it produces very large, highly prized, white-fleshed tubers with a nutty potato flavor. Raintreenursery.com  

While the top dies back each November, the tubers can be left in the ground for several years to keep growing. One gallon pot. This plant is self-fertile and grows in USDA Zones 4-8.

Because yams produce a very vertical root, it is possible to grow a number of plants very close to each other, perhaps at 20 - 30cm spacing. You also get a better overall yield if you leave the plants in the ground for two years. Exceedingly high yields are possible, certainly quite a bit higher than potatoes and with none of the disease problems associated with that plant. From Plants for a Future .Org

Recipes

The tubers can be boiled, baked, fried, mashed, grated and added to soups. They store well and for a long time, and can also be left in the ground and harvested as required in the winter. They contain about 20% starch. 75% water, 0.1% vitamin B1, 10 - 15 mg % vitamin C.

Sourcing

Melissa’s .com Products  

When selecting Melissa’s Name look for well-formed, similarly shaped tubers. Name should be firm and free of cracks or soft spots. The flesh should be juicy, not dry. Store whole in a cool, dark, dry area for up to one week.

The skin of the Name should be scrubbed with a brush under running water prior to use. To easily peel, cut into cubes. With a knife cut out the flesh and remove all skin. Place in a bowl of water and lemon juice until ready for use.

Interesting?  

Chinese Herbal products made from this herb

Natural Korean Wild Yam Powder Dioscorea Batatas Tea Soup Herb Super Food

2 Weeks to Move Out!!! FREE Moving Checklist from a Military Family

 

MOVING CHECKLIST

 

STEP ONE

·      Identify all local donations sites and dump areas

·      Churches

·      Find the ones that do clothing drives, have food bank days, etc.

·      Dump sites-

o  Clay and Bradford

·     Resales Stores and Food Pantries, Homeless shelters

o  Goodwill, Salvation Army, AmVets, Habitat for Humanity

·      Create a moving binder, add a large manila envelope and possibly a 3-ring zipper pouch.  Put Cash envelope in zipper pouch.

·      CALL-Post Office-Cancel all auto ships and put postal hold (“vacation hold”) for 3 weeks.  Also, Amamon and shopping sites.

·      Call all utilities for shut off date to old property.

·      Call all doctors, dentists and medical providers and request medical records.

·      CREATE- Portable document carrier for all birth certificates, marriage license, will, legal docs and medical records, immunization records, social security cards, custody papers, etc.

 

 

STEP TWO

 

o  Box for moving supplies

§  Box Cutters

§  Clear box tape &Tape Guns

§  Newspaper and paper bags

§  Bungie cords and tie down straps

o  2 Boxes for all tools for pulling nails and repair items for paint and drywall.  Make sure there are a set of bits, a drill and a set of allen wrenches in each box.  Take a sandwish size ziploc bag and put enough ziploc bags in it for at least all furniture that has to be disassembled. Put a sharpie marker in this ziplox bag.  ALL hardware put in these bags go into the 'New House' Box.

o  Box for food for on moving day and first day at the new house.(Non-refrigerated items only) Put paper plates and utensils a roll of paper towel or camping supplies can be used for this box.  Can openers and one good knife.  Ziploc bags and a couple of old Tupperware bowls, like sour cream containers.  Find all your coolers and clean them out.

o  Make an area for sheets, blankets and carpets that are ok to be used for wrapping furniture.

o  Make 2 containers for cleaning supplies

§  Bathroom cleaning

§  Kitchen and house cleaning

§  Put rags with both boxes and re-used plastic shopping bags

·      Make a tray with a stack of lined paper, put a glass with pens and sharpies or big markers. This is for the numbered box lists for each person or room.

·      CREATE- A to-do list for each person

·      BUY- Any supplies you are short of.  Clip Boards, moving dollie, shrink wrap, extra tape guns, gallon ziplocs for liquids.

·      Have each person find their moving duffle bag or suitcase and a hygiene bag. They should pack enough clothes for 5-7 days with shoes.  Have the kids put their toothbrush, toothpaste and hairbrushes (ponytail holders and hairbands for long hair).

·      Each person gets assigned a set of box numbers.  While packing each person lists what in the box with a large number on the box (all sides) and on the top of the paper.  The moving binder has a tab for each person and each additional room (bathroom, dining room, etc.)

o  Child #1 gets boxes 1-10, Dad gets boxes 20-30, etc.  When each box is full, they hand in their box list with the number on it, into the moving binder.

·           Assign a “To the Dump” area (somewhere in the yard, near the garbage area)

·          Assign a “Donations area” (front porch or back porch)

o  All rummage sale items; online sale items and donations go in this area.

Put a vacation hold on your mail and/ or change of address.

 

COMMAND CENTER

·      Put the Tools Box, Moving Supply Box, Food Box, Paper tray with pens/ markers, stapler and staples, scotch tape, and documents file box in this area.

·      Set up a laptop and printer next to command center with a outlet strip and charging cords for devices.

·      Put the moving binder & moving envelope there.

·      Take pic of each room from left to right. (You will do this again after the moving truck is loaded and you have cleaned.)

 

 

NEW HOUSE BOX

·     All toolbox items go in this box

·     All power strips & multi-outlet plugs

·     All light bulbs

·     All nails and picture frame hanging materials

·     A bar of soap, towels, shampoo

·     Toilet paper

·     One roll of paper towel

·     Modem

MOVING BOXES

 

·      Linens & Curtains box

·      Frames and Pictures box

·      Decorations box

·      Books boxes (set aside sturdier boxes for this)

·      Holiday boxes/ Totes

o  Easter, St. Patty’s Day and Valentine’s Day

o  Christmas

o  Halloween and Thanksgiving

 

 

 

 

 

 

TIME TO START PACKING

·      Move all vacuums, mops, cleaning supplies to the back room, back porch or out of the way.  Leave room at the end of the truck for these items and your command center boxes.  Family suitcases will go in the car/trunk with you as well as the vital documents file box. 

·      Unplug Freezer.

·      Put together stacks of each size box in the main area against a wall. Check your Command Center for packing supplies in the moving supply box.

·      Have each child take a large lawn and leaf bag and a medium size box, with their sheet of paper, pen and marker.  Dollar store clipboards are recommended.  Start emptying each drawer and then bookshelves.  Then anything not in furniture (toys, sports equipment, etc.  When their room is done, stack all boxes and check for numbers. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AFTER PACKING

 

·      Leave one box for command center items.

·      CLEAN- Hang a plastic bag on the door knob of each room.  All dirty rags go there.  Do all dry cleaning first-vacuum, sweep each room.

·      WET CLEANING- Scrub all moldings, door frames, doors, window, window ledges, closets, light fixtures. Magic erasers.

·      Everyone leave the room.  Mom checks cleaning, Dad fixes any repairs that need done, or touch up paint.

o  Do each room from the back of the house out to the front of the house.  Leave vacuum and mop.

·      CLEAN ALL BATHROOMS-  Magic erasers for the tubs and showers.  Get your bathroom cleaning supplies kit and a bag of rags. Floor cleaner.  Hang a plastic bag on the door knob for dirty rags. 

·      CLEAN- the kitchen.

·      PACK UP COMMAND CENTER AND MOVE CLEANING SUPPLIES TO TRUCK.

AFTER PACKING/BEFORE MOVING DAY

·      CALL- All bills and creditors and change addresses or do online.

·      Clean Out your car to make room for suitcases, etc.  Make sure all tires are full, including spare.  Check all fluids and top off. 

·      Everything should be sold, donated or dumped at this point.

·      Take any trash to the curb. 

 

 

 

 

MOVING DAY

 

Everything should be packed and cleaning supplies put by the front door or on front porch. Unplug refrigerator. 

Grab a cooler and start putting essential refrigerated items in this cooler.

Go to the store and buy 2 bags of ice and buy drinks for anyone moving and water.  One cooler goes to the new house with the first load driven to the new house.(If moving in town.  If moving out of town, put this in the big truck cab and the other one stays at the old house.)

First item in the truck is a push broom or broom, so when it's unloaded, the broom is sitting there.

·      Start packing all boxes first heavy to the bottom.  After at least 4 rows high of boxes, then start stacking lawn chairs, lamps, kid’s sports equipment on top of boxes to the ceiling of the truck.

·      At the end of boxes put headboards and flat furniture pieces, the bulky furniture.  At the end put mattresses.  Secure with straps.  Leave the end open for cleaning supplies, food box, new house first night box and command center box.

·      Sweep up any residue from moving and unplug modem.  Turn off gas, propane, electricity, unplug appliances.   

·      Walk the rooms, out buildings, yard and mailbox.

·      Leave keys with landlord & forwarding address.

        The Day After...

1    Start in the kitchen with one box. Take the Giveaway box to the porch

Go to the living room just enough to rest, tv, gaming, modem, couch, extension cords.  Place your furniture items, so if someone helps they can load these items. One box at a time, you do not need books and knickknacks up right now.  Unless you read to relax, then you should have put one book in your suitcase.
Then rest. water. Go unpack a box in the bathroom.  This should be an essentials box with toilet paper, hand towels, and shower items. Organize the boxes in this room to a convenient area or outside the door in the hallway.  All boxes should exist on only ONE side of the hallway.
Take a lawn and leaf bag and a rag with you to every room.
Your focus is getting the house functional. 
Set up the beds and get your linens box, get the kid's room boxes organized, set the bed where they are going, nd make the bed.  Get their laundry basket on the end of the bed or in the closet.

Throw in another load of laundry.  Have the kids put away their own laundry, unless they are very young.  Just dump the load on the bed and move on.

You start your morning routine. Yes, your morning routine. The first thing you need to do on the first morning in your new home is to get yourself dressed,in shoes, wash your face and put your hair up.  Start picking up after yourself. Head to the kitchen and start breakfast.

While you are having your breakfast, don’t look at how much you have to do; enjoy your breakfast and only concentrate on making a list of the most important things to do first. That will keep your home running smoothly. Here are some things you might want to start with:

• Get the washer and dryer hooked up.
• Get the dishwasher running.
• Buy groceries for the family. Make out a list. Or, if you have an initial grocery shopping list that you made while you were doing your planning, grab it from your moving notebook.
• Put on something for supper or have some idea of what to fix.

Now you have a plan.

 You may want to go to the next room and do five boxes in there; just rotate around the house putting things away.  Don’t just start putting those things in a pile; decide where it should go. 

After you have the house functional, then do the emergency items.  Plants that are going to die if you don't take care of them, where are the pets getting fed and where does their food go?  Look over the yard and make it organized so it doesn't look like the Beverly hillbillies for the next week.  Review the garage/ shed.  Clean it out if need be.  Put valuable items away and set up the workshop tables storage center, etc.  Now these are not sitting out for the neighborhood to inventory what you have.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DUMP AREA

 

 

 

 

 

DONATIONS &

RUMMAGE