Today I give a live update as I walk around the homestead inspecting the garden, fruit trees, bees, animals and more. It was so nice out, I decided to use my small digital recorder and headset to record the podcast. Natural Audio with real wind, birds chirping and all the rough audio we normally edit out. Walk with me as I check out and taste test the thornless blackberries we planted this year.
 I talk about our native and Red Texas Star Mayhaw trees, Apples, Pear, Persimmon and Rabbiteye blueberry varieties among others in Zone 1. Take the live audio tour as I check the growth in the backyard vegi garden and travel out into Zone 2 where we have bees, mullberries, figs and wild plums.
Let me know how you like the live updates….

Episode 14: Live Homestead Update: Zone 1 and 2 Edible Forest.

A Movement To Survive The Changing Times By Becoming More Self Sufficient

Personal Journals

Society & Culture

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel


      
    
    As we head toward self sufficiency we might just stumble through the forest of government entanglement, shadows and obstacles to find ourselves finally reaching the edge, staring into the field that is freedom. Having lived most of our lives in the shelter of the forest, held back, yes, but also hidden from the burden that is total responsibility for self, is there any doubt that we should at the very least be wary of the field?



Sometimes the grip that is holding a struggling person back is temporarily loosed and all of the sudden the struggle that has become the mission is now gone, and in it’s place is freedom and a new mission of progress. Will you know where to go if the opportunity comes to be free of someone else’s care. Are you willing to risk having nothing for the opportunity to have everything by your own accord. Are we really being held back or are we just using the forest as cover because the field seems so risky?



Is life like permaculture where the “edge” between the government corporate  system and self sufficiency is the safest most fertile place to exist? Can we ease ourselves into freedom by building up self reliance using the fertile nature of the edge much the way a forest encroaches into the field? Sometimes such slow movement doesn’t create a new and different forest though, it just expands the same old system. Sometimes it might be warranted to just break free of the restraints of self doubt and the repression of servitude to a way of life that allows you to be a freeman.



God willing we all live long enough to figure it out, and have fun and many adventures on the way!



 ~ Joe Prepper~







 
  

Episode 30: Freedom – Scared or Wary


      
    
    Join me today as I talk about one of my favorite homesteading activities, keeping backyard quail. I discuss my venture into keep Japanese Coturnix quail, the Texas A&M; variety, and why I think anyone who wants to become more self sufficient by producing their own food should consider keeping the ancient birds.



I  give my opinions on everything from incubation to tasty recipes and everything in between. Have you ever wondered how easy it would be to process your own meat? Well I tell you just how easy it is to raise, butcher and cook quail. If you plan on only using the eggs, well, I’m down with that too.



I answer some need-to-know facts about quail keeping such as

	* What type of feed?
	* how much feed and what are the costs per bird?
	* How do you make cages for baby chicks?
	* What age to quail mature and start laying eggs?
	* What are your feed costs per day for quail?

 There is a reason these ancient birds still have a place on the modern homestead. There is also a reason why quail eggs are eaten all over the world from “Kwek Kwek” a street food in the Philippines to your good old standard omelet.



I finish off the podcast giving a few simple southern recipes that are sure to light a fire in your drive to start keep these most awesome, tasty birds.



 
  

Episode 29: Keeping Backyard Quail


      
    
    Yes, it’s time for the annual Plantapolooza plant sale. If you listened in to my adventures last year, you know I am passionate about this once a year event. I get mentally and physically prepared for a chance to get my paws on some hard to find trees and shrubs. Listen in as I discuss some of this years finds and talk about how I prepare my soil with seaweed, kelp and mycorrhiza when I relocate them to the homestead.



Many of the trees I picked up were native like the Black cherry, American Persimmon , pawpaw, crabapple, catalpa tree and sassafras. I got a few semi- tropicals as well like:  Kahili Ginger, Henry’s Garnet and banana shrub.



Yes, I did get a citrus , the Kishu Tangerine. Wish me luck!
  

Episode 28: Plant Buying Adventures 2016


      
    
    Spring is on the way and we have been busy on the homestead. Join me as I discuss the day to day happenings around here the 1st week of March. Repotting heirloom tomato seedlings, and started more pepper plants and support species like moringa. We added a side line from the new muscadine trellis and planted some raspberries, Loganberries and Boysenberries.



With the good weather, we got some highbush blueberry cuttings started and a early spring fertilizer application on the fruit trees. I cleared and added some Arbequina Olive trees. A small project to create container planters from old plastive olive barrels has me exited to start new seeds for these 25 gallon pots. Join me for this beginning of spring chat as we get ready for daylight savings time and gain an extra hour of daylight to get stuff done! 

 
  

Episode 27: March Week 1, 2016 Homestead Update


      
    
    :Today I talk about the Top 10 things to consider when setting up a homestead. There are so many possibilities and personal needs to think about when designing your property layou that it would take a series of books to discuss them all. Here I settle in on what I think should be the first 10 things everyone could benifit by having in place. .



Join me as I go from discussing home libraries and seed storage to equipment and tool sheds. Where does water storage and composting fall into all this? Well, I’m glad you asked. I have my opinion on that and lots more. Like most of what I discuss, this is meant to get your ole think’in cap warmed up and shift into second gear. You may have a different top 10. Leave your comments below if you do, maybe I can add a few to my list.



For now join in and lets talk about:
	* Food, Seed and Info Storage
	* Tool Sheds
	* Compost Bins
	* Water Storage
	* Kitchen Garden
	* Equipment Shed/Workplace
	* Plant Propagation area
	* Animal Grow Out/ Compost Factory
	* Guard dog/Run
	* Outdoor Cooking and Processing Area


  

Episode 14: Live Homestead Update: Zone 1 and 2 Edible Forest.

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