Homestead Work Indoors & Outdoors Plus EPIC FAIL SOAP Update: ShowandtellsteemCreated with Sketch.

in homesteading •  7 years ago  (edited)

Waiting For The Frost To Burn Off


As I sit here this chilly Mid-Michigan morning waiting for the sun to come up (clear skies out there as I can still see some stars) and the frost to burn off, I am sipping my third cup of coffee and making a list of outside chores to do.

Last week, when I had originally planned on doing some outdoor work, Ma Nature had other plans and doused us with rain EVERY day! The nerve of that woman!

Plans outside:

  • Finish cleaning some buckets and pots to be put up in the shed for the year
  • Put the tomato cages and wire in the loft
  • Check to see if I need to harvest any herbs (last time I looked I still had some sage, lemon balm, mint, basil and chives that looked like the final pickin' was coming)
  • Start disassembling my greenhouse (I thought about leaving it out for the winter but sometimes we get HEAVY and WET snow that could cave it in. So better safe than sorry)
  • Finish covering the flower beds and main garden beds with leaves
  • Make sure garlic has enough ground cover for the upcoming season

Now that I have my list done and the coffee is almost gone. I just need the sun to evolve and make its presence known. Need the warmth more than the light because last check at 6:35AM, it was only 28-degrees outside.

So in the meantime, I took some indoor garden pictures to share. Most of the plants are progressing nicely and I am thrilled with my updated lighting set-up. It really seems to be helping.

Indoor Tomatoes Plants


Every day I turn a small fan on the plants and let the wind do some pollination magic.
I started the seeds about seven weeks ago and this is where they are at today. I am impressed and PROUD! Now I am waiting for some flowering to start.


maters 1.jpg

Known As Mater 1

mater 2.jpg

Known As Mater 2

Indoor Catnip


Mom will be happy to see her catnip is growing steady and strong. When I spoke to her the other day she mentioned she was running low on some herbs for her tea. Yeah, I am my mom's dealer for herbs


catnip.jpg

Homemade Soap Curing Now

Well, I removed the last batch of lavender and sage homemade soap that I made earlier this week from the molds. A few of them seem to be oozing a little liquid that hasn't settled or hardened. They are more solid than I was anticipating; so I will let them cure now for about two weeks (perhaps three) before I move them. I have them up curing in my office in the corner. Fingers crossed they cure properly and can still be used. But for now, my office smell divine!

ss.jpg

Yeah, they look a little clumpy or lumpy... but I am hopeful for a full recovery and hardening phase during curation

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Great to see your tomato plants doing so well! Mine got destroyed in a storm =(

I also had cat nip outdoors but before long by 2 cats were joined by half the neighborhood and the cat nip plant was flattened ha ha!

Yeah I have to fight the neighborhood kitties when my catnip is outside. I'll still keep it out in the herb garden, but am considering keeping some indoors as well next summer.

This is my first indoor garden so I am carefully following the "green thumb" rules of nutrients, water and love.

I haven't done much indoor growing so interesting to see how it goes.

I imgine whitefly may be a problem. Similar to when using greenhouses.

Looks like your staying busy and getting it done. Maters are growing and hopefully the soap will turn out for you. That is great!
I have a technical Question for you.
How did you link your post to your word phrases?? like.....
lavender and sage homemade soap
Great post as always.
thank you,

No problem....
basically using these [ and ] with your title of the link then immediately after using parenthesis ( your actual url link in the middle )

here is a post in the FAQs section
https://steemit.com/steem/@draketaylor/how-to-insert-a-link-in-steemit

definitely check out the FAQs for all markdown tips.

I am still trying to learn the picture on the right with the text to the left and vice-versa. No luck as of yet... grrr

My post looks like a kindergartner did them compared to some I see.
I'll check out the FAQ's
Thank you again @goldendawne.

You're welcome! There are some great formatting tips in the FAQs. I looked back once at my first few posts the first week... and OH BOY! Comparing to my posts now? Yeah.. HUGE difference

Never thought about trying to grow tomatoes inside over the winter....thanks for the idea!

It's a first for me this year. I had never considered it before... we shall see how it goes. Anxious for the flowering to start now!

Well please make sure to let us all know the progress!

Absolutely will!
I usually do a once a week or bi-weekly update.

The dreaded “to do list”. In my case it’s the “honey do list” 😉 here is Washington state we r seeing the same type of weather, cold!! The cold really takes my motivation down a few notches. Hopefully that sun comes out and you can complete your tasks before the snow hits.

Yes the cold weather can definitely hamper body movement- not that I'm showing my age- lol
Sun came out and has turned into a glorious autumn day!

Nice!! Enjoy the beautiful weather.

Oh...... you are quite talented

Not sure it is talent; more determination and the need to know more. Expand my knowledge and ability to be more self-sufficient. But thank you for the comment!

Sure it takes determination....
and you are welcome :)