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CedarTree Farm

frugalfred

Strawberries

I am so happy....our strawberries survived the killer frost...with the help of straw. I have been picking the last few days, getting a about 3 lbs a day. We planned to make some jam. Keyword there...planned. Seems the strawberries disappear quickly...with the help of powdered sugar.

I am a grandpa

Never thought I would say this...I am a grandpa Welcome to the World Trinity Renee

Ahhh...the Joys of Spring

you knows it spring when the apple trees and lilacs bloom

Beef Cattle

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Otis, our holstein steer, condtinues to grow. Soon he will be ready to butcher. My neighbor suggested I could market him as organic and grass fed, since he is. (and no antibiotics) The debate in this family is could we eat something we became so attached too? I know you vegan's out there are repulsed by this idea (eating him) but I believe there is a difference between raising your own then buying beef from the store, which has been mass produced on feed lots. If Otis is butchered it will be done with a lot of reflection and thought. If you ever want a really sickening experience travel I-10 north of El Paso or I-8 in Arizona headed towards Yuma. You will pass feedlots or dairy productions that are crowded. They dont even smell like cattle. The smell alone will turn your stomach. Another goal of mine is to have at least 5 more beef animals on my property. A local female bottle fed black angus calf costs around $250. One thought I had was to sell Otis ( I would get about $700 for him if he was 1000 lbs.) and to buy 2 bottle fed female calves. If anyone wants to buy beef or buy a calf and have it raised here I will gladly help you out. Just email me. Anyway...its nice outside..I need to get moving...later all.

Greenhouse

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ok...I have tried before..but now I think I know what I want.. My goal is too build a new a year round greenhouse to be completed by Nov 1. It will also function partially as a garden shed. I intend to heat it by solar, and possibly geothermal, which is going to mean insulation, thermal mass, etc etc. I also intend to include a rainwater catch system and to provide power by a battery bank recharged either by solar or wind. As I make progress and move along I intend to post updates, with pictures, here. Funding is always an issue, and suggestions are welcome. Its possible it wont be fully completed by NOV 1 but I do want it usable. so we can begin growing for the next year. Wish me luck.

Spring is here...

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Today the forecast says it will be near 80 F. The apple trees are blooming, my roses are growing, and the best news of all..3 of my grape plants are rebounding after being eaten by the goats. ( I enjoyed the goats but they caused more damage then they were worth. These were pygmys, not dairy or meat goats... so..they had to go) I also have 2 new grape plants to plant. A great day indeed !

Links and Directions

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If you get a chance...check out the links and newsfeeds I have on this page. They are a good idndicator of what I am interested in. Hopefully I will be adding more and more.

Berries

Berries are an excellent anti-oxident. They are good for you...and taste good too. Right now we have a stand of blackberries going, a strawberry patch, and this week I am planting 4 blueberry bushes. Add this to my 5 concord grape plants and we will have a nice small supply of berries.

Trees

Well...I just planted some more trees.. I planted another apple ( red delicious semi dwarf) and two dwarf peaches (red haven.) We now have three apples trees, two peaches, two nectarines, and a lemon and an orange( which we grow indoors in the winter.)

I have 5 hybrid poplars to plant, (near our septic drainage pond to help soak up waste), about ten red cedars I have to move, and about 10 maples my wife started from seed.

Composter

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Yesterday I had to rebuild my composter because Otis thought it was his toy. I originally bought the homemade composter for $5.00 at a yard sale. All it needed was some fresh black paint, and the wood frame rebuilt. It makes good compost every 4 weeks in warm weather. You can actual see it steaming sometimes.
September 2008
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