[KimC]

I can confirm the watering. Here they grow a lot of citrus, nuts and other food, and especially if a hard freeze is expected, they water heavily. If I’m remembering correctly, it hydrates the plants and helps them from being as stressed or having a harder time recovering. Then, I believe I also recall that they set up fans (even in the orchards, they use huge industrial versions) to keep the air moving. I can’t remember the exact details, but I recall it being reported in the news in years past when hard freezes were forecasted.

There’s a gardener north of here that actually runs sprinklers on his property when it freezes. As the temperatures lower, the water covers the trees, freezing in layers and actually protecting the trees. He’s done videos about it. One year in the recent past he had many of his trees in full bloom due to the crazy weather, and it was all saved because he used the ice as an insulator. It was fascinating. If anyone is interested, let me know and I’ll try to find his video to post here.

[KimC]

You’re welcome. Glad you got the info you needed. Please don’t hesitate to reach out any time. Happy to help if I’m able. God bless!

[KimC]

Hi there, and welcome! You’ll probably get a better response if you copy and paste your question in the communities/groups such as The Barn and/or The Homestead (as in start a new discussion with your question). That may give you better feedback.

[KimC]

Based on my research, you are well-founded in your distrust of the test. One note of interest: I have seen and read whistleblower reports from nurses and hospital employees stating that once patients are under anesthesia and/or in their care, they have been given the injections anyway. One specifically warned to read ALL fine print before any procedure, indicating that even patients who had stated verbally that they didn’t want ‘this or that’ had been ignored and had been given injections and so-called medications (for their own good), even though they were told not to do so.

Personally, based on my current distrust of the entire medical system, I would not have anything done to me going forward except a life-saving procedure due to some sort of accident or unforeseen event. I would put in writing (even through an advocate if I was incapacitated; including notices of legal ramifications if not honored), requiring the hospital’s/doctor’s/surgical team’s specific written acknowledgment and acceptance/agreement, that they would give no injections, medications or procedures not approved by me in advance or by my advocate (on scene constantly to watch them like a hawk). But that’s just me.

There are a lot of things that can be done for knee issues. I recently saw this video and was amazed at the results. Maybe it could benefit you? Hope/Pray so! Blessings, Kim

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXt5kTTTrho

[KimC]

Thanks for your input. I completely understand where you’re coming from. I tried that—for a long time. In this small, suburban back yard in a neighborhood that the houses are close together, and where the growing space is already extremely limited, every bit of food counts, and even so much more when severe shortages occur as time goes on.

Because of the extreme nuisance that the squirrels are, there aren’t many choices for utilizing your method in this location. “Coexisting” with them just isn’t possible because what we have is so limited, and they are so very many. I have become pretty much of the same thinking as Danny from Deep South Homestead: When it comes to the food, it’s us or them (paraphrased). If they want to travel my fence rail on their way to/from their daily destinations, fine. But if they’re going to damage or take just about every bit of food I’m growing, then that’s a different situation and where I have no choice but to draw the line. I wish it were different because I enjoy nature and animals in general, but alas, in this situation, it is not.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 11 months ago by  KimC.

[KimC]

Hi there. His name is Dan. I believe he’s in zone 9b in the Sacramento Valley in California. He’s an interesting character, and his YT channel is called Plant Abundance. He’s a little eccentric at times, but he has successfully turned his suburban back yard into a food forrest and orchard, and done many different kinds of experiments over the years that he’s filmed to encourage others. Here’s a link to the search. I used the key words “sprinklers during freeze.” I think the first several videos are about that topic, and then it branches out from there. https://www.youtube.com/@plantabundance/search?query=sprinklers%20during%20freeze. I’ll be curious what you think once you’ve seen what he does.

[KimC]

Just found this news item, so am posting an update: https://www.theepochtimes.com/mkt_app/irs-halts-controversial-new-rule-requiring-reporting-of-600-payments_4942931.html?utm_source=Morningbrief&src_src=Morningbrief&utm_campaign=mb-2022-12-24&src_cmp=mb-2022-12-24&utm_medium=email&est=HD%2FPhKpOFO03H0MuZmGWQKRLquff%2B7adKcAEyewt5dfk2Yk7tjxNEOnduOzrAKx%2FUKWaCw%3D%3D

[KimC]

I’ve ordered moringa seeds from multiple places. The ones I had good germination rates for came from Mary’s (https://www.marysheirloomseeds.com/). You might also want to check out the Hollar Homestead on YT. They did a video not too long ago on planting nitrogen fixers between trees in their developing orchard. I can’t remember the names of the trees he was using for that, but here’s a link to their channel in case you want to check it out: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHollarHomestead/videos

[KimC]

Thanks for the clarification, and for the link. I will check it out. Much appreciated.

[KimC]

@Marthale7 , @JerseyGiantChick Hello! I’m trying to understand this tree hay topic. Don’t mean to be dense, but . . . Living in the suburbs, need clarification . . . Can I give my chickens and quail fresh, green, fruit tree leaves any time of the year (including citrus like lemon, orange)? I don’t have the variety of trees, property size to grow those mentioned in this discussion or the videos, or the ability to do anything extensive, but I could simply trim a branch here and there and give to the birds, rotating in with the other leafy greens the chickens already get (I haven’t tried giving leafy greens to the quail, but would if someone can let me know it would benefit them). If fresh tree leaves of the type I’ve mentioned would be nutritious or beneficial for the birds, then I wouldn’t put those trimmings/prunings in the compost pile, I’d let them have at least some, if not all, instead. Please help me understand what would be best for chickens and quail regarding this topic. I’m trying to figure out how to feed them in case I can’t get (or afford) commercial, bagged food at any point in the future. Thanks so much!

[KimC]

Someone near me feeds the local squirrels peanuts also, and they beeline it here to bury them, digging up my raised beds and containers in the process. I finally found the spiked scat mats and placed them on top of everything I could, and that kept them out of the beds and containers, but not the trees, of course. They damage or take as much of my ripening fruit as they can manage, and pull off even more and throw it to the ground just for fun, leaving it to rot (not even a bite mark on it!). I salvage as much as I can, and this year got more by picking early and letting things ripen inside. That’s not possible with everything, and the flavor isn’t nearly as good as tree-ripened, but you do what you have to. Now maybe, just maybe, this method will work and I will be free of the plague of squirrels once and for all. Here’s hoping! Please let us know if you try it and what results you get.

[KimC]

The thing that really struck me was the dimensions. Two feet is huge for my small garden. Seemed like something huge and heavy. I need to research this as I can’t really even picture it. Thanks for your input.

[KimC]

Thanks for the suggestions. I bought some plantain seeds a while back. I should try it this time too. Thanks for reminding me of it. I tried growing purslane two or three times here, but could never get it started. Maybe need to keep doing it in different locations till I find the right spot. My elephant food plant has done really well in a pot (supposed to be one of the highest omega 3 plant sources). I’ll check out those videos when I get time. Thanks!

[KimC]

Yes, I give my chickens fresh garden greens (chard, kale, sorrel, clover, etc.) daily. Please clarify about the viability/possibility of giving them fresh green tree leaves such as from fruit trees or berry bushes, etc. Or does it need to be certain species of tree such as discussed in the video? He didn’t mention small animals/livestock such as chickens. I don’t want to give mine anything that could possibly harm them, but if I could be giving them my pruned branches instead of tossing them into my compost pile, I’d like to know. Thanks!

[KimC]

Thanks. From the images, it doesn’t seem like it would be for chickens or quail, but I will check out the video. Much appreciated.