eBundle - Back to Basics Sale - Here is List of what is included - Don't Miss It. Ends January 22nd

Dear Folks,

Here is a list of the eBooks and eCourses (online programs) and more included in the eBundle price of $29.97.

My 2017 Month-By-Month Calendar is included.  As a PDF that means you can treat it like a perpetual calendar for all of your Desert Southwest and USDA Zone 9b and above planting information resource, as the information says pretty much the same for each month.

AND I AM offering my own bonus to you if you purchase the eBundle.  Save your invoice order number and email me with that information, your name and preferred email address and I will email you a FREE PDF copy of my Herb Inspired 12 Course Meal book.

Click here to read more about the eBundle and Order.  Don't miss this great opportunity.

Some of the ebooks I can't wait to delve into are:

Penniless Foodie In The Wild

The Swiss Hills Guide To Cheesemaking

Your Shelf Stable Pantry

And I just place my order for "Kraut Source" a stainless steel cap for making fermented veggies like sauerkraut in a mason jar.  I wanted to add this tool to my kitchen for a while.  The 30% discount is a great opportunity for you if you have thought about this tool too.

100+ DIY Projects to Make with Fruit Scraps

By JES
An old fashioned "Waste Not, Want Not" recipe and resource book which revolves purely around fruit scraps! If you love turning trash into treasure, especially when it involves filling the pantry, broadening the food menu, home decorating, natural cleaning ideas, nourishing bath and body care recipes, home remedies and so forth - then this book is for you. All the do-it-yourself projects revolve frugally around the foundation of fruit scraps that you would generally throw away!

Real Food Meal Plans Made Easy

By Jessica Beacom and Stacie Hassing
Finally, a meal plan for busy families! Our Real Food Meal Plan features a full-month of dinner menus, family-friendly recipes and done-for-you shopping lists plus bonus breakfast, lunch and snack recipe. All recipes are gluten-free with dairy-free options for each meal.

Paleo Meal Plans Made Easy

By Jessica Beacom and Stacie Hassing
Tired of not having an answer to the “What’s for dinner?” question? This Paleo Meal Plan features a full-month of dinner menus, family-friendly recipes and done-for-you shopping lists plus bonus breakfast, lunch and snack recipe. All recipes are free of grains, gluten, dairy, soy and legumes.

Meal Planning Made Easy

By Kelly Smith
Getting healthy home-cooked meals on the table doesn’t have to be stressful, time-consuming or expensive. In fact, it can be quite the opposite! In Meal Planning Made Easy, you’ll learn an easy, step-by-step meal planning system that will help you better nourish your family with the awesome added benefits of saving time, money and stress! And you’ll also discover proven “Cook Once, Eat Twice or More” strategies that make getting a healthy meal on the table a snap! In addition, you’ll gain access to an entire month of free whole food meal plans and additional meal planning resources that will revolutionize your life in the kitchen!

How to Become a Better Home Cook

By Lindsay Moe
How to Become a Better Home Cook takes you through the practical steps author Lindsay Moe took to teach herself how to become a better cook for her and her family. It contains tips, tricks, and recipes that will allow you to do the same and gain confidence in the kitchen.

Gluten Free Muffins

By Melanie Lynn
Whole food ingredients you can find at the grocery store and simple recipes make this collection of muffins fun to bake. Have you ever taken your gluten free treat to a potluck and come home with everything but the slice you ate? Or wanted to share with the neighbors, but worried that it would be a waste of expensive ingredients? These soft, tasty muffins will bridge that gap without gums, nuts or dairy.

10 Minute Prep Freezer Meals

By Shanti Landon
We’re all looking to save time. 10 Minute Prep Paleo Freezer Meals is here to help! This ebook contains a month’s worth of Paleo freezer meal recipes that you can prep in advance to have ready for those hectic evenings.

Discovering Sourdough

By Teresa Greenway
Sourdough Bread Baking 101 - Bake your first real sourdough bread with coaching from an expert sourdough bread baker. Baking classes in your own home.

Do It Yourself

10 Ingredients For All Natural Skin Care

By Amy Greene
There are only 10 ingredients you need to create the best all natural skin care products. The best part is most of the ingredients are edible. If it is safe to eat, then it is safe for your skin. In this book you will find out all the benefits of using each of these 10 ingredients. Including detailed instructions for making a skin care line for yourself at home.

The Broke Bladesmith

By Caleb Harris
Man has made knives for over two thousand years, and it is one object that will never go out of use. This book is the guide on finding, building, and acquiring the tools to begin making blades. Expensive equipment is not necessary; such equipment only makes the job easier and faster. This book covers anvils, hammers, tongs, knife steel, handle material, forges and more, focusing on the science and principles of an effective, efficient tool.

30 Essential Oil Recipes for DIY Beauty and Skin Care

By Chrystal Johnson
Have you thought about making your own beauty and skin care products, but worried it might be too challenging? 30 Essential Oil Recipes for DIY Beauty and Skin Care will walk you through the steps to make simple DIY Beauty recipes that yield stunning results. Whether you're a DIY beauty newbie or a veteran, I hope you'll find a new favorite recipe in this book.

How To Make Lye Soap

By Constance Beck
Learn how to make basic lye soap safely. In this video you'll learn what ingredients you need and exactly how to put them together in a safe way to create the best homemade soap to keep, give away or sell.

The Complete Guide to Using, Laundering and Sewing Reusable Cloth Products

By Danielle Pientka
Explore the world of reusable cloth products. This book discusses why many people are switching to cloth, the different products available, and how to make or sew these items yourself. Save money and the environment by making the switch. Learn how to use, clean, store, and sew cloth diapers, cloth wipes, unpaper towels, reusable snack bags, fabric gift bags, and more. The sewing portion of this book covers detailed tutorials and photos about how to sew these products.

The Swiss Hills Guide To Cheesemaking

By Karen Christian
Now it's easy to get started making your own cheeses. With 68 pages of recipes, tutorials and pictures, this ultimate guide has everything you need to know to get you started making gourmet cheeses such as Triple Cream Brie, Cashel Blue, or Tomme cheese. None of the recipes require a cheese press, nor do they require tedious amounts of time-on-task. Some cheeses can be made with just a few minutes of active time each day.

How To Make Amish Whitewash

By Leigh Tate
Old-fashioned whitewash is making a comeback! Simple and inexpensive to make, this environmentally friendly finish for wood contains no VOCs, deters insects, and is not toxic to animals. How To Make Amish Whitewash explains how to make it, the different types of lime available, how to make whitewash more durable, waterproof, and colorful, and how to use it safely. Includes a glossary, resources, and 31 recipes for homemade whitewash, paint, and wood stain.

Hot Process Soap Making e-Course

By Lindy Sellers
Have you ever wanted to try your hand at making soap? Well, here’s your chance to learn from a soap making veteran. Lindy Mayberry Sellers has been making handcrafted soap in her kitchen since 2001. In her Hot Process Soap Making e-Course, she will take you step by step through the very same process that she uses to make her very own Sweet Harvest Homestead soap. You will receive a 23 page e-book and a 20 minute video to guide you along the way.

Act On Your Craft

By Renee Harris
Is selling at a craft show a good fit for me? (how to decide) - I have skills and talents but no ideas (where to look)
Help me narrow down my ideas (what sells well?) - How do I find shows to sell with?
Help! I'm an introvert (using your personality to sell) - How much for this? (setting your prices)
13 display ideas (using Pinterest for inspiration) - Can I really do this? (tips from the experts)
After the craft show (what to do next)

Food Storage

Dehydrating Charts And Basic Methods

By Jennifer Osuch
Quickly and easily figure out how much of a dehydrated food goes in your recipe with Dehydrating Conversion Charts, figure out how long it will take to dehydrate your favorite food with our Dehydrating Time Guide, learn how to dehydrate your favorite foods with Detailed Tutorials, and more...

Food Storage Made Easy: A Three-Part Program

By Jodi Moore And Julie Weiss
Food Storage Made Easy was founded on the principals of building up a year supply of food storage in simple babysteps.
BABYSTEP CHECKLISTS: The Food Storage Made Easy Program starts with a series of checklists designed to be completed every two weeks. Each checklist gives specific food storage or preparedness items to buy, to learn about, and to try.
FOOD STORAGE ENCYCLOPEDIA: Detailed information about every aspect of your food storage and emergency preparedness plans. We help you know the different varieties of foods so you can choose ones that your family will enjoy and that meet the nutritional guidelines you are looking for.
RECIPE APPENDIX: With 60 recipes plus food storage equivalents and substitutions charts this recipe appendix is a complete resource on it's own. For every food we instruct you to buy we give you at least one recipe you can use so you don't have to feel nervous about storing new foods you've never used before.

Food Preservation Made Simple

By Kendra Stamy
A start-up guide to freezing, canning and dehydrating. This ebook is designed to give you the information and tools needed to begin preserving your own foods. It is written for the beginner homesteader and contains the basics to preserving summer’s bounty for winter’s cold. Read your book, print out your charts and get started preserving your own foods today!

Pantry & Food Preservation Planner

By Kim Mills
Keep track of your pantry inventory, canning and other food preserving easily with this Pantry & Food Preservation Planner.
28 PAGES OF PRINTABLE FORMS TO PLAN:
Your monthly to-do and shopping list
Keep track of your pantry, fridge and freezer inventory
Plan out how much of each food you need to can, freeze, dehydrate or buy

Pickling Primer

By LeAnn Edmondson
Pickled foods have been enjoyed by billions of people worldwide for thousands of years. Learn how incredibly easy it is to make your own pickled food in a single afternoon! There is no pressure canning involved or overly specialized equipment needed to pickle food. This primer was made with the absolute newbie in mind and is written with step by step instructions in a clear and straightforward language.

A Cabin Full Of Food

By Marie Beausoleil
A Cabin Full of Food is almost 1000 of “the Grandma recipes” that many of us remember from childhood. Use the foods you grow yourself, or get from the Farmer’s Market, to build a pantry that will keep your family well-fed throughout the year. A simple, conversational format means that Marie is “standing right by you, like a friend in your kitchen”.

Your Shelf Stable Pantry

By Misty Marsh
Your Shelf Stable Pantry is a food storage recipes book for those that like to eat. This food storage is not boring, bland, basic or difficult. Every recipe in this book is kid friendly, family approved and delicious. You’ll find 6 breakfast recipes, 6 dinner recipes, 7 soup recipes, 8 bread recipes, and 4 side / salad recipes. In addition, you’ll have 8 conversion charts you can use to convert your own family recipes to shelf stable versions.

Introduction To Canning

By Patrice Lewis
A comprehensive three-in-one beginner’s guide to water-bath canning, pressure canning, and frequently asked questions about canning. Booklet covers procedures, equipment, altitude adjustment, and safety tips. In addition, the reader is walked through detailed instructions on canning applesauce, peaches/pears, tomatoes, chicken breasts, green beans, and split pea soup, all lavishly illustrated with photographs. The FAQs portion addresses 100 of the most common questions about canning, including Basic Information, Equipment, Water-Bath Canning, Pressure Canning, Heat Sources, Alternate Equipment, Troubleshooting, and Miscellaneous Information, with special attention paid to safety procedures.

Oh Lardy's Guide To Fermenting Fruits & Vegetables

By Tamara Mannelly and Kelly Liston
Our journey into fermentation did not happen overnight. It was slow and there certainly was a learning curve. It is definitely a different technique to add to your kitchen repertoire. Both of us were a little concerned when we first started that we were going to mess up and poison our families! But we persevered, reading different recipes, taking classes in person and online and now are very comfortable with the fermenting process. We hope this ebook will help you get to the same place!

Frugal Living

Tips & Tales From A Frugal, Healthy Kitchen

By Daisy Luther
Have you ever been really broke, like, if one of the kids spills the gallon of milk, there wouldn’t be milk until payday? I’ve been there. There were many weeks when I questioned how I’d keep my kids fed, let alone fed healthful food. Here's what I learned during those years of budgeting strictly, stretching every penny as far as it could go, building a pantry, and cooking from scratch to try and feed my family the most nutritious food I could put on the table.

Healthy Family Meals On A Budget

By Jolene Sloam
Healthy Family Meals On A Budget - Tips, Strategies & Recipes to Plan,Source & Cook Real Food Meals On A Budget.
Feeding your family real, healthy food on a budget just got easier!
In this eBook you'll learn how to:
* Plan a healthy menu for your family
* Source fresh produce on a budget
* Cook delicious, picky eater approved recipes

The Grow Your Money Tree Tool Kit

By Lauren Bowling
An e-book and companion excel file that includes everything you need to know to strategize, grow, and track your income.

Penniless Foodie In The Wild

By Penny Price
Learn from a renowned forager and frugal expert how to make sumptuous meals from your available ingredients, foraged or inexpensively purchased. Enjoy 65 deliciously frugal recipes from around the world, appetizers to desserts, written with adaptability in mind. Real food and kosher, and free of most of the top 8 allergens, most recipes can be made without the other top 8 allergens, and to suit Halal, vegetarian, vegan, low carb, low fat, and Paleo diets.

Six Dollar Family

By Stacy Barr
Six Dollar Family: From Six Dollars to Six Figures is your toolbox of frugal living ideas, budget saving advice, financial crisis management and more to arm yourself with the info that you need to go from six dollars…to six figures! Six Dollar Family gives you the tips and tricks that you will need to take your family’s budget to the next level. Tried and true, these tips are what you’ve been waiting for to help kick your savings up a notch, knock your budget back into place and take hold of your money!

Gardening

Backyard Herb Gardening

By Arlene Mobley
Backyard Herb Gardening takes you through the steps to get your backyard herb garden started and growing healthy lush herb plants to use in your cooking, for an herbal tea garden or just the pleasure of growing herbs. No yard to plant a herb garden? No problem. The Backyard Herb Gardening eBook is for anyone who wants to grow herbs even if you can only grow a few pots to use in your kitchen.

Edible Landscaping Calendar

By Catherine Crowley
If you live in USDA Zone 9b or higher, this month-by-month planting calendar is for you. The Desert Southwest and Deep South are blessed with sunny days, mild winters with little or no frost, allowing for year-round growing of all things edible. Soil temperatures and daylight hours are as important as heat. Grow vegetables, fruits, herbs and edible flowers 365 days a year with information on when to plant for optimal success, planting tips and maintenance guidance.

Get Growing

By Gabe Wright
If you're looking to start a garden but not sure where to begin, this book gives you five of the easiest, any-brown-thumb-can-grow-them vegetables, and tells you what to do to keep them alive and happy in a simple and straight-to-the-point manner. Learn from my mistakes, don’t waste time and money on things that don’t work, and grow a great garden without all the chemicals!

Grow More Food course

By Jason Matyas
This course provides wisdom from veteran growers—the wisdom you need to start or continue a successful growing journey. This course includes 12 sessions from expert farmers and gardeners. It’s over 17 hours of training! Plus, you'll get detailed training session outlines with timestamps to help you find parts of the videos that you'd like to review again in the future easily.

Garden Therapy

By Stephanie Rose
The Garden Therapy Coloring Book was created for all of the garden lovers out there, who want to enjoy creating a beautiful garden when the sun has set or the snow has fallen. You can even sit and color in the garden, using the blooms, sounds, and fragrances to inspire how you interpret each page. There are 14 coloring pages (including the front cover) that take you through a garden coloring journey. Beautiful flowers and foliage are joined by common critters like bees, beetles, butterflies, and even a squirrel. You will color a garden gate and add your own message to the sign, decorate fall leaves or turn them spring green, and create the garden of your dreams along the way.

Ready, Set, Grow!

By Susannah Shmurak
Think you don’t have the money, time, or know-how to grow your own food? Think again! Ready, Set Grow! will show you how to get going with just a plant or two so you can gain the confidence to try growing some more. You don’t need much money – maybe none at all, as this guide teaches you ways you can get what you need for free. Don’t want to study up on complicated stuff about soil, light, water? No problem! Ready, Set, Grow! will get you started with just a few minutes of reading and minimal labor.

Eat Your Wild Yard: Spring

By Theresa & Bear
Have you ever wondered if you could shop for groceries without spending money? In our tiny, shady yard, we can’t grow most of the usual garden vegetables, but we can grow and forage for free wild Spring edibles: nettle, chickweed, fiddleheads, ramps, and violets. Wild edibles are not the normal ingredients you find in most cookbooks, but you too can bring the wild into your yard and let it nourish you.

Homesteading

8 Pounds in 8 Weeks: Raising Day Old Chicks For The Dinner Table

By Annie Coombe
Want to save money at the meat counter? Are you feeling doubtful of the quality of the meat you are buying to feed your family? Ever thought of raising some of your own meat? Grow your own chickens in just 8 weeks! Having meat birds is a great way to help fill your freezer without working with animals twelve months a year. This book covers everything from choosing and ordering chicks, all the way through brooder set ups and a coop for growing them out.

8 Steps to Homestead Beginnings

By Carmen Nuland
Have you ever felt overwhelmed as to where you should concentrate your homesteading efforts? Do you struggle where to even begin? This e-book lays out the steps to develop a clear vision, narrow the focus and outline the tasks needed to move forward towards your goals. Spending time creating a plan will save you time and effort in the future.

Permaculture Chickens

By Justin Rhodes
Chickens are a perfect starting point for anyone who wants to be more connected to their food. Not only are they fun to raise; they offer eggs, meat, fertilizer, and they are capable of all kinds of work! I guarantee, that if you follow the methods we teach, you'll gain valuable partners in your future food adventures!

How To Draw Blood From Your Goats

By Starlene Stewart
Yes, you can learn How to Draw Blood from Your Goats and Starlene D. Stewart is going to show you how. In this helpful e-book she'll tell you why you may want to master this relatively easy veterinary procedure. Starlene includes a checklist which details the exact items you'll need to have on hand, how to fill out the laboratory paperwork, how to ship specimens, plus a photo tutorial demonstrating the procedure.

Oh Lardy's Guide to Keeping Backyard Chickens

By Tamara Mannelly and Kelly Liston
In this book, you will learn everything you need to know to get you started with raising backyard chickens. We have tried to cover it all, from raising chicks to feeding hens to picking out a coop and taking care of sick chickens. Raising chickens is easy and fun. You get delicious fresh eggs, and you get to see where your food comes from. What’s better than that? We hope you feel inspired to get out there, buy some chicks and start having the most delicious homegrown fresh eggs only steps away from your back door.

How To Embrace An Off-Grid Lifestyle

By Tammy Trayer
Are you unsure of what it means to live off-grid? You've heard all kinds of stories and just don't know what to expect? Are you looking to be more self-sufficient or truly desire to live the dream of freedom? Tammy shares her life and that of her family hoping to inspire faith and freedom into the hearts of readers. She strives to debunk off-grid living and help people fully understand the pros and cons of living an off-grid lifestyle by sharing her story and the ins and outs of off-grid living. You will find information shared on every aspect from their solar system and other alternative energy options as well as reliable companies to appliances and tools used on their homestead, their generator and large appliances, hacks to save energy, homesteading with special needs children, a look at a typical day on the homestead and more. Additionally, you will have access to many resources, printable pages and downloadable information.

Molly Green 1-yr Membership

By MollyGreen.com
Molly Green is your go-to for all things HOME and outdoor living. It’s an all-in-one stop for everything HOMEsteading, HOMEkeeping, HOMEschooling, and HOMEindustry. This 1 year membership includes:
- Over 60 digital back issues of Molly Green Magazines
- All Molly Green related eBooks including several cookbooks and $5 meal plans
- 14 Molly Green topical Bite-Sized™ Guides with a new one EVERY month
- Custom Homestead Planners for gardening, cleaning, meal prep and more
- Over 1,000 streaming videos on-demand
- And more perks, privileges and discounts being added exclusively for Members

Natural Parenting

Prepared Kids

By Angela Paskett
Our children are the next generation of adults in the world, and we get to help raise them. Whether we are their parent, grandparent, guardian, or family friend, how can we raise children that are responsible and self-reliant? In this book, the author shares ideas that she and others have used in raising their children that have helped foster in them an attitude of self-reliance and preparedness.

Lessons from the Homestead

By Carol J. Alexander
Lessons from the Homestead is a series of unit studies written for homeschooling or involved parents who want something that turns everyday life into learning lessons. Each unit study includes lessons for math, language, science, geography, home economics, art and more for each grade level. Each study includes a reading list for further study, literature suggestions and vocabulary words.

Raising Young Children On The Homestead - A Young Mother’s Guide To The Early Years

By Deborah Olsen
This book guides you from pregnancy through the toddler years from the unique perspective of the self-sufficient life. You’ll learn what you really need, what you can make on your own, and how to get through those busy times in a homesteader’s life like planting and harvesting your self-sufficient garden with baby-in-tow. Unique off-grid situations, like potty-training with an outhouse as well as Deborah’s sleep-training program are also found here.

School Mom

By Hilary Erickson
School Mom is created for both the parent just starting school with their child for the first time, and the returning mom who would like to create an action plan for the best year yet! Get organized, get informed, get ready. From Kindergarten through college readiness, this book can help you understand school and helping your family thrive.

Homeschool Planner

By Kelsi Rea
A homeschool planner that can be used by any size family and it is tailored specifically to those families that use the Charlotte Mason style of homeschooling (although it could be used with any curriculum). It is minimalist in style and features small nature-inspired watercolor graphics. The weekly planning pages have a date section that is left blank, so it can be used for multiple years and features sections for planning for individual as well as group work. Each planner comes with free word art printables as well, to include in the planner or to hang in your home.

If It Does Not Grow Say No

By Kerry Wekelo
This book was created for children of all ages to discover how much fun they can have with fruits and vegetables. They will be entertained for hours as they:
* Draw and write about their favorite foods
* Learn why fruits and vegetables are so awesome
* Try easy recipes for fun foods
* See how brave they are about trying new fruits and veggies
* Make food art & more!
Get your fruits and veggies ready; they're about to become very popular!

Parenting In Tough Times

By Luschka van Onselen
Parenting in Tough Times is a simple workbook that breaks down hard times into identifying specifics of the problem, and figuring out a way through it. While it's written for a parent and considers the challenges of having children when dealing with emotional struggles, it can be used by anyone in any hard time. It helps focus the attention on coping strategies for both emotional and practical survival.

Schoolhouse Teachers Membership

by SchoolhouseTeachers.com
Do you know where you can find more than 300 courses for your entire family at one low monthly price? You can find all of this and more at SchoolhouseTeachers.com, the curriculum site of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine. With courses for preschool through high school that range in length and intensity from a few weeks to a full year or more, there is something everyone can enjoy. All courses are self paced, allowing you to do decide when to start and how fast to progress. Tools such as the Literacy Center and Preschool Playground help you focus on specific skills. Plus SchoolhouseTeachers.com offers a fully customizable schedule builder, various class formats, a streaming video library, e-book media resources, and much more.

Enjoy the entire site for 3 months

Natural Remedies

Herbal Teas For Winter Health

By Carol Little, R.H.
Join Carol as she shares her passion for herbal tea from her 20+ years of herbal medicine study. Understand why well-respected herbalists, worldwide, value and revere these powerful remedies. Find out about herbal tea rituals and learn how to make the perfect cup of herb-infused goodness! Determine which herbs will be the best ones to have on hand for your family’s needs from a comprehensive list of 33 specific herbs. Benefit from classic herb tea blends and some of Carol’s favorites. Enjoy! Here’s to your health and to self-reliance!

Essential Oil 101 Guide & Recipes

By Caroline Vencil
If you've ever wanted to get started using essential oils but didn't know where to start, this is the guide for you. Essential oils can benefit your life in so many different ways. Some of the best ways are their use in rollerballs and in diffusers. In this guide, you will learn the best ways to start using essential oils in your daily life.

How To Make Healing Herbal Oils

By Kami McBride
How to Make Healing Herbal Oils guides you step by step in learning to make and use herbal infused oils that support your daily self-care, stress reduction and home herbal first-aid. Aches and Pains Oil, Headache Oil Blend, Relaxation Oil Blend are just a few of the herbal oils that you can easily make in your own kitchen. Learn to effectively preserve and safely use herbal oils as part of your healthy living strategy.

Natural Beauty From Head To Toe

By Kelly Cable
In this book you will receive recipes for the bath like shampoo, toothpaste, and lotion; makeup recipes like eye shadow and foundation, and blush; body recipes like perfume blends, facial toners, and lip balm; and recipes for men like cologne and essential oil blend ideas. I give an introduction on how to get started, information on carrier oils, safety, and purity or products. You’ll also receive a discount to my Etsy Shop.

DIY Natural Remedies

By Nina Nelson
DIY Natural Remedies is filled with the best remedies to keep your family healthy. Focusing on preventive care and being prepared for when sickness does occur, you’ll find everything you need to create your own effective, natural remedies. Includes 25 simple recipes you can make with just a few ingredients. No need to fill your cabinets with herbs – just a handful will do (ok, maybe two handfuls). Same with essential oils, accessories and other ingredients.

Apple Cider Vinegar On The Homestead

By Rhonda Crank
Apple Cider Vinegar on the Homestead is written to be your go to source for how to use organic, raw, unfiltered ACV in your home, for your health and hygiene, and for the health and well-being of your livestock and pets. You will find the doses and dilutions you're looking for as well as inspiration for your own uses of Apple Cider Vinegar on the Homestead. You'll also find how to make your own ACV at home.

Preparedness

52 Week Preparedness Guide

By Karen Jensen and Anita Fowler
You will receive a shopping list that will consist of nonperishable foods, personal hygiene items, daily necessities, and emergency preparedness items. The list is broken up into 52 weeks to make it affordable and easy to accomplish. By following this plan, at the end of the year you will have a one year supply of food storage, a 72 hour kit, a personal hygiene kit, a car emergency kit, and daily necessities to last for months.

One Second After the Lights Go Out

By Lisa Bedford
The power’s out, cellphones don’t work, cars on the street have stalled, and you suddenly realize, this is no common power outage. America’s power grid is vulnerable and without it, our modern life will grind to a deadly halt. To survive this scenario, One Second After the Lights Go Out is the most practical survival handbook you could ever own, with step-by-step instructions and checklists to prepare.

30 Days to Preparedness

By Melissa K. Norris
Increase your self-sufficiency and become more prepared with these 30 days of old-fashioned life skills. Learn how to use the best of the pioneer lifestyle and common sense skills and tools in your modern life from building up your pantry, foraging for food, raising and growing your own livestock and crops, to preserving it, plus old-time advice from our ancestors on saving money and home remedies. All broken down into 30 easy to digest articles.

Your Own 72 Hour Kit Plan

By Misty Marsh
Your Own 72 Hour Kit Plan is a unique step by step system for building a truly useful 72 hour kit for your family. It is especially helpful if you are short on time or money. If you want to feel ready, calm and confident that you can immediately begin providing for your family in time of disaster, this book is for you.

Off The Grid

By Sheri Ann Richerson
Living off-grid is fast becoming a very popular option to those people wishing to lessen their carbon footprint, affirm their independence and stay away from the reliance to fossil fuels. In this book, you will learn about:
- What Is Living Off The Grid?
- Advantages of Living off the Grid
- Is It Practical To Live Off The Grid?
- What Do You Need To Live Off The Grid?
- And many other useful things!

Simple Living

Sustainability Starts At Home

By Dawn Gifford
338 pages of ideas, tips, facts and inspiration to help you live a simpler, more sustainable and frugal life--no matter what level of knowledge you are starting from. Simply by making adjustments to how you maintain your home and make your day-to-day purchases, you can save hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars a year, be empowered to greater self-sufficiency, reduce your consumption of natural resources, and have a real sense that you ARE making a difference for the world.

Simplify: Thoughtful Exercises To Help Simplify Your Life In A Few Minutes A Day

By Jenetta Penner
Simplify is a thirty day journal that provides thoughtful exercises that will help you simplify your life in just a few minutes day. Accompanying the journal are thirty adult coloring pages to help you slow down and appreciate the beauty in your life. Use the journal to help you reflect on the goodness your life already has.

Back To The Basics: Small Space Living

By Kayla Kamp
Just got your first apartment or don’t have the budget to invest in expensive sustainable products? This book helps you find the small changes that can really make a difference for both
the Earth and your pocket book. Learn everything from space-efficient gardening and cheap ways to save on your electric bill to how to plan meals and upcycled projects to save money and
space.

The Organized And Efficient House Spouse

By Kim Anderson
Being a stay at home spouse can be a harder job than it seems. It’s a balance of cleaning, organizing, budgeting, saving and making time for what matters most. If you are a stay home spouse, full time or part time and need a little direction in how to get more done in the time you have, this book is for you. You’ll get information on organizing your home, finances, and family life. You can then use the information to design your own stay at home lifestyle. You will find diagrams, samples and get access to a variety of free printable charts. It’s time to design a stay at home life that best fit with your creature habits. Stop fighting your personality and start working with it to become a house spouse that gets more done.

Proverbial Homemaker Planner

By Tauna Meyer
The Proverbial Homemaker Planner & eCourse a unique and effective homemaking system that takes your priorities, needs, and challenges into consideration and provides an individualized
solution. There are no extra pages or fluff. It’s just what you absolutely need to make planning and daily homemaking more orderly and efficient. The planner and eCourse provide
encouragement and tools to set up helpful routines and create a flexible system that works for YOU.

How To Get Organized

By Tawra Kellam and Jill Cooper
Having trouble getting it all done? The secret is better planning but what do you do when the plans don’t work? How To Get Organized is an easy to follow step by step guide designed to help you organize your time better. It includes pre-made schedules and lists along with information to help you make your own customized schedules to fit your family and your life!

A Simply Homemade Clean

By Lisa Barthuly
Rid your home of toxic products. Learn to make your own, natural replacements. In minutes. Create everything from your own laundry soap, to homemade dryer sheets, antibacterial spray cleaners, potpourri blends, fabric softeners, calendula salve, homemade ‘Vaseline,’ handcrafted Eucalyptus Chest Rub . . . and much more. Simply.

Your Simple Home Handbook

By Elsie Callender
Are you tired of too much stuff? Your Simple Home Handbook is for you! It will help you cut the clutter and actually use and enjoy what you own. It will equip you to craft a beautiful, inviting home without spending a penny. If you recognize that “more” doesn't always mean “better” and you’re willing to be a little counter-cultural for the sake of breathing space in their life, then you’ve picked the right book. Ready to declutter?

Bonus Offers

All American Sun Oven

sunoven.com
SUN OVEN the Ultimate Solar Appliance! Cook, bake, boil water, steam, or dehydrate naturally with the Sun. No energy costs no pollution, just fresh, moist food. Cooking in a SUN OVEN is easy, fun, natural, and nutritious. Cook at temperatures of 360° to 400° F. SUN OVENS are ideal year around for off grid living, emergency preparedness, camping, everyday use in your back yard, on a boat or in the event of a power failure. Sun boiled freshly laid eggs will peel easily. They can help keep your house cool in the summer by keeping the cooking heat outdoors. When closed, this solar oven is as portable as a small suitcase.
Save $133 on a Back To Basics Sun Oven bundle

Better Bilt Products

bbponline.com
Better Bilt Products, Inc. (BBP) maintains a solid core business in professional landscape and nursery hard goods and diverse custom-made wire products designed to bring your project to completion.
Save 10% on a Vine Spine Trellis System

Kombucha Kamp

kombuchakamp.com
Kombucha Kamp's (or KKamp’s) mission is “changing the world, one gut at a time” which is accomplished through empowering others to safely brew Kombucha at home by providing quality information, quality supplies and quality support.
Receive $10 off any purchase of $100 or more

Kraut Source

Krautsource.com
Kraut Source is a stainless steel device that fits on any wide mouth mason jar making it simple to ferment foods in small batches. Kraut Source’s mission is to empower home cooks to easily create gourmet, fermented foods that are delicious, nutritious, and economical. Inspired by the simplicity of old fashioned fermentation techniques, Karen Diggs (founder), set out to streamline the live-culturing process by adapting the traditional crock-moat system for the modern kitchen. Karen launched a Kickstarter campaign over the summer of 2014, where over 3,300 passionate fermenting fans from around the world contributed to bring her vision to life.
Kraut Source and Recipe Book for 30% off of $40 (savings of $12), shipping NOT included
PROMO Will NOT be live until January 16th, 2017.

LPC Survival

www.directive21.com
LPC Survival is an Authorized Dealer of the Berkey Water Filtration Systems and other preparedness products. On our blog, we provide plentiful information relating to Berkey Water Filtration and many other preparedness topics.
Save $9 on a Sport Berkey water bottle (regular $24.99), or 10% on any other item.

MadeOn Skin Care

Hardlotion.com
“Hard Lotion” is a lotion “bar” that is solid at room temperature and made with just three ingredients (shea butter, coconut oil and beeswax). It is designed specifically to heal and protect hands and feet from cracked and extremely dry skin. Our name is “MadeOn” because we sign and date the products so that you know when it was made.
$10 off your purchase

Minnie And Moon

minnieandmoon.com
Minnie and Moon offers quality products for throughout the home and garden that are functional, beautiful, and crafted from the finest natural materials. Our range includes English made twine stands, aprons, and forms for creating your own seed pots. Plus USA made dishcloths, nail brushes, cloth produce bags, and lots more.
Save 10% off your order

Seeds For Generations

seedsforgenerations.com
Seeds for Generations is a family business that provides organic heirloom garden seeds and inspiration for families to garden together and produce more of their own food. Founder Jason Matyas has gardened his entire life, and together with his wife and 7 children, they raise and preserve most of the vegetables they eat each year. They are passionate about inspiring and teaching others to grow more of their own food, that our families, communities, and nation would be more self-reliant and healthy for generations to come.
Save 20% off your order

Simple Life Mom

etsy.com/shop/SimpleLifeMom
Natural bath and beauty products made with the purest ingredients and essential oils for the whole family.
Take 10% off your purchase

Strawesome

Strawesome.com
Strawesome is a family-owned and operated Michigan-based green company with a commitment to health and the environment. We offer fun, safe, and reusable glass drinking straws to people of all ages - making it easy to go green! Our straws are all hand-made in our workshop in Michigan and we take pride and care to offer the best products and service possible.
Take $10 off your Strawesome order

Titan Ready USA

Titanreadyusa.com
Titan Ready USA was created to help others find solutions to survival challenges, particularly challenges in the security and readiness of the most critical elements of life – water and food. We find passion and fun in creating simple, efficient solutions to storage and access of water and preparation of food. We find fulfillment in helping others be prepared.
$80.00 off our HERC XXL Candle Lit Oven, $50.00 off our Helius Rocket Stove, or $60.00 off our Hydrant Water Storage System

Trilight Health

Trilighthealth.com
For over 20 years now, we at TriLight Health have faithfully supplied our customers nationwide with our high quality line of liquid herbal products. We were the first company to specialize in great tasting, alcohol and sugar free, liquid herbal formulas for pregnancy, children, and the family.
$10 store credit to be used towards any of 6 Best Sellers, or 20% off of any order over $100

. . .

The total value of the books, courses and bonus discounts is over $800, discounted 96% to just $29.97 for the downloadable PDF files.  You have 1 year to download and take advantage of the eBooks and eCourses.  Bonus discounts have different expiration dates so be sure to read the detail on each.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to have an entire library of healthy, sustainable and DIY ebooks and online courses at your fingertips.  Click here.


-- Catherine, The Herb Lady

If you enjoyed this post, subscribe below by entering your email, to get all my posts!

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

Disclaimer: Clicking on links on this blog may earn me a small commission if you purchase something. Your price does not change.

eBundle Sale has Started - 1 Week Only!

Dear Folks,

Here it is!!  The eBundle Sale has started.  You have one week, through midnight January 22nd to purchase this wonderful library of sustainable books and more.  You have the rest of 2017 to download the library at your convenience!!

Included are special bonus discount offers on products like "Kraut Source" a special stainless steel cap for mason jars to make your own fermented veggies, like homemade sauerkraut.

The ebooks include gardening, cooking, chicken and livestock help and DIY sustainable information.  There are also eCourses as part of the bundle.

Your price is $29.97 for a downloadable PDF library of information worth over $800 retail.

You have the option of purchasing your library on a flash drive, with our without access to the online PDF library.

There is a 30 day money back guarantee.

Click here to see all the that is included in this great opportunity.

AND here is my bonus offer -- purchase the eBundle, save your order number and I will email you a Free PDF of my special Herb Inspired book, a menu and recipes of 12 courses.

"Using the old fashioned tradition of a sumptuous dinner, Catherine, The Herb Lady, Crowley created a 12 course menu with a focus on the flavor of one or more herbs.  While this type of dinner is no longer in fashion except for special events, Catherine took the theme to showcase creative and unique ways with herbs, flavor and food. Using fresh herbs from her gardens Catherine encourages the reader to do more than cook, with herbs, but to also grow some or more of the vast, tasty, and healthy range of herbs."

Make sure you save your order number when purchasing the eBundle.  Contact me with your name, order number and preferred email address and I will send the PDF file to you on or about about March 1st.  The eBundle people and myself need the time window to sort through all of the orders and reports.

-- Catherine, The Herb Lady

If you enjoyed this post, subscribe below by entering your email, to get all my posts!

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

Disclaimer: Clicking on links on this blog may earn me a small commission if you purchase something. Your price does not change.

February Planting / Sowing Tips 2017

Dear Folks:

FEBRUARY PLANTING:
[Pictured: Poor Man's Cloche]


I am repeating my post from last year with some extra pointers.


Set out your tomatoes, basil, peppers, eggplant and similar frost sensitive warm weather lovers on February 1st.  Use the Poor Man's Cloche shown above to protect them and keep the soil around them warm until all danger of frost is gone.  Keep handy for possible hail through the end of March.

VEGETABLES, FRUITS & HERBS TO PLANT

Artichoke; Asparagus; Basil; Bay; Bean, Lima; Beets; Bok Choy; Cantaloupe; Carrots; Chard; Citrus Scented Marigold (Tagetes Nelsonii); Collards; Corn; Cucumbers; Epazote; Fruit Trees; Jerusalem Artichoke; Lavender; Lettuce & Greens; Marigold; Marjoram; Melon, Musk Melon; Melon, Winter; Mint; Mustard; Onion, Sets; Onions, Green; Oregano; Peas; Peppers; Potatoes; Purslane; Radishes; Sage; Savory; Spinach; Squash, Summer; Strawberry; Thyme; Tomatoes; Turnips; Watermelon

EDIBLE FLOWERS TO PLANT:

Bee Balm (Monarda Didyma); English Daisy ; Hollyhock; Jasmine Sambac (Arabian); Pansies; Primrose; Purslane; Safflower; Scented Geraniums; Snapdragons; Sunflower; Sweet Alyssum; Tangerine Scented Marigold (Tagetes Lemonii)

Frost/Freeze:  Average last frost day is approximately February 15th, however frost and hail has been seen as late as the second week in March or later.  It is best to have your frost covers handy.

GARDEN TIPS for February

February is the transition time for the garden from Winter to Spring sowing, transplanting and harvesting.

There is still time to get a last batch of carrots, sugarpeas, lettuces and similar in the ground. Choosing short maturity varieties, particularly of the root veggies, will give you more harvesting success as the weather jumps to heat in a couple of months.

February is also the time to start your warm season plants like tomatoes, basil and peppers, to name a few.  But they may need some initial frost protection.  Keep in mind that they may actually stop growing if there is a cold day or several, which chills the soil.  Then they resume when the soil heats back up (an interesting phenomenon I finally caught on to several years ago).

Consider using chicken wire hats to protect your young transplants or newly sown areas from birds and critters.  I have a couple of short videos on my youtube channel to illustrate using the "hats"

Global Weirding (as Karis over at the Valley Permaculture Alliance put it so well), makes for some required diligence in the garden in February and March.  It pays to remain more mindful of what the weather will be rather than just sow and try to grow.

February is the end of the primary perennial best planting time in the valley (October - February).  What this means is that to ensure the best success for your perennials like rosemary, oregano and fruit trees, it is best to have them in the ground before the end of February and the beginning of our temperature increases.

New to-the-valley residents can be surprised by the common spring joke of "when is spring here?" and the answer is "do you remember that period in early March when it was about 78-83 or so degrees for about 2 weeks? - that was it!"

This of course is due to the sudden rise of temperatures from balmy mid 70s in late February / early March to the 90s by April 1st (or higher - we have had the rare 100+ degree days in late March or early April).

The plants just can't take the stress of dealing with putting down roots while the temperatures soar into the 90+ range in just a few short weeks.

Fertilize fruit trees now -- Use Valentine's day as the target -- (and again in late May (Memorial Day) and early September (Labor Day).
    Pecan trees need zinc sulfate, applied at the rate of 1 pound per trunk inch width.

ABOUT FROST
    The last frost date averages around February 15th, although we have had frost as late as March 1st or 2nd (usually the result of a late winter storm with hail).
    Frost in the Valley at the 1100 or lower elevations is usually limited to ‘soft frost’ where simple sheets or paper placed over sensitive plants (or moving potted plants beneath patios or trees) is sufficient to protect them. Hard/Killing frosts are rare particularly in February/March.
    For every 1000 feet over 1100 in elevation the last frost day is moved back 10 days and the possibility of hard (killing) frosts starts to occur.  At 2000 feet or lower, this is still a rare occurrence.
    Getting your edible seedlings in the ground as early as possible provides longer-produce seasons - especially with plants like tomatoes.
    Use homemade 'cloche' covers to protect seedlings -- cut the bottom of gallon milk containers or 2 liter soda bottles - clean very well to avoid mold -- place over plants each night until frost danger is past, remove during the day, or if you need to be gone for several days remove the cap to allow excess heat and humidity to escape.
    How do you know if we are finished with frost?  There are some examples in nature, but you still need to be prepared to cover sensitive plants through the 2nd week in March.
        a. Ant activity in the garden indicates the soil has warmed up sufficiently for them to start gathering food again.
        b. If the mesquite trees have started to bud out, it is unlikely to frost after that
        c. Be aware that a warm storm can contain some hail through March.

HAIL
    Here in the Valley we can have Hail on an expected basis in Spring, early Summer and Fall.
    The perfect conditions for Hail are warm OR WARMING soil, cool air mass coming in AND wind.

    February and March have the perfect combination of warming soil and a cool system moving in.  If you add wind you will generally get hail.
    So, while actual frost may not happen keep your frost protection covers and jugs handy in the event of hail to safeguard your new seedlings and transplants.
 
Mark Your Calendar! 

eBundle Sale runs 1 Week -- January 16 - 22, 2017.  Click here to learn more and purchase - I am offering an additional book for anyone who purchases the eBundle.

January 28, 217 -- FREE Seed Share and Q&A with me, Catherine, The Herb Lady at Mesa Urban Garden.  Seedling starts will also be available for sale if you want to jump-start the garden in addition to some free seeds.


-- Catherine, The Herb Lady

If you enjoyed this post, subscribe below by entering your email, to get all my posts! 

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

Disclaimer: Clicking on links on this blog may earn me a small commission if you purchase something. Your price does not change.

eBundle Sale Starts Midnight Sunday!

Dear Folks,

The eBundle Sale will begin Sunday Midnight (that means Monday morning - January 16th) and last until Sunday the 22nd.

This is a wonderful opportunity to have a library of sustainable books and more, all in a downloadable PDF file.  Price is $29.97 a 96% savings from the total value of all of the content.

You will also have the option to purchase the files on a flash drive.

Here is a short summary of what the eBundle contains.

73 items in the bundle totaling $814.94 in retail value. Here is the count of those items by category:

Simple Living:  8
Cooking From Scratch: 9
DIY: 9
Frugal Living: 5
Gardening: 7
Homesteading: 7
Natural Remedies: 6
Natural Parenting: 8
Food Storage: 9
Preparedness: 5

Plus I am adding a bonus book if you purchase the eBundle.  Instructions will be given on how to claim your bonus PDF book from me once the sale starts.


Click here to add your email to let you know when the sale starts or save for use when the sale starts. 





-- Catherine, The Herb Lady

If you enjoyed this post, subscribe below by entering your email, to get all my posts!

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

Disclaimer: Clicking on links on this blog may earn me a small commission if you purchase something. Your price does not change.

Fruit and Roots In The Garden! Bananas, Horseradish, Ginger and Turmeric

Dear Folks,

ROOTS

My horseradish has come up!

On November 19th, I got some nice fat organic roots at Whole Foods, broken them into 3 pieces and planted in 3 different locations, 2 near my ginger and turmeric and 1 in a shade spot where I have an Arabian Jasmine and a Gardenia (I think I found that Gardenia's happy spot but that will be a different post :-).

I've been growing horseradish for quite a while but the bed did not sprout this year the way it usually had, so I figured it was time to get some fresh roots and try some new areas.

Horseradish is one of those root crops which is not supposed to do well here in the desert.  Partial shade has been the key and they usually grow opposite (that was the other key point I figured out some years ago).  The plant usually starts to die back in late Spring/early Summer when the weather gets too warm, and I harvest then, putting some roots back in the ground.  I do not harvest the first year I plant, but I may just have to take a peek this spring to see how the roots are doing.

When horseradish is growing lushly - harvest some of the greens for a nice sharp addition to salads and soups.


>>>eBundle Sale Starts in 4 Days!  Entire Library of Healthy and Sustainable Information. More Information on this post. <<<

Other roots that "should not grow in the desert" are Ginger and Turmeric.  Like the Horseradish, they need a shady spot but with some filtered sunlight.

All of these root foods have found the "northeast" under canopy areas of my gardens their happy spots.  While horseradish does not need frost protection, the tropicals Ginger and Turmeric do.

Pictures are two "green" ginger plants book-ending a yellowing turmeric.  This is my first year growing turmeric so I'm curious as to how the roots perform.  I will let you know when I decide to harvest.

All of these root crops are so good for us, if you can grow them -- do so.

Something you cannot see - yet - on either side of the turmeric I sowed "Ramp" seeds in one of my grand experiments.  It remains to be seen if and when they sprout as the information available indicates it can be a year or more for the Ramp Seeds to sprout.  I chose this spot and one other (near another horseradish) for the same reason - filtered shade.

FRUIT

I've been growing the "Ice Cream/Blue Java Banana" for many years.  We have not had fruit often because 1) the spots where I have stuck the plants in are not the best, and 2) the fruit often has come out at a less-than-optimal time for maturing before frost.

So is the story of this fruit.  Pictures is a bunch we spotted on November 15th.  Because it looked like potential frost I harvested the bunch on November 29th and hung it inside over the sink for light and humidity.  Banana fruit takes approximately 4 months to go from flower appearance to mature fruit.  I have to say the fruit took its time and was looking sad when it suddenly turned yellow almost overnight and appeared ready collapse so I peeled and readied for a bowl of cereal.  A few of  looked like they were more seed than fruit, so I split them and have planted them in a pot - now in my greenhouse.

The last part of the collage is - surprise - a new bunch of bananas spotted January 9, 2017.  Because there are leaves over the fruit, partially sheltering from frost, I will leave these on the plant until they are ready to harvest :-)

So "ice cream"?  This refers to the taste of the banana which is supposed to be like vanilla ice cream.  In the past the fruit has had a creamy vanilla flavor - most of us tasting them agreed.  This time I could not detect any vanilla, but the bananas were creamier than a standard Cavendish (the type you buy in the store).

So is it worth while growing bananas?  Sure. Among other things I love the tropical look of the plants and the leaves are wonderful for steaming/grilling food in, they impart a fruity flavor to foods like fish.

I hope this inspires you to try growing more of these kinds of roots and fruit.

Have a great time in the garden and kitchen with your bounty!



-- Catherine, The Herb Lady

If you enjoyed this post, subscribe below by entering your email, to get all my posts

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

Disclaimer: Clicking on links on this blog may earn me a small commission if you purchase something. Your price does not change.

Free Seed Share and Q&A With Catherine, The Herb Lady at Mesa Urban Garden

Dear Folks,

My Semi-Annual FREE Seed Share has not gone away, even though, sadly, the Mesa Farmers Market has closed.

COME OUT to the Mesa Urban Garden, for the new Seed Share Location.

A fun combination event.

Saturday, January 28, 2017
1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.  Seed Share and Q&A with Catherine, The Herb Lady
Mesa Urban Garden (MUG)
212 E 1st Ave (NE Corner of Hibbert and 1st Avenue)
Mesa, AZ 85210
(602) 370-4459

AND

POTLUCK - Noon to 1 p.m.
Bring a dish of your choice if you want to participate in the potluck

QUESTION and ANSWERS  Catherine will discuss transition gardening with edibles and take questions.

FREE SEED SHARE Pick up some seeds to get growing or expand your garden.

RAFFLE - Get your free entry ticket to win either a gardening calendar or book written by Catherine, The Herb Lady

SEEDLINGS FOR SALE - seedling starts will be available for sale all ready to put directly in the ground.

MUG - Mesa Urban Garden is an all volunteer, non-profit community garden.  You can rent a bed, all ready to garden in.

Donations help support MUG's year round programs of helping people grow their own food and also contribute fresh produce to the local food bank.





-- Catherine, The Herb Lady

If you enjoyed this post, subscribe below by entering your email, to get all my posts! 

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

Disclaimer: Clicking on links on this blog may earn me a small commission if you purchase something. Your price does not change.

eBundle - Library of Healthy & Sustainable Tools! One Week to Sale Launch

Dear Folks,

"68 authors, 73 books, courses and videos, all with a retail value of $814.94. With a price of the bundle being $29.97, that's a 96% discount." 

All in a PDF file, a library of sustainable, healthy lifestyle information.

The sale will last one week - January 16 -22, 2017.  You will have the rest of the year to download your purchase.

You will have the option to purchase on a flash drive mailed to you for a little higher price.

I am offering a Free Bonus Book PDF when you purchase the bundle.

Click on this link to sign up to be notified when the sale starts, you don't want to miss this opportunity.

. . .

Earn Money.

If you have a website, blog or a mailing list of followers you can earn a commission on sales of the eBundle.

Click here for more information.



-- Catherine, The Herb Lady

If you enjoyed this post, subscribe below by entering your email, to get all my posts!

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

Disclaimer: Clicking on links on this blog may earn me a small commission if you purchase something. Your price does not change.

Lumpy Lemons? Sour Oranges? What Gives? Rootstock!! Seed Share Coming.

Dear Folks,

It is that time of year in the Valley of the Sun where folks are harvesting their citrus, some for the first time, some gifted, and some discovering a sour surprise.

>>> Seed Share Coming UP! Watch For Details <<<

Some of the garden forums have been fielding questions about why their sweet oranges are NOT sweet or why they have lumpy lemons some with the look of "orange"?

The quick answer is the tree disease-resistant root stock took over the target fruit.  Look closely at this picture to see the end result of the sour orange root stock melding with the graft.  You can see instead of a single straight trunk, there is a ridge type long vertical protrusion on the tree.  The resulting meld allows the stronger sour orange to replace or combine with the intended fruit like lemon, sweet orange or tangelo/mandarins.


How did that happen?

The Citrus tree is a shrub, not a true single trunk tree.  So as a shrub in its natural environment it can have many, many trunks all bearing the fruit of the variety:  Orange, lemon, grapefruit, lime etc.

Citrus grows very well in the desert southwest, however the desert soil harbors certain diseases which would kill off the citrus tree rather quickly if not for the practice of grafting - we will talk lemons for now - lemon stock on to the disease resistant sour orange stock.  The allows for a health, well maintained citrus to produce great fruit for decades.  [Some areas of the valley have healthy citrus trees over 50 years old.]

Once the lemon tree is grafted on to the sour orange root stock, you have to maintain a single trunk for a couple of feet to keep track of the suckers that the root stock tries to send up.  Look at this photo and observe 1)  The green suckers and 2) where the graft is - it is quite noticeable - a "lump" in the trunk.

ALL OF those suckers need to be removed and you MUST check regularly to keep them cut off.  When they are very small you can just see the green leaf tips and you can rub them off the tree.  One they reach the sizes of the ones you see in the picture you need to prune off with sharp pruners as close to the trunk as you can and check those areas regularly - they will try to come back.

In the example of the tree where the meld occurred there is probably no way of saving the tree.  It would take observing which main branch/trunks are the fruit want and sawing off all of the others, creating a lopsided tree.

 
However, if you have the room and want to keep the tree, you can USE the juice and fruit.

The Sour Orange is also called the "Seville Orange" in Europe and  the juice in particular has historically been used in place of vinegar or lemon.  You can search the internet for Seville Orange recipes.  Lots of interesting uses.  And of course you can make marmalade - I have a great recipe for marmalade which uses the whole fruit (except for the seeds), just adjust the sugar to your taste with sour fruit.

I hope this helps you understand how to maintain your citrus trees and how to deal with a problem if you catch it in time.


-- Catherine, The Herb Lady

If you enjoyed this post, subscribe below by entering your email, to get all my posts!

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

Disclaimer: Clicking on links on this blog may earn me a small commission if you purchase something. Your price does not change.

Greenhouses In the Desert - When and How, And Potting Transplants

Dear Folks,

The subject of Greenhouses in the desert has been going on recently in some of the gardening groups on facebook, so I thought I would give you some information on when and how to use a greenhouse in our Phoenix Metro (and similar) area. [Pictured seedlings from seeds started December 12th, picture taken January 4th.]

>>> More Information on the Coming eBundle -- see at end of this blog post <<<

We usually have a few nights during the winter when the temps can get to freezing or a little below.  Rarely do we have sustained or killing frosts.

Ready To Use!

At the same time, because of the quick jump into warm, then hot weather, getting frost sensitive plants ready for transplanting out at the earliest best time, means a standing greenhouse or similar can really get that early start going with healthy transplants.

Typically it is recommended to set out your tomatoes, basil, peppers etc., which all like their "feet" warm, on February 1st to ensure the tomatoes in particular get good growth going before the high summer night temps stop fruit set.

So a little bit about the greenhouse I am using then the "keeping a healthy greenhouse in the desert" information. [Picture functioning greenhouse - notice the door is open - that is important!]

I actually purchased this greenhouse last spring - to late to use - intending to set it up this fall/winter.  We set it up on December 11th, and I started sowing seeds on December 12th.

TIP:  I use jiffy pellets for starting seeds and I soak the pellets in HOT water to expand them.  By the time they have expanded, the pellet has cooled slightly but is still warm and this gives the seeds a bit of warmth to launch the germination.  The first seedlings broke through about 8 days later.

I am delighted with this mini greenhouse and will take it down about the 1st week in March, when the danger of overnight frost is over.

In the past I have always started seeds on my racks outside, in full sun, schlepping  the trays back and forth to their overnight warm area in our water heater shed.  The greenhouse has made my seed starting so much easier AND on a chilly day I can work inside of it enjoying the warmth even on over cast days.  I do-not-do-cold-well.

Using and Maintaining a Healthy Greenhouse in the Desert.

First, what do I mean by a "healthy" greenhouse?

1)  there is maximum air circulation during the day
2)  moisture and excess heat build-up is allowed to be released during the day

Do both of these functions by opening the doors and windows during the day, except on completely overcast days.

If you do not keep these actions in focus you can easily create an environment where you will encourage pests (like spider mites) to completely destroy your plants and waste all your hard work  At the very least you will encourage damaging molds and cook the plants. There is a real name for this problem "sick greenhouse."

Do Not Discount the intensity of our winter sun on an enclosed environment.  Think about the last time you got in your car in a parking lot on a cold but sunny day.  Nice and warm in the car, right?  Remember all the warnings about children, pets and elderly in closed cars?  Same applies to your plants in a greenhouse.

The primary function of a greenhouse in the desert is to start frost-sensitive plants.  Once the day time temperatures are in the high 80s (mid-March) you risk cooking the plants even with the doors open.

So, plan on using your greenhouse from approximately mid-November to end of February or, 1st week or two in March.  With short use, you should get more years out of your plastic cover when properly dried and stored.

To give running shoes to the roots (maximum growth - fast) transplant out the tomatoes, basil, peppers etc. using a poor man's cloche.  Take the jug off during the day remembering to put it back on at night until frost danger is over for your area - mid-February to first week or so in March depending on where in the Valley you are.  If you are not good at remembering, leave the cap off so the heat and excess moisture can vent during the day.

. . .

Transplanting Into Temporary Pots

 I had some sweet potato cuttings of a variety called O'Henry given to me by my friend Jacq Davis over at Epic Yard Farm.  The O'Henry is supposed to taste like chestnuts, so I thought I would add this to my summer sweet potato patch, but want to give these frost sensitive vines a good head start by transplanting them and keeping them in the greenhouse.  I also took some cuttings from my "Molokai" sweets before I harvested them last week.

Pictured the sweet potato transplanting in the left upper corner and then the process of taking the small amaryllis babies out and putting them in 4 inch pots.  This was a very special project of starting amaryllis from seeds!

Amaryllis flowers are one of the few none edible plants I grow, which started when my dad gave me a plant back in the 80s.  Over the last few years I have transplanted the babies through out the gardens.  Then I could not resist a gorgeous red and white splashed plant at the farmers market over in Sun City in 2015 and the gorgeous bloom faded and produced a seed pod!!

WOW.  I found a lot of details on how to grow amaryllis from seed and followed the general guidelines which indicated it would take a while for 1) the seeds to germinate and 2) for them to be big enough to produce the basic baby bulb.  [Close up of the baby bulb on the amaryllis.]

I sowed the seeds of the red / white on July 1, 2015 in a large round pot.  3 days later I decided to check on "Dad's" amaryllis and found a small seed pod and sowed several seeds in a smaller container (pictured in the transplanting collage above).  3 sprouted, 2 survived.  Both of these sown amaryllis pots were in a "germination" area in part of my gardens which is automatically watered overhead so I could rely on consistent watering because of the amount of potential time for the seeds to germinate.

You will notice paper towel pieces -- I use paper towel to keep the soil from sifting through the drain holes.  Over time the paper will break down, but by then the bottom soil will have firmed up to keep the soil in.  The plants won't be in the containers for a long time.  I will be selling most and giving some to friends.

>>>> eBundle Coming January 16, 2017 <<<<

"The Back To Basics Living Bundle contains over 65 resources for Simple Living, Cooking From Scratch, DIY, Gardening & Homesteading, Natural Remedies, Food Storage, Preparedness & more. It’s a complete library of resources to help you live healthier, simpler and be prepared for anything (but for 96% off!)."

Clicking on this link takes you to a page where you can sign up to be notified when the sale starts.  OR you can temporarily book mark this post and mark your calendar.

I contributed one of the 65 resources.  The price of the PDF download eBundle will be $29.97.

I am also offering a special bonus PDF book if you purchase the eBundle.

Important!

The sale lasts one week only, however you have the rest of the year to download your PDF.

Perhaps not every topic would be of interest to you.  If you consider the individual prices of even a few of the topics you would still be getting a great value for the price.

. . .

Have a great weekend in the garden and kitchen with your bounty.



-- Catherine, The Herb Lady

If you enjoyed this post, subscribe below by entering your email, to get all my posts!

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

Disclaimer: Clicking on links on this blog may earn me a small commission if you purchase something. Your price does not change.

eBundle - Coming Soon!!

Dear Folks,

The eBundle sale will start soon.

The sale lasts one week only (mid-January).  You can sign up to be notified when the sale starts by clicking on this link.

So what is an eBundle?

"The Back To Basics Living Bundle contains over 65 resources for Simple Living, Cooking From Scratch, DIY, Gardening & Homesteading, Natural Remedies, Food Storage, Preparedness & more. It’s a complete library of resources to help you live healthier, simpler and be prepared for anything (but for 96% off!)."

I contributed one of the 65 resources.

While the sale lasts 1 week, as a purchaser you have until the end of 2017 to download your eBundle.

The eBundle will be available as a PDF download file or for a little bit more you can purchase a thumb drive to be mailed to you.

Have a website or blog and want to earn a bit of money?

The "Back to Basics" folks offer an opportunity to anyone with a website or blog to earn some commission for posting a link to the sale page.

You can check out the affiliate information by clicking on this link, and then clicking on "Affiliates" at the top of the page.

I am excited about participating in this "library" of information based on sustainable gardening, using and healthy options.  As the quote says, this is a lot of information, which if purchased separately, would be out of some folks budget.

There is no obligation to purchase, by signing up to be notified when the sale starts.

Have a best day,


-- Catherine, The Herb Lady

If you enjoyed this post, subscribe below by entering your email, to get all my posts!

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

Disclaimer: Clicking on links on this blog may earn me a small commission if you purchase something. Your price does not change.

Happy New Year 2017 - My Potatoes Are Planted & Sweet Potato Surprise!

Dear Folks,

I have my Irish potatoes planted in the garden's raised bed.

Watch For The eBundle Announcement Coming in Next Days

This was a fun couple of days because of the surprise I got.  I had delayed harvesting my Sweet Potatoes "Molokai" a purple variety.  I purchased the plants this last spring from Baker Creek.

Pictured is the vine, then the harvest and the bed cleaned up and ready for my Irish Potatoes.

I had a lot going on this past couple of months and then some real challenges this past month, but I finally decided I NEEDED to get the sweet potatoes harvested so I could get the Irish potatoes planted today, January 1st as is my tradition.

When I started to pull the vines back to figure out where to dig up the Molokai, I was amazed to see one sticking out like a huge rock.  WOW!  I'm sure I should have harvested a while back but then I would not have these giants.  All in all, they weighed in at about 17 pounds total.

I will be sharing with friends and also prepping some for the freezer. Meanwhile some of them are not cured (skin toughened) so I'm storing them in our laundry shed near the water heater so it is warm and humid.

We have gotten about .6 inches of rain since Friday night, so I was hoping for a break to plant the potatoes I have, and we got them in a 3 p.m. today.  I saved some organic red-skined ones from the grocery that I let sprout, cut them in to pieces and let the cuts dry this morning on the counter.  Then I got out my little "seed" potatoes I saved from last spring's harvest for replanting.  I store them in the crisper or a small frig in a cardboard box.

So I prefer the mulch-cover method of planting Irish potatoes to make it easier to harvest in the spring.  Loosen the soil, lay the spuds on the surface and cover with mulch, in this case our fig tree gifts us with a lot of leaves.

This mulch breaks down AND as the potato plants grow I add more dried leaves to always make sure the growing potatoes are never exposed to sunlight.  Usually by the end of March or so I have about 10-12 inches of leaves on top.

I am going to try tomatoes in the other half of the bed when my seedlings are ready to go in on February 1st.

Make your New Year great by trying a new-to-you edible.

Happy New Year to You All, may it peaceful, joyous and meaningful,

-- Catherine, The Herb Lady

If you enjoyed this post, subscribe below by entering your email, to get all my posts!

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

Disclaimer: Clicking on links on this blog may earn me a small commission if you purchase something. Your price does not change.