HOMESTEADucation Angela and Mandi

Peat moss is used for terrestrial plants both indoors and outdoors. It is spongy and holds enough water without being sopping wet, and is derived from digested Sphagnum moss, making it organic.
 Most people say that peat is not a renewable resource and therefore should not be used. And it turns out…most people would be correct. 
 Really I think the confusion is peat moss vs. sphagnum moss
 Peat moss usually has that texture that you imagine when you think of moss. It’s thin and bright green, sort of like turf. If you touched it or walked on it, you can expect it to be wet and squishy.  It contains more water than sphagnum.
 Sphagnum moss could be wet and squishy too, but it doesn’t resemble turf. Instead, it grows noticeable fibers.
 Peat Moss and Sphagnum Moss are basically the same plant. Read that again. They are part of the same plant.
 While both peat moss and sphagnum moss come from the same plant, the moss grows in different circumstances, the surface of the soil versus in the water, but it is still the same moss.
 Peat moss and sphagnum moss are two sides of the same coin, so to speak. Depending on where the moss was growing determines how we refer to it once it’s packaged for sale to the public. I would guess most folks don’t know the difference. 
Peat Moss will be banned, or the sale of peat, in EU in 2024. 
 Remember, peat forms very slowly in cool wetlands as sphagnum moss decays. The bogs are called "carbon sinks" due to the massive amounts of carbon they store—far more than trees. When peat moss is harvested, carbon dioxide is released, and carbon dioxide is a significant contributor to climate change. While some scientists view peat bogs as a possible aid in reversing climate change, the very increases in heat and drought brought about by climate change may destroy the bogs.
The industry says it harvests less than 2% of the existing supply each year and that this reasonably low collection amount keeps up with demand. But even though that doesn't sound like a lot, harvested areas can't recover quickly enough for peat to be considered a renewable resource. * this is everyones hang up
Additionally bogs are also known as carbon houses. I read that some data suggests that once a bog is harvested a little or a lot, it can take up to 40 years for carbon to stop being emitted. 
 SO this is why folks are saying that peat moss is contributing, or the harvesting of peat moss is contributing to global warming. 
Carbon compounds regulate the Earth’s temperature. Carbon also provides us energy.
How is peat harvested?
Peat moss is harvested from bogs and fens around the world, but primarily in Canada and Russia. These water-logged bogs have taken carbon from the atmosphere and sequestered it for 10,000 to 12,000 years, according to Linda Brewer, soil scientist in the Department of Horticulture in OSU's College of Agricultural Sciences
INCREDIBLE article on Peat Moss and where some of the above information was sourced. 
https://phys.org/news/2022-12-harvesting-peat-moss-contributes-climate.html
https://www.noaa.gov/education/resource-collections/climate/carbon-cycle 

Chime in! Thoughts?
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Angela @axeandroothomestead
Mandi @wildoakfarms 

Cheers!

Emergencies on your Homestead // Does this lifestyle make you tough? 
Where you started vs now?

How have you changed? Have you changed? Advice for those starting out.

Join us as we sit down and have more of an overall conversation about the above. 
It is important to reflect as the years go by, make changes, remember what didn't work and what does. 

Here are a few stats that we talk about.
1in 5 Americans live in rural America- a non metropolitan area. 
Mostly, Americans live roughly 10 miles from the nearest grocery store and major hospital. However that does vary from state to state with some being far more drastic (100 miles) and some much closer (2 miles) 
 Grocery store distance median is 7 miles 
What do you think about the perception that farmers/homesteaders don’t care for their animals? What is your take on this given you don’t consume meat. 
It was a good one. Thank you for listening! 

As always find us on socials for more! 

Angela   @axeandroothomestead
Mandi    @wildoakfarms
 
 

Season 5: Episode 3 / Natives, Growing Zones, Microclimates
What is a native species?
According to US Forest Service:
“Native plants are the indigenous terrestrial and aquatic species that have evolved and occur naturally in a particular region, ecosystem, and habitat. Species native to North America are generally recognized as those occurring on the continent prior to European settlement.”
What is an invasive species?
From US Forest Service:
“An "invasive species" is defined as a species that is
Non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration; and,Whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. (Executive Order 13112).”Why are invasive species considered bad?
According ot US Forest Service: “Invasive species have contributed to the decline of 42% of U.S. endangered and threatened species, and for 18% of U.S. endangered or threatened species, invasives are the main cause of their decline.”
Source: https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/invasives/index.shtml
Invasive species can out-compete native and exotics alike for sunlight, space, soil nutrients, and water. Because they are so successful to their aggressive root systems and ability to produce mass amounts of seed very quickly, they can take over agricultural spaces, forest and prairie lands, and reduce food/habitats that local wildlife depends on. These invasives can change the balance of the natural ecosystem.
*Bradford pear tree example
Are exotic or non-native plant choices bad? 
This is the topic of much debate. It is the opinion of many permaculture practitioners to first look to natives so solve a particular challenge or provide food. If that option does not exist, exotics may be used so long as they are not considered invasive. What is a growing zone? 
The US is divided into regions with regards to their last date of frost. The shorter your winter, the higher your going zone is. If you experience long winters with late last dates of frost, you’ll have a low growing zone number. US growing zones typically range from 3 in cold climates to 11 in hot climates. These regions and growing zone numbers help to determine which plants are best suited to your location.
USDA just updated growing zones across the country for 2024. Find your zone on the USDA Plant Zone Hardiness Map here: https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/
What is a microclimate?
A microclimate is a small portion of a garden, forest, or other growing space that has different temperature, humidity, air circulation, sunlight exposure, soil content, and/or moisture levels than other areas immediately surrounding it. This could be due to thermal mass from structures, changes in terrain, proximity to other larger plantings, etc.
Macroclimate: refers to the larger climate patterns of a region. For me I try to think about a large growing plot, like acres or miles of corn. This *can still be a microclimate in spots, spots that flood, spots that are shaded. 
More examples are below. 
Examples: 
Growing differences on hillsides or hilltops vs. valleys on the same property
Growing differences under a maple tree vs. outside the maple tree
Growing differences created in within a few feet of an exterior wall of your home vs. 20 feet away
Think about this- maybe we should consider our microclimate more so than our actual growing zone. We know that this goes against everything we once read when we started our first garden. But hear me out. You can alter your specific

Season 5, Episode 2 / To Deworm or Not to Deworm
Permaculture Perspective
Employ Rotational Grazing methods to manage worm populations
Animals should have enough forage for 5-7 days, roughlyAnimals enter when grass forages reach 8-10” and legume forages reach 10-12”Never allow animals to graze the forage below 4”. This slows forage regrowth and encourages parasite ingestion otherwiseA full rotation supplies 21-28 days before animals re-enter the original paddockPasture rest and sunlight exposure are essential for regrowth, and dropping larvae egg countsEmploy Co-Species Grazing methods
Goats and sheep share parasites. Those species do not share with horses, cows, and birdsDifferent species eat different forages and forage portions, ensuring all forage is evenly grazedBirds are essential–they break apart manure piles looking for worms, insects, larvae, etc.Effects of Dewormer on Ecosystem
Dewormers are harmful to dung beetle populations which are an important part of ecosystemExcessive/unnecessary deworming builds resistance within animalsDeworming products can effect non-targeted worms once contact is made with the soil just as earthwormsALWAYS RUN FECAL COUNTS AT ANNUAL CHECK UPS! Learn Famacha scale for goats and sheep, interact with animals to detect any abnormalities, and walk your pastures to monitor forage heights and type!

Medically, if you take a listen the "different" viewpoints line up. Husbandry and medicine go hand in hand when it comes to parasite control and prevention.

Refugia is a confusing term that you may hear surrounding the topic of deworming and goats. Refugia essentially means (in this particular topic) the parasites that are in refuge from the drugs used to treat them. Similar to treating heavy shedders in a horse herd.
Resistance in this case is the genetic ability of parasites to survive treatment with an antiparasitic drug that was generally effective against those parasites in the past.
References:
Prevent Parasites Through Grazing Management
(Penn State Extension)
https://extension.psu.edu/prevent-parasites-through-grazing-management
Dewormer Resistance
(Cornell)
https://cals.cornell.edu/nys-4-h-animal-science-programs/livestock/goats/goat-educational-resources/dewormer-resistance

Social// Instagram:
Angela: @axeandroothomestead
Mandi: @wildoakfarms

*This is not professional veterinary advice, please always work with your trusted veterinarian.

After a long Summer break, Angela and Mandi are BACK! 

Join us as we catch everyone up to speed, chat about "seasons" in homesteading. Maybe it is because we are seasoned? Real life conversation just like we are sitting down with you on your homestead. 

Cheers to you all! 

Find us on social channels!
Angela: @axeandroothomestead
Mandi: @wildoakfarms

Peas: Can be sown when soil temps are between 40 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Shelling peas: for storage
Snap peas: fresh eating
Sweet peas: flowers, not edible
Sow ¼-½” deep in well draining soil. Keep moist through germination and while growing.
Trellis is required. 
Peas have thigmotropism: the ability to feel with sense of touch


Radish: Can be sown when soil temps reach 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pay attention to radish size, depth, and soil needs when planting.
Grow very quickly!


Carrots: Very difficult to germinate
Seed tape vs. sowing seeds – heavily sow and thin if needed
Keep moist until sprouting (the board trick)
Growing temps of around 40 degrees are great for sweeter tasting carrots
Carrots require fluffy soil with good tilth. Rocks in soil make squiggly carrots.


Bok Choi/Pak Choi/Bok Choi:
Prefers temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees fahrenheit
Prone to flea beetles; use coffee grounds in soil at planting time
Keep moist and cool, provide shade cloth if needed


Beets and Turnips:
Sow typically a few weeks before last frost. Requires temperatures in 40s to germinate and sprout. Keep moist. Sow heavily and thin as needed. Greens and roots are edible. Pay attention to variety for root size–some will never reach larger than a golf ball!


Spinach:
Sow 6 weeks before last frost. Prefers cold temps! Excellent for direct sowing when soil is workable, though does well started in seed cells too.
Crop is ready in as little as 6 weeks from harvest.


Spring Onions:
Plant in cool weather, but only when nighttime temps no longer fall in the 20Fs. Plant no more than one inch deep in seed cells or when direct sowing to avoid root growth restriction. Sow heavily and thin as needed.


Strawberries:
Plant bare root crowns and mulch surrounding soil with straw as soon as the soil can be worked. Be sure to identify desired variety; everbearing or June-bearing.


Calendula:
Cold season herb. Flowers are medicinal. Can be grown in spring and fall.

Remember! Some of this might be applicable to you now or in a few weeks. Either way we hope we have encouraged you to get out in your gardens and start growing something beautiful. 
Cheers. 

Angela- @axeandroothomestead
Mandi- @wildoakfarms