Capper's Farmer - Spring 2016

P.
69
Early Spring 2016
ctical Advice for the Homemade Life Since 1893
6Tips to
DESIGN
EASYAN
KITC
GARDHEN
P. 72 EN
Display Until April 4, 2016

Early Spring 2016 Vol. 5 No. 1 $6.99
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26
COVER ILLUSTRATION: WAYNE STROOT
34
44
Our View
Favorite Spring Veggie
Memory Lane
Readers share snapshots of historic covered bridges from
yesteryear.
Rural Free Delivery

A reader shares a DIY project, and another reader points
out an error in a previous issue.
10
The General Store
14
Pages From the Past
18
Winter Safety Tips
22
Rhythm of Life in the 1930s
26
Fight the Freeze
30
Garden Projects for Winter
34
Make Your Own Jerky
36
Feed Your Chickens the Easy Way
41
Spring Garden Harvest
44
Wood-Burning Cookstoves Making a Comeback
Cappers Farmer editors offer a selection of useful products

for the homestead.
Articles and an advertisement from the February 1929

issue of Cappers Farmer.
Advice to help cold-climate dwellers cope with winters

inevitable ice.
Natures seasons provided food and sustainability on the

family farm.
A been-there, done-that account of solutions for the 5

most common winter problems on the homestead.
Here are a few garden-related activities to keep you busy

indoors during the cold months.
Simple recipes using beef, poultry and venison.
Discover the simplest and most beneficial ways of feeding

your flock.
5 recipes to help you make the most of your fresh bounty.
These kitchen classics are being sought after by collectors.

WWW.CAPPERSFARMER.COM
46
62
82
84
2 CAPPERS FARMER EARLY SPRING 2016
46
Get Your Garden Growing Early
50
Working Dogs
53
DIY Oil Lamp
54
Cooking With Wild Foods
58
Manage Your Land for Wildlife
62
Grow Great Asparagus
66
Asparagus for Any Occasion
69
10 Easy Crops to Grow
72
Design an Easy Kitchen Garden
78
Handmade Garden Basket
80
Cattle Drives in the 1800s
82
Job Description of a Country Cat
84
Head Into Spring With 5 Superfoods
86
Remembering the Most Famous Train Wreck
96
Vintage Cappers Farmer Cover
Here are some tips to get food growing in the garden

long before spring.
Pick the perfect pooch for your pastures.
Turn an old canning jar into a flickering ray of light.
Add nutrition and flavor to favorite recipes with freshpicked foods from the forest.
Learn how to attract more fur and feathers to

your acres.
Follow these 7 steps to ensure superior spears, year

after year.
Celebrate the start of spring with these 5 simple recipes.
Dont let Mother Nature stop you from harvesting a

successful yield this year.
Follow this easy plan to harvest delicious, organic food

right outside your kitchen door.
Build a classic garden trug to help you collect your

fresh produce.
What was it like on cattle drives in the mid to late

1800s? A cowboys tale offers insight into a cattle drive
from Texas to Kansas.
Feline friends work and play on the family farm.
Make healthy and delicious dishes using these

seasonal ingredients.
The wreck of the Old 97 is part of American history.
Step back in time to February 1929.
Publish Your Cookbook!

Raise funds $1,000-$25,000
Promote your organization
Preserve family heirlooms
Easy - Colleect the recipes and

select your options
o
Guarantee
Fundcraft
guarantees your success in
Choices - Full color co
5 binding sty
yles
Circle 6; see card pg 65
1-800-853-1363
P.O. Box 340 o
You collect the

recipes... Fundc
raft will
do the rest!
Cappers Farmer is proud to host some of the best bloggers out there on
all things homemade. Check out their personal stories of connecting
with nature and their pasts through gardening, cooking, crafting and
more at www.CappersFarmer.com.
Introducing Falcos Poultry
by Rachel Falco
Raising heritage breed chickens for meat is difcult for a farmer to gauge the timing
of harvest. Currently the industry harvests birds at about 6 to 8 weeks of age. These
super-sized industrial breeds grow very, very, very quickly. Industrial breeds like the
Cornish Cross are a hybrid that has been bred to build lots of muscle structure, super
fast. These birds are big. These birds are avorless and I do mean avorless.
Once youve tried a heritage breed chicken, youll never go back to the Cornish
Cross. Theres a signicant difference between the two options. Which would you
choose: avorful, rich, unctuous chicken meat or big-breasted, marshmallowy, spongy
meat? Hardly a choice. Oh, glorious true chicken avor! Youll nd yourself snitching
the chicken skin and discussing how to render chicken fat into a perfect schmaltz
(claried chicken fat) with friends. from Raising Heritage Breed Chickens for Meat
Keep up with Rachels poultry adventures on her blog, Falcos Poultry.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION

On The Trials and Tribulations of Tomatoes, Part 1
by Chef Elizabeth
Are you passionate about the homemade life? Do you want to share your experiences with others
living the homesteading lifestyle? Become a Cappers Farmer blogger! Email cwilson@ogdenpubs.com.
TOP TO BOTTOM:
Last year, I had so many tomatoes that I canned until I ran

out of jars. I gave bushels to family and friends, donated several bushels to food banks and shelters, and I still had some
go to waste in the garden, waiting unpicked. Not this year. On the upside, I have a 50-foot row of leeks, and I dont know
what the heck Im going to do with all of them. Annie 1992, via CappersFarmer.com
RACHEL FALCO; CHEF ELIZABETH
Yes, I feel for you. It is a great loss, and depressing after

so much hard work and hope. I lost my seedlings this year
before they even got planted, after all I had put into them.
This is the rst year I have no tomatoes to preserve. I have
two hints: I always put crushed egg shells in the hole before
planting tomatoes; and our garden is surrounded by a tall
chicken wire fence to keep out all critters, including deer.
Costly up front, but then the worry is over. Mary, via
CappersFarmer.com
A VIEW OF THE PAST

Early spring is the season for syrup making. When the days begin to warm, and nighttime temperatures still drop below freezing,
tree sap begins to ow freely. The 400-acre Shurtleff farm in North Bridgewater, Vermont, is shown here in 1940 during syrup
season. The young son of Frank H. Shurtleff (left) helps gather buckets full of sap from a tapped maple tree. Helpers, including
Shurtleffs son, neighbor Julia Fletcher, and a hired hand, pour the sap into a holding tank before heading to the sugar house
(middle). Frank H. Shurtleff carries an empty vat to the sugar house in preparation for boiling sap down into syrup (right).
COUNTRY NEWSLETTERS
Get delicious recipes, fun DIY projects, and keep up with the community of Cappers Farmer bloggers in our weekly
newsletters. Let us sort through rural lifestyle news and articles, and deliver it straight to your inbox, for free! Sign up
at www.CappersFarmer.com/newsletters.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: LIBRARY OF
CONGRESS (3); TURN THE PAIGE HOMESTEADERS; COURTESY CARISSA BONHAM; TAWNI CABLE HUGHES
Cappers Farmer: Grandma and

Grandpas farm inspires Erin to continue
living the dream. (http://bit.ly/207dGsb)
Anne Cavanagh: When I was a little kid, my
grandma convinced me that shelling peas was
fun, and I still love to shell out all kinds of
things and preserve them!
Deborah Cheverie Stewart: I grew up with this
at our house, and I still make a lot of my stuff
today, and passed this on to my daughter and
daughters-in-law. Nice to know that some
things still continue.
Valerie Perritt Roton: I
remember my Grammas
dirt cellar. It was lined
with rows of shelves, all
filled with jars of yummy
stuff. Thats what inspires
me in my smaller efforts
at canning.
Tawni Cable Hughes: My nanny
pickles
anny
nnyss pic
pickle
kless
live on.
Connect with us and other Cappers Farmer
readers at www.Facebook.com/CappersFarmer.
Cappers Farmer is on Twitter! Catch

our fun and informative tweets
@CappersFarmer.
Cappers Farmer is now on Pinterest!

We have pinned a variety of our favorites
just for you.
Dreaming of a rustic cabin keeps this aspiring

homesteader focused on her goals.
http://bit.ly/1W9nyCc
Used Starbucks grounds serve as effective ant
repellent for this homesteader.
http://bit.ly/1OWj6AP
An impromptu camping trip leads to a rough
night in the woods for this family.
http://bit.ly/1GZ9u1M
Sometimes you have to learn the hard way
although electric fences are strict teachers!
http://bit.ly/1kzJHsj
Building a Smokehouse
DIY Jeans Apron
Not all dirt is created equal! Learn to identify

different soil types with this quick guide.
http://bit.ly/1KrPDIT
Roasted peppers keep beautifully in the
freezer, and the process adds more flavor.
http://bit.ly/1GXl51i
Have a gardening or cooking question?
Tweet it to us @CappersFarmer.
Find and share your favorite piece of Grandma

Wisdom at www.Pinterest.com/CappersFarmer.
EARLY SPRING 2016

EDITORIAL
OSCAR H. WILL III, Editor-in-Chief
CALEB REGAN, Managing Editor
TRACI SMITH, Senior Associate Editor
KELLSEY TRIMBLE, Assistant Editor
ILENE REID, Editorial Assistant
ART/PREPRESS
AMANDA BARNWELL, Art Director
KIRSTEN MARTINEZ, Prepress Staff
WEBSITE
JEN BLACK, Digital Content Manager
JASON COLE, Video Producer
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(800) 678-5779; adinfo@ogdenpubs.com
Favorite Spring Veggie
NEWSSTAND
Bob Cucciniello, (785) 274-4401
CUSTOMER CARE (800) 678-4883

customerservice@ogdenpubs.com
BILL UHLER, Publisher

OSCAR H. WILL III, Editorial Director
CHERILYN OLMSTED, Circulation & Marketing Director
BOB CUCCINIELLO, Newsstand & Production Director
BOB LEGAULT, Sales Director
CAROLYN LANG, Group Art Director
ANDREW PERKINS, Merchandise & Event Director
TIM SWIETEK, Information Technology Director
ROSS HAMMOND, Finance & Accounting Director
Cappers Farmer Magazine (ISSN2326-8395) is published
quarterly by Ogden Publications, Inc.,
1503 S.W. 42nd St., Topeka, KS 66609-1265.
For subscription inquiries call: (800) 678-4883
Outside the U.S. and Canada, call 1-785-274-4361
Fax: (785) 274-4305
SUBSCRIBERS: If the Post Office alerts us that your

magazine is undeliverable, we have no further obligation
unless we receive a corrected address within two years.
2016 Ogden Publications Inc.
Printed in the U.S.A.
(2)/HABRDA, JACEK CHABRASZEWSK; KAREN K. WILL
want to have fresh asparagus from the

garden all year long. Not me. I prefer
the seasonality of the spears. I know
that spring is drawing very near when I
can break the first bunch, soak it with
olive oil, and wrap the works in a foil
envelope to set on the charcoal grill
next to some tasty chicken, shrimp
or salmon. I enjoy everything about
spring, as well as the other seasons. In
fact, I realize that each of those seasons
help to shape my life.
TOP TO BOTTOM: FOTOLIA
n spite of my somewhat overzealous tilling practices last year,

thankfully I avoided wiping out
my asparagus patch. I got to daydreaming a bit, and completely forgot
about the growing asparagus patch a
couple of times, and just tilled right
on top of it oops.
I love growing asparagus. I enjoy
the way it stakes a wild claim along
the fencerows, and I love that it
performs year after year in my garden.
I especially dig that asparagus is the
first meaty vegetable crop of spring.
I planted my asparagus patch in
2007. It took some time, but in 2010,
the spears were finally fat, luscious and
plentiful, thanks to all the chicken
manure and compost that got worked
into the soil the fall and winter of
2009. And the patch has produced
well ever since.
My mouth waters just knowing that
it wont be long until Ill be able to
grill, saut, steam and smother with
melted cheese real cheese, not the
processed kind the freshest asparagus
I can ever get. I know Ill also eat a
few of those spears straight from the
garden, with no more prep than a
quick brushing to get the big pieces
of debris off.
In a perfect world, some folks might
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Readers share snapshots of historic covered

bridges from yesteryear.
Busching Bridge in
Versailles, Indiana,
from Julia Bressert.
Scipio Bridge in Jennings

County, Indiana, from
Julia Bressert.
Jacks Creek Bridge
in Woolwine, Virginia,
from Linda Fain.
Johnson Bridge in Columbia

County, Pennsylvania, from
Peggy Grady.
Walters Mill Bridge in

Somerset, Pennsylvania,
from Charlotte Pletcher.
Bean Blossom Bridge in

Nashville, Indiana, from
Julia Bressert.
Shieldstown Bridge in
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A creative reader shares a DIY project using old doors, and a

reader who knows her way around a canner points out an
error in a previous issue of Cappers Farmer.
JUNEANNE GERGEN (3)
DIY Storage Shed

I am an avid creator, but not so great
at drawing things out. Ideas come to
me, and are created right out of my
mind. I measure and tweak as I go.
I had some old doors that Id collected and had been saving for just the
right project(s). When we needed a
storage area for my husbands extensive Dutch oven collection, I looked
over at the doors, which were propped
up against my workshop, and the
Dutch oven shed idea was born.
Knowing I needed a solid, waterresistant foundation, I started by
building a tall form, and pouring a
concrete slab equal to the finished
perimeter of the structure, which I
figured by measuring each door and
adding a little space to each side. I
didnt want the doors to be attached
to each other, but rather to be framed,
with the frames attached at the corners. And I wanted a solid roof.
I love building with reclaimed materials, and mixing old and new, but you
have to be flexible when you do this.
Its hard to work from a set of plans.
Once the four doors were framed,
the frames were connected to form the
building, and then the roof was added.
The door that opens and closes had a
broken window, so I replaced it with
plexiglass. Then I added window decals, and drew lines connecting them,
to make it look like leaded glass. Next,
I frosted the entire thing and you
cant tell that its not leaded glass.
Juneanne Gergen
Boise, Idaho
Thanks for sharing this awesome project
with us, Juneanne. We love DIY projects,
especially when theyre made out of old
recycled materials. Editors
Oops ...
In the Fall 2015 issue, in the third paragraph of the sidebar Water Bath Canning
on Page 43, it says to bring the lids to
a boil, and boil for 5 minutes to sterilize
them. This is incorrect. You never boil lids,
as it can destroy the compound that makes
the seal.
Erin Sheehan
via email
You are absolutely correct, Erin. According to
the Ball website (www.FreshPreserving.com/
lids-101), you should never boil (212 F.) the
lids, only simmer (180 F) them. Editors
Cappers Farmer welcomes letters from our readers. If youd like to comment on an
article or share your opinions, send us an email with photos (jpegs at least 300
dpi), if available to tsmith@cappersfarmer.com; send a letter via the USPS to Cappers
Farmer Editorial, Rural Free Delivery, 1503 S.W. 42nd St., Topeka, KS 66609; or
post your comment on www.Facebook.com/CappersFarmer. (Electronic and social media
submissions are more likely to generate a timely response.)
The
GENERAL STORE
Cappers Farmer editors offer a selection of useful products for the homestead.
Shovel
Weed Cutter
Wheelbarrow
Rake
Hoe
AMES and True Temper Tools
Garden Cart
Crib
boots
for
infants
John Deere Boots

Looking for a tough pair of mens
boots? Check out John Deeres
Wellington JD4382 boots, made by
the Dan Post Boot Co. These steeltoe, waterproof boots let you trample
through puddles, muck and swampy
marsh without worry. Theyre denitely
waterproof, and theyre comfortable
enough to wear all day, says Editorial
Assistant Ilene Reids son. Also check
out John Deeres Johnny Popper boots
for the kids. Visit DanPostBoots.com.
Kids
boots
Mens Wellington
The garden cart is sturdy, yet easy to

move and dump, even when its full, Traci
says. The rakes are lightweight and easy
to use, and the action hoe is the absolute
best weeding tool Ive ever used. It takes
half the time to weed the garden with this
amazing tool and it does a great job.
These and other AMES and True Temper
tools can be purchased at Home Depot and
online at Amazon.com.
LED Headlight
Gloved, wet or oily
hands are not an issue
when using Pelicans
2720 LED Headlight with gesture activation
control technology, which lets the user
turn on the light with a wave of his hand.
I dig this thing for bringing up rewood,
hunting, and more, says Managing
Editor Caleb Regan. The LED makes a
big difference in brightness and visibility.
MSRP: $52. Available at authorized Pelican
distributors and online at Amazon.com.
(6); COURTESY PELICAN; COURTESY DAN POST BOOT COMPANY (3)
Senior Associate Editor Traci Smith

tested the AMES 5 Cubic Foot Total
Control Garden Cart with dual 18-inch
bicycle-style wheels, a never-rust tray,
and total control grip design; the AMES
26-Inch Dual Tine Poly Leaf Rake Combo,
which includes a detachable hand rake;
and the AMES Action Hoe, which is a
hoe, cultivator, weeder and edging tool all
rolled into one.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: COURTESY AMES TRUE TEMPER
When it comes to yard and garden tools,

AMES and True Temper brands are known
for superior craftsmanship and quality.
Editorial Assistant Ilene Reid tested the
AMES Long Wood Handle Round Point
Shovel, which has a tempered steel blade,
a comfort step, and a hardwood handle
with a 10-inch cushion grip; the AMES
Deluxe Weed Cutter, featuring a wood
handle, double-edge serrated blades,
tempered steel braces, and an eyehole for
easy hanging and storage; and the True
Temper 6 Cubic Foot Poly Wheelbarrow
with Dual Wheels, which has steel
handles with comfort grips, dual 1314-inch
tubed tires, and a durable plastic bin.
The shovel is lightweight and just the
right size, and perfect for lling in holes
my dog digs, and the weed cutter works
great on overgrown weeds, without all the
bending like when you use a sickle, Ilene
says. The wheelbarrow makes hauling
dirt and rocks simple. I especially like
the dual wheels, which makes it easier to
move, with less chance of it tipping over.
DEWALT Power Tools

When folks think of power tools, DEWALT
no doubt comes to mind. Built to last,
these rugged power tools will see you
through the toughest jobs for many
years no questions asked.
The 20V MAX Lithium-Ion Compact
Drill/Driver Kit has a lightweight design
with a high performance motor. Its a
great little drill that works well for nearly
any project, says Senior Associate Editor
Traci Smith. It comes with two batteries,
which is nice, and the batteries hold a long
charge. Its compact, but very powerful.
Featuring a 15-inch cutting swath and
a gear drive design that provides more
torque, the 40V MAX 6.0 Ah Lithium-Ion

XR String Trimmer is amazing, Traci
says. I couldnt believe how easily it ate
through tough country weeds.
The 412-Gallon 200-PSI Hand Carry
Compressor with Wheels is efcient,
easy to move and store, and quiet as
quiet as an air compressor can be. It
works great, has tons of power so
youll never lose pressure, and it
rolls easily, says Editor-in-Chief
Hank Will.
Find these, along with other
DEWALT products, at hardware and retail
stores nationwide, as well as online at
Amazon.com.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: COURTESY
DEWALT (3); COURTESY WESTON; COURTESY NESCO; COURTESY NORTHERN TOOL
Powerhorse Pressure Washer

Its just a matter of time before the house, deck,
patio furniture, and all sorts of other outdoor
things, including vehicles, ATVs and UTVs, will
need to be cleaned up to get all of winters dirt
and grime off of them. Be ready this year with the
Powerhorse Pressure Washer by Northern Tool.
It features a rugged steel frame with a push-down
handle, 10-inch never-at wheels that make it easy
to move, ve quick-connect nozzles, 30 feet of
high-pressure hose, and a soap tank.
This pressure washer is super-powerful, says
Senior Associate Editor Traci Smith. The wheels
make it easy to move, and I really like the attached
soap tank. It works great on vehicles, and actually
does a better job than the car wash. MSRP: $350,
www.NorthernTool.com
Nesco Food Dehydrator

When it comes to drying foods, a great dehydrator
makes all the difference. The Nesco FD-77DT Digital
Top Mounted Dehydrator features 600 watts of drying
power that generates maximum speed and quality
for dehydrating fruits, vegetables, herbs and jerky
making it possible to dry foods in hours instead of
days. The FD-77DT comes with four trays, but can be
expanded to 12. This dehydrator is a dream. Its easy
to use and clean, and it dries foods perfectly and adding more trays is simple, says
an Ogden Publications co-worker. MSRP: $115, www.Nesco.com
Clockwise from top:

drill, string trimmer,
air compressor.
Weston Meat Grinder &

Sausage Stuffer
Be prepared for hunting season with

a meat grinder from Weston. The #8
Heavy-Duty Electric Meat Grinder
and Sausage Stuffer has a 575-watt
motor, while the RealTree Outtters
#8 Heavy-Duty Electric Meat Grinder
and Sausage Stuffer features a
650-watt motor. Both models include
three stainless steel grinding plates,
a grinding knife, a sausage stufng
funnel and stufng spacer, a stomper
to safely push meat into the grinder,
and a large grinder tray. This machine
is extremely powerful, yet easy to
operate, says Editor-in-Chief Hank
Will. Being able to add attachments
to it is a bonus! MSRP: $130-$180,
www.WestonSupply.com
11
Garden Growing Vessels
Dickies Coveralls
As the garden season approaches, we all

start thinking about growing vegetables,
herbs and owers, and Gardeners
Supply Co. has everything you
need to get things growing, and to
keep them growing from a seed
starter kit to a variety of organic
soil mixes to cold frames and
raised bed planter boxes.
Get seeds started now with
the Beginner Seed Starter Kit,
which includes two 12-cell
trays, a 6-quart bag of Organic
Seedstarting Mix, and 24 wooden
plant markers. Starting seeds
has never been so easy, says Assistant
Editor Kellsey Trimble. Use Organic
Container Mix to ensure you grow the
best herbs, owers and
veggies in containers,
Poppy
Planter
Kellsey says. And to start
gardening earlier in spring,
and later into fall, check
out the Cedar Cold Frame,
which Kellsey says is
attractive and easy to use,
and provides plants with
perfect amounts of heat
and ventilation.
Wanting to grow herbs
and owers on her deck,
Senior Associate Editor
Traci Smith tried the
2-by-8-Foot Elevated Cedar Planter
Box, the Poppy Planter, and the Solar
Illuminated Planter. The planter box
is absolutely perfect height, size,
look, everything, she says. The Poppy
When you need of a pair of light,

comfortable coveralls to keep your
clothes from getting dirty
and greasy while
working, check out
Dickies Deluxe
Long Sleeve
Coveralls. Perfect
for milder weather,
these coveralls are
not insulated, and
theyre a great go-to
garment when working
on vehicles or farm
equipment. Editorial
Assistant Ilene Reids
son has a pair, and says,
These coveralls are
light, comfortable,
and easy to move in.
Theyre great for any job where you
dont want to ruin your clothes.
Available at authorized Dickies distributors and online at Amazon.com.
Seed Starter Kit

Cedar Cold
Frame
Elevated Cedar
Planter Box
Planter works great for growing owers,

and the solar planters glow for hours.
My deck has never looked better.
Go to Gardeners.com for prices and
more products.
Kitchen Compost Pail

Its easy and odorless to save food scraps with
the Odor-Free Kitchen Compost Pail from Lehmans.
The 112-gallon steel compost pail has a seamless,
leakproof design with an enamel nish. This pail is
just the right size to t under the kitchen sink, and the
charcoal lter in the lid really works to eliminate odor,
says Assistant Editor Kellsey Trimble. MSRP: $34.95,
www.Lehmans.com
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: COURTESY
Solar Illuminated
Planters
Not only does Harley Davidson make

mean motorcycles and biker gear, they
also make high-quality work boots.
The steel-toe Mens Jason Work
Boots are made of genuine leather and
are designed for comfort and safety,
whether at work or play. A friend of
Senior Associate Editor Traci Smiths
owns a pair, and says, These boots are
way more comfortable than I thought
theyd be, and theyve
become a favorite
pair of boots for both
work and leisure.
Available at authorized
Harley Davidson
distributors and online
at Amazon.com.
DICKIES; COURTESY HARLEY DAVIDSON; COURTESY LEHMANS; COURTESY GARDENERS SUPPLY CO. (5)
Harley Davidson Boots
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2015
be. He had one advantage, however,

which many do not have: He could
start and build everything new.
The following articles and advertisement are from the

February 1929 issue of Cappers Farmer.
Farmstead
Plans That
Save Steps
By Ivan D. Wood
N CASS County, Nebraska, on

the Omaha-Kansas City road,
you may see a well-designed
brick house placed on a rise of ground
about 100 feet from the highway. It is

the home of E.H. Spangler, and the
latch string always is out to visitors.
Visitors come because this place seems
to invite them.
Should you drive into the yard,
something would tell you that this
farmstead is different from the usual
run. It was carefully planned before
a foundation was laid. Each building
seems to be just suited to its location.
Mr. Spangler spent many hours deciding what the arrangement should
Farmstead plan of Alex Lind, Madison County, Nebraska.

From the February 1929 issue of Cappers Farmer
CA
S F
NG
16
LEX LIND, Madison, County,

Nebraska, moved to a new place a
year ago and found that he must have
new buildings, but also must use some
of the old ones.
Here was a problem which could not
be solved in a minute. Leaving an old
building here and there, yet working
in a few new ones with lots, scales,
stackyards and sheds, requires the
most careful thinking and planning if
a convenient unit is to result.
W.D. Glandon, Burt County,
Nebraska, has spent odd times for
more than a year working out a new
plan for his building and yard arrangement. It is a splendid piece of
work, too, and last summer he saw
his dreams come true new lots, new

gates in the right place, and remodeled
buildings which are convenient.
Mr. Glandon bought a place which
had been farmed by renters for many
years. The buildings, such as they
were, had no definite placing. They
were put just where the material was
unloaded, as is the case on hundreds of
farms. The new owner first did a wise
thing. He got a big sheet of cardboard,
a tape line and pencil, and drew an
accurate map of things as they were.
At odd times, a new map was developed which showed how to make the
best of a bad situation. He was surprised to find that when working on
paper, one could see many ways to
shorten steps, save opening gates, and
get things straightened out in general.
Yet in looking at the actual ground, all
seemed hopelessly tangled up.
No given set of rules for arrangement will work under all conditions,
because each place has its own peculiarities, but these men have considered certain things which always are
helpful to others. Mr. Spangler could
have put his buildings in the center of
the farm instead of on the main road.
The former placing would have been
close to fields and pastures, but the
latter puts him near a graveled road,
the power line, and the mailbox, and
generally is to be preferred. In most
cases, the residence may be as close as
100 feet to the road unless it be the
north side of a much traveled highway,
when dust may be a real nuisance.
A high, well-drained area has many
advantages. Low, hemmed-in valleys
are damp and hot in summer, and little if any warmer in winter. It is possible to heat buildings in cold weather,
but there is no cure for the raging heat
of an August night, if the house is surrounded by hills or covered up with
trees so there is not a chance of getting
a bit of cooling wind.
R. GLANDON found that

steep side hill locations were
Development of a new farmstead according to plan. Buildings have just been completed
on the farm of E.H. Spangler, Cass County, Nebraska.
A poorly arranged farmstead with buildings in a bad state of repair.
not good either, owing to the difficulty of getting rid of flood water which
carried great quantities of silt down
against one side of the building while
it washed away from the lower side.
Lots and feed yards give best results if
placed on south or southeast slopes.
Prevailing winds are from the south
in summer, but from the north or
northwest in winter. It is well to take
advantage of this face and let each barn
or shed form a windbreak to the adjacent yards. Notice how Mr. Lind has
done this in his plan, which is shown
in the sketch (previous page), yet he
will have no difficulty from odors of
the lots reaching the house.
Also, the windbreak is placed far
enough from the buildings so snow
will drift before it reaches them. He
did not make the mistake of trying
to group all the yards around the well
either. It always is far better to work
up a convenient arrangement and then
pipe the water where it is needed.
A common error in farmstead design
is that of putting a granary, fuel house
or other structure of this type where
it may easily be reached with a team,
but is inconvenient in every other way.
Thus a cob house is put 100 feet from
the dwelling where it can be filled conveniently once a year, but where thousands of extra steps are taken to reach
it on foot from the residence.
Notice in the sketch how Mr. Lind
has arranged so each fence serves two
lots, and how conveniently either
grain, hay or stock may be weighed
over the scales. Lot fences must be
well-built to stand up under years
of service. The same is true of gates.
Those which are used frequently may
well be hung on hinges and provided
with handy fasteners.
The buildings are grouped around
a central court or open turn yard in
the well-planned farmstead. This permits a wagon or truck to be driven to
any structure without opening gates.
Properly placed lanes save hours of
time in the handling of livestock to
and from pastures. The doing of chores
consumes hours of time each year, yet
little study is given to arrangements
which will save steps in this process.
Factory managers save thousands of
dollars by saving steps, which means
saving time.
This planning is done even before
any building is started. Actual observation has shown that proper planning
15
of farm buildings has saved a mile of

walking a day in many instances.
The farm home may be made a place
of beautiful surroundings without a
great outlay of money. This is not often accomplished, however, without a
definite landscaping plan.
Place the residence on the highest
ground and be sure to select a good

view of the surrounding countryside
if possible. Keep the lawn open to the
road, placing most of the shrubs and
trees where they will form an attractive
background. The results of study in
arranging and beautifying the farmstead will be enjoyed through all the
years to come. Investment in time

and forethought when designing the
homestead pays off in the years ahead.
Standard plans, which will help anyone, no matter what the conditions with
which they have to cope, in developing
an attractive farmstead, may be obtained for 15 cents a set.
Kee Doubles
His Pasture
Capacity
By L.V. Miller
RCHARD grass is the

best crop I can grow
on my land, said J.H.
Kee, Muskogee County,
Oklahoma. It will carry twice as
much livestock as native pasture, and
provide five weeks more pasture in
spring and two months more in fall.
A satisfactory pasture is one of the
big problems of that section of the
South. There is a general impression
that tame grasses will not thrive. Mr.
Kee contends that farmers have not
worked persistently enough to get a
stand and maintain their pastures.
Increasing the carrying capacity of
pastures is just another way of increasing profits. Many tame pasture grasses will carry twice as much stock as
native pastures for a longer season if
they can be grown.
Mr. Kee has devoted his time and
attention to discovering methods and
conditions under which orchard grass
will succeed under his soil and climatic conditions.
I apply a good coat of manure, 22
to 25 loads an acre, said Mr. Kee.
In preparing a seedbed, I disk, harrow and drag the land twice, and then
Mr. Kee thigh deep in orchard grass.
seed 5 or 6 pounds of sweet clover and

10 or 12 pounds of orchard grass an
acre. This spring I sowed 15 acres, last
spring 25 acres, and 10 acres two years
ago. I have 70 acres on the place. A
year ago in September, I harvested 60
tons of hay from 25 acres. In May, two
years ago, I harvested 2 tons an acre
from one pasture.
CA
S F
EA
RIN
16
The tame pasture not only increases

the carrying capacity of the land and
extends the pasturing season, it maintains a better flow of milk. He turned
his 13 milk cows on orchard grass
pasture in March. Later in the spring,
they were shifted to native pasture for
eight days, and they dropped 5 gallons
a day in production.
I
c
p
p
in
g
t
l
t
c
o
g
c
a
c
co
to
p
dr
6
p
sp
ac
7
S
f
h
t
or
17
Livestock, especially the young, may need

help with traction and finding their way home
during particularly bad snow and ice storms.
y
Advice to help cold-climate dwellers cope with winters inevitable ice.
By Toby Raymond
ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/SILKE
DIETZE; OPPOSITE, FOTOLIA/FREEREINDESIGNS
ith heartfelt conviction, if not absolute

certainty, folks often
say there are two
seasons in Vermont: winter and construction. While many regions in the
country can make similar claims, I
would pit our Green Mountain State
against any of them.
As a devoted horse mom and avid
gardener who spends a virtual eternity chipping ice chunks out of water
buckets and sheltering tender seedlings from the elements until what
seems like the Fourth of July, I have
joined the unspoken fellowship of
country dwellers who have endured
more than their share of blizzards and
frozen water pipes.
Although it appears I have earned
the dubious respect that comes from
being resourceful, as evidenced by a
slight nod from my true fourth
generation and beyond Vermonter
neighbors, I must confess to a feeling
of pride at achieving such recognition
as I grudgingly reacquaint myself with
the rigors of cold-weather living. The
most challenging aspect of the ordeal
by far is coping with the ice. Unless
youre engaged in a sport for which
ice is required, there is little to recommend it, and the potential hazards far
exceed the fun to be experienced.
Nevertheless, you can combat the
worst of it, starting with your cars.
Good Tires
I have to get to the barn at least
twice a day to take care of my crew
Snow can insulate your garden from the ravages of sub-zero temperatures.
three hot-house-flower, off-the-track

Thoroughbreds and two dogs so
getting stuck in a driveway that hasnt
been sanded yet or skidding into a
snowbank is not an option. Having
dedicated snow tires with studs has
been a lifesaver, especially during
storms, which have been prolific in
recent years.
A word of warning in this regard: I
wont scrimp when it comes to buying
quality tires. The name brands with
a good warranty have proven their
worth when it comes to reliability and
outlasting less expensive alternatives,
which makes name brand tires a more
cost-efficient choice in the end; also
consider the amount of driving you
do and the road conditions, of course.

Ive found that if I keep my tires adequately inflated, they last longer and
help with better gas mileage, and, as
Ive been told by my mechanic, improperly inflated tires are a precursor
to losing traction in many conditions.
I also keep a scraper and snow brush
handy; mine is an all-in-one gadget.
No matter what your preference, you
will likely have to clear your windows
even as the defroster is blasting away,
and get the ice and snow out of the
wheel wells (I keep a hammer in the
trunk for the occasion) to reduce tire
wear and gas usage.
Although that five-minute drive can
seem like time without end, I opt for
19
creeping along in order to be safe. As

elementary as that sounds, even if the
roads have been cleared and treated
with de-icers, my temptation to speed
up is tempered by the knowledge that
overlooked areas, especially along the
sides of the road, as well as rapidly
changing warm to cold temperatures,
can set the stage for spinning out of
control. I do the best I can to ignore
the car traveling too closely behind
me. Succumbing to the pressure to accommodate a tailgater on a slippery
road is a surefire prescription for disaster, as Ive unfortunately seen too
many times.
Sand and De-Icers

Mike Erskine of R.B. Erskine Grain
and Supplies recommends putting
tube sand cylindrical bags, approximately 7 inches in diameter by 2 feet
long, each weighing 70 pounds over
the back fender wells of a truck, or in
the trunk of a car as close to the sides
as possible, to increase traction.
If you should get stuck, he says you
can open the bags and use the sand for
traction, which gets him on the topic
of how we also need to have traction
under our feet, without which we
might not be able to get to our vehicles in the first place.
LEFT TO RIGHT: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
Freezing rain with wind can wreak havoc on trees and shrubs.
Mike begins by comparing general

all-purpose sand with barn calcite.
While sand is considered to be the
standard, barn calcite, which is a limestone product, is actually less expensive, but he says prices will vary based
on location.
Ive used both and have found them
to be equally effective at keeping my
animals and myself upright.
I use an old metal feed scoop, although any sort of shovel or small recycled container will do the trick, and
sprinkle it wherever I think anyone
might want to venture. I concentrate
on the walkways and paths that my
animals and I have created over the
course of the season.
As far as de-icers go, they have their
place, especially if you need to completely clear an area. Either sodium
chloride, also known as rock salt, or
calcium chloride is the stuff of choice.
The less expensive sodium chloride
reigns supreme at my place, even
though its only able to do its magic
to zero-degree temperatures. Calcium
chloride is recommended for melting
ice at temperatures below zero its
also more expensive and known to destroy concrete over time.
Regardless of your pick, be aware
(2)/MICHAEL WESTHOFF, R. SHERWOOD VEITH; LORI DUNN
Although beautiful, ice-covered trees and

roadways are often treacherous.
that most de-icers are detrimental to

plants, and they should be avoided
around barn animals and pets due to
chemical properties that can lead to
cracks in hooves and paws. You can
find pet-safe de-icers, which come
in colors for higher visibility on the
ground, but theyre expensive.
Keep Your Footing

Another saving grace, ice grippers
are standard issue on my icy outdoor
adventures. I wear the toughest grippers ones that advertise formidable
metal studs and so far, knock on
wood, they have kept me from losing
my balance, even on sheer ice.
Mike says there are several types of
grippers out there, including models
with straps that buckle over your instep, models with hard metal spikes,
and others that approximate tire
chains for your boots. He has one
guiding rule. Regardless of whether
youre looking to wear them as you
make your way to your car parked 10
feet away, or youre planning to trek
up and down ice-packed trails, look
for grippers made of heavy-duty flexible rubber. This is a piece of advice
with which I agree wholeheartedly.
Having had a gripper snap in half as I
attempted to stretch it over my boot,
Ive learned my lesson.
Icicles can grow large enough to weigh down branches and damage fences.
Garden Protection
When it comes to protecting the garden, Mike and I agreed that mulching
is huge, especially concerning delicate
vines, shrubs and perennials. After
cutting them back in the fall, mulch
these plants completely to protect
them from the icy ravages of winter.
Plants that live below the eaves
or several feet away from a building
roof s drip line are especially vulnerable to ice and snow cascading from
the roof greenery situated in harms
way needs to be protected.
Mike suggests constructing a designated wooden structure to tent
plants and bushes until spring. He

recommends using at least 3 8-inch
plywood panels high enough to provide adequate cover, and connected
by hinges that allow you to adjust the
width accordingly. He also suggests
coating them with exterior paint for
long-term use.
In icy conditions, a proactive approach is needed to ensure the safety
of everyone and everything that walks
or blooms. Though not a task for the
faint of heart, you can get through it
unscathed. I know, as Ive been doing
just that since giving up my city ways
for a country life many years ago.
21
Natures seasons provided food and

sustainability on the family farm.
Back in 1955, a call went out from

the editors of the then Cappers Weekly
asking for readers to send in articles on
true pioneers. Hundreds of letters came
pouring in from early settlers and their
children, and from grandchildren of settlers, all with tales to tell.
So many articles were received that a
decision was made to create a book, and
in 1956, the first My Folks title My

Folks Came in a Covered Wagon hit
the shelves. Nine other books were later
published in the My Folks series, all of
them filled to the brim with interesting
tales from our readers.
This is one of those stories, printed
as it appeared in the My Folks book
decades ago, without any fact checking, which means that all of the details may not be accurate, but instead
are what was believed to be true by
the contributor.
he life of our family farm

in the 1930s was a demanding one, revolving
around the seasons. Most
of our food was grown on the land.
Staples like flour, sugar, salt and soap
were bought in Rochester. We often
traded eggs for these items.
Chickens supplied not only eggs,
but much of our meat as well. Sunday
dinners and other special-occasion
meals usually featured chicken in some
form fried, roasted, or boiled with
FOTOLIA/BALINT RADU
By Barbara L. Hintz,
Overland Park, Kansas,
From My Folks and the Family Farm
(2)/OLEG IATSUN, CHRISTOS GEORGHIOU

homemade noodles. Sometimes a hog

or calf was butchered in the late fall.
It was possible to preserve meat in a
variety of ways; it could be canned,
smoked or salted. We were especially
fond of canned veal. During hunting
season, Dad shot rabbits, ducks and
an occasional pheasant to supplement
our meat supply. Sometimes he even
killed a large turtle, which is considered a delicacy it tastes like chicken.
However, I never liked to eat it, as I
could not banish the unpleasant image of the turtle from my mind.
We kept a herd of dairy cattle when
we lived at Polks Hill. During the
spring and summer, Dad put them in
a far pasture that he referred to as the
west 40. My sister and I had the job
of going to the field in the late afternoon to drive the cows home for milking. To reach this pasture, we walked
down a winding lane, past two ponds,
through the woods, and out into a
sunlit field. Many things caught our
interest along the way.
In the spring, we looked for mushrooms or picked wildflowers. We
usually left home a little earlier than
necessary, so we would have time to
swing on a sturdy wild grapevine that
hung from a large tree at the edge of
the path. Bowser, a tan-and-white
mixed-breed dog, ran ahead of us, inspecting all of the rustling noises in the
leaves covering the lane. I wish I could
say she was a great help in rounding
up the cows, but she wasnt a working dog. We knew each of the cows
and called them by name Red, Tiny,
Bess, Lady, and so on. The cows were
all gentle creatures and moved
obediently along the path
toward the barn.
My parents did
all of the milking by hand. The
milk was poured
into 10-gallon
cans, which were
picked up daily
and taken to the
Armour Creamery in
Rochester. At times, we
sold cream instead of milk.
The milk was put into a machine

called a separator, which was operated by turning a handle. The cream
was taken to the creamery, and the
skimmed milk was fed to the hogs. We
used raw milk for cooking, drinking,
and churning butter from sour cream.
We had a large garden and an even
larger truck patch. Gooseberry, strawberry, blackberry, rhubarb and asparagus plants grew along the boundaries
of the garden. An orchard supplied a
variety of apples and plums. An old
cherry tree stood in the corner of the
yard and produced abundantly each
summer. An equally old pear tree also
continued to produce small, hard pears
that littered the yard each fall. A grape
arbor was planted beyond the orchard
and truck patch. Mom canned quarts
of grape juice, which she used to
make jelly and grape pies. Dad bought

a grape press and tried, unsuccessfully,
to make wine. Wild black raspberries grew in one of the woods on the
farm. We loved fresh, sugared raspberries with cream poured over them.
Another favorite dessert was warm
raspberry dumplings.
The entire family was kept busy
from early spring, when the seeds
were planted, until fall, when the
harvest was brought in. Even the children helped in planting seeds, pulling
weeds and picking vegetables. The entire summer was spent in preparation
for the coming winter, with endless
picking, cleaning and canning of fruits
and vegetables. When farm wives met,
they took great pride in telling each
other how many jars of each fruit and
vegetable they had put up.
In the fall or winter, Dad worked in
the woods, clearing out dead trees to
be used as firewood. Sometimes
he found a hollow bee tree
and carried the honeycombs home in a washtub. The honey was
boiled on the stove
to sterilize it, then
strained and poured
into glass jars. It
provided a welcome
change from molasses.
Maple trees supplied another kind of syrup. In the
early spring, Dad drilled a hole
23
of preparation, we thought that was

the best breakfast in the world.
One of the dangers of mushroom
hunting was the possibility of meeting a snake in the woods. For this
reason, we were reluctant to go into
the woods alone. Blue racer snakes
were often seen in the woods where
the mushrooms grew. When Dad
was with us, we felt safe, because we
knew he would protect us by killing
any snakes that appeared. He warned
us that we should never make sudden
movements around snakes, but should
instead back away quietly.
We had an opportunity to test this
advice one day when we were alone
in the woods looking for mushrooms.
Hearing a strange rattling sound,
I looked toward the noise and saw
a coiled snake a few feet away. The
gray and black diamond pattern of
the snake blended into the surrounding leaf-covered ground. Had it not
been for the warning the snake gave
us, we might have walked right into
its path. Its head was extended toward us, its tongue darting in and out.
Remembering Dads advice, we cautiously and quietly backed away. This
took a certain amount of willpower,
as our natural inclination was to run
as fast as we could and thats exactly
what we did once we were a safe distance away!
Although I loved living on the hill,
at times I envied town children who
had playmates in their neighborhoods,
and sidewalks to skate on.
In contrast, my husband, who
grew up in a city, envied country
people. When he visited relatives in
Wisconsin, he was only aware of
the rich and plentiful food that was
heaped on their plates. He knew nothing of the hours of labor involved in
producing that food.
Despite the fact that we all had to
do our share of the work, and had no
money for luxuries, the land fed us at a
time when many people were hungry.
We were among the fortunate.
FOTOLIA/RETROCLIPART
in the trunk of the tree and hung a

bucket on a nail to catch the sap as
it ran out. This sap, which tasted like
sweet water, was strained and boiled
down to syrup. Due to evaporation
during the boiling process, it took a
large amount of sap to make a small
amount of syrup.
The woods also gave us black walnuts in the fall, and morel mushrooms
in the spring. Certain areas in the catalpa groves provided ideal growing
conditions for these sponge mushrooms. Dad knew all the places in
which to search. He had an eagle eye
that could spot a mushroom when no
one else could see it. He often went
mushroom hunting first thing in the
morning before the rest of the family
had awakened.
When he got home, he milked the
cows while Mom cleaned and fried
mushrooms. If the yield was not plentiful that morning, scrambled eggs
were added in order to stretch the
mushrooms. Regardless of the method
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While chickens
appreciate a warm
coop during the
winter months, they
also enjoy venturing
outside for fresh air
during the days.
FIGHT
THE
FREEZE
A been-there, done-that account of solutions for the 5 most

common winter problems on the homestead.
or many homesteaders, it seems

there is only a short reprieve
from soaring summer temperatures and long hours in the garden until winter stalks the home place.
The battles being fought against bugs,
humidity and heat turn into those
against freezing temperatures and
shorter daytime hours.
While most of us know better than
to be surprised by the stark change in
daily routines, theres always a winter
chore or two that seems to trip us up,

requiring more time and energy than
it should.
Knowledge and planning are the best
bets against Old Man Winter and his
tricks and, since the cold snap will
come every year, its best to prepare
months in advance with these surefire
tips for winning the war against common, but annoying, winter dilemmas.
Following are some of the more
grievous and curable seasonal issues, and a common-sense approach
for fighting back.
Foul Outbuilding Odors

On days when the temperatures are
extremely low, the moisture and mess
that can become trapped in bedding
layers may not be as noticeable. If your
chicken coop or barn is well-insulated
and kept at reasonable temps, however, the wet, muddy conditions can
make things less than fresh for your
animal friends. Many have turned to
a deep-bed style waste management
for chickens, in particular.
Angela England, author of Backyard
Farming on an Acre (More or Less),
FOTOLIA/CHELLE129
By Linsey Knerl
encourages this practice and recommends deep layers of bedding, with

fresh bedding continually added to the
top, which allows composting naturally underneath.
If you have enclosed chicken coops
with hard floors, expect to factor in
some extra time for cleaning chores.
The bedding will need to be refreshed more often especially under
the roost areas, England says.
In addition to feathered fowl, this
method works well for goats and
sheep. By adding thick layers of straw
continually during the winter months,
its possible to keep things cozy and
sanitary for your animals. England
adds that the wet seasons may require
more drastic action to improve drainage of moisture. Shes partial to putting down wooden pallets filled with
gravel between the slats, then covering
that with thick layers of straw bedding. This method keeps the animals
up off the floor and away from their
own waste until spring.
While surveying his domain,

a billy goat might just be
using a round hay bale as
a windbreak.
TOP TO BOTTOM: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
(2)/COPIT, REBEKAH BLOCHER
Lack of Animal Shelters

Not all animals need shelter from
winter conditions, but its always wise
to have at least rudimentary buildings available for extreme blizzards
and ice storms. Since aging animals
and new offspring can easily lose their
lives when caught off-guard by rapidly
approaching cold fronts, its a good
idea to construct basic shelters for
all the animals on your homestead.
England, whos a fan of the threesided shelter, says that this can be
especially useful for goats and cattle,
since theyre known to birth later in
the winter months and will need the
added protection.
Other basic shelters can be made
from unused livestock trailers, with extra protection over the window areas.
Even a simple lean-to against the
side of a steel machine shed is better than no protection. In addition,
small wooden calving huts can often
be found at farm sales during the summer, and will only need a little work to
make them last half a dozen winters or
more. If a structure significantly limits
Having a shelter to fall

back on is important for all
livestock during the frigid
temperatures of winter.
exposure, is sturdy and safe, and fits

within any zoning ordinances in your
area, it should be considered as a viable option for winter shelter.
Light for the Henhouse

Because the amount of daylight will
be significantly less during the winter
months, some chickens especially

older ones may not lay at all during
the season. This can be tied to factors
other than sunlight, as some breeds
keep a fairly strict spring-through-fall
laying schedule.
For those breeds that are bred to
lay year-round, however, its a good
27
Horses and ponies easily

shed the cold, but a shelter
is a welcome respite from
extreme weather.
hand in a heated shop, utility room

or garage, and switch out the frozen
waterer with a fully thawed one at
least twice a day. Be sure to allow for
the mess that will undoubtedly occur when the frozen containers melt.
Some farms have found unused showers in the mudroom to be the perfect
solution to this problem.
And finally, dont be afraid to chop
ice that forms on any larger stock
tanks. Remove the floating chunks
with a silage fork, and refill. This oldschool method will get you through a
power failure, assuming you use electric tank heaters, and will work in all
but the most brutal of sub-zero, windy
weather conditions.
idea to add a light source for the days

when its too cold to venture out. A
light on a timer that reflects summer
daylight hours typically increases egg
production, though some folks prefer to let their hens have the winter
off to recharge. Not only can using
a light offset some of the production
losses experienced during the winter,
it also provides a source of warmth
and can help control pests that tend
to avoid light, such as rats and insects.
Be sure to check the manufacturers
instructions for your particular light
to ensure safe operation and appropriateness, and make sure to place the
light high enough that it wont come
in contact with flammable materials.
Frozen Spigots and

Water Tanks
While food is rarely an issue for outdoor livestock, assuming you stocked
up in advance, water is a commodity
that must be refreshed day after freezing day.
I recommend the following:
One floating tank heater per tank,
plus extension cords. There are solarpowered versions, although your daylight hours may affect their effectiveness. If you have horned animals, such
as bulls or horned goats, look for a
submersible heater. The floating plas28 CAPPERS FARMER EARLY SPRING 2016
tic models are much easier for more

mischievous critters to pull out with
their horns. For farms with just one
or two animals, its entirely possible to
get by with a heated bucket, although
theyre less sturdy and more expensive
to maintain.
Faucet covers on each of your outside spigots attached to your home
or building. These dont have to be
fancy; the simple foam covers available
at most hardware stores for less than
$5 will do the trick. Be sure to put
them on your faucets before freezing
temperatures hit, and put them back
on each time you use the faucets.
Consider a heated hose. They
arent cheap, running more than $75
for a single 30-foot length. The hoses,
however, dont require you to empty
them between uses, making the chore
of filling water tanks much easier during extreme cold spells. Another option for keeping hoses from freezing
and cracking is a heated hose case,
which requires you to place the hose
into a temperature-controlled holder
when not in use. Alternatively, you can
drain the hose after each use.
You can also keep ice from thwarting the watering of smaller animals,
such as fowl and rabbits, by implementing a simple exchange program.
Keep an extra of each container on
In comparison to the summer

months, the winter season can seem
somewhat relaxed. One way to use
the extra time is to do much of your
warm-weather planning during the
darker months.
Here are a few suggestions:
Learn or perfect a new skill.
Popular choices include woodworking, needlework, fiber arts, hunting,
soap making, knife making, blogging
and cooking.
Shop sales and online outlets for
good bargains on summer supplies.
Canning jars and equipment, cookbooks, garden tools and summer
clothing are all good purchases.
Plan your garden and order seeds.
Take this one step further by washing
pots and organizing seedling supplies,
as well as referring to your garden
journal to see what worked well, what
didnt work, and what changes youd
like to make.
This is also the time that many
sons and daughters of farmers reconnect with their hardworking parents,
who seem to always be on the go during the warm seasons. Remember, too,
that when the chores are done, and all
is well on the farm, the cold is a normal part of a natural cycle and can be
just what you need to take a breath,
start a fire, and admire a years worth
of accomplishments.
ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/LAGEREEK
Not Enough to Do
By Amanda Olsen
h, winter. It can be a welcome break from all the

hustle and bustle of the
growing season until the
holidays wear off and plain old winter,
sans glitter and glam, settles in. As the
seed catalogs start to arrive, they occupy our bedside tables and our dreams
as we plan and scheme and imagine all
the things we cant wait to do just as
soon as spring arrives.
The catalogs only take us so far,
though. Once the pages are dog-eared
and torn, and the highlighters have
run dry, whats a gardener to do in the
dark days of winter? Never despair, as
there is always something for an industrious planner to do.
Try one, or all, of the following sug30 CAPPERS FARMER EARLY SPRING 2016
gestions. Not only will these projects

keep you busy inside while the weather outside is cold and blustery, theyll
also help you get next years gardening
season off to an organized start.
Craft Plant Markers

I always have great plans for orderly,
clearly labeled plants, but every year
I end up with barely labeled planting
beds, having to make educated guesses
on which varieties are which. If you
leave the planning too late, making
cut and well-organized plant markers
will be the last thing you do. The onslaught of spring brings on a host of
much more important tasks, such as
starting the seeds, hardening off the
seedlings, and getting everything in
the ground and well-cared for before
its too late in the season.
So, the cold months are the perfect
time to think ahead and make plant

markers. This year, Im planning to finally get around to properly doing my
markers. Im going to use paint sticks,
which will be painted a cheery red
with spray paint, and then Ill write
the plant names on each marker with
a white paint pen.
Other options for making similar
markers could include using wooden
spoons, or repurposing old canning
lids or lids from canned goods. In addition, if youre the type of person who
likes to have the seed packet handy in
the garden, you can turn clear plastic CD jewel cases into weather-proof
sleeves, and simply tuck a seed packet
inside each case, and place it at the
end of the garden row.
Build Garden
Accessories
If you have some indoor workspace,
such as a garage or basement, or even
just a corner of the living room with
a tarp thrown down to cover and pro-
FOTOLIA/LUKAS GOJDA
Here are a few garden-related activities to keep

you busy indoors during the cold months.
tect the floor winter is the perfect

time to work on any type of small
projects for the garden.
Make a window box or wooden
planters, create your own square-footgarden planting template, build a tool
crate for toting around your hand
tools and supplies, or craft a harvest
trug from recycled wood and hardware
cloth. If you want, you can even build
your own seed-starting shelf, or repurpose an old Ikea bookshelf. All you
need are some hooks, florescent lights
and seed-starting trays, and youll be
ready to start all your seeds for spring.
Make Seed Tapes

Seed tapes are great for planting
tiny seeds, and theyre also very useful
for minimizing waste when thinning
plants, which will help ensure you get
the most bang for your buck and for
your time spent in the garden.
To make seed tapes, youll need some
thin paper, a paste made from flour
and water, and seeds. Paper options
include newspaper, toilet paper, tissue
paper, paper towels, or crepe paper
streamers, to name a few. Personally,
Im partial to newspaper for the simple
fact that this is a great way to recycle
it after Ive read it. For the paste, mix
about 14 cup flour with enough water
to form a paste you want it about
the thickness and consistency of glue.
To get started, cut your paper into
strips, if needed. Read the spacing directions on the seed packet, then dab a
dot of paste onto the paper, following
those specifications, and drop one or
two seeds onto each paste dot.
Let everything dry thoroughly overnight, then gently roll up the tapes
and store them in glass jars until planting time. Be sure to label your seed
tapes, unless, that is, you like surprises
in the garden.
FOTOLIA/MILESPHOTO
Collect Supplies
One of the best ways and my favorite to get garden supplies on the
cheap is to buy them after the gardening season ends. Thats the time when
everything left on the shelves is declared a clearance item, and the price
Use recycled lumber, or lumber left over from another project, to build planter boxes
for growing flowers and herbs.
is reduced to a fraction of the original

cost. The best time for purchasing
clearance gardening supplies is generally late October through November,
although you can usually find some
decent deals throughout the winter.
Most stores begin stocking their

garden centers just before Valentines
Day, at which time prices start to
climb. That being the case, if you
know youll need seed-starting trays,
potting soil or tools, now is the time
31
to invest in them, so you dont have to

pay full price later.
Also, think about some of the things
you can make yourself. After all, a dollar saved can be better than a dollar
earned. For example, large metal cans
are perfect for gardening, so utilize
them. If you happen to have some, but
theyre weathered and worn, just give
them a coat of spray paint in whatever
color you like, and as soon as they dry,
they make ideal pots for growing herbs
or flowers. Before you plant anything
in them, though, youll need to use a
nail to poke some drainage holes in
the bottom.
If you buy a lot of milk in gallon
jugs, now is the time to start saving
them. Theyre great cloches for pro32 CAPPERS FARMER EARLY SPRING 2016
tecting plants and getting a jumpstart

on the season. Cut the bottoms out,
and place the jugs right over plants.
Extend the Season

Speaking of cloches, you can get a
head start on spring by using season
extenders to grow cool-weather crops
even earlier. Kale, cabbage, peas, broccoli and lettuce are all great choices.
If you dont have milk jugs on hand,
there are many other things that can
be repurposed. The classic option is
to build a cold frame out of an old
window or door. If you dont have
any, check out your local architectural salvage or secondhand homeimprovement stores. Fish tanks are
also a great option, and are readily
available at thrift stores. Smaller cloches can be fashioned from glass cake
domes, fish bowls, terrariums or glass
jars. Keep your eyes peeled at secondhand shops. They typically have tons
of glassware, which means finding a
collection of unique cloches at a good
price shouldnt be too difficult.
So, even if theres snow on the
ground and temperatures dont climb
very far above freezing, theres still
plenty of garden work to be done inside. And really, planting season isnt
that far off, so now is the time to start
preparing. It wont be long, and well
all start thinking about getting the
tomato and pepper seeds started so
theyre ready to go when the ground
finally warms up.
FOTOLIA/7MONARDA
Give old, less-than-attractive cans, vases and other containers a new look and purpose by painting them and turning them into
herb containers.
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QUILTING
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To order by phone, call 800-678-4883 and mention code: MCFPAG14,

or order online at: www.CappersFarmer.com/Shopping
Perfectly seasoned
beef jerky makes a
great snack.
Simple recipes using beef, poultry and venison.

Article by Shirley Splittstoesser
Photographs by Lori Dunn
erky meat that has been dried

to a very low moisture content
and usually does not require refrigeration is a favorite food
for many Americans. In days
gone by, jerky was made to preserve
meat while it was plentiful, and was
eaten when fresh meat was scarce.
Today, jerky is often considered a
snack food, and because its a light,
compact protein source, its a handy
food for outdoor enthusiasts.
Some say Native Americans made
the first jerky thousands of years
ago, using buffalo. Others say jerky
came from South America, where the
Quechua tribe, ancestors of the ancient Incas, produced a dried meat
called charki, or charqui. It was made
by adding salt to strips of meat, and
then allowing those strips to dry in
the sun or over fires. Jerky was used
along with dried fruit and animal fat
to make pemmican.
Spanish explorers in the Americas
learned to make jerky and brought it
back to Europe.
Later, American cowboys and pioneers adapted making jerky for their
travels. Their techniques made jerky
an American staple food. The meat
strips could be sun-dried or dried on a
scaffold over a slow, smoky fire for half
a day. If it wasnt convenient to stop
for any length of time, pioneer wagons would lumber along with strips of
meat hung on the side to dry. Chuck
wagon cooks carried jerky dried in
strips that were sometimes 6 feet long.
They prepared meals for hungry cowboys by adding chunks of jerky to
stew. A lone cowboy would soften the
jerky in water for a tasty meal.
While jerky makes a good nutritional snack, its expensive to make
since a pound of meat dries to only
about 4 ounces. Jerky can be stored
in a cool, dry place in zipper-seal bags
for up to three months. However, if
you see any moisture forming on the
inside of the bag, either dry the jerky
further by putting it back in the oven
or dehydrator, or refrigerate it.
Whether in the pantry or the refrigerator, youll find jerky too tasty to
stay around very long.
Here are some things you should
know before making this wonderful

meaty snack.
Jerky can be made by drying it
in the sun, the oven, a dehydrator,
some sort of smoking apparatus, or
even the microwave (though I dont
recommend it).
Jerky should be stored in airtight,
snap-top containers or zipper-seal bags
in a cool, dry place.
A vacuum packer is ideal.
After jerky has been completely
cooled and put into storage containers,
check to see if moisture forms on the
inside of the container or bag. If any
moisture is present, the jerky must
either be stored in the refrigerator or
freezer, or put back in the drying vessel
for additional drying time.
Small, shiny patches of fat that
appear on finished jerky can be wiped
off before storing.
Jerky can be stored on a pantry
shelf for up to three months.
Jerky loses about three-quarters of
its weight during the drying process.
Flank steak, top round, or any
meat with a low-fat content works well
for making jerky.
Meat dries to jerky consistency
through a combination of salt drawing
the moisture from the meat cells and
heat continuing the drying process. It
used to be that salt was rubbed directly
onto the meat. These days, instead
of salt, recipes call for soy sauce and
Worcestershire sauce for their high
sodium content and their flavor.
Smoky Peppered
Beef Jerky
The following directions are for

making this recipe in the oven.
4 pounds beef, partially frozen
1
4 cup soy sauce
1
4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1
2 cup ketchup
1 teaspoon smoke flavoring, hickory
or mesquite
LEFT: Jerky is a great way to use up all that deer meat from a successful hunting season. RIGHT: Everyone likes chicken, and kids
of all ages are sure to love chicken jerky.
1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1 Slice partially frozen beef, from
which all extra fat has been removed,
to desired thickness. (Note: Thin
1
8-inch-thick slices dry faster than
1
4-inch-thick slices.)
2 Make a marinade by mixing together the soy sauce, Worcestershire
sauce, ketchup, smoke flavoring, garlic
powder and pepper.
3 Coat beef slices with marinade.
To do this, either alternately layer
meat and sauce in a cake pan, or mix
marinade and beef in a bowl. (Note:
The beef should be coated, but doesnt
need to be swimming in sauce.)
4 Cover pan or bowl, and refrigerate for 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
5 Preheat oven to 200 F.
6 Remove beef slices from marinade, and discard marinade.
7 Arrange beef slices in single layers
on cooling racks, and place racks on
baking sheets. Bake for 2 hours. Turn
slices, and continue baking for 2 additional hours.
8 After 4 hours of baking, test for
dryness. (Note: Jerky is ready when
the meat is barely flexible.)
9 Let cool at room temperature for
1 hour, then store in airtight, snaptop containers or zipper-seal bags in
a cool, dry place for up to 3 months.
Mitchell Brothers
Deer Jerky
By Randy, Rick and Ryan Mitchell

The Mitchell brothers Randy
of Ham Lake, Minnesota; Rick of
Antlers, Oklahoma; and Ryan of
Clayton, Oklahoma have enjoyed
making deer jerky for years. Hunting
season starts with the brothers gathering their hunting equipment, and ends
with their families getting together to
make up a supply of venison jerky to
last them most of the year.
1
4 cup plus 2 tablespoons brown

sugar
1
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon
lemon pepper
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon
meat tenderizer
1
2 cup liquid smoke
1
2 cup Worcestershire sauce
1
2 cup teriyaki sauce
2 cups hot water
5 pounds venison, sliced thin
1 In a large bowl, combine brown
sugar, garlic powder, lemon pepper,
red pepper, meat tenderizer, liquid
smoke, Worcestershire and teriyaki
sauces, and water, and mix thoroughly.
Add venison slices.
2 Cover, and chill for 24 hours.
3 Remove meat from marinade.

Wipe excess liquid from meat, and arrange in single layers on dehydrator
trays. Discard marinade.
4 Follow the directions in your dehydrator manual. (Note: Jerky is done
when its barely flexible.)
Chicken Jerky
By Julianne, also known as The Ninj,

www.YankeeKitchenNinja.com.
1
2 cup low-sodium soy sauce

1 teaspoon lemon juice
1
1
4 teaspoon black pepper
1
4 teaspoon ground ginger
112 pounds boneless, skinless chicken
breast tenders, sliced into 14- to
1
8-inch-thick strips
1 In a 1-gallon zipper-seal bag, mix
together soy sauce, lemon juice, garlic
powder, black pepper and ginger. Add
chicken strips. Seal bag, and ensure
that all meat is coated with marinade.
2 Place in the refrigerator and let
meat marinate for about 20 minutes.
3 Remove chicken from marinade,
and place in single layers on dehydrator trays. Discard marinade.
4 Dry at 145 F for 5 to 7 hours, or
until completely dry. (Note: Drying
time will vary depending on thickness
of the chicken strips.)
35
Feed Your
CHICKENS
the Easy Way
By Oscar H. Will III and
Karen K. Will
ack in the day, fowl fanciers and farmstead owners

all over the country kept chickens because they
were beautiful, particularly suited to a specific regions environment, and for the services they could
offer and/or products they could supply.
Did you know that some fancy fowl were kept to supply
the fashion and fishing fly-tying industries with incredibly
beautiful feathers, which were often harvested without ending the birds life? Others were kept for the eggs or meat
they could provide. And all the while, the birds kept their
premises free of all manner of pests: flies, ticks, grubs, caterpillars, and even mice and snakes in some instances.
In addition, chickens are an end-of-the-day entertainment

that rivals the best Broadway show or blockbuster movie.
Youve heard the expression sit and watch the chickens
peck. For the homesteader, there may be nothing quite so
soothing at the end of a day than to sit and watch the chickens just do what chickens do.
So, what is it that they do? Well, if the chickens in question happen to be one of the small handful of over-bred
industrial breeds, those poor animals will have few social
skills and may grow so fast and so out of proportion that
they break bones or die of heart attacks just eight weeks
after hatching. Watching these chickens do their thing may
be more depressing than relaxing or uplifting especially if
theyre in a horrific factory-production setting but thats
not their fault. Its the fault of animal sciences morally
OSCAR H. WILL III
Discover the simplest and most benecial ways of feeding your ock.
questionable conclusion that animals such as chickens are

nothing more than cogs in a moneymaking machine. As
such, laying hens may legally be crowded into small cages
where they cannot scratch, cannot interact socially with
one another, and cannot lay eggs in the privacy of a nest
box or other secret place. On top of all of that, most of
the top halves of their beaks have been cut off to keep the
overcrowded animals from pecking one another.
Thankfully, a sufficient number of folks interested in
animal husbandry eschewed the entire industrial poultry
production model and have maintained many of the old
chicken breeds and lines. Thus it is that some of those sturdy, older breeds are available today. Birds like the Jersey
Giant will net you some eggs and grow to sufficient size to
produce a fine table fowl. But more importantly, old breeds
like the Jersey Giant thrive out-of-doors, and they will entertain you beautifully while performing tasks youd rather
not do, and doing the work of agricultural poisons and
synthetic chemicals youd rather not use.
ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/MAURICE VAN
DER
Yard Grazing
Whether you live in town or out in the country, keeping
a small flock of chickens in the backyard is not only fun, its
also rewarding in a number of ways. As omnivores, chickens
will gleefully seek out and devour all manner of insect, bug,
grub, larva, worm, mouse, etc. Theyll also mow your lawn
to an extent, anyway.
Chickens relish fresh greens, including grasses and forbs.
When theyre confined in relatively small areas, they can
keep the lawn trimmed. When left to their own devices,
though, they have a tendency to overgraze their favorite
things, like clover and dandelions, and spend less time on
the Kentucky bluegrass. If you enclose your birds in a portable pen, you can move it around the yard in a rotation, and
your chickens will do a much more uniform mowing job
than when theyre completely free ranging. So, moving them
around in a pen can either keep the birds from overgrazing
their favorite vegetation or it can encourage them to do
just that to help you prepare a new garden patch. As the
birds graze, theyll fertilize the lawn with some of the finest
organic material out there, but theyll do oh-so-much more.
If youre a lawn purist, you might dethatch your yard
every spring. This arduous task involves hard soil-scratching
raking that pulls up the thatch of dead grass that collects just
above the soil surface each year. Alternatively, you might
rent an expensive gas-guzzling power dethatcher that will
scratch the soil, while bringing all that dead grass to the surface for easier collection with a leaf rake or power vacuum
of some kind. In either case, youre expending all kinds of
calories to undo something that mowing does every year.
Plus, dethatching can make some turf grass crowns more
susceptible to pests. Heres where the chickens come in.
When left to their own devices, hens will scratch the
ground looking for worms, grubs, and other likely food
sources. When given plenty of space, or moved around in
Allowing your hens to have free run of the garden, with

supervision of course, can help build the soil, keep pests at
bay, and clean up any harvest leftovers.
portable (and bottomless) pens, this scratching will dethatch

and aerate the lawn while breaking the thatch into smaller,
more easily decomposed pieces. The end result is that the
chicken dethatchers will render the thatch gone, and promote its decomposition in place. You dont have to collect
the debris and send it to the landfill or put it in your compost bin. Plus, you can employ chickens year-round to keep
the thatch under control. At the same time, theyll keep
the lawn fertilized and help control grubs, bugs, ticks and
more. Chickens do all this and more for the price of a little
bit of feed.
Even if you keep sufficient chickens to handle most of
the mowing, you might still choose to mow the front yard
more formally. Many people who mow with machines collect their grass clippings in black plastic trash bags, which
are then dutifully sent to the landfill every week throughout
the summer. Its true that some folks add the clippings onto
their compost pile, but those piles often turn into stinking
anaerobic messes because clippings have a relatively high
protein content. But theres a completely different way to
dispose of the clippings. You can take advantage of the fact
that chickens like their greens, and simply feed the chickens
the clippings.
Youll only want to use chickens to mow if you refrain
from applying synthetic fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides
to your lawn. Although some folks say theres no harm in
37
Chickens will forage all year long, among the blooms of spring and summer, and also among fall and winter foliage.
yard will go a long way toward obliterating their feed bill.

Much to-do is made about free-range chickens these days.
Most people imagine chickens roaming peacefully on lush
pasture, but the term free-range can mean anything from
no cages (but crowded indoor conditions), to free access to
a concrete yard, to being raised completely outdoors with
little more than a mobile shelter to keep them warm and dry
during inclement weather. Especially in the case where the
birds are free to range inside a chicken production barn,
the label is just a marketing scam.
While the completely free-range model is attractive, its
often not practical. The birds might not agree that a barbed
wire fence or hedgerow is their boundary, and theyre often
highly prone to predation. A more practical and humane
choice is a free-range model that incorporates some kind
of mobile enclosure, complete with predator-proof shelter.
Now you might be wondering: Why raise chickens on the
pasture at all?
When you run cattle through a pasture in a controlled
manner, they dont eat everything, and they dont necessarily eat it down evenly. And, while the action of their hooves
can help decompose thatch, their manure patties can become fly-breeding weed patches if left to rot on their own.
CLERK
Pasture Pecking
ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/GEORGE
feeding greens fertilized with synthetic fertilizer, we say

dont do it.
Feeding grass clippings works best with chickens that can
be confined, even temporarily, to a spacious pen that has
one side or corner devoted to the compost pile. (If you live
in town where you arent allowed to have a compost pile, call
it a chicken feed pile.) As you collect your grass clippings,
simply dump them into the pen. You can alternate dumping
sites if the chickens arent eating, scratching up, and aiding decomposition of the clippings quickly enough. Spread
them out more thinly if theres even a hint of anaerobic stink
going on deeper in the pile.
You can also feed your flock of clucking composters vegetable and fruit waste from the kitchen and garden. The
key here is not to overload the chickens. They wont mind,
but your neighbors might not like the smell, and the code
enforcement officer will likely conclude that those chickens of yours stink, when its actually the vegetable matter.
Either way, at the end of the day month, more likely
you will wind up with a ton of composted clippings mixed
with chicken manure and other good stuff that you can
spread on your lawn in lieu of store-bought weed-andfeed that really does nothing but make more work for you.
And dont forget, even if you do plan to eat eggs or meat
from your chickens, allowing them to help you out in the
CLERK
ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/GEORGE
Those weeds and the patties represent

a concentration of fertilizer that would
be better utilized if it were spread more
evenly over the pasture. We already
know that chickens like to scratch the
ground thats great for the pasture in
general. And the chickens will also eat
some of the plant material left behind
by the grazing cattle. But, even more
useful is the way they obliterate manure
patties in search of seeds, germinating
plants, grubs, fly larvae and flies. And
they distribute all that material in the
form of the fertilizer they drop throughout the pasture. No doubt about it, a
pasture that welcomes chickens for a
fixed interval after the cattle (and/or
sheep, etc.) is healthier, more diverse,
and freer of flies, grasshoppers, ticks and
While they have a tendency to overgraze on favorite greens, chickens can be put to
other invertebrate pests.
Managing chickens on pasture gen- use mowing the lawn, and theyll devour unwanted insects.
erally involves movement of a portable
enclosure that can be moved around in the snow. Winter
laying or broiler house to fresh pasture every day or two. If
is a good time to spread hay or straw for the chickens to
the birds are tightly bonded with their structure, they may
work into small pieces. And since you must feed your birds
only roam a hundred yards away from it. If you have light
through the winter, youll save yourself some collecting and
predator pressure, managing this way can work quite well. If
spreading of manure if you simply let the birds do it for you
you have more predator difficulty and want to limit the size
right there in the garden.
of the chickens territory, youll want to enclose the birds in
In spring, the chickens will gleefully consume, trample,
large chicken tractor pens that have an integral shelter of
and generally dispatch any green manures you may have
some sort and that include nest boxes, if youre working
planted in the fall or late winter. Theyll continue to work
with a laying flock. Typically, these pens are moved once or
hay and straw down into a friable mulch, and theyll stir the
twice per day; larger operators employ a flock of them on
soil surface to aid with seedbed preparations. When youre
pasture. A second alternative is to surround your mobile
ready to plant, its time to pen up the hens a bit more tightly,
range shelter with sufficient portable electric net fencing
though. Many folks build chicken tractors that are sized to
to give the birds the range space they need while keeping
travel down the garden paths, so their garden hens can keep
ground predators out. This method will not deter any but
the paths weed free and well-mulched. Others build tractors
the most timid of hawks; however, if you can house a chickthe same size as the garden beds (raised or otherwise), and
en-friendly dog along with your birds, youll go a long way
move them onto the beds as crops are harvested. Choosing
toward solving a hawk problem while using the relatively
these options will make your chicken-tractor rotations more
large area, open-top electric netting system.
rational and orderly. If youre not into orderly, by all means
make your tractor the way desire or necessity dictates, and
Natural Gardening
just have fun with it.
As you might already imagine, due to their natural
Lets say you have one tractor sized for paths and one
scratching and bug-eating tendencies, chickens have a place
sized for beds. You could move the path-maintaining tracin the garden. Thats true, but, because chickens also love to
tor around the garden (or into the yard) as required. And
eat tender young vegetation, fruits like tomatoes, and grains
you could move the bed-sized tractor from bed to bed, allike wheat, their services as gardeners need to be employed
lowing the chickens to prepare the ground for planting by
a bit more carefully in some cases. Dont let this need for
converting hay, straw, grass clippings, etc., into mulch that
more careful management turn you off, though, because
will later get incorporated into the soil. Later in the season,
chickens can do much of the legwork involved in building
you can move the bed-sized tractor to harvested beds to
humus-rich soils, keeping pests at bay, composting garden
mulch and waste, and post-harvest gleaning.
allow the chickens to glean, clean up any remaining bugs,
and help ready the ground for the next crop or cover crop.
Consider a typical four-season garden scenario. During
You can use the chicken tractor to mow down mature cover
winter, you can use your garden as a temporary chicken
crops, and so on. The downside with chicken tractors in the
run, if you have a good enclosure or easily handled portable
39
garden is that you cant use them to get much help cultivating young crops or controlling bugs in maturing crops.
Some folks use a combination of chicken tractor and
chicken moat in their gardens. In theory, the moat model
works like this: Create a more-or-less permanent chicken
tractor (covered run) all the way around the garden, and
populate it. The moat should be at least 3 feet wide, and you
can use it as a location for the birds to process compostables
as well. In theory, the chicken moat will keep most crawling
pests from migrating to the garden, because the birds will
pick them off as they make their way through the moat.
Chickens can also be used quite successfully to keep certain crops relatively weed- and bug-free if you let them roam
freely in the crop. In these scenarios, youd typically fence
off the crop in question from those that the chickens will
damage. For example, you can turn your hens into corn,
okra, asparagus, sunflowers, potatoes and other crops once
the plants have gained sufficient height that the chickens
cant damage the fruit or tender new growth.
NOTE: Potatoes dont generally fruit above ground, and
the birds arent fond of the leaves, but some food-safety
experts caution that digging root crops in close proximity
to fresh manure can increase the likelihood of bacterial contamination. We can thank industrial agricultures overuse of
antibiotics in feed, the overfeeding of grains to grazing animals, and other practices that all pretty much point to poor
To order your copy of Plowing With

Pigs and Other Creative, Low-Budget
Homesteading Solutions by Oscar H.
Will III and Karen K. Will, visit our
bookstore at http://bit.ly/1UlBg0u.
sanitation a lack of animal husbandry, actually for those

superbugs. Frankly, the likelihood of contracting any serious
disease from letting your birds run in the garden is slim.
The bacterial contamination caveat notwithstanding,
you can turn your chickens into your corn patch with little
worry of making anyone sick. The birds will enjoy the shade
and will feast on the young weeds and myriad insects and
caterpillars theyre likely to encounter. Some of the more
aggressive hens will figure out how to fly-walk up the stalks
as the ears fill. If you observe this behavior, simply move
the chickens elsewhere. At that point, your corn crop is
pretty much assured so long as you have a raccoon-control
method in place and arent inundated with grain-robbing
migratory birds.
This excerpt is printed with permission from Plowing With
Pigs and Other Creative, Low-Budget Homesteading
Solutions by Oscar H. Will III and Karen K. Will, published
by New Society Publishers (2013).
SPRING GARDEN
5 recipes to help you make the
most of your fresh bounty.
1 clove garlic, minced

4 teaspoon sea salt
1
4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1
1 In a skillet, fry bacon until crisp.

Drain on paper towels; set aside.
2 Place spinach in a microwave-safe
bowl. Microwave on high for 30 seconds, or until wilted. Or, if preferred,
wilt spinach in the same pan you used
to fry the bacon, using only enough
bacon grease to coat bottom of pan.
3 Place wilted spinach, sour cream,
mayonnaise, goat cheese, onions, garlic, salt and pepper in the bowl of a
food processor, and process until
smooth and creamy, about 30 seconds.
4 Spoon dip into a serving bowl,
and refrigerate for several hours, or up
to two days.
5 Just before serving, stir well, and
sprinkle bacon on top, if using.
Purple Potato Salad
Spring Onion
Spinach Dip
Article and photographs

by Karen K. Will
s leaves return to trees, and

green starts to dot the landscape, we know the earth is
suddenly alive again. If you
were diligent about starting seeds in
winter and planting early, youre now
giddy with delight as you prepare to
reap the rewards of your effort in the
form of fresh spinach, peas, green
onions, dill, new potatoes, rhubarb,
strawberries and asparagus. Farmers
markets are open again, and all kinds
of tasty spring morsels can be acquired
for your culinary pleasure.
You may not think so, but spring
is a celebration of vegetables, similar
to summer. Spring vegetables, however, differ from summer vegetables
in that theyre quick growing, tender,
and young when harvested. Without
the heat of summer to suffer through,

spring veggies are made sweet with the
chill of crisp spring mornings and evenings and lets not forget that theyre
abundant in vitamins and nutrients.
If you happen to grow purple potatoes or can find them at the farmers market theyre certainly fun to
serve. Packed with the same healthy
antioxidants found in blueberries and
pomegranates, purple potatoes deliver
more than just starch. Their taste is
a little nutty, and a bit creamier than
their white cousins. If you cant find
purple potatoes, substitute with a red
or white variety. Yields 2 to 4 servings.
Served with a baguette or carrot

sticks, this dip is a delicious way to
start a meal. It can also be used as a
sandwich spread, and even as a dressing for pasta or potato salad. Yields 6
to 8 servings.
1 pound purple potatoes

2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
112 teaspoons honey
1
4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1
4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill,
optional
1 carrot, shredded
1 scallion, sliced
3 slices bacon, cut into 14-inch

pieces, optional
3 cups fresh spinach, washed
1
2 cup sour cream
1
2 cup mayonnaise
112 ounces goat cheese, crumbled,
or cream cheese
1
4 cup thinly sliced spring onions
1 Place potatoes in a large saucepan, and cover with water. Bring to

a boil, and then reduce heat. Simmer
until fork-tender, about 15 minutes.
Drain and cool.
2 In a large bowl, combine vinegar,
mustard, honey and salt, and whisk
until smooth. Slowly whisk in olive
Spring Onion
Spinach Dip
41
oil until smooth and emulsified. Stir

in dill, if desired. Set aside.
3 When potatoes are cool to the
touch, peel (or leave the skins on for
some extra vitamins, if preferred) and
slice them. Arrange slices in a serving
bowl, and sprinkle carrots and scallions on top.
4 Drizzle dressing mixture over
the top; do not stir. Serve warm or at
room temperature.
Cheesy Sweet Pea

Casserole
This cheesy, creamy and delicious

layered casserole makes an excellent
side dish. Yields 4 servings.
3 cups shelled sweet peas
1
2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
1
2 cup coarse breadcrumbs, divided
1
2 cup minced onion
3 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1 egg, beaten
1
2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter
1 Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease a
2-quart casserole dish, and set aside.

2 In a saucepan, cook peas in lightly
boiling, salted water until crisp-tender,
about 5 minutes; drain. (Make sure
you dont overcook the peas.) Pour
into prepared dish.
3 Add salt and dill to peas, and toss
to combine. Sprinkle 14 cup breadcrumbs, onion and cheese over peas.
4 In a small bowl, combine egg and
cream, and mix well. Pour over mixture in dish. Dot with butter, and top
with remaining breadcrumbs.
5 Bake for about 30 minutes, or
until casserole is bubbling and top is
nicely browned.
Rhubarb-Strawberry
Cheesecake Tart
1 stick unsalted butter, cold, cubed

1 egg
2 tablespoons water
FILLING:
2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
1 cup sliced ripe rhubarb
1
3 cup plus 2 tablespoons plus 2
teaspoons sugar, divided
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar glaze*
4 teaspoons cornstarch
1
8 teaspoon salt
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese,
room temperature
1 egg yolk
TOPPING:
1
4 cup almond or hazelnut meal
1 tablespoon coarse sugar (such
as turbinado)
2 tablespoons butter, cold, cubed
CRUST:
114 cups whole-wheat pastry flour
1
2 cup almond or hazelnut meal
1 tablespoon sugar
1
2 teaspoon sea salt
TO MAKE CRUST:
1 Place flour, nut meal, sugar and
salt in the bowl of a food processor,
and pulse to combine. Add butter, and
process until coarse meal forms.
2 In a small bowl, whisk egg with
water. Add to flour mixture in food
processor, and process until dough
comes together.
This dessert combines springs best

flavors strawberry and rhubarb and
will no doubt become a new family
favorite. Yields 8 servings.
Cheesy Sweet
Pea Casserole
Purple Potato Salad
3 Turn dough out onto plastic wrap

and knead into a ball. Flatten to a disk,
and wrap up. Chill for at least 1 hour.
4 Turn dough out onto a large
square of floured parchment paper (it
helps to tape it to your work surface).
Using a rolling pin, roll out dough to
form a pastry to fit a 2-piece 11-inch
tart pan, rolling to about 18 inch thick.
5 Transfer pastry to tart pan by inverting pan over pastry, then picking
up parchment paper and flipping it
over. Carefully peel off paper. Press
dough up sides of pan, and fold overhanging dough back onto itself to 14
inch above edge of pan. Place tart pan
on a baking sheet, and place it in the
refrigerator to chill.
TO MAKE FILLING:
6 In a large bowl, toss together
strawberries, rhubarb, 1 3 cup sugar,
balsamic vinegar glaze, cornstarch and
salt. Set aside for about 30 minutes to
allow flavors to blend.
7 In a separate bowl, combine
cream cheese, remaining sugar and
egg yolk. Mix with a blender until

smooth. Refrigerate to chill.
TO MAKE TOPPING:
8 In a small bowl, combine nut
meal, sugar and butter, and mix until
mixture is crumbly.
9 Refrigerate topping mixture until
fruit mixture is ready.
TO PUT IT ALL TOGETHER:
0 Spread cream cheese mixture over
chilled crust. Using a slotted spoon,
remove fruit from liquid and place
over cream cheese layer. Discard liquid mixture. Sprinkle topping over all.
Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
! Preheat oven to 425 F.
@ Place baking sheet with tart on
lower oven rack, and bake for 20 to
25 minutes, or until crust is golden.
Allow to cool slightly before slicing,
about 15 minutes.
NOTE: Balsamic vinegar glaze is
thick and flavorful, a reduction of balsamic vinegar. Look for it in the vinegar section of the grocery store or
make your own.
Rhubarb-Strawberry
Cheesecake Tart
43
These kitchen classics

are being sought after
by collectors.
Article and photographs
by Clell Ballard
Our Monarch cookstove is a top-of-the-line model, complete with an oven

temperature gauge and fold-down pan rests on the back board.
any older people who grew

up in rural areas lived in
homes in which woodburning cookstoves were
the heart of the kitchen. Since the rural kitchen was the heart of the home,
the cookstove had a very special place
in the familys well-being.
It seems quaint today to think that
kids of yore, like myself, had the
daily chore of bringing in wood for
the cookstove. Not only were meals
cooked on the stove, but the stove also
provided a good share of the homes
heat during cold weather. Since we had
our own well, our stove also heated
hot water while it was doing its regular
job. Drying mittens and providing a
comfortable bed for the cat behind it
were common extra services.
Then the time arrived when electricity became available almost everywhere, and wood- and coal-burning
cookstoves no longer had any value.
They were abandoned and replaced
with electric ranges, or gas ranges in
homes where natural gas was available.
The old stoves were junk. Those made
not long before the transition began
were attractive, with smooth porcelain
on all surfaces other than the cook top.
ABOVE: When I happened upon an old abandoned cabin and saw this rustic relic
inside, I contacted the owner, and he gave me the stove just for hauling it off.
LEFT: This Majestic cookstove was once owned by my grandmother, and its now the
heart of my brothers mountain cabin.
I remember seeing perfectly good examples discarded in the landfill. It was

almost as if they were a symbol of an
old-fashioned lifestyle that American
society had totally rejected.
Recently, however, those porcelain
cookstoves have regained popularity
and are sometimes seen in even the
most up-to-date kitchens. Usually,
though, theyre more decorative than
functional, but theyre valued, nonetheless. The most valuable cookstoves
are the antique black-and-nickel models, some of which date to the 19th
century. A recent check of prices for
models in nice condition revealed that
they sometimes sell for several thousand dollars.
Im from Idaho, and since our part
of the country was always way behind the popular trends, cookstoves
retained their value much longer here.
As late as the 1970s, old black-andnickel stoves could still be found.
When they were retired, they were
sometimes stored in a shed on the
farm. My brother obtained our grandmothers Majestic stove and uses it in
his mountain cabin. I asked about a
Monarch kitchen range stored by an
elderly couple and was told I could
have it if I would haul it off. My wife
and I installed it in our kitchen and
use it often, particularly in winter.
Finding a Diamond
in the Rough
Years ago, back when wood- and
coal-burning stoves were basically

worthless, while hauling firewood out
of the mountains of Idaho one day, I
ran across an ancient abandoned cabin
that was falling down. It was built by
miners in the 1890s. At the time I
discovered it, a cattleman owned the
land it was on. The only item still in it
was the remains of an old black-andnickel-style cookstove.
The stove was mostly made out of
cast iron, making it extremely heavy,
which is more than likely the reason
it was abandoned by the cabins occupants more than a half-century ago.
All the surface lids were missing, and
the cabins leaking roof had rusted the
stove. Pack rats, also known as wood
rats or trade rats, had filled every nook
and cranny with debris of all kinds.
The stove was a visual blight.
When I contacted the landowner,
he said his plan was to burn the old
cabin. Since Im an enthusiast of old
stoves and could see that the one in
question had possibilities, I asked
permission from the cattleman to salvage it. If I hauled it off, the hulk of it
wouldnt remain as a nuisance after he
burned down the cabin, so he told me
I could have it.
One Sunday afternoon, our family went on a picnic into the mountains near the cabin. My parents took
their small Jeep, and my wife and I
took ours, which has a cargo box large
enough to haul an item the size of the
stove. It was all my dad and I could
Most wood- and coal-burning kitchen

ranges built in the late 1930s and
thereafter had attractive, easy-to-clean
porcelain on all surfaces except the
cook top.
do to load the heavy stove, even after

we removed all the junk the rats had
stored in it. When we headed home,
the sad old stove looked almost presentable in its cleaned-up state.
Several decades later, we still have
the old stove, which has been stored
inside since we got it. Its still in sad
condition, but it could be restored
with some effort.
45
Here are some tips to get food growing long before spring.
By Amy Grisak
fter struggling through

a winter of grocery-store
greens and frozen produce,
I dont want to wait until
June to enjoy fresh vegetables. Just because snow might possibly be on the
ground doesnt mean planting has to
wait for months.
Nearly two decades ago, I moved
from Ohio to Montana, and I quickly
learned that if I wanted fresh food
before the middle of summer, I had
to rethink my gardening techniques.
The hallowed last frost date became
a guide, not a law.
Gardening bells, or cloches, are pretty but fragile.
When the ground is frozen, even

the hardiest seed wont do a thing.
If its cold and wet, the seed might
even rot before it ever has a chance
to grow. The key to germination is to
plant seed in soil thats warmed to 65
to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. But in the
frozen North, how do you get that soil
warm enough, early enough? One easy
method is to spread clear plastic over
the soil, burying the edges to keep it
in place and lock in the heat. Even
if daytime temperatures hover in the
40s, the suns energy can heat the soil
beneath the plastic to a whopping 125
degrees. Keep the plastic in place until
BOTANICA/ROB FIOCCA
From the Ground Up
youre ready to plant. If your early

season garden plot is a raised bed,
so much the better. Soil in a plasticcovered, raised bed will warm faster.
When growing heat-loving crops
like melons, peppers and cucumbers, its especially important to prewarm the soil. Transplanting these
crops through black plastic, which
will keep the weeds down and the
soil temperature up, helps ensure
success in the North.
JERRY PAVIA
When You Dont

Have a Greenhouse
Many gardeners dream of a permanent greenhouse, but such a
structure takes up valuable space
in the yard and can be expensive.
However, most of us can find an
area for at least one cold frame.
This structure can be a simple, bottomless wooden box built with an
angled, window-like top to gather
the suns energy. Many cold frames
Protect delicate seedlings with tipis sold under
the names Wall-O-Water or Kozy-Coats.
are painted dark green, black or
brown to absorb solar heat. Before
planting inside a cold frame, though,
to plant at the end of the season, the
keep the lid closed for several weeks to
soil under the cold frame warms suffiwarm the soil.
ciently in late winter to offer the seeds
A reasonable cold frame size is 3 feet
a chance to germinate. They dont gerby 4 feet, which is easy for one person
minate as quickly as those planted latto move, although permanent frames
er in the spring, but with sunny days it
can be much larger. Just be sure you
doesnt take long to have fresh greens
can reach the internal growing spaces
for supper.
without the need to climb inside.
For an even earlier jump on the seaWhen Im really organized, I plant
son, you can position the cold frame
lettuce, spinach or mche an old
over a bed of fresh horse manure,
European winter favorite also known
which produces heat as it composts.
as corn salad in August, and set the
Be sure to place a sheet of perforated
cold frame over the plants when the
plastic over the manure, and top it
weather begins to freeze. Its a bit of a
with a layer of several inches of soil to
challenge in early fall, when daytime
keep the roots of the new plants from
temperatures are warm, because youll
reaching the hot manure.
need to open and close the lid for
Water the young plants inside the
temperature control. Once the cold
cold frame lightly in the mornings
weather sets in, though, I keep the lid
when its dry. Moisture doesnt evapclosed, which keeps the plants growing
orate as quickly in a cold frame as it
into early winter.
does outdoors, and wet roots in cold
By the time March arrives, the sun
conditions are not good for most garwarms the dormant plants in the cold
den plants.
frame and brings them back to life.
Toasty Tunnels
Some years, Ive harvested tender new
After the initial fix of fresh greens
greens by the first day of spring.
from the cold frame, its time to think
Even if I wasnt organized enough
about other garden crops. Broccoli,

kale, cabbage and cauliflower are
ideal choices to transplant early,
since their leaves can actually freeze
for a short period of time and still
recover. However, dont simply plant
them out in the open and hope for
the best. Even these durable veggies
benefit from a little protection.
Plastic tunnels and floating row
covers are two invaluable tools to
keep hardy garden vegetables happy.
They create a warm microclimate,
which protects transplants and seedlings from the cool and wet weather conditions of springtime. The
frost-protective blanket protects the
plants to 25 degrees, while the plastic tunnels typically keep them safe
above 28 degrees. For particularly
cold nights, toss a blanket on top for
additional protection.
Floating row covers, also known
as garden quilts, are made from
lightweight polyester or polypropylene fabric that can be placed
directly on top of the plants. For
early spring use, however, I prefer to
use a support system to keep the material off of tender plants like tomatoes
and squash.
Secure support hoops, whether
made from wire or arched PVC pipes,
by pushing them firmly into the
ground about 2 1 2 feet apart. Since
plastic and other row cover fabrics are
light, its imperative to secure them
with landscape pins or staples to prevent the wind from blowing them into
the next county.
One drawback to covers is the need
to remove the material to water the
plants. This can be remedied by placing a drip hose alongside the plants
before enclosing them. Later in the
season, its best to remove the material during the day to allow pollinating
insects to reach the blossoms.
The beauty of the floating row
cover is that it allows 85 percent of
sunlight through, and it doesnt tend
to overheat. However, like a full-size
greenhouse, the plastic-covered field
tunnels can overheat rapidly, so be
sure to open up the ends by pinning
47
Create a warm microclimate for your early crop of vegetables with plastic tunnels or floating row covers.
Walls Filled With Water

With the invention of water-filled,
plastic tipis, impatient gardeners can
plant their precious tomato crop up to
eight weeks before the last frost date.
Water tipis, which absorb the suns
energy during the day and gradually
release the heat during the night, also
work well for peppers, eggplant, and
other crops that thrive in warm temperatures. Look for the Wall-O-Water
or Kozy-Coats brands.
Plant the seedling in pre-warmed
soil, and cover it with an inverted
5-gallon bucket. Place the tipi around
the bucket, and use the garden hose
to fill each cylinder to within a few
inches of the top. Pull up the bucket,
and the tipi will close upon itself, creating a temperate environment for the
plant to protect it from cold, wind,
rain and even snowstorms. Ive had
late-season blizzards shock the rest of
the garden, while my tomatoes pulled
through with flying colors.
As the plants progress, prop open

the enclosures with stakes or wooden
crochet rings to allow the plant to
grow through the top. The tipis can
be removed once theres no risk of
frost, or they can be left on through
the summer. At the end of the season,
rinse them with a mild bleach solution
to kill any mildew, and youll be able
to reuse them for many years.
Solar Umbrellas
Just as the name implies, these are
large, clear umbrellas that are placed
over the top of plants, with the center
rod set several inches into the ground
to keep it firmly in place. Once pushed
far enough into the soil, which can be
challenging in compact ground, they
can withstand 50-mph winds.
Before using solar umbrellas, I never
harvested an eggplant, because our
spring was too long and cold, and
summer was too short. Theres plenty
of room for four or five plants beneath one umbrella. I like using the
solar umbrellas over squash and melon plants to give them an extra boost
before they outgrow the space.

Umbrellas are most effective in the
three or four weeks before the last frost
date, when nighttime temperatures
are too cool for plants to thrive, but
typically dont drop below 30 degrees
for very long. Filling plastic jugs with
water, and placing them inside the
solar umbrellas can offer an extra degree of warmth.
Solar umbrellas are available in a
number of styles, including solid umbrellas that look like a typical umbrella
youd use in a rainstorm, and styles
with zippered vent openings that can
be kept over the plants the entire summer. Drip irrigation is handy for watering, although the umbrella needs to
be removed to allow proper pollination later during summer. Remember
to secure it in place in the evening so it
doesnt end up down the road.
Garden Cloches
The next best option to solar umbrellas is to use a gardening bell, or
cloche, to protect individual plants.
Originally, cloches were made of bell-
JERRY PAVIA
them to the hoop with a clothespin to

allow proper ventilation.
WHAT WORKS WITH WHAT

Considerable diversity exists with season-extending tools and techniques. Here are a
few examples of what works well for different vegetables:
TOMATOES
MELONS AND SQUASH
Wall-O-Waters: Plant seedlings in

pre-warmed soil and place tipis
around them up to eight weeks before
the nal frost.
Floating row cover or plastic tunnel:
Set up the row cover with hoops a week
prior to planting. Row covers will sufciently protect tomato seedlings during
the cold snaps and late frosts during the
last four weeks. The plastic tunnels may
require an extra blanket if the temperature dips much below 30 degrees.

Spread out black plastic a week or two
prior to planting, and set out the plants
up to four weeks early underneath these
protective tunnels.
Solar umbrella: These will protect
tender transplants three to four weeks
before the last frost. Solar umbrellas
can also be used to encourage prompt
germination when the seeds are planted
two weeks early.
GREENS
BRASSICAS
LEFT TO RIGHT:
BOTANICA/ROB FIOCCA; JERRY PAVIA
A mason jar works in a pinch to help

seedlings grow in cooler weather.
shaped glass. They offer a pretty, classic look to the early spring garden,
but theyre expensive and fragile. So
instead, many gardeners opt to use
translucent plastic jugs or waxedpaper caps, also called hot caps.
To use plastic jugs, simply cut off
the bottom, and then push the jug
over the planted seedling. Remove the
lid to provide ventilation, and keep
the jugs on the plants until they outgrow them. Unless theres drip irrigation running along the plants, each
jug should be removed for watering
instead of dousing the plants through
the opening.
Like solar umbrellas, both the plastic jugs and hot caps are best used
toward the end of the spring season
since they dont have a way to retain heat like the Wall-O-Waters and
Kozy-Coats. While the jugs and hot
caps will protect plants from a frost,
a hard freeze might be too much. If
you know a hard freeze is coming, toss
a blanket over the jugs or hot caps to
offer additional protection.
Planting as early as possible is a
challenge, but the rewards far exceed
the effort. By utilizing a few, or all, of
these techniques, its possible to enjoy
those first tomatoes or peppers weeks
before your neighbors.

Broccoli, cauliower and cabbage handle
cold relatively well, and can be planted
six to seven weeks early under row covers or tunnels.
Hot caps: Good protection
about four weeks prior to the
last frost.
Solar umbrella: Offers
protection during the month
before the last frost. Add
plastic jugs lled with water
to squeeze out an extra couple
of weeks.
Cold frame: Start seeds three months

early in the cold frame.
Set out transplants eight weeks prior
to the last frost, or start seeding six
weeks early.
PEPPERS
Cold frame: Peppers are
typically tender and do well
in the cold frame four to six
weeks before the nal frost
date. Close the lid at night,
even when temperatures are
above freezing, to keep the
plants happy.
Solar umbrella: This will
protect plants from cold snaps
and wind during the three
weeks prior to the last frost.
Hot caps: Plant peppers two
weeks earlier when using hot
caps or cloches.
Floating row cover or plastic tunnel: These keep wind
A cold frame can be as large as your garden can
and frost off peppers during
handle, or as simple as youd like it to be.
the last month.
49
Pick the perfect pooch for your pastures.

Article by Ann Larkin Hansen
Illustrations by Elayne Sears
working dog can be your

best farmhand ever, if you
have a breed and an individual fitted to the work.
Typically, three types of specialty
dogs are used for specific farm tasks:
herders, livestock guardians, and vermin controllers. Specialized dogs do
best on farms that require enough
of the specific type of work the dogs
crave. For an all-purpose farm, an allpurpose dog may be the best choice.
With any type, youll need to commit time and effort to developing the
mutual understanding and affection
that is the foundation of a successful
dog-human partnership.
General-Purpose Dogs:
Jacks of All Trades
Throughout history, farmers and
ranchers have bred their dogs to be
competent farming and hunting companions. Rather than purchasing an
expensive purebred dog, your neighbors may be able to supply a good
farm dog descended from many
generations of general-purpose dogs.
On small-scale, diversified farms,
a general-purpose breed, such as an
English Shepherd, is a good choice.
Heather Houlahan, who breeds and
trains shepherds for search-and-rescue
operations as well as for helping on
her small homestead, says, These
general-purpose dogs can bring in the
goats, kill a groundhog, and keep the
rooster under control. They can pick
all that up without a lot of explicit
instruction. Theyre focused on their
people and their tasks.
Training a general-purpose dog is
mostly a matter of taking it with you
as you go about your daily chores. If at

all possible, have the puppy there with
you, unless youre working with equipment. Focus on teaching it things and
allowing it to absorb the routine. Try
to avoid yelling. Instead, guide the
puppy, and eventually it will learn,
Houlahan says.
Herding Dogs:
Nipping at the
Heels of Your Flock
For help with managing livestock,
you cant beat a good herding dog.
A Border Collie is a great all-around
sheepdog, says Pearse Ward, president
of the Wisconsin Working Stock Dog
Association. There are other herding
breeds, such as Australian Shepherds
and Kelpies, but its much harder to
find a good working dog from those
breeds, because for a long time,
so many in this country have not
been bred specifically for working.
It only takes one or two genera-
tions of selecting for something other

than labor, such as coat color, to begin
losing the working instincts.
Herding breeds are exceptionally intelligent, driven and energetic, so they
need some kind of work to do, as well
as extensive training. When it comes
to livestock, having a badly trained
dog around is worse than having no
dog at all, Ward says. You have to
put the time into learning how to train
one and how to work with one how
to form that partnership with them. If
youve never trained working dogs before, consider finding someone in your
area who knows about and uses dogs
in working situations to mentor you.
Ward recommends visiting a sheepdog
website, such as www.LittleHats.net, to
get started.
Ward says a herding dog is not nec-
POPULAR WORKING BREEDS

GENERAL-PURPOSE
BREEDS
A general-purpose farm
dog should be descended
from many generations of
dual-purpose working and
hunting dogs. Many mixes
of breeds will work, but
popular choices include
farm Collies, English
Shepherds and Cur dogs.
HERDING BREEDS
Australian Cattle Dog
Australian Kelpie
Australian Shepherd
Bearded Collie
Belgian Malinois
Border Collie
Collie
German Shepherd
Shetland Sheepdog
LIVESTOCK GUARDIAN
BREEDS
Akbash
Anatolian Shepherd
Central Asian Shepherd
Great Pyrenees
Kangal
Komondor
Kuvasz
Maremma Sheepdog
Polish Tatra Sheepdog
South Russian Ovcharka
TERRIER BREEDS
Border
Cairn
Jack Russell
Norfolk
Patterdale
Russell
Scottish
West Highland White
essary for small flocks, which can be

trained and managed some other way.
A herding dog will come into its own
managing larger groups.
Guardian Dogs:
All Paws on Deck
Livestock guardians have been used
for centuries to deter or destroy livestock predators. However, the myth
that you can throw the dog in with
the livestock and forget about it is just
that a myth.
Angie Meroshnekoff, who has bred
and worked with Great Pyrenees dogs
for 40 years, says, For the first couple of months, you need to be extrainvolved with the dog. Fix the territory limits by walking the fence line
together. Protect the puppy from
predators for the first nine months
to a year, until its big enough to defend itself. New dogs will often want
to play with the livestock, and youll

need to discourage that.
These dogs dont just protect sheep
and cattle many owners use them to
guard poultry, too. Livestock guardians can be invaluable to the maintenance of free-range flocks. They keep
predators away, and they alert you
when something is wrong.
Carrie Stuart Parks, president of the
Great Pyrenees Club of America, says,
As long as the dog knows the chickens need to be protected, it will guard
them from anything. Its not really
necessary for a livestock guardian to
be raised with chickens, but its nice if
you have other dogs already there who
know not to touch the chickens. The
guardian will learn from them.
Livestock guardian dogs need work

and space. They are bred to be independent thinkers, and to be alert for
danger. Many of them are standoffish and suspicious with strangers,
says Janet Vorwald Dohner, author
of Livestock Guardians: Using Dogs,
Donkeys and Llamas to Protect Your
Herd. They may bark a lot at night,
and because theyre large dogs and determined to go after something they
see as a threat, they need good fencing.
They get frustrated if they dont have a
job where theyre outside a lot, patrolling around.
Herding breeds, such as the

Border Collie, are intelligent,
driven and energetic, and they
thrive when kept busy.
51
Dohner cautions that

some guardian breeds
are not suited for small
homesteads. Eastern
European and Russian
breeds, such as Central
Asian Shepherds
and South Russian
Ovcharkas, can be more
difficult to control and can
have aggressive tendencies. Western
European breeds, including the Great
Pyrenees, are generally more suited
to life on smaller farms, but owners should be prepared to deal with
some of their less engaging traits,
Meroshnekoff says. We tell people
three things about guardian breeds:
They bark, they dig, and they shed.
Though a guardian dogs job is to
guard, they also absolutely have to
obey. If your dog attacks someone on
your farm in your presence without
you telling it to, then your dog will
probably be put down, youll end up
paying the medical bills of the victim,
and you may end up in court.
A guardian dog should be trained
to obey you when youre present, and
to defend the livestock and the farm
when youre absent. This is achieved
by establishing that you are the leader
of the pack no exceptions. To do this
takes an approach that combines affection, firmness and consistency. Youll
also want to make sure your dog is exposed to many different situations and
trained to the leash. The rest follows
naturally from the dogs own instincts.
If you cant get your dog to refrain
from threatening visitors in
your presence, it should
be restrained or
kenneled.
Livestock guardian dogs, like the Great

Pyrenees, instinctively protect livestock,
including poultry flocks.
Vermin Control Dogs:

Down to Business
I am hooked on terriers, says
Jamie Lee Herman, president of
the American Working Terrier
Association. They can be argumentative and a challenge, they might hold a
grudge, and theyre not always as tolerant as some other types of dogs, but
once you build a strong relationship,
I dont know of any greater reward.
Some breeds specialize in earth
work going into burrows while
others concentrate on aboveground
hunting. Herman uses terriers to control opossums, groundhogs, badgers,
foxes, raccoons and rats. They can also
protect poultry flocks and grain stores.
Training is recommended to avoid injury, especially with dogs performing
underground work.
Terriers may not be the best choice
for families with young children,
though. Take the Jack Russell, for example. It will most likely tolerate some
ear pulling, but then it may snap.
Herman says, however, that older children who know how to treat animals
gently and with respect should have
no problems.
Rescue Dogs and

Crossbreeds
Dogs of unknown parentage
may also make excellent farm dogs.
According to Houlahan, however, youre not going to be able
to predict with any accuracy
what theyre going to be
Terriers do a great job at
keeping your homestead free
of opossums, groundhogs,
foxes and other varmints.
able to do. If you know

the breeds of the parents,
youll have a better idea of
what the dogs inclinations
for work might be.
On the other hand, purebred
rescue dogs dogs that have
been given up or abandoned by their
owners can be an excellent choice
if theyre obtained from a rescue organization whose staff has extensive
knowledge of the breed. They usually
know the dogs, and know which ones
have the potential to really be successful, says Dohner.
Ward says a lot of good working
dogs end up in rescue centers, and
he suggests to people who are looking for one, to go there first. The
reason many working dogs are in rescue centers is that people think they
come ready to go that you just turn
the key, and theyll do what you want.
Then the owners get tired of the dog
chasing livestock. It takes time and patience to train a young dog.
Puppy Love:
Find a Good Match
Make sure the puppys parents know
how to work before you invest your
love and money into a future farm
dog. Dogs quickly lose their ability to
work if the trait is not selected for in
every generation.
Pass over the puppy thats so shy it
hides in the corner, the bully, and the
overly friendly pup. Pick the one thats
confident and curious.
Lastly, make sure both parents are
healthy and have no genetic defects,
such as hip dysplasia, which is all too
common in many breeds. If you cant
assess both parents with your own
eyes, ask about whether they have
been screened for potential problems.
Since many genetic health problems
dont show up until later in a dogs life,
taking these precautions can save you
the heartbreak of building a relationship with a dog only for it to become
disabled at a young age.
DIY
OIL
LAMP
Turn an old canning jar into a ickering ray of light.

Article and photograph
by Mary Murray
ne of my favorite things
to do when the days are
short is to light candles
and oil lamps. Somehow,
in our old house they seem just right
on days when the dark of evening still
settles in early. And while I love oil
lamps that have been handed down
and have a story all their own to tell, I
also enjoy making my own, and these
are easy to make a simple country
pleasure for long, wintry days.
Supplies
Glass canning jar, lid and ring
Hammer and awl
Glass insert with fiberglass wick
Rosehips, pine cones, cinnamon

sticks, etc.
Clear lamp oil (not kerosene)
Instructions
1 Make a hole in the jar lid by gently hammering the awl into the center
of the lid. Make the hole large enough
to fit the glass wick insert.
2 Slip the wick into the insert, and
place it, wick first, into the hole in the
lid. The lip on the insert will keep it
from slipping through the lid.
3 Fill the jar about three-quarters
full with an assortment of natural
items, such as rosehips, pine cones and
cinnamon sticks. (Ive also used dried
apple slices, colorful Indian corn, and
various nuts.) Add lamp oil to within
1
4-inch of the top of the jar.
4 Place the lid on the jar, and adjust the length of the wick so you can
weave it down through the oil and
items in the jar. Secure the lid to the
jar by tightening down the ring. Trim
the wick to about 14-inch. If needed,
you can trim it even more to keep the
flame at a low, safe height.
Safety Tips
Always pay attention when using
oil lamps to ensure you dont start a
fire. Also, make sure theyre out of the
reach of children and pets.
For added safety, I place my oil
lamps inside glass hurricanes, and
while theyre still pretty, they keep
the flame away from little fingers and
paws, and reduce the chance of the
lamps getting tipped over.
53
WILD FOODS
Add nutrition and avor to favorite recipes
with fresh-picked foods from the forest.
erving foraged foods, fresh

from forest or field, not only
makes for interesting dinner
conversation, it also provides a
nutritional boost to your favorite recipes. Cooked wild greens as a standalone side dish or sprinkled fresh over
a green salad are great ways to introduce these springtime beauties. Ever
thought of using those lovely, wild
violet flowers as a sandwich spread
topping, or tossing lightly sauted
morel mushrooms with shrimp, and
serving them over seasoned rice? This
is the season to do just that.
Wild onions are found across the
country from late winter to early summer, growing singly and in clumps.
They should be dug, not pulled,
to keep the bulb and stem intact.
Separate, wash, and trim off the root
end and woody tops before eating.
Morel mushrooms are delicacies
worthy of a tramp through the woods.
Growing in mixed hardwood forests, they can be found under trees
and in the rich soil of deep leaf litter.
Naturally camouflaged, morels are
easy to miss, so step lightly and keep a
sharp eye on the ground.
Clover is nothing new to herbalists and wild food enthusiasts. It may
be news to some, though, that the
whole plant is edible, medicinal, and
extremely nutritious. Of the many
varieties, red and white are the most
common. Harvest clover from your
backyard, as long as its an organic
backyard, but be sure to leave enough
for the honeybees to enjoy.
It may sound strange to think about
harvesting stinging nettles, but this
herb is delicious, and its packed with
vitamins, minerals, protein and iron.
Because nettles will cause great irritation if touched with the bare skin, always wear gloves when picking them,
and again when transporting them to
your pan or pot for cooking. Once the
cooking process begins, they will no
longer cause the stinging irritation.
Pick nettles when they are young, before they get fibrous and before they
FOTOLIA/TONY CAMPBELL
COOKING WITH
By Teresa Smith
flower. To pick them, find a stand

of nettles, count down two to three
bracts, put your fingers under the
bract, and gently snap the nettle. Be
sure to put harvested nettles in a bag
of some sort for transporting.
NOTE: Do not harvest any wild
food if you are uncertain about the
plant or unschooled in the art of
foraging. Use a reliable field guide,
study online sources, or take an expert
along. Always harvest wild foods from
unadulterated sources no chemical
sprays or fertilizers. Harvesting fresh
food from wild yards, fields and pastures is organic living at its finest.
Add a twist to Wild Onions and Scrambled Eggs by adding diced avocado to the
cooked eggs. Roll the mixture up in flour tortillas, and heat them in a skillet.
Wild Onions and

Scrambled Eggs
I hope you enjoy this recipe, handed down through three generations.
During my youth, our family had
this meal for supper several times
throughout the spring months. With
hot-from-the-oven biscuits or bread, a
little fresh fruit, and maybe a dash or
two of hot sauce, it warms the body
and soul. Yields 4 to 6 servings.
(2)/ISTETIANA, TAIFTIN
12 eggs
cup cream or whole milk
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil, unsalted
butter, bacon grease, or other fat
1 to 3 cups packed chopped wild
onions
1 to 2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Break eggs into a large bowl. Add
cream, and a little salt and pepper.
With a whisk, mix until thoroughly
blended. Set aside.
2 Heat oil in a large skillet over
medium-high heat. Add onions, and
cook, stirring occasionally, until almost soft. If onions are sticking, add
additional oil as needed.
3 Add garlic, and continue cooking
until garlic is wilted.
4 Reduce heat to low, and add egg
mixture to skillet. Cook, scrambling,
until eggs and onions are just set.
Serve hot.
NOTE: An alternate cooking method for the wild onions is to barely cov-
Savory, simple-to-make Wild Onion Pie is sure to be a hit with family and friends.
er them with broth or water, and stew

them until soft. Drain well, and then
stir them into the egg mixture. Cook
and scramble as directed above.
Wild Onion Pie
Theres room for amendments and

additions in the preparation of this
wonderful, savory dish. For instance,
use other wild greens in place of the
wild onions; leave out the bacon, or
substitute it with another cooked meat
like ham, sausage or turkey bacon; add
vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms, and/or your favorite herbs.
Yields 6 to 8 servings.
2 cups packed chopped wild onions

2 pound bacon
Prepared pastry for single-crust
9-inch pie
6 eggs
1
2 cup cream or whole milk
1
2 teaspoon fresh chopped thyme, or
1
4 teaspoon dried
1 cup grated or crumbled cheese of
your choice
1
2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1
1 Cook wild onions until tender,

either simmering them in broth or
sauting them in butter, and set aside.
55
Morel Mushroom
Lasagna
Morels are best when prepared fresh

from harvest. However, if you must
store them before cooking, place them,
unwashed, in a paper bag in the refrigerator. Just before youre ready to use
them, brush off any visible dirt from
the caps, and place them in a strainer.
Rinse them thoroughly under cold
running water, and gently shake the
strainer to remove excess water. Turn
them out onto paper towels and allow
them to dry before cooking them.
This dish is easy to prepare if you

have all your individual ingredients
washed, measured and ready to use.
Lasagna is one of those personal preference dishes, in which some people
like lots of sauce, while others dont;
some like more meat, others like
no meat; some add salt, while others dont; some choose to add more
cheese, while others add less. The possibilities are endless, and this recipe
leaves room for creativity and individual tastes. Yields 6 to 8 servings.
1
2 pound morel mushrooms

Extra-virgin olive oil
1 carton (16 ounces) ricotta cheese,
or other soft cheese
1
2 teaspoon dried basil
1
2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 box (16 ounces) lasagna noodles
24 to 32 ounces jar or homemade
pasta sauce, depending on how
much sauce you want
2 cups bite-size fresh spinach leaves
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese,
divided
1
2 to 1 cup freshly grated mozzarella
cheese
1 Clean the morels, trim away any

tough stems, and slice them. For large
caps, slice them into several lengthwise
sections, and for small caps, just slice
them in half.
2 Heat 1 to 2 tablespoons olive
oil in a skillet until hot. Add and
saut morels until theyre just wilted.
Remove from heat, leaving mushrooms in the skillet until youre ready
to assemble the lasagna.
3 In a large mixing bowl, combine
ricotta cheese, garlic, basil, thyme, and
a little salt and pepper. Mix well, and
set aside.
4 Preheat oven to 325 F. Lightly
coat a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with
olive oil; set aside.
5 Boil lasagna noodles according
to package directions, adding a little
olive oil to the cooking water. About
5 minutes before the package directions say the noodles should be done,
drain them. (You dont want them to
be completely cooked, which will help
reduce the risk of tearing during assembly, and will also avoid overcooking them in the oven.)
6 Cover bottom of prepared baking dish with a thin layer of sauce.
Top with a single layer of noodles.
Spoon on more sauce, and then top
with spinach leaves. Sprinkle on half
the Parmesan cheese, and then add another layer of noodles. Top with more
sauce, then the ricotta mixture, and
another layer of noodles.
7 Spoon on more sauce, then top
with the morels. Cover with another
layer of noodles, and then more sauce.
Sprinkle remaining Parmesan over all.
8 Cover dish with foil. Bake for 40
minutes. Remove dish from oven, and
discard foil. Increase oven temperature
to 350 F.
9 Sprinkle mozzarella over top of
lasagna. Return to the oven, and bake,
uncovered, for 15 more minutes, or
until cheese is bubbly and browned.
Cool slightly before serving.
Red Clover Lemonade

Morel Mushroom Lasagna features layer after layer of fresh and delicious flavors.
Clover flowers are abundant from

late spring until the first freeze of winter, and theyre not just a rich food
FOTOLIA/RAFER76
2 In a skillet or the microwave,

cook the bacon until crisp. Allow slices
to cool, then crumble into bits, and
set aside.
3 Preheat oven to 375 F. Place
cooking rack in center of oven. Line a
9-inch pie pan with pastry, and crimp
the edges; set aside.
4 In a mixing bowl, whisk together
eggs, cream, thyme, and a little salt
and pepper. Stir in cooked onions and
bacon. Add cheese.
5 Pour mixture into pastry-lined
pan, and sprinkle with paprika.
6 Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or
until eggs are set and nicely browned.
LEFT: Quench any thirst with Red Clover Lemonade. RIGHT: If you prefer your Nettle Soup less chunky, simply run it through the
blender until smooth, and then pour it back in the pan and heat through.
LEFT TO RIGHT: FOTOLIA
(2)/VIKTORIJA, SALVIJA
source for honeybees! The whole plant

has culinary and medicinal value, being chock-full of nutrients and healing properties. Heres one way to take
advantage of those pretty petals, and
a great way to cool down on a warm
late-spring or summer day.
Youll need to prepare red clover tea
the day before you plan to make this
lemonade, because the concoction
needs time to properly steep and chill.
To clean clover, simply pinch off the
flowering tops and submerge them in
cold water, and then spread them out
on a cloth to drain.
Its best to prepare beverages using
glass or stainless steel, as plastic and
aluminum containers can leach chemicals into your favorite drinks. Yields
12 servings.
TEA:
6 cups filtered water
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon fresh
red clover blossoms, rinsed
LEMONADE:
3 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice
(about 24 lemons)
2 to 212 cups sugar
6 cups filtered water, cold
TO MAKE TEA:
1 In a large stockpot, bring water
just to boiling. Place clover blossoms

in another stockpot, and pour hot water over them.
2 Cover and steep until liquid is
room temperature. Strain into a glass
pitcher or bowl, and chill for several
hours or overnight.
TO MAKE LEMONADE:
3 In a large pitcher or punch bowl,
whisk together lemon juice and 2 cups
sugar. Add cold water, and stir until
sugar is dissolved.
4 Add the tea, and mix well. Taste
for sweetness, and add up to an additional 12 cup sugar, as needed. Chill
thoroughly before serving.
NOTE: Alternatively, to make the
tea, you can place the clover blossoms
and water in a large glass jar with a
tight-fitting lid, and place the jar in
direct sunlight for 4 to 6 hours. Strain
and chill. Also, if preferred, you can
use all or part raw honey in place of
the sugar.
Nettle Soup
By taking advantage of wild spring

greens and early garden produce, it
doesnt have to be the dead of winter
to enjoy a bowl of soup. The ingredients for this soup can vary as your wild
harvest and garden provides. Serve
with bread and a fresh fruit dessert.
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, olive

oil or lard
2 large carrots, diced
1 large onion, diced, or about 112
cups packed chopped wild onions
2 medium potatoes, diced
2 to 4 quarts broth
2 cups packed bite-size fresh nettle
leaves, washed and allowed to dry
4 cloves garlic, minced or sliced just
before use
1
2 to 1 cup cream or sour cream
1 Heat butter in a stockpot over
medium heat until melted. Add and
saut the carrots, onion and potatoes
until heated through, but not yet tender. Add 2 quarts broth, and bring
mixture to a boil.
2 Stir in nettles, garlic, and a little
salt and pepper.
3 Cover and simmer until vegetables are tender, adding more broth,
if needed, to reach desired thickness.
Taste, and adjust seasonings.
4 Stir in cream. (For creamier soup,
use more cream; for brothier soup, use
less.) Return to a simmer, and simmer
until heated through. Serve hot.
NOTE: If desired, you can add
cooked, chopped chicken or sausage
when you add the nettles.
57
Manage
Your Land for
Wildlife
Learn how to attract more fur and feathers to your acres.
By Tim Nephew
anaging your land for wildlife can provide you with an opportunity to increase
the carrying capacity and concentration
of wildlife on your property. Whether
your passion is hunting, photography, or simply observing nature, there are several things you can do
without spending a lot of money that will make your
land more attractive to everything from butterflies to
whitetail deer.
cally over the last 10 or 15 years. New companies are

dedicated to providing seed, equipment and implements
to help establish and maintain food plots. Hunting and
rural lifestyle magazines are a good source of information on products that will help turn an old, worn-out
hayfield into a wildlife mecca.
While it may sound like establishing a food plot will
be expensive, depending on your goals and the types of
food plots you want to develop, costs can be relatively
inexpensive. It would also provide an opportunity for a
family or community project.
Providing Nourishment
Suitable Habitat
To make your property more attractive to wildlife,

there are many different components that need to be
addressed. One of the most common practices is to create food plots, an excellent way to provide a supplemental food source for wildlife. Food plots are definitely a
piece to the puzzle, but without good natural habitat
providing suitable shelter, food and water, you may be
wasting your time and money.
The popularity of food plots has increased dramati-
Creating a habitat suitable for wildlife can be achieved

by selectively clearing areas of old-growth woods and
brush to allow for new growth. Hand cutting, mowing,
disking and burning help renew and reshape an overgrown plot. Planting fruit and mast shrubs and trees
will help provide protection and serve as additional
food sources.
Mast varieties including wild plums, crab apples
and chokecherry, and trees like hazel and oak are
good selections depending on your

location. Your local Soil and Water
Conservation District (SWCD) and
your state university extension services
are great resources for information to
determine varieties of trees and shrubs
best suited to your local environment.
Water Sources
If wildlife will need to travel great
distances to find water, the odds are
greatly reduced that theyll return or
remain nearby. Improving existing
water sources on your land whether
its permanent or a result of seasonal
runoff will help attract and sustain a
variety of wildlife.
If you dont have water on your
property, digging or trenching impoundment ponds could be an option.
In some states, there are cost-sharing
programs managed by fish and game
departments that will help offset expenses and bring in experts to help
design water structures.
Song birds, waterfowl and upland
game birds rely on readily available
water for nesting and as seasonal resting grounds during spring and fall
migrations. Allowing seasonal water
sources like spring snowmelt and rains
to remain as long as possible by closing drain tile or ditch access is also a
great way to improve water habitats
without going through the cost of digging new impoundment structures.
STEPHEN GOODMAN; OPPOSITE, FOTOLIA/PYTY
Food Plots
One of the first considerations when
planning a food plot should be deciding what type of wildlife you want to
attract. Its important not to use all the
open space you have allocated for just
the food plot. Having natural grasses,
and in some cases, even weeds, adjacent to your food plot allows for both
forage and escape cover for smaller
animals and birds.
A good plot for small game is a quarter to a full acre in size. If youre looking to attract deer or turkeys, a plot
anywhere from 1 to 5 acres or more
is optimal. Large plots between 5 and
20 acres can provide the opportunity to plant multiple food sources, as
A covey of bobwhite quail stop for

water. Water sources are a crucial
element for attracting wildlife.
well as lessen predator impact because

the wildlife population will not be as
concentrated as it is in a smaller area.
Place your food plot close to some type
of protective cover brush or a heavily wooded area would be suitable, to
provide important escape cover.
Soil Testing
Proper soil nutrients are necessary
so plants will grow and achieve their
maximum potential, and soil testing
can help you determine your soils
health. To gather a soil sample, take a
pail and shovel, and dig samples from
random spots in the area you plan to
convert to a food plot. Dig 6 to 8 inches down for samples, and place them
in the same container. You dont need
a large amount of soil, but keep each
sample about the same size. The more
samples you collect, the more accurate your soil test will be. After youve
gathered your samples, thoroughly
mix all the soil samples together.
Kits are available to test the soil
yourself, but an easier, more accurate
method of testing the soil is to contact
your local SWCD office or extension
office for a sample kit youll send back
to them for free testing. Quite a few
commercial soil testing labs do business in most states and can be found
through an Internet search. Test results are usually available within two
to three weeks.
The soil test results will provide recommendations on how to adjust your
soil with correct amounts of lime and
TIPS FROM THE OHIO DIVISION

OF WILDLIFE ON ESTABLISHING
FOOD PLOTS
Do not fertilize more than what is
recommended. Its a waste of money
and resources.
Conversely, some people make the
mistake of not fertilizing at all.
Spreading manure you acquire from
your animals or your neighbors
animals will help immensely.
Using up old seed is ne if you just
want to get rid of it, but dont expect
an oasis of vegetation. Use up-todate seed as well.
Avoid planting seed in spots that
are too shady. It will hinder your
plant growth.
Food plots that are too small are ineffective. A good rule of thumb when
dedicating an area to food plants is
a quarter to half an acre for every
20 acres.
Be sure to plant early enough in
the season to allow vegetation to
fully mature.
Use plants proven to grow in your
local environment.
fertilizer for optimum plant growth

based on your soil type and needs.
Site Preparation
Now its time to prepare the food
plot site. As mentioned earlier, some
native grasses and weeds are actually beneficial to wildlife for food
59
Burning grass helps clear the

way for food plot varieties like
sorghum and beans.
Disking is one option to get rid of

weeds and scrub brush for a wi
wildlife
dlife
food plot and for those who dont
wish to use chemicals.
Plant Selection
After preparing the site and amending the soil with the proper nutrients, its time to decide what to plant.
Selecting the plants youll use in your
food plot really depends on what animals you want to attract. If you want
to see more deer, plant clovers like

ladino and red clover as a perennial
crop, with wheat, rye, canola or turnips and radishes as annual plantings.
With the proper equipment, corn is
always a good deer-attracting plant,
and it has the additional benefit of offering cover to other animals.
If you want to provide a food source
for upland game birds or song birds,
grain and green forage provide good
variety. Corn, millets, sorghums, sunflowers and buckwheat can either be
mixed together or planted in various
areas of the food plot for diversity.
Several companies specialize in preparing the proper seed mix based on
the type of wildlife youre trying to attract, selling pre-packaged bags of seed
unique to the various growing zones
RESOURCES FOR
HABITAT AND FOOD
PLOT MANAGEMENT
Ohio Department Natural
Resources Division of Wildlife
http://Wildlife.OhioDNR.gov
Minnesota Department
of Natural Resources
www.DNR.State.MN.us
Kentucky Department
of Fish and Wildlife
http://FW.KY.gov
CAMPBELL
and cover. However, if the weeds are

so invasive that they would threaten
the growth of your main plants, then
youll need to control them.
Organic herbicide treatments are a
good way to control weeds in a large
area. Most broad-spectrum herbicides kill weeds as well as all grasses
and plants, so if you plan to use an
herbicide, be sure to pay attention to
the manufacturers labels and application rates. If you can mow the area
before applying an herbicide, youll
achieve better results. After applying
the herbicide, wait a week to 10 days
or longer before plowing or disking
the plot to give the chemical ample
time to work check and abide by all
the information on the label.
If you would rather not use herbicides, you can attain good results by
burning, plowing and disking your
site. It may require a little more work,
and it may not remove as many weeds
as a chemical application, but your
goal is simply to clear the area well
enough to allow your plants to flourish. The plot doesnt need to look like
a farmers crop field, just a good food
source for wildlife.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ISTOCKPHOTO/TBGRANT; LINDA FRESHWATERS ARNDT; FOTOLIA/TONY
Lush foliage and cover provides

a nice food plot for deer, which
makes for better hunting grounds.
A good variety of grains and flowers in your plot

will attract several species of birds. Wi
Wild
d turkeys
commonly roost in timber sets, and then fly
down into fie
fields
ds to feed in the morning.
throughout the U.S. Run an Internet

search for food plot seeds, and youll
find a ton of information about preparing your plot with their products.
Upland game birds are

beautiful to watch. The spruce
grouse inhabits coniferous
forests in much of Canada and
the northern United States.
Planting
TOP TO BOTTOM: AKM IMAGES/WILLY
ONARHEIM; FOTOLIA (2)/WOLFGANG ZINTL, SAHARRR
Planting your seed can be accomplished by a variety of methods, depending on the condition of your food
plot after preparation. Using no-till
methods with a corn planter or grain
drill is one good option. You can also
use a broadcast seeder that you mount
on a tractor or ATV, or an inexpensive
hand-crank or push-rotary seeder to
distribute the seed. If you broadcast
your seed onto a prepared bed, youll
need to incorporate the seed into the
soil by lightly disking or dragging the
surface. With small, fine seed that only
requires good ground contact, the best
way to cover the seed is with the use of
a cultipacker or seed roller.
An Overall Plan
Ive spent a lot of time discussing
how to design, prepare and plant a
food plot, but without proper habitat,
a food source wont attract and hold
wildlife to your property. Managing
your land for wildlife, whether for
viewing or hunting, requires a wellconceived plan that incorporates food,
water and protective cover.
This is a great project for the family,
or even the neighbors, with the added
benefit of spending more time in the
great outdoors enjoying nature.
Establishing a permanent
water source will irrigate
surrounding plant life while
attracting animals like
Mallard ducks.
61
Follow these 7 steps to ensure

superior spears, year after year.
resh from the garden, asparagus

is the very essence of spring. The
sweet, slender spears are at their
best lightly steamed and topped
with a bit of butter and maybe
a drop of lemon juice. Of course,
you can enjoy your bountiful crop in
plenty of other ways, too sauted,
roasted, grilled, microwaved, in sauce
or plain, alone, or with other vegetables in soups, stir-fries and salads.
Any way you slice it, asparagus is one
of the most delicious vegetables you
can grow.
The beauty of asparagus is more
than skin deep, though. One of the
few perennial vegetable crops, asparagus comes back year after year, producing pounds of succulent spears for
15 to 20 years or more. In fact, when
it comes to productivity, asparagus is
difficult to top. A modest planting of
25 all-male crowns (dormant roots)
will yield up to 20 pounds of edible
spears per year thats 400 pounds

or more over a 20-year period! With
all that bounty, its a good thing its
simple to store your spring asparagus
in the freezer just blanch it in boiling water, chill in ice water, place in a
freezer bag, and pop it in the freezer.
While asparagus is not difficult to
grow, it does take some time to get a
crop started. However, if you choose
your variety and site wisely, and then
provide basic care, youre on your way
to decades of good eating. Following
are seven steps to ensure superior
spears, year after year.
1. Plant All-Male
Varieties
Until about 20 years ago, all asparagus varieties were a mixture of male
and female plants. However, Rutgers
University researchers developed a
method for propagating only the
male plants the female plants produce seeds. These all-male asparagus
varieties including Jersey Giant,
Jersey Supreme, and Jersey Knight

produce up to three times more than
older, open-pollinated male/female
varieties like Mary Washington.
The reason is because all-male plants
put all their energy into producing
spears rather than seeds, like female
plants, according to Chee-kok Chin, a
professor of plant biology and pathology at Rutgers. That also means that
male plants do not produce volunteer
seedlings, which compete against the
established plants and reduce yields.
All-male hybrids are also more disease
resistant than older varieties. In fact,
one of the best ways to avoid asparagus
rust, a fungal disease, is to plant rustresistant varieties, several of which are
listed in the sidebar Best Asparagus
Varieties on the next page.
2. Make a Cozy Bed

Remember that your asparagus will
call this site home for many years
to come, so its important to choose a
good bed location and prepare it care-
FOTOLIA/FORTYFORKS
By Vicki Mattern
BEST ASPARAGUS
VARIETIES
ALL-MALE VARIETIES
Knowing when and how to harvest asparagus is an important part of growing this
springtime vegetable.
FOTOLIA/AFRICA STUDIO
fully, says Mathieu Ngouajio, assistant

professor of horticulture at Michigan
State University.
To avoid disease problems, choose
a site where corn or asparagus did not
grow the year before, Ngouajio says.
If you can plant a cover crop, such as
sorghum or rye, in the area where you
plan to plant asparagus, youre in luck.
A cover crop (turned into the soil before planting) will increase the soils
organic matter, which is very beneficial to asparagus, he says.
Native to warm climates, such as
Asia Minor and the Mediterranean region, asparagus thrives in full sun and
rich, well-drained soil. Incorporate
plenty of high-quality, aged compost
into your asparagus site to improve
drainage, boost soil fertility, and reduce the chance of soil-borne fungal
diseases like fusarium crown and root
rot. If you dont have compost, add
grass clippings or shredded leaves.
Planting in raised beds will also improve drainage.
You may want to test your soil to
be sure the pH level is in the neutral
range, 6.5 to 7.5. Plant pathologists
have found that lower pH values may
promote fusarium disease in asparagus.
If the tests show a low pH, the testing
lab can tell you how much limestone
to add to your soil in order to neutralize the acidity.
3. Get a Jump
on Weeds
Weeds can be one of the biggest
challenges for organic asparagus growers. To reduce perennial weed problems, be sure to eliminate them from
the site before planting, and be vigilant about routing them out in the
years to come.
Before we planted our new asparagus bed, we prepared the soil carefully, says Charlotte Johnson, co-owner
with her husband, Glen, of Mother
Flight Farm in Mount Vernon,
Washington. The Johnsons decided to
start a new asparagus patch after their
previous, 15-year-old patch became
hopelessly invaded by quack grass and
thistles, possibly brought in with some
straw mulch.
After tilling the area, we allowed
the dormant weed seeds to germinate,
then burned them off with a flame
weeder before we planted the asparagus. Now that their patch is becoming established, the Johnsons stay on
top of any new weeds by flaming the
entire bed in late fall to winter, after
the asparagus has gone dormant.
Other growers find that a combination of cultivation and mulching does
the trick. In a five-year trial of organic
versus conventional asparagus culture,
conducted by Mark Hutton, extension
vegetable specialist at the University
of Maine, weeds were kept at bay by
applying a thin layer of bark mulch
around plants and cultivating between
rows. After the final harvest this year,
we also did a shallow, 112-inch-deep,
cultivation with a tiller over the entire
area to eliminate grasses, he says.
Jersey Giant: Medium to large

green spears with purplish bracts
(scaly leaves); resistant to fusarium
and rust disease; cold tolerant
Jersey Knight: Similar to Jersey
Giant in size and appearance, with
thick, avorful spears; highly resistant
to rust; tolerant to fusarium; adapted
to most climates
Jersey Supreme: Slender- to
medium-diameter green spears; high
yielding and uniform in size; good
rust resistance; adapted to temperate,
cool and warm regions
Guelph Millennium: Developed by
the University of Guelph in Ontario;
high-quality green spears; requires
rust control; excellent for cold
regions, including Canada and the
upper Midwest
ALSO RECOMMENDED
Atlas: Combines the heat tolerance
of U.C. 157 (an older California
variety) with the productivity of the
Jersey varieties; tips stay tight in
higher temperatures (70 degrees and
above) longer than other varieties
Purple Passion: Large reddishpurple spears that turn green when
cooked; said to have a slight nutty
avor and be milder, sweeter and
more tender than green-speared
asparagus; susceptible to rust
In cold locales, such as Gene Thiels

Prairie Creek Farm in Joseph, Oregon,
with an elevation of 4,150 feet, black
plastic mulch not only stops weeds,
but also warms soil and conserves
moisture. Thiel says the 4-foot-wide
perforated plastic, used between rows,
warms the soil enough to allow him to
harvest spears two weeks earlier than
usual in the spring.
4. Plant in Trenches
After the days have warmed to about
50 degrees, plant asparagus crowns
in trenches, 6 to 12 inches deep,
63
Nothing says spring

like the sight of fresh
asparagus spears.
and about 12 inches wide. (Use the

shallower depth for heavy clay soils,
Ngouajio says.) By starting your asparagus crop with crowns, youll be able
to harvest them a year earlier than if
you plant seeds.
Spread finished compost in the
bottom of the trench, then space the
crowns about 12 to 18 inches apart
inside the trench, mounding the soil
a bit beneath each crown. Cover the
crowns with about 2 inches of soil.
Gradually add more soil, mixed with
compost, if available, over the next
four to six weeks as the plants grow,
until the trench is level with the surrounding soil.
STALKING SUMMER ASPARAGUS

Heres a nifty trick for stretching your asparagus harvest a couple of weeks longer
into late spring or early summer. Harvest your crop as usual for the rst two weeks of
the season. Then, select two or three sturdy spears from each plant, and allow them
to grow undisturbed, while you continue to harvest the newly emerging spears. The
leafy growth of the unharvested mother stalks will collect enough solar energy to
stimulate the growth of additional spears for at least two weeks longer, according to
researchers at Cornell and Rutgers universities. If weather is dry, water the plants to
minimize stress.
To begin harvesting spears up to two weeks earlier in the spring, use black plastic
mulch to warm the soil, conserve moisture, and prevent weeds.
For the best future harvests, allow

the underground crowns to become
well-established during the first year
or two after planting. If you do not
harvest the spears which are actually
the plants newly emerging shoots
they will develop into tall, attractive
plants with lacy leaves.
The vegetative part of asparagus
the tall, leafy growth sometimes called
ferns is the part that captures sunlight and energy, which is stored in
the crowns. The more energy stored in
the crowns, the better your crop will
be the following year, says Thomas
Orton, extension vegetable specialist
with Rutgers Cooperative Extension
in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Its important that a gardener look
at their asparagus plants, and not
push them before they are ready, says
Robert Dufault, professor of horticulture and vegetable physiology at
Clemson University. For instance, if
the plants ferns grew lush and tall the
first year about shoulder-height its
fine to harvest the spears for about two
weeks the second spring, instead of the
usual six to eight weeks, Dufault says.
He also recommends waiting one
more year before harvesting the
plants if the spears did not grow that
tall, or if any new emerging spears
look spindly, to ensure robust plants
the next year.
FOTOLIA/ESDRAS700
5. Resist Harvesting
the First Season
6. Know When and

How to Pick Spears
By the crops third season, you
should be able to pick a full harvest
meaning you can pick all the spears
that emerge over six to eight weeks.
To extend your harvest by a couple of weeks, see Stalking Summer
Asparagus on the previous page.
To harvest asparagus spears, simply
snap them off by hand where they naturally bend. Using a knife can spread
disease from one plant to another.
Plus, by snapping off only the tender
stalks in the garden, youll save a step
in the kitchen because you wont need
to remove the fibrous stems.
Be sure to harvest the spears before their tips begin to open, because
once the tips open, the spears become
tough. Warm temperatures encourage
tips to open faster, so you may need to
harvest daily if your area experiences
a sudden warm spell. In cooler spring
weather, you can expect to harvest taller spears a couple of times each week.
As soon as you see most of the spears

coming up spindly the diameter of
a pencil stop harvesting. Spindly
spears are a sign the plants are stressed,
says Dufault.
7. Take Good Care of

Your Ferns
Keep in mind that your asparagus
plants will continue to grow after you
finish harvesting the spears in spring,
and its that tall ferny growth that the
plants produce from June through
September that is most critical to the
success of next years crop. Pamper
your ferns by ensuring that they receive adequate nutrients and water
at least a half inch per week. In addition, Orton advises applying compost
on top of the bed right after harvest
is completed. Also, stay on top of
competing weeds and insect pests.
Jeff Cantara, owner of New Roots
Farm in Newmarket, New Hampshire,
uses a homemade portable chicken
pen to fertilize his asparagus crop,
while controlling asparagus beetles

the quarter-inch-long, black or redspotted insects that sometimes damage
ferns. After hes finished harvesting his
spears for the season, Cantara moves
the 5-foot-by-12-foot wooden frame
covered with poultry netting to the
asparagus bed with young laying
hens inside and then moves the enclosure to a different location in his
patch every three or four days.
I add a little grain to the soil to encourage the hens to scratch, he says.
We had some asparagus beetles before, but not since the chickens have
been cleaning up the beds. They dont
hurt the asparagus ferns, and the
chicken manure gets incorporated into
the soil.
Although asparagus aficionados
sometimes differ when it comes to the
finer points of planting and care, all
agree on the fundamentals: Give your
asparagus plants a little bit of love,
and theyll reward you richly for many
years to come!
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65
ASPARAGUS
FOR ANY
By Cappers Farmer Editors
sparagus is one of the most

versatile and delectable
vegetables of spring. No
matter how you prepare it
or serve it whether steamed, grilled,
roasted or sauted, as a side dish to
serve next to a favorite meat entre,
or simply added to a main dish like
stir-fry or a frittata the tender, succulent spears of asparagus always steal
the spotlight.
Here are a few easy recipes to help
you take advantage of your asparagus
bounty this season.
Simple Asparagus Salad

Yields 6 servings.
1 pound asparagus, trimmed

2 medium zucchini, shaved into long
strips with a vegetable peeler
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon honey
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1
4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
1 Bring a pot of salted water to a
boil. Add asparagus, and boil for 2 to
4 minutes, or until crisp-tender and

bright green.
2 Meanwhile, fill a large bowl
three-quarters full with cold water,
and add several ice cubes.
3 Immediately transfer asparagus
to the bowl of ice water, and let cool.
Slice spears into 112-inch pieces.
4 Combine asparagus and zucchini
in a large bowl; set aside.
5 In a separate bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, honey,
salt and pepper. Pour over vegetables,
and toss to coat.
6 Sprinkle Parmesan and pine nuts
over the top.
FOTOLIA/PALOMADELOSRIOS
Celebrate the start of spring with these 5 simple recipes.
Chicken & Asparagus

Yields 4 servings.
1
4 cup minced onion

4 cup water
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound fresh asparagus, cut into
1-inch pieces (about 3 cups)
114 cups diced sweet red bell pepper
3
4 pound boneless, skinless chicken
breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
114 cups orange juice, divided
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon crushed tarragon leaves
1
4 teaspoon salt
1
Hot, cooked bow-tie pasta or
fettuccine noodles
Cooked, crumbled bacon pieces
1
1 In a small cup, soften onion in

water for 10 minutes.
2 Heat oil in a skillet over mediumhigh heat until hot. Add asparagus and
red pepper, and cook and stir for 3
minutes, or until nearly crisp-tender.
Add chicken and onion mixture, and
cook, stirring constantly, until chicken
is opaque, about 2 to 3 minutes.
3 In a small bowl, combine 14 cup
orange juice with cornstarch, and
blend until smooth. Stir into skillet
with remaining orange juice, tarragon, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring
constantly, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until
mixture thickens and begins to boil
gently. Continue cooking for 1 to 2
minutes longer, stirring constantly.
4 Serve over pasta, topped with a
sprinkling of bacon crumbles.
Shrimp & Asparagus

Stir-Fry
TOP TO BOTTOM: FOTOLIA/JOE
GOUGH; SARAH SINNING; KAREN K. WILL
Yields 4 servings.

Thumb-size piece of fresh ginger,
minced
1
2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 bunch asparagus, woody ends
removed, and tender tips cut into
1- to 2-inch pieces
1 medium head bok choy, chopped
1 cup chicken stock
2 tablespoons soy sauce
Chicken & Asparagus
2 teaspoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons peanut oil
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
Hot, cooked rice
Lime wedges
Cilantro leaves, for garnish
1 In a small bowl, combine garlic,
ginger and red pepper flakes; set aside.
2 In a large bowl, combine asparagus and bok choy; set aside.
3 In another bowl, whisk together
chicken stock, soy sauce and cornstarch; set aside.
4 Place a large skillet over mediumhigh heat until you can feel heat radiating from the pan; add oil. (It should
start to ripple almost immediately.)
5 Add garlic mixture to skillet, and
cook until mixture becomes extremely
fragrant, but before it gets too brown,
about 10 seconds.
6 Add asparagus and bok choy, and
toss to coat with oil. Cook for 2 to 3
minutes, or until vegetables are crisptender, stirring often. Add shrimp, and
cook and stir until completely pink. (If
your pan starts to look dry, add a little
additional oil, just enough to keep everything coated.) Stir in chicken stock
mixture, and allow it to bubble until
just slightly thickened.
7 Serve over hot rice, with a squeeze
of lime juice and garnished with cilantro leaves.
Shrimp & Asparagus

Stir-Fry
Simple Asparagus Salad
67
Spring Asparagus
Frittata
1 pound leeks (about 2 medium),

tops removed, stalks cut in half
lengthwise, and thinly sliced
8 eggs
1
2 teaspoon kosher salt
1
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 bunch asparagus, woody ends
removed, and tender tips cut into
112-inch pieces
4 ounces goat cheese
1 Submerge freshly cut leeks in a
bowl of water, and swish them around,
agitating them enough that all the sediment gets washed away. (This step is
especially important due to the considerable amount of grit leeks hold between their layers.) Transfer to a clean
bowl, and set aside.
2 In a large bowl, whisk together
eggs, salt, pepper and dill; set aside.
3 Preheat oven to broil.
4 Melt butter and oil in a large,
ovenproof skillet over medium-high
heat, swirling the pan so the bottom is
thoroughly coated.
5 Add leeks and an additional pinch
of salt to the skillet, and saut until
leeks are soft and golden. (Depending
on the size of your pan, you may need
to saut the leeks in batches, to be sure
they brown and dont just steam, because brownness equals flavor.) Add
asparagus tips, and saut for about
3 minutes longer. Remove pan from
heat and set aside to cool slightly.
6 Add leeks and asparagus to egg
mixture, and then add goat cheese in
small pinches. Stir well to combine.
7 Place the same skillet used for
leeks and asparagus over medium-high
heat, and heat until hot. (If using a
non-stick skillet, no additional oil is
necessary; otherwise, add a little additional oil or butter to the skillet.)
8 Pour egg mixture into skillet, and
cook until sides start to become firm
and center just starts to bubble, about
5 minutes.
9 Place skillet in oven, and broil for
4 to 5 minutes, or until eggs are completely set and top is golden brown.
Spring Asparagus
Frittata
Yields 6 servings.
5 new potatoes, cut into 12-inch

pieces
5 medium-size morels, sliced
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
7 to 8 asparagus spears, cut into 34inch pieces
10 eggs
112 cups shredded mozzarella cheese,
divided
1
4 cup minced chives
Sour cream, optional
1 Preheat oven to 500 F.

2 In a medium bowl, toss potatoes
and morels with 2 tablespoons oil, salt
and pepper. Place on a baking sheet,
and bake for 15 minutes, or until
brown. Reduce oven temperature to
450, and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes, or until tender.
Remove from oven and set aside to
cool. Leave oven on.
3 In a 12-inch ovenproof skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over
medium-high heat until hot. Add asparagus, and saut for 2 to 3 minutes.
Remove from pan and set aside.
4 In a large bowl, whisk eggs with
a little salt and pepper, 1 cup cheese
and chives.
5 In same skillet, heat remaining
olive oil over medium heat. Add vegetables, and pour in egg mixture. Cook
for 2 minutes while lifting the edges
with a spatula to allow eggs to flow
underneath. Reduce heat to mediumlow, and cook for an additional 6 to 8
minutes, undisturbed other than making sure the bottom doesnt burn.
6 Transfer the skillet to the oven,
and bake until eggs are set, about 4
to 5 minutes. Remove from oven,
and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
Return to oven for a few minutes to
melt cheese.
7 Carefully loosen frittata with a
spatula and turn out onto a serving
plate. Garnish with additional minced
chives, and serve with sour cream to
the side, if desired.
LEFT TO RIGHT:
Asparagus & Goat

Cheese Frittata
SARAH SINNING; KAREN K. WILL
Asparagus & Goat

Cheese Frittata
EASY CROP S
TO GROW
Dont let Mother Nature stop you from
harvesting a successful yield this year.
By Craig Idlebrook
ROBERT CUSHMAN HAYES
ot everyone is blessed with

a green thumb. Many gardeners are looking for lowmaintenance crops after
watching past efforts fizzle. Even the
best gardeners suffer off years, scrambling for quick-growing crops to replant after weather or critter mishaps.
Dont throw in the trowel! Here are
10 suggestions for crops that are easy
to grow, including some quick performers. I selected these crops after
years of neglectful gardening. While
theres no guarantee in the growing
world, these crops are a good bet to
succeed under your care or maybe I
should say in spite of it.
Chives
When my daughter was a toddler, I
planted a pot of chives on the porch.

During the chaos of toddlerhood, we
didnt notice that the pot fell off. I
found it the next spring lying on its
side in the shade, growing a healthy
new crop of chives.
To grow chives, plant seeds in sun or
partial shade after the danger of frost
has passed. Water them regularly until established, and watch them grow.
Wait until theyre well-established to
harvest them, and then eat them regularly. Cut stalks about 2 inches from
the base for continuous growth.
Use chives in any dish you would
otherwise use onions. Theyre a beautiful addition to eggs, and their flowers
are great in salads.
Cilantro
The biggest problem with cilantro
is keeping up with it. Cilantro plants
grow quick, and they bolt in the blink

of an eye. If that happens, youll find
cilantro volunteers in your garden for
years, and wouldnt that be a shame?
Stagger plantings of cilantro for a
continual harvest. Plant in containers
or in the ground, an inch apart and a
half-inch deep. Keep in full sun, and
water regularly.
Everyone has a strong opinion about
the taste of cilantro, which is often
used in salsas and salads. If you truly like the taste of cilantro, however,
youll find it fits well with almost any
meal except pancakes.
Dandelions
If you cant beat them, eat them!
Dandelions are nearly impossible to
keep out of your garden, but theyre
also a great crop to eat.
Every part of the plant is edible and
extremely nutritious and talk about
a no-maintenance crop.
The leaves are tastiest young, but
you can eat them anytime if you boil
69
ABOVE, LEFT TO RIGHT: Mint can easily be grown in a container for easier gardening
and harvesting. Using fresh garlic in recipes makes a world of difference in flavor.
Summer just isnt complete without

fresh green beans.
them long enough. Add young leaves

to a salad, or saut a few to add flavor
to any dish. The yellow flowers are versatile and tasty. I love adding them to
muffins because they give baked goods
a vibrant yellow color. The roots can
be brewed for tea, roasted, or added
to soups.
While garlic is an easy crop to grow,

growing perfect garlic can become a
lifetime obsession.
Getting started is simple: In the fall,
plant peeled cloves, pointing upward.
Cover. Wait. Harvest heads in the
spring or summer.
These hardy plants basically grow
themselves. If you plant them in
rich soil and regularly water them,
the cloves will produce bigger bulbs.
Erratic watering and poor soil leads to
smaller cloves, but smaller cloves usually have a stronger taste. Either way,
you cant lose.
Green Beans
Theres a lot to love about a plant
that feeds itself.
Green beans are nitrogen fixers; they
process nitrogen from the air rather
than pulling it from the soil. In other
words, growing green beans is a deli-
Mint
You neednt worry about growing
mint, just containing it. This hardy
herb likes to spread, and itll take over
your garden as soon as you turn your
back. Its smart to plant mint in its
own corner of the garden, or better
yet in containers.
Buy mint as a seedling, and plant in
early spring. Mint prefers partial shade
and rich soil, but dont let that worry
you. Plunk it into poor soil and direct
sunlight, and itll still take over the
neighborhood. Just plant mint seedlings 12 inches apart, and water them
until theyre established.
Mint is often used in iced tea and
homemade ice cream for its delicious
and refreshing flavor. In addition,
many people also use mint oil to ward
off deer and mice.
(3)/KKGAS, BRUCE BLOCK, HILARY BRODEY
Garlic
cious way to fertilize your garden.

Theyre also quick growers. You can
wait until all danger of frost has passed
to plant them, and still have plenty of
the growing season left. In addition,
green beans are an excellent candidate
for a replacement crop in late spring
or midsummer.
Gently harvest the beans, and the
plants will produce all summer long.
If you get tired of green, try purple or
yellow varieties.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
A word of caution, though.

Dandelions are great at soaking up
toxins, so dont harvest them near
roads or in public places where pesticides or herbicides are used.
Dandelion seeds sometimes are
tricky to buy, but why bother? You
dont have to go looking for them;
theyll find you.
ABOVE, LEFT TO RIGHT: Baked, boiled or fried, everyone loves potatoes. Mustard
greens are best when planted early and harvested before summers heat sets in.
Mustard Greens
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/KRYCZKA; JERRY PAVIA; ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/EMIKO TAKI
In general, most greens are easy to

grow, but critters find mustard greens
unappetizing. Mustard tolerates cold
and can be planted in the spring and
early fall. If you let mustard bolt, itll
reseed itself and pop up in your garden next year, saving you the trouble
of planting.
Mustard likes full sun and enjoys
regular watering and fertilizer, but itll
come up no matter what. Just water
it until it gets established. Plant early,
as it tastes best if harvested before the
heat of the summer.
Use this spicy green to jazz up your
salads, or steam it to eat plain. It also
works great in stir-fries.
Nasturtiums
Whatever you do, dont fertilize
nasturtiums. These edible flowers put
out their best blooms in nutrient-poor
soil. The blooms do look better if you
remember to water them. Otherwise,
plant them and forget them.
Nasturtiums grow quickly and can
handle partial shade. Aphids are drawn
to them, but they rarely beat the flowers back. In fact, some gardeners use
nasturtiums to draw off aphids from
other crops.
The flowers can add color and zest
to any salad, and theyre perfect for
making vinaigrette. During World

War II, the seeds were used as a substitute for pepper.
Peas
Another nitrogen-fixer, peas are
great for gardeners who cant wait until the frost is gone to start planting.
As soon as the soil can be worked, you
can pop peas into the ground.
Peas prefer some shade, but theyll
do fine with full sun, if planted early. Plant peas about knuckle-deep in
loose soil, and give them something
for climbing to avoid fungus problems. Water regularly.
Peas are the perfect garden-grazing
food. Children love being able to pick
peas for munching while their parents
are working in the garden. And, pea
shoots are a delicacy.
Potatoes
Potatoes are the king crop in northern Maine, a growing area plagued
with rocky, acidic soil along with a
terribly short growing season. And
thats all you need to know about a
potatos hardiness.
Like garlic, you can tinker endlessly
with growing the perfect potato, but
you can grow good potatoes easily.
Its even been said theyll grow well in
plastic bags filled with dirt. Potatoes
Dandelion greens are great in salads or

sauted as a side dish.
can be planted as soon as the soil is

worked, but you might want to cover
them if its a soggy spring. Plant them
again in June for a second crop.
As tempting as it may be to use a
shriveled-up potato in the back of the
fridge for seed, its best to buy seed potatoes from the garden center. Theyre
cheap and, hopefully, disease-free. Cut
up bigger seeds so each chunk has two
or three eyes, and plant a foot apart in
rows, closer in hills.
71
Design an
Easy
Kitchen
Garden
Follow this easy plan to harvest
delicious, organic food right
outside your kitchen door.
uppose you could eat better,

save money, drive less, get fit,
enjoy the great outdoors, and
help the environment all at
the same time.
One time-honored tradition offers these benefits, and more. And its
catching on with a new generation of
devotees all across the United States.
The solution to so many of our concerns is quite simple: gardening.
What could be more convenient
than stepping into your backyard to
grab a handful of garden-fresh green
beans, crisp lettuce, or a fully ripe,
mouthwatering tomato? By growing
vegetables and herbs, you can ensure
theyve been raised with care. Plus,
with your own garden, you can switch

to organic produce without breaking the bank. Simply choose organic methods for healthier food and a
healthier environment.
With this simple plan, you can begin to reap the benefits of your own
kitchen garden this summer.
Ground Rules
One of the most common mistakes
new gardeners make is trying to do
too much the first year. With that in
mind, this plan has been divided into
installments, which you can implement over three, four or five years.
The first, and arguably most important, step is to choose the location of
your garden. The groundwork you do
there will be the most labor intensive
part of your project, so choose wisely.

The most important consideration is
sunlight, as nearly all herbs and vegetables require full sun throughout the
day. That being the case, your garden
should face south, east or west.
Also, when choosing a location, look
for one thats close to your kitchen.
Remember that the closer your garden is to your kitchen, the more often
youll use it. However, dont rule out
your front yard if its the sunniest and
most convenient site available. Having
a beautiful garden out front could be
an attractive and welcome addition to
your neighborhood.
Place Your Beds

Lets say youve chosen a site in your
backyard, which has a fence along at
FOTOLIA/DUSAN KOSTIC
By Jim Long
SIMPLY DELICIOUS GREEN BEANS

Think your family is
ambivalent about green
beans? Try this:
Pick a double handful of
tender green beans from your
garden, and break off the
tiny stem ends. Have ready a
skillet, 1 tablespoon olive oil,
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar,
1 teaspoon raw sesame
seeds, and a pinch of sea salt.
Heat the skillet to extremely
hot, then quickly add the oil
and beans, and stir rapidly
for 1 minute. Add balsamic
vinegar, stirring for 1 minute
more. Add sesame seeds and
salt, and toss well.
Serve immediately.
FOTOLIA/MALJALEN
No garden is complete
without a nice supply
of tomatoes.
least two sides. Following the plan on

Page 77 (or your own adaptation),
measure out and mark the space on
the ground so you can envision the
area your future garden will occupy.
This garden plan, when completed in
five years, will cover an area of about
18 feet by 18 feet, or 324 square
feet, including pathways, beds and
an arbor. In that space, you can grow
enough produce and herbs for a family of two or three, with some extras to
share with friends and neighbors.
Once you have a clear vision of your
future garden, and youve determined
the best location, youre ready to begin
installing the first bed.
1. Stake out the area for your first
bed. The first bed is a 3-foot-wide L
shape. One part of the L is 13 feet
long, and the other is 8 feet long. This

might not seem like a big area, but remember that youll be adding more
beds the following season. Make the
bed no more than 3 to 4 feet wide so
you can easily reach across it to plant
and harvest.
2. Prepare the soil. Remove the sod,
and either use it elsewhere, if you can,
or compost it. Next, mix compost, organic matter and amendments into the
exposed soil, and till or turn it with a
spade. The prepared soil will be 4 to
6 inches higher than the surrounding
area, creating a raised bed, which offers several advantages theyre easier
to tend; they provide good drainage;
and you can plant them more intensively than you would a garden with
rows, effectively boosting your yield
per square foot.
3. Frame the bed. Surround the bed
with non-rotting lumber, and stake
the corners to hold the frame in place.
Recycled plastic lumber is a good
choice for raised beds. While treated
lumber is less expensive, it isnt safe
for food crops. Other good options
include cedar and cypress, which are
slow to decay. If the bed is next to a
fence, be sure to frame that edge, as
well. The frame will keep the soil in

place, and will also protect the fence
from contact with the soil, which can
cause rotting.
What to Plant
After youve installed your raised
bed, youre ready to plant. Included in
this first-year portion of the garden
are herbs, an espaliered dwarf apple
tree, and a trellis for pole beans. For
more options, see the sidebar FirstYear Plant List on Page 76.
If you plan to save seed from year
to year, heirlooms or open-pollinated
varieties are a good choice. Heirlooms,
such as Brandywine tomato, also
have the potential for better flavor.
The drawback to heirlooms is that
they dont grow well in every region
of the country. A variety might perform spectacularly in the Northeast,
for instance, but fail miserably in the
Southwest. Hybrids, which are a cross
of two different varieties, generally
perform well in every region of the
U.S. Better Boy tomato is a good example of a dependable hybrid.
In my garden, I grow heirlooms suitable to my region, as well as hybrids,
which have more disease resistance.
73
Bring tasty, old-fashioned comfort food

to your table at every meal!
Home cooks from all over the United States
have contributed their best recipes to this
collectioncooks who grew up on the farm,
eating waffles after chopping firewood and
picking the peaches that filled that evenings
pie, and cooks with vivid memories of
Moms chicken and dumplings and Dads
bachelor casserole. Open up the Comfort
Food Cookbook and discover how easy it is
to make delicious comfort food with a few
wholesome ingredients.
Item # 7289
Retail $24.99
Order today!
Call 800-678-4883 or visit
www.CappersFarmer.com/Shopping
LEFT TO RIGHT: Chive blossoms add bright color in early summer; onions are always a welcome addition to the garden; and
espaliered fruit trees, which are trained to grow against a wall or fence, are pretty and practical for tight spaces.
Ask your local garden center or extension agent for suggested heirloom and
hybrid varieties for your specific area.
Most herbs arent hybridized, so you
can choose any of the thousands of
herbs available.
Always Room
for Apples
Radishes fresh from the garden make a delicious addition to salads.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: FOTOLIA
(4)/VAIVIRGA, CREATIVE SOUL, DASEAFORD, YURATOSNO
QUALITY FOOD MEANS HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

Why is food gardening rising in
popularity again? There are many
reasons, but one of the biggest is the
growing awareness that how food is
produced affects its quality, along with
our environment.
John Ikerd, professor emeritus at the
University of Missouri, estimates that up
to one-third of the public wants safer,
better-tasting food. They do not trust the
safety and healthfulness of food in the
supermarkets or fast-food restaurants ...
and do not like the way industrial food
systems treat farmers, farm workers,
farm animals, or natural ecosystems and
the environment.
The Slow Food movement has helped
raise awareness regarding food quality.

Founded in 1989, Slow Food (www.
SlowFood.com) is a member-supported
organization that seeks to counteract
fast food and fast life, the disappearance
of local food traditions and peoples
dwindling interest in the food they eat,
where it comes from, how it tastes, and
how our food choices affect the rest of
the world.
The 100-Mile Diet: A Year of Local
Eating (Vintage Canada, 2007) by Alisa
Smith and J.B. MacKinnon advocates
eating locally grown, organic food, and is
an excellent source of information about
the connection between food production
and food quality.
You can grow a substantial amount

of fruit in a small space by training a tree to grow flat against a wall.
Espalier originated in the Middle Ages
as a method for growing fruit inside
castle walls. Its ornamental, attractive,
and takes up virtually no soil space in
your garden.
Begin with a 2- to 3-foot apple
sapling grafted onto dwarf or semidwarf stock thats begun to grow side
branches. Plant it against the fence at
the back edge of your raised bed. Be
sure to plant the tree ball so the top
of the soil of the tree is even with the
final soil level of your raised bed.
Your goal is to train the branches to
grow flat against the fence, pruning
any that grow in another direction.
It takes three to five years to train a
dwarf apple tree into a completed espalier, and you can harvest apples for
many years. Ask your local nursery
for apple varieties that do well in your
area, and search online for instructions
for espaliering an apple tree.
(Turn to Page 76.)
75
FIVE-YEAR PLAN
Year 1
Lay out rst bed, till and amend soil, and
surround bed with edging. Plant apple tree
to espalier, install trellis at back of bed for
pole beans. Plant your garden.
Year 2
Expand the garden by adding a second
3-by-14-foot L section. Install borders,
and increase vegetable and herb plantings.
Year 3
Install center raised bed with edging, and
gravel or mulch pathway between beds.
Add a bench where you can rest and
reect with a cup of tea. A garden should
provide not only food for the body, but
also sustenance for the spirit.
Year 4
Install additional side bed, and add more
gravel or mulch in the pathway.
Year 5
Install the nal bed, and construct a
bentwood arbor to connect the sides of
your garden.
HERBS
Basil (Ocimum basilicum):
Siam Queen (Thai), Mrs.
Burns (lemon), Magical
Michael (sweet)
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
Dill (Anethum graveolens):
Bouquet
Oregano (Origanum vulgare ssp.
hirtum): Greek
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum var.
neapolitanum): flat-leaf Italian
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis):
Arp, Hill Hardy
Sage (Salvia officinalis): Garden
sage
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia):
Hidcote, Munstead
Sweet marjoram (Origanum
majorana)
Thyme, lemon (Thymus
citriodorus)
CAPPERS FARMER EARLY SPRING 2016
FIRST-YEAR PLANT LIST

These are my favorite varieties. However, while they do well in my Arkansas
garden, they might not be the best options for your area. Check with your local
garden center or extension service to see what varieties are recommended for
your area.
Apple tree: One tree, planted at the back of the bed, to be espaliered
Bush beans: Seeded in two rows Royalty Purple Pod, Fordhook 242 lima
Bush cucumber: One plant Bush Spacemaster
Cilantro*: Several plants or seedlings
Lettuce: Seeds for an 18-inch-by-30-inch space Buttercrunch, Lollo
Rosso, Bibb, Romaine
Onions*: 50 sets or seedling plants check for best local varieties
Pole beans: One variety, planted on a trellis asparagus bean or Missouri
Wonder
Radishes*: One packet of seed Cherry Belle, Early Scarlet Globe
Tomatoes: Two plants Better Boy, Better Bush, Brandywine, Black
Prince, Cherokee Purple, Black Cherry
*The cilantro, onions and radishes are early crops that could be followed with a
fall-maturing crop of cabbage, such as Savoy, or kale, such as Lacinato.
6
11
13
10
4
3
Be
nc
12
Thyme
Lavender
Lemon thyme
Sweet William
Edible
owers
15
Spicy globe
basil
26
Sweet
marjoram
25
24
Arugula
16
Calendula
23
Mulch or gravel in pathways
Lawn and grass on this side so bed can be accessed from both sides
14
27
21
19
22
17
18
20
GAYLE FORD ILLUSTRATIONS (2)
Lawn and grass on this side so bed

can be accessed from both sides
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Dill
Bird bath
Basil
Cilantro
Tomato
Pole beans
Onions
Radishes
Lettuce
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Spinach
Thai basil
Bush squash
Cherry tomato
Cabbage
Kale
Beets
Rhubarb
Potatoes
Pole beans on both

sides of arbor
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
Bentwood walkthrough arbor
Lavender
Sage
Rosemary
Peas
Bush cucumber
Espaliered apple tree
Thyme
Bush beans
Chives
77
Handmade
Garden Basket
Build a classic garden trug to help
you collect your produce.
Article, photographs and illustrations by Brian Tokarchuk
trug can be valuable around

your home and garden. It
can hold your tools while
youre working in the garden, and it can serve as a collection
basket for your harvested produce.
This simple design is made even easier
with a rope handle, and the type of
wood you use is entirely up to you.
I used 12-inch-thick pallet wood for
the wide center slats, but if you cant
find any or dont have a wood planer
to cut your wood to this dimension,
you can substitute 34-inch material.
Likewise, feel free to use your favorite type of wood, reclaimed lumber,
pine or any hardwood youd like for
this project. This is my version of the
classic English garden trug.
Assembly
Make a full-size pattern of the

curved sides on light cardboard.
(The apex of the curve will be the
width of the stock.) Sketch the outline
of the half pattern, and flip it to trace
the remaining half. Mark with a pencil
where each of the holes for the handles
will be located.
Place the pattern on the 3-by-34inch stock, and trace the outline
of your pattern. Mark the handle locations on the stock, and cut to shape.
MATERIAL LIST
ABOVE: Long C-clamps hold the frame
in place while the glue dries.
LEFT: For faster assembly, have all of
your wood pieces cut to size before you
begin construction.
3-foot length 3 inches wide by 34-inch stock

2-foot length 138 by 34-inch stock
3-foot length 112 by 12- to 34-inch stock
8-foot length 1 by 12- or 34-inch stock
5-foot length 12-inch rope (cotton or nylon)
14 pound 112-inch nishing nails
CUT LIST
Curved sides: 2 pieces 1712 inches
long, 3 inches wide, 34 inch thick
Ends: 2 pieces 1012 inches long, 138
inches wide, 34 inch thick
Wide center slats: 3 pieces 1012
inches long, 112 inches wide, 12 inch
thick (can use 34-inch instead, if
preferred)
Narrow slats: 8 pieces 1012 inches
long, 1 inch wide, 12 inch thick (can
use 34-inch instead, if preferred)
Rope handles: 2 pieces 12 inch thick,
30 inches long
Scrap wood thats 12-inch thick spaces the bottom slats perfectly without needing to
measure each time.
(I used a handheld jigsaw for the

curved cut.) Drill the 12-inch holes for
the handles. Sand lightly. Repeat for
the other side piece.
Cut the two 10 1 2-by-1 3 8-inch
pieces to size, and lightly sand
them. Using glue and finishing nails,
fasten them in place so theyre flush
with the top edge of the ends of the
curved side pieces.
Cut the three 1012-by-112-by-12inch center slats. Find and mark
the center on the bottom edge of both
curved sides. Center the middle slat
on the marks, and fasten it in place.
Leave a 12-inch gap on either side of
the middle slat, and fasten the remaining two wide slats in place.
Cut the eight 10 1 2-by-1-by- 1 2inch narrow slats to size. Install
them by beginning at the ends of the
curved sides. Keep them flush with
the edges of the curved sides, not the
end pieces. Space the remaining slats
equally with 1 2-inch gaps between
them. Use glue and finishing nails to
fasten them in place.
Lightly sand the entire piece,
and apply finish as desired.
Paint, stain, oil or varnish are all acceptable. (I chose non-toxic cutting
board oil for mine because I wanted
to let the natural beauty of the wood
show through.)
Thread the two 30-inch lengths
of rope into the holes from the
outside in, and tie a simple overhand

knot on the ends.
And there you have it. Youre now the
proud owner of a handy little homemade basket thats every bit as functional as it is beautiful.
Use either pallet wood or a favorite

stock you have on hand.
The nearly finished trug is ready to be

sanded and stained, if desired.
Thread your rope handles from the

outside, and tie simple knots.
2-inch
hole location
1
Full size half pattern

Curved sides
1
2-inch holes
Ends
End slats
Center slats
Half pattern
Flip to
complete
79
By Joe Wiedeman,
Caldwell, Kansas,
from My Folks Claimed the Plains

asking readers to send in articles on true
pioneers. Hundreds of letters came pour80 CAPPERS FARMER EARLY SPRING 2016
ing in from early settlers and their children, and from grandchildren of settlers,
all with tales to tell.
the shelves. Nine other books followed in
the My Folks series, all of them filled

with interesting tales from our readers.
This is one of those stories, printed as
it appeared in the My Folks book decades ago, without any fact checking,
which means that all the details may not
be accurate, but instead are what was
believed to be true by the contributor.
WIKIMEDIA COMMONS/GRANT-KOHRS RANCH HISTORIC COLLECTION
What was it like on cattle drives in the mid to late 1800s?

A cowboys tale offers insight into a cattle drive from Texas to Kansas.
TOP TO BOTTOM: WIKIMEDIA
COMMONS (2)/LIBRARY OF CONGRESS/WILLIAM HENRY JACKSON, UNKNOWN
hen the Civil

get to good bed grounds and
War started,
water by nightfall. If the
many men
cattle had not had much wawho owned
ter during the day, they were
ranches joined the Army.
hard to bed down and more
When they returned four
likely to stampede.
years later, they found the
After the herd bedded
country overrun with a fourdown, if theyd had good
year increase in cattle. They
water and grazing durbranded the mavericks and
ing the day, only one man
started new ranches.
worked the night shift. But
Within a few years, the
on stormy nights, it was
railroad was built to Abilene,
everybody out! Should the
Kansas, and that town became
cattle stampede, each man
a shipping point for cattle.
followed a bunch until they
The longhorns came north
stopped. He would hold
across the Red River, through The chuck wagon and cook were a big part of cattle drives.
them until morning, and
whats now the Kiowa and Without them, the cowboys wouldnt have got the nourishment
then hed bring them back
Comanche reservations, then needed to get the job done.
to camp.
into Cheyenne and Arapaho
Night shifts on the bed
country. They crossed the
grounds were divided by the
treacherous South and North
number in the crew. Each
Canadian Rivers, went on to
man on night guard roped
the Cherokee Outlet and
his horse and staked him out
the Salt Flat, then 25 miles
to be ready for his shift.
farther to the Kansas border,
The chuck wagon carried
and north to Abilene.
food and the boys bedrolls.
As new rails were laid,
The chuck would be beans,
other towns, such as Wichita
flour, bacon, coffee, sugar,
and Dodge City, replaced
and if the owner was a generAbilene as the destination
ous guy, a few cases of fruit,
of the cattle drives. Around
most likely peaches or apri1880, the Santa Fe laid rails
cots. The wagon was fitted
to Caldwell, Kansas, and
out with bows and sheet, a
soon it was a rip-roaring
5- or 10-gallon keg of water
town. Cowboys from the
on each side in case of emertrail herds got drunk, shot
gency, and a dried beef hide
out the street lights, and
stretched under the wagon
rode into saloons ordering
to carry wood and the Dutch
whiskey for themselves and
ovens used to bake biscuits.
their horses.
Some trail cooks made sourI held point on a cattle It took several cowboys to move large herds of cattle.
dough biscuits, but the gendrive to Caldwell, and here
eral run used baking powder.
is how a trail run was conducted.
about sunup so the boys could rope
In the rear of the chuck wagon was a
A herd of 2,000 to 3,000 would
their mounts for the day. Each rider
cupboard the width of the wagon and
string out about a quarter-mile wide
was allotted four head besides his own
about 512 feet high, with shelves for
the supplies and a drop-door cover.
and about a half-mile long. Two pointhorse. When the horses were turned
Cook used the door for his table.
ers at the head, five or six flankers on
in with the herd, the wrangler slept in
While getting the chuck ready, a
each side, and two or three young
the chuck wagon and helped the cook
good cook on a trail drive seemed to
would-be cowboys as the drag drivers
when we stopped for water and chuck.
be the boss until a question came
at the rear, moved the herd. Besides
The herd moved at a rate of 10 to
up about crossing a bad stream or
the cowboys, there were the trail boss,
12 miles a day, grazing along the way
anything pertaining to the welfare of
the cook, and the horse wrangler.
so they would be in good shape when
the herd, and then the trail boss made
The wrangler herded the horses
they arrived at the shipping pens. At
the decisions.
at night, bringing them into camp
times, we traveled faster in order to
81
JOB DESCRIPTION
of a
Feline friends work and play

on the family farm.
By Jerry Schleicher
bout 4,000 years ago, some Egyptian pharaoh decreed that cats should be worshiped as gods. Around
the same time, the guys who grew the pharaohs
grain and fed his ducks discovered that cats were
also pretty handy for keeping down the rodent population.
And with that, country cat became a job description.
It wasnt long before cats conquered Europe, Asia and all
the other continents. And other than an unfortunate period
during the Middle Ages, when superstitious folks associated
them with evil, cats have pretty much had it their own way.
Maybe cats were associated with witchcraft because of their
habit of appearing out of thin air. Move to a new home in the
country sans cat, and the first country cat that comes along
will take up residence in your yard before you get the boxes
unpacked. Some country cats are part gypsy, wandering from
farm to farm like migrant workers in search of a days work
and a bite to eat. Some are societys rejects, dumped from a
car at the side of a rural road. Others are half-grown kittens
chased away from their mother by a dominant tom. Those
born in your barn or under that old shack at the back of the
property, on the other hand, are legal residents.
Unlike their urban cousins, no one really owns a country
cat. Most are free agents, semi-domesticated felines that may
saunter your way when food is offered, but would rather
tangle with a dog than submit to being petted by a human.
Country cats generally have little interest in living in your
house unless its freezing cold outside, or unless a pregnant
female decides to deliver her kittens in your closet.
Hardcore country cats are happy to live in the shed or the
chicken house, or even in a nest tucked deep inside a straw
stack. On the farm where I grew up, about a dozen or so of
them lived in the barn. We kept a supply of rolled oats for
the milk cows in a concrete bin in that barn, and the field
mice it attracted provided an all-you-can-eat buffet for any
cat that chose to participate.
If you ever conduct a cat census on your farm, do it at
milking time. Thats when every cat on the place will congregate in a circle around you and the milk cow while you
ISTOCKPHOTO/YASMINEV
Independent Types
Farm felines sometimes think

theyre part of the chicken flock and
will take up residence in the coop
if the hens will
wi l allow it, that is.
Country cats are known for roaming the property, and youll often find
them sitting on or near a woodpile.
squeeze a well-aimed stream directly

into each open mouth. I learned at an
early age that cats can count, so if you
want to prevent cat fights, be sure to
distribute the milk evenly among all
feline attendees.
Country cats earn their keep by
keeping the rodent population under control. While town cats pretend
to attack squeak toys, yarn balls and
human feet, country cats possess the
same predatory skills as an African
lion. They spend hours each day
stalking and killing mice, rats, moles,
gophers, snakes, rabbits and other assorted varmints.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/XYNO6;
CAROLYN WELCH; ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/JKITAN
Danger Around
Every Corner
The life of a country cat is fraught
with danger. Cats prowling through
an alfalfa field are at risk from mowing equipment. Cats out hunting can
often become prey to coyotes, or they
can fall victim to passing cars. And
woe to the cat that crawls under the
hood of the pickup to sleep on a warm
engine block; it may suddenly find itself an unwilling part of the fan belt
assembly. That, as they say, is when
the fur begins to fly.
Dogs, on the other hand, dont worry country cats much. Dogs mostly
run in straight lines, while a barnyard
cat exhibits all the moves of an NFL
running back, employing zigs, zags
and reversals to leave the

eager pooch panting for
air. Looking for me, bozo?
Lets see if you can climb
this tree!
Despite a fairly high
mortality rate, country cats
are in no danger of becoming extinct. If each female
produces a new litter of
four to six kittens every six
months or so, and each one
lives 10 or 12 years well,
you do the math. Planned
parenthood is a population
control option thats sometimes difficult to implement. Youd have to look
hard and long to find a vet
willing to chase down and
neuter a half-wild barnyard
cat, or a farmer or rancher willing to
pay the bill.
A house cat accustomed to sleeping
on the couch in a climate-controlled
environment and eating specially prepared food would probably have a
hard time adapting to living outdoors.
But could a country cat be happy living in a city?
Some years ago, my wife and I lived
on an acreage beside an apple orchard outside Yakima, Washington.
One day, a stray cat delivered a litter
of four kittens in our woodpile. As
the kittens grew, my wife began tak-
Kittens are curious

creatures that tend
to look for mischief.
ing food out to them. While three of

the four eventually wandered off, one
little male with Siamese markings that
my wife named Chicken George
stuck around.
A friend of mine from Chicago happened to come to town on a business
trip, and when he admired the kitten, we jokingly asked him if hed like
to take it home. To our surprise, he
said he would, and two days later, our
country cat was living a life of leisure
in the city.
To our knowledge, Chicken George
never regretted his career change.
83
Head Into S ri
rin With
5 SUPERFOODS
Make healthy and delicious dishes using these seasonal ingredients.
By Susan Melgren
s spring unfolds, its time

to rediscover the beauty of
eating fresh, local food, and
what better way is there to
celebrate the season than by partaking
of its bounty? This time of year brings
with it an arsenal of superfoods tasty,
nutrient-packed fruits and vegetables
that are chock-full of goodness, and
that can often be found locally.
Asparagus
Baked Asparagus
From Cappers Farmer archives

Yields 6 servings.
112 cups breadcrumbs
1
2 cup grated cheese
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1
8 teaspoon paprika
1 to 112 pounds asparagus, cooked,
drained well
Parsley and pimientos, for garnish,
optional
1 Preheat broiler. Spray broiler pan
Nanas Artichoke Frittata
with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

2 In a small bowl, stir together
breadcrumbs, cheese and butter. Add
salt, pepper and paprika, and mix well.
3 Roll asparagus spears in bread
crumb mixture, and arrange on broiler pan. Broil 4 to 6 inches from heat
source until heated through, turning
frequently to brown evenly.
4 Serve hot, garnished with parsley
and pimientos, if desired.
Artichokes
They may look intimidating to eat,
but once youve cracked the artichokes
rough exterior, youll find a succulent
treat brimming with healthy goodness.
Fresh artichokes are packed with
antioxidants, more so than any other

fresh food, according to a study by the
USDA. Theyre also a good source of
potassium, vitamin C, folate, magnesium and fiber, and artichokes contain
only 25 calories each.
Nanas Artichoke
Frittata
By Allison Martin
1
4 cup olive oil

1 bunch green onions, chopped
1
2 pound artichoke hearts
12 eggs
1
4 cup milk
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
FOTOLIA/MARCO MAYER
Nothing heralds spring like the harvest of tender asparagus spears. Fresh
asparagus is rich in vitamins A, C and
K, as well as potassium and fiber.
Asparagus also has high concentrations of heart-healthy compounds,
such as B vitamins, folate and rutin,
which strengthens capillary walls, and
this wonderful vegetable also contains
the highest amounts of cancer-fighting
glutathione of any food.
Asparagus is delicious boiled, roasted, fried, baked or raw.
2 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded

6 to 8 fresh basil leaves, chopped
Chopped chives and oregano, for
garnish, optional
1 Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2 In a large ovenproof skillet, heat
oil until hot. Add and cook green onions and artichoke hearts until golden.
3 In a large bowl, beat eggs until
frothy. Add milk, and beat again. Stir
in parsley, cheese, basil, and salt and
pepper. Pour into skillet with onions
and artichokes, and mix well.
4 Place skillet in oven, and bake for
about 15 minutes, or until firm.
5 Slice and serve warm, garnished
with chives and oregano, if desired.
Avocado
This wonderful fruit provides numerous health benefits, from improving your eyes to boosting your
nutrient intake. Packed with healthy
monounsaturated fat, potassium, lutein, folate and oleic acid, avocados
offer special protection for your heart.
In addition, avocados can help reduce
cholesterol, regulate blood pressure,
and help prevent heart disease.
Keep in mind, though, that unless
you live in a relatively warm climate,
youll likely have difficulty finding
fresh, local avocados.
Avocado Dip
TOP TO BOTTOM: LORI
DUNN; KAREN K. WILL

Yields about 1 cup.
1 avocado, pitted, peeled, and cut
into chunks
1
3 cup mayonnaise
1
3 cup cream cheese
1 jalapeo, seeded and chopped
2 scallions, white and light green
parts only, chopped
Juice of 1 lime
Salt and freshly ground black pepper,
to taste
1 Place avocado, mayonnaise,
cream cheese, jalapeo, scallions and
lime juice in a blender or a small food
processor. Blend until mixture forms a
smooth paste, about 1 minute.

2 Transfer to a serving bowl, and
season with salt and pepper.
3 Cover and chill until ready to
serve. Serve with crackers, chips or
baked sweet potato fries.
Fava Beans
Although shelling fava beans can be
labor intensive, theyre well worth the
work. Sometimes called broad beans,
this buttery spring bean is loaded with
fiber and iron, while containing very
little fat and cholesterol.
Fava beans are also a known source
of L-dopa, a compound commonly
used to treat Parkinsons disease.
Avocado Dip
Fava Bean Soup

1 teaspoon coconut oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 carrot, grated
4 cups cooked fava beans
Tomato sauce
Plain yogurt
Spices and seasonings of your choice
1 In a skillet, heat oil until hot.
Add and saut onion, garlic and carrot
until golden. Stir in fava beans.
2 Stir in tomato sauce and plain
yogurt. (Amounts will depend on how
thick or thin you want your soup.)
3 Pour mixture into a blender, and
process until smooth. Add more tomato sauce and/or yogurt as needed.
Season with spices and seasonings,
stirring well to combine.
4 Pour mixture into a saucepan,
and heat over low heat until soup is
hot. Do not boil.
Spinach
Spinach is a staple spring harvest;
no spring salad is complete without
it. Spinach provides an extremely concentrated supply of nutrients, containing high amounts of vitamins A, C
and K, as well as plenty of manganese,
folate, magnesium and iron.
Eating spinach once a week can help
Spinach Smoothie
against vision loss, aid in building

strong bones, and even help protect
against cancer.
Spinach Smoothie
By Karen K. Will
Yields 1 serving.
1 cup packed fresh spinach

1 banana
1
2 cup yogurt
1
2 cup whole milk or coconut water
1 teaspoon vanilla
5 to 6 mint leaves
4 ice cubes
Optional add-ins:
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 tablespoon ground flaxseeds
Whey powder
Almond butter
1 Put all desired ingredients into a
blender, and blend until smooth.
2 Serve immediately.
85
By William O. Murray,
Danville, Virginia,
From My Folks Rode the Rails

asking readers to send in articles on true
pioneers. Hundreds of letters came pouring in from early settlers and their children, and from grandchildren of settlers,
all with tales to tell.
the shelves. Nine other books followed in
the My Folks series, all of them filled
with interesting tales from our readers.
This is one of those stories, printed as
it appeared in the My Folks book decades ago, without any fact checking,
which means that all the details may not
be accurate, but instead are what was
believed to be true by the contributor.
riving along on U.S.

58 through Danville,
Virginia, a marker serves
as a reminder that this
was the spot where the most famous
train wreck in American history occurred the wreck of the Old 97.
It was on a hot, steamy afternoon
in late September 1903, when Old

97, a five-car mail express train, left
Monroe, Virginia, headed south.
Monroe, a small community in the
Piedmont section of Virginia, is just a
few miles north of Lynchburg.
Steve Broady, the engineer of Old
97, was taking the train to Spencer,
North Carolina, a town located between Greensboro and Charlotte, just
off I-85. However, the departure from
Monroe was late. Knowing this, Mr.
Broady gave the engine full throttle.
In the early 1900s, all locomotives
were driven by steam. They had an attached tender that carried the coal and
water needed to make the steam. This
was a job tended to by the fireman.
The engineer, perched high in the cab,
operated the huge contraption with
various levers and controls.
Knowing that the train was behind
schedule, Mr. Broady tried to make
up the lost time between Lynchburg
and Danville. He called to his fireman
and told him to throw more coal in
the firebox. This produced more steam
and more power.
Going downhill from White Oak
Mountain, some 12 miles north of
Danville, the train reached a speed of
90 miles per hour. This was entirely
too fast, but Mr. Broady was planning
to slow down as he approached the
outskirts of Danville, a small, sleepy

cotton mill town located on the Dan
River in southside Virginia.
The air brakes on Old 97 failed.
Realizing the train could not make
the curve next to the Dan River Mills
Inc. building on the river, the brave
engineer did the next best thing that
he knew to do. He pulled hard on the
whistle to warn anyone in harms way.
The doomed train careened from
the high wooden trestle, left the
tracks, and wrecked next to the mill.
Mr. Broady, along with eight others,
died in the crash.
Wreck of the
Old 97 became
a hit song soon
thereafter, and its
still popular today
among bluegrass music
fans.
FOTOLIA/LYNEA
The wreck of the Old 97 is part of American history.
BALLAD HISTORY AND LYRICS

The ballad Wreck of the Old 97 has a somewhat uncertain history.
Virginia musicians G.B. Grayson and Henry Whitter were the rst
to record the song, but Vernon Dalharts version, released in 1924,
is often considered the rst million-selling country music release.
The song has been recorded many times over the years, by dozens
of artists, including The Statler Brothers, Flatt and Scruggs, Woody
Guthrie, Johnny Cash, Roy Acuff and Boxcar Willie.
Fred Jackson Lewey and Charles Noell were originally credited
for the lyrics, with Lewey claiming to have written the song the day
after the wreck, in which his cousin, one of the remen onboard,
was killed. Its believed that Henry Whitter later altered the lyrics.
However, David Graves George, a local resident who was a brakeman and telegraph operator and who witnessed the tragic accident,
led an ownership claim in 1927. Years later, in 1933, George was
proclaimed the author. Later, however, the Victor Talking Machine
Company, who had recorded the ballad in 1924, was granted ownership by the Supreme Court.
No matter who wrote the lyrics, or who sings them, the song is
denitely an American classic. Here is just one of the many versions
of this historical ballad.
WRECK OF THE OLD 97

Well they gave him his orders in Monroe, Virginia,
Said: Steve youre way behind time,
This is not 38, this is Ol 97,
Put her into Spencer on time.
Then he turned around and said to his black, greasy reman,
Shovel on a little more coal,
And when we cross that White Oak Mountain,
Watch Ol 97 roll.
And then a telegram come from Washington station,
This is how it read:
Oh that brave engineer than run Ol 97
Is lyin in Danville dead.
Cos he was going down a grade making 90 miles an hour,
The whistle broke into a scream.
He was found in the wreck with his hand on the throttle,
Scalded to death by the steam.
Oh, now all you ladies youd better take a warning,
From this time on and learn.
Never speak hard words to your true-lovin husband
He may leave you and never return.
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QUICK STRING: Durable plastic dispenser of twine, string, or ribbon with

a safety cutter, belt & wall attachments.
For One-handed cutting & tying up of
plants, etc. www.QuickString.com
(1-800-356-7354)
GARDENING & RELATED

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For classified advertising
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NUT WIZARD picks up walnuts/sweet

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THE MOST EFFECTIVE scarecrow
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HEALTH
WE ARE COUNTRY FOLKS maintaining optimum health with pure therapeutic- grade essential oils. Learn how you
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Over 2900 Items for purchase discount

use code Cappers10. Vintage Items
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ORIGINAL BLACK SALVE AND

HERBAL TABLETS. Good for growths on
the skin, for internal growths and most virus problems. HERBALPLUS@JUNO.COM
Call 800-996-3203 for information.
HERBS SPICES
CATHERINE COUNTRY RUFFLED

CURTAINS, 100 x 84 is $43.99 and
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LUNATEC Odor-Free Dishcloths and
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MORFORD LAVENDER FARM

lavender & honey products;
propagators of young lavender plants.
www.morfordlavenderfarm.com
1376 18th Rd, Kanopolis, KS.
Jim and Wanda Morford
785-472-4984
COLORADO AROMATICS
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www.coloradoaromatics.com
facebook.com/coloradoAromatics
303-651-2062
BEAGLE RIDGE HERB FARM
www.beagleridgherbfarm.com,
www.lavenderthymetrail.com
276-621-4511
LIVESTOCK
LONG GREY LINE FARM, Kiko and
Savannah Meat Goats, Registered and
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100% USA-GROWN & HAND PROCESSED SAGE, STEVIA & TEAS No Chemical
Pesticides www.Guardianherbs.com 615307-9426.
Designed for the rural and home producer.

This is as easy as it gets to sell your produce,
hand made products,natural and organic
products online.
www.GreenLifeCenter.com
HIGH QUALITY, AMERICAN made

stump grinding teeth & cutting systems: Tomahawks, Tuff Teeth, Levco,
Regular & Pinteeth as well as the full
family of M1 & Blueshark Cutting systems. Chipper blade distributor.
www.LeonardiTreeCare.com
1-800-537-2552
LAVENDER
HELP WANTED
WANTED: LADY HOUSEKEEPER for
one lady. Clean, honest, good character.
No drinkers or smokers. Private room/
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MACHINES TOOLS SUPPLIES
QUICK-CHANGE SYSTEM allows

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brush or trim. Adapters available for
most trimmers. www.taltrimmer.com
(1-800-721-4852)
NURSERY
FAST GROWING TREES 10ft. 1st yr.
Windbreaks, Privacy shade/screens. 50yr.
lifespan. Roots dont spread. Dont leak
sap. 1-425-879-6336.
www.aussiewillow.com
PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS

HOLISTIC SKIN CARE Healing salves and
oils, body butters,bug repellent, liniments
and body balms. All handmade, naturally,
with love. (715)948-2110.
www.silvercreeksprings.com
PERSONALS
Item #6863 $19.95
or call 800-678-4883
www.CappersFarmer.com
CHRISTIAN SINGLES CATALOG.

Photos. Penpals. Sample $1. Singles, Box
310-CF , Allardt, TN 38504. 931-8794625. www.nicesingles.com
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SINGLES: Meet single people throughout

rural America. Confidential. Reputable.
Free details. COUNTRY CONNECTIONS, PO Box 408, Superior, NE 68978;
countryconnections@superiorne.com;
countryconnections.org
DAY OLD PHEASANT and chukar

partridge available April thru July. Call,
write or visit us at www.OakwoodGameFarm.com, 1-800-328-6647, Oakwood
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55371.
SOUTHEASTERN INDIANA. 140

mostly wooded acres. Ponds, creeks, water and electric, 2 barns. So quiet and
peaceful. $449,000. 812-593-2948.
PETS PET SUPPLIES
MEALWORMS BY THE POUND

Dried & Live Mealworms for Chickens,
Ducks, Turkeys & Bluebirds www.mealwormsbythepound.com - 888-400-9018.
BLUEBERRY FAVORITES cookbook

with 150 blueberry recipes. Order from
our website for only $15 plus $3 shipping. The Blueberry Farm.
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DOG ITCH? Petaseptic spray Heals skin

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PLANTS / SEEDS / TREES

WWW.GRANDPASORCHARD.COM
The best fruit trees and growing tips for
the backyard fruit grower. Huge variety
selection. Grandpas Orchard, LLC, PO
Box 773 Dept-MN Coloma, MI 49038
Phone 877-800-0077.
SOUTHERN EXPOSURE
SEED EXCHANGE
Open-pollinated, Heirloom & Organic Seeds & Garlic selected
for flavor and local adaptability. Free Catalog 540-894-9480.
www.southernexposure.com
POULTRY
WELP HATCHERY. Specializing in Cornish Rock Broilers. Also offering Baby
Chicks, Ducklings, Goslings, Bantams, Exotics, Turkeys, Guineas, Pheasants. Free
catalog. MC/Visa/Discover. 800-4584473. Box 77, Bancroft, IA 50517;
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FREE COLOR CATALOG 193 varieties
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rare breeds, bantams, ducks, geese, turkeys, guineas, pheasants, quail, supplies
and videos. Since 1936 Cackle Hatchery
PO Box 529, Lebanon, MO 65536, 417532-4581. cacklehatchery.com
Myers Poultry Farm - FREE CATALOG.
Chicks (9 meat varieties), Ducklings,
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FREE CATALOG. Chicks, Turkeys, Ducklings, Goslings, Guineas, Gamebirds,
Bantams, Equipment. Hoffman Hatchery,
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RECIPES
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filtered, bottled, well, tap,
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Which water is best for you?
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www.waterwise.com/cfc
WOODWORKING
OVER 900 RECIPES by Amish and

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STOVES
PROTECT ENGINES FROM RATS

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REAL ESTATE
FREE! Ozarks largest real estate catalog.
Affordable rural and small town properties of all types. www.onlineoml.com,
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WATER PURIFIERS
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DIGITAL WOOD CARVER

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Love at First Bite.
Showing up at high-end restaurants and pastry shops, lard is once again embraced by chefs, dieticians
and enlightened health-care professionals. Unlike many margarines and vegetable shortenings, nonhydrogenated lard contains no trans fat and up to 54 percent less saturated fat than butter and some
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From the Editors of
Find out more at

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From the Cappers Farmer archives.
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LONG CREEK HERBS
P.O. Box 127-C Blue Eye, MO 65611
417-779-5450 8-5 Central Time

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P.

ctical Advice for the Homemade Life Since 1893

Display Until April 4, 2016

COVER ILLUSTRATION: WAYNE STROOT

Rural Free Delivery

The General Store

Pages From the Past

Winter Safety Tips

Rhythm of Life in the 1930s

Fight the Freeze

Garden Projects for Winter

Make Your Own Jerky

Feed Your Chickens the Easy Way

Spring Garden Harvest

Wood-Burning Cookstoves Making a Comeback

Cappers Farmer editors offer a selection of useful products

Articles and an advertisement from the February 1929

Advice to help cold-climate dwellers cope with winters

Natures seasons provided food and sustainability on the

A been-there, done-that account of solutions for the 5

Here are a few garden-related activities to keep you busy

Simple recipes using beef, poultry and venison.

Discover the simplest and most beneficial ways of feeding

5 recipes to help you make the most of your fresh bounty.

These kitchen classics are being sought after by collectors.

Get Your Garden Growing Early

DIY Oil Lamp

Cooking With Wild Foods

Manage Your Land for Wildlife

Grow Great Asparagus

Asparagus for Any Occasion

10 Easy Crops to Grow

Design an Easy Kitchen Garden

Handmade Garden Basket

Cattle Drives in the 1800s

Job Description of a Country Cat

Head Into Spring With 5 Superfoods

Remembering the Most Famous Train Wreck

Vintage Cappers Farmer Cover

Here are some tips to get food growing in the garden

Pick the perfect pooch for your pastures.

Turn an old canning jar into a flickering ray of light.

Learn how to attract more fur and feathers to

Follow these 7 steps to ensure superior spears, year

Celebrate the start of spring with these 5 simple recipes.

Dont let Mother Nature stop you from harvesting a

Follow this easy plan to harvest delicious, organic food

Build a classic garden trug to help you collect your

What was it like on cattle drives in the mid to late

Feline friends work and play on the family farm.

Make healthy and delicious dishes using these

The wreck of the Old 97 is part of American history.

Step back in time to February 1929.

Publish Your Cookbook!

Easy - Colleect the recipes and

You collect the

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

4 CAPPERS FARMER EARLY SPRING 2016

Last year, I had so many tomatoes that I canned until I ran

RACHEL FALCO; CHEF ELIZABETH

Yes, I feel for you. It is a great loss, and depressing after

A VIEW OF THE PAST

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: LIBRARY OF

Cappers Farmer: Grandma and

Capper's Farmer - Spring 2016

Capper's Farmer - Spring 2016