Meg's squeal of joy and bunny hopping around the plants to get at the first red tomatoes might be the best testament I have ever seen as to why you would want to grow your own food. I have never seen that dance done on asile one at Kroger.
Don't you just love her! I just sent Harvest Right a message and suggested to them that the Hollars would be an Excellent family to receive a Freeze Dryer. Maybe if a lot of us messaged them, Harvest Right would gift them one.
Don't forget the time and money (gas) you save each week by not going to the grocery store. It adds up. I've watch your family since the California days. Its been a real time transformation of a family and a landscape. Much abundance to you all.
Absolutely right. You have to break it down like a business and really take into account ALL the real costs. You have to work X-amount of hours to even afford to buy store groceries, then also burn up gas and time to go shopping, fight traffic, stand in lines, and you know you're getting basically crap for your money, and the whole ordeal is stressful... It really adds up. And also... when you go the grocery store you're just making a rich person even richer with every dollar you spend. I reckon the folks that own Walmart, Kroger's etc etc etc are rich enough already. They'll be OK without my money.
Meg is right, that flower is a Black Eyed Susan. They work great as companion plants and are native. They can be weedy, but are helpful so long as they don't take over!
Ooh... I hope that dill does keep pests away. We have a volunteer crop of dill every year. I leave a few throughout the garden. Watching Meg cook has reinspired me to start cooking more from scratch again. When you guys were saying how simple jam making was, I decided to just go ahead and make some again. I ended up with 14 pints of Strawberry-Rhubarb jam last weekend!
Yes Katrina,, cooking from scratch is an amazing feeling that YOU control What is added. My mom, back in the ‘70’s stopped using store tins of soups ect… yes it’s convenient but metals were announced as one of the main culprits of Alzheimer’s Parkinson’s ect… EVERYTHING was back to scratch cooking. I was in my teens so it stuck with me. Even now, I like to do baked beans like once a month ( or two ) and then freezing some containers to last.
@@TheHollarHomestead Guys I have a great tip for you!!! I plant 303 garlic cloves each year. Cut the bottoms down like you did but.....after you cut the next one rub the roots together to get rid of any dirt. Also let your stems MINIMUM 3" best at 4" This prevents any air from getting to your bulb while in storage and garlic lasts longer. I'm still using my garlic 1 yr later and in a few weeks will be harvesting my new crop. Thanks for all you share Beautiful family!
@@TheHollarHomestead Also...do not peel ANY of the skin. just use the end of a bulb to clean the exterior. Rotate bulbs when you clean one, use the clean one as the next "brush" to clean the other. A great system.
Oh no Meg….mum scissors are sacred…..as a sewer my kids knew this from birth😂😂😂😂😂 to fix my blunt scissor issue I bought each child their own for Xmas and engraved their names on them…..never had a scissor issue again.🙏
Dang kids, that's a lot of onions. I'm jealous cause mine were small. As for the scissor issue all of my mom's children knew not to touch her good scissors without permission, it was almost a hanging offense.
I harvested 75 pounds of Roma tomatoes from the 6 plants I planted this year. Froze them as they ripened, turned them into marinara sauce today. I live in the city with a small back yard. I grow peppers, tomatoes, all kinds of herbs summer and winter squash. I'm increasing raised beds and container beds every year.
Your garden is beautiful! Every time I see someone take their first harvest, I cry. I literally cry! I have tomatoes in the crockpot for sauce right now. Seeing you two push that wagon of onions to the barn...that is LIFE! We just got our first rain in TWO months! i am sitting on the back porch just watching the garden BREATHE!
Great harvest and I totally agree with its something to do a little at a time. Would appreciate it if you would post the tomato pie recipe in a link or just put it in the description box for us to see. Thank you for sharing!
During the pandemic, we discovered that we could make homemade spicy mustard from mustard seeds. Now my sons remind me that the jar is getting low and it's time to blend the next batch. Today I did my first rendering of lard (I got about 3 pints) and found beef bones in the freezer so they are in the crock pot. When I get back from berry picking tomorrow, I'll run the broth through the pressure canner while I prep the berries. If I'm going to be on my feet in the kitchen anyway, I might as well be productive! I live on a small city lot with about 16 running feet of growing space. Every year, I pack more into what I have and every year, we eat what grows. I've got some melon plants, and some squash. I've got cucumbers that aren't setting fruit yet, and my tomatoes may produce before the first frost. I've got peppers, but no idea what is going to produce. In the meantime, I'm shopping farmer's markets so other growers can make some money and we are eating like kings!
Deb, check out how the Chinese farmers trellis their vining vegetables. I have seen a tiny courtyard with angled bamboo trellises growing heaps of food.
It’s very comforting to watch you two do projects together. That’s how companionship should be, and we all know that takes a tremendous amount of intentional work. So thankful for your channel. ❤️
I was told to lift onions with a fork because pulling can damage the base of the bulb so that it doesn't store as long. We plaited them like doing a French plait just before the leaves go crispy.
There is a channel called Backyard Homestead that has been documenting what they grow and how much it weighs. They have been keeping a spreadsheet of their produce since 2012 including chicken eggs, catfish they raise, quail they raise, and the produce from their garden. The amount they grow in their back yard is amazing. Enjoyed this video. Stay Cool and also take a break from the heat LOL
So encouraging, been at this garden for a year and am now learning to preserve/can. It's overwhelming knowing how much I need to learn. But you're right, one thing at a time. Thanks for the perspective and encouragement!
Try melting cheese in the bottom of the prebaked pie shell before you make your tomato pie, It keeps the crust from getting soggy as it bakes! I can't wait for tomato pie! Better than fresh-made pizza and much easier!
I agree with you. My farm store had a 6-pack of collards for $.99 back in April. I've never eaten collards, it was a great deal, so I bought'em, planted'em, harvested'em, cooked'em and ate'em and I liked'em, lol. I went back n bought 2 more 6-packs and now I have 8 quarts in my pantry. If trying something new, start small and if you like it, go bigger👍
You guys work very hard preparing and planting your garden. Now its time to gather the bountiful harvest so awesome. Love it I could watch you all day.
me too! I know they are so glad I'm not one of their close neighbors. I'd be there looking over her/their shoulder all the time, trying to learn how to do this stuff firsthand!!! I'd also be helping as much as possible.
Good planting theory. So with you guys about raising and growing your own food because it tastes good. Corporate food tastes gross because it is chemically produced and contains stuff that is not food. I learned to freeze dry our homegrown herbs. They are intense flavored. I made ketchup from our sweet cherry tomatoes. 8 quarts last year just finished the last quart in time to harvest again.
I have been making bone broth and soups all year. I started realizing just how much garbage that is not going to the landfill, the packaging of store bought stuff adds up. You inspire me! I am learning so much! I love the companion gardening tips.
For two people who had started having “rational” conversations about splitting up just a few years ago … watching you peel garlic together was a delight. Amen.
I am a gardener and a quilter. If anyone in my house used my scissors there would be .... to pay. Love your family. It makes me so happy to see your boys helping on the homestead. You are GREAT parents. Keep up the great work.
My mother was also a gardener and a quilter! She felt the same way about her scissors! In fact, I got her an expensive new pair many years before she died and she used those strictly for cutting quilt pieces. They always stayed in their box when she wasn’t using them. Now they are in my craft room, still in their box.
You both are amazing people how you do what you do I'll never know I do a lot of canning but nothing like Meg she does a fantastic job and her little toddler are running around I don't know how she does it but you both are sweet loving people love your garden you do a fantastic job on it the both of you God bless you take care see you in your next video love watching you all
Nothing better than sliced fresh homegrown tomatoes🍅, salt and pepps on buttered 🧈 (homemade) sourdough 🍞 toast (homemade). That would be your ultimate from scratch meal! 🙌🏻
A quick note about seed planting. Something I read years ago and I’m finding it to be true. Seeds that are produced from plants that grow in your garden have acclimated themselves to thrive in your soil. I’m always impressed by how much better volunteer plants do than plants you buy. Epsom salts and bone meal are soil amendments that I add every year. Just a tablespoon to each plant works. You’ll never have blossom end rot. Mixing in repellent plants does work and you have your proof. I used to be the green bean king. I would have 4 rows 8 feet tall and get a bushel every 3 days for at least 4 weeks. It’s a terrible amount of work that goes into them but the saying is true you get what you pay for. The terrible part I didn’t mention is they were half runner beans you have to string. People always called them string beans around here. I bet you haven’t heard about them before. They sure do taste good and worth the work in my opinion. It looks like Buggy is growing as fast as the garden.
String beans taste better. More work overall for processing, but when a green veggie is making folks do the yum sound around the table, it's very worth it. Completely agree about the seeds. Have noticed dramatic adaptability from seeds I've been saving myself, even for less than seven years, vs the same variety of seeds from the same previous vendor.
Cucumber tomato salad time! Dress with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, oregano, salt. Thank you for the companion planting tips and observations! Replacing items is vital and it’s the knowledge to do it is key.
@@rainspringing The boy's kind of sound like me when I was young didn't always make the best choose like when I used to take alarm clocks apart to see what made them "tick" and my mother bought one of my own. I would like to send a draw knife, so they won't use moms' good scissors to make bows I applaud them for the effort, but they do need the proper tools and I'm more than willing to help.
It might be interesting to see if, along with the companion planting, having another, unprotected, plant nearby gives the bugs in the neighborhood an easier target and thereby helps protect the other plant.
Although, with cucumber beetles, it takes like one single beetle to kill a plant. It's not their direct action but the sickness they bring with them. If those beetles are flat out avoiding the cucumbers, and aren't just going to go casually in 2 days kill the pumpkins, watermelons, squash and the like, which was my experience with sickness spreading cucumber beetles...I'd be very impressed. The cucumber beetles I've had in South Carolina don't seem to be as likely to spread the sickness vs what I knew in KY. Way more of them, and the plants still live about twice as long, plus die a bit slower/differently. Still can't get all the way to actual pumpkins ready to pick, I think that's asking too much anyway, but I just grow sweet potatoes instead. Difficult to pick ripe watermelon, because most tell signs assume the plant in more alive than dead, which ours are not, but at least they don't flash die the week after starting tiny watermelon babies. lol Not sure what the key difference is for the disease spreader beetles.
Loving the condiments idea. I've planted extra tomatoes this year to try and make my own ketchup. By starting to grow my own vegetables I've started liking them more and more, so each year I'm planning on growing something different. Love the channel, you are very inspiring!
For a great catsup recipe. Go to living traditions homestead. She made a catsup recipe that is catsup (like heinz) not BBQ sauce like all the others I had tried. I ended up canning over 60 pints. As we go through a lot of catsup. Plan to make more this year.
@@loritanner4478 I'm not from the US so not really sure what catsup is, would it be like the Heinz tomato ketchup? That is the recipe I would want, am not keen on BBQ sauce
@@NaomiRuthHouldsworth yes like heinz ketchup same thing. And I'm really picky about catsup/ketchup. So was really happy when I made my first batch of her recipe. I had so many tomatoes out of my garden last year. I was running out of things to can with them. Then her video came out and I thought. I'll try a batch. So I ended up making 6 batches before I used up the last of my tomatoes. Not so sure how the tomatoes are going to do this summer. So far they aren't looking to good. But who knows. They might make a come back. If not, there us always the farmers market.
Smart & sassy of the garden - the two of you together😄👍 Pretty cool in what you do... grow, harvest, store & use. You guys should start compiling a recipe & homesteading book... awesome knowledge that is so valuable. Love how your kids are taking it all in & enjoying the process & life with a beautiful homestead💕💕
The flower is a black eye Susan! They will come back every year, so plant it where you want to see if every year! They make a beautiful wildflower bouquet!
Thanks for sharing your day and garden! My wife and I are in our 80’s and we still can items from the local farmers markets! Great food during the winter months!
Ben, you mention that "it seems like a lot of work" -- but remember: you can work to produce your own food, or you can go to a job to make money to pay someone else to do it for you. Either way--you're working. The way you're currently doing it, you are self-sufficient, honing your skills and knowledge for the future. I'm so excited for you!
The smile on your face is as you’ve talked about your garden and canning and tomato pie was priceless♥️♥️♥️♥️😊As well as your boys coming out and when they saw the basket with the vegetables and tomatoes hollering, “yay! Tomato pie❣️❣️"…Echoing Mom’s’ Sentiment earlier❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️ The Garlic was so beautiful hanging and the barn as it was all of the onions…Both of those items are time consuming to tie them up but when you want them through the winter it is wonderful to go out and cut one of them from the “branches” of your hearts ♥️ desires❣️❣️❣️❣️😊Great explanations to those who are not raising gardens but are, thinking about it at the end of this video, explaining you just start out a little bit at a time and helping people not feel so overwhelmed. And especially, don’t plant something you don’t really like. I remember thinking that I needed to plant everything my parents planted but I didn’t necessarily like carrots in my younger years… I love them now but I ended up spending money for the seed and time guarding them and babying them but then I just gave them all away…. Same with figuring out do you like bush beans or pole beans… You can take care of them differently and you pick them differently and they take up less room in the garden one over the other so if you don’t have a lot of space and go with pole beans, and I don’t think there’s much Difference in flavor although some people might disagree with you…I think the flavor difference comes in brand more than type, so pole been versus bush bean- no flavor difference; Earl May, the old farmers Almanac, Guerneys Seed Catalog, Springhill, Pennington seed catalog, And so many more. Everyone thinks their seeds are the best. You just have to experiment as to whether you want to plant seeds or plant plants that are already started and the weather makes a big difference in that decision also. Guarding is good for the soul, & it also helps the family to grow together as you see in these videos! There’s nothing more wonderful than hearing Little Buggie’s enthusiasm for putting her shoes on to go to the garden!!😊🌸💕 what a delight that already she understands that something wonderful is happening out in that garden and she wants to be a part of it❣️❣️ Great job Mom and Dad♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
That's definitely a black-eyed Susan. I have many of them in my yard. Your marigolds are so beautifully orange. They're so orange. They look like they're little oranges. You have a beautiful garden. Your onions are much bigger than mine. God bless.
Right Grow a garden and learn to cook. Great advice. I love green beans onions and garlic. I even pickled some green beans.. thanks for sharing your wonderful harvest👍🏽
Oh Meg, the swaying with the basket of produce, just like u nurture a baby. Great to see u in nurture mode. Such great advice. Only sow what u like. Thanks Glenda from Brisbane Australia 🌻🌻🌻
The yellow flower looking like a black-eyed susan is a member of the rudbeckia family, it is a gloriosa daisy. They do reseed well, they bloom earlier than black-eyed susans and with the fuzzy leaves they are not nibbled on as much as other flowers. I have deer in my city neighborhood and they will leave them alone.
This year & last year I planted radishes, basil & marigolds in front of my butternut squash, tomatos 🍅 & pepper 🌶️, there were no squash bugs, no horn worms, no bugs of any kind. 🤗💕
I do canning too, it's so rewarding when you cook with your own food. Your family have it so good, with a great cook and baker like you! I love watching what your doing in your kitchen. I love cooking and baking too. Right now I am having some fun with old recipes dating back to the late 18 hundreds and early 19 hundreds. I can't believe how all your children have grown! Keep up with all your great vlogs. You are helping people more than you know! With love from Western, N.Y.
Homegrown veggies with pork chickens and eggs milk from your cow. 🌽 what more can your homestead do. Megvis so hsppy providing for her family. Èven the baby brings mummy's 👞. Wonderful 👏
I heard someone say that last year, grow what you like to eat and I took it to heart. This year all I grew besides lots of flowers from seed are tomatoes, potatoes, cabbage, bok choy, green beans, and onions. Oh and I put a couple of yellow crookneck in at the last minute because we have a dogo that could use the fiber in her diet to help her shed some pounds haha. Absolutely, grow what you like to eat. We've had red potatoes and a pot of green beans so far from the garden, plus some random onions and scallions. But we live way north of you so seeing your first red tomatoes already was exciting.
I remember those days, I used to love canning and knowing what I'm feeding my family, yes alot of work, but so worth it. Same with growing our own meat. Now there's only the two of us and dare I say elderly 😜, but I do have a container garden which are just peppers & tomatoes ( have to make my sauce) and of course, some herbs. Hmm tomato pie never had it I'll have to find a recipe. Blessings to you and your family. 😊🇺🇲
I planted 15 cloves from two heads of garlic that I bought from the store (planted them late) and they are growing beautifully. I have another head that has green sprouts at the top, and I'm going to plant them too. I've never grown garlic before, but I will from now on. I also cut the lobes off of a hand of ginger, and they are starting to grow. The biggest one has doubled in size after three good days of rain.
As Three Rivers Homestead would say "every bit counts". Those daily baskets of food coming in are several meals worth of food when added to some basic staples. Great harvest! Always enjoy your encouragement!
I've been mostly a single ingredient preserver , that is until thos year. Ive made the most delicious salsa from our tomatoes ever, apricot then peach Worcestershire sauce thats everybody's favourite and others are asking to buy it and fun stuff like Apple butter bbq sauce. I'm having so much fun . My family is loving almost everything I've made. Ive never had such a satisfying job. Congratulations on all the gorgeous harvests and you can keep those chillies. Lol.
I am so, so grateful to the Hollar family for generously sharing your everyday trials and successes. You have helped keep me sane and uplifted through the past year as I slowly recover from Post-covid syndrome (chronic fatigue, etc.). My own gardening ability is limited right now, so it brings me SO much joy to share yours vicariously! Your consistent encouragement and the love you have for your lifestyle shines through. Thank you so much for being a bright point in the world.
Got a surprise harvest of bush beans twice in three days so am dehydrating them for leather britches! Still have pole beans that are just blooming, and black eye peas plus crowders. Those will be canned most likely. We only plant elephant garlic now because it works so well for our family. It is so important to grow what you like! Thank you for the companion planting with cucumber reminder. The ones near our tomatoes are doing ok, but not as well as yours in the loofa vines! Your gardens are so much more extensive this year than previously and it is great to see your successes!
I think I see another red tomatoes still on the vine may want to look again. So happy for your bountiful harvest that feeds your family. Love Watching your videos.
I'll bet your barn smells amazing!! Seeing all the gardening is killing me. We could not put in a garden this year. Water well trouble. By the time it was fixed it was too late. So we are going to try a fall garden for the first time! Thanks for the inspiration!
Great homesteading!! I am so impressed with you all. Keep up the great work. Without trying to come across as sounding condescending, I am so proud of you all. Thanks for sharing your experience. Sincerely
Congratulations on the great harvests. You deserve all what you are reaping. You have worked hard for your veggies. I love it. So fun to see the excitement of new growth discoveries. 😊💕
Boy does does everything you put away in the summer tastes great when not available in the winter. My Mom would can mixed vegetables for soups and stew at the end of summer just to try to finish up the garden. That is after all the bean, tomatoes, sauce, juice, corn, other needs were met to feed the family plus extras for company.
Something so satisfying about harvesting the fruits of your labor. I totally agree with Meg, that first summer tomato is so exciting. Our first summer "fix" we look forward to is fresh summer tomatoes.
I am learning a lot from you guys I really didn't know you suppose to hang them out to dry .I use as I go out of the garden.Mag & Ben thank you for the tip how to harvest garlic and onions.
I braided the stems together like the French do, and hung them up to dry. You bring in a braid of onions or garlic and hang them in the kitchen and pull off the items you want. It looks amazing when dried.
May I recommend saving your biggest and best, healthiest garlic heads for planting. Will ensure you keep the variety vigorous and healthy and will yield a lot more
This was so much fun! I was harvesting some of my first beans, tomatoes, and cucumbers while listening to you guys harvest. Can't wait for the full tomato onslaught so I can start canning. Thanks!!!
I'm watching your vlog and preparing to process my first tomatoes. Our green beans were amazing and we just got a beautiful zucchini today! I love eating from the garden and all of my crops are grown in pots. I'm going to have to move my dill close to my squashes to see if I can keep the bugs away!
Love yoir channel, from Qld Australia. Tip for blossom rot, crushed egg shells. I save all mine crush roughly and add to beds when preparing to plant. Slow release calcium. Never had a problem with blossom rot since. Great for squash,cucs and tomatoes. 🙂
I love seeing all of your garlic... this was my first year with a decent little garlic harvest... I successfully grew my favorite purple variety! It was much easier than I imagined since I protected it from the deer! The deer in my area are destructive and even when they don't eat a certain garden thing.. the still destroy it by uprooting things!
A garden urges you to discover a whole new way of cooking. It is an adventure and exciting and so satisfying. Beautiful people grow gardens, preserve food, enjoy life!
Meg's squeal of joy and bunny hopping around the plants to get at the first red tomatoes might be the best testament I have ever seen as to why you would want to grow your own food. I have never seen that dance done on asile one at Kroger.
Yes!
I'd love that recipe for tomato pie Meg Please
It certainly put a smile on my face.
@@jeannieselzer7984 check out the recipe from ‘Taste Better From Scratch’.
Don't you just love her! I just sent Harvest Right a message and suggested to them that the Hollars would be an Excellent family to receive a Freeze Dryer. Maybe if a lot of us messaged them, Harvest Right would gift them one.
Don't forget the time and money (gas) you save each week by not going to the grocery store. It adds up. I've watch your family since the California days. Its been a real time transformation of a family and a landscape. Much abundance to you all.
especially here town is 40 minutes one way!
Absolutely right. You have to break it down like a business and really take into account ALL the real costs.
You have to work X-amount of hours to even afford to buy store groceries, then also burn up gas and time to go shopping, fight traffic, stand in lines, and you know you're getting basically crap for your money, and the whole ordeal is stressful...
It really adds up.
And also... when you go the grocery store you're just making a rich person even richer with every dollar you spend. I reckon the folks that own Walmart, Kroger's etc etc etc are rich enough already. They'll be OK without my money.
I love how proud Meg is. Her face is beaming. You should be proud lady!! 👍
Meg is right, that flower is a Black Eyed Susan. They work great as companion plants and are native. They can be weedy, but are helpful so long as they don't take over!
Meg is the cooking hero! She can make anything and works so hard all day!
someone taught her VERY WELL! I wish I knew as much as she does about cooking and preparing food!
Ben does too. He’s a handy dude.
@@Flippin_Crazy I agree! These two are so knowledgeable for their age! I wish I knew as much as they do at their age!
Ooh... I hope that dill does keep pests away. We have a volunteer crop of dill every year. I leave a few throughout the garden.
Watching Meg cook has reinspired me to start cooking more from scratch again. When you guys were saying how simple jam making was, I decided to just go ahead and make some again. I ended up with 14 pints of Strawberry-Rhubarb jam last weekend!
Woohoo!! Good job! 🙌🏻
Yes Katrina,, cooking from scratch is an amazing feeling that YOU control What is added. My mom, back in the ‘70’s stopped using store tins of soups ect… yes it’s convenient but metals were announced as one of the main culprits of Alzheimer’s Parkinson’s ect… EVERYTHING was back to scratch cooking. I was in my teens so it stuck with me. Even now, I like to do baked beans like once a month ( or two ) and then freezing some containers to last.
@@TheHollarHomestead Guys I have a great tip for you!!! I plant 303 garlic cloves each year. Cut the bottoms down like you did but.....after you cut the next one rub the roots together to get rid of any dirt. Also let your stems MINIMUM 3" best at 4" This prevents any air from getting to your bulb while in storage and garlic lasts longer. I'm still using my garlic 1 yr later and in a few weeks will be harvesting my new crop. Thanks for all you share Beautiful family!
@@katehopkinsbrent5573 Now we need to focus on Barium, strontium and ALUMINUM that is being sprayed on us daily via geoengineering chemtrails.
@@TheHollarHomestead Also...do not peel ANY of the skin. just use the end of a bulb to clean the exterior. Rotate bulbs when you clean one, use the clean one as the next "brush" to clean the other. A great system.
Oh no Meg….mum scissors are sacred…..as a sewer my kids knew this from birth😂😂😂😂😂 to fix my blunt scissor issue I bought each child their own for Xmas and engraved their names on them…..never had a scissor issue again.🙏
Ok Meg I’ve never had tomato pie so could you please share your recipe. Can’t wait till my tomatoes are ready so I can try this. Bless your family!❤️
Dang kids, that's a lot of onions. I'm jealous cause mine were small. As for the scissor issue all of my mom's children knew not to touch her good scissors without permission, it was almost a hanging offense.
I harvested 75 pounds of Roma tomatoes from the 6 plants I planted this year. Froze them as they ripened, turned them into marinara sauce today. I live in the city with a small back yard. I grow peppers, tomatoes, all kinds of herbs summer and winter squash. I'm increasing raised beds and container beds every year.
Your garden is beautiful! Every time I see someone take their first harvest, I cry. I literally cry! I have tomatoes in the crockpot for sauce right now. Seeing you two push that wagon of onions to the barn...that is LIFE! We just got our first rain in TWO months! i am sitting on the back porch just watching the garden BREATHE!
You are a good-hearted soul; may your gardens provide you with an abundance
@@lisaclark361 you too sweet lady!
Great harvest and I totally agree with its something to do a little at a time. Would appreciate it if you would post the tomato pie recipe in a link or just put it in the description box for us to see. Thank you for sharing!
During the pandemic, we discovered that we could make homemade spicy mustard from mustard seeds. Now my sons remind me that the jar is getting low and it's time to blend the next batch. Today I did my first rendering of lard (I got about 3 pints) and found beef bones in the freezer so they are in the crock pot. When I get back from berry picking tomorrow, I'll run the broth through the pressure canner while I prep the berries. If I'm going to be on my feet in the kitchen anyway, I might as well be productive! I live on a small city lot with about 16 running feet of growing space. Every year, I pack more into what I have and every year, we eat what grows. I've got some melon plants, and some squash. I've got cucumbers that aren't setting fruit yet, and my tomatoes may produce before the first frost. I've got peppers, but no idea what is going to produce. In the meantime, I'm shopping farmer's markets so other growers can make some money and we are eating like kings!
Deb, check out how the Chinese farmers trellis their vining vegetables. I have seen a tiny courtyard with angled bamboo trellises growing heaps of food.
It’s very comforting to watch you two do projects together. That’s how companionship should be, and we all know that takes a tremendous amount of intentional work. So thankful for your channel. ❤️
I was thinking the same thing.. and they way they look at each other, we should all be so lucky 🥺
They are my happy watch, always feel better after a visit with the Hollars😊
@@lisaclark361 mine too
The first tomatoes in our garden are usually reserved for BLT's! The first of the year are always so exciting!!
You just can't beat a BLT with homegrown tomatoes.
I just love tomato and avocado sandwich with mayo salt and pepper 😋
@@beccagee5905 Yum!
Tomato sandwiches with mayo ! So delicious .
Yum😊
Those garlic skin tossings would be good for your chicken coops. Helps keep mites at bay.
I was told to lift onions with a fork because pulling can damage the base of the bulb so that it doesn't store as long. We plaited them like doing a French plait just before the leaves go crispy.
I grew up on a truck-garden and dad did not pull the onions.
@@dixsigns1717 How long did the onions last in the ground
Hello from Minnesota 👋. Garlic 🧄 onions 🧅 potatoes 🥔 and spicy 🌶 is all we need too. Great harvest.
There is a channel called Backyard Homestead that has been documenting what they grow and how much it weighs. They have been keeping a spreadsheet of their produce since 2012 including chicken eggs, catfish they raise, quail they raise, and the produce from their garden. The amount they grow in their back yard is amazing. Enjoyed this video. Stay Cool and also take a break from the heat LOL
So encouraging, been at this garden for a year and am now learning to preserve/can. It's overwhelming knowing how much I need to learn. But you're right, one thing at a time. Thanks for the perspective and encouragement!
Try melting cheese in the bottom of the prebaked pie shell before you make your tomato pie, It keeps the crust from getting soggy as it bakes! I can't wait for tomato pie! Better than fresh-made pizza and much easier!
I agree with you. My farm store had a 6-pack of collards for $.99 back in April. I've never eaten collards, it was a great deal, so I bought'em, planted'em, harvested'em, cooked'em and ate'em and I liked'em, lol. I went back n bought 2 more 6-packs and now I have 8 quarts in my pantry. If trying something new, start small and if you like it, go bigger👍
Yes black eyed susan. I had a volunteer this year. Actually 2. They each have different centers. Love getting wild growth.
Yes, blackened Susan, from another Holly. 💙
@@kenhartman9981 I’m from Western PA 💙
@@kenhartman9981 All my life. My husband is from central PA.
@@kenhartman9981 I have no need to talk anywhere else. I am a retired person and probably not what you’re looking for. Bye
What are the orange ones they have everywhere?
Your gardens are wonderful! You have come a LONG WAY! Since you pulled in that day with your camper. I am so proud of you guys!
You guys work very hard preparing and planting your garden. Now its time to gather the bountiful harvest so awesome. Love it I could watch you all day.
me too! I know they are so glad I'm not one of their close neighbors. I'd be there looking over her/their shoulder all the time, trying to learn how to do this stuff firsthand!!! I'd also be helping as much as possible.
Good planting theory. So with you guys about raising and growing your own food because it tastes good. Corporate food tastes gross because it is chemically produced and contains stuff that is not food. I learned to freeze dry our homegrown herbs. They are intense flavored. I made ketchup from our sweet cherry tomatoes. 8 quarts last year just finished the last quart in time to harvest again.
I have been making bone broth and soups all year. I started realizing just how much garbage that is not going to the landfill, the packaging of store bought stuff adds up. You inspire me! I am learning so much! I love the companion gardening tips.
For two people who had started having “rational” conversations about splitting up just a few years ago … watching you peel garlic together was a delight. Amen.
Beautiful Homegrown Garlic ❤❤Buggie is Happy And Precious 💕
I am a gardener and a quilter. If anyone in my house used my scissors there would be .... to pay. Love your family. It makes me so happy to see your boys helping on the homestead. You are GREAT parents. Keep up the great work.
My mother was also a gardener and a quilter! She felt the same way about her scissors! In fact, I got her an expensive new pair many years before she died and she used those strictly for cutting quilt pieces. They always stayed in their box when she wasn’t using them. Now they are in my craft room, still in their box.
Meg is such a creative cook. I love that you guys are eating most food from your farm. ❤️
Learned something new….didn’t know that squash bugs don’t like dill. 👍🏽
You both are amazing people how you do what you do I'll never know I do a lot of canning but nothing like Meg she does a fantastic job and her little toddler are running around I don't know how she does it but you both are sweet loving people love your garden you do a fantastic job on it the both of you God bless you take care see you in your next video love watching you all
@@kenhartman9981 I am doing great
@@kenhartman9981 I am from Tennessee down here next to the Tri-City airport I live on a farm back up on a big old knob or a hill whichever you call it
Nothing better than sliced fresh homegrown tomatoes🍅, salt and pepps on buttered 🧈 (homemade) sourdough 🍞 toast (homemade). That would be your ultimate from scratch meal! 🙌🏻
A quick note about seed planting. Something I read years ago and I’m finding it to be true. Seeds that are produced from plants that grow in your garden have acclimated themselves to thrive in your soil. I’m always impressed by how much better volunteer plants do than plants you buy.
Epsom salts and bone meal are soil amendments that I add every year. Just a tablespoon to each plant works. You’ll never have blossom end rot.
Mixing in repellent plants does work and you have your proof.
I used to be the green bean king. I would have 4 rows 8 feet tall and get a bushel every 3 days for at least 4 weeks. It’s a terrible amount of work that goes into them but the saying is true you get what you pay for. The terrible part I didn’t mention is they were half runner beans you have to string. People always called them string beans around here. I bet you haven’t heard about them before. They sure do taste good and worth the work in my opinion.
It looks like Buggy is growing as fast as the garden.
String beans taste better. More work overall for processing, but when a green veggie is making folks do the yum sound around the table, it's very worth it.
Completely agree about the seeds. Have noticed dramatic adaptability from seeds I've been saving myself, even for less than seven years, vs the same variety of seeds from the same previous vendor.
Cucumber tomato salad time! Dress with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, oregano, salt.
Thank you for the companion planting tips and observations!
Replacing items is vital and it’s the knowledge to do it is key.
Kudos to you Meg! On the issue of the scissors, pick your battles! You are a very smart woman. Ben holler is a lucky man!
Ben Hollar is a very lucky man, but they compliment each other nicely 😉 😀 😄 👌
"I can sharpen them' words to sooth the savage. ;) My good scissors are always very carefully and thoughtfully hidden. lol
@@rainspringing The boy's kind of sound like me when I was young didn't always make the best choose like when I used to take alarm clocks apart to see what made them "tick" and my mother bought one of my own. I would like to send a draw knife, so they won't use moms' good scissors to make bows I applaud them for the effort, but they do need the proper tools and I'm more than willing to help.
It might be interesting to see if, along with the companion planting, having another, unprotected, plant nearby gives the bugs in the neighborhood an easier target and thereby helps protect the other plant.
Although, with cucumber beetles, it takes like one single beetle to kill a plant. It's not their direct action but the sickness they bring with them. If those beetles are flat out avoiding the cucumbers, and aren't just going to go casually in 2 days kill the pumpkins, watermelons, squash and the like, which was my experience with sickness spreading cucumber beetles...I'd be very impressed.
The cucumber beetles I've had in South Carolina don't seem to be as likely to spread the sickness vs what I knew in KY. Way more of them, and the plants still live about twice as long, plus die a bit slower/differently. Still can't get all the way to actual pumpkins ready to pick, I think that's asking too much anyway, but I just grow sweet potatoes instead. Difficult to pick ripe watermelon, because most tell signs assume the plant in more alive than dead, which ours are not, but at least they don't flash die the week after starting tiny watermelon babies. lol Not sure what the key difference is for the disease spreader beetles.
In the UK we plait the garlic and hang it up once it has cured - I think we borrowed the technique fron France or Spain. Looks like a great harvest.
FYI - Plait in the UK is equivalent to braid here in the states.
A lot of people also use that method. This is just another way that some do if you don't have hanging space. 😊
I've heard, on TH-cam, that it depends on whether it's hard neck or soft neck garlic. One plaits and one doesn't.
You cannot braid through sort neck variety. They planted the hard neck and the can't be plaited.
Meg and Ben, these flowers are Black Eye Susan's because we grow all kinds of flowers. those are our favorite one to grow.
Yes learning to preserve and cook what you grow is a learning curve but boy does it feel great. Thank you for always encouraging.
Loving the condiments idea. I've planted extra tomatoes this year to try and make my own ketchup. By starting to grow my own vegetables I've started liking them more and more, so each year I'm planning on growing something different. Love the channel, you are very inspiring!
For a great catsup recipe. Go to living traditions homestead. She made a catsup recipe that is catsup (like heinz) not BBQ sauce like all the others I had tried. I ended up canning over 60 pints. As we go through a lot of catsup. Plan to make more this year.
@@loritanner4478 I'm not from the US so not really sure what catsup is, would it be like the Heinz tomato ketchup? That is the recipe I would want, am not keen on BBQ sauce
@@NaomiRuthHouldsworth yes catsup is an alternate spelling of ketchup
@@NaomiRuthHouldsworth yes like heinz ketchup same thing. And I'm really picky about catsup/ketchup. So was really happy when I made my first batch of her recipe. I had so many tomatoes out of my garden last year. I was running out of things to can with them. Then her video came out and I thought. I'll try a batch. So I ended up making 6 batches before I used up the last of my tomatoes. Not so sure how the tomatoes are going to do this summer. So far they aren't looking to good. But who knows. They might make a come back. If not, there us always the farmers market.
@@loritanner4478 fingers crossed for your harvest! I follow living traditions so will look for that recipe and hopefully try it this year
Smart & sassy of the garden - the two of you together😄👍 Pretty cool in what you do... grow, harvest, store & use. You guys should start compiling a recipe & homesteading book... awesome knowledge that is so valuable. Love how your kids are taking it all in & enjoying the process & life with a beautiful homestead💕💕
The flower is a black eye Susan! They will come back every year, so plant it where you want to see if every year! They make a beautiful wildflower bouquet!
Thanks for sharing your day and garden! My wife and I are in our 80’s and we still can items from the local farmers markets! Great food during the winter months!
Ben, you mention that "it seems like a lot of work" -- but remember: you can work to produce your own food, or you can go to a job to make money to pay someone else to do it for you.
Either way--you're working.
The way you're currently doing it, you are self-sufficient, honing your skills and knowledge for the future.
I'm so excited for you!
The smile on your face is as you’ve talked about your garden and canning and tomato pie was priceless♥️♥️♥️♥️😊As well as your boys coming out and when they saw the basket with the vegetables and tomatoes hollering, “yay! Tomato pie❣️❣️"…Echoing Mom’s’ Sentiment earlier❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️
The Garlic was so beautiful hanging and the barn as it was all of the onions…Both of those items are time consuming to tie them up but when you want them through the winter it is wonderful to go out and cut one of them from the “branches” of your hearts ♥️ desires❣️❣️❣️❣️😊Great explanations to those who are not raising gardens but are, thinking about it at the end of this video, explaining you just start out a little bit at a time and helping people not feel so overwhelmed. And especially, don’t plant something you don’t really like. I remember thinking that I needed to plant everything my parents planted but I didn’t necessarily like carrots in my younger years… I love them now but I ended up spending money for the seed and time guarding them and babying them but then I just gave them all away…. Same with figuring out do you like bush beans or pole beans… You can take care of them differently and you pick them differently and they take up less room in the garden one over the other so if you don’t have a lot of space and go with pole beans, and I don’t think there’s much Difference in flavor although some people might disagree with you…I think the flavor difference comes in brand more than type, so pole been versus bush bean- no flavor difference; Earl May, the old farmers Almanac, Guerneys Seed Catalog, Springhill, Pennington seed catalog, And so many more. Everyone thinks their seeds are the best. You just have to experiment as to whether you want to plant seeds or plant plants that are already started and the weather makes a big difference in that decision also.
Guarding is good for the soul, & it also helps the family to grow together as you see in these videos! There’s nothing more wonderful than hearing Little Buggie’s enthusiasm for putting her shoes on to go to the garden!!😊🌸💕 what a delight that already she understands that something wonderful is happening out in that garden and she wants to be a part of it❣️❣️ Great job Mom and Dad♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
I can vouch for eating on the farm. I spent summers, as a boy, on my grandparents farm. Fresh, home grown food (produce and meat) is amazing!!!
Meg, could you please post your tomato pie recipe or do a video while making it. Love watching you both and your beautiful family
That's definitely a black-eyed Susan. I have many of them in my yard. Your marigolds are so beautifully orange. They're so orange. They look like they're little oranges. You have a beautiful garden. Your onions are much bigger than mine. God bless.
Right Grow a garden and learn to cook. Great advice. I love green beans onions and garlic. I even pickled some green beans.. thanks for sharing your wonderful harvest👍🏽
Oh Meg, the swaying with the basket of produce, just like u nurture a baby. Great to see u in nurture mode. Such great advice. Only sow what u like. Thanks Glenda from Brisbane Australia 🌻🌻🌻
Did you happen to make a seed saving video on the onions? I love hearing Buggy talk, she’s just adorable.
Oh, and can I get “Grow a garden & Learn to Cook” on a T shirt? 🤣
The yellow flower looking like a black-eyed susan is a member of the rudbeckia family, it is a gloriosa daisy. They do reseed well, they bloom earlier than black-eyed susans and with the fuzzy leaves they are not nibbled on as much as other flowers. I have deer in my city neighborhood and they will leave them alone.
You both together make a great couple and have a great family!
This year & last year I planted radishes, basil & marigolds in front of my butternut squash, tomatos 🍅 & pepper 🌶️, there were no squash bugs, no horn worms, no bugs of any kind. 🤗💕
I do canning too, it's so rewarding when you cook with your own food. Your family have it so good, with a great cook and baker like you! I love watching what your doing in your kitchen. I love cooking and baking too. Right now I am having some fun with old recipes dating back to the late 18 hundreds and early 19 hundreds. I can't believe how all your children have grown! Keep up with all your great vlogs. You are helping people more than you know! With love from Western, N.Y.
Homegrown veggies with pork chickens and eggs milk from your cow. 🌽 what more can your homestead do. Megvis so hsppy providing for her family. Èven the baby brings mummy's 👞. Wonderful 👏
I think your "harvest" looks amazing!!! So exciting!
I heard someone say that last year, grow what you like to eat and I took it to heart. This year all I grew besides lots of flowers from seed are tomatoes, potatoes, cabbage, bok choy, green beans, and onions. Oh and I put a couple of yellow crookneck in at the last minute because we have a dogo that could use the fiber in her diet to help her shed some pounds haha. Absolutely, grow what you like to eat. We've had red potatoes and a pot of green beans so far from the garden, plus some random onions and scallions. But we live way north of you so seeing your first red tomatoes already was exciting.
I remember those days, I used to love canning and knowing what I'm feeding my family, yes alot of work, but so worth it. Same with growing our own meat. Now there's only the two of us and dare I say elderly 😜, but I do have a container garden which are just peppers & tomatoes ( have to make my sauce) and of course, some herbs. Hmm tomato pie never had it I'll have to find a recipe. Blessings to you and your family. 😊🇺🇲
When are you making your cookbook for us? Can’t wait for your great recipes!
I planted 15 cloves from two heads of garlic that I bought from the store (planted them late) and they are growing beautifully. I have another head that has green sprouts at the top, and I'm going to plant them too. I've never grown garlic before, but I will from now on. I also cut the lobes off of a hand of ginger, and they are starting to grow. The biggest one has doubled in size after three good days of rain.
As Three Rivers Homestead would say "every bit counts".
Those daily baskets of food coming in are several meals worth of food when added to some basic staples. Great harvest! Always enjoy your encouragement!
I admire you both so much. You are amazing in so many ways. 💗
I agree they rock
I've been mostly a single ingredient preserver , that is until thos year. Ive made the most delicious salsa from our tomatoes ever, apricot then peach Worcestershire sauce thats everybody's favourite and others are asking to buy it and fun stuff like Apple butter bbq sauce. I'm having so much fun . My family is loving almost everything I've made. Ive never had such a satisfying job. Congratulations on all the gorgeous harvests and you can keep those chillies. Lol.
I am so, so grateful to the Hollar family for generously sharing your everyday trials and successes. You have helped keep me sane and uplifted through the past year as I slowly recover from Post-covid syndrome (chronic fatigue, etc.). My own gardening ability is limited right now, so it brings me SO much joy to share yours vicariously!
Your consistent encouragement and the love you have for your lifestyle shines through. Thank you so much for being a bright point in the world.
Got a surprise harvest of bush beans twice in three days so am dehydrating them for leather britches! Still have pole beans that are just blooming, and black eye peas plus crowders. Those will be canned most likely. We only plant elephant garlic now because it works so well for our family. It is so important to grow what you like!
Thank you for the companion planting with cucumber reminder. The ones near our tomatoes are doing ok, but not as well as yours in the loofa vines! Your gardens are so much more extensive this year than previously and it is great to see your successes!
Such a wonderful encouragement for novice home gardeners--like me! Thanks! Enjoy your tomato pie!
I think I see another red tomatoes still on the vine may want to look again. So happy for your bountiful harvest that feeds your family. Love Watching your videos.
We (the garden community) are with you on the love of fresh food!
To keep the good scissors good padlock the handles together and put the key in your sewing box! LOL it works!
I'll bet your barn smells amazing!! Seeing all the gardening is killing me. We could not put in a garden this year. Water well trouble. By the time it was fixed it was too late. So we are going to try a fall garden for the first time! Thanks for the inspiration!
I can’t wait until our farmers market start. I get 20 dollars in coupons from our office of the aging. They are free for all seniors.
Your garden is doing so well. Great to hear about your companion gardening experiences. ♥️
Grow what you like to eat. Then add recipes to your repertoire for those veggies. Yumm!
Great homesteading!! I am so impressed with you all. Keep up the great work. Without trying to come across as sounding condescending, I am so proud of you all. Thanks for sharing your experience. Sincerely
It's worth mentioning that you both look much healthier than you did when you first moved to this property. It really is noticeable.
Congratulations on the great harvests. You deserve all what you are reaping. You have worked hard for your veggies. I love it. So fun to see the excitement of new growth discoveries. 😊💕
Boy does does everything you put away in the summer tastes great when not available in the winter. My Mom would can mixed vegetables for soups and stew at the end of summer just to try to finish up the garden. That is after all the bean, tomatoes, sauce, juice, corn, other needs were met to feed the family plus extras for company.
Something so satisfying about harvesting the fruits of your labor. I totally agree with Meg, that first summer tomato is so exciting. Our first summer "fix" we look forward to is fresh summer tomatoes.
Fun edits you did during the garlic take down and onion put up.
I am learning a lot from you guys I really didn't know you suppose to hang them out to dry .I use as I go out of the garden.Mag & Ben thank you for the tip how to harvest garlic and onions.
I braided the stems together like the French do, and hung them up to dry. You bring in a braid of onions or garlic and hang them in the kitchen and pull off the items you want. It looks amazing when dried.
I just mix up some powdered milk powder and water the plants with it…works like a charm!
You two inspire me! I feel less hesitant to try or to experiment because of your example. Thank you for sharing your journey with us! Blessings!
May I recommend saving your biggest and best, healthiest garlic heads for planting. Will ensure you keep the variety vigorous and healthy and will yield a lot more
Meg when you make your tomato pie can you post how you do it ? please 🍅🥧
I agree, the store bought food had gotten so it has no taste. And yes too much junk is added to it.
But garden fresh is fantastic.
I love you guys. Please show the tomato pie recipe.
I absolutely love seeing y'all sooo excited over your garden, I think you're onto something with the loofah and dill!!
And....making your own sauces and canning and whatnot is such a HUGE blessing and it shows in your excitement °
@@kenhartman9981 TN
@@kenhartman9981 no, I was from MN, but have lived down here in TN almost 13yrs
Ughhh 18 yrs lol
This was so much fun! I was harvesting some of my first beans, tomatoes, and cucumbers while listening to you guys harvest. Can't wait for the full tomato onslaught so I can start canning. Thanks!!!
Gardening and preserving is so rewarding!
I'm watching your vlog and preparing to process my first tomatoes. Our green beans were amazing and we just got a beautiful zucchini today! I love eating from the garden and all of my crops are grown in pots. I'm going to have to move my dill close to my squashes to see if I can keep the bugs away!
Love yoir channel, from Qld Australia. Tip for blossom rot, crushed egg shells. I save all mine crush roughly and add to beds when preparing to plant. Slow release calcium. Never had a problem with blossom rot since. Great for squash,cucs and tomatoes. 🙂
Love this, love watching y’all. You are so real!
I love seeing all of your garlic... this was my first year with a decent little garlic harvest... I successfully grew my favorite purple variety! It was much easier than I imagined since I protected it from the deer! The deer in my area are destructive and even when they don't eat a certain garden thing.. the still destroy it by uprooting things!
Hi..... Meg and Ben, thank you for showing your video homestead chickens farmer garden 👋 bye 👋 bye 👋 bye 👋 👕🐔🐓🐣🐥🐄🐖🌱🌺🌹🌻🌼🌸🌷🏡🎥👍👍👍
Super cute Buggy bringing the slippers - eager to get outside!
A garden urges you to discover a whole new way of cooking. It is an adventure and exciting and so satisfying. Beautiful people grow gardens, preserve food, enjoy life!
Yes! "Grow a garden l, learn to cook" all the layers of learning to be a gardener.