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The Modern Homesteading Podcast, Episode 117 – March 17, 2019 – Homesteading and Chicken Chat With Guest Alyssa Olson

Homestead Updates:

Turning my greenhouse into an animal hospital.

So much cleanup to do around here, I’m not looking forward to that part of Spring weather.

Main Topic: 

Homesteading and Chicken Chat With Guest Alyssa Olson

Alyssa is a homesteader and blogger in Minnesota on 10 acres where she is working to expand her homestead and acquire new skills. 

Alyssa and I Discuss:

• Alyssa’s journey into homesteading.
• Tapping birch and maple trees.
• Her reasons for starting a blog.
• Getting starting with baby chicks.
• Introducing young chickens to an existing flock.
• Her future plans on the homestead.

Resources:

Alyssa’s Blog – https://thesheepshedmn.com

Homestead Recipe Of The Week:

Pan Smoked Salmon

This recipe was sent in from Dusty from his car on his long commute to and from work.

This Week’s Listener Question:

First a suggestion was emailed in from Rosie in the UK about last week’s question about composting in the winter. She said:

Hello Harold,I listened to your last podcast about heating your home with wood burning and enjoyed it, we have a wood burning stove and I found the advice helpful.The listener’s question about composting in winter made me think about what I do to reduce the amount of stuff I’m taking outside in inclement weather. I put all my veg peelings, onion skins, herb trimmings etc in a big bag in the freezer. When it’s full (and the weather is better!) I throw it in a big pot with boiling water and a little salt and cook it up as stock for an hour or so. I then freeze the stock and the peelings can then go in my worm composter and tends to get broken down more quickly by the worms when cooked.

This week’s question comes in from Stephanie, she asks:

Hi Harold, I love your podcast! I am starting my first garden this year, mostly due to your video of your backyard. I didn’t realize what was possible until I watched your video. My yard is the same size. Thanks so much for the video. It totally opened my eyes to the possibilities!My question is… about the “Dirty dozen”?. I have watched videos from Don Tolman and his CABALA juice. He says that apples and most fruits are okay even if they are not organic. If they are washed in a apple cider vinegar and water solution prior to using them. From what I understand the skin of the apple is a barrier and keeps out pesticides. Just wondering if this is accurate? By the way, you should try his CABALA juice recipe, it’s amazing! It’s almost like an energy drink but all-natural and delicious! Thanks so much for you time and effort in the podcast and videos!

My Answer:

Apples did make the 2018 Dirty Dozen List and it caused some controversy.

Washing helps and makes sense for smooth skin fruits and vegetables.

Porous skin fruits and vegetables absorb much more of the harmful chemicals.

“The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just on the body, but the soul.”Alfred Austin