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    • Can a U-Pick Farm Change Your Child’s Life?

      Posted at 1:03 am by HomeDabbler, on March 25, 2019
      Picture of girl picking strawberries at u-pick strawberry farm

      In a past life, I worked at a daycare. In the summer, we were always looking for activities to keep the kids busy. One was a u-pick blueberry farm down the road.

      It was one of my favorites. Not only because I always liked gardening and growing and eating blueberries (though there was that). It was more to watch how the kids reacted.

      We would off load them from the van and then gather them in front of this little shack where the proprietor, Mr. Dauphin, would hand each child a bucket and show them the rows that had the ripest berries that day. Then we would turn them loose.

      The first time we did this, I was surprised by their reaction. Most just stood there, confused.

      We had to take them by the hand, show them the berries, and pick a few for them before they were confident enough to try on their own.

      I remember one boy in particular.

      “You mean we can just pick them off and eat them?” he asked.

      “Yup, give it a try.”

      He did. And then we couldn’t stop him. More blueberries went into his belly than in the bucket. Which was alright by us.

      I’ll never forget what he said next. With a mouth full of juicy berries, he said, “I didn’t know blueberries came from plants.”

      What a beautiful moment.

      I think too many kids don’t know where food comes from and don’t know how amazing it is fresh. U-pick farms are a great way to introduce the idea that food is precious, requires work to grow, that it is better the closer you are to its source, and that a fresh berry has more flavor than any junk food.

      U-picks mend a valuable connection between us and our food that broke a few decades ago, when we stopped needing home gardens and livestock to live. The convenience is great, but our appreciation and care for our food went with it I’m afraid.

      Take your family to a u-pick. It gets everyone outside together and busy with their hands, minds, mouths, and hearts.

      Is there anything better?

      Kevin

      little girl picks strawberries at a u pick farm

       

      Posted in Kev's Thoughts & Stories, Yard & Garden | 0 Comments
    • What is That Scary Ball of Bees in My Yard?

      Posted at 12:16 am by HomeDabbler, on March 21, 2019
      Bivouac

      Bees bivouac when searching for a new home.

      If you see a ball of bees like this in your yard this Spring – in your bushes or trees, on a fence post, etc. – leave it alone and please don’t try to destroy them. It’s called a bivouac.

      Bivouac?

      A bivouac is an intermediate step in the process the bees take to find a new home. They leave their existing hive, bivouac while they search for new digs, then fly away once they find a suitable spot. It usually only takes a few hours, a day or two at the most.

      Are they dangerous? Will they sting me?

      When bees bivouac, they are extremely vulnerable and docile. Their only concern is finding a new hive location. They could not care less about you and, as mentioned, they will be gone soon. Unless you have an allergy, you can even get pretty close and look. It’s fascinating, if a little unnerving.

      I want them gone now!

      If they’re really just creeping you out, call a local beekeeper and they should gladly come remove and re-home them.

      If you’re really a nerd for this stuff, there’s a great book on the science behind the bivouac called Honeybee Democracy by Thomas D. Seeley.

      To me, a honeybee bivouac is a wonder and a privilege to see. Enjoy it!

      Kevin

      Posted in Yard & Garden | 0 Comments | Tagged beekeeping, bees, honeybees
    • 4 Southern Turf Grasses: Pros & Cons

      Posted at 3:15 pm by HomeDabbler, on March 9, 2019

      ** There is an infographic at the bottom of this post that summarizes this info. Take it for your own. 

      It’s hard to grow turf grass in the South, especially in Florida where I live. But there are some varieties that can do well here. They are:

      • St. Augustine
      • Centipede
      • Bermuda
      • Zoysia

      You gotta know their strengths and weaknesses, though. Here are the ups and downs of the four most common turf grasses of the South.

      1. St. Augustine

      Named for St. Augustine, Florida, this turf is a very tall grass that looks like soft shag carpet when healthy. Disney World uses it a lot, if that tells you anything.

      General:

      • Super tall: 4”-6”
      • Wide Blade
      • Lighter green (some varieties darker than others)
      • Link to an image of St. Augustine grass that I don’t own

      Pros:

      • Lush, carpet look (Disney World uses St. Augustine in all its medians and open areas)
      • Resists mole crickets
      • Can take the heat
      • Grows quickly
      • Some shade tolerance
      • Good drought tolerance, but ONLY IF YOU LET IT GROW TALL
      • Hides weeds well (because of its color and height)
      • Pretty low maintenance for a turf grass

      Cons:

      • A VERY Southern grass – won’t grow much north of zone 8.
      • Susceptible to chinch bugs
      • Will struggle (and possibly die) if cut below 4”
      • Susceptible to fungus

      2. Centipede

      My favorite all-round Southern grass, I must say. In my opinion, the most versatile and least fussy for homeowners who want turf but aren’t obsessed.

      General:

      • Medium height: 2”-3”
      • Thin blade
      • Medium dark green
      • Link to an image of Centipede grass that I don’t own

      Pros:

      • Resists chinch bugs
      • Resists fungus
      • Thick carpet
      • Can be cut pretty tight (which most turf lovers love)
      • Grows fast
      • Medium drought tolerance
      • Pretty low maintenance for a turf grass
      • Hides weeds pretty well
      • Good cold tolerance – grows into USDA Zone 7

      Cons:

      • Susceptible to mole crickets
      • Little shade tolerance
      • Not much else. A solid choice for most Southern homeowners

      3. Bermuda

      If you want a lawn that looks like a fairway, Bermuda is for you. It is tough as nails, but if you really want that tight golf course look, be prepared to spend time and money.

      General:

      • Darkish green to light gray-green
      • Super thin blade
      • Can be cut very short – to 1” (think a fairway)
      • Link to an image of Bermuda grass that I don’t own

      Pros:

      • Pretty indestructible once it takes hold
      • Grows a tight carpet
      • Grows very fast
      • Unbelievable drought tolerance
      • Unmatched heat tolerance
      • Good cold tolerance for a Southern lawn
      • Pest and disease resistant

      Cons:

      • Invasive to places you may not want grass (watch your beds)
      • High maintenance if you want it to look like a golf course (lots of water, fertilizer, and frequent mowings)
      • To get that golf course look, you may need to buy a specialized mower
      • Weeds and other blemishes are obvious because of Bermuda’s unique color and low, tight pattern.

      4. Zoysia

      Zoysia is a fair-haired child right now in turf grass. It can be incredibly versatile and tough. When healthy, it is so tight that it crowds out most weeds on its own. It is a slow grower though.

      General:

      • Dark green color
      • Thin blade
      • Dark green
      • Tough stuff as long as it’s healthy
      • Link to an image of Zoysia grass that I don’t own

      Pros:

      • Super thick – like walking on a carpet
      • Very drought tolerant
      • Can take extreme heat
      • Can take extreme (Southern) cold

      Cons:

      • Slow growing and slow to establish (if you get a bad spot, might as well buy sod to fill it)
      • Susceptible to mole crickets
      • Doesn’t hide weeds well

      Here’s the infographic. You should be able to download it. If not, let me know and I’ll get it to you. Enjoy!

      Kevin

      Turf Grass Table

       

      HomeDabbler Store | Cool stuff for chicken raisers and DIY-ers. Hats, t-shirts, mugs, and more.

      Posted in Yard & Garden | 1 Comment
    • [VIDEO] How to Plant a Fruit Tree

      Posted at 3:00 am by HomeDabbler, on January 6, 2019

      Step-by-step instructions, including location, technique, and follow-on care. Make sure your trees are happy from the start!

      Kevin

      Posted in Yard & Garden | 0 Comments
    • [VIDEO] What Fertilizer Should I Use?

      Posted at 4:12 pm by HomeDabbler, on January 5, 2019

      There are only about a billion kinds of fertilizer – liquid, granular, slow release, quick release, etc. It can get confusing. Here are some basic tips on how to read the bags and what to use when.

      Kevin

      Posted in Yard & Garden | 0 Comments
    • [VIDEO] Kitchen Composting | Turn Kitchen Trash Into Gardening Treasure

      Posted at 4:07 pm by HomeDabbler, on January 5, 2019

      When you throw away paper towels or fallen leaves in the fall, you are throwing away free food for you yard and garden. You can use those same garbage cans to make beautiful compost right out your back door. Here’s how!

      Kevin

      Posted in Yard & Garden | 0 Comments
    • [VIDEO] Vines! Cool Ways To Use Them Around Your Yard

      Posted at 4:02 pm by HomeDabbler, on January 5, 2019

      Vines are one of the most cost-effective and versatile plants you have a your disposal. And most of them grow pretty fast, so they make quick impact. I use them many ways around my yard. Watch this video for some ideas.

      Kevin

      Posted in Yard & Garden | 1 Comment
    • [VIDEO] How to Prune Your Trees So They Look Awesome

      Posted at 3:35 am by HomeDabbler, on January 5, 2019

      Ever see those gorgeous trees in a park that look like great floating green clouds? Here’s how to get them.

      Kevin

      Posted in Yard & Garden | 0 Comments
    • [VIDEO] Container Gardening: Grow Food in Pots By Your Front Door

      Posted at 3:29 am by HomeDabbler, on January 5, 2019

      Growing food in pots and other containers is one of the easiest and most creative ways to garden, especially for beginners. Watch this video for a primer.

      Happy (container) gardening!

      Kevin

      Posted in Yard & Garden | 1 Comment
    • [VIDEO] Grass Watering Myths | How (and When) to Water Your Grass Properly

      Posted at 3:18 am by HomeDabbler, on January 5, 2019

      In all my years in the property maintenance and landscaping business, I saw so many people watering their grass improperly. Watch this for happier grass and a lower water bill.

      Grass on!

      Kevin

      Posted in Yard & Garden | 2 Comments
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