The Backyard Homestead  ## Metadata - Author: [[Carleen Madigan]] | [[3. Resources/Authors/Carleen Madigan|Carleen Madigan]] - Full Title: The Backyard Homestead - Category: #books - Kindle: [Open in Kindle](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003PGQK4Q) - Document Tags: [[Health]] ## Document Notes ## Highlights - To get maximum sun, plant the tallest crops on the garden’s north side so they won’t shade shorter ones, or run your rows north and south. Plant vegetable families together so you can plan the rotation of crops in subsequent years. ([Location 184](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003PGQK4Q&location=184)) - Trellised tomatoes, beans, peas, and cucumbers, along with corn, can grow 8 to 10 feet tall. To avoid these taller plantings casting shade on other crops, keep these in one rotation on the northeastern side of the garden. ([Location 191](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003PGQK4Q&location=191)) - Butterflies and many pollinating insects are attracted to them. ([Location 324](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003PGQK4Q&location=324)) - Plant seeds of cucumbers and beans when apple blossoms fall. ([Location 372](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003PGQK4Q&location=372)) - Plant Swiss chard, spinach, beets, and onions when the daffodils bloom. ([Location 380](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003PGQK4Q&location=380)) - Plant peas when the maple trees flower. ([Location 381](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003PGQK4Q&location=381)) - Plant potatoes when the leaves of white oaks are the size of a cat’s ear. ([Location 382](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003PGQK4Q&location=382)) - Sow bush beans, pole beans, and cucumbers when apple trees drop their petals. ([Location 383](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003PGQK4Q&location=383)) - Transplant tomatoes, melons, and eggplants when black locust trees and peony bushes flower. ([Location 384](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003PGQK4Q&location=384)) - Transplant just before it rains, so the new transplants get well watered. Watch for swallows swooping close to the ground over fields. The insects they eat fly closer to the ground before it rains. ([Location 385](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003PGQK4Q&location=385)) - Floating row covers are soft, white “garden blankets” made of lightweight, permeable material. ([Location 395](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003PGQK4Q&location=395)) - Plastic row covers are often perforated or slit to let rain or moisture through. They ([Location 403](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003PGQK4Q&location=403)) - Plastic row covers supported by hoops generate more heat than floating row covers do. They’re best used for heat-loving crops like melons and eggplants. ([Location 409](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003PGQK4Q&location=409)) - Hot caps are simple devices to protect individual small plants from frost. ([Location 430](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003PGQK4Q&location=430)) - The cold frame is a small, easily built structure used to lengthen the growing season. ([Location 441](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003PGQK4Q&location=441)) - Cold frame surrounded by foam insulation ([Location 450](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003PGQK4Q&location=450)) - root crops (carrots, radishes, beets), are less sensitive to close spacing than others. ([Location 593](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003PGQK4Q&location=593)) - Leaf crops, such as spinach, celery, and lettuce, can also grow closely together. ([Location 593](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003PGQK4Q&location=593)) - Fruit-bearing upright plants, such as peppers and tomatoes, give highest yields when their foliage is almost overlapping. ([Location 594](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003PGQK4Q&location=594)) - Vining crops, such as melons, cucumbers, and pumpkins, need more space and more light. ([Location 596](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003PGQK4Q&location=596)) - Leaf crops such as lettuce and Swiss chard, on the other hand, do not need as much light. ([Location 598](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003PGQK4Q&location=598)) - A little less water while fruits are ripening will reduce the yield but increase the quality. ([Location 602](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003PGQK4Q&location=602)) - Potatoes and onions need much less water just before harvest. ([Location 603](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003PGQK4Q&location=603)) - Water both the ground and the transplants to cut down on transplanting shock. Do your transplanting on a cloudy day or late in the afternoon, so the heat of the sun won’t cause excess wilting. ([Location 618](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003PGQK4Q&location=618)) - Tepees make excellent supports for beans, peas, and tomatoes, and for heavily fruited crops such as melons and squash. ([Location 636](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003PGQK4Q&location=636)) - Store unused sprouts in the refrigerator to keep them fresh for several days. ([Location 3129](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003PGQK4Q&location=3129)) - Large bean sprouts such as those of kidney beans, soybeans, and garbanzos will need to be steamed for 10 to 15 minutes to tenderize them before using. ([Location 3130](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003PGQK4Q&location=3130)) - Seeds will not sprout well if they have been heated at over 130°F (54°C) to dry or to destroy insects. ([Location 3132](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003PGQK4Q&location=3132)) - Raw sprouts present food safety problems because conditions under which they are produced — growing time, temperature, water activity, pH (a measure of acidity), and nutrients — are ideal for the rapid growth of bacteria. Even sprouts grown in the home present a risk if eaten raw; many outbreaks have been attributed to contaminated seed. ([Location 3136](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003PGQK4Q&location=3136)) - Use only two eggs and add ½ cup pureed vegetables, such as spinach, broccoli, beets, carrots, or red or yellow bell peppers. ([Location 3375](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003PGQK4Q&location=3375))