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- Avoid these seed storage mistakes now + the secret to staying accountable!
Avoid these seed storage mistakes now + the secret to staying accountable!
Btw, should homesteaders aim to grow year-round through greenhouses and cold frames, or is it better to let the land rest during winter?
Cedie Omaña
September 19, 2024
In partnership with
Should homesteaders aim to grow year-round through greenhouses and cold frames, or is it better to let the land rest during winter? |
In Today's Edition:
Homestead Tip 🌱
Poll Results From Last Tuesday 📊
All Things Homestead: Organizing Seed Storage 🌿
Personal Development: Improving Personal Accountability 🤓
Today's Top Picks 🛍️
Let’s Keep It Reel 🤣
Oprah Loves Them, And You Will, Too. Introducing Cozy Earth Sheets
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The team at Cozy Earth has worked hard to provide you with the highest-quality sheets. Each set goes through rigorous research and development, and every detail has been carefully considered and painstakingly tested, from design and fabrication to quality and sustainability. When you try them, you’ll see why they’ve received nearly 7,000 5-star reviews!
Homestead Tip of the Day:
Fall is a perfect time to ferment vegetables like cabbage (for sauerkraut), carrots, beets, and cucumbers. Fermentation preserves the nutritional content and creates beneficial probiotics that help improve gut health during the colder months when fresh veggies may be less available.
Poll Results From Last Tuesday 📊
Is raising livestock essential for a successful homestead, or can a plant-based homestead thrive just as well?
🟩🟩🟩🟩⬜️ Livestock is essential for a thriving homestead.
🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ A plant-based homestead can be equally successful.
🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ It depends on personal goals and preferences.
🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ Plant-based homesteading is more sustainable.
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Others (Feel free to specify your answer after you've voted.)
via @beehiiv polls
Feel free to participate in fun polls in our next newsletters! 😉
All Things Homestead
Organizing Seed Storage 🌿
Whether you’ve harvested seeds from your summer crops or stocked up on packets for next season, proper storage is key to keeping them fresh and ready to grow. Here’s a simple guide to help you store your seeds effectively and keep them organized.
1. Gather Your Seeds
Collected or Purchased:
If you’ve collected seeds from your garden, make sure they’re completely dry before storing. Spread them out on paper towels for a week to avoid mold. If you’ve bought seeds, they’re already dry, so you just need to get them organized.Label Everything:
Always label your seeds with the plant type, the date, and any special notes. Trust me, you won’t remember what’s what when it’s planting time!
2. Pick the Right Containers
Airtight is Key:
Store seeds in airtight containers to keep moisture out. Mason jars, small plastic containers, or resealable plastic bags work great. If you want to be extra organized, plastic photo boxes or index card holders are perfect for sorting. Toss in a silica gel packet to absorb any moisture.Avoid Paper or Cardboard:
Paper allows moisture and pests in, so while seed packets often come in paper, transfer them to something more airtight for long-term storage.
3. Sort and Organize
By Type or Season:
Organize your seeds by plant type—vegetables, herbs, or flowers—or by planting season. This makes it easier to find what you need when you’re ready to plant.Use Dividers:
Use small dividers or labels to separate different categories within your storage container. This helps you stay organized, especially if you have a lot of different seeds.
4. Store in the Right Spot
Cool and Dark:
The best place to store seeds is somewhere cool, dark, and dry, like a cupboard or basement. You can even keep them in the fridge. Avoid storing them in hot or humid areas like garages or attics.Why It Matters:
Heat and moisture can reduce seed viability, so keeping them in a stable, cool environment helps them last longer.
5. Track Seed Viability
Check Dates:
Most seed packets have a “best by” date, but seeds can last longer than that. However, the older the seeds, the lower the germination rate, so keep track of how old your seeds are.Germination Test:
Before planting older seeds, test a few by placing them in damp paper towels. If they sprout, they’re still good!
6. Plan for Next Year
Now that your seeds are organized and safely stored, you’re all set for next year’s garden. When spring comes, you’ll have everything ready to go, making planting much easier.
Personal Development
Improving Personal Accountability 🤓
We all set goals—whether for work, personal projects, or just life in general—but sticking to them can be tough. That’s where personal accountability comes in. When you hold yourself accountable, you’re more likely to follow through and reach those goals.
In The Accountability Manifesto: How Accountability Helps You Stick to Goals, S.J. Scott gives practical tips to help you stay on track. Let’s dive into some easy strategies to boost your accountability.
1. Write Down Your Goals
Put It on Paper
Writing down your goals makes them feel real. Instead of saying, "I want to be healthier," be specific: “I will exercise 30 minutes three times a week.” Having it in writing helps solidify the goal and gives you something to track.Why It Works:
Writing things down makes them concrete. Plus, crossing off completed goals feels super satisfying!
2. Break Big Goals into Small Steps
Tackle It Piece by Piece
Large goals can feel overwhelming, but breaking them into small, manageable tasks makes them easier. If you want to start a homesteading project, don’t do it all at once. Start with research, gather materials, then tackle building or planting.Why It Works:
Small steps keep you moving forward, and each completed task boosts your motivation.
3. Set Deadlines
Give Yourself Time Limits
Without deadlines, it’s easy to procrastinate. Assign a specific deadline to each task, like “Finish garden plan by Friday” or “Order seeds by next Tuesday.” This keeps you focused.Why It Works:
Deadlines create a sense of urgency and help prevent the habit of putting things off.
4. Get an Accountability Partner
Team Up with Someone
Share your goals with a friend or family member and check in regularly. It’s easier to stay accountable when someone else is cheering you on or asking about your progress.Why It Works:
We’re more likely to stick to our commitments when we know someone’s watching—and it’s more fun with a partner.
5. Track Your Progress
Use a Tool or Checklist
Whether it’s an app, a calendar, or a simple checklist, tracking your progress helps keep you organized. It could be as simple as marking off completed tasks on a to-do list.Why It Works:
Tracking makes progress visible and keeps you motivated. Plus, checking off completed tasks feels great!
6. Reflect and Adjust
Review Your Progress
Take time to see what’s working and what’s not. If you need to tweak your plan, go for it. Adjusting is part of the process, and it helps you stay flexible when life gets busy.Why It Works:
Reflecting helps you stay on course, and it’s a chance to celebrate even the small wins.
The Steady Home’s Giggle Chamber
Why do trees hate tests in the fall?
Because they’re always getting stumped.
Today's Top Picks 🛍️
Let’s Keep It Reel!
I've put together some fantastic farm videos that are sure to make you laugh. Take a look and enjoy the fun!
If you’re in the mood for a chicken dance, check out this video:
@trending.mad Can you do the Chicken bop 😆 #animalsoftiktok #animal #funny #chickens #dance #bop #funnyvideos #funnyanimals
When your cow starts acting like the king of the house:
@elias_filmz Bruce just helps himself! #cow #brucethecow #food #snack #animals
If you’re up for a staring contest with a sassy goat, check out this clip:
@funny.pet.cute.8 “What are you looking at?” 👀 A sheep stares at the camera while chewing his meal. #Sheep #Funny #Wildlife #Animals #Attitude
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