Week 32 summer begins to transition toward fall. For hobby farmers, focus on maintaining crops and livestock during the summer heat while preparing for the cooler months. Harvest summer vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and squash regularly to encourage continued production. If you’re growing fall crops, such as kale, broccoli, or carrots, ensure they are planted by now to establish roots before the weather cools. Keep an eye on soil moisture, as August heat can dry out the ground quickly—mulching around plants can help retain moisture and suppress weeds. For livestock, provide plenty of fresh water and shade to keep animals cool and comfortable. Conduct a mid-season check of fences, coops, and shelters to ensure they’re secure and in good condition.
In pet care, prioritize hydration and protection from the summer heat. Ensure pets have access to clean water and shaded areas, especially if they spend time outdoors. Grooming is essential during this period—brush pets regularly to remove excess fur and keep them cool. Avoid walking dogs during peak heat and opt for early morning or evening outings. Week 32 is perfect for balancing productivity on the farm with attentive care for your animals.
Peafowl
Peafowl are among the most striking and rewarding birds you can raise on a large property. Native to South Asia, the Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus) is the species most commonly kept in North America,…
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DIY floating planters
Floating net pots are a simple and affordable way to grow plants hydroponically, suspending roots directly in nutrient-rich water. Here are several methods using common materials. What you need to know first Floating net…
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Growing sweet potato as water plants
Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is a surprisingly versatile and rewarding plant to grow in an aquatic setup. It is not a true aquatic plant, but it thrives as an emersed or semi-aquatic plant, meaning…
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Feeding juvenile koi
Juvenile koi under 1 year old grow quickly and do best when feeding is matched to both their size and the water temperature. The right food supports steady growth, strong color, good body development,…
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Koi spawning
Understanding koi spawning Koi spawning is one of the most dramatic and awe-inspiring events in the life of a pond, a sudden eruption of energy and motion that can seem almost violent to the…
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Conditioning koi for breeding
Conditioning Conditioning is the process of preparing our fish physically in the weeks before spawning, and it has a direct impact on egg quality, milt viability, and overall spawn success. Begin conditioning 4 to…
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Selecting koi for breeding
Selection Breeding koi successfully comes down to genetics, health, and complementary traits. Before anything else, both fish must be in peak condition. Choose fish that are at least 3 years old, ideally 4 to…
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Telling male from female koi
“Koi keeping is the only hobby where you can spend an hour doing absolutely nothing but watching fish swim in circles and walk away feeling like you accomplished something profound.” Sexing koi is not…
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Cat safe plants
Cats are natural explorers, and for most of them, that curiosity extends straight to our houseplants and herb garden. While many common plants pose a real danger to cats, there is a surprisingly generous…
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Koi reproduction
Koi are egg-laying fish and can reproduce prolifically under the right conditions. A single spawning event can produce tens of thousands of eggs, though survival rates vary widely. Sexual maturity Koi typically reach sexual…
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Koi growth rates
For koi enthusiasts, watching a fish grow from a small fingerling into a magnificent, flowing creature is one of the most rewarding aspects of the hobby. But how do we really know how much…
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Pasteurizing duck eggs at home
Duck eggs are a prized ingredient in cooking, especially for rich emulsified sauces and homemade mayonnaise. Their larger size, thicker shell, and denser, fattier yolk make them more flavorful than chicken eggs but also…
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Pasteurizing chicken eggs at home
Using gentle heat to kill harmful bacteria like Salmonella without actually cooking the egg. Pasteurizing chicken eggs at home is a simple process that uses gentle heat to kill harmful bacteria like Salmonella without…
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Honey goodness
Honey is a natural sweetener packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Unlike refined sugar, honey offers antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, supporting immune health and aiding digestion. Its phytonutrients may help combat oxidative stress, while…
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Hearty equine, pet & farm links
Updated since 4/30/2017. These links are excellent resources for animal owners, providing reliable information, quality products, and expert advice for equine and poultry care. Use them to research best practices, purchase supplies, connect with…
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Growing food for environmental impact
Embracing sustainability in daily life. Updated since 10/29/2023. Having my own small orchard and vegetable garden brings immeasurable joy as I can nurture a space teeming with life. Cultivating my food imparts a sense…
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First and last frost dates by U.S. hardiness zone
Work with nature for gardening success. Hardiness zones in gardening are geographic regions that categorize the climate’s suitability for plant survival. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) devised this system based on average…
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Building a Bluebird nest box
What’s better to conserve than nature’s beauty the bluebird. Building bluebird nest boxes is a heartwarming endeavor that fosters a symbiotic relationship between humans and nature. By constructing these small shelters, one becomes a…
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Runner Duck
Quirky, cute, productive, and hardy egg laying ducks. Raising Runner ducks is rewarding due to their practicality and charm. They are prolific egg layers, producing up to 300 nutrient-rich eggs annually, making them ideal…
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White Peking Duck
Hardy, productive, and friendly duck. The Peking Duck breed, also known as the White Pekin, is renowned for its culinary and agricultural significance. Originating from China, this breed is characterized by its white plumage,…
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Incubating chicken eggs
Hatching your own fluffies. Incubating chicken eggs is a rewarding way to hatch chicks without relying on a broody hen. It allows for greater control over the hatching process, ensuring optimal conditions like temperature,…
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Cayuga Duck
Black ducks with iridescent green. Keeping Cayuga ducks has been part of our little farm life since my son fell in love with them in poultry catalog and begged for us to get them…
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Farm egg freshness
Storing and floating eggs. Freshly laid eggs can be stored at room temperature without refrigeration due to their natural protective coating called the “bloom” or cuticle. This coating helps prevent bacteria from entering the…
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