SmallFarms4You

Growing Paw Paw Tree Tips

2012-01-27T14:08:00.000-08:00


Photo: Miller Nurseries

Fossil evidence has shown that the American Paw Paw tree is indigenous to the United States. It is believed that the American Indians were responsible for spreading the trees from north to south by planting the lima bean-like seeds wherever they lived. The tree can survive in hardiness zones 4-15, with -25 degree winters.

There are several varieties of American Paw Paw on the market. To find varieties available in your area check out local nurseries or home and garden centers. If you can’t find any paw paw trees locally, do an online search for other nurseries. For example, Miller Nurseries offers seedlings and grafted varieties which can be shipped anywhere in the United States, with the exception of California.

Grafted paw paw trees will need two different varieties for proper pollination.

For potted seedlings, you’ll need to plant two (they can be the same variety) for proper pollination.
Watch for suckers which will come up at the base of the tree. Unless you want a stand of paw paw clones, cut these suckers back when they appear in the spring.


Photo: Miller Nurseries

Paw Paw Resources:

PAWPAW Fruit Facts
Kentucky State University - Pawpaw Information WebsiteIncludes recipes for the American paw paw fruit
The Native American Paw Paw Tree
Welcome to MillerNurseries.comMiller Nurseries brings you one of the largest selections of fruit and nut trees, berries, grapes and much more.

Growing the American Paw Paw

2012-01-25T13:53:00.000-08:00

Do you enjoy the taste of tropical fruit? You can get a taste of the tropics right here in the United States with the American Paw Paw. This often over-looked fruit tree produces clusters of up to 9 fruits from a single flower. The oval-shaped fruits are thin-skinned and range in size from 3 to 6 inches in length. The fruit tastes like vanilla custard before it is fully ripe, and then takes on a distinctive banana custard flavor when fully ripe. If you’re looking to create an edible landscape for your home, the paw paw tree should be on your list of plants to add.

How to Grow Paw Paws

Paw Paws require a lot of care their first year, but can survive almost carefree from their second year on. There are two types that can be purchased – seedlings and grafted trees. Grafted trees are a little easier to grow because they usually have a well-developed root system. Seedlings are usually sold in 3 or 4-inch pots, and because of their size they will need a lot of attention at first. It is important to keep the ground around the new trees moist, but not soaking wet, especially during extended periods of heat or drought. Some nurseries provide a light filter for their youngest paw paw trees so they aren’t subject to the heat of direct sunlight during the first year.

During the second year you may use a liquid or granular fertilizer in the spring, then provide full, unfiltered sunlight to the trees and water as needed. Again, be careful to not let the young trees dry out during periods of high heat or drought while they're becoming established.

Depending upon maturity, the tree will begin to flower and produce fruit between the third and fourth years. The fruit will ripen between late August and October, depending upon your hardiness zone.

Generally, grafted trees will fruit between 3 and 5 years, while potted seedlings take 4 to 8 years to reach maturity.

Frost on the Pumpkins

2010-09-21T07:07:00.000-07:00

You know it is fall when there is frost on the pumpkins! I woke up this morning (very early) to see that there was indeed, frost on the pumpkins and unfortunately, on my flowers. I don't think it was expected because even my weather alerts didn't warn me of the frost. Alas, all good things must come to an end, and at the end of September in the northeast, it is expected. Summer is officially over.

There are good things about fall though, beginning with the spectacular colors when the sugar maple leaves turn color, to the abscence of stinging insects buzzing about. It is also time to harvest apples and some varieties of grapes to make cider and ice wines. All good things, according to this writer!

The frost is also a signal to begin harvesting certain squash in the fields, from the pumpkins to those fabulous hubbard squashes. After the harvest, it is also time to plow the fields under in preparation for next year's garden.

If you normally wait until next year to prepare your garden, you're missing out on some interesting gardening methods, namely lasagna gardening, which can be done in the fall. Interested in learning about this gardening method? Check out my article on SmallFarms4You.com: Lasagna Gardening.

Difference Between Pasteurized, Homogenized and Raw Milk

2010-06-18T06:40:00.000-07:00

In this day and age, many people are interested in how their food products are processed, especially something commonly used like milk. If you've ever wanted to learn about the homogenization, pasteurization processes, as well as what is raw milk, check out this article I wrote on HubPages:

The Difference Between Pasteurized, Homogenized and Raw Milk

Hope to see you there!

~Charlotte

Delicious Summer Blueberries

2010-06-17T13:45:00.000-07:00

Thinking of growing blueberries where you live? I've found them to be very easy to care for with an excellent return on my investment. I've written an article about growing them on HubPages, and I invite you to read it for tips on growing your own blueberries:

Grow Great Blueberries

Hope to see you there!

~Charlotte

Changes In Dairy Farming

2010-04-09T09:05:00.000-07:00

Spring has arrived, and my water is finally thawed out in our barn. No more carrying water in buckets to take care of the chickens in the morning! Ah, such is life in New York!

Now that I have a little more time on my hands (before I have to start the planting season), I've added a few more articles to the website, SmallFarms4You.com. Check out the following, which includes an article written by Joy J. Fine on the various changes in dairy farming that have occurred over the past few decades. From hand milking to milking en masse with electric milkers to the use of bovine hormone therapy, Joy talkes about it all. In addition, Joy has written a few other articles for us on raising goats and the benefits of goat milk.

Check out these recent article additions:
Changes in Dairy Farming
Goat Milk Soap

And don't forget to check out our article Three Methods of Raising Chickens if you're contemplating raising a few chicks this spring!

~Charlotte
SmallFarms4You.com

FOXNews.com - Marine's Father Will Not Pay Court-Ordered Funeral Protesters' Fees

2010-03-30T15:44:00.001-07:00

FOXNews.com - Marine's Father Will Not Pay Court-Ordered Funeral Protesters' Fees

Posted using ShareThis

Easter Bunny Care

2010-03-25T08:17:00.000-07:00

With Easter right around the corner, many people are thinking of getting bunnies for their families. While a pet bunny can be a lot of fun for a youngster or family to raise, they are also a lot of work. Knowing exactly how to care for one BEFORE you bring it home can help alleviate stress for the animal, as well as the adoptive family.

On SmallFarms4You.com we have several articles on the subject of raising and caring for rabbits. Some of these articles include the following:

While rabbits are beautiful and fun to own, they do require constant, vigilant care, unlike most cats and dogs. The best way to prepare for ownership of this type of animal is to read as much as you can about them before you bring them home as pets.

Visit SmallFarms4You.com for advice on raising many types of animals and for tips on small farm or hobby farm management.

Worm Farming

2010-02-17T09:38:00.000-08:00

I've been enjoying my little worm farm that I keep in the basement. It is an interesting way to create compost year 'round if you have room in the house. It is a project that everyone in the family can be part of. You can even train your worms to leave their castings and older compost so that they can start "work" on newer compost. Unfortunately, you can't train them to sit up and beg! (If you can, drop me a line as I'd love to hear how you did it!).

To learn more about starting a super simple worm "farm," check out our article on SmallFarms4You.com: Worm Farming

PC Support with AntiVirus and Firewall Sale with Comodo

2010-02-12T07:51:00.000-08:00

If you surf the Internet as I do, you should have some good software to protect yourself while online. This weekend Comodo is having a Valentine's Day Sale with 25 percent off their software protection program, which includes live PC support - perfect if you're NOT a computer geek. Click on the offer below to take advantage of this discount for my blog followers:

Is Turkey Farming for the Birds?

2010-02-11T11:03:00.000-08:00

Some small farmers toy with the idea of raising their own turkeys or perhaps even making it into a stream of secondary income. Of course, at some point you have to kill the turkeys in order to eat them or sell them. Generally speaking, raising turkeys is not much more difficult than raising chickens, with a few exceptions.

There is a saying that turkeys are more apt to find a way to die, then they will to live. Apparently it is easier for them, which is where the difficulty in raising them comes in. If you're planning on raising these fickle-on-life birds, you'll have to be prepared for every eventuality, from drafts when they're chicks to protecting them from predators when approaching maturity.

If you're planning on raising turkeys, try just raising a few at first instead of diving in with several dozen. This will minimize your losses if you find them too difficult to raise. Order your stock from a local nursery or one online, such as McMurray Hatchery, that has a track record of safely shipping live birds or eggs to incubate. Finally, it may be helpful to visit others who raise turkeys in your locality. Contact your county Cooperative Extension office to learn of turkey farmers that would be willing to give you a tour of their facility.

Asian Long Horned Beetle

2010-02-08T16:12:00.000-08:00

The Asian Long-Horned Beetle can cause serious problems if you are a grower of maple trees. These destructive beetles attack not only maples, but poplars, willows and elm trees. They destroy trees by burrowing at the base of the trees, creating dime-sized holes. They have caused serious damage on the east coast and are moving into the mid-Atlantic region slowly.

The photo to the left is from the USDA. If you see this beetle, please report it as it needs to be stopped before it causes mass deforestation of our hardwood forests.

Help stop the spread of this beetle pest by not transporting wood that may be infected across state lines and burning it locally (firewood). The trees may not show damage, but may harbor the beetle larva during the fall and winter months. Avoid planting the trees it likes to inhabit until it can be eradicated in your area.

Get more information and where to report it at: Be A Beetle Buster

Maple Tree Problems

2010-02-06T16:02:00.000-08:00

Since winter is nearing an end, or maybe it seems like it is going to last forever where you live, you may start noticing some problems with your maple trees. Maple trees are susceptible to a few problems that occur in winter and into the spring months, usually salt damage and trunk splits. Both of these problems are fixable, with a few exceptions (a large split in the crown, for example).

Check out the article I wrote on HubPages about maple tree problems, for some solutions you can use this year. Be sure to check out the comment section after the article, as your question may already be answered!

Maple Syrup Time

2010-02-04T16:01:00.000-08:00

It is almost that time again when we can collect maple sap and turn it into the most delicious thing that ever met up with a pancake! We're having our late January freeze this weekend, and hopefully it will be followed up with a warm week mid-month.

If you're thinking of doing this in the next few weeks, get prepared now. Have your spiles and buckets at the ready, clean and ready to go. If you don't have them, buy them now because it can take up to a week or two to order them in. Perhaps you're lucky though and can buy them locally (not the case here!).

Get you're outdoor gear ready- such as a fire pit and stainless steel pans to boil down that syrup- learn from my mistake and don't do it indoors (you're wallpaper will just fall off the walls!).

Check out the articles I wrote on HubPages if you're new to this venture:
Start a Maple Syrup Business
Old Fashioned Maple Syrup Collection

Pinto Horse Patterns

2010-01-29T12:35:00.000-08:00

Pinto horses, or paint horses, have been a symbol of the wild west for over a century. Paintings of them exist in almost every museum collection, especially those who have American Indian exhibits. These horses were, and still are, seen at many horse shows each year, often competing in trail and barrel racing competitions.

The pinto horse has unique color patterns which are either a reddish brown or black combined with white. The colored patches are large and may occur anywhere on the horses body. Some pinto horses also have one or two blue eyes, giving them a unique appearance. Sometimes these horses are referred to as piebalds.

To learn more about these fabulous horses, check out our latest article on SmallFarms4You.com, Color Patterns of Pinto Horses.

Portable Root Cellar or Storage Rack

2010-01-23T13:20:00.000-08:00

If you're anything like me, you've been storing winter and keeper crops on tables and bins in your basement for years. I recently found this wonderful table that is designed especially for the storage of these crops. It stores a variety of vegetables and fruits in a stacked shelving unit so you'll maximize your space. This is perfect for small basements or for when you'd like to store more in a small root cellar - check out the Orchard Rack from Gardener's Supply Company.

Not sure how to set up a root cellar? Check out this information on how to build and maintain one from Amazon.com.

Carriage Horses - Should They Be Allowed in the City?

2010-01-21T10:15:00.000-08:00

Have you ever ridden in a horse drawn carriage in Central Park, Columbus, Ohio or any other city? It can be a really fun experience, at least for the passengers. However, things aren't always great for the animals, though there are laws in place to protect them.

Learn a little more about this tourist attraction in our new article on SmallFarms4You, Carriage Horses, written by Joy J. Fine. Here's an excerpt:

No one seems to remember that for the average horse pulling a carriage in the city is a frightening experience. There are so many unknowns that nothing can prepare the animals for the sudden movement of a careless driver or the honking of annoyed car owners who are not happy about being slowed down by the horse drawn carriage in front of them.

Free Webinar for Farmers

2010-01-18T09:25:00.000-08:00

Thinking of adding agratainment to your farm this year? If so, and you're not sure where to start in terms of advertising on the web, check out this free webinar hosted by Corn Mazes America. Follow this link to register for their Friday, January 15th webinar: Free Online Training Session.

Per CornMazesAmerica.com:

During this 45 minute seminar, we will cover what makes a quality website. Then, we will put the attendee's websites to the test and everyone will have a chance to give constructive feedback. See how others perceive your site and see what you can improve. Even if you do not currently have a website, this is a great way to learn about the power of a website. This is also a great way to try our online training system at no cost.

Why not give it a try and improve your website this year- or for those a little slow to jump on the Internet bandwagon, get started and actually CREATE your farm's website!

Connected on Facebook and Twitter!

2010-01-17T11:31:00.000-08:00

All of The Site 4 You website updates can now be found on Facebook and Twitter. We welcome you to follow us on either platform! Click on my badge and add us today.

Charlotte Gerber
~Editor of The Site 4 You Group

Lasagna Gardening

2010-01-15T12:48:00.000-08:00

If the title didn't get your attention, probably nothing will!

With spring right around the corner, there is no time like the present to begin planning your garden. No matter what size garden you will have, there is a way to put an end to that big problem of weed control and tilling. If you're into "green gardening" you may enjoy the project of lasagna gardening, otherwise known as layered gardening.

To get started, you'll just need a few items- newspapers and manure, compost, mulch and sand. The basic idea is to layer these items in your garden to inhibit weed growth and put an end to digging and tilling at the end of every gardening season.

Get the complete instructions for this project on my website- SmallFarms4You.com - Lasagna Gardening!

Raising Tulip Trees for Landscape or Timber

2010-01-14T17:42:00.000-08:00

Do you live in the eastern United States or Canada? If so, you may have heard of the tulip tree. It is easily identifiable by its large, four-lobed leaves and unusual tulip-shaped blooms in the springtime. The tree, when it is blooming, resembles a magnolia tree, of which it is a relative.

The tree is more than a beautiful ornamental; it is also a tree that can be used for lumber and has value when used as a veneer. This makes it a side business for farmers or hobby farm owners who have land in USDA hardiness zones 4-9. The stands of trees can be harvested every 10-12 years, with proper care and occasional thinning out (not unlike maple tree stands).

If you'd like to learn more about these versatile trees, check out my new article on HubPages.com: Growing Tulip Trees
Or, follow the link to the article from my website, SmallFarms4You.com.

Worm Farming

2010-01-13T13:02:00.000-08:00

If you're not squeamish- and you enjoy gardening, then worm farming might be the next fun project for you to start. It requires little equipment, and the effort is well worth it for your spring garden.

Children enjoy this project as much as adults often do. One reason this is so fascinating is that you can actually train worms! Okay, you can't teach them to sit up and beg, but you can teach them to move around the container at your command.

If you'd like to find out more about worm farming, or as it is also known, vermiculture, check out our article on Worm Farming at Small Farms 4 You.

Growing Mulberry Trees

2010-01-12T15:28:00.000-08:00

Are you a fan of the mulberry? While I enjoy blackberries, the mulberry can be much sweeter and the tree out produces a blackberry bush, with less effort.

If you're interested in growing these beautiful (and bountiful!) trees, check out my latest article on HubPages.com - Growing and Harvesting Mulberries.

I'll admit, the first time I tried growing them, I ran into difficulty- it was a wet spring and this quickly killed my seedlings. However, I've learned from my mistakes and found that with a little effort, anyone can grow these trees because they don't need a lot of attention, pruning or heavily amended soil. They're practically idiot proof (unless you plant them during a spring flood...).

Charlotte
~Editor, SmallFarms4You.com

Support Farmers, not Cap and Trade

2010-01-11T15:27:00.000-08:00

I don't know whether you're a farmer or not, but I am. What I find incredible, on an almost monthly basis, is the slow trek towards legislating our farmers out of business. While those that believe that the EPA should regulate each and every gas molecule that is emitted from a cow, there are those who are struggling to keep their family farm businesses going. Let's face it- you put the farmers out of business, food prices are going to skyrocket because the U.S. will have to buy the food elsewhere around the world.

We're lucky to live in the United States where the ability to grow a wide variety of foods and meat is easily attainable. While yes, there are starving people in America due to the current economy, farmers can still contribute greatly to the growing need for food in the nation's food pantries. Why then, are people who aren't acquainted with "real" farm life, so excited to see them put out of business, or at the very least, highly regulated? Apparently, they haven't seen the issue from every angle. They hear one bad story about chickens in cages and assume EVERYONE who raises chickens is exactly the same. One report about manure runoff and suddenly all waterways are just full of eColi. While stories like this do exist, people who live in the city can't possibly understand what it is really like, on a day-to-day basis, caring for animals and growing crops. Yet these are the very people who, once in office, try to put their own constituents out of business, and in the process, decrease income for their district at the same time.

Cap and Trade is just one stumbling block that farmers face. However, a greater problem is looming in the future. Worldwide hunger is expected to jump to incredible highs in the near future, but American farmers may not exist in the numbers needed to fill that need. After all, at the rate we're going, we won't be the breadbasket of the world much longer. Consider the following:

Climate legislation currently in Congress would shift as much as 59 million acres of food production into forestry, which is equivalent to setting aside every acre of land used for crop and food production in California, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. - American Farm Bureau President, Bob Stallman, in the Annual Address, Jan 10, 2010

Support our farmers, not Cap and Trade and not legislation (climate) that will hog tie them from doing their jobs- producing food to feed Americans and the world.

New Herb Database

2010-01-11T10:00:00.000-08:00

Interested in growing herbs? I've been working on an herbal database on Healing Herbs 4 You. If you're toying with the idea of growing herbs this year, check out the database. We have taxonomy information, which herbs grow in what zone, and what each plant prefers. In addition, we've included medicinal uses for those interested in herbology, as well as Chinese names.

We're also looking for photos of the various herbs listed in the database. While I can't pay you for the photos, I can give you credit and link to your website, if you have one. To contribute photos, send them to: admin@healingherbs4you.com.

I'll be including more information on growing herbs, as well as how to run an herbal business in the near future. Stay tuned!

Charlotte
~Editor

Small Farms, Not Small Farmers

2010-01-10T08:42:00.000-08:00

Welcome to SmallFarms4You! I previously ran this blog on another server (Today.com), so if you've followed me (or found me again) here, congratulations! I have more control over my content here on Blogger, so hopefully I'll be able to provide lots more links, photos and information than I couldn't previously.

To start, please check out my website, Small Farms 4 You.com. I've made some changes and we're adding new content every week. Be sure to check out our links to HubPages for the latest on starting a Maple Syrup Business (they're on our main page). February is just around the corner, and there is no time like the present to order your supplies so you're ready for the first rush of sap!

If you'd like to contribute an article on small farms or hobby farms to our website, just email me at: admin@smallfarms4you.com.

Charlotte
~Editor