Theresa Brennan

I went to Amazon and found a couple books on potatoes but I have no idea if they are any good. I would like to know about planting, storing etc. Zone 6a Northwest Ohio. I also am interested in planting in buckets and self wicking watering bc our property is pretty wet at times. But basic potato info is my main goal right now. Thanks!

Thanks. I appreciate the response.

Hi Theresa,

Hannah, my LGD, is an older girl now who pretty much tolerates any livestock. In her youth she would have been a bit more feisty with the poultry though.  The only way she will bite them is if they try to eat her food, which is why we just try to feed raw food so the grazers don't want the kibble. There is always some sort of food chain on the farm, no matter what is being fed I guess.

How did you get your LGD to be ok with the geese?

Sooooo, they now go into electric netting on the pasture WITH my dairy sheep and are brought in with the sheep at night to bed down.

Liz,
I'm having trouble picturing what you mean. Do you mean use 2- 2 foot 2x6's to create a square in a corner of the shed?

Thanks!
Theresa

Ok, once they have their own place to shelter, you can just us a 2x6 to create an angle and attach it to an inside corner. 2'x2' seems to be about right. Put some clean straw or wood chips in it, set one of their eggs in it and show her.
Mine took right to it and use it every year.

What do you think of growing composting worms to feed the chickens?

I am hoping to get recommends for the best place to buy greenhouse plastic that is good quality at a good price. Thanks!

Thank you!

Thanks!!

Anne Miller wrote:Besides the charcuterie that Ellendra mentioned for meats, most early preservation methods were drying, fermenting, preserves, root cellars, and cheese making.

Salt and sugar were the main ingredients to preserve foods.

Here is a book to get you started:

Keeping Food Fresh: Old World Techniques & Recipes

https://www.amazon.com/Keeping-Food-Fresh-Techniques-Recipes/dp/1890132101

Thank you!!

Ellendra Nauriel wrote:Not sure what search terms to use either, but I've come across a few methods over the years.

The book "Charcuterie" by Michael Ruhlman has instructions on curing and smoking meats. He also has a section on confiting, which I found fascinating. Confit is a way of preserving meats by immersing them in fat. I've seen a similar idea in Bedouin cooking, but could never spell the Bedouin name for it, so I was glad to find the French name was easier!

At any rate, that book gives instructions that are clear and easy to follow. He also has sections for things that are not meant as preservation methods, so be aware of that. It's a cookbook, not a preservation book :)

If you look for historical cookbooks, some of those will have methods for preserving food as well. But you do have to go digging for it. If anyone finds a book dedicated to historical food preservation methods, I'd be interested to know.

Does anyone know of books or resources that give detailed instructions for food preservation methods before electricity, propane, etc. I am having trouble finding anything. I'm not even sure how to search. Any help is appreciated! I am in NW Ohio in case that influences recommendations.