Rodd Ramon

Hey neighbor, by your description you’re around Bastrop, Smithville or over towards Giddings. I’m a little south but nearby. There are lots of Loquats in the area, I don’t know that there are named varieties. Most do well but some have been damaged by last winters freeze. To add to your list, I have an Olympia Fig that is doing well. I planted pecans and hickory from large nuts I gathered last year and many popped up, time will tell if they produce good size nuts. I have white, red and black mulberry all started from seed and thriving. Japanese persimmons do great if you can keep the deer off of them. I’ve now connected with a source for scion wood for peaches that do great around here. You’re welcome to come visit us I’ve got plenty of plants to share send me a message if you’d like.

I have had decent success with black locust, cowpeas are great during the summer. A few years ago I used a green manure mix over the winter and it did great but was pricey. I’ve been very hesitant to put any mesquite in as it gets out of hand fairly easy.

I’m not a fan of the log home, but it’s what I have. Yes I imagine I will have to build a “shell” around the house, but how. I posted this in the natural building forum on purpose. I know I can insulate with a vapor barrier then poly board, then siding. How can I do the same naturally. I suppose letting y’all know what materials are available could help. We have plenty of cedar that can be cut, our soil is a lot of sand on top of thick clay. Straw is not available at a reasonable cost in the area, but maybe there’s an alternative? My thoughts so far on a natural method would be to essentially build a cob house around the existing log home but I think that would cause moisture issues between the log and cob.

I own a 2 story log home in central TX. The house was built in the 80s, likely a log home kit. Our biggest issue is lack of insulation.  I’m trying to figure out a method to insulate the exterior, as I would lose a lot of space trying to insulate from the inside. I’ve discussed this on some log home forums but the replies are usually coming from folks in more temperate climates. I really don’t think a log home is a good idea for central Texas. When it’s 100+ during the day and upper 90s at night, for days on end, the logs just soak up heat. We are in a very humid area so this needs to be considered. Any thoughts.

I’m in central Texas, if you’re not afraid of our weather, I might have a place for you.

It likely needed more water earlier during growth. Or, it is too hot. When it gets warm and your growing lettuce, baby leaves are the best. No big deal, just try again.

You may be hard pressed to find a farmer in all of the south with a deer "problem". However, wild pork should be easy to procure. Everyone and their mother has problem pigs. Many have issues letting strangers hunt there land, but you should be able to find some. I won't let you hunt, my place isn't big enough, but may let you build a trap. Send me a Pm.

The variety from Reimer does not set seeds in 80 days nor in 120days. I would avoid ordering from Reimer all together. I grow  2 acre market garden.  I've received many incorrect varieties and unviable seed from them.

They are big enough now, that you can easily check. Flip them over and check out the plumbing. There are videos online, its pretty easy.