Welcome back to our homestead journey in Arkansas! In this update, we’re diving into the latest from our slice of self-sufficient paradise—covering severe weather preparedness, garden triumphs and challenges, and exciting progress on our Barndo build. Spring in Arkansas brings unpredictable weather and plenty of homesteading tasks, so let’s get into it!
Weathering the Storm: Emergency Preparedness
Spring in Arkansas means storm season, and we’re no strangers to severe weather. The National Weather Service in Little Rock recently issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Stone, Cleburne, Izard, Faulkner, Cleburne, and Conway Counties in North Central Arkansas. We’re hunkered down by the storm shelter, monitoring GMRS and ham radio (call sign W5HWU) for updates from storm spotters. Our generator is ready, and we’ve stocked up on food, water, and portable bathroom supplies. Emergency preparedness is key here, and we urge everyone to take it seriously. A radio check-in can make all the difference!
Garden Update: Blueberries, Sunflowers, and More
Our garden is coming to life, even with a few hurdles. Here’s what’s growing:
Blueberries: First Harvest of the Season
We’re thrilled to share our first Georgia Gem blueberries! These beauties have great color and flavor, though they’re not overly sweet. Most of our blueberry plants thrived, but a late-season cold snap took out a few. We’ve been using electroculture lines to boost growth, but soil acidity was a challenge initially. After amending with peat moss, we’re seeing better results. We plan to expand to 3–6 rows for future recipes and homestead treats. Blueberries are a superfood, packed with antioxidants, and nothing beats fresh-picked!
Volunteer Sunflowers and Ancient Grains
This year, we didn’t plant sunflowers, but volunteers popped up, joined by milkweed and other grains. We’re exploring non-GMO ancient grains like einkorn for homemade sourdough. While we don’t have enough for commercial sale, we’ll share trusted sources for quality grains. Unlike some U.S. practices, these grains are free from harmful modifications, making them a healthier choice.
Strawberries, Tomatoes, and Jerusalem Artichokes
Our strawberry patch is thriving, and the chickens love sneaking a few (we’re still checking if that’s okay!). Volunteer tomatoes and Jerusalem artichokes (sun chokes) are popping up, too—the latter being a hardy survival crop that handles drought and heat like a champ. We pulled most of them last year, but these resilient plants keep coming back!
Egyptian Walking Onions
Thanks to our friend Ruth from Wisconsin, we’re growing Egyptian walking onions. These unique onions form bulbs at the top, which fall over and sprout, “walking” across the garden. They’re a fun, low-maintenance addition, though we eat onions faster than we can grow them!
Challenges and Future Plans
Deer pressure from a nearby herd of 30–40 makes gardening tough, but we’re working on solutions like finishing our fence line with help from neighbor Mike. Health challenges have slowed us down, but we’re dreaming big: 100-foot greenhouses, automation, and maybe even testing Optimus AI gardening robots (Elon, are you listening?). For now, we’re focusing on late-summer planting and burying water lines with volunteer help.
Barndo Build: Master Bath and Beyond
Our DIY Barndo build is moving forward! Here’s the latest:
Join Our Journey
We’re passionate about sharing our homesteading journey and building a community of like-minded folks. Here’s how you can get involved:
Final Thoughts
From dodging storms to harvesting blueberries and building our dream Barndo, every day on the homestead is an adventure. Despite challenges like health setbacks and deer pressure, we’re committed to self-sufficiency and sharing what we learn. Stay tuned for more updates, and let’s grow this community together!
What’s growing in your garden? Have tips for deer-proofing or soil amendment? Drop a comment on the forum or below the video. See you in the next update!
#Homesteading #DIYTinyHome #BarndoBuild #SelfSufficiency #Gardening #Blueberries #EmergencyPreparedness #ArkansasHomestead #SustainableLiving #OffGrid #JerusalemArtichokes #EgyptianWalkingOnions #ElectroCulture #SoilAmendment
Weathering the Storm: Emergency Preparedness
Spring in Arkansas means storm season, and we’re no strangers to severe weather. The National Weather Service in Little Rock recently issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Stone, Cleburne, Izard, Faulkner, Cleburne, and Conway Counties in North Central Arkansas. We’re hunkered down by the storm shelter, monitoring GMRS and ham radio (call sign W5HWU) for updates from storm spotters. Our generator is ready, and we’ve stocked up on food, water, and portable bathroom supplies. Emergency preparedness is key here, and we urge everyone to take it seriously. A radio check-in can make all the difference!
Garden Update: Blueberries, Sunflowers, and More
Our garden is coming to life, even with a few hurdles. Here’s what’s growing:
Blueberries: First Harvest of the Season
We’re thrilled to share our first Georgia Gem blueberries! These beauties have great color and flavor, though they’re not overly sweet. Most of our blueberry plants thrived, but a late-season cold snap took out a few. We’ve been using electroculture lines to boost growth, but soil acidity was a challenge initially. After amending with peat moss, we’re seeing better results. We plan to expand to 3–6 rows for future recipes and homestead treats. Blueberries are a superfood, packed with antioxidants, and nothing beats fresh-picked!
Volunteer Sunflowers and Ancient Grains
This year, we didn’t plant sunflowers, but volunteers popped up, joined by milkweed and other grains. We’re exploring non-GMO ancient grains like einkorn for homemade sourdough. While we don’t have enough for commercial sale, we’ll share trusted sources for quality grains. Unlike some U.S. practices, these grains are free from harmful modifications, making them a healthier choice.
Strawberries, Tomatoes, and Jerusalem Artichokes
Our strawberry patch is thriving, and the chickens love sneaking a few (we’re still checking if that’s okay!). Volunteer tomatoes and Jerusalem artichokes (sun chokes) are popping up, too—the latter being a hardy survival crop that handles drought and heat like a champ. We pulled most of them last year, but these resilient plants keep coming back!
Egyptian Walking Onions
Thanks to our friend Ruth from Wisconsin, we’re growing Egyptian walking onions. These unique onions form bulbs at the top, which fall over and sprout, “walking” across the garden. They’re a fun, low-maintenance addition, though we eat onions faster than we can grow them!
Challenges and Future Plans
Deer pressure from a nearby herd of 30–40 makes gardening tough, but we’re working on solutions like finishing our fence line with help from neighbor Mike. Health challenges have slowed us down, but we’re dreaming big: 100-foot greenhouses, automation, and maybe even testing Optimus AI gardening robots (Elon, are you listening?). For now, we’re focusing on late-summer planting and burying water lines with volunteer help.
Barndo Build: Master Bath and Beyond
Our DIY Barndo build is moving forward! Here’s the latest:
- Up-Flush Toilet Installation: We’ve installed a Santalow up-flush toilet with a macerator pump, perfect for areas without floor drains. It pumps water up to 20 feet and will support a future shower. This is a big step for our master bath in the Barndo’s living extension.
- Privacy Wall and Lighting: Using scrap boards, we added a privacy wall and some “redneck lighting” for functionality and charm.
- Next Steps: We’re prepping to spray foam the walls for insulation and addressing minor window leaks. Thanks to Jerry, Jason, Jenny, Eric, Tara, Jess, Link, and Charles for their help!
Join Our Journey
We’re passionate about sharing our homesteading journey and building a community of like-minded folks. Here’s how you can get involved:
- Join our free forums at forum.oldwayon.com to connect, share tips, and discuss self-sufficiency.
- Subscribe to our YouTube channel for video updates, and check out our podcasts and blogs on oldwayon.com.
- Comment below with your thoughts, questions, or homesteading tips!
- Support us through donations or our membership program to help fund projects like the Barndo build and garden expansion.
Final Thoughts
From dodging storms to harvesting blueberries and building our dream Barndo, every day on the homestead is an adventure. Despite challenges like health setbacks and deer pressure, we’re committed to self-sufficiency and sharing what we learn. Stay tuned for more updates, and let’s grow this community together!
What’s growing in your garden? Have tips for deer-proofing or soil amendment? Drop a comment on the forum or below the video. See you in the next update!
#Homesteading #DIYTinyHome #BarndoBuild #SelfSufficiency #Gardening #Blueberries #EmergencyPreparedness #ArkansasHomestead #SustainableLiving #OffGrid #JerusalemArtichokes #EgyptianWalkingOnions #ElectroCulture #SoilAmendment
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