M.D. CREEKMORE

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Homesteading

Here you will find articles on small acreage homesteading and farming topics such as homestead setup and how to buy a cheap homestead. You'll also find articles on topics such as gardening, DIY projects, raising livestock etc.

Excited About My New Cub Cadet XT2 SLX54 Garden Tractor!

I am thrilled to share with you all my latest purchase – the Cub Cadet XT2 SLX54 Garden Tractor! After doing thorough research and comparing various options, I decided to go for this model, and I couldn’t be happier. You can check out the details of this fantastic machine on Cub Cadet’s website here: Cub Cadet XT2 SLX54

The Cub Cadet XT2 SLX54 is a top-of-the-line garden tractor that offers exceptional performance and durability. With its 54-inch fabricated steel cutting deck and a powerful 24 HP Kohler 7000 Series V-Twin OHV engine, this tractor is ready to tackle any mowing task. The hydrostatic transmission ensures smooth, variable speed control, and the electric PTO allows for quick and easy blade engagement.

In addition to its powerful performance, the XT2 SLX54 offers several comfort features to make my mowing experience more enjoyable. The high-back seat with armrests provides excellent support during long mowing sessions, and the LED headlights ensure visibility in low-light conditions. With its tight turning radius and user-friendly design, I am confident that this garden tractor will serve me well for years to come.

I will be sure to share updates on my experience with the Cub Cadet XT2 SLX54 as I put it to the test in my garden. Stay tuned for more updates and happy mowing!

Best Locations for Preppers in Tennessee

Tennessee is an ideal state for preppers, with its diverse landscape and rich natural resources. In this article, we’ll explore the best locations for preppers in Tennessee, focusing on the unique benefits and challenges of each area.

Cumberland Plateau

Elevated and Secluded

The Cumberland Plateau, located in the eastern part of Tennessee, offers a variety of advantages for preppers. Its elevated terrain provides a natural defense against potential threats and offers a more temperate climate for gardening and farming. The plateau’s secluded nature ensures a level of privacy and security that is difficult to find in more populated areas.

Abundant Water Sources

Water is a critical resource for any prepper, and the Cumberland Plateau boasts numerous water sources, including rivers, streams, and springs. Access to clean, fresh water is essential for long-term survival, making this area particularly attractive for prepping.

Rich Biodiversity

The Cumberland Plateau is home to a diverse range of wildlife and plant species, which can serve as valuable resources for preppers. The abundance of game animals, such as deer, turkey, and squirrels, provides ample opportunities for hunting and sustenance. Additionally, the region’s variety of edible plants, including berries, nuts, and mushrooms, can supplement a prepper’s food supply.

Smoky Mountains

Natural Protection and Seclusion

The Great Smoky Mountains, straddling the border between Tennessee and North Carolina, offer preppers a rugged and remote location with unparalleled natural beauty. The mountains provide a natural barrier, making access difficult for potential threats. This seclusion ensures greater privacy and security for those seeking a safe haven.

Resource-Rich Environment

The Smoky Mountains are home to an abundance of natural resources, including timber, water, and a diverse range of flora and fauna. These resources can be utilized for shelter, food, and fuel, making the region a prime location for preppers.

Fertile Soil and Moderate Climate

The region’s fertile soil and moderate climate make it an excellent choice for gardening and farming. Preppers can grow a wide variety of crops, ensuring a sustainable food supply in the long term.

Land Between the Lakes

Strategic Location and Abundant Resources

Located in western Tennessee and extending into Kentucky, the Land Between the Lakes (LBL) area offers a unique combination of strategic location and abundant natural resources. This region is characterized by its two large reservoirs, Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, which provide an ample supply of fresh water for drinking, irrigation, and fishing. The surrounding forests are rich in timber, game animals, and edible plants, making the LBL area a valuable resource for preppers.

Defensive Advantages

The natural boundaries created by the lakes offer a defensive advantage for those seeking a secure location. With limited access points, preppers can more easily monitor and defend their properties from potential threats.

Recreational Opportunities

In addition to its prepping advantages, the Land Between the Lakes area offers a range of recreational activities, such as hiking, boating, and fishing. This makes it an attractive location for those who wish to balance self-sufficiency with a high quality of life.

Sequatchie Valley

Fertile Land and Agricultural Opportunities

The Sequatchie Valley, located in southeastern Tennessee, is a narrow valley known for its fertile soil and agricultural potential. The region’s mild climate and abundant rainfall make it an ideal location for preppers interested in cultivating crops and raising livestock. The valley’s agricultural heritage ensures a wealth of knowledge and resources for those looking to establish a self-sufficient lifestyle.

Access to Water and Natural Resources

The Sequatchie River runs through the valley, providing a reliable water source for irrigation and consumption. Additionally, the surrounding forests offer timber, game animals, and edible plants, further enhancing the area’s appeal for preppers.

Close-Knit Community

The Sequatchie Valley is home to a tight-knit community of residents who value self-sufficiency and cooperation. Preppers seeking a supportive network of like-minded individuals will find this area particularly appealing.

Conclusion

Tennessee boasts a diverse range of landscapes and resources that make it an ideal location for preppers. From the elevated and secluded Cumberland Plateau to the rugged and remote Smoky Mountains, each region offers its own unique set of advantages for those seeking a self-sufficient lifestyle. The strategic location and abundant resources of the Land Between the Lakes provide both defensive benefits and recreational opportunities, while the fertile land and agricultural potential of the Sequatchie Valley offer an ideal setting for cultivating crops and raising livestock.

Ultimately, the best location for preppers in Tennessee will depend on individual preferences and priorities. However, each of these areas offers a strong foundation for establishing a secure and sustainable way of life, making Tennessee a top choice for preppers in the United States.

Greenhouse Gardening Tips – Growing Vegetables in a Greenhouse Year Round

by Crazy Joe

It is in the greenhouse that seeds are started so a larger seedling/plant can go out in the spring and increasing the chances of an earlier and better crop The larger scale greenhouses with their heating units, air circulation systems, automatic water sprinklers, and temperature controls are on a scale most homeowners could not afford or just not have the room or need for.

I have met so many people over the years who garden and stated how they wished they had a greenhouse. I have shown many folks and helped a few to build one the easy and cheap way out with a cold frame.

The most simple is to get some old storm windows of equal size – 4 for the four sides and 2 for the top. This is good enough to get a few dozen herb plants started or 20 or 30 tomato plants. It only takes a little time to read up on watering requirements for seedlings and the fact that even on a windless cold sunny day in March a small cold frame being 5 feet by 5 feet and 3 feet high can get up to the 60 to 70-degree range.

Getting old storm windows and putting them on a frame or making them with wood lathe and greenhouse plastic and securing them to the south side of any building will give you a much larger cold frame with some standing room.

I have built cold frames as small as 3 foot by 5 foot up to some in the 10 feet to 20 feet long range. On the larger angle cold frames a couple of hinges on a window gives you a window to prop open slightly for those cold sunny days and NO you cannot do this and go to work for 10 hours You will come home to dried out seedlings – as in dead seedlings. The same goes for watering.

Even on cold late spring days a closed cold frame or greenhouse can get up to 90 plus degrees – death for newly sprouting seedlings or very young plants. You want the advantage of a greenhouse or cold frame, therefore some attention is required. Believe me, the attention and advantage is well worth it. I have gotten way ahead on cantaloupe output by getting them started 8 weeks earlier in a small greenhouse.

Building a greenhouse, especially with scrap material (saves money), is not that difficult. It is the same as building a dog house only bigger and it gets covered with glass or plastic instead of plywood. One does not have to have the 3 foot high benches inside as the bigger houses have.

In a smaller greenhouse, with enough headroom to walk down the middle flower pots can sit on the ground or on some lattice or lattice type of structure raised on some bricks works fine At present my greenhouse is in a pile – I dismantled it. The 30 foot long 12 foot wide -at base – by 9-foot high center was all white so boring and it was warping-both deficiencies bothered me equally.

I found a web site with “Victorian Greenhouses” which some include scalloped cedar shake shingles on the bottom part of the greenhouse and some brass or bronze accents. I have about 120 recycled wood frame windows that I have trash picked from homes getting the new and improved vinyl windows. All of these were all white.

I chose an oil-based paint in a shade of forest green (semi-gloss) for the frames and will keep the caulked part of the window panes in an oil base gloss white. Now I have 30 or so painted. In the next 4 months, I hope to get as many done as possible but do not expect to rebuild the greenhouse by next July.

Last but not least is the upkeep and care of a greenhouse that brings me back to the day before Thanksgiving. Greenhouses can provide shelter for small critters seeking warmth on a cold January day. The glass gets dirty or the plastic gets old and brittle.

Weeds may have spouted up and you were busy doing other chores so they kept growing all summer in the empty greenhouse. This is the time to get that empty greenhouse or cold frame in shape. Spring is about 18 weeks or so away.

Here are some web sites for greenhouses, cold frames and their construction, care and what can be started in them. Trust me. Gardening is simple and with a cold frame or greenhouse, you get a major head start over the competition.

Even if you should just get a cold frame going you will reap the benefits.

Buying Used Canning Equipment (Buyer Beware)

Home canning. Pickled vegetables and jam

by Vickie from Frugal Canning

Although I tout the virtues of shopping at yard sales for canning equipment, it is time to give some words of caution. Know what you are buying! All canning equipment (check out this selection of canning equipment at Amazon.com) was not created equal.

Hot water bath canners are fairly simple to examine. Hot water bath canners are meant to can high acid foods like fruits, jams, jellies, preserves, pickles, relish, and tomatoes. Hold the canner up to the light. Can you see any light peaking through? Is it extremely rusted? Is it dented?

 
Does the lid fit? What size is it? Will it hold a double layer of jars? Are the handles made so that it will be easy to lift when full of water?
Hot water bath canners come in aluminum, enamel, and stainless steel. Since the water does not enter the jars and touch the food, an aluminum canner is safe to use.

Test a used water bath canner by filling it with water to ensure it does not have any leaks. Leave it in the sink for a while. Then put it on the stove and heat the water to boiling. If there aren’t any leaks and if the lid fits so that the steam does not escape and if the handles are sufficient so that you can lift it safely, you may have scored a useful find.

When you are finished canning, always dry out the canner and put it safely away in a dry place.

Pressure canners need careful examination and decision making before buying. Pressure canners are used to can low acid foods like vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, soups, stews. Don’t think because the pressure canner is being sold that it is safe.

 
There are many factors to consider. First how old is the canner? What condition is it in? Is the brand name familiar? Is the instruction booklet with it? Is the weight with it? Are the handles in good condition? Are there signs of staining around the seal?

Let’s be more specific. Does the age matter? Yes. If the cooker was made prior to 1960 it was probably manufactured using a process called die-casting. Molten metal, most likely aluminum, was poured into a mold to create the pot.

 
This was the standard manufacturing process during and after WWII, and such pans are not of the same quality as those made today. Modern manufacturing makes pressure cookers from rolled and stamped metal sheets that form the pot from one single piece of metal.

Cast metal is brittle and it is subject to tiny, microscopic cracks or thin spots that weaken the container. Pots and pans take a lot of abuse, they get banged around and they get dropped and may result in cracks in the metal.

 
All these tiny fracture lines or hairline cracks are microscopic and they can only be picked up through industrial X-rays, they are not visible to the naked eye. While you might be able to use that old cooker safely for a while, eventually such a fault will cause a failure, sometimes with catastrophic results.

The only way to be sure if an old pressure cooker or canner (MD Creekmore adds – this is the one that I use at Amazon.com) is safe is to send it back to the factory for testing. The original manufacturer – although sometimes other manufacturers may be willing or have the special equipment to test other brands.

 
Be prepared to pay a small fee, plus round trip shipping costs to have it tested for unseen faults. Be sure to call the manufacturer first, if they are no longer in service then Presto of Mirro may offer testing on some models.

Also, check with your country or university extension office. Often they will provide this service, although it may only be offered at certain times by appointment as the testing equipment travels from place to place.

Check for the brand name. If it is not a common name then it might be difficult to get parts or be able to send it back to the manufacturer for inspection. Stick with an American brand name like Presto, All American, Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry or Mirro. Foreign brands may be difficult to track down and more difficult to get parts from.

If it is a weighted canner is the original weight with it? It is important to use the same kind of weight designed for that model. I collect old weights and there are subtle differences that could affect being able to calculate the correct pressure.

Are the handles in good condition? Older canners had wooden handles and over the years they become brittle and crack. Check with the manufacturer to see if the handles can be replaced and at what cost. I had the handles break on an older canner once while canning and it was extremely difficult to get the lid off and remove the jars.

 
It was extremely hard to pick it up as well once the handles had broken. That canner became a planter in my garden collection of canning pot planters.

Are there signs of staining around the seal? If so possibly this canner leaked and did not seal tightly. Always get a new gasket for a used pressure canner. No matter what story the seller tells you always be on the safe side. Improperly canned foods can be fatal or at best make you sick as a dog.

 
Make sure you can find the model number so you will be able to order the right gasket. Take pressure canners in to have gauges checked annually by your local County Extension Agent.

Have I frightened you away from buying a used pressure canner? Good, that is what this article was meant to do. Study up or better yet do not buy an old pressure canner. Invest the money in a new model and save yourself time, money and most importantly your safety. New models are technologically safer and will inherently have fewer problems.

Please go to http://missvickie.com to read all about pressure canning. Miss Vickie is the Queen of pressure canning and pressure cooking information. When I grow up I want to be just like her! Thank you, Miss Vickie, from the Frugal Fraulein at Frugal Canning.