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Bubbling Stream

10/26/2016

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A BROOK WOULD LOSE

ITS SONG IF GOD

REMOVED THE ROCKS!



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FallĀ  is the Time to Plant Trees - Fruit Trees

10/10/2016

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It's another beautiful fall morning here on the farm!  Today I want to talk about planting trees, specifically fruit trees.  How many of you realize fall is the best time to plant trees?  Though they can be planted anytime of year, fall is the best time as it gives them time to become established in their new home before spring.  Knowing this, I have always found it funny how this is the time of year when it's difficult to find trees in the garden section of the most popular super stores.  Your local tree farms will have plenty to choose from though.     

  When choosing a fruit tree to plant, one important consideration is chilling hours.  Chilling hours refer to the number of hours the temperature is at, or below, 45 degrees during the period of time between October 1st and February 28th. 
In the summer months, a tree develops next year's buds.  These buds become dormant in autumn.  The switch to dormancy is triggered by the trees exposure to chilling temperatures.  A lack of chilling time can delay and/or create substandard foliage, flowers or fruit.
In Texas, specifically the Bridgeport area,  the average number of chilling hours is around 800 to 900.  If in the north Texas area, as I am, planting trees requiring fewer chilling hours wouldn't be a bad idea as some of the north Texas winters can be pretty mild.  So how do you know how many chilling hours a tree needs?  Checking the nursery tag, or talking with your local nursery, will usually give you that information.  

For fruit trees that grow well in North Texas, check out The Plant Shed link at
http://plant-shed.com/planting-fruit-trees-in-north-texas/  This is an awesome link that provides information on the sunlight and water requirements, as well as planting zones and chilling times needed for each tree.

Happy planting and God Bless!

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Fruit trees can be grown in containers.  Many people choose containers due to limited space.  A container tree can be grown on a patio.  Others choose containers as it can be easily moved indoors during extremely cold temperatures or to more prime locations in the yard where shade and sunlight conditions are more favorable. 
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Don't eat the Queen Bee, Levi!

10/6/2016

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Love this dopey dog of mine!  He is so much fun and full of energy.  Wish I had half his energy and nimbleness!  He leaps over the fence like a gazelle, as he runs through the different pastures.  Here he is in the apiary on one of our trips out to check the beehives last January.  We usually get an escort to the bee yard, then it's off to frolic through the prairie grass and trees.  Levi's a good dog in the apiary, but in the yard.....
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He's always trying to eat the bees!!  Yes, he succeeds at catching and eating them.  It's amazing to watch his head move around as his eyes focus on, and follow, the bee just before he leaps in the air to catch it with his mouth!  I know what you're thinking, and no, most of the time he doesn't get stung.  Only on one occasion did it appear he was stung.  Not sure what it is, but those little buzzing ladies really irritate him.  For the most part, it's not a big deal.  That is, unless he eats the queen!  Queen bees can get pretty pricey if you need to buy one.  It is also possible to lose the entire hive without the queen.  The chances of this actually happening as pretty rare.  You see, the queen bee only leaves the hive once or twice for her mating flight, at which time she is matted for life.  After just a few weeks of emerging from her honeycomb cell as an adult, she leaves the hive to take flight to a drone congregating area where she will mate with up to 15 or 20 drones (male bees).  The mating takes place in mid-air.  Hope you enjoyed this tidbit of bee information.  Have a wonderful day and God Bless!
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October 03rd, 2016

10/3/2016

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I just LOVE Monday mornings!  Most of the rest of the nation, and my family members, jump in the car and begin their commute to work.  I get to stay here on the farm and work!  Honey orders filled and shipped for the day.  A country greeting sent out for your day!  Running errands into town on a Monday is always fun as the farm supply, and other stores, are not crowded.  Roads don't seem as busy on a Monday after rush hour.  Just me, some John Deere tractors and other farmers running around.  Some plowing and planting, others cutting or hauling hay.  Then there are the rest of us running errands and picking up supplies.  Time for me to head out and work with compost and worm bins next.  Then it's back inside to my computer for a little more office work today.  I absolutely love my life!  Please, let me know about your favorite day of the week!  Cheers to all and God Bless!
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    A Mattingly
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  • Home
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