Homesteading on a Blackberry Hilltop
July 9, 2026 Updated July 9, 2026 On June 28, I did my new normal garden task before it got into the high 90s. I also checked on the melons. Here’s the cute formally hairy watermelon. It has gone bald. The globe basil is trying to sneak into the picture. I don’t recall what type […]
Read More An Inside Job, the Heat Is OnJuly 9, 2026 On June 27, I did my normal morning task. “the new normal. Walking around the garden, collecting Japanese beetles, eating strawberries, picking tomatoes, looking for hornworm damage, looking for hornworms, picking beans, and squash. Bruce and I also go look at the orchard and pick blueberries.” Then, I went inside and read […]
Read More A Restful DayJune 9, 2026 On June 26, while I was out in the garden, Bruce was playing using the tractor to move dirt. He put more dirt in the holes left in the south side yard from digging out roots. See https://retirementrvdream.com/2026/05/23/watching-bruce-enjoy-the-new-toy-tractor/ for the removal of the roots. Bruce smoothed out the dirt with the front […]
Read More Tractor Used to Move More Dirt and Attack the Grassy KnollJuly 8, 2026 On June 26, I took a lot of pictures of the vegetable garden as looked it over. The bee bums’ pictures are back! Tomatoes look great. I love the squash blossoms. The watermelon is getting bigger. The okra flowers are beautiful. Maybe next year, I’ll plant some in front. The asparagus is […]
Read More Pictures Around Blackberry HomesteadJuly 7, 2026 On June 25, the ordered tomato hornworm hunting equipment arrived. On and off, we’ve had many hungry, hungry caterpillars munching away on the tomato leaves and green fruit. Those of you who have experienced the joys of trying to find the hidden tomato hornworms want a better way to find them. Bruce […]
Read More Tomato Hornworm Hunting Equipment ArrivesJuly 7, 2026 On June 21, I did the new normal. Walking around the garden, collecting Japanese beetles, eating strawberries, picking tomatoes, looking for hornworm damage, looking for hornworms, picking beans, and squash. Bruce and I also go look at the orchard and pick blueberries. In walking in the orchard area, I noticed this dragonfly. […]
Read More Digging Up More PotatoesJuly 6, 2026 On June 20, we picked blueberries. I am so glad we selected early, mid, and late-season berries. This has given us a steady crop of blueberries. The mid-season has produced the most berries. I picked some ripe tomatoes. The Clint Eastwood Rowdy Red is a delicious variety. The cherry tomatoes are very […]
Read More Japanese Beetles Doing Japanese Beetle ThingsJuly 2, 2026 On June 19, I harvested more tomatoes. I found two of the San Marzano tomatoes ready to be harvested, along with more cherry tomatoes. One of the San Marzano tomatoes was attacked by fruit borers or some other type of pest. The yellow patty pan squashes are prolific. Walking around in the […]
Read More More Tomatoes Ready for HarvestingJuly 2, 2026 On June 18, with our friends, Larry and Jeanne, from the blog ajeanneinthekitchen.com, driving towards the sunset, oh wait, they headed away from the sunrise. It was way to early to even think about sunset. I digress. Bruce and I felt the need to check the gardens and orchard and get to […]
Read More And Now, Back to Our Regular WorkJune 30, 2026 On June 17, Jeanne from ajeanneinthekitchen.com and her husband, Larry, started their morning by coming over for a Southern breakfast at Blackberry Homestead. I made flaky butter and buttermilk biscuits, Conecuh sausage, and bacon. I served jams (locally made), peaches from the farm stand, and homegrown blueberries. I meant to have bowls […]
Read More A Fun Morning with Friends
Blackberry Homestead 