Mrs. David's Garden Seeds®

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Thinning Plants

Do you know about thinning plants when they begin to come up? Do you know how to thin plants? Do you know why we thin plants? I talk to a lot of new gardeners who have no idea about this important gardening process.

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Thinning Plants - 3/25-3/31/24

Monday, March 25, 2024

Good Monday morning. At 7am, it poured for about five minutes so all of our plants had a good downpour of water. We have a lot of work to do today and we are missing one of our people who has the day off. David and I worked last night until 9pm but we are still very far behind...

We will be open Monday through Thursday this week only. We will be closed on Friday and Saturday for Good Friday and Easter observance.

Our eggs are $3 a dozen this week. Right now, I have about 20 dozen. Come and get them in white, blue, and brown.

The company that I build this website with is called Solo Build It! They recently added AI so I decided to try it. AI helped me with the thinning plants portions of this page as well as giving me some illustrations this week. Then I go through and change some of it and add to it, changing things up. It is a pretty cool feature but it does cost money every time I use the AI function

We have already had several customers today. It is a beautiful, sunny day. At 3pm, it is 78° with no clouds. My flowers are all coming up. Potatoes are also coming up. The wildflowers are spectacular. I think something ate the leaves on all of my sweet potatoes. That is upsetting. I have the worst luck growing sweet potatoes.

This evening, we went to Freedom Church in San Antonio to watch the play, Heaven's Gates Hell's Flames. It was very good. We actually sponsored it. This was our church before we moved out to the country and I really miss it. This was the second night and there is one more night tomorrow starting at 7pm. There have been many new salvations and rededications in two nights. This is probably one of the best ways we have spent our money, investing in souls. Do you know for sure if you died tonight where you would go? The choice is yours. Go to Freedom Church tomorrow night if you would like to know for sure.

Here is the information for Freedom Church:

Address

6416 Grissom Road
San Antonio, TX. 78238

Phone
210.256.8059

E-mail
contact@freedomsa.org

Here is their website.

If you are in the San Antonio area and you are looking for a Bible believing church home, try Freedom.

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Thinning Plants

Hello there, fellow green thumbs and budding gardeners! Welcome to the exciting world of gardening. Today's special talk is on thinning plants in a garden, a crucial horticultural practice often overlooked by new gardeners. But fear not, by the end of this read, you'll know your stuff.

Thinning is akin to the saying, "sometimes less is more." It involves the selective removal of some plants to make room for others to grow healthily. Let's dive into why it's essential.

Young seedlings often sprout more densely than desired, competing fiercely for nutrients, sunlight, and root space. This competition could stunt their growth. Thinning plants helps alleviate this competition, ensuring your plants stay healthy and robust.

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Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Good Tuesday morning. It is a little chilly at 55° this morning. I have been trying to pay the monthly bills. The twist is that we now have a different bank account and each utility is making me add the new card or bank account in a different way. It has been mind boggling but I am finally through with it all and paid six bills. Good night! What a job.

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Thinning Plants

When should I be thinning plants in my garden? Determining when to thin your plants is critical. Typically, once your plants have sprouted a set of true leaves, it's time to thin them. So when they first come up, you usually see two leaves on a plant. That is not the true set of leaves. Wait until there are more leaves on the same plants before you do this. Thinning plants too early can potentially harm their fragile root system, while delaying it could lead to overcrowded growth.

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Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Hello! It is 2:30pm and I just realized that I never jumped on here this morning. It is currently 68° but it was 48° when I woke up this morning.

The pond has barely been trickling when I backwash it. I figured out the other day that the hose in the middle pond is blocked and needs to be cleaned out. Matt and Sam got on that this morning and took it all apart. They found all sorts of leaves stuck in there. The oak tree next door just keeps dropping leaves and they got sucked up in there. I clean leaves out each day but they are still being sucked up. They got it all cleaned out and the pond is working great. I think we need to put some sort of panels or walls up so the leaves no longer blow directly into the pond.

Nacho and three guys came to the farm this morning to mow. The grass, wildflowers, and weeds were getting tall and I am afraid of snakes. They were out of here by 10am.

We have had no customers yesterday or today. This happens each year during the week of Easter as people are buying Easter related items instead of garden seeds. I understand because I used to have three children that I bought new clothes and Easter goodies for.

Those were the good, old days and if I could go back, I sure would. Of course, in those days, our budget was pretty small for things so we did not buy much. I was just watching one of those family videos on YouTube. This family did Easter a week early because they are going on a cruise on Easter Sunday. They got all the kids all sorts of things, clothes, shoes, and a lot more inside of their Easter egg instead of a basket. I wish we had a great budget back then when our kids were young but we did our best.

Later on in the afternoon, we had three separate sets of customers come, starting at 3pm. We closed at 5pm and then I went in the house and made a delicious egg casserole with bacon, cheese, mushrooms, onions, and bell peppers in it for dinner.

At 8pm, we were in the den watching an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation when David's phone rang. A man who lives more than an hour away said he needed seeds for a 4H group to plant in the morning. He asked if we would open the store for him tonight...Of course, David said yes because he is such a nice guy. I was tired and did not want anything to do with this but I had to go out and help.

This man and his wife showed up at 9:10pm. We went out and let them in. I turned off the boogeyman alarm and opened the store. I figured we would get $50 to $100 or so. My sciatic nerve was acting up and I just wanted to go to sleep...

David helped the man and his wife as they made selections. They bought two, three, four, or five of each type of seed that they picked up, clearing a lot of varieties in the store. They were here just under an hour and I filled up two large, white bags with seeds that they chose. The total amount of the sale was $786! I got pretty excited at that point. Yes, it was worth opening up for them. This was the largest in-store sale I have ever had in almost 15 years of being in business!

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Thinning Plants

Above is an educational illustration demonstrating how to thin plants in gardening. The image starts on the left with a dense patch of seedlings freshly sprouted from the earth within a clay pot. In the middle, a gardener using garden tools carefully removes some of the seedlings, spacing the remaining ones apart equally. On the right, we see the result of finely thinned seedlings, each receiving ample light, space and nutrients. This picture provides a mini guide detailing the process and best practices of thinning plants in the garden.

How to Thin:
With a bit of practice, thinning plants won't be as daunting as it sounds. Arm yourself with a pair of thinning shears or a sharp, disinfected pair of scissors. Aim to leave healthy-looking seedlings while removing weaker ones.

Be gentle when you pull out unwanted seedlings, rooting them out completely. Leave sufficient space between the young plants for them to grow without hindrance. Remember, in the early stages of learning how to garden, patience and mindful observations go a long way!

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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Happy Thursday! It is now noon and it has been a very busy day. Our two teen helpers have already left for the day. They, along with Matt, picked three large baskets full of asparagus. I finished the orders and then went in the house to start processing the asparagus. I filled four Walmart bags to give away asparagus to some of our workers and then started breaking off the hard parts of it and keeping the tender parts. I still have one more basket to go through. Once I am through, I will be blanching the asparagus and freezing it for later on. I have a lot of it in the refrigerator to eat some for this weekend.

This morning, I added quite a bit of water to the pond since a lot was drained yesterday when the trickle of water was fixed.

I have been starting a load of dishes and a few loads of laundry as well. We had one set of customers this morning who saw us on TV but they bought eggs and pecan butter only, not seeds or plants...

Maundy Thursday

Today is Maundy Thursday. David and I are Christians so, yes, we acknowledge Holy Week. If you don't, feel free to skip those parts of this week.

The above historic depiction features an illustration of Jesus Christ who is Caucasian with medium-length brown hair and a beard, seated at a long wooden table. We realize that He probably was darker in skin tone than depicted. He is surrounded by twelve men of various descents, including Black, Middle-Eastern, South Asian, and Hispanic. They are all engaging in a meal, their faces reflecting contemplation and a sense of reverence. The table is laden with simple yet plentiful food, including loaves of bread, clusters of grapes, and pitchers of wine for Passover. Tonight is the final meal Jesus will have with his disciples before He is crucified. The atmosphere captures an important moment, and the overall mood is serene.

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This evening, David took us out to dinner at Triple C in Devine. The place was packed. Matt and I had the Polynesian chicken and David had a steak. I could not get over the amount of people who were there on a week night. Then we came home.

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Thinning Plants

Above is an educational, detailed illustration showing the process of thinning plants in a garden. The image begins on the left with a closely packed group of seedlings, freshly emerged from the soil in a rustic clay pot. In the center of the image, a diligent woman equipped with gardening tools is shown meticulously removing certain seedlings, creating equal spaces between the remaining ones. Proceeding to the right of the image, the final result showcases efficiently thinned seedlings flourishing with access to abundant light, space and nutrients. Throughout the course of the scene, you can see the importance of this concise guide on the procedures and beneficial practices involved in thinning seedlings.

Spacing Your Plants:
Thinning is not just about removing plants; proper spacing is equally important. Different kinds of plants call for different spacing requirements, which you can generally find on the seed packet or gardening manuals.

Feeling a pinch of sadness when you eliminate those growing seedlings is normal. But remind yourself that this is for a greater purpose - for your future robustly grown plants and eventually, a productive garden.

Surviving Plants After Thinning:
The plants that survive the thinning process are usually the stronger ones, which will likely yield a higher crop. This brings us closer to the sentiment of clean eating and healthy diets, reaping the fruits (or vegetables) of our labor.

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Friday, March 29, 2024

Good morning. It is Good Friday. Our business is closed today and tomorrow. I have a doctor's appointment this morning. I also have to go out and take care of all of the animals. It is Good Friday.  I took the dogs out and there are cool strips of fog around the place.

Above is a scenario depicting the spiritual event of Good Friday, focused on the symbolic representation of a central figure, signifying the character of Jesus, on a wooden cross. The environment should be laden with the weight of the event - a somber sky streaked with fading daylight and swirling clouds above, a crowd comprising diverse individuals of various descents and genders standing at a distance, in quiet contemplation. The scenery should encapsulate a hill studded with other crosses, but with the cross bearing the central figure prominently displayed upfront.

The words above are an AI description of the AI illustration. Jesus is not a character, but the Son of God. That is what we believe and it is what the Bible teaches.

I had a 9:45am appointment to see my doctor. It did not go all that well...We went to the grocery store and got some stuff. We went to Walgreen's to see if my meds were ready. They were not. Then we took the groceries home.

We went back out to Morales Feed Store and WOG to get feed and farm supplies. Then for the first time, we went to Moore and visited Do Re Mi Lavender Farm. The place is beautiful and the owners are so very nice. We had a great visit. Ann and Rob were very kind and gracious to us. I got a bunch of mint plants that I plant to propagate like I used to.

We finally left and headed back to Pleasanton to pick up my medications. I was completely out plus he gave me a new one. By this time, my head was throbbing so I was glad to get them around 3:30pm. We got home and I fed the fish and collected and washed eggs. Now I need to cook dinner.

The whole time we were gone today, we had at least 12 calls from customers wanting to come out today and shop. Last year and the year before, we were open on Good Friday and had zero customers which is why we closed today.

Farm Fresh Eggs

We have over 50 hens and we sell our eggs. We have been selling them for $5 and people have been saying that is too expensive. I dropped the price to $4. Once in a while, I would sell some at $4 or $5 with complaints. I have business owner friends who sell their eggs, just like my eggs, for $5, $6, and even $7. They sell out every day that they are open.

So this week, I had 20 dozen eggs in my Farm Store refrigerator. I dropped the price for the week to $3 and advertised it on Facebook. I sold one dozen all week. Then today, at another business we were at, I watched multiple people buy at least two dozen eggs a piece for $7 a dozen and they were happy to get them. There were no complaints. I was amazed. The owner told me the egg prices are raised every year and told me I am selling them for way too little.

Another friend packed up 30 dozen eggs out here and drove them into San Antonio, delivering them to 30 different buyers for $7 a dozen. I saw it on Facebook. How is it that I can't get $3 for my eggs but they are getting $7??? Also, there is a man nearby who sells his eggs for $8 a dozen and has no problems selling them.

There will be no more sales on eggs. If I don't sell them, we will eat them. It costs a lot of money to feed these hens and take care of them. I should be compensated for bringing organic eggs to our customers. The cartons cost money as well as the labels that I am required to put on the eggs so I am losing money on every carton at $3 and $4 a dozen.

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Thinning Plants

Dealing with Thinned-out Plants:
Here's the good part. Those thinned-out plants need not go to waste. Many of these young seedlings can be used in salads, stir-fries, or composted for richer soil. So no guilt feelings here, just benefits!

Don't worry if you make mistakes in the initial stages; remember, it's a new learning experience. With time, your passion for gardening will grow just like your plants, and before you know it, you'll be guiding someone else on how to grow plants!

Repeating the Thinning Plants Process:
You may need to thin your plants in stages, depending on their growth. Some plants, like carrots or radishes, may require multiple rounds of thinning. Continue observing and assessing your plants' needs as they grow.

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Saturday, March 30, 2024

Good morning. Our Farm Store is closed today. I will be doing orders because they are building up. I did not get a chance to do any of the things at home yesterday that I need to do. I spent the day after the doctor appointment with a bad headache because Walgreen's would not quickly fill my prescription. The doctor's office would not give me enough pills to last until the appointment that they scheduled so I had to be punished for their scheduling...

Anyway, it is time to go out and feed the chickens, rabbits, and fish and then on to some orders.

I got all of that done and then closed all of my orders before the mailman showed up. Of course, several customers came but we are closed. One man would not take that so we offered to open for him. He wanted to buy bulk pots to start his own gardening business. Um... He will have to find bulk pots somewhere for himself. We need our pots for our business.

I blanched some asparagus spears today and watered some outdoor plants. I also colored my hair.

Tonight's Svengoolie movie is Gargoyles and we have seen it twice so we will be watching Oppenheimer, a dvd that Matt bought David for his birthday just over a week ago. We will be having boneless pork chops and fixings while we watch.

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Thinning Plants

Imagine a meticulously planned garden with raised beds. The soil in each bed is packed with nutrients, leading to the growth of a variety of vibrant, healthy vegetables. Tomato vines stretch towards the sky, their ripe, red fruit gleaming in the sunlight. Tall corn stalks sway lightly in the wind, their golden crowns waving atop the plants. Bright green heads of lettuce nestle in the soil, while rows of crunchy carrots and beets hide their vibrant colors beneath the earth. Each plant is at the peak of health, evidence of the gardener's effort and dedication to thinning plants at the beginning stages of gardening in early spring.

Thinning plants and overall plant health are related. While our primary focus here is increased crop yield, thinning also contributes to overall plant health. Well-spaced plants have lower chances of transferring diseases or attracting pests, contributing to your goal of a healthy garden. They are now free to grow the way they should with plenty of space.

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Sunday, March 31, 2024

A depictive scene of a milestone event from Christian faith: the resurrection of Jesus. The gray stone boulder that once sealed the entrance to the sepulchre has been moved aside, revealing an empty tomb. The inside of the tomb is visible, showcasing its vacancy - a symbol of rebirth and renewal. The aura around the scene resonates with subtle divine light, creating an atmosphere of solemnity and hope.

We got up super early for the sunrise service David wanted to have. The church we currently go to has no pastor and David has been trying to fit the role since he used to be a pastor. There is push back from three people, one of whom begged him to preach when the pastor quit. We have no idea why because they will not say.

Anyway, David went up early and got the place all arranged outdoors to face the sunrise. Turns out it was a very cloudy day so there was no sun to be seen. There were 15 for the sunrise service and only 14 for worship including the guest preacher and his wife. Crazy, huh?

David did a great job considering he is the CEO of our company and works at least 80 hours a week on our business. Then he goes up there and teaches the Sunday School and writes sermons. He is not getting any pay for it at all. The guest preachers are getting $100 a week for one sermon with so few people attending. If you are a praying person, please pray for this church and for us. Pray that the hateful people will move on or that David will feel led to go elsewhere. It is no fun to go to a church where people don't want you there. We went through that when we were in ministry at every church. Thank you.

After the sunrise service, we had a nice breakfast. My egg casserole was a hit. Then I came home and fed the animals. Before I knew it, it was time to go back for Sunday School.

This afternoon, I cooked vegetables and a whole chicken in the Instant Pot. It took about 45 minutes to cook. I read one recipe on the internet that said 25 minutes. The chicken was still all raw at 25 minutes. We finally ate close to 2pm and watched Star Trek Insurrection. Now David is out working again.

I planted our hydroponic grow tower and now I am about to go collect the eggs. I have laundry and dishes going so that is good.

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Thinning Plants

Imagine a detailed and well-organized outdoor setting featuring meticulously planned raised garden beds. These beds are filled with a diverse collection of thriving vegetables, each of them vibrant and healthy. Picture crisp green lettuce, robust tomatoes, plump bell peppers, and curling tendrils of green beans. The gardening layout is efficient and tidy, marking out a clear pathway between each raised bed. The beds themselves are made from sturdy wood, and the whole scene is bathed in sunlight, suggesting the ideal conditions for plants to grow and flourish. This will happen in reality if you make thinning plants a priority at the beginning of your garden.

Those luscious tomatoes, crisp beans, and bright sunflowers will thank you for your thinning efforts when it's time to harvest. You'll visibly notice the difference in the size and quality of your yield when you are properly thinning plants to allow adequate spacing for your plants to grow.

I hope this deep dive into thinning plants in a garden has left you more knowledgeable and ready to give it a try. The more you garden, the more you'll develop a sense of what works best for you and your plants.

Everyone with a passion for gardening started somewhere, just like you. It's a journey filled with exciting turns, surprising lessons, and beautiful rewards. You're cultivating not just plants, but also a path towards a healthier family and lifestyle. Happy gardening!

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Return from Thinning Plants to Year Five On The Farm

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