Holmberg Family Homestead

Holmberg Family Homestead Homestead, specializing in natural practices, local food, native plants, and enjoying life.

Humidity and temperature in the mushroom cellar. Humidity between 70-85% is required. 85-90% is better for larger fruit...
09/07/2026

Humidity and temperature in the mushroom cellar.

Humidity between 70-85% is required. 85-90% is better for larger fruiting bodies.

The door isn't framed so I am loosing quite a bit of humidity there.

Gathering data. The cellar is producing so it should only improve.

Winter will be interesting because I plan to have supplemental heat but I don't have power yet. May slip into next spring.

Peace.

Winter rye, Hazlet.Hazlet rye is good for cover cropping and has a very low ergot potential. Ergot is a dangerous fungal...
09/05/2026

Winter rye, Hazlet.

Hazlet rye is good for cover cropping and has a very low ergot potential.

Ergot is a dangerous fungal infection that affects both livestock and humans. We don't want it to get into our wheat or barley which are more resistant but we take the lowest risk using the correct winter rye.

Mostly documenting.

Peace.

Weevils in the winter rye. Most likely I let the rye get too high in moisture. The bag got damp this spring. I should ...
09/05/2026

Weevils in the winter rye.

Most likely I let the rye get too high in moisture. The bag got damp this spring. I should have spread everything out and put it in a new bag.

The rye is a cover crop and not very expensive but I didn't want to lose any of it.

Rye typically comes on 50 pound bags and can last us a couple years.

Sometimes I just don't get it correct.

Peace.

The San Marzano tomatoes are doing well in the heat and dry. I have pulled the Italian Heirloom and Celebrity tomatoes ...
09/05/2026

The San Marzano tomatoes are doing well in the heat and dry. I have pulled the Italian Heirloom and Celebrity tomatoes because they had slowed down on both production and size.

I will water these a bit tomorrow to help them keep going. While the size and quantity has slowed there is enough time remaining in the season to get significant production yet.

Peace.

Johnson county landrace winter squash. Squash bug resistant landrace squash. I am really very pleased with the number ...
09/04/2026

Johnson county landrace winter squash. Squash bug resistant landrace squash.

I am really very pleased with the number and size of the squash and plants this year.

We are starting to see squash bug damage but it is remarkably low for this late in the season.

I expect to harvest in a few days to a week. The hot dry spell we are having is going to end the season I believe.

The stems are just starting to change from green to brown so they can benefit from more time on the vines.

Peace.

I suspect squirrels. Squirrels are quite often a significant pest but I enjoy them and their crazy antics. We cut the ...
09/04/2026

I suspect squirrels. Squirrels are quite often a significant pest but I enjoy them and their crazy antics.

We cut the damage off and enjoy some for ourselves.

Peace.

Another mushroom experiment. I had a bit of spawn left so thought I would try growing in jars.I am not a big fan of plas...
09/04/2026

Another mushroom experiment.

I had a bit of spawn left so thought I would try growing in jars.

I am not a big fan of plastics so was wondering if I could get production out of available glass jars. The thrift stores have large amounts of assorted glass that could be used if I ho this route.

Of course breakage and weight are factors.

I know that they will grow and produce but not sure about the volume and cleaning process. Everything can be done but there is cost and time to factor.

Peace.

Cotton boll opening. Just tracking the development. From our calculations the 1st polls should be opening early next w...
09/04/2026

Cotton boll opening.

Just tracking the development. From our calculations the 1st polls should be opening early next week so I have started checking each day to learn how they develop.

We are experimenting with cotton as a soil improvement crop. It is in the same family as okra and has deer root systems. It is also a crop that does well in heat so it should fit in with our system.

What will we do with the cotton? No idea at this point.

Peace.

I enjoy visiting museums for many reasons. Frequently I find information on how farmers around the world and through his...
09/03/2026

I enjoy visiting museums for many reasons.

Frequently I find information on how farmers around the world and through history have lived and worked.

In these paintings a diverse farming system can be seen. I am not familiar with Haitian agriculture so I take care not to over interpret and apply my bias, however the diverse mixed species agriculture is clear in these examples.

These paintings are currently on display at The Museum of Kansas City

Drink strong coffee and enjoy your local museums.

Financial delays to projects. Being debt free is a blessing. We often miss date goals on projects. Frequently it is ti...
09/02/2026

Financial delays to projects. Being debt free is a blessing.

We often miss date goals on projects. Frequently it is time related but finacial issues play a major factor as well.

We run on a cash basis. Being debt free is a blessing and unless it is a significant emergency big ticket item we function on a cash basis.

This week, having to replace this item on our yard tractor is preventing us from buying a couple more sheets of foam insulation for the mushroom cellar.

It doesn't seem like a big item and by itself it isn't. However projects are funded with disposable income after all the other bills are paid.

Debt free isn't a burden. We were able to afford paint to help our granddaughter paint her senior parking spot at her high school. This is priceless.

The Bible clearly teaches us to avoid debt and I believe the timeless wisdom it contains.

Do we ever use debt? Yes. Our house was financed. If we had to replace a vehicle we would have to finance part of it. Sometimes an item is on sale 90 days same as cash and we will pick it up knowing that we have to pay it off or suffer interest.

So the foundation principle is no debt even if it takes longer to get a project done.

Peace, my friends.

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Warrensburg, MO
64093

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