Summertime on Blackjack Mountain

It's Summer time on the Mountain . . .plenty of wild azaleas, wild flowers, blackberry bushes full of berries, and yes - - - plenty of snakes.

As we enjoy this beautiful season, let's remember to put safety FIRST . . .Here's to a very relaxing Memorial Day weekend!!

BlackJack Mountain Living . . .

Kathleen

Farmer's Almanac Gardening Calendar -- Happy Gardening!!!

April 2014

16th-17th Good days for planting beets, carrots, radishes, turnips, peanuts, and other root crops. Also good for cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, kale, celery, and other leafy vegetables. Start seedbeds. Good days for transplanting.
18th-19th Barren days. Do no planting.
20th-21st Favorable days for planting beets, carrots, turnips, radishes, onions, and other root crops.
22nd-23rd Excellent time to kill weeds, briars, poison ivy, and other plant pests.
24th-25th Good days for planting root crops, extra good for vine crops. Set strawberry plants. Good for transplanting.
26th-28th These are poor planting days. Break ground or cultivate. Best for killing plant pests and weeds.
29th-30th Favorable for planting beans, corn, cotton, tomatoes, peppers, and other aboveground crops.

May 2014

1st-2nd Any seed planted now will tend to rot.
3rd-5th These are most favorable days for planting corn, cotton, okra, beans, peppers, eggplant, and other aboveground crops. Plant seedbeds and flower gardens.
6th-10th A barren period.
11th-12th Excellent time for planting corn, beans, peppers, and other aboveground crops. Favorable for sowing hay, fodder crops, and grains. Plant flowers.
13th-14th Favorable planting days: First day excellent for planting aboveground crops. Last day good for carrots, beets, onions, turnips, and other root crops, and also good for transplanting. All days good for starting seedbeds and planting leafy vegetables.
15th-16th Do no planting.
17th-18th Plant late beets, potatoes, onions, carrots, and other root crops.
19th-21st Barren days. Do no planting. First day is good for cultivating, spraying, and general farm work. Second day good for killing plant pests.
22nd-23rd Favorable time for planting late root crops. Also good for vine crops that can be planted now. Set strawberry plants. These are good days for transplanting.
24th-25th These are poor planting days and fine for killing plant pests, cultivating or spraying.
26th-27th Root crops that can be planted now will tend to yield well. These are good days for transplanting.
28th-30th Any seed planted now will tend to rot.
31st This is a most favorable day for planting corn, cotton, okra, beans, peppers, eggplant, and other aboveground crops. Also a good day to plant your seedbeds and flower gardens.

June 2014

1st Plant tomatoes, beans, peppers, corn, cotton, and other aboveground crops on this most fruitful day. Plant seedbeds and flower gardens.
2nd-6th Poor time for planting. Kill plant pests, clear fencerows, and clear land.
7th-8th Good for planting peas, beans, tomatoes, and other fall crops bearing yield aboveground. Sow grains and forage crops. Plant flowers.
9th-11th Extra good for planting fall lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, and other leafy vegetables. All aboveground crops planted now will do very well. Plant seedbeds.
12th-13th These are poor planting days. Cut hay or do general farm work.
14th-15th Plant late beets, potatoes, onions, carrots, and other root crop

Blessings,

Kathleen

BlackJack Mountain Park Trails Coming Soon . . . .If Budget Approved.

I spoke with a Parks and Recreation representative 2 weeks ago about the status of the Black Jack Mountain Park project.  She stated that she did include in the proposed budget for the Black Jack Mountain Park project to proceed.  Hopefully the budget will be approved and our BJM Park project can begin, so that our recreational areas and trails will be available to us in the near future.  I will keep you informed as I become informed.

Blessings All, and Happy Good Friday, and Resurrection Sunday!!!

To Christ be the Glory,

Kathleen

 

Carrollton, GA Area Weather Information

http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/USGA0096.html

Link to Atlanta Area Weather Forecasts on AJC.COM . . .Be Safe!!!!

http://www.ajc.com/s/weather/

Weather Advisories for Georgia in Place . . . Be Prepared for Power Outages!!!

Plan for the possibility now, instead of scrambling for a flashlight when the lights go out. These are four categories to keep in mind when planning and preparing for a power outage emergency, whether it’s for an ice storm or any potential cause.

Sanitation

When the power goes out, some pretty important appliances stop working, and that includes your hot water heater. If the power is out for more than a few hours, you’ll need a way to heat water in order to sanitize dishes, eating utensils, and do laundry (along with purifying water, if necessary).
Have at least two ways to heat water and cook food that don’t rely on electric power. A solar oven can be a great choice on sunny days, while a fuel-efficient outdoor rocket stove, such as the Stove-Tec Rocket Stove, will get the job done in any type of weather.

Sustenance

Americans have likely lost billions of dollars’ worth of refrigerated and frozen food due to power failures over the past few decades. Once food has warmed to 40 degrees Fahrenheit or higher for two or more hours, it’s no longer safe to consume.
But if you fill empty beverage bottles with water and freeze them, you can prolong the cold temperatures in your fridge and freezer. When the power goes out, the bottles will help keep food cool longer; keep several in the freezer, and place several more in the fridge. A thermometer will let you know whether or not the food is in the safe-to-eat zone.
You should also store at least a week’s worth of food that doesn’t require refrigeration and is very simple to prepare. Jerky, dried and canned fruit, nuts, granola bars, peanut butter, fruit/applesauce cups, V-8 juice, and tuna packs all pack a nutritious punch without requiring any cooking. You’ll find a comprehensive list of handy no-cook foods here.
For food that needs to be cooked, fire up the grill or a stove alternative. Be sure to store enough fuel and/or wood, if necessary.

Survival

This category covers anything and everything that will insure your basic survival in the event of an extended power outage. It will take some time to assemble everything you need, so ask yourself the following:

• How will you stay warm in the winter without power? Blankets and even bubble wrap can be used to insulate windows. You should also have a plan for living in just one or two rooms during a long-term outage; this will minimize the area that has to be heated.
• How will you stay cool in the summer without air conditioning? (battery-powered fans are one option)
• How will you see in the dark? You’ll need several light sources, including flashlights, headlamps, and lanterns. Store extra batteries for anything that is battery-powered.
• How will you stay in touch with people and get necessary information? Invest in a good quality emergency radio that is battery powered. If it comes with a solar charger, that’s even better.
• Does a generator make sense in your circumstances? Or could it make you a target for thieves?

Other helpful items can be found on this survival basics checklist.

Sanity

When the power goes out, it can really be a test to keep your wits about you because suddenly there is no TV, video games, or computer. Have a supply of board games, jigsaw puzzles, a deck of cards or two, and a few books that haven’t been read yet. A battery-powered dock for your iPod will bring hours of entertainment to the music lovers in your family. Have young kids? Stock up on a few sets of earplugs!
Power outages can take us by surprise, and they can be scary to both children and adults alike. Make preparations to keep your family protected in an emergency today to insure peace and readiness tomorrow!

Carroll County is Officially in the Wine Industry

Carroll County has produced it's 1st wine since Prohibition!!!  The Carroll County wine industry is officially up and running!!  Read below:

http://www.times-georgian.com/article_22bf8d88-862e-11e3-902d-001a4bcf6878.html







Happy Tasting!!

Kathleen