tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post2212843983173001882..comments2024-03-27T22:01:59.919-04:00Comments on 5 Acres & A Dream: Pea Pickin'Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-27384405221244076452013-03-04T15:47:33.481-05:002013-03-04T15:47:33.481-05:00CM, I forgot to answer you on this, sorry! Very go...CM, I forgot to answer you on this, sorry! Very good idea though, I'll have to give it a try.<br /><br />Linda, I use Kinsey Agricultural Services. <a href="http://www.kinseyag.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.kinseyag.com/</a>. They are a little pricey, $50 for a standard test. Plus I get the cobalt testing for an additional $15. But they give detailed results with organic soil amendments. I think it's worth it. :)Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-66806473459478039702013-03-04T12:49:02.329-05:002013-03-04T12:49:02.329-05:00Leigh, do you have the specific link to the testin...Leigh, do you have the specific link to the testing service you used? I looked for something in California but could not find a page for the testing services you talked about... Thanks!Lindahttp://lindercroft.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-90790162356202373232012-09-24T03:00:51.408-04:002012-09-24T03:00:51.408-04:00I grow beans for seed, peas too, and would never t...I grow beans for seed, peas too, and would never try to shell that many by hand. Just dump a bunch of really dry pods into a rubbermaid tote stomp around on them. Shuffle about. Then winnow. Easy peasy and cheap. CMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01958687890076873005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-28279784862729150302012-09-22T23:16:48.237-04:002012-09-22T23:16:48.237-04:00Susan, I'm guessing you have here Natural Shee...Susan, I'm guessing you have here Natural Sheep Care book? Or both? I really like her philosophy and all the information in her books.<br /><br />Barb, the hulls have dried out pretty well, actually. I did try to feed some to the goats but it was a no go, even after a nibble. :) I did see that corn sheller at Premier1, but found a heavier duty looking one at another website. Too funny about the clothes dryer! Maybe if a added a couple of hard balls, that would do the trick!<br /><br />Frenchie, thank you! I've heard about the meal worms, but am growing compost worms instead, with the idea I can feed the surplus to my chickens. I'm drying the peas and yes, they are fed uncooked. I did find some sprouted ones when I picked today, and they were considered a real treat!<br /><br />Norma, a whack! Love that. I picked an additional 12 gallons today, so a tool is definitely in order!Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-52367040413445177182012-09-22T23:06:08.271-04:002012-09-22T23:06:08.271-04:00That's a whack of peas! Please get something ...That's a whack of peas! Please get something to help with the shelling...I see carpal-tunnel syndrome...!<br />How rewarding it would be to feed your livestock with your own produce!Norma from Misty Haven Alpacashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09528304751819069504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-60324518559010090082012-09-22T02:12:31.258-04:002012-09-22T02:12:31.258-04:00Very interesting post. I've been wanting to ge...Very interesting post. I've been wanting to get away from feeding my chickens commercial feed. To be able to provide for them by growing it myself. I'm growing meal worms, sprouting alfalfa and red clover. I was growing greens at the beginning of the summer for them, but they were wiped out by the wretched Bagrada bug! Do feed the cow peas raw? Definitely let us know how the sheller works.Frenchiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05036441911167065687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-43977835019149536992012-09-21T20:48:28.141-04:002012-09-21T20:48:28.141-04:00Oh, MY! That's a lot of peas! How do the hul...Oh, MY! That's a lot of peas! How do the hulls act? Do they stay dry or do they get wilty in the humidity? I imagine that it would affect which method you choose to get those little buggers out. When we grew popcorn, we let the kids stomp the ears. The corn never popped, but they had a ball doing it! As for grinders and shellers--check out the Premier1 website. They have a hand grinder, but I don't know enough about your process to have an opinion. Seems to me some kind of rubbing off processor would help. Maybe the clothes dryer on fluff! I am giggling about the noise it would make...Let me know how it goes!Farmer Barbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07596672416236302171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-38073601165569846032012-09-21T13:40:19.863-04:002012-09-21T13:40:19.863-04:00I'd love to grow some of our feed as well - bu...I'd love to grow some of our feed as well - but I'd have to move to a different place and that would certainly up the ante! I will have to give Pat Coleby's book another read. I have been wondering about the protein level for my wether - I don't feed him as much as my doe. What I'm trying to do now is put some weight on my old-lady ewe. Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12573143203599624833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-59959453934403415502012-09-20T23:12:20.791-04:002012-09-20T23:12:20.791-04:00Doug, that's something I hadn't thought of...Doug, that's something I hadn't thought of, and it is an idea. So far all these kinds of projects fall under the self-reliance category, so I'm always wondering things like how much I need to grow and how long what I have will last.<br /><br />Janice, definitely not by hand!<br /><br />Candace, I will definitely do that. A device of some sort certainly seems in order.<br /><br />Renee, I remember reading not to feed alfalfa to rabbits, but I didn't realize that about the bunnies. I used to get mini-bales of timothy hay at Walmart!<br /><br />Sue, that might be an idea for a number of things that need processing. I should look for a wringer, just to try it. That's assuming I could find one that wasn't being sold as an antique!<br /><br />Sandra, isn't it amazing though that soy is in almost every food sold at the grocery store? I'm not real keen on soy for any of us, but those little cowpeas look like a good dual purpose food.<br /><br />Michelle, it seems that it will take quite a few years to actually achieve, but I figure if I don't start somewhere, I may never start at all. :)<br /><br />Michelle, it just occurred to me to look in my Lehman's catalog. Their best wringer sells for about $200. The "good" one for $160. Since it's effectiveness is questionable, I may have to wait to see if I can find a used one somewhere.<br /><br />Sue, goats are funny. If only one would eat them, then the rest probably would too. I'm kind of glad they don't though, for the reason I mention to Michelle, the pods tend to get funky looking from all the humidity. <br /><br />Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-45530710922139715842012-09-20T22:57:27.087-04:002012-09-20T22:57:27.087-04:00Interesting that your goats don't like the pod...Interesting that your goats don't like the pods. When I first got my sheep and goats, I got several tons of an oat/pea hay. It was quite the hit with the beasties, and kept them entertained much longer than straight grass hay does. First they'd eat the peas & pods, then the oats, then the oat hay, and finish off with the pea vines for dessert. Took them most of the day to get through it all.Suehttp://www.majorasue.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-3625970801232635262012-09-20T22:36:23.623-04:002012-09-20T22:36:23.623-04:00Oh! I've heard of using a wronged washer, too!...Oh! I've heard of using a wronged washer, too!!! I'd forgotten that! Do you have access to one?<br /><br />Perhaps the chickens are more inclined to pick out the peas because of intelligence. OTOH, maybe the goats can tell that the hulls have some fungal activity going on and are wise enough to avoid it. :-) who knows...Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16852320721216631639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-40959969351186349722012-09-20T21:08:24.750-04:002012-09-20T21:08:24.750-04:00I do hope you continue to post about your results ...I do hope you continue to post about your results with growing/processing your own feed. I also love Baker Creek Seeds. Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10123691580195879542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-3733244225783675872012-09-20T20:43:22.919-04:002012-09-20T20:43:22.919-04:00I like eating cow peas but not soy beans. I've...I like eating cow peas but not soy beans. I've always thought of soy beans as animal feed and cow peas as human feed. <br />Strange, I know. <br />I'm with everyone else...you're amazing doing what you do!Thistle Cove Farmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15722295191884810953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-38652137531268509562012-09-20T16:22:40.004-04:002012-09-20T16:22:40.004-04:00When I was very small, I remember my father teamin...When I was very small, I remember my father teaming up with a friend to shell some peas using an old wringer washing machine. Don't know how it worked, tho. --Sue in MAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-91349163088652860122012-09-20T15:27:23.087-04:002012-09-20T15:27:23.087-04:00I almost forgot... when I got my rabbits they told...I almost forgot... when I got my rabbits they told me to not give adult rabbits feed with more than 16% protein in it because it is hard on the kidneys and can cause kidney problems for them. So only bunnies get alfalfa hay, then switch them to timothy or orchard.Renee Nefehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08167893445846427824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-39209861251848286542012-09-20T15:19:59.280-04:002012-09-20T15:19:59.280-04:00You are so amazing! My mind boggles at everything...You are so amazing! My mind boggles at everything you do, including the research, and the knowledge you have. Keep us posted on how you decide to shell those peas. My Dad grows cowpeas but I've never grown them do to space, but I do love me some Hoppin' John with Black-Eyed Peas.Cat Eye Cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02858322427127791100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-69627915887013388502012-09-20T13:45:28.097-04:002012-09-20T13:45:28.097-04:00Oh my goodness Leigh, you definitely SOMETHING to ...Oh my goodness Leigh, you definitely SOMETHING to help with all that shelling! You continue to amaze me in your adventures.CaliforniaGrammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05137556336315915924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-42538108415324167922012-09-20T12:17:05.876-04:002012-09-20T12:17:05.876-04:00As fond of memories that I have as a kid shelling ...As fond of memories that I have as a kid shelling peas with my family for hours on end to Hockey Night in Canada I think a more automated approach is better suited and more realistic. For sheep the farmers around here grid the hay so there isn't as much waste from the picky eaters. Could you sell any of the peas to recoup some of the expense for the better pea sheller?Doug Pitcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00561267399443561604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-73916563003095711582012-09-20T10:04:06.074-04:002012-09-20T10:04:06.074-04:00Renee, we were commenting at the same time. :) Int...Renee, we were commenting at the same time. :) Interesting recipe! I've never done purple hulls, but I'd be willing to give this a try with something else. Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-29007536845000840922012-09-20T10:02:23.637-04:002012-09-20T10:02:23.637-04:00Benita, I know about those blisters! Did you watch...Benita, I know about those blisters! Did you watch TV, listen to the radio, or have someone read while you did it? That would at least make it less boring I'd think.<br /><br />Debbie, so true, LOL. I'd like to think it's all careful planning, but so much of my learning comes from reaching an obstacle and then having to say, "now what?" :)<br /><br />Andrew, good to hear from you! I've done a couple buckets of black turtle beans by hand, mostly in the evening when I'm talking on the phone to DH. I'm hoping the sheller will really help. I'll give you all an update after it arrives and I can give it a try.<br /><br />Stephanie, are you taking notes? ;) Grandma in her rocker often comes to mind with this stuff. It took all day just to feed the family, didn't it?<br /><br />Mama Pea, well put as usual. This is where community would come in; we could all take turns visiting one another and spending the morning or afternoon shelling, husking, whatever. Too bad we all live so far apart. :)Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-43917985149886047932012-09-20T09:58:50.498-04:002012-09-20T09:58:50.498-04:00this got me thinking of http://www.cooks.com/rec/v...this got me thinking of http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1823,155168-244201,00.html<br /><br />I have no idea where my mom got the purple hulled peas or what she did with the peas, but I do remember having to shell them by hand so she could make the jelly.Renee Nefehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08167893445846427824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-40122302642479525852012-09-20T09:43:53.592-04:002012-09-20T09:43:53.592-04:00When thinking about shelling by hand, a picture ca...When thinking about shelling by hand, a picture came to mind of Grandma sitting in a corner of the kitchen in her rocker working on the project. Or that maiden aunt that so often lived with the family. Or the five kids (out of eight) who were old enough to be given the job of shelling. But if you (or I) had to do it ourselves by hand, how many hours would it take? How much is our time worth? What more profitable and/or efficient task could we be doing in those hours? It is indeed a conundrum!Mama Peahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03649357184167949247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-39837504326859944182012-09-20T09:04:34.312-04:002012-09-20T09:04:34.312-04:00So interesting to read what you have found so far....So interesting to read what you have found so far. Thank you for sharing with us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-18716901664522674742012-09-20T08:51:52.517-04:002012-09-20T08:51:52.517-04:00Yes, I'm interested in seeing how your shellin...Yes, I'm interested in seeing how your shelling project turns out. I'm look at a similar scenario. I got about three 5-gallon buckets worth of cranberry beans out of the garden this year. I have the whole pods in sterilite containers waiting for myself to find the hours and hours it's going to take to crack each pod by hand and then run my finger down the inside of each shell half to pop the beans out. I've done a little bit of the pile so far but the best I can figure is that it's an undertaking for the winter when snows are three feet deep. I'm wondering just how well those shellers work too. <br /><br />Thanks for your research efforts! Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12323957337215626238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-25592096902334582772012-09-20T08:44:25.335-04:002012-09-20T08:44:25.335-04:00Ha - love the "Mr. Pea" name. :) Like Mr...Ha - love the "Mr. Pea" name. :) Like Mr. Coffee. I think it's great that you're so careful with your animals, thinking about and planning for their nutrition needs. Those goats and chickens were sure lucky when they got you as their farmer. :)DebbieBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00508692845369401119noreply@blogger.com