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When the Sun Stays High, So Does the Work
Morning waterings. Afternoon plans. We’re keeping cool and dreaming big in the backyard.
The Grounded Homestead
June 24, 2025
Weekly roundup
When the Heat Rises, So Do the Ideas
This week was a scorcher. That kind of weather keeps your time outside short, but your planning focused. With summer just getting started, it’s too early to plan fall crops, so we're brainstorming expansions and our next round of projects—and a few of them might be worth stealing.
Homestead Happenings
A Thirsty Week & Backyard Dreams
The heat’s been brutal. Our plants, like us, have been thirsty, so we’ve stuck to early morning waterings and kept the hose pointed at the roots where it counts.
That morning rhythm slows you down just enough to think: What else could we do with this space?
We have so many dreams for this space, but first we need to get those stairs finished.
I'n my day dreaming, put together a list of projects that are places to start if your thinking of expanding. Some I’ve done, others made the lists for next year or up next.
9 Backyard Homesteading Ideas for 2025—real projects that match the seasons of life and skill. Some are big, some are simple, and all are practical. Whether you’re planting a hedge of food or adding a compost bay, this list can get your gears turning.
Raspberry Basics That Work
Raspberry Care 101: From Cane to Crop Without the Fuss  Primocanes blossoming in our patch! | Raspberries are one of those crops that feel intimidating until you’ve done them once. Which cane fruits: primocane vs floricane was confusing to me so I spent some time on that topic. Each cane lives for two seasons, if you let it. First-year canes are called primocanes—they shoot up green and strong from the crown, and in everbearing varieties, they may fruit on their upper tips come fall. By the second year, those same canes become floricanes, producing their final fruit in early summer before dying back. Understanding this cane cycle is the backbone of good raspberry care. |
The Right Way to Prune Raspberries
When and How to Cut Back Raspberries by Variety
Pruning raspberries isn’t just about cleaning up—it’s how you get more fruit next year.
I’ve been confused about which canes to cut and when, I’ve wrote this to help simplify it.
Ever-bearing raspberries have two ways to trim them for one big harvest or fruiting all year long.
Summer-bearing? Ever-bearing? We’ve got both covered.
Each variety requires its own pruning strategy. Summer-bearing raspberries only produce fruit on floricanes, so those canes need to be cut out right after harvest. Everbearers are more flexible: mow all canes down in late winter for one big fall harvest, or prune in stages for two crops.
Confused? Don’t be. Once you match the pruning to the plant’s growth pattern, it all clicks into place.
for When the Sun Doesn’t Quit
Raspberry Yogurt Pops
No oven. No stove.
Just good berries, creamy yogurt, and a hint of honey. Blend, pour, and freeze. These raspberry pops have been a hit around here, Stevie loves staring on waiting for her taste.
Tip of the Week: Water Early, and Deep
Don’t waste water—and don’t boil your plants. Morning waterings do two things right: they soak the roots while the soil is cool and keep leaves dry, which cuts down on pests and mildew. Just five minutes earlier each morning can make the difference.
The Grounded Homestead