The Briar Patch Farm Heirloom Farming

04/25/2026

It’s that time of year again — everybody’s buying baby chicks, ducklings, and every cute little thing with feathers. And that’s fine, they’re a joy to raise. But I just want to remind folks of something simple: this ain’t child’s play.

Baby chicks need heat, clean water, good feed, and a dry, warm home. Not a cold pen out back. Not the garage where the gas cans sit and fumes hang in the air. Those fumes will kill them quicker than you think.

And I know… some folks will say, “Who’s he to tell us anything about how to raise our animals.” That’s alright. I’m not trying to boss anybody. I’m just saying this for the first‑timers, the ones who aren’t sure yet what they’re doing.

If you’re new to it, ask someone who’s been around chickens awhile. Most farm folks will gladly help you out. No shame in learning — the shame is letting little lives suffer because nobody told you the basics.

Just a little farm advice from the farm. No fuss, no feathers ruffled — just hoping you start off right and don’t learn the hard way.

02/23/2026

🌱 Spring is easing its way back into the mountains, and I can feel that old itch to get the garden going again. After a long winter, there’s just something about turning that first bit of soil that makes you feel alive and connected to every generation that came before us.

I’m planning to put in the classics this year — tomatoes, half‑runners, peppers, squash, and a row of onions. The kind of garden that smells like home and tastes like summer. And because I don’t want the place looking like I’m preparing for the end times, I’m adding a strip of zinnias and sunflowers along the edge. A little color never hurt anybody.

There’s nothing quite like watching those first green shoots push up through the dirt. It reminds you that no matter how cold or long the winter gets, life knows how to come back.

So that’s my plan.
What’s everybody else planting this spring?

12/27/2025

12/27/2025

Hillbilly tomato

The Hillbilly tomato is a cultivar of heirloom tomato originating in West Virginia in the 1800s. There is also a potato-leaf variant named Hillbilly Potato Leaf.[1] The fruit is considered a beefsteak tomato weighing 1-2 pounds. It is round, heavily ribbed and its skin and flesh is orange-yellow with red streaks. The flavor is described "sweet and fruity" and is low in acid.[2][3][4]

The Hillbilly tomato plant stands anywhere from 52"-84" tall when fully established, needing 85–94 days of growth before it reaches its full maturity. The plant is a low maintenance crop and does not require extra attention as long as it is planted properly, particularly after any season of frost. It requires full sun with a minimum of six hours daily. This plant also requires water but is drought tolerant, and mulching can help to ensure an even supply of moisture to the tomato plant. There are some problems that may occur with the hillbilly tomato plant which include pests and diseases. You can control some of these problems by crop rotation.[5]

12/05/2025

12/28/2024

Do not use an oxygen absorber when storing your seeds, seeds are living and need air!

10/15/2024

If you are looking to raise a reliable meat source, then look no further than rabbits.

They may seem small, but because they reproduce so quickly one rabbit can give anywhere from 125-250 pounds of meat per year (depending on how frequently the doe is bred and how many kits per litter.)There is much to learn about raising rabbits for meat, but they are a perfect fit for any size homestead.Not all rabbits are created equal. Some breeds are much larger than others.

For beginners, I highly recommend raising New Zealand rabbits. They are big, white rabbits that grow to a large size.
How to Raise Rabbits for Meat: A Getting Started Guide for Beginners
By MorningChores StaffPrint

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If you are looking to raise a reliable meat source, then look no further than rabbits.

They may seem small, but because they reproduce so quickly one rabbit can give anywhere from 125-250 pounds of meat per year (depending on how frequently the doe is bred and how many kits per litter.)

There is much to learn about raising rabbits for meat, but they are a perfect fit for any size homestead.

What You’ll Learn in this Guide:
Choosing Meat Rabbit Breeds
Building the Shelter
Feeding Your Rabbits
Rabbit Waterers
What You Shouldn’t Do
Basic Health Needs
Proper Bedding for Rabbits
Mating Process
Signs of Birth
Behavior After Giving Birth

Choosing Meat Rabbit Breeds
Not all rabbits are created equal. Some breeds are much larger than others.

For beginners, I highly recommend raising New Zealand rabbits. They are big, white rabbits that grow to be the size of a large cat.

Here’s a list of the best rabbit breeds for meat:

Breed Name Weight (lbs) Note
New Zealand 10-12 Most common breed for meat
Excellent meat production
American 9-12 Good mothering traits
Californian 10-12 Good meat to bone ratio
Florida White 4-6 Good feed to meat ratio
Good meat to bone ratio
American Chinchilla 9-12 Good breeders
Silver Fox 9-12 Rare Breed
Good meat to bone ratio
Standard Rex 7.5-10.5 Most common breed for fur
Palomino 8-12 Fast growth
Champagne D’ Argent 8 High pelt value
Satin 9-11 High pelt and fur value
Beveren 9-12 Fast growth
Cinnamon 8.5-11 Good meat to bone ratio
Relatively new breed
It is important to know that when raising rabbits for meat that the older the rabbit gets, the tougher the meat becomes. The perfect butchering age is around 8 weeks of age. This means you will need a larger breed so it will be a decent size by the 8-week mark.Rabbits require a hutch for shelter.

A rabbit hutch is basically a wooden box divided into two sections. One section has wire mesh on all sides, and the other section is closed in with wooden sides with only the bottom being mesh wire.

Wire mesh is an essential component of the shelter because it is small enough that the rabbits can stand on without falling through. However, it makes for easier cleaning of the hutch because most of the rabbit’s waste will fall through.

Another important part of keeping rabbits in hutches is to be sure they have a piece of wood to gnaw on. This not only keeps their teeth filed down but also gives their feet a break from standing on the wire all of the time.

This piece of wood can be as simple as a small, round twig.