My dead Squash Plant

Have you ever heard that sick plants get infected by insects?  If your plants were healthy they would mysteriously ward off harmful insects. The idea that strong plants somehow protect themselves from evil insects is bull.  My case point is my squash plant.  Every year I grow a zucchini squash plant that starts out beautifully but by the time it starts to produce it is infected with squash beetles.  It doesn't matter how much you kill the beetles, each day they increase in number.  I get the same-old results, one zucchini, from half dead plant.  Oh, how I would love to use insecticides.  I grow organically, so I must confess, I can't grow zucchini due to the squash beetle.  I'm beaten by a bug.

Alfalfa bales can sell for a lot more than hay bales. Alfalfa roots reach way down into the earth where all the rich minerals dwell. It is also a legume which fixes nitrogen into the soil. The home baler can make alfalfa bales in the 40 lbs range and 38 lbs for hay.  I should get $5.00 to $10.00 a  bale for pure alfalfa.   The bales would make excellent livestock feed or compost bales if I can't sale them.
The picture is a spot of land I'm going to broadcast seed balls of alfafa. The plastic will set back the weeds, clover and grass from crowding out the alfalfa balls. The plastic has been on there for about three weeks.

Those who use manual balers it is convenient to use (what I call) the mini compressor.    When you need a half sized bale in place of a 38 lbs large bale.    They can be useful for beds, wind protection, and disintegrating compost bales.

SOYBEANS

The number one cash crop in Missouri is Soybeans.  When I wanted to grow some, I could not find the seed anywhere.  After an exhaustive search, I found some at a health food store in Springfield, Mo.  I made some seed balls and broadcasted them in my yard.  They are growing very well in this hot and  humid environment. 
There is nothing like green cooked soybeans.  If you have a yard, you ought to try growing some soybean plants.

The Universe of Clover

White clover originated in Europe. It has been popular throughout the world.
It likes clay and silt soils and a cool environment.
Its roots only go down as far as 2 feet.
It fixes nitrogen into the soil and is often called, green manure.
There are no problematics pest.  Deer and Elk love to feast on clover.