I recently moved and now have space for many more do-it-yourself (DIY) projects compared to my previous city apartment. Well, now I've added even more to my to-do list after reading The Permaculture Book of DIY. This book is a compilation of 23 different projects based on permaculture principles - meaning that they are designed to be "low impact, ecologically sound projects" … [Read more...]
A beginner’s guide to medicinal herbs
Within hours of starting to read Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide, I had started a tincture and an infusion. It is one of my favorite herbal books for beginners, and I'm not alone in that opinion. It is one of the classics. The book starts with basic info about herbs, then includes a chapter on how to make herbal remedies. She has complete instructions … [Read more...]
Want to learn how to grow mushrooms?
I've been hearing more and more about homesteaders and farmers growing mushrooms and was curious to find out what all the fuss is about. Though I love to eat mushrooms, I hadn't seriously considered growing my own until I read Mycelial Mayhem by David and Kristin Sewak. Now, I feel like I have really been missing out by purchasing mushrooms from the supermarket as there are so … [Read more...]
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange giveaway
Located in Mineral, Virginia, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange is a 72-acre farm and cooperatively run business which sells more than 800 varieties of open-pollinated, organic, and heirloom vegetable, herb, flower, grain, and cover crop seeds. Most of their seeds are grown by a network of over 50 small farms across the United States. You can learn about some of their seed … [Read more...]
Planting a medicinal herb garden
I’ve spent the day curled up with my favorite seed catalogs and dreaming about my gardens. Every year between Groundhog Day and the first day of planting in the spring I struggle to find activities that allow me to feel close to green growing things. This year has been particularly maddening with the early spring teasing us to get outdoors, tempting us to do more than is wise … [Read more...]
Renee’s Garden Seed Giveaway
We’re excited to continue our series of seed giveaways with a giveaway from Renee’s Garden! They offer vegetable, herb, and flower seeds, including heirlooms, hybrids, open-pollinated varieties, and Certified Organic seeds. Renee's Garden also sells Scatter Garden seeds including cover crops and flowers for pollinators, custom packets for special events, and gifts for … [Read more...]
Vermicomposting basics
Vermicomposting (worm composting) is one of my favorite gardening subjects. Worms are exactly the right micro-mini “livestock” for munching down kitchen scraps and transforming them into a nutrient rich plant food. I just can’t wait to encourage folks to keep a herd of red wigglers by the back door or perhaps in the kitchen. Affectionately referred to as worm farming by those … [Read more...]
Sow True Seed Giveaway
At the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association Sustainable Agriculture Conference, which I attended in the fall, one of the presenters was Chris Smith from Sow True Seed. Founded in 2008 by food activist and gardener Carol Koury, Sow True Seed is based in Asheville, North Carolina. If you, like me, are already looking forward to springtime and planning your garden, Sow True … [Read more...]
Snapshot of Sustainable Agriculture Conference
I recently attended the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association Sustainable Agriculture Conference in North Carolina. It was an outstanding three-day conference, which included workshops, delicious local food, farm and food policy discussions, a seed exchange, and tons of exhibitors. While the conference was focused primarily on sustainable agriculture in North and South … [Read more...]
Book review: The Market Gardener
The Market Gardener is such a thorough guide to commercial market gardening that at first I wondered why Jean-Martin Fortier would want to reveal all of his secrets to potential competitors. However, it becomes clear that Fortier simply wants this information to be as accessible as possible to as many people as possible. I think this reflects Fortier’s desire for small-scale … [Read more...]