Gardening is hard stuff. It's not just the weeding. Or the ground prep. Or the manual labor. It's also getting your seed placement and timing right. It's understanding how soil temps will affect germination, and knowing just how long to harden off those beautiful transplants you've been worrying over for the past week. It's all... Continue Reading →
There is a rhythm to life. Birth. Growth. Production. Decay. It's the pattern that every living thing must go through. We were formed from the earth and to the earth we will return. Decay is essential for new life to begin. When it comes to healthy soil, it is the spent life of decaying things... Continue Reading →
When you're dreaming about farming or homesteading, it's easy to be consumed with the exciting things. Baby chicks. Fresh eggs. Pulling the season's first sun ripened tomato from the vine. Sun drenched fields of green on still summer days with cotton puff clouds softly floating by overhead. You know, the things we usually take pictures... Continue Reading →
I've been thinking a lot about goals lately. I always get a little anxious this time of year. Winter provides a little break for us, since the ground is frozen and our outside activities are limited to caring for the animals. But its a bittersweet kinda break because winter is my least favorite season. So... Continue Reading →
It's important to set goals. When it comes to our market garden, I try to have a few clear objectives to work toward each season. We grow on 3 acres, partially for profit as well as for our own consumption. Every year, our desire is to get better at what we do. Better systems. Better... Continue Reading →
Ever struggle with not having enough time to do all the things? Yeah, I know how that feels. There are so many things that we want or need to do, fix, grow, build...and there never seems to be enough time to do it all. So projects get pushed out, or simply not done at all.... Continue Reading →
One thing is certainly true about all weeds. We hate them! I know you're with me on this. It's not necessarily the labor of pulling weeds that gets under my skin. It's the time it takes to do it. When I'm pulling weeds it means I'm taking time away from other jobs that are more... Continue Reading →
Market Gardening has become the craze. Do a quick search on the subject and you'll probably find someone boasting about how you can make six figures growing vegetables in your front yard. We started down the path that eventually led us to market gardening long before we knew about pioneers like Jean Martin Fortier and... Continue Reading →
I used to dream of owning several greenhouses. Large, beautiful caterpillar shaped vessels filled with flower and vegetable starts. Can you picture them? I still dream about them. But this just isn't in the cards for us quite yet. Dreams must yield to reality. A proper greenhouse is still very much in our plans, but... Continue Reading →
January in Iowa. Yes it's cold. Yes there is snow on the ground. Yes the wind is blowing so hard it feels like it will bite through your clothes and right into your soul. April can feel so far away this time of year, but January is an important month for us still. This is... Continue Reading →