Do you have your garden planned out yet for next year? I know, I know. It's only December. There's snow on the ground and we're barely into winter yet. But it's this time of year when I start getting the itch to work the soil. You know what I mean? When the days are short,... 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 →
I've been craving fresh vegetables. Longing for them, really. I swear I come out of winter with withdrawals for good, healthy food like spinach, carrots, radish and kale. It's so satisfying to the soul (and to the stomach) to be able to prepare meals with food grown right from your own soil. Salads are a... Continue Reading →
You know that feeling when you plant all the things...but nothing comes up? Spring finally comes after a long winter, and you're anxious to get out to plant the garden. You're looking forward to fresh veggies, and you can almost taste them as you're putting seed in the ground. You plant. You water. You wait.... Continue Reading →
They come in all sizes. They come in all shapes. It doesn't matter how grand or how small your gardening ambition might be. Adding raised beds might be one of the easiest things to consider to give a jump-start to your gardening experience. The benefits of raised beds There are many reasons to use... Continue Reading →
How to be more efficient and effective
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 →
So we're starting to figure some things out. When we first started this adventure last year, we only had a vague idea of what we wanted to do with our acreage. We had a vision, a dream, but the details of how that dream would evolve into reality were pretty soft and vague.... Continue Reading →
We're having new electricity run in the corn crib and the wood shop, and it won't be finished until Wednesday. No power, no tools. So it's forced me to do other things. And that's good, because I've realized there is still a lot to do on the property before winter really sets in. We've been thinking... Continue Reading →