Gretchen Kruesi

low tunnel

Low Tunnel Tutorial: Winter Growing DIY

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 10, 2025 / Comments Off on Low Tunnel Tutorial: Winter Growing DIY

Want to grow year-round, but a greenhouse feels like a big  investment? When it comes to cost and flexibility, low tunnels are the all-around winners.

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wintergreen

Wondrous Wintergreen: All About the Wintergreen Plant

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 8, 2025 / Comments Off on Wondrous Wintergreen: All About the Wintergreen Plant

Wintergreen is the stunning evergreen groundcover that’s a game-changer for your garden! It’s cherished for its aromatic leaves, vibrant fall color & bright berries.

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Delightful Desserts: Pine Nut Wedding Cookies Recipe

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 5, 2025 / Comments Off on Delightful Desserts: Pine Nut Wedding Cookies Recipe

Wedding Cookies that melt in your mouth! Soft, chewy & utterly divine! Our Wedding Cookies are a breeze to bake and perfect for any sweet treat platter. Will you be the star of the sugar-studded cookie plate?

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Sweet Winter Carrots: Growing & Harvesting

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 3, 2025 / Comments Off on Sweet Winter Carrots: Growing & Harvesting

Grow winter carrots for a sweeter & more flavorful harvest! Ditch the bland, store-bought carrots this winter! Grow your own winter carrots for a sweeter and more flavorful twist 🥕🥕

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Cooking with Fir: A Taste of the Holidays

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 1, 2025 / Comments Off on Cooking with Fir: A Taste of the Holidays

The scent of fir trees is a holiday staple 🎄 Imagine sipping a festive cocktail infused with the unmistakable taste of fir ✨ This holiday season, elevate your entertaining game by introducing fir to your menu – from classy cocktails to rustic potatoes!

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figs

Fig Trees: Snakes and Ladders & Tantalising Figs

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 26, 2025 / Comments Off on Fig Trees: Snakes and Ladders & Tantalising Figs

The fig tree is more than just a fruit-bearing wonder. The complex nature of these trees is beyond fascinating. They are the ultimate ecosystem superheroes!

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side dish

Elevate Your Holiday Dinner Side Dish Game

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 25, 2025 / Comments Off on Elevate Your Holiday Dinner Side Dish Game

Looking for a way to use that leftover Thanksgiving Turkey? Shake things up this holiday season with a game-changing twist. Serve these easy-to-make appetizers with a side of Vietnamese dipping sauce for an extra kick of flavor!

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10 Books to Gift the Homesteader in Your Life

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 19, 2025 / Comments Off on 10 Books to Gift the Homesteader in Your Life

Searching for the perfect book to give the homesteader in your life? We’ve got your go-to books for anyone interested in organic growing, permaculture, soil health, year-round growing & more! What’s their next great read?

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extend the growing season

How to Extend the Growing Season

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 17, 2025 / Comments Off on How to Extend the Growing Season

Winter is coming… but that doesn’t mean you should put away those tools just yet. Extend the growing season well past the first frost!

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It All Starts with Soil: Healthy Soil Means Healthy Plants

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 14, 2025 / Comments Off on It All Starts with Soil: Healthy Soil Means Healthy Plants

The dirty truth? Soil isn’t just dirt! It’s a complex web of life. Discover the secrets to unlocking its full potential and transform your garden forever.

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protect plants

How to Protect Plants from Winter Elements

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 10, 2025 / Comments Off on How to Protect Plants from Winter Elements

Don’t let winter kill your plants! Prepare them and set yourself up for a thriving garden come spring. Discover how to prep your less-hardy plants and ensure they thrive all year round.

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cheese

Say Cheese! Four Cheese Recipes to Keep You Smiling

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 7, 2025 / Comments Off on Say Cheese! Four Cheese Recipes to Keep You Smiling

Attention all cheese lovers! If you’re looking for recipes to satisfy all your cheesy needs, then look no further.

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white rabbits in a pen

Why Rabbit is the New Chicken

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 3, 2025 / Comments Off on Why Rabbit is the New Chicken

Not convinced that a pasture-based rabbit production could amount to a sustainable business enterprise for the beginner to market-scale farmer?

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pumpkins

Gourdness Gracious! The History of Pumpkins and Gourds

By Gretchen Kruesi / October 28, 2025 / Comments Off on Gourdness Gracious! The History of Pumpkins and Gourds

Pumpkins: Halloween symbol or sweet treat? But have you ever wondered how they became a holiday staple? Discover the rich history behind this fall favorite!

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The Best Types of Apples for Cider in North America

By Gretchen Kruesi / October 9, 2025 / Comments Off on The Best Types of Apples for Cider in North America

CIDER LOVERS ALERT! 🍎 Did you know the type of apple used can make or break the flavor? Which apple variety do you think makes the best cider?

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A Guide to Curing Vegetables for Storage

By Gretchen Kruesi / October 3, 2025 / Comments Off on A Guide to Curing Vegetables for Storage

Proper storage is crucial to ensuring that your produce stays fresh & retains nutritional value. Use these tips to prepare your harvest for long-term storage.

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garlic growing

Garlic Growing 101: From Seed to Harvest

By Gretchen Kruesi / October 1, 2025 / Comments Off on Garlic Growing 101: From Seed to Harvest

All hail the mighty garlic clove! Become a master at garlic growing with these simple tips for growing no-till garlic from seed to harvest.

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All In The Sting: Health Benefits of Honey Bee Venom

By Gretchen Kruesi / September 29, 2025 / Comments Off on All In The Sting: Health Benefits of Honey Bee Venom

Tired of trying different traditional medicines to relieve inflammation and joint pain? We have the perfect solution: honey bee venom.

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seed detective

Seed as a Common Resource: Crops and the People Who Nurture Them

By Gretchen Kruesi / September 26, 2025 / Comments Off on Seed as a Common Resource: Crops and the People Who Nurture Them

Seeds strengthen our connections to what we grow and eat; they are intrinsic to our identity and our future. I cherish seed as a common resource that all the world should be able to access freely.

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goats

Work Smarter, Not Harder: Goat Handling

By Gretchen Kruesi / September 22, 2025 / Comments Off on Work Smarter, Not Harder: Goat Handling

Goat handling can be a tricky task, as they can scare easily & high levels of stress are not good for their health. Follow these tips for easily handling goats!

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seasonal desserts

Seasonal Desserts: Apple Spice Bundt Cake & Pumpkin Pie with Hazelnut Crust

By Gretchen Kruesi / September 19, 2025 / Comments Off on Seasonal Desserts: Apple Spice Bundt Cake & Pumpkin Pie with Hazelnut Crust

Nothing says “fall” like a homemade cake or pie! Add a twist to your apple or pumpkin-flavored seasonal desserts that will have your guests begging for more.

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recycling mushrooms

Mushroom Composting and Recycling Projects

By Gretchen Kruesi / September 17, 2025 / Comments Off on Mushroom Composting and Recycling Projects

Cultivating mushrooms on various substrates has many benefits — from composting, mycoremediation, and creating value-added consumer goods. It helps reduces waste and helps the environment!

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tractor and dirt

The Importance of Planting Cover Crops

By Gretchen Kruesi / September 10, 2025 / Comments Off on The Importance of Planting Cover Crops

Planting cover crops is a key step in transforming dirt into soil! The benefit list is long but they need to be selected with a purpose.

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crab apples

The Surprisingly Sweet Secret of Crab Apples

By Gretchen Kruesi / September 8, 2025 / Comments Off on The Surprisingly Sweet Secret of Crab Apples

Crab Apples are easy to find, simple to store, and incredibly flavorful. Keep reading to learn more about the unsung heroes of the apple family. 

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Turn Fallen Leaves into Gardener’s Gold

By Gretchen Kruesi / September 5, 2025 / Comments Off on Turn Fallen Leaves into Gardener’s Gold

Mulch is essential to soil health. It acts as a barrier against water loss and heat, reduces weeds and  improves soil structure. Its an easy way to boost your soil’s health!

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