Gretchen Kruesi
Garden strawberries are excellent for both covering the ground and for growing fruit. If you’re planning out a forest garden, or are just looking for a plant to use as ground cover, strawberries are a great option. The following is an excerpt from The Home-Scale Forest Garden by Dani Baker. It has been adapted for…
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For too long, bugs have had a negative connotation associated with them. But what if we took the time to observe the benefits of insects? It’s time to rebug our gardens, lawns, and parks! The following is an excerpt from Rebugging the Planet by Vicki Hird. It has been adapted for the web. Adding Bugs:…
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Interested in growing trees? Here are some tips on successfully planting, transplanting, and pruning trees to create a flourishing forest garden! The following is an excerpt from The Home-Scale Forest Garden by Dani Baker. It has been adapted for the web. Planting Potted Trees and Shrubs If you order potted trees, check with your supplier to…
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With the right strategies and practices, composting on a small farm is surprisingly easy and inexpensive. Just follow these steps for making compost, and your farm will be thriving in no time! The following excerpt is from The Lean Farm Guide to Growing Vegetables by Ben Hartman. It has been adapted for the web. (All photographs by Ben…
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Everyone loves a refreshing, fermented, nutritious drink…even your garden! Take your fermentation skills out of the kitchen and into the garden by brewing fermented plant juice. The following is an excerpt from The Regenerative Grower’s Guide to Garden Amendments by Nigel Palmer. It has been adapted for the web. How to Make Fermented Plant Juice Fermented…
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Oh, honeysuckle…how we love thee. If only there was a way to capture the sweet essence of this plant so we could enjoy it more than just in passing. Luckily, foraging and some preparation can help make that happen! Here’s a springtime recipe that tastes exactly like honeysuckle smells. The following excerpt is from Forage,…
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Want to see your crops thrive this upcoming growing season? The key is in soil fertility and health. Spend time maintaining your soil’s health to guarantee bigger and better crops come harvest time! The following is an excerpt from No-Till Intensive Vegetable Culture by Bryan O’Hara. It has been adapted for the web. What Is Soil Fertility?…
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Many know the effects of catnip on our feline friends, but few realize that catnip has medicinal effects for humans. From stomach aches to reducing fevers, catnip is a versatile herb with many benefits. The next time you grow this plant for your cat you may end up taking a few cuttings for yourself! The…
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There’s a whole new world out there when it comes to koji. It doesn’t matter if you’re making bread, cheese, or ice cream, koji helps you pump up the flavor! Growing Koji in Your Own Kitchen Koji, the microbe behind the delicious, umami flavors of soy sauce, miso, fermented bean sauce, and so many of…
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Rewilding is one of the best things you can do for the biodiversity of your farm or garden. By no longer mowing your lawn, flowers will start to grow, creating a meadow and a habitat for creatures that often get forgotten. The following is an excerpt from The Healthy Vegetable Garden by Sally Morgan. It…
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Whether you’re looking to replace your end-of-the-day cocktail, relax before bed, or want something new to add to your tea, this non-alcoholic mocktail syrup base will do the trick. Delicious and all-natural, take a sip of this nightcap mocktail and feel your troubles melt away. The following is an excerpt from Herbal Formularies for Health…
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Interested in becoming a mushroom farmer? Shiitake mushrooms are one of the easiest and most profitable places to start. The following is an excerpt from Farming the Woods by Steve Gabriel and Ken Mudge. It has been adapted for the web. (Photographs courtesy of Steve Gabriel and Ken Mudge unless otherwise noted.) The Stunning Shiitake…
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Surprisingly, medicine can actually be delicious. This anti-inflammatory smoothie uses natural (and tasty!) ingredients to help reduce inflammation caused by any number of circumstances. The following is an excerpt from Herbal Formularies for Health Professionals, Volume 4 by Jill Stansbury. It has been adapted for the web. RECIPE: Ginger and Pineapple Anti-Inflammatory Smoothie This is an all-purpose…
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Want to witness the magic of the mini-forest? When you practice The Miyawaki Method, a unique approach to reforestation, you’ll see an empty lot or backyard transform into a biodiverse forest before your very eyes. The following is an excerpt from Mini-Forest Revolution by Hannah Lewis. It has been adapted for the web. Photo Credit:…
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Testing soil in your garden is the first step to a more bountiful harvest. It’s not as hard as you might imagine, either — simply take a small sample, get it examined, and you’ll be on your way to healthy soil and a promising harvest this season. The following is an excerpt from The Regenerative Grower’s…
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Get one step closer to the edible forest garden of your dreams by creating a plant grouping! These arrangements of plants help contribute to a healthy, thriving food forest. The following is an excerpt from The Home-Scale Forest Garden by Dani Baker. It has been adapted for the web. Planning a Plant Grouping Deciding what plants to…
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Looking for something to munch on that’s both tasty and good for you? These ginger carrots are a healthy snack that are easy to make at home! The following excerpt is from The Heal Your Gut Cookbook by Hilary Boynton and Mary G. Brackett. It has been adapted for the web. Ginger Carrots Recipe Several…
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Spring is finally here! Put your cooking and foraging skills to the test with this seasonal, delicious garlic mustard pesto recipe. The following is an excerpt from The Fruit Forager’s Companion by Sara Bir. It has been adapted for the web. (Heading photo credit: Phil Moore. All other photos courtesy of Sarah Bir unless otherwise…
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Wondering how to make your soil (and plants) thrive? Use these principles of soil health to properly prepare your farm or garden to grow. The following excerpt is from Dirt to Soil by Gabe Brown. It has been adapted for the web. (Photography curtesy of Gabe Brown.) Prefer audio? Listen to the excerpt below from the…
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Permanent beds are going to change your gardening game. This type of garden bed helps improve soil health, ensures crop growth, and is extremely easy to design! The following is an excerpt from The Living Soil Handbook by Jesse Frost. It has been adapted for the web. Designing Permanent Beds The term permanent beds is…
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While there is a lot of information out there about keeping the “purity” of seeds, the true “pure” seed is a myth. There are still best practices that any seed grower should keep in mind; but once they understand seed integrity and let cross-pollination happen, the real fun begins. The following is an excerpt from…
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With spring starting soon, now is the perfect time to start planning out your garden. For those new to gardening or homesteading, the location of your planting site is one of the first things to consider. The following is an excerpt from Cold-Hardy Fruits and Nuts by Scott Serrano and Allyson Levy. It has been…
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These days, growing mushrooms is all the rage. It is extremely simple, and they will grow pretty much anywhere — from milk cartons to denim to the always-reliable woodchip. The following is an excerpt from The Woodchip Handbook by Ben Raskin. It has been adapted for the web. Grow Mushrooms On Woodchip Growing mushrooms on woodchip can…
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Let’s forage and ferment! This wild greens and daikon achar recipe is simple but delicious – an ideal recipe to hone your fermentation skills. The following is an excerpt from Wildcrafted Fermentation by Pascal Baudar. It has been adapted for the web. (Unless otherwise noted, all photography curtesy of Pascal Baudar.) RECIPE: Fermented Mixed Wild Greens…
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Any bread baker can tell you: After you take that first loaf out of the oven, you’ll never want to eat store-bought bread again. Whether you’ve been feeding your sourdough starter for years or you’re just getting into the bread baking game, we have a bread recipe for you! Making Amazing Amazake Rye Bread Ready…
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