Gretchen Kruesi

low tunnel

Low Tunnel Tutorial: Winter Growing DIY

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 21, 2023 / Comments Off on Low Tunnel Tutorial: Winter Growing DIY

Want to grow year-round, but a greenhouse feels like a big  investment? The low tunnel is here to help! Low tunnels are less expensive than greenhouses and allow you to adjust & respond to the climate outside the tunnel. When it comes to cost and flexibility, low tunnels are the all-around winners. The following is…

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Sweet Winter Carrots: Growing & Harvesting

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 19, 2023 / Comments Off on Sweet Winter Carrots: Growing & Harvesting

Want to keep growing great food during the cold months? Try growing winter carrots in your cold house! These carrots, which Eliot Coleman grows on his farm in the winter, are even sweeter and more flavorful than the more conventionally timed “spring carrots.” The following is an excerpt fromThe Winter Harvest Handbook by Eliot Coleman. It has…

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side dish

Elevate Your Holiday Dinner Side Dish Game

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 18, 2023 / Comments Off on Elevate Your Holiday Dinner Side Dish Game

Tired of the same old side dishes taking up the table during holiday dinners? Excite your tastebuds with these unique and flavorful side dish recipes! The following recipes have been adapted for the web. Amazake Rye Bread From Koji Alchemy by Jeremy Umansky and Rich Shih (Note: This recipe calls for koji. If you don’t know…

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snow

Is Your Greenhouse Winter-Ready? Dealing with Snow on Your Greenhouse

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 15, 2023 / Comments Off on Is Your Greenhouse Winter-Ready? Dealing with Snow on Your Greenhouse

Want to keep your protected crops heated and healthy all season? Get your greenhouse ready for winter with these snow removal tips! The following is an excerpt from The Greenhouse and Hoophouse Grower’s Handbook by Andrew Mefferd. It has been adapted for the web. (Photographs courtesy of Andrew Mefferd unless otherwise noted.) Dealing with snow…

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desserts

Show-Stealing Desserts for Holiday Celebrations

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 14, 2023 / Comments Off on Show-Stealing Desserts for Holiday Celebrations

Holiday dinner dishes and sides get all the attention — but the reality is, dessert is where it’s at. Here are some show-stealing desserts to serve at your next holiday celebration. The following recipes have been adapted for the web. Lost Nation Cider Pie From The Apple Grower Make ahead: The recipe calls for making…

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gifts for gardeners

9 Books for Backyard Gardeners

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 12, 2023 / Comments Off on 9 Books for Backyard Gardeners

Searching for the perfect book to give the gardener in your life? These 8 books are great gifts for gardeners at any level. Head over to our Gardening page for even more great gardening reads! In The Home-Scale Forest Garden, Dani Baker shares what she learned as she became a forest gardener, providing a practical,…

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wreath

How To Create A Homemade Wreath

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 11, 2023 / Comments Off on How To Create A Homemade Wreath

From clipping the proper branches to tying the right knots, building a wreath takes patience and precision. Create this holiday craft with your family to decorate your home, or spread the joy to others by gifting or selling your homemade wreath. The following is an excerpt from Carving Out a Living on the Land by…

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foodie

Gifts They’ll Crave: 10 Books for Every Foodie on Your List

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 4, 2023 / Comments Off on Gifts They’ll Crave: 10 Books for Every Foodie on Your List

Struggling to find the perfect gift for the foodie in your life? Our wide range of food and drink books will give you plenty of options to choose from!  Whether you’re shopping for an adventurous cook who likes foraging for their ingredients, a fermentation aficionado, or a lover of culinary classics, you’ll find something for…

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10 Books to Gift the Homesteader in Your Life

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 24, 2023 / Comments Off on 10 Books to Gift the Homesteader in Your Life

These days, there are a record number of people growing their own food and other crops at home. Whether the homesteader in your life is new to the homesteading lifestyle or a seasoned pro, we’ve got your go-to gifts for anyone who grows everything themselves. In the first edition of The Organic Medicinal Herb Farmer,…

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protect plants

How to Protect Plants from Winter Elements

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 22, 2023 / Comments Off on How to Protect Plants from Winter Elements

Living in a colder climate doesn’t mean you need to give up on more fragile plants. By adequately preparing your less-hardy plants for the winter, you’ll set them up to survive and thrive! The following is an excerpt from Cold-Hardy Fruits and Nuts by Scott Serrano and Allyson Levy. It has been adapted for the web. Protect…

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stocks and broths

The Fundamentals of Stocks and Broths

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 21, 2023 / Comments Off on The Fundamentals of Stocks and Broths

Soup season is finally here! While the weather is getting colder, stocks and broths warm our bellies and fill our souls.  Get started on your own classic stock this winter with help from this culinary insight and advice! The following is an excerpt from Mastering Stocks and Broths by Rachael Mamane. It has been adapted for the…

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crop protection

Extend Your Growing Season with Crop Protection Structures

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 20, 2023 / Comments Off on Extend Your Growing Season with Crop Protection Structures

Conserve your resources and enjoy fresh produce all year long by growing your own food in the winter months! Achieving a twelve-month growing season is as simple as using the right type of crop protection structure for your climate. The following is an excerpt from The Forest Garden Greenhouse by Jerome Osentowski. It has been…

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foraged and fermented

Thanksgiving Takes an Adventurous Twist with This Foraged and Fermented Menu

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 15, 2023 / Comments Off on Thanksgiving Takes an Adventurous Twist with This Foraged and Fermented Menu

From gathering items from the woods to fermenting your own bubbly, there’s something about working for your supper that makes it so much more delicious when you finally get to dig in. If you’re looking to really earn your Thanksgiving dinner this year, this foraged and fermented menu is just what you need! These recipes…

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chickens

A Cluckin’ Good Time: Why Chickens Rule the Roost

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 13, 2023 / Comments Off on A Cluckin’ Good Time: Why Chickens Rule the Roost

If you’ve ever wondered what your life is missing, the answer is probably chickens. These feathery friends can help fertilize your soil, mow your lawn, and even lay the eggs you eat for breakfast. What could be better than that?  To celebrate our favorite member of the poultry flock, we’ve rounded up some wisdom from…

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Tired of Turkey? Four Ways to Spice Up Thanksgiving Dinner

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 10, 2023 / Comments Off on Tired of Turkey? Four Ways to Spice Up Thanksgiving Dinner

Want to spice things up for this year’s holiday feast? We’ve got you covered! From a delectable pork tenderloin to Spicebush Goose, these recipes are sure to delight everyone at your Thanksgiving dinner table…even those passionate turkey traditionalists. These recipes have been adapted for the web. Roast Pork Tenderloin and Plum Sauce from The Healthy…

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mycelium

Below the Mushroom Cap: The Mycelium and Its Secrets

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 10, 2023 / Comments Off on Below the Mushroom Cap: The Mycelium and Its Secrets

How do mushrooms grow? How do they eat, reproduce, or spread? What exactly is a mushroom? All of these answers and more can be found in the intricate, web-like fiber found underneath these fungi: the mycelium. Understanding this “vegetative” part of the fungus is key to understanding the whole system.  The following is an excerpt from…

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seasonal brews

Bring on the Seasonal Brews: Drinks to Pair With Thanksgiving Dinner

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 7, 2023 / Comments Off on Bring on the Seasonal Brews: Drinks to Pair With Thanksgiving Dinner

Looking for a refreshing drink to pair with Thanksgiving dinner? From cider to sangria to pine soda, one of these seasonal brews is bound to be the perfect fit for you and your family.  NOTE: Make sure to prepare these drinks ahead of time so you’re not working for longer than planned on Thanksgiving day! The…

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apple slice monsters

Funky Apple Slice Monsters

By Gretchen Kruesi / October 30, 2023 / Comments Off on Funky Apple Slice Monsters

Scare hunger away with funky apple slice monsters! These easy-to-make snacks are perfect for kids (and kids at heart!) this Halloween and can even add a healthy ‘boo’-st to your blood sugar.  The following is an excerpt from The Grain-Free, Sugar-Free, Dairy-Free Family Cookbook by Leah Webb. It has been adapted for the web. RECIPE: Funky Apple Slice…

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candied tree leaves

Crunchy Candied Tree Leaves: A Natural Fall Dessert Topper

By Gretchen Kruesi / October 27, 2023 / Comments Off on Crunchy Candied Tree Leaves: A Natural Fall Dessert Topper

Instead of raking and throwing away fallen leaves this autumn, what if we repurposed them and turned them into something beautiful & delicious? Embrace the natural flavors of fall with this recipe for candied tree leaves. The following recipe is from The New Wildcrafted Cuisine by Pascal Baudar. It has been adapted for the web.…

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recycling mushrooms

Composting and Recycling Mushrooms

By Gretchen Kruesi / October 26, 2023 / Comments Off on Composting and Recycling Mushrooms

Beyond guaranteeing a bountiful harvest, cultivating mushrooms on various surfaces has plenty of benefits. Growing, composting, and recycling mushrooms reduces waste and helps the environment. The following excerpt is from Organic Mushroom Farming and Mycoremediation by Tradd Cotter. It has been adapted for the web. (Photographs courtesy of Tradd and Olga Cotter unless otherwise noted.)…

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roasted root veggies

Roasted Root Veggies with Pomegranate Drizzle

By Gretchen Kruesi / October 20, 2023 / Comments Off on Roasted Root Veggies with Pomegranate Drizzle

Do you still have an abundance of root veggies from your final fall harvest? You’re in luck! This  pomegranate drizzle will add just the right amount of “oomph” to your favorite dish of roasted root veggies. The following recipe is from The Fruit Forager’s Companion by Sara Bir. It has been adapted for the web. RECIPE:…

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extend the growing season

How to Extend the Growing Season

By Gretchen Kruesi / October 18, 2023 / Comments Off on How to Extend the Growing Season

Winter may be coming, but that doesn’t mean you should put away those tools just yet! Extend the growing season well past the first frost with some proper modifications.  The following excerpt is from The New Organic Grower, 30th Anniversary Edition by Eliot Coleman. It has been adapted for the web. Extend the Growing Season: How to…

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low-risk silvopasture

Low-Risk Silvopasture: Chickens, Turkeys, Guinea Hens, Ducks and Geese

By Gretchen Kruesi / October 10, 2023 / Comments Off on Low-Risk Silvopasture: Chickens, Turkeys, Guinea Hens, Ducks and Geese

Want to get started with silvopasture? The first step is figuring out which type of livestock works best for your ecosystem. Luckily, we can help with that! Keep reading to learn about the different low-risk silvopasture options for  your farm.  The following excerpt is from Silvopasture by Steve Gabriel. It has been adapted for the web. Photographs courtesy…

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fall picnic

Foraging Up A Fall Picnic: Wild & Fresh Recipes for Fall

By Gretchen Kruesi / October 10, 2023 / Comments Off on Foraging Up A Fall Picnic: Wild & Fresh Recipes for Fall

Picture it: you just laid out your picnic blanket, there’s a crisp breeze in the air, the leaves are turning colors, and you’re about to eat some delicious food you made yourself. There’s only one thing that could make your fall picnic even better: foraging for the ingredients you used.  The following recipes are from Forage,…

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apple snack cake

Triple Apple Snack Cake: The Perfect Autumn Treat

By Gretchen Kruesi / October 5, 2023 / Comments Off on Triple Apple Snack Cake: The Perfect Autumn Treat

Nothing says “autumn” like the smell of baked apples and spices fresh out of the oven. This triple apple snack cake uses applesauce, apple cider, and fresh apples to give it a one-two-three apple punch. Don’t take our word for it though, give this recipe a go yourself! The following recipe is from The Fruit Forager’s…

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