DIG IN
The latest articles from Chelsea Green and our authors: offering tips and techniques about how you can bring our books to life in your kitchen, backyard, or community.
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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Make Your Own Apple Kimchi
Kimchi is a tangy and spicy meal with many varieties, including some with fruits. This recipe for apple kimchi adds a seasonal twist to a classic Korean dish! The following is an excerpt from Black Trumpet by Evan Mallett. It has been adapted for the web. RECIPE: Apple Kimchi Denise gave me a 5-gallon ceramic…
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Preserving Veggies: Tips for Freezing Vegetables
Try your hand at preserving veggies by freezing them! Freezing vegetables is a quick, simple way to preserve them for winter meals. The following is an excerpt from Many Hands Make a Farm by Jack Kittredge and Julie Rawson. It has been adapted for the web. A Guide to Freezing Vegetables Freezing vegetables, especially in…
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Gourdness Gracious! The History of Pumpkins and Gourds
When you think of pumpkins, do you think of Halloween or a sweet dessert? But how did pumpkins become the holiday staple they are today? Keep reading to learn more about the rich history of this sweet fall vegetable! The following is an excerpt from The Seed Detective by Adam Alexander. It has been adapted for…
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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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What is a Plant Guild?
What does the term “plant guild” actually mean? Technically, a plant guild is a beneficial grouping of plants that support humans, animals, and even one another. The key to creating a successful one is identifying the right design for your permaculture project. The following is an excerpt from Integrated Forest Gardening by Daniel Halsey, Bryce Ruddock,…
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Make Rice Koji in 12 Easy Steps
Looking for a new cooking project? Try your hand at rice koji! Follow these steps by two renowned chefs to make delicious rice koji at home. The following is an excerpt from Koji Alchemy by Jeremy Umansky and Rich Shih. It has been adapted for the web. Making Basic Rice Koji the Traditional Way Let’s walk…
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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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Autumn is Calling! Cilantro and Pumpkin Seed Pesto
With fall in full swing, you likely have plenty of leftover pumpkin seeds to spare. Make the most of your bounty with this Cilantro and Pumpkin Seed Pesto recipe! The following recipe is from Cooking Close to Home by Diane Imrie and Richard Jarmusz. It has been adapted for the web. RECIPE: Cilantro and Pumpkin…
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Facing the Beast: Practicing Courage and Reflection
What does facing the beast mean? In this time of uncertainty, we must practice regular reflection to achieve optimal happiness and health. The metaphor below gives insight into confronting and facing it, regardless of what “the beast” is to you. The following is. an excerpt from Facing the Beast by Naomi Wolf. It has been adapted for the…
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Fall In Love With Cidermaking: Guides to Making Cider
Get ready to take a bite out of the world of cidermaking! These seven guides are sure to help you make delicious, crisp cider this fall. PLUS, try out the bonus recipe at the bottom of this list to create a delicious dessert with the cider you make. Fermenting Apples for Cider Fermenting apples is…
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Designing Leather Goods: Cutting & Shaping
In a personal investigation into ethical and traceable leather, fashion designer Alice Robinson begins a ground-breaking journey into the origin story of leather and its connection to food and farming. Keep reading to learn more about her process of cutting & shaping leather to create handbags, shoes, clothing, and more! The following is an excerpt from…
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Three Recipes for Dried Tomatoes
As gardening season comes to an end, you’re probably wondering what to do with all the veggies you grew over the summer. Well, now’s the perfect time to start thinking about drying and preserving your bounty! Get the ball rolling with these fine recipes for dried tomatoes. The following recipes are from Preserving Food without…
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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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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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Grow Mushrooms on Your Jeans. Seriously.
Do you have an old, worn-out pair of jeans in your dresser? Instead of throwing them out, try to grow mushrooms on them. Follow this simple step-by-step outline to start growing mushrooms in the unlikeliest of places…on your pants! The following is an excerpt from Organic Mushroom Farming and Mycoremediation by Tradd Cotter. It has…
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Soil Is Alive: What Lives In Our Soil?
Ever wonder what worms and centipedes are doing as they crawl through your soil? They’re actually working to improve the soil’s health, which benefits the environment and all living things in the long run. The following is an excerpt from Farming on the Wild Side by Nancy J. Hayden and John P. Hayden. It has been adapted…
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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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Starting A Big Year of Birdwatching: Bicycle Beginnings
At a personal and professional crossroads, a man reset his life and found sobriety, love, and 618 bird species, cycling his way to a very Big Year. Join him on his journey as he recounts beginning his Big Year on bicycle! The following is an excerpt from Birding Under the Influence by Dorian Anderson. It has…
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October Garden Planning: 10 Tips for Success
Just because fall is here, that doesn’t mean gardening season is over! There’s still plenty of time to wrap up the season, prepare for next year, and tackle all of those pesky to-dos around the homestead. So without further ado, here’s your October garden planning cheat sheet. October Garden Planning: The Harvest 1. Pumpkins and…
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Managing Chicken Manure: The Joys of Deep Litter
Ever heard the phrase, “always follow your nose?” As it turns out, this is a good rule of thumb when it comes to chicken manure. Composting chicken manure in deep litter helps build better chicken health, reduce labor, and retain most of the nutrients for your garden. The following is an excerpt from The Small-Scale Poultry…
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Move Over Squirrels, It’s Acorn Harvesting Time!
Think neighborhood squirrels are the only ones who can benefit from the abundance of acorns in the fall? Think again. These small fruits, which are completely edible for humans, are a delicious (and seasonal!) source of nutrients that you can find almost anywhere. Get started on acorn harvesting with help from these simple tips! The following…
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How to Make Mulch With Fallen Leaves
The leaves are falling, which means it’s time to start raking and figuring out what to do with them. This year, try turning your fallen leaves into mulch for your garden! The following is an excerpt from Will Bonsall’s Essential Guide to Radical, Self-Reliant Gardening by Will Bonsall. It has been adapted for the web.…
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The Surprisingly Sweet Secret of Crab Apples
Visiting an orchard to pick apples is fun, but foraging for crab apples in your neighborhood is even better. These small fruits are easy to find, simple to store, and extremely flavorful when used in food dishes. Don’t believe us? Keep reading to learn more about the unsung heroes of the apple family. The following excerpt…
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Easy Fall Recipes for the Adventurous Eater
Ahhhh, autumn. There’s a chill in the air, the leaves are starting to turn, and fall recipes are getting ready for their time to shine. Start the season off right with these must-try, unique recipes for adventurous eaters! RECIPE: Cornmeal Rye Pancakes The following is a recipe from The New Bread Basket by Amy Halloran.…
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