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.
Building Your Own Root Cellar for the Fall Harvest
Building a root cellar is a great way to keep your harvest fresh through the cold months. With protection from weather and animals, these cellars can be just as good as a regular refrigerator. They can be built into a wall in your basement, dug into the ground, or simply buried. The following excerpt is…
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All About Kale: The Evolution of This Popular Green
Chances are, you’ve heard of kale. In recent times, this leafy green is known as a delicious addition to meals and smoothies — but it didn’t always have the stellar reputation it does today. Once known as an undesirable vegetable that was mainly fed to cattle, kale has evolved over the years to become a…
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Homemade Applesauce: A Life-Changing Fall Snack
Want an on-the-go snack without having to go to the grocery store? Whip up a batch of this must-try homemade applesauce for a fresh fall snack whenever you get the craving! The following recipe is from The Fruit Forager’s Companion by Sara Bir. It has been adapted for the web. RECIPE: Life-Changing Applesauce Makes about 2…
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How to Harvest, Store, and Cure Squash
Squash newbies, this one’s for you! Learn how to harvest, cure, and store squash with these tried-and-true guidelines. The following excerpt is from The Resilient Gardener by Carol Deppe. It has been adapted for the web. Featured Image Credit: Johnny’s Selected Seeds Harvesting Squash When we harvest, we don’t want to break the fruit off…
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5 Steps to Achieve A Lean Vegetable Farm
Looking to create a lean vegetable farm? The lean system, designed to cut out waste and increase profits, allows you to operate a successful and healthy farm with a fraction of the work it usually takes. Here are five simple steps to help you get started! Unless otherwise noted, all photographs copyright © 2017 by Ben…
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Growing Medicinal Herbs: An Agricultural Revolution
Growing & using your own medicinal herbs keeps you healthy AND helps improve our environment. So what’re you waiting for? Check out these quick tips and get ready to start an agricultural revolution with medicinal herbs! The following is an excerpt from The Organic Medicinal Herb Farmer, Revised Edition by Jeff and Melanie Carpenter. It has been adapted for…
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Drop the Beet: Growing No-Till Beets
Let’s drop the beet! Beets can be grown year-round and are a perfect, flavorful addition to meals. Get started on growing your own no-till beets with help from these tips! The following is an excerpt from The Living Soil Handbook by Jesse Frost. It has a been adapted for the web. How to Grow No-Till…
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Dilly Beans: Voted The “Best Snack Ever”
For those who love fermented foods, we now welcome you into the wonderful world of dilly beans. There’s nothing quite like a dilly bean. Whether they’re next to a plate of cheese and crackers, on a sandwich, or taken straight from the jar in the middle of winter when you’re sick of potatoes and pasta,…
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A Guide to Harvesting Hazelnuts
Today, hazelnuts are all the rage. These small nuts, known for their one-of-a-kind flavor, are both delicious AND hearty enough to be grown and harvested in almost any weather conditions. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to start harvesting hazelnuts! The following is an excerpt from Cold-Hardy Fruits and Nuts by Scott Serrano and Allyson…
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Drill, Plug, Wax, Wait: 6 Simple Steps to Growing Mushrooms Outdoors
Growing mushrooms outdoors just got even easier! Learn about growing mushrooms on wood, from logs to tree stumps, with this simple six-step tutorial. The following excerpt is from Organic Mushroom Farming and Mycoremediation by Tradd Cotter. It has been adapted for the web. Log & Stump Mushroom Cultivation People have been growing mushrooms on logs and stumps for…
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Tips for Harvesting and Preserving: Reaping the Harvest
Tending to your garden is fulfilling in its own way, but the real reward is when everything is ready to be harvested! See below for some tips for harvesting and preserving that’ll keep you nourished for months to come. The following is an excerpt form The Regenerative Grower’s Guide to Garden Amendments by Nigel Palmer. It…
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Bokashi Bins: Easy and Affordable Kitchen Composting
Looking for a new way to compost? With Bokashi bins, the organic matter from your compost is broken down and turned into a preserved or pickled substance. Plus, the whole design is affordable and easy to build & use! The following is an excerpt from The Ecological Gardener by Matt Rees-Warren. It has been adapted for the…
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Naturally Feeding Your Flock: Feed Poultry With Fresh Greens
“Nothing we can buy in a feed bag can match the breadth and depth of nutrition to be discovered right at home.” — Harvey Ussery Feeding your flock naturally comes with a variety of benefits, from boosting poultry health to saving you money on feed bills. Resources that are readily available at your farm or…
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Garlic Growing 101: From Seed to Harvest
All hail the mighty garlic clove! This small crop adds a big punch of flavor that complements almost every delicious dish you could think of. Become a master at garlic growing with these tips on seeding, harvesting, and more. The following is an excerpt from The Living Soil Handbook by Jesse Frost. It has been adapted for the…
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How to Preserve Food Without Nutrient Loss
Want to get the most out of your harvest? Preserve food to keep your fruits and veggies fresh for weeks to come! Methods of food preservation like fermentation, drying, and salt-curing are very simple, don’t require fossil fuels, and promote food safety. The following is an excerpt from Preserving Food Without Freezing or Canning by the…
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What’s In A Name? The Story of Squash
“As soon as the squash begins to run its arms across the ground it is ready for the kitchen.” — Antonio Francesco Doni (1513–1574) – La Zucca (c.1541) Squash…this one simple term somehow encapsulates a variety of delicious vegetables that play a vital role in some of our favorite dishes. This species has come a long…
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Wild Dijon Vinaigrette: A Spin On Classic Salad Dressing
Move aside, store-bought salad dressing! Delicious and unique, this Wild Dijon Vinaigrette is bound to be your new salad staple. All you need to get started is some vinegar, a little bit of mustard, and a few more simple ingredients that you can find at home. The following is an excerpt from Wildcrafted Vinegars by Pascal…
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Boreray Sheep: A “Woolly” Remarkable Flock
“Ewe” won’t believe how much Boreray sheep have to offer! This breed provides much more than just a cute face and a full coat of wool. When raised in an ideal environment, Boreray sheep can have a huge positive impact on your farmland. The following is an excerpt from The Lost Flock by Jane Cooper.…
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Unique Pickling Ideas: We Can Pickle That!
Pickling goes far beyond turning cucumbers into sour or sweet sides for your sandwich or putting up your beans and beets. To show you what we mean, we put together two unusual pickling ideas for your perusal. RECIPE: Cinnamon Dark Red Plums You’d be missing out if you didn’t try these Cinnamon Dark Red Plums —…
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Easy 15-Minute Meals to Promote Gut Health
Want to improve your gut health, while also enjoying the food you love? Try out these easy, 15-minute recipes to indulge in a delicious meal while still being good to your gut. The following is an excerpt from Covid Vaccine Adverse Reaction Survival Guide by Caroline Pover. It has been adapted for the web. Recipes to Promote…
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How to Make Whole Fruit Jam
Soak up the end of summer by whipping up some whole fruit jam with seasonal fruits! The best part of this sweet spread? There’s absolutely no sugar added. This recipe relies on natural sugars to provide a balanced flavor. The following is an excerpt from Preserving Food Without Freezing or Canning by the Gardeners and…
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Reduce Heat Stress in Crops and Livestock: Arid Agriculture
During the summer, many environments struggle with temperatures above 100˚F. These high temperatures put heat stress on crops that are not very thermotolerant. Thankfully, there are some crops that can still effectively produce food in extremely hot climates. Many farmers have found ways to build “guilds” of crops, livestock, and canopy plantings to reduce heat stress and…
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8 Steps to Fermented Hot Sauce With Wild Greens
Hot sauce fans, this one’s for you! This easy recipe for fermented hot sauce with wild greens is sure to add an extra punch of flavor to your favorite meal. The following is an excerpt from The New Wildcrafted Cuisine, by Pascal Baudar. It has been adapted for the web. RECIPE: Fermented Hot Sauce With…
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Drying Prune Plums (Plus Figs, Apricots, Peaches and Nectarines)
Learn the ropes on drying prune plums and other fruits! Whether you’re a pro at preserving or you’ve never tried it out before, anyone can make these simple and delicious snacks. The following excerpt is from The Resilient Gardener by Carol Deppe. It has been adapted for the web. Prune Plums: Perfect for Preservation Prune plums…
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Un-Coop Your Poop: Everything You Need to Know About Chicken Tractors
If you keep your laying hens in a stationary coop, you’re missing out on their incredible soil building talents. Un-coop that chicken poop by putting your flock in mobile shelters, otherwise known as chicken tractors! These tractors spread manure for chickens to till, which helps keep your grass short and your soil healthy. The following is…
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