Chelsea Green Blog
Farming & Homesteading
9 Vital Tools for Micro-Farming
Interested in micro-farming, but don’t know where to begin? Believe it or not, you only need 9 tools to get started. These easy-to-find tools for micro-farming will set the stage for productive growing! The following is an excerpt from The Lean Micro Farm by Ben Hartman. It has been adapted for the web. Unless otherwise noted, all…
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Buying Meat for the Holidays? Questions to Ask Your Butcher or Farmer
Getting ready to start planning for festive dinners? Before buying meat for the holidays, it’s important to research a few things about the practices involved in butchering, packaging, and distribution — which directly impact the quality of your meat. The following is an excerpt from The Gourmet Butcher’s Guide to Meat by Cole Ward. It…
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Tips for Operating A Successful Farm
Want to run a successful farm, but don’t know where to begin? These tips from two organic farming pioneers will help you learn everything you need to get started. The following is an excerpt from Many Hands Make a Farm by Jack Kittredge and Julie Rawson. It has been adapted for the web. Lessons From Farming…
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DIY: How to Make Your Own Hatchet
Ever wanted to make your own hatchet? Then today’s your lucky day! With some scrap steel, a hacksaw, a file, a drill, a bonfire, a bucket of water, and an oven, you can make this simple, hardy, “democratic” axe. The following excerpt is from A Handmade Life: In Search of Simplicity by William Coperthwaite. It has…
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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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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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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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Keeping Seeds Organized: Saving & Storing
Saving and storing seeds is a great way to help the environment, save money, and achieve a successful growing season. Follow these tips for keeping seeds organized so you’re ready to plant by the time growing season begins! The following is an excerpt from The Celestial Garden by Jane Hawley Stevens. It has been adapted for…
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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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Growing & Harvesting Carrots: Getting to the Root
Curious about carrots? Now’s a better time than ever to get to growing. Before you get started, check out these insights on growing & harvesting carrots from gardening expert Will Bonsall. 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. Growing…
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Two-Step Bed Flipping: Increasing Your Production on a Small Footprint
Flipping your plant beds is as simple as 1, 2! Follow these tips for two-step bed flipping to successfully increase your crop production no matter the season. The following is an excerpt from The Lean Micro Farm by Ben Hartman. It has been adapted for the web. Unless otherwise noted, all photographs and illustrations copyright…
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Rock & Grow: Adding Local Rocks & Soil To Your Garden
Looking for ways to naturally enrich your garden? The answer is all around you….literally. Add local rocks & soil to your garden to improve soil health and see your crops flourishing in no time. The following is an excerpt from The Regenerative Grower’s Guide to Garden Amendments by Nigel Palmer. It has been adapted for the…
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How to Choose the Right Breed for Your Poultry Flock
There are many factors to consider when choosing a breed for your poultry flock — from climate to commitment level. Thankfully, we’re here to help make your decision easier! Below is some insight into the most common poultry breeds and their characteristics. The following is an excerpt from The Small-Scale Poultry Flock, Revised Edition by Harvey Ussery.…
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About Thyme: Growing, Harvesting, and Drying Thyme
It’s about time we talk about thyme! Thyme, a medicinal herb and a flavorful addition to many meals, is easy to grow and harvest in almost any condition. Follow these tips to get started on growing thyme in your backyard! The following is an excerpt from The Organic Medicinal Herb Farmer, Revised Edition by Jeff and Melanie Carpenter. It…
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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