Chelsea Green Blog
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Ginger and Pineapple Anti-Inflammatory Smoothie: The Best Medicine You’ve Ever Tasted
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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Choosing the Right Seed Crop: The Seed Series
How do you know if you’re picking the right seeds? Here are some easy tips on choosing the best seed crop for your environment. The following is an excerpt from The Organic Seed Grower by John Navazio. It has been adapted for the web. Seed Crop Characteristics There are a number of prominent characteristics of…
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The Miyawaki Method: Imagining a Mini-Forest’s Potential
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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Urban Gardening Tips: No Space? No Problem!
Do you want to learn how to transform your balconies and windowsills into productive vegetable gardens? Try urban gardening! Choosing the right crops based on climate and light conditions, along with creating a companion planting strategy to prevent pests and attract pollinators, can help maximize food production with limited space. The following is an excerpt…
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Forager’s Spring Curry: A Wild, Seasonal Recipe
Nothing says “spring” like a fresh, foraged meal! Savor the flavors of the season with this mouth-watering spring curry recipe. The following is an excerpt from Forage, Harvest, Feast by Marie Viljoen. It has a been adapted for the web. Forager’s Spring Curry This boldly flavored spring stew evolved from a forager’s version of fridge…
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Testing Soil: Healthy Soil is Just A Test Away
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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Creating A Plant Grouping: Edible Forest Gardens
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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Ginger Carrots for a Healthy Gut
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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Bring on the Birds: Attracting Birds to Your Garden
Birds: they’re beautiful, they sing sweet songs, AND they can help our gardens thrive. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of birds in gardens, and how you can attract more to your backyard! The following is an excerpt from The Healthy Vegetable Garden by Sally Morgan. It has been adapted for the web.…
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Grow Your Own Veg — Starting Plants from Seed
Growing your own vegetables may be easier than you think! All you need is an indoor or outdoor space & some seeds, and you’ll be starting plants in no time. The following is an excerpt from Fresh Food from Small Spaces by R. J. Ruppenthal. It has been adapted for the web. Starting Plants from Seed…
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Make a Foraged, Immune-Boosting Pesto for Spring
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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5 Principles of Soil Health
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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Maple Roasted Nuts: A Sweet, Seasonal Treat
Craving something sweet? These delicious maple roasted nuts are the perfect treat to help you push through those end-of-winter blues. The following is an excerpt from Full Moon Feast by Jessica Prentice. It has been adapted for the web. The Magic of Maple: A Rich History Following the Hunger Moon, just before the first thaw…
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Grey Wolves: The Howling Gods
Grey wolves are complicated, beautiful animals that are now absent in many parts of the world. Where did these creatures come from, and how did they get to where they are today? The following is an excerpt from Hunt for the Shadow Wolf by Derek Gow. It has been adapted for the web. Grey Wolves:…
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How to Create Your Own Forest Garden
A forest garden provides a beautiful, bountiful edible landscape at any scale—whether only a few dozen square feet or if you have over an acre to spare. Ready to embark on your own forest garden adventure? Check out these articles for inspiration to get started. Featured image by Dani Baker. The Seven Layers of A…
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Mushrooms & Wild Herbs Salsa: A Refreshing Spring Recipe
Spring into the season with a fresh, wildcrafted appetizer! This recipe for mushrooms and wild herbs salsa is very adaptable, giving you freedom to use ingredients you find in your own environment. The following is an excerpt from Wildcrafted Vinegars by Pascal Baudar. It has been adapted for the web. RECIPE: Mushrooms & Wild Herbs…
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Permanent Beds: Designing An Efficient Garden
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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How to Preserve Seasonings: Herbs Today, Preserves Tomorrow
What do you do when you have bunches of herbs reaching maturity at the same time? Preserve them! Preserving herbs for seasonings involves traditional techniques that use salt, oil, sugar, alcohol, vinegar, and a few other simple ingredients. The following is an excerpt from Preserving Food without Freezing or Canning. It has been adapted…
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Simplify Farm Fieldwork: Stop Working So Hard
Looking to simplify fieldwork on your farm? The key is to act like a tree: stop working so hard and let nature do some of the work for you. 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…
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Preserving Seed Integrity: How Far is Far Enough?
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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Birch & Walnut Syrups: Beyond the Maple
Move aside, maple! We have two new syrups to add to the table. Check out this insight on tapping, selling, and eating syrup from walnut & birch trees. The following is an excerpt from Farming the Woods by Steve Gabriel and Ken Mudge. It has been adapted for the web. Walnut Syrup Walnut (Juglans spp.)…
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7 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Planting Site
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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How to Grow Mushrooms on Woodchip
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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Garden Planning: The Most Promising Veggies
Getting ready to do some garden planning? Here are some of the most promising veggies that Eliot Coleman suggests to start with! The following is an excerpt from The New Organic Grower by Eliot Coleman. It has been adapted for the web. A Guide to Garden Planning When I began farming full-time on my own…
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Fermented Mixed Wild Greens and Daikon Achar
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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