Let me begin by saying that if you’ve found today’s column by doing a Google search for “weed,” this most likely isn’t the kind you were looking for. Now that that’s settled, let’s move on to the definition of a weed according to Mirriam-Webster: a plant that is not valued where it is growing and […]
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Posted inLife and Culture
Don’t garden? Local markets are here to help
If you don’t have the room, the time, are the proud owner of a brown thumb, or just aren’t inclined to garden, that doesn’t mean you are relegated to eating grocery store produce shipped from China. You can still eat well, and local, and in the process support a local grower by shopping at your […]
Posted inLife and Culture
Let the zucchini flood begin
As harvest begins, it’s a little of this and a little of that. Not enough to start leaving anonymous bundles on random front porches, but at least enough to whet your appetite for what is to come. What starts as a trickle of harvest goodies quickly leads to a flood, and that ever-important question, “What […]
Posted inLife and Culture
My wild, wild life
Spring is a rush of planting, and from late summer to fall is an almost daily hurry of harvesting and preserving. In between, like now, there’s not much to do but wait. While we pass the time, I thought I would offer you, dear reader, a glimpse of my wild, wild life. A handy soundtrack […]
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Beautiful, bountiful, berry-licious
Tis the season for wild black raspberries to ripen, which means mosquito bites, berry bramble scratches, and hands that make you look like Lady Macbeth. We are fortunate to have a plethora of brambly, scratchy, juicy, berry-licious plants on our property. In Ohio, as in many other states, wild berries are considered a weed. At […]
Posted inLife and Culture
Does size matter?
Too big can be overwhelming, and too small could leave you wishing for more. But my idea of too small may be another’s idea of just right, so I suppose it’s all a matter of perspective. Garden perspective, that is. When I first started gardening, it was a small, urban garden, but still held an […]
Posted inLife and Culture
Keepin’ it real
Life is messy. And hectic. And sometimes, things get just plain crazy. Even on the farmstead. Correction – Especially – on the farmstead. We all have this idea of country life: fresh air, blue skies, green grass of a reasonable height, weed-free gardens in rich, dark soil, and free-range critters romping happily about. Reality, in […]
Posted inLife and Culture
‘Mulch’ ado about planting
It’s the middle of June a few years ago, and I’m chatting with an acquaintance. The subject turns to gardening, as it often does when I am involved. (You may consider this fair warning: do not strike up a conversation with me unless you want to discuss gardening.) I mention to her that I am […]
Posted inLife and Culture
Leaves of three, itchy me
You don’t have to be a superhero to have a nemesis. Everyone has one. Maybe it was that kid in second grade that put paint in your hair, or maybe it’s that guy at the office that likes to dip his grubby fingers into everyone’s lunch, but you do have one. The question is what […]
Posted inLife and Culture
Growing your own food doesn’t have to be rocket science
There are many ways to garden, and none are right or wrong. I use many methods here on the farmstead, including the black plastic method, which is by far one of the quickest and easiest. It has always been successful for me. I’ve been told many times that it just can’t be done, often while […]