A recent visit to Maine was like a time machine, sort of. There was the Common Ground Fair, the first of many visits to was about 20 years ago. And similarly for a visit with Eliot Coleman, except these visits began 50 years ago! Still learning and getting better at growing plants organically and sustainably. The trip and conversations described, you know where, in my latest blog post, accessible from my website (my name dot com).
Grow figs where winters are frigid? No problem. Although this plant is native to the hot, dry climates of the Mideast, it can be grown successfully in a cold winter climate. (I’ve done it for decades.) Learn what unique characteristics of this the plant makes this possible and how to make use of these characteristics to get the plant to survive winter and bear ripe fruit, all this iin my latest blog post.
I gotta admit it, this year’s garden was my worst ever! I think I know the reason — no, the many reasons –why. We gardeners, farmdeners, and farmers can always blame the weather. What, specifically about the weather, and what other reasons can I suss. Read what I thought, some of it may apply in your garden or farmden, in my latest blog post.
I’d never tasted okra until the age of 23 (eating alone in a cafeteria on Thanksgiving), but I evidently liked it because I’ve grown it now for years. But can this truly Southern vegetable actually be grown in a cooler Northern garden like my farmden? Yes! For how I contribute to my success with this mucilagenous treat, read my latest blog post.
There are so many good reasons to address weeds right now — yes, in late summer — and so many ways to keep them in check — yes, now in late summer. Read about the why and the how in my latest blog post.
The final “job” in growing fruit is picking it. Most are at their best when fully ripened on the plant, and the fruit communicates to us lowly humans when they are at that stage. For the latest in plant-human communiqué, read my newest blog post, and enjoy!
The berry season, the essence of summer, is far from over. Of course, there are blueberries, all season. Just coming into their peak also are two kinds of black brambles. I compare them as to growth, flavor, and what’s more worth growth. If you’re curious about this and want to learn more, read about it in the latest blog post on my website.
Why think about autumn on a beautiful, summer day? Because that’s what a good gardener needs to do. And I take action. Whaaa? For why and what and how, go to my website to read my latest blog post.
Here at Springtown Farmden, there’s opportunity to partake of a variety of traditional exercises from around the “world.” They come here (figuratively) from Japan, India, and China, and are sure to stir the blood as you clear weeds and mow fields. Read about these “ancient” forms in my latest blog post.
You’ve got to be careful what you wish for. Nonetheless, the naturally rich, well-drained but moisture retentive soil here has made me, especially this season of abundant rainfall, heat, and sunlight — okay I’ll say it, wish I was gardening on poor soil. But then I have second thoughts because what, after all, does “poor soil” mean. Join me and my experience and re-evaluation in my latest blog post.
