March 1, 2020 With three weeks to the spring equinox, late winter days are typically just above freezing and the nights a few degrees below freezing. Ground water is absorbed by trees, their stored starch is converted to sugar and the pressure inside the trunks of Sugar Maples increases. This is the ideal time toContinue reading “Our Local Sugar Harvest”
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Get an early start on spring
February 23, 2020 A planter of soil, a pack of mesclun seed mix, and a sunny location or grow lights can get you a fresh salad in about 4 weeks. Then, the cropped plants can produce again in another couple of weeks. This can become the kick off to fresh greens from the garden inContinue reading “Get an early start on spring”
Choosing our own path forward
I believe that it’s good to be aware of what’s happening in the world, but it’s best to focus one’s efforts and resources on building a sustainable life style while ensuring the health of the small part of the planet one inhabits. However, it’s difficult to stand by quietly as our democratically elected leaders attemptContinue reading “Choosing our own path forward”
Our mixed greens
February 9, 2020 The story behind our mixed greens begins in 2008 when we started up market gardening after our move to the farm. Among a host of other vegetables, we put out lettuce to grow into large heads for sale at our stand near Frankford. We soon discovered that growing things organically meant thatContinue reading “Our mixed greens”
Groundhog Day and taking advantage of the longer days of mid-winter
February 2, 2020 There are few people who don’t tire of winter after a couple of months of cold and snow. So, someone came up with a peculiar way of figuring out whether winter will persist for much longer. It involves dragging a hapless groundhog into daylight on February 2nd to see if he/she canContinue reading “Groundhog Day and taking advantage of the longer days of mid-winter”
Edible and Nourishing “Weeds”
January 26, 2020 “Weed” is a term we use for any plant that assumes a place in our garden without being invited or appreciated. To most gardeners, they are just plain aggravating. These unwelcome plants are constantly challenging us with their resilience, quick growth and dominance. Gardeners expend considerable time and energy trying to keepContinue reading “Edible and Nourishing “Weeds””
In memory of my mother
January 19, 2020 We are strongly influenced by those who raised us. Whether we take on different beliefs or not, what we learned in our early years set the foundation for our lives. As unique entities, each of my parents’ children has taken a different perspective. It just means the influence they had on theirContinue reading “In memory of my mother”
Thoughts on food security and embracing challenges
January 12, 2020 Last summer and fall, when there was so much coming off the gardens, we would take the time to process tomatoes into juice, cucumbers into pickles, and peppers into hot sauces. But much of the extra produce just went directly into the freezer for processing when we’d have the time during the winter. Beans, peas, eggplants, and zucchini areContinue reading “Thoughts on food security and embracing challenges”
Reflections While Preparing for Spring
As we are Nature’s children, it is only natural that connecting with the earth through gardening is one of the most fulfilling activities if we just let go of expectations.
Looking Ahead to 2020
December 29, 2019 With the holiday season almost behind us, we look to the new year to reach new goals or finally accomplish what we had planned to do in 2019. Ironically, we set these goals without any knowledge of the twists and turns that we will encounter through the next twelve months. It makesContinue reading “Looking Ahead to 2020”