Can I Grow Apples Organically?
YES! You can definitely grow apples organically.
Apples have a reputation for being hard to grow. The truth is that is because people often pick a variety that is not well suited to their climate.
Growing Fruit Trees in Zone 6B
Composting in a Small Space: A Complete Guide
Building and Using Cold Frames to Extend Your Harvest
Imagine a snowy day in December. You go out to the garden, uncover the cold frame, and pick some nice fresh greens for dinner. This is something I do in my USDA Zone 6 garden.
Cold Frames are a great way to extend your harvest. They’re easy and cheap to build and give a lot back for the money. Cold frames allow you to eat fresh food for a longer period of time.
Starting an Internship Program on Your Small Farm
Planning For Perennials Zone 6B
Perennials will add a great deal of variety to your garden plan. These plants live for several years or more. I always tell my students to plant perennials first.
Perennial fruits, vegetables, and herbs will make a considerable impact towards self-sufficiency goals and your food security. They are also beautiful landscape plants.
Strawberries Zone 6B Growing and Using
What is the best thing about June? Fresh strawberries, of course! Strawberries are easy to grow and provide an excellent yield for the amount of space.
In addition to the fantastic taste, strawberries have many great qualities. They are the first fruit of the season and the quickest fruit to produce from planting to eating. Strawberries are also very nutritious and are loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants.
Root Crops in Zone 6B - Growing and Using
Root crops often get overlooked in the plumage of greens and the bliss of fresh tomatoes. Crops such as beets, carrots, radishes, and turnips may not make our top ten list of yummy things to plant.
However, they are wonderful to grow for fresh eating and for storage. Working on becoming self-sufficient? Expand your culinary tastes with some of my favorite root crop recipes at the end of this article.
Growers in USDA Zone 6b often feel challenged by root crops. Clay soil, spring downpours, and summer humidity all seem to challenge these root crops. You can overcome these challenges and grow healthy abundant crops.
Using Mulch to Improve Your Garden
Mulch is a workhorse in the garden. It protects plants, warms the soil, and retains moisture. Mulch can be natural or synthetic.
Natural or organic mulch typically comes from plants such as straw, wheat, or pine needles. However, sheep wool is also a wonderful mulch. Natural mulches degrade and become part of the soil.
3 Simple Must Haves For Soil Health
Broccoli: Growing and Cooking in Zone 6
Starting a Medicinal Herb Garden
Foraging: Dandelions in the Kitchen
Dandelion may have a bad reputation, but it is not just a pesky garden weed. From chai tea to salad to herbal medicine, dandelion is one of the most versatile plants you can forage.
This post will give a quick overview of the many potential diet and health benefits of adding dandelion to your cooking, followed by a look at the many possible uses of this versatile plant in the kitchen.
I will share some of my favorite uses with you, including dandelion smoothies, pesto, roasted roots, and a coffee alternative!
Protecting Your Gourds From Mildews, Squash Bugs and Japanese Beetles
Gourds are a beautiful plant that I would recommend growing to anyone. They can be used as an ingredient in multiple types of bread and desserts, or can simply bring an element of autumn decoration to your home. The experience of growing them is incredibly rewarding, and something I hope everyone has the chance to experience.
Foraging For Wild Tea
Growing Mushrooms Naturally Using the Trench Log and Log Raft Methods
Trench Log and Log Raft are two techniques that capitalize on the way the fungus grows naturally. In nature, many mushroom species grow on old logs. Trees that have lived out their lives or gotten damaged in a storm. Both the trench log and the log raft methods of growing mushrooms benefit from this natural method. Increased moisture, a condensed fruiting area, and natural microclimate make for good mushroom production.
This article will introduce you to these two natural ways to grow your favorite mushrooms.
Growing and Using Mint
Mint is all around you - literally! There are many varieties of mint and it has long been used as flavorings in foods, gum, toothpaste, antacids, and cough drops.
Mint is great for using in herbal teas, salads, soups, cookies, and for this Kentucky girl - mint juleps!
This article will look at the many varieties of mint, how to grow it (and contain it) and some exceptional recipes you will love.
Growing and Using Basil
Foraging For Morel Mushrooms
Morel mushrooms are wild mushrooms that are safe to eat and taste delicious. They have a distinctive shape and are easy to recognize. Harvesting morels is a great way to increase your food sustainability. This article will introduce you to foraging for morel mushrooms, identification tips, and ways to enjoy the harvest.
Elderberry - Grow Your Medicine
Elderberry is such a great plant that does not get the admiration it deserves. Not only can you make fabulous tasting wine but elderberry is a wonderful medicinal plant. You can use it in baking, making tinctures, and jelly.This article will talk about growing and using elderberry, health benefits, and includes several recipes.