Mulch, mulch, mulch!

May 14, 2015

Back to the Garden, Garden Design, Gardening, Permaculture, Soil

...As far as kids go, a yard full of trees to climb, secret forts, chickens, flowers, vegetable patches and interesting critters and bugs might better lure them outside than a perfect lawn. I know many happy kids who live in such yards. And as a kid myself, I preferred such spaces. I have no fond memories of grass. I do have strong memories of playing in wilder spaces–under trees, among boulders, in a rainy gutter, in the snow, at the beach. Lawn, f...

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Day to day, our decisions count

Mrs. Homegrown

April 30, 2015

Back to the Garden

6 Comments

...SAs go beyond veggies and fruits to provide meat, fish, milk, eggs, bread, flowers, etc. It takes some getting used to being in a CSA, because you don’t get much choice in what you’re given week to week, so you and your family need to have a spirit of adventure to go forward with it. CSAs and farmers’ markets teach you many things, including: The amazing flavor of food which is both fresh and in-season. You could live your whole life on supermarke...

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We are all gardeners

Mrs. Homegrown

April 2, 2015

Back to the Garden, Gardening, Thoughtstylings

13 Comments

...andscape rich with fish and game and meadows of tall grass and riotous wildflowers, shaded gently by spreading oaks. None of this was accidental, or Providential, as the colonists believed. The land was rich because the land was loved and actively managed by the tribes to ensure that they had the food and materials they needed, while supporting the rest of creation to the mutual benefit of all. They were practicing a form of permaculture so advanc...

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Why You Should Grow Pomegranates if You Can

Mr. Homegrown

October 3, 2014

Fruit Trees, Gardening

26 Comments

...might be a pomegranate. Why? Pomegranate trees have beautiful, bright red flowers in the spring and handsome yellow leaves in the fall. They grow fast. They have few pests. They are drought tolerant. They produce delicious fruit. Require low chill hours. They live long–200 years or more. The big downside for, probably, most of the readers of this blog is that pomegranates are frost sensitive. And the fruit will split if it rains in the fall. But...

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005 Amy and Vince of Tenth Acre Farm

Mr. Homegrown

June 25, 2014

Gardening, Permaculture, Podcasts

10 Comments

...autiful result you see above–a front yard that combines edibles as well as flowers that both please the neighbors and provide habitat for beneficial insects. The magic extends out into the parkway which is planted with a cherry tree guild. Amy and Vince go on to discuss how belonging to a CSA inspired them to cook from scratch and learn how to preserve food. This knowledge came in handy once their garden got really productive. Amy shares why buyin...

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