Mar
25
the quiet appeal of columnar apples
There is something very satisfying about a fruit tree that feels more companionable than a chore.
3 min read
Grow Food
Notes on growing vegetables and herbs in a cool-climate garden.
Mar
14
from sungold to purple: this year’s tomato patch
I am not usually looking for one perfect tomato when I plan the tomato patch. One year, I even chose varieties to echo the colors of the companion plants growing nearby. This time around, the patch is shaped by contrast...
3 min read
Jun
05
egyptian walking onion: it's not like the others
For those who cultivate the Egyptian walking onion, it is not only a plant of culinary and ornamental significance but also a testament to the wonders of nature.
3 min read
Mar
15
welcome, sproutlings!
...the crocuses are now out, the daffodils are budding wildly, and the seeds we sowed in late February have finally emerged. We prefer to call them "sproutlings" to highlight their small and delicate nature at this early stage of development.
1 min read
Feb
27
winter sowing: hope in a jug
As you may already know, winter sowing involves starting seeds outdoors during the winter months. The intent is to take advantage of the natural cycles of freezing and thawing that occur during the winter months to stratify the seeds ...
4 min read
Feb
24
february's tender beginnings
The advent of spring brings the rich promise of the growing season ahead. The air smells of hope and renewal, and a universe of possibilities. For us, the feeling never gets old, no matter how distressing the state of the world may be.
1 min read
Feb
21
a hopeful journey from roots to fruits, earth to skies
It is likely that we won't see these trees fruit for 3-4 years; there's no hurrying trees, after all. They take their time to root, to grow, to flower, and to fruit.
2 min read
Nov
28
keep calm and plant garlic
I did not have to do anything much with them. A little weeding here and there, watering the plants when there was a dry spell, but otherwise, they were left on their own except for the occasional hi/bye in the garden and the grace of the spring rain.
2 min read
Nov
23
bamboo/cattle panel trellis
Growing the hollyhocks and sunflowers on the north side of the cattle panel made them easy to secure when it got too windy here. But this trellis design had its limitations.
2 min read
Nov
15
brad's atomic grape tomato looks wild
Brad’s Atomic Grape is one of the most striking tomatoes in the garden, with streaked colors that look almost painted. It’s a tomato that proves vegetables can be as beautiful as flowers.
1 min read