I am always intrigued and informed by your thought provoking articles. You not only give us so much pertinent information, but you always put the questions to us to make us think “outside of the box.”
Growing up in Massachusetts with 10 other siblings, plus mom and dad, made me aware, at an early age, of the importance of having that big family garden. I learned the basics at an early age from both parents.
I have raised garden beds that I built over the years, and have recently increased my production of vegetables and even flowers. I have learned the importance of pollination, so I have not only beautiful flowers in my yard, but flowers, such as marigolds, planted among the veggies to repel offending insects. I do not use chemical pesticides because I know of the detriment they cause to our overall ecosystem.
Please continue to provide us with your valuable information. I love the idea where you try to encourage all start a small garden for themselves. Once you get started, your enjoyment will keep you going to grow on a larger scale. To watch a tiny speckle of a seed germinate and become a beautiful flower or a huge tomato plant, will bring a smile to your face.
It is so exciting to hear about your gardening journey--all the way from childhood to now! These personal stories over long periods of time are the examples that many of us turn to for our learning.
Yes, once people experience the miracle of gardening and growing things, it is hard to not have that in your life. :)
Living in California has made it easy in some ways to find organic foods and people who raise humanely and truly loved, plants, animals, and make goodies from skilled hearts and loving minds. We are growing a garden according to shared info from you and others, we can make our own butter and have access to a beautiful cow and milk when her baby does not drink it. We have learned to make yogurt and through the efforts of people like you, Liz we have learned so much. Thank you for the blessing you are, Sharon
Sharonmo... that sounds like such a blessing to live amongst producers and those who add value to those materials. Keep on learning! It's amazing the ways we can learn from each other. Thank you for your contributions.
I will LIz as food is affordable healthcare for me. It has kept me out of a MD office for 30 years, and I am 70 now with no real medical issues. It can only be a good thing for us all right now!
My mantra is feed, fuel, and food. The other day, this guy was complaining to me about how lousy the organic, heirloom apples at Costco were compared to the industrial produce. He said that organic farming is "lazy farming"! He said that no till farming was lazy. LOL Whateva...
Since the term "organic" is owned by the USDA, it has become diluted.
No till farming has its pros and cons in this modern era. (Of course, back to roots "no till" farming is idyllic. But, alas, we are far from anything ideal right now.
Your mantra sounds like mine... I use "food, fibers and fuel." Wouldn't it be great if we were able to value our fibers (linen, cotton, wool, etc) enough that we could use what we grow and grow what we use? But ah, that is a topic for another day. :)
Yes! Fibers have been my blind spot. In another life, I designed technical gear for action sports. I've been planning to buy some bolts of fabric and unbox my serger and sewing machine. I hadn't considered wool sheep until I started following the Fat Turkey Farm substack.
Diversity is great and all, but interdependence is vital. ;-) None of us can do it all. You are amazing with how much challenge you take on.... Have you considered an apprentice? Lol
Some things fit nicely into my polyculture loops. A good fit is when they make something easier or better without adding too much labor or complexity. I think that, possibly, wool sheep would fit with my poultry and hair sheep grazing plan if there are parasite/disease resistant breeds. I definitely don't see myself spinning yarn, however.
I miss my apprentices. I've had 5 over the past decade. All wonderful, but as is often the case with young people, they move on to other places and jobs. I have a lead on someone. Maybe it will work out.
Hello Liz,
I am always intrigued and informed by your thought provoking articles. You not only give us so much pertinent information, but you always put the questions to us to make us think “outside of the box.”
Growing up in Massachusetts with 10 other siblings, plus mom and dad, made me aware, at an early age, of the importance of having that big family garden. I learned the basics at an early age from both parents.
I have raised garden beds that I built over the years, and have recently increased my production of vegetables and even flowers. I have learned the importance of pollination, so I have not only beautiful flowers in my yard, but flowers, such as marigolds, planted among the veggies to repel offending insects. I do not use chemical pesticides because I know of the detriment they cause to our overall ecosystem.
Please continue to provide us with your valuable information. I love the idea where you try to encourage all start a small garden for themselves. Once you get started, your enjoyment will keep you going to grow on a larger scale. To watch a tiny speckle of a seed germinate and become a beautiful flower or a huge tomato plant, will bring a smile to your face.
Thanks again for sharing your knowledge with us..
Thankfully,
Bob Gaines
Thank you Bob!
It is so exciting to hear about your gardening journey--all the way from childhood to now! These personal stories over long periods of time are the examples that many of us turn to for our learning.
Yes, once people experience the miracle of gardening and growing things, it is hard to not have that in your life. :)
Living in California has made it easy in some ways to find organic foods and people who raise humanely and truly loved, plants, animals, and make goodies from skilled hearts and loving minds. We are growing a garden according to shared info from you and others, we can make our own butter and have access to a beautiful cow and milk when her baby does not drink it. We have learned to make yogurt and through the efforts of people like you, Liz we have learned so much. Thank you for the blessing you are, Sharon
Sharonmo... that sounds like such a blessing to live amongst producers and those who add value to those materials. Keep on learning! It's amazing the ways we can learn from each other. Thank you for your contributions.
I will LIz as food is affordable healthcare for me. It has kept me out of a MD office for 30 years, and I am 70 now with no real medical issues. It can only be a good thing for us all right now!
Indeed! So well said!
My mantra is feed, fuel, and food. The other day, this guy was complaining to me about how lousy the organic, heirloom apples at Costco were compared to the industrial produce. He said that organic farming is "lazy farming"! He said that no till farming was lazy. LOL Whateva...
Wow, that is quite a claim he made.
Since the term "organic" is owned by the USDA, it has become diluted.
No till farming has its pros and cons in this modern era. (Of course, back to roots "no till" farming is idyllic. But, alas, we are far from anything ideal right now.
Your mantra sounds like mine... I use "food, fibers and fuel." Wouldn't it be great if we were able to value our fibers (linen, cotton, wool, etc) enough that we could use what we grow and grow what we use? But ah, that is a topic for another day. :)
Yes! Fibers have been my blind spot. In another life, I designed technical gear for action sports. I've been planning to buy some bolts of fabric and unbox my serger and sewing machine. I hadn't considered wool sheep until I started following the Fat Turkey Farm substack.
Diversity is great and all, but interdependence is vital. ;-) None of us can do it all. You are amazing with how much challenge you take on.... Have you considered an apprentice? Lol
Ahhh, thanks for the kind words!
Some things fit nicely into my polyculture loops. A good fit is when they make something easier or better without adding too much labor or complexity. I think that, possibly, wool sheep would fit with my poultry and hair sheep grazing plan if there are parasite/disease resistant breeds. I definitely don't see myself spinning yarn, however.
I miss my apprentices. I've had 5 over the past decade. All wonderful, but as is often the case with young people, they move on to other places and jobs. I have a lead on someone. Maybe it will work out.