2018 was a year of surprises, challenges, joy, and growth for both me and my family. My writing energy was diverted, and that was okay; it was necessary. But after a week away in the sun, I feel so much more like myself: centered, calm, determined, and full of ideas and plans! Last week I … Continue reading Reflecting on 2018 (Part 1 of 2)
Farmer Kate?! Where did you go in 2017? You disappeared! Well, the basic gist of it was that I decided to be a farmer. I worked a super fun part-time job with some great gardening folks in Westford for most of the year, too, and then I just was pretty tired. I tried to do so … Continue reading 2017: A Year of Firsts at the Farm
The easiest way to build a raised bed- attach 4 boards together and fashion a 4 foot by 8 foot rectangular garden bed. This size garden bed is large enough to grow many crops over 2-3 seasons in New England and is incredibly simple to build. I bought untreated pine boards from Lowes to keep costs … Continue reading Build a Simple 4×8 Wooden Raised Bed to grow your own vegetables
Steps to successfully starting seedlings inside: Choose what you want to grow and order it from your favorite seed companies. Find your planting zone (For example, I am in eastern Massachusetts and plant according to the Zone 6a dates). Find the date that you can plant your desired plant outside (let’s use tomatoes as an […]
Work at Daisy Hill Farm is gaining speed as seedlings are finally germinating and growing! Can you guess the select seedlings below? Fun fact: We are growing over 3,000 seedlings inside right now! 1. Hint: This is not native to New England. Specially grown for fans of the Indian cuisine. … Continue reading Guess that Seedling!
Early, cold-hardy plants that can be planted as soon as the ground thaws. Spinach, lettuce and other greens are especially excellent candidates for early Spring planting. I planted some inside a week ago, and here they are today. They are in the chilly basement, on the brand new plant stand. Happy in the fridge; not … Continue reading Hope in the midst of a miserable March
Steps to successfully starting seedlings inside: Choose what you want to grow and order it from your favorite seed companies. Find your planting zone (For example, I am in eastern Massachusetts and plant according to the Zone 6a dates). Find the date that you can plant your desired plant outside (let’s use tomatoes as an […]
Introduction: (Scroll down to numbered list to skip all the verbiage and start building). Over the next week I will be starting to grow some of my farm plants inside. Eventually most of these seedlings will move outside and to be transplanted into the ground. A few more are destined for pots on the porch, and … Continue reading Part 1 of 3. Build your own Grow Station to Start Seedlings Inside….Successfully!
I have tried a number of different methods to start seeds inside and have made few mistakes along the way. I have tried growing seedlings in windowsills, under different sorts of lights, on heated grow mats, etc. Here is that I have learned NOT TO DO: Do not spend your time making cute designs with … Continue reading Starting Seeds Inside: 5 things NOT to do.
I love seeds. This is not a surprise. All growers love seeds. They represent hope, they ARE hope, right in a tiny package. SO…..I bought a whole CRAP-TON of HOPE this year. And I am not done, because this year I am in need of a crapton of hope. Seeds represent the futures, they are […]
Gardening With Mittens 