Hello! Well, the warmth of vacation has worn off and it is back to the reality of winter here in Massachusetts. Cold and snowing, in case you were wondering. However, there were a few days last week that felt like spring, and those days were AMAZING! The temperature was in the 50's, the sun was … Continue reading Reflecting on 2018 (Part 2): July-December
Category: Soil
Reflecting on 2018 (Part 1 of 2)
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)
Build a Simple 4×8 Wooden Raised Bed to grow your own vegetables
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
Starting Seedlings Successfully Inside! Part 3 of 3: Caring for your Seedlings and Transitioning them to grow outside
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 […]
Guess that Seedling!
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!
Hope in the midst of a miserable March
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
Part 2 of 3: Planning and Planting…..Starting Seedlings Successfully Inside!
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 […]
Part 1 of 3. Build your own Grow Station to Start Seedlings Inside….Successfully!
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!
Starting Seeds Inside: 5 things NOT to do.
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 Weeding! A Mindshift.
About a month ago, I started thinking of gathering weeds as a means of speeding up my composting process. Because I have a brand new piece of land I am working, one of the most important things is soil-building the best way to build soil is with compost. How can I make more compost? Must … Continue reading I love Weeding! A Mindshift.