The many medicines of native plants…

Posted on Mar 28, 2016

Last week I told you about the sweet gum tree and how it’s role as food for finches and luna moths put it on the WILL-plant list for Five Apple Farm. But wait, there’s more!

Besides being in love with my copy of The Living Landscape by Rick Darke and Doug Tallamy, I am also in love with my newest book Medicinal Plants of the Southern Appalachians by the amazing herbalist Patricia Kyritsi Howell.  (I have the Organic Growers School to thank for the day long class with Howell — one of the best herb classes I’ve ever attended.)

Vetting the Sweet Gum: Beauty, Luna Moths, & God’s (scary) Finch Feeders

Posted on Mar 13, 2016

It is wonderful to discover yet another layer of generosity within trees and shrubs already on my planting wish-list. Where do I begin?

So I have this spot I want to plant a tree. It’s way out back along our fence line, behind and to the right of the chicken house. The spot has pretty good soil that tends on the wet side.

The Living Landscape by Rick Darke and Doug Tallamy

Posted on Mar 5, 2016

My copy of The Living Landscape by Rick Darke and Doug Tallamy is seldom far from my desk these days. It’s the time of year I start envisioning all the larrapin shrubs and trees I hope to plant this season. “Larrapin,” (an old expression meaning delicious and yummy) is the guiding star for my gardening wherever I live now: a landscape overflowing with plants, shrubs and trees that benefit all kinds of pollinators and songbirds as well as the gardeners. 

Winter Thoughts—Great Farm Search 2013, Pt 2

Posted on Jan 25, 2016

It’s strange to me how most real estate agents don’t get what would make a place a good homestead. I say this based on our experience selling a farmstead and buying another in 2013. (Part 1 of the tale is here.) Then again —unless your agent also happens to also grow some of their own food, raise some of their own meat — why would they know?

Feeding Bees in Winter: How (& why) to Make Sugar Blocks

Posted on Jan 18, 2016

Late winter is a challenging time for hive survival. The colony’s stores may be running low even in a good year. With the unusually warm December, they are much more likely to be running low on honey as the warm temps kept the bees unseasonably active.

Beekeepers: Please do a tilt-test and check the weight of your hives SOON even if you left plentiful honey in the fall. This post is about my favorite method of emergency/back-up feeding when —despite your excellent fall care and careful winter prep— the bees don’t have enough honey to survive the winter.

Winter Thoughts—Great Farm Search 2013, Pt 1

Posted on Jan 12, 2016

When we were looking for land and a home where we could really settle down and create our next (hopefully last) beloved homestead we were seeking a very specific place. Despite the clear specs we relayed to real estate agents, you just would not believe the things they thought we’d love. But I was a frustrated farmer with a mission: find home.

Creating Land Traditions

Posted on Jan 4, 2016

Creating new traditions with your land is delightful way to celebrate your time together. For years I’ve wanted to start a tradition of planting daffodils every fall. This year we finally got that rolling with an enormous box of bulbs that arrived on the doorstep scented daffodils, crocuses and siberian squill…

Bees Without Winter (yet…)

Posted on Dec 18, 2015

My buddy at the feed store said the other day, ‘Your bees must be enjoying this warm December.’ We haven’t had any winter to mention and it’s nearly Christmas. Growing up in Alabama, that was perfectly normal. Here at 3000′ in the mountains of North Carolina it is very unusual…

Winter Greens — Recipes

Posted on Dec 15, 2015

I just love winter greens. Especially when combined with cornbread and local ground sausage. Here are a couple of favorite recipes from A Larrapin Garden…

December already?! Looking back…and ahead

Posted on Dec 13, 2015

The years are picking up speed every year. My Grandmother did tell me this would happen but wow I didn’t understand then just how much speed. Still, as the calendar year gets ready to flip I enjoy looking back at things on the farm that went well and those that didn’t. It’s also time to pick the things on the land I want to focus on and learn more about as well as skills I’d like to add or develop.