Tenth Acre Farm

Create a Food Forest for Low-Maintenance, Edible Rewards

Tenth Acre Farm — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 17:20:20 +0000

A food forest, or edible forest garden, is a food production strategy that mimics a woodland ecosystem. Find out how to create a low-maintenance, perennial, permaculture garden with edible rewards!

How to Build a Fruit Tree Guild

Tenth Acre Farm — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 12:03:38 +0000

A guild is a grouping of plants that supports a central element—such as a fruit tree—for maximum harvest and use of space. Learn more about this permaculture technique for creating a low-maintenance system that also improves biodiversity.

Implementing Your Dreams on the Permaculture Homestead

Tenth Acre Farm — Sun, 04 Jun 2017 13:03:36 +0000

When developing a permaculture homestead, you've got a lot of dreams and it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Are you wondering where to start? Here's how to look at all you want to accomplish and create a plan that breaks it down into manageable tasks. This is called implementation planning.

Your Guide to Preventing Pests in the Garden

Tenth Acre Farm — Thu, 18 May 2017 19:29:43 +0000

Why waste time and money treating pests, when you can prevent pest problems in the first place? Set aside your organic products and follow this guide to prevent pests from becoming a problem in your garden.

6 Maps to Draw for the Permaculture Designed Homestead

Tenth Acre Farm — Sun, 23 Apr 2017 12:41:42 +0000

When designing a homestead based on permaculture principles, it's essential to draw out a few maps before getting started. This process is akin to putting together a puzzle. Dumping out and looking at all the pieces from a bird's-eye view before putting together the puzzle gives you a vision for your ultimate goal, so your efforts are maximized and the final layout is a low maintenance homestead.

20 Perennial Crops for Wet Soil

Tenth Acre Farm — Sat, 25 Mar 2017 19:29:05 +0000

Wet soil can be a challenge for even the most experienced gardeners. If you're dealing with damp soil, here are some tips for improving the condition, and 20 perennials crops that might grow well there.

80 Ways to Homestead Without a Garden

Tenth Acre Farm — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 20:33:20 +0000

Think you can't have a homestead without a garden? Think again! If you don't have a garden, don't despair. There are a lifetime of skills to learn. Here are 80 productive skills to start your path to homesteading without a garden.

Are you a Busy Gardener? Grow these Low Maintenance Crops

Tenth Acre Farm — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 22:40:47 +0000

Does your garden often get overshadowed by your busy schedule? Are you looking for a low maintenance garden that fits your lifestyle? Here are some crops that will allow you to reap an abundant harvest with less work.

6 Flowers to Grow in the Vegetable Garden

Tenth Acre Farm — Sat, 21 Jan 2017 17:14:50 +0000

Flowers in the vegetable garden can improve biodiversity and reduce the incidence of pests. There are plenty of flowers that can be planted throughout the vegetable garden, but here are my six favorite flowers chosen for their ability to support vegetable crops.

9 Organic Amendments that Improve Soil Structure and Texture

Tenth Acre Farm — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 21:02:34 +0000

Are you dealing with soil that is high in clay or sand? Most gardeners need to amend soil to improve it, and here are some of my favorite organic soil amendments that can help.

5 Myths About Micro-Farming: What’s Keeping You From Your Goals?

Tenth Acre Farm — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 20:28:13 +0000

When we think of growing food for our family right outside our door, there are all kinds of excuses that can crop up to stop us in our tracks. Here are five myths about micro-farming that can keep you from reaching your goal.

Want to be a Micro-Farmer? 6 Tips for Success (and 6 Things Not to Do)

Tenth Acre Farm — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 14:05:08 +0000

Would you like to grow food for your family, but are unsure of how to start? In this article, I'll outline six mistakes new micro-farmers often make and six ways you can set yourself up for success.

How to Grow Perennial Sunflowers for Food, Privacy, Mulch, Beneficial Insects, and More

Tenth Acre Farm — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 18:35:36 +0000

Maximilian sunflower is a beautiful flower to add to your garden, but its uses go beyond beauty. Learn about this permaculture plant and 8 reasons to grow it in your landscape.

Make a Circle Garden for Beauty and Low-Maintenance

Tenth Acre Farm — Fri, 20 May 2016 12:42:09 +0000

A circular-shaped garden can be used to grow edibles in a beautiful setting. While pleasing to the eye, the design may also reduce labor. Here are some tips for designing your own edible circle garden.

Step to the Beet: Growing and Harvesting Beets Year-Round, Plus Delicious Beet Recipes for the Beet-Hater

Tenth Acre Farm — Thu, 12 May 2016 00:01:23 +0000

Beets are a nutrition powerhouse and an efficient way to grow healthy produce. With the tips in this article, you'll be growing your own in no time. Afraid to try beets? These delicious recipes are sure to please the beet-hater.

Drying and Using Frozen Sour Cherries

Tenth Acre Farm — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 16:50:26 +0000

During the harvest season, the easiest way to preserve sour cherries is to pop the pitted cherries in the freezer. However, dried cherries have a lot of uses. Here's how to dehydrate frozen cherries for a sweet treat.

Book Review: Jan Berry’s ‘101 Easy Homemade Products for Your Skin, Health & Home’ a reminder of how easy it is to make my own herbal products

Tenth Acre Farm — Mon, 21 Mar 2016 15:13:14 +0000

If you have an ever-expanding collection of homegrown herbs, '101 Easy Homemade Products for your Skin, Health & Home' will walk you through simple instructions for turning fresh herbs into personal care products that nurture your health and wellbeing.

Grow the Best Cucumbers with These 12 Steps

Tenth Acre Farm — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 18:32:26 +0000

Cucumbers can be a tricky crop to grow for many gardeners. This guide will review the growing needs of cucumbers and some strategies for minimizing pest and disease so you can grow your best cucumbers.

4 Berry-Producing Shrubs that Fertilize, Too!

Tenth Acre Farm — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 21:52:56 +0000

Finding food-producing plants that are also useful in other ways is a great joy of mine. Many culinary herbs, for example, are not only delicious and nutritious, but they may also attract beneficial insects or deter pests. These four shrubs will not only provide berries for you, but also produce nitrogen to fertilize the garden.

How to Choose the Right Permaculture Class

Tenth Acre Farm — Thu, 04 Feb 2016 00:24:37 +0000

An internet search will bring up all kinds of choices for taking permaculture classes or courses, but how in the world is one to choose? Here are some tips for finding the right permaculture course and instructor to meet your needs.

How to Start a Garden on a Budget

Tenth Acre Farm — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 05:18:49 +0000

Gardening can seem overwhelming when you consider all of the materials you need to get started. Seeds, fencing, soil, tools, and more can add up--even on a generous budget. So what's a beginning gardener to do? Here are six ideas for getting started without breaking the bank.

7 Ways to Start a Homestead (Without Being Overwhelmed)

Tenth Acre Farm — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 19:10:05 +0000

Many people want to start homesteading or gardening but don't know how to start or how to fit it into their schedule. After all, regular everyday life is busy enough. These resources will help guide you through the process of getting started, busting through doubt and discomfort, and achieving your dreams.

Transitioning to a No-Till Garden

Tenth Acre Farm — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 16:40:33 +0000

Many people hear about the ecological benefits of the no-till garden and want to give it a try. They figure that without the tilling, they will surely save time and have less work to do. While this can be true in the long term, transitioning to a successful no-till garden will require replacing the tilling with a few other habits to get started off right. Here's how to make that transition with the least amount of headache.

Contour Gardening to Minimize Irrigation and Maximize Yields

Tenth Acre Farm — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 19:14:07 +0000

Contour gardening is a way to use the land's contours to reduce irrigation and erosion, and maximize nutrients for abundant harvest yields. Here's what contour gardening is and how you can pull it off.

7 Ways to Fertilize the Garden with Comfrey

Tenth Acre Farm — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 03:27:00 +0000

Comfrey is a powerhouse in the garden--attracting pollinators and beneficial insects, providing medicinal value, and enriching soil with nutrients. Here are seven ways comfrey can fertilize the soil for healthier and more abundant crops.

Sunshine Award Nomination from Vital Vernacular

Tenth Acre Farm — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 20:25:01 +0000

The Sunshine Award is given from one blogger to other bloggers who "are positive and creatively inspire others in the blogosphere." It is simply paying it forward by acknowledging those whose writing you admire.

7 Reasons to Grow Calendula

Tenth Acre Farm — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 16:54:55 +0000

Calendula flowers can benefit soil, repel pests, and aid healing. I've been growing Calendula officinalis--also called pot marigold--throughout my garden for years, and can hardly contain my excitement to tell you all about it! Here are some of the many reasons this herb is frequently grown in the permaculture garden.

7 Ways to Improve Soil Quality

Tenth Acre Farm — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 18:53:24 +0000

Many of us inherit gardens and yards that consist of lifeless or hardpan soil unfit for growing edibles. Good quality soil is essential for an abundant garden and reducing the incidence of pests. While there are many ways to improve soil quality for the purpose of growing food, these are the seven methods that have been the most successful for me.

Recipe: Zucchini Noodles with Roasted Garlic and Tomatoes

Tenth Acre Farm — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 01:21:56 +0000

When bumper crops of zucchini roll in, it's time to collect both unique and tried-and-true recipes. Here's how I used a spiralizer to create a grain-free, fresh-from-the-garden pasta bursting with Italian flavors.

5 Reasons to Grow Chives

Tenth Acre Farm — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 23:20:12 +0000

Chives are a popular herb to grow in the culinary herb garden, vegetable garden, and orchard. Here are five reasons why you should consider growing this herb.

6 Reasons to Grow Oregano

Tenth Acre Farm — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 19:21:02 +0000

Oregano is one of the most popular perennial herbs to grow in an herb garden. From medicinal, to culinary, to biodiversity, here are six reasons why you should add oregano to your garden.

How to Grow a Jelly Garden

Tenth Acre Farm — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 14:47:35 +0000

Many ornamental and wild fruits are overly tart and seedy when eaten fresh, but become sweet and mellow when made into jelly. Here are five berry-producing plants that are easy to grow and a few ideas for making and using a mixed-fruit jelly.

Someone Harvested from my Yard without Asking

Tenth Acre Farm — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 17:59:40 +0000

Someone harvested something from my yard without asking and they left a note on my front porch letting me know. Here is what I think about it.

Catch More Water for Irrigation by Connecting Rain Barrels to a Rain Garden

Tenth Acre Farm — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 02:58:02 +0000

Collecting rain from your roof in rain barrels is a great way to use a free resource to irrigate the garden. However, rain barrels can fill up within minutes during a rain event. Directing rain barrel overflow into a rain garden is one way to keep more water on your property for irrigation or to create more biodiversity.

See How Easily You Can Create an Edible Landscape

Tenth Acre Farm — Tue, 26 May 2015 18:52:01 +0000

Edible landscaping is an easy way to grow food while keeping a front yard beautiful and tidy. Based on lessons I learned from keeping an edible front yard for five years, this article will help you create a bountiful edible landscape.

5 Reasons to Grow Yarrow

Tenth Acre Farm — Tue, 19 May 2015 14:05:17 +0000

Yarrow is a flowering herb with many uses medicinally and in the permaculture garden. Here are 5 reasons why you will benefit from growing yarrow.

Building the Right Compost Bin

Tenth Acre Farm — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 21:50:04 +0000

There are many ways to build a compost bin. Here are some of the many ways we have composted and what works best for us now.

What is Permaculture?

Tenth Acre Farm — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 14:36:19 +0000

Permaculture is a buzz word that is heard frequently in gardening and homesteading circles, but what does it mean? In this article I will define permaculture (as I see it) and share resources for learning more.

Does your Garden Need Daffodils?

Tenth Acre Farm — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 16:55:22 +0000

Many spring ephemerals--such as daffodils--dazzle the early season with their colorful flowers. But their benefit to the ecosystem extends beyond beauty. Learn about spring ephemerals and how they can benefit a permaculture garden.

How to Plant a Hedgerow

Tenth Acre Farm — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 22:45:03 +0000

A hedgerow can offer beauty, productivity, biodiversity, and much more! Discover how to plant a hedgerow to meet your needs.

10 Reasons to Plant a Suburban Hedgerow

Tenth Acre Farm — Fri, 13 Mar 2015 15:36:04 +0000

The practice of growing hedgerows stems from at least the Medieval times of England and Ireland. Hedgerows can increase the beauty, productivity, and biodiversity of a property. Discover 10 reasons why this age-old strategy can benefit your suburban property.

Free Meal Planning Template + See How I Saved $1,000 on Groceries in one Year

Tenth Acre Farm — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 15:25:41 +0000

Weekly meal planning can significantly improve the nutrient density of your diet, help you manage the garden harvest, and save you money. Get my FREE weekly meal planning template with a sample weekly menu, and see how my household saved $1,000 in one year using our data from a year of meal planning records.

3 Reasons to Hire a Permaculture Designer for your Landscape

Tenth Acre Farm — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 17:59:49 +0000

Designing the layout of a property can be overwhelming. Here are three reasons why a permaculture designer can help you meet your goals for an efficient and productive landscape (and what to look for in a designer).

Starting Seeds Indoors: A Step-by-Step Guide

Tenth Acre Farm — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 04:27:32 +0000

Starting seeds indoors can seem intimidating: There are a lot of materials to gather, and the process seems a little complicated. But have no fear, this step-by-step guide includes useful tips and details and will help demystify seed starting.

How to Choose Vegetable Seeds for your Garden

Tenth Acre Farm — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 14:00:20 +0000

Leafing through a seed catalog is exhilarating for gardeners. Colorful pictures and visions of bountiful gardens dance in our heads. Here's how I went from dreaming to choosing the right vegetable seeds for my garden.

The Lazy Gardener’s Way to Make Fertilizer

Tenth Acre Farm — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 21:46:17 +0000

We all know that we should fertilize our gardens regularly, but many of us are unsure of how to do it properly and safely without the use of chemical fertilizers. After all, those chemical fertilizers have a label with specific directions, while organic material does not. In this post, find out how to make your own natural fertilizer at home--in the right quantity--with very little effort.

Bacon and Turnip Scramble Recipe

Tenth Acre Farm — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 16:53:49 +0000

Turnips get a bad rap, but they are delicious when prepared properly. This bacon and turnip breakfast scramble is sure to satisfy even the most discerning taste buds.

In the Garden: What to do in December

Tenth Acre Farm — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 23:24:14 +0000

Here we are in the last month of the year. There's plenty to do in the garden to make the springtime garden more manageable. Here's what I do in the December garden.

The Herbarium: Your One-Stop Herbal Resource

Tenth Acre Farm — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 21:07:11 +0000

Have you ever wished you could identify and use herbs with confidence, but wondered where you would find the time or money for such an education? The Herbarium is an amazingly affordable, subscription-based herbal resource and community. Here are 5 reasons to check it out.

5 Easy, Homemade Infusions that Make Perfect Gifts Any Time of Year

Tenth Acre Farm — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 15:24:28 +0000

Homemade items make gift giving a meaningful act. In this post, I'll review how to make five easy infusions that are shelf stable, so they're ready to go any time of year for those unexpected moments when a handmade gift is just the thing you need.