Putting “open source” and “permaculture” together is a savvy combination, and in this case, it’s also really useful. Add “crowd sourcing” and you’ll have the complete online tool for all things permaculture.
Bees and Pesticides: Finding the Way Forward
The pressure to stop the sale of the pesticide clothianidin is heating up with a coincidental convergence of several events in the past two weeks…
Saving Heirloom Seeds Through Crowd Sourcing
Just like rare wild plants and animals, food crops can disappear forever. A network of volunteer growers across the country are working to save little-known edible plants from extinction.
Farmer Paul Asks: What Does Organic Mean to You?
What do you expect from food that is labeled organic? Pesticide free? Responsible stewardship of the land? The certified organic label may not meet your expectations.
Gardening with Greywater
If you believe in the responsible use of precious resources, namely water, then you’ll agree that recycling home greywater for landscaping makes lots of sense. Here are the basics you need to know.
How to Grow and Transplant Your Seedlings
So you’ve started your seeds indoors to get a jump on spring, and like magic they are beginning to grow. Now you’ve got seedlings. The excitement of having grown your own starts for your vegetable garden can turn into panic if it is still too cold to plant them in the garden…
Decoding Blood Oranges: Discovery of the Ruby Gene
Blood oranges are famous for their striking blood red pulp and high content of health-promoting anthocyanins. Researchers have identified the gene responsible for the color and health benefits, and they are trying to create a new, more widely accessible variety.
Jerusalem Artichoke Salad with Lemony Vinaigrette
Here’s my last Jerusalem artichoke (sunchoke) recipe for the season: a grated Jerusalem artichoke salad with carrots and Meyer lemon vinaigrette. It’s a lovely refreshing salad with in-season ingredients that will having you thinking that spring is already here.
The Farmer Veteran Coalition: Jobs for Vets, Food for All
The Farmer Veteran Coalition has an answer to the crisis caused by the aging population of farmers: they are helping returning veterans become farmers at a time when the farmer workforce is dwindling.
Take the Next Step: How to Grow From Seeds
There are lots of reasons for learning how to grow seeds, but my top reason is that I enjoy it: seeds are beautiful and mysterious and I love the process of nurturing them through their stages of growth. It’s magical to propagate your favorite seeds successfully for generations! Just give it a try…
Edible Landscaping Your Front Yard
Spring is just ahead and it’s the perfect time for bold action: adding edibles to your suburban front yard. If you have a conventionally landscaped front yard and you aren’t sure how to begin, here are some ideas to help you get started.
The Heirloom Life Gardener: a Book Review
What are heirloom vegetables and why should we care? The Heirloom Life Gardener by Jere and Emilee Gettle provides ample explanation in their engaging book.
Interview with a Guerrilla Grafter
When I interviewed one of the Guerrilla Grafters recently, I learned that it’s not all about the grafting. This early member of the Guerrilla Grafters cares deeply about the society in which we live and our relationship with public spaces.