The four pullets are finally 20 weeks old, and they’re the same size as the hens. Even though winter is just a few days away, the girls will start laying eggs soon. I’m officially on egg watch. They’ll start when they’re ready, though. I don’t see the need to coax them to lay with dummy […]
Sophisticated, seasonal and simple: I love this combination of fruit, chocolate and wine. The tawny pears turn garnet when poached in red wine, and the same red wine in the cake makes it glossy and just sweet enough. A sprinkle of confectioners sugar might be a pretty garnish, but the cake needs no thick frosting […]
Whether you’re a gardener preparing gifts to give or have a special gardener on your gift list, these homegrown presents are sure to delight.
Cleaning the chicken coop is one of my least favorite chores. The distain I feel encompasses all of life’s chores, not just chicken ones. I think we can all agree that chicken poop is pretty gross. Ideally, we should visit the coop every day with intention beyond gathering eggs—to remove the dirtiest bedding and replace […]
When I exclaimed at finding fuzzy, yellow quince at the local apple orchard, a fellow shopper asked me what they were and what they tasted like. Maybe because quince must be cooked and can’t be eaten out of hand, these fragrant and ancient fruits are unfamiliar to most of us. They taste like a mix […]
Garden-soil testing can reveal nutrient deficiencies, pH imbalances and other information to help you grow a successful crop.
Winter can be tough on all of us, but with a little TLC, your flock will do just fine.
There are so many variations on beans and greens. While I love the stew-like Italian pasta e fagioli and Portuguese caldo verde, I’m especially fond of this sparse, nourishing version. Yes, you can add a small ham hock, slices of good sausage, little meatballs, a minced hot pepper, some barley or small pasta, but the simplest […]
Worm towers placed right in the garden cut down on household waste by making it easy to compost your kitchen scraps and nourish your soil.
Our Polish hen Sookie has some embarrassing roosting behaviors, and our neighbors don't really get why we have chickens. Things are improving, however.
As you’re preparing for this week’s Thanksgiving dinner, other meals may fall by the wayside, but they shouldn’t—especially not breakfast. There are many options for serving up a simple yet nutritious breakfast on Thanksgiving morning to prepare you for the day of cooking and feasting ahead. Homemade muffins, for example, are fast, flexible and healthy. […]
Celebrate your garden abundance this Turkey Day by letting your garden-grown vegetables take center stage on the holiday table.
