A sustainability tour of West Virginia farms
First, when someone hears the term sustainable agriculture, they automatically assume that it means organic or environmentally focused. While environmental stewardship is a part of sustainable agriculture, it is only one area of focus for those who try to educate about the practice. Environmental stewardship is held in balance with economic viability and quality of life. Continue reading A sustainability tour of West Virginia farms
Planting garlic, shallots, and perennial onions
Autumn is probably my favorite season. The cool, crisp air and the colors are definite big reasons, plus it is a season where great things happen — like my birthday. The cool weather last week prompted me to make the final shift between the summer and winter garden. It’s almost like pulling the boxes of winter clothes out of the attic to switch places with … Continue reading Planting garlic, shallots, and perennial onions
Keep the Garden Going through the Cold Months
As the temperatures cool, it is not too late to plant some leafy greens for overwintering. The key is to grow the plant to a harvestable size before the weather turns totally cold. Most of these plants will survive even a moderate freeze but won’t grow after the temperature gets down to freezing. Continue reading Keep the Garden Going through the Cold Months
Picking the perfect pumpkin – for carving or for eating
Did you know that there are lots of different types of pumpkins — from tiny to giant? While they may all look good sitting on the front porch with some flowers, not all of them are good eating. Continue reading Picking the perfect pumpkin – for carving or for eating
Preserving the harvest – canning, drying, freezing
Canning and dehydration are great ways to preserve almost any food — vegetables, fruits and even meats. The Extension Service provides one of the most comprehensive go-to sources of information for home canning and food preservation. Here are some of my recent adventures in home canning and drying. Continue reading Preserving the harvest – canning, drying, freezing
Pickin’ up a pawpaw, put it in the garden
Pawpaws are a native fruit that grows throughout the woods in the eastern U.S. The scientific name (Asimina triloba) comes from the Native American term assimin and Latin for three referencing the three petals on the brown, nondescript flowers of the tree that have a slight rotten smell to attract pollinating flies. Continue reading Pickin’ up a pawpaw, put it in the garden
Collecting and Storing Saved Seed
Saving seed can be a great way to make sure you have those favorite plants on hand in the garden year after year. It is also a great way to save money and preserve the old heirlooms that many people love. Continue reading Collecting and Storing Saved Seed
Local Gardeners/Farmers Shine at WV State Fair
Each year I make the pilgrimage from Charleston to Fairlea, near Lewisburg, for the State Fair of West Virginia. I love fairs and have fun at the fair. I love the fair so much that I camp with friends in the fair campground during my stay. However, I can say that after 11 days at the fair and 10 nights sleeping in a tent, I … Continue reading Local Gardeners/Farmers Shine at WV State Fair
Finding the right grass for your lawn
And this is where a lot of people mess up. I have lots of people call me each year, bemoaning the fact that they can’t get grass to grow in their yard. They often ask what is wrong, what they need to add or spray to make it work. Continue reading Finding the right grass for your lawn
Add a taste of Asia to the garden
Do your taste buds yearn for flavors beyond that of the usual vegetable garden suspects? Looking for something tasty and easy to grow in the cool season fall or spring gardens?
There are some new arrivals emigrating to local gardens from traditional world cuisines. Some of the hottest new additions to the vegetable garden lineup are greens from traditional Asian cultures. Continue reading Add a taste of Asia to the garden
BearlyGrowing 