Every spring, I look forward to seeing all our red flowering currants burst into bloom. This happens before most other plants have even started to leaf out. The deep pinks, pastels, and occasionally white flowers of these currants really do usher in spring—often blooming just before the official first day of the season. But these […]
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Building soil is a core part of cultivating abundance for people, plants and wildlife. Without healthy, rich soil, the plants (and the food web that depends on them) cannot thrive. One way to build soil is to plant perennial plants. Perennial plants help build soil in several ways. Let’s dive into those now!
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A meadow provides space for wildlife such as native bees, butterflies, birds and many more. But how can you support these types of wildlife if you don’t have a lot of space? Even a mini-meadow the size of a regular garden bed can still support a great deal of beneficial wildlife—especially pollinators. Sometimes called a […]
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Wetlands are home to all sorts of beneficial critters like frogs, salamanders and dragonflies. They also filter and clean water. But many wetlands aren’t in good shape. If you’ve got a wet area on your land there are some simple steps you can take to restore it. Restoring wetlands will bring all sorts of life […]
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As climate change impacts all of us, it becomes more important than ever to moderate climate extremes on your land. These extremes can result in wet and dry areas that make it hard to cultivate abundance for people, plants and animals on your land. Let’s dive into how you can moderate these extremes so those […]
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Having snags on your land is a great way to support local wildlife, especially native bees. So what are snags, and how do they support local wildlife like native bees? Keep reading to learn more about why snags are awesome and how to get started with them.
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Checkermallows, or checkerblooms, are a fantastic and easy-to-grow perennial vegetable native to the Pacific Northwest (PNW). But they’re also found in California and other areas in the western United States. They can make a great edible addition to your gardens, food forests, or other growing spaces! Let’s dive into why checkermallows are such a great […]
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Digging up potatoes can be a lot of work, but there is an easier option. That option is to skip the digging and grow no-dig potatoes! While potatoes are often hilled up with soil, all they really need is a good mulch layer. Let’s dive into why this is a great option for growing potatoes. […]
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Sufficient nitrogen in soil is key for abundant harvests. Without enough, your plants may be stunted or have yellow leaves. But how do you add nitrogen to your garden soil? Keep reading to learn how to do this in the short run, and how to build healthy soil over time.
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Hedgerows bring a lot to any wild homestead. But if you’ve never planted one before, it can be hard to know how to start a hedgerow. Here are 5 steps you can take to successfully start your own hedgerow.
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