My poultry’s housing has evolved over the years. First we went from a tiny, unworkable coop for two birds to a spacious, well-designed, and attractive coop that can comfortably house 8 to 12 hens. Experience drove multiple experiments to increase the efficiency and cleanliness of the coop. Backyard free-ranging was tried (it really was!) but…
Spring
Rhubarb and Spring Herb Salsa
“I need rhubarb recipes!” cried a reader and Patron. “Have you tried my awesome rhubarb coffee cake?” I suggested. “I’ve made it like 900 times. And the rhubarb syrup! I still have more rhubarb.” Ah, yes. It’s that time of year. I love rhubarb, but there is a limit to how much coffee cake a…
May Gardening Chores For The Pacific Northwest
Update for May, 2018: Spring is here. The global vibe I’m getting for late April and early May weather is “unpredictable” – wild temperature swings, unseasonable cold snaps, unseasonable heat, general weirdness. The atypical seems to be getting pretty typical. Fortunately, our mild maritime Northwest climate continues to be a bit more restrained. The big…
10 Self-Propogating Herbs and Flowers That Take Over My Garden Every Spring
This time of year is always rewarding; almost overnight things seem to morph from “expanse of wood chips” to “a zillion shades of green.” The days are getting long, temperatures are slowly warming, and perennials and quick-germinating herbs and flowers are responding by popping up everywhere. With a few notable exceptions (looking at you, bindweed), most…
April Gardening Chores For The Pacific Northwest
2018 Update: I think compared to other regions of the country, we in Cascadia have gotten off quite easy so far this spring. There’s a reason they are called Nor’easters and not Nor’westers, I suppose. Time to bring back this old favorite: Which isn’t to say there haven’t been some odd moments. Twice in the…
March Gardening Chores For The Pacific Northwest
2018 Update: Weather here in the Pacific Northwest isn’t nearly as strange as what our friends in Ireland or on the East Coast are dealing with. What I’m seeing is actually pretty typical for early March in the Pacific Northwest: a back and forth between blustery, cold, wintery weather and drizzly, mild spring weather. In my…
All the Seed Terminology You Need To Know
Gardening has lingo. Some of the terminology surrounding seeds, seed starting, and growing is pretty intuitive and some is more obscure or weird. But it helps to understand these seed-related terms if you want to navigate a seed catalog, ask accurate questions, look things up, or just sound like you know what you’re talking about….
Skimming Foam From Jam: Everything You Need To Know
Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about skimming the foam from jam. It is necessary for safe canning? Why do some jams foam more than others? What can you do with the foam you skim? Is there a way to stop jam from foaming? And more.
Simple Strawberry Vanilla Sauce
This strawberry sauce calls for only 3 ingredients – it’s an easy, versatile preserve.
Rhubarb Honey Shrub (A Sweet Tart Drinking Vinegar)
Everything you need to know to make great shrub drinking cock
Rhubarb Ginger Coffee Cake with Crumb Topping
A delicious twist on a classic rhubarb coffee cake – yogurt, ginger, and just the right amount of crunchy crumbly topping make this one a winner.
The 5 Easiest Crops For The Spring Garden
Five easy, bomb-proof vegetables for the spring garden. Learn about three annuals and two perennials that will give you that master gardener glow with minimal work.