Gretchen Kruesi

Homemade Dandelion Beer

By Gretchen Kruesi / May 2, 2024 / Comments Off on Homemade Dandelion Beer

You can forget about waiting for your wine to ferment, because we have a recipe for dandelion beer that will be ready in just a week! Who knew those weeds in your backyard could make such a fun beverage? The following excerpt is from Pascal Baudar’s Wildcrafting Brewer. It has been adapted for the web.…

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pizza oven

How to Build An Outdoor Clay Wood-Fired Pizza Oven

By Gretchen Kruesi / April 30, 2024 / Comments Off on How to Build An Outdoor Clay Wood-Fired Pizza Oven

Nothing can be compared to the taste of a fresh, hot slice of pizza that came straight out of a wood-fired oven. By building your own clay wood-fired pizza oven, you’ll have this cheesy delicacy at your fingertips whenever you’re craving it! VIDEO: Building An Outdoor Clay Wood-Fired Pizza Oven Take it from Richard Miscovich,…

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local rocks & soil

Rock & Grow: Adding Local Rocks & Soil To Your Garden

By Gretchen Kruesi / April 29, 2024 / Comments Off on Rock & Grow: Adding Local Rocks & Soil To Your Garden

Looking for ways to naturally enrich your garden? The answer is all around you….literally. Add local rocks & soil to your garden to improve soil health and see your crops flourishing in no time. The following is an excerpt from The Regenerative Grower’s Guide to Garden Amendments by Nigel Palmer. It has been adapted for the…

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garden strawberries

Garden Strawberries — A Sweet and Delicious Ground Cover

By Gretchen Kruesi / April 26, 2024 / Comments Off on Garden Strawberries — A Sweet and Delicious Ground Cover

Garden strawberries are excellent for both covering the ground and for growing fruit. If you’re planning out a forest garden, or are just looking for a plant to use as ground cover, strawberries are a great option. The following is an excerpt from The Home-Scale Forest Garden by Dani Baker. It has been adapted for…

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Just Add Bugs: Rewilding in Your Garden

By Gretchen Kruesi / April 25, 2024 / Comments Off on Just Add Bugs: Rewilding in Your Garden

For too long, bugs have had a negative connotation associated with them. But what if we took the time to observe the benefits of insects? It’s time to rebug our gardens, lawns, and parks! The following is an excerpt from Rebugging the Planet by Vicki Hird. It has been adapted for the web. Adding Bugs:…

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asparagus

Asparagus: An Aspiring Spear

By Gretchen Kruesi / April 24, 2024 / Comments Off on Asparagus: An Aspiring Spear

Asparagus is a delicious vegetable with a layered history. How did this aspiring spear make its way from growing in the wild to appearing on our plates? The following is an excerpt from the The Seed Detective by Adam Alexander. It has been adapted for the web. “Nature gives us the key to every secret…

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Planting, Transplanting, and Pruning Trees

By Gretchen Kruesi / April 24, 2024 / Comments Off on Planting, Transplanting, and Pruning Trees

Interested in growing trees? Here are some tips on successfully planting, transplanting, and pruning trees to create a flourishing forest garden! The following is an excerpt from The Home-Scale Forest Garden by Dani Baker. It has been adapted for the web. Planting Potted Trees and Shrubs If you order potted trees, check with your supplier to…

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Compost: Small Farm-Style

By Gretchen Kruesi / April 22, 2024 / Comments Off on Compost: Small Farm-Style

With the right strategies and practices, composting on a small farm is surprisingly easy and inexpensive. Just follow these steps for making compost, and your farm will be thriving in no time! The following excerpt is from The Lean Farm Guide to Growing Vegetables by Ben Hartman. It has been adapted for the web. (All photographs by Ben…

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Fermented Plant Juice: A Drink Only a Garden Could Love

By Gretchen Kruesi / April 18, 2024 / Comments Off on Fermented Plant Juice: A Drink Only a Garden Could Love

Everyone loves a refreshing, fermented, nutritious drink…even your garden! Take your fermentation skills out of the kitchen and into the garden by brewing fermented plant juice.  The following is an excerpt from The Regenerative Grower’s Guide to Garden Amendments by Nigel Palmer. It has been adapted for the web. How to Make Fermented Plant Juice Fermented…

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Peregrine Falcons: Then and Now

By Gretchen Kruesi / April 18, 2024 / Comments Off on Peregrine Falcons: Then and Now

Peregrine falcons, while known as predators, are essential to our environment. These stunning birds have a rich history, an interesting present, and an uncertain future. The following is an excerpt from Feather Trails by Sophie A. H. Osborn. It has been adapted for the web. Who Are Peregrine Falcons? Though relatively uncommon wherever it occurs,…

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honeysuckle

Delightfully Fizzy Honeysuckle Cordial

By Gretchen Kruesi / April 17, 2024 / Comments Off on Delightfully Fizzy Honeysuckle Cordial

Oh, honeysuckle…how we love thee. If only there was a way to capture the sweet essence of this plant so we could enjoy it more than just in passing. Luckily, foraging and some preparation can help make that happen! Here’s a springtime recipe that tastes exactly like honeysuckle smells. The following excerpt is from Forage,…

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soil fertility

A Guide to Soil Fertility and Crop Health

By Gretchen Kruesi / April 16, 2024 / Comments Off on A Guide to Soil Fertility and Crop Health

Want to see your crops thrive this upcoming growing season? The key is in soil fertility and health. Spend time maintaining your soil’s health to guarantee bigger and better crops come harvest time! The following is an excerpt from No-Till Intensive Vegetable Culture by Bryan O’Hara. It has been adapted for the web. What Is Soil Fertility?…

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broccoli frittata

The Whole Broccoli Frittata: A Wild Boost To Your Brunch Menu

By Gretchen Kruesi / April 15, 2024 / Comments Off on The Whole Broccoli Frittata: A Wild Boost To Your Brunch Menu

Introducing…your new favorite brunch dish! This whole broccoli frittata is packed with fresh, wildcrafted flavors that are bound to help you start your day off on the right foot. The following is an excerpt from The Forager Chef’s Book of Flora by Alan Bergo. It has been adapted for the web. RECIPE: Whole Broccoli Frittata…

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Catnip! Good for Cats, Good for Humans

By Gretchen Kruesi / April 12, 2024 / Comments Off on Catnip! Good for Cats, Good for Humans

Many know the effects of catnip on our feline friends, but few realize that catnip has medicinal effects for humans. From stomach aches to reducing fevers, catnip is a versatile herb with many benefits. The next time you grow this plant for your cat you may end up taking a few cuttings for yourself! The…

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hedges

Hedges: A Haven for Wild Greens

By Gretchen Kruesi / April 10, 2024 / Comments Off on Hedges: A Haven for Wild Greens

Wondering where to forage for greens this spring? Look no further than hedges, which serve as natural havens for wild greens and herbs! The following is an excerpt from Hedgelands by Christopher Hart. It has been adapted for the web. Food from Hedges: Salads and Greens Let’s start by looking at all the wild foods…

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koji

Koji Kitchen: 6 Recipes to Get You Started

By Gretchen Kruesi / April 10, 2024 / Comments Off on Koji Kitchen: 6 Recipes to Get You Started

There’s a whole new world out there when it comes to koji. It doesn’t matter if you’re making bread, cheese, or ice cream, koji helps you pump up the flavor! Growing Koji in Your Own Kitchen Koji, the microbe behind the delicious, umami flavors of soy sauce, miso, fermented bean sauce, and so many of…

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rewilding

The Surprising Benefits of Rewilding Your Garden

By Gretchen Kruesi / April 9, 2024 / Comments Off on The Surprising Benefits of Rewilding Your Garden

Rewilding is one of the best things you can do for the biodiversity of your farm or garden. By no longer mowing your lawn, flowers will start to grow, creating a meadow and a habitat for creatures that often get forgotten. The following is an excerpt from The Healthy Vegetable Garden by Sally Morgan. It…

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nightcap mocktail

Calming Herbal Nightcap Mocktail to Mix Before Bed

By Gretchen Kruesi / April 8, 2024 / Comments Off on Calming Herbal Nightcap Mocktail to Mix Before Bed

Whether you’re looking to replace your end-of-the-day cocktail, relax before bed, or want something new to add to your tea, this non-alcoholic mocktail syrup base will do the trick. Delicious and all-natural, take a sip of this nightcap mocktail and feel your troubles melt away. The following is an excerpt from Herbal Formularies for Health…

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Weed Suppression: Choosing The Right Cover Crops & Living Mulches

By Gretchen Kruesi / April 5, 2024 / Comments Off on Weed Suppression: Choosing The Right Cover Crops & Living Mulches

Trying to figure out how to manage weeds in your garden beds? Use cover crops and living mulches for weed suppression while your garden flourishes! The following is an excerpt from The Ecological Farm by Helen Atthowe. It has been adapted for the web. Suppressing Weeds With Cover Crops: Getting Started Cover crops suppress weeds…

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shiitake mushroom

How to Become a Shiitake Mushroom Farmer

By Gretchen Kruesi / April 4, 2024 / Comments Off on How to Become a Shiitake Mushroom Farmer

Interested in becoming a mushroom farmer? Shiitake mushrooms are one of the easiest and most profitable places to start. The following is an excerpt from Farming the Woods by Steve Gabriel and Ken Mudge. It has been adapted for the web. (Photographs courtesy of Steve Gabriel and Ken Mudge unless otherwise noted.) The Stunning Shiitake…

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feeding animals

A Guide to Feeding Animals On Your Farm

By Gretchen Kruesi / April 3, 2024 / Comments Off on A Guide to Feeding Animals On Your Farm

One of the most essential parts of raising livestock is feeding your animals the right foods to keep them healthy and productive. Here are some tips for feeding animals on your farm to make it a bit easier! The following is an excerpt from Barefoot Biodynamics by Jeff Poppen. It has been adapted for the web.…

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anti-inflammatory smoothie

Ginger and Pineapple Anti-Inflammatory Smoothie: The Best Medicine You’ve Ever Tasted

By Gretchen Kruesi / April 1, 2024 / Comments Off on Ginger and Pineapple Anti-Inflammatory Smoothie: The Best Medicine You’ve Ever Tasted

Surprisingly, medicine can actually be delicious. This anti-inflammatory smoothie uses natural (and tasty!) ingredients to help reduce inflammation caused by any number of circumstances. The following is an excerpt from Herbal Formularies for Health Professionals, Volume 4 by Jill Stansbury. It has been adapted for the web. RECIPE: Ginger and Pineapple Anti-Inflammatory Smoothie This is an all-purpose…

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Miyawaki Method

The Miyawaki Method: Imagining a Mini-Forest’s Potential

By Gretchen Kruesi / March 28, 2024 / Comments Off on The Miyawaki Method: Imagining a Mini-Forest’s Potential

Want to witness the magic of the mini-forest? When you practice The Miyawaki Method, a unique approach to reforestation, you’ll see an empty lot or backyard transform into a biodiverse forest before your very eyes. The following is an excerpt from Mini-Forest Revolution by Hannah Lewis. It has been adapted for the web. Photo Credit:…

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spring curry

Forager’s Spring Curry: A Wild, Seasonal Recipe

By Gretchen Kruesi / March 27, 2024 / Comments Off on Forager’s Spring Curry: A Wild, Seasonal Recipe

Nothing says “spring” like a fresh, foraged meal! Savor the flavors of the season with this mouth-watering spring curry recipe. The following is an excerpt from Forage, Harvest, Feast by Marie Viljoen. It has a been adapted for the web. Forager’s Spring Curry This boldly flavored spring stew evolved from a forager’s version of fridge…

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testing soil

Testing Soil: Healthy Soil is Just A Test Away

By Gretchen Kruesi / March 26, 2024 / Comments Off on Testing Soil: Healthy Soil is Just A Test Away

Testing soil in your garden is the first step to a more bountiful harvest. It’s not as hard as you might imagine, either — simply take a small sample, get it examined, and you’ll be on your way to healthy soil and a promising harvest this season. The following is an excerpt from The Regenerative Grower’s…

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