Gretchen Kruesi

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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plant grouping

Creating A Plant Grouping: Edible Forest Gardens

By Gretchen Kruesi / March 25, 2024 / Comments Off on Creating A Plant Grouping: Edible Forest Gardens

Get one step closer to the edible forest garden of your dreams by creating a plant grouping! These arrangements of plants help contribute to a healthy, thriving food forest. The following is an excerpt from The Home-Scale Forest Garden by Dani Baker. It has been adapted for the web. Planning a Plant Grouping Deciding what plants to…

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ginger carrots

Ginger Carrots for a Healthy Gut

By Gretchen Kruesi / March 22, 2024 / Comments Off on Ginger Carrots for a Healthy Gut

Looking for something to munch on that’s both tasty and good for you? These ginger carrots are a healthy snack that are easy to make at home! The following excerpt is from The Heal Your Gut Cookbook by Hilary Boynton and Mary G. Brackett. It has been adapted for the web. Ginger Carrots Recipe Several…

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birds

Bring on the Birds: Attracting Birds to Your Garden

By Gretchen Kruesi / March 21, 2024 / Comments Off on Bring on the Birds: Attracting Birds to Your Garden

Birds: they’re beautiful, they sing sweet songs, AND they can help our gardens thrive. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of birds in gardens, and how you can attract more to your backyard! The following is an excerpt from The Healthy Vegetable Garden by Sally Morgan. It has been adapted for the web.…

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pesto

Make a Foraged, Immune-Boosting Pesto for Spring

By Gretchen Kruesi / March 19, 2024 / Comments Off on Make a Foraged, Immune-Boosting Pesto for Spring

Spring is finally here! Put your cooking and foraging skills to the test with this seasonal, delicious garlic mustard pesto recipe. The following is an excerpt from The Fruit Forager’s Companion by Sara Bir. It has been adapted for the web. (Heading photo credit: Phil Moore. All other photos courtesy of Sarah Bir unless otherwise…

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soil health

5 Principles of Soil Health

By Gretchen Kruesi / March 18, 2024 / Comments Off on 5 Principles of Soil Health

Wondering how to make your soil (and plants) thrive? Use these principles of soil health to properly prepare your farm or garden to grow. The following excerpt is from Dirt to Soil by Gabe Brown. It has been adapted for the web. (Photography curtesy of Gabe Brown.) Prefer audio? Listen to the excerpt below from the…

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maple roasted nuts

Maple Roasted Nuts: A Sweet, Seasonal Treat

By Gretchen Kruesi / March 15, 2024 / Comments Off on Maple Roasted Nuts: A Sweet, Seasonal Treat

Craving something sweet? These delicious maple roasted nuts are the perfect treat to help you push through those end-of-winter blues. The following is an excerpt from Full Moon Feast by Jessica Prentice. It has been adapted for the web. The Magic of Maple: A Rich History Following the Hunger Moon, just before the first thaw…

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grey wolves

Grey Wolves: The Howling Gods

By Gretchen Kruesi / March 14, 2024 / Comments Off on Grey Wolves: The Howling Gods

Grey wolves are complicated, beautiful animals that are now absent in many parts of the world. Where did these creatures come from, and how did they get to where they are today? The following is an excerpt from Hunt for the Shadow Wolf by Derek Gow. It has been adapted for the web. Grey Wolves:…

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How to Create Your Own Forest Garden

By Gretchen Kruesi / March 14, 2024 / Comments Off on How to Create Your Own Forest Garden

A forest garden provides a beautiful, bountiful edible landscape at any scale—whether only a few dozen square feet or if you have over an acre to spare. Ready to embark on your own forest garden adventure? Check out these articles for inspiration to get started. Featured image by Dani Baker. The Seven Layers of A…

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salsa

Mushrooms & Wild Herbs Salsa: A Refreshing Spring Recipe

By Gretchen Kruesi / March 13, 2024 / Comments Off on Mushrooms & Wild Herbs Salsa: A Refreshing Spring Recipe

Spring into the season with a fresh, wildcrafted appetizer! This recipe for mushrooms and wild herbs salsa is very adaptable, giving you freedom to use ingredients you find in your own environment. The following is an excerpt from Wildcrafted Vinegars by Pascal Baudar. It has been adapted for the web. RECIPE: Mushrooms & Wild Herbs…

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permanent beds

Permanent Beds: Designing An Efficient Garden

By Gretchen Kruesi / March 12, 2024 / Comments Off on Permanent Beds: Designing An Efficient Garden

Permanent beds are going to change your gardening game. This type of garden bed helps improve soil health, ensures crop growth, and is extremely easy to design! The following is an excerpt from The Living Soil Handbook by Jesse Frost. It has been adapted for the web. Designing Permanent Beds The term permanent beds is…

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fieldwork

Simplify Farm Fieldwork: Stop Working So Hard

By Gretchen Kruesi / March 8, 2024 / Comments Off on Simplify Farm Fieldwork: Stop Working So Hard

Looking to simplify fieldwork on your farm? The key is to act like a tree: stop working so hard and let nature do some of the work for you.  The following is an excerpt from The Lean Micro Farm by Ben Hartman. It has been adapted for the web. Unless otherwise noted, all photographs and…

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seed integrity

Preserving Seed Integrity: How Far is Far Enough?

By Gretchen Kruesi / March 7, 2024 / Comments Off on Preserving Seed Integrity: How Far is Far Enough?

While there is a lot of information out there about keeping the “purity” of seeds, the true “pure” seed is a myth. There are still best practices that any seed grower should keep in mind; but once they understand seed integrity and let cross-pollination happen, the real fun begins. The following is an excerpt from…

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