DIG IN
The latest articles from Chelsea Green and our authors: offering tips and techniques about how you can bring our books to life in your kitchen, backyard, or community.
Is Fasting Good for Your Heart?
Fasting for health isn’t a new concept; people have been talking about why (or why not) to fast for years. The history of fasting goes far beyond this, though, all the way back to our primitive ancestors. Thankfully, we will never have to go days or weeks between catching our food; however, studies show that…
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The Road to Lynbreck Croft
Lynn and Sandra left their friends, family, and jobs in England to travel north to Scotland to find a bit of land that they could call their own. They had in mind keeping a few chickens, a kitchen garden, and renting out some camping space; instead, they fell in love with Lynbreck Croft—150 acres of…
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So What Exactly IS a Croft?
If you’re an American, you may have never heard of a “croft.” Before we published Our Wild Farming Life, a number of our employees didn’t know what a croft was either. Thankfully, Sandra Baer and Lynn Cassells give us a rundown of what exactly a croft is, and a brief history of crofting, too. The following is…
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Eating Okra All Winter
Okra is an extremely productive plant and, if you choose to grow it, you’ll enjoy the fruits of your labor all year round! Let the winter weather inspire you to try okra in a different way—dehydrated and fermented. The following is an excerpt from The Whole Okra by Chris Smith. It has been adapted for…
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The Phases of Composting
Although the stages of composting are very closely intertwined, each separate one has its own value and needs to be nurtured accordingly. The materials used go through several transformations: physical, biological, and chemical. Understanding each phase of this process is the first step in creating the best nutrients for your plants. The following is an…
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Growing Cold-Hardy Cranberries
Cranberries! These hardy little berries are great to grow if you live in a colder climate. Authors Scott and Allyson say “It’s pretty amazing that this small fruit, which is too sour to eat out of hand, was seen as a profitable pomological fruit considering that it not only lives but thrives in some of…
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Tree Sap: Nature’s Energy Drink
There’s nothing better than kicking back after a long day with a nice cool glass of tree sap. Sounds sticky, but you might be surprised to hear that sap from maple, birch, or walnut trees is comprised mostly of water with 2 percent or less sugar and loaded with minerals, nutrients, enzymes, antioxidants, and more—an…
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A Feast to Warm Your Soul
Spring is just around the corner, but winter is still at our doorstep. What better way to stay warm and positive than a gathering centered around good food and drink? Here we offer culinary inspiration: Spicebush Duck Legs from Marie Viljoen’s Forage, Harvest, Feast, to be coupled with hot, mulled Wassail from Jereme Zimmerman’s Brew…
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Making the Great Resignation Even Greater
People are quitting their jobs and retiring at an alarming rate all over the country. Dubbed “the great resignation,” this change in the American workforce is causing shortages and supply chain issues in many sectors, from healthcare to retail. The following is an excerpt from Scanned by Nick Corbishley. It has been adapted for the…
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On the Hippie Trail
From a young age, Simon Fairlie decided to go off the beaten path, also known as “the hippie trail.” After attending an all-boys boarding school, Fairlie decides to skip attending Cambridge and explore the world. The following is an excerpt from Going to Seed by Simon Fairlie. It has been adapted for the web. ‘If you don’t…
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The Deadly Politics of the Great Game for Oil
In 1947, Daniel Dennett, America’s sole master spy in the Middle East (code name “Carat”), was dispatched to Saudi Arabia to study the route of the proposed Trans-Arabian Pipeline. The plane carrying him to Ethiopia went down, killing everyone on board. In Follow the Pipelines, investigative journalist Charlotte Dennett, digs into the mystery of her…
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Hunters’ Rabbit Stew
Looking for the perfect recipe to warm up the cold winter months? This hunter’s rabbit stew is the perfect twist on a cold-weather classic that the whole family will enjoy! With this simple and satisfying recipe, you can add a twist to your family’s comfort food this winter. The following is an excerpt from Raising…
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A Checklist for Broiler Chicks
Thinking about raising broiler chicks? There’s a lot to know! Thankfully, Joel Salatin knows A LOT about homesteading and raising poultry. Check out his list below to gauge if you’re ready to jump into the chicken-raising life. The following is an excerpt from Polyface Micro: Success with Livestock on a Homestead Scale by Joel Salatin. It…
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The Dramatic History of Bringing Beavers Back to Britain
The movement to rewild the British landscape with beavers has become one of the most dramatic and subversive nature conservation acts of the modern era. From gun-toting locals to queens, the quest to reintroduce beavers in Britian has been thwarted at every turn. This hasn’t stoped farmer-turned-ecologist Derek Gow from trying, though. The following is…
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Going to Seed: Where It All Began
At a young age, Simon Fairlie rejected the rat race and embarked on a new trip to find his own path. He dropped out of Cambridge University to hitchhike to Istanbul and bicycle through India. He established a commune in France, was arrested multiple times for squatting and civil disobedience, and became a leading figure…
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Embracing Hope And Letting Go Of Fear
We can all get caught up in our own heads sometimes; fall down rabbit holes of fear and find ourselves stuck in situations we don’t want to be in. This can be especially true when it comes to climate change. Often, our resistance to change is a response to our fears of the future. But…
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Potted Plants Need Woodchip Too!
Are you growing the majority of your plants out of pots? We have good news! You, too, can use woodchip! Using woodchip in your potted plants is a great way to reduce weeds without spending time hand weeding. The following is an excerpt from The Woodchip Handbook by Ben Raskin. It has been adapted for the web.…
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Quick Start Guide to Year-Round Greens
Cold temps and snow don’t have to mean the end of fresh greens! Follow this quick start guide to year-round greens for fresh salad greens in just a couple of weeks. The following is an excerpt from Year-Round Indoor Salad Gardening by Peter Burke. It has been adapted for the web. I teach gardening, and there comes…
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Hungry? Try These Holiday Appetizers (With a Twist!)
Adding an appetizer course is a great way to jazz up any holiday dinner. Next time you’re looking to celebrate, try out one (or both) of these delicious holiday appetizers; they’re perfect for the winter season and sure to be a hit with everyone at the table. The following is an excerpt from Black Trumpet by…
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What in the World is a Pawpaw?
Do you know what a pawpaw is? A few generations ago, most would say “yes!” You could ask just about anyone and they could tell you what this fruit looked and tasted like, and more importantly, where to find it. But today, the pawpaw remains a mystery to some and entirely unknown to others. With…
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Gift Ideas: 10 Books for the Foodie in Your Life
Do you love to cook? Does someone close to you love to cook? If you’re struggling with gift ideas for the foodie in your life (or if you’re looking for yourself), look no further! We’ve compiled our top 10 picks for foodies everywhere! Need more gift recommendations for the holiday season? Browse our Holiday Sale and…
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10 Books to Gift a Nature Lover
Are you struggling to come up with the perfect gift ideas for the nature lover in your life? Well, look no further! We’ve collected some of our most popular and accessible nature books for you to choose from. From trees to beavers to reindeer; no matter what kind of books your nature lover likes, we’ve…
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Draft Power: The Life-Affirming Alternative to “Big Ag”
Farmers young and old are seeking new ways to shrink their carbon footprint and promote more ecologically friendly ways of getting chores done. So, what’s a modern farmer to do? For some, the centuries old approach of using draft animals—especially horses—is offering a very 21st century solution. Here’s an overview of draft power and its…
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The Taste of Herbalism: What Your Tongue is Telling You
If you’ve ever cooked with herbs, you know that taste plays a huge role when deciding which ones to use. It’s much the same when using herbs medicinally. The taste of an herb actually tells us quite a bit about the medicinal properties of the plant. We’re covering the most common tastes found in herbs…
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A Letter from a Reader: Why We Do What We Do
From the beginning, our readers have always been our compass—providing inspiration and direction. Occasionally stories of how our books have made a difference in the lives of our readers make it back to us—be it through customer service phone calls, social media, email—and we’re always thrilled to hear them. We recently received such a letter…
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