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.
Eliot Coleman’s Components of the Winter Harvest
So you want to start reaping a winter harvest, but you’re not sure where to start? Eliot Coleman breaks down the three basic components of the winter harvest so that this time next year, you’ll be knee-high in produce! (Maybe not knee-high, but you’ll definitely have fresh vegetables!) The following is an excerpt from The…
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How to Grow a Year-Round Indoor Salad Garden
Does the cold weather have you dreaming about fresh greens and colorful salad? Grow and harvest sprouts indoors to make those dreams a reality! The following is an excerpt from Year-Round Indoor Salad Gardening by Peter Burke. It has been adapted for the web. Soil sprouts, microgreens, sprouts, and baby greens are all different versions…
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A Guide to Growing Oyster Mushrooms Indoors
What’s so great about oyster mushrooms? First, you can add them to the short list of foods that can be grown indoors! This fungus can grow almost anywhere–from a log to a straw. The following is an excerpt from Fresh Food from Small Spaces by R. J. Ruppenthal. It has been adapted for the web. Oyster…
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The Art and Joy of Collecting Seeds
It all starts with a seed. Collecting seeds from your plants will propagate more life from what you already have. Different plant species require varied methods of seed collection. Below are some tips to help you understand plants’ specific wants and needs when collecting their seeds! The following is an excerpt from The Ecological Gardener by…
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Fresh Fig Pecan Bread
This fig pecan bread is a sweet, delicious, and nutritious side that everyone around the table will enjoy this winter (or maybe you’ll want to keep it all to yourself, we won’t judge). Enjoy! The following is an excerpt from From the Wood-Fired Oven by Richard Miscovich. It has been adapted for the web. What…
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Perennial Power: Why You Need Perennials in Your Garden
Keeping up with a garden can be a lot of work; luckily, there’s a secret weapon that will take away some of your stress. Perennials are the perfect addition to any garden, and only have to be planted once a decade! The following is from The Resilient Farm and Homestead, Revised and Expanded Edition by…
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Greater Flavor: How to Make A Basic Miso Paste
There are reasons that miso paste has become popular around the world: it’s versatile, relatively inexpensive, and can be made in a range of flavors you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else. And better yet, you can even make miso at home! The following is an excerpt from Koji Alchemy by Jeremy Umansky and Rich…
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Medicinal Uses for 8 Herbs Already in your Kitchen
We all know a dash of cayenne pepper is great on roasted sweet potatoes and a little bit of cinnamon goes a long way in a batch of cookies, but did you know many of the kitchen herbs already in your spice rack can also be used medicinally? The following is an excerpt from Energetic Herbalism by…
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Leeks: The Ultimate Winter Crop
Looking for a veggie to grow and harvest through winter? Try leeks! With some careful planning, a bit of elbow grease, and some insight from Eliot Coleman, you’ll enjoy leeks from your garden all year long. The following is an excerpt fromThe Winter Harvest Handbook by Eliot Coleman. It has been adapted for the web.…
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Say Cheese! A Simple & Fast Ricotta Cheese Recipe
Cheese lovers, it’s time to add another recipe to your list! Make this easy (and cheesy) ricotta recipe at home in as little as one hour. The following is an excerpt from The Art of Natural Cheesemaking by David Asher. It has been adapted for the web. Recipe: Fast Ricotta Cheese Estimated time frame: 1…
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Must-Have Tools for Successful Indoor Gardening
Who says cold weather has to stop you from gardening? With the right tools, you’ll be all set to create your own indoor garden at home. The following is an excerpt from Year-Round Indoor Salad Gardening by Peter Burke. It has been adapted for the web. Tools for Indoor Gardening The list of tools you…
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Homemade Bone Broth: A Healthy Diet Staple
Looking for a soup that tastes good AND is good for you? Consider adding this nutrient-rich, immune system boosting bone broth into your daily diet! The following is an excerpt from The Heal Your Gut Cookbook by Hilary Boynton & Mary Brackett. It has been adapted for the web. How to Make Bone Broth Bone…
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Starting A Flower Farm: 7 Steps to Crop Planning
Thinking about starting your own flower farm? Before putting seeds in the ground, it’s important to plan out which crops you want to plant. The following is an excerpt from Flower Farming for Profit by Lennie Larkin. It has been adapted for the web. Crop Planning for A Flower Farm in 7 Steps Crop planning…
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5 Recipes to Warm You Up This Winter
Looking for some delicious and simple recipes that will keep everyone in your house warm while snow rages outside? You’ve come to the right place! The following recipes are some of our favorites and will help you ward off the cold. Winter Root Veggie Potpie From Black Trumpet by Evan Mallett Looking for new ways…
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Saving Dry vs. Wet Seeds: The Seed Series
Interested in seed saving? Before getting started, it’s important to know the difference between storing wet seeds and dry ones. The following excerpt is from Will Bonsall’s Essential Guide to Radical, Self-Reliant Gardening by Will Bonsall. It has been adapted for the web. (Unless otherwise noted, all photography courtesy of Will Bonsall.) Dry vs. Wet Seeds:…
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Winter Pizza Duo Using a Sourdough Starter
Turn any night into pizza night! This sourdough pizza holds the secret to a stress-free weeknight dinner. Make the crust ahead of time and let it rise in the fridge. By dinnertime all you’ll need to do is shape the dough, add your toppings, and bake! This excerpt is from The Occidental Arts and Ecology…
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Build Your Own Cold Frame: Get a Jump on the Planting Season
Extend your planting season with a cold frame! Building your own cold frame is a simple way to keep growing plants all winter long. The following is an excerpt from Four-Season Harvest by Eliot Coleman. It has been adapted for the web. What Is A Cold Frame? Gardeners should dedicate a monument to the cold…
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Simple Sugars & The Sweet Side of Fermentation
As the name suggests, simple sugars are very easy to work with — especially when used as a ferment. From tepache in Mexico to mauby/mabí in The Caribbean, fermented simple sugars are often used to create delicious beverages all around the world. The following is an excerpt from Sandor Katz’s Fermentation Journeys by Sandor Ellix…
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Wondrous Wintergreen: All About the Wintergreen Plant
Have you ever chewed on a piece of gum or used toothpaste and wondered where the minty taste comes from? It’s all in the wintergreen. Wintergreen, a vine that produces flavorful berries, is very easy to grow and harvest in your own garden or greenhouse. Here are some tips for growing this cold-hardy plant, along…
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Cooking With Nutrient-Dense Fats: How to Make Ghee
Get your ghee on! With this quick guide, you’ll learn how to make ghee and use it as an ingredient in delicious recipes (like the Citrus-Glazed Chicken one below) in no time. The following is an excerpt from The Nourishing Asian Kitchen by Sophia Nguyen Eng. It has been adapted for the web. Cooking With…
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Mastering the Actions of Herbs
Want to become a master in medicinal herbs? The first step to using these herbs successfully is understanding the actions of each one and how they work to treat an individual patient’s symptoms. The following excerpt is from Herbal Formularies for Health Professionals, Volume 2 by Dr. Jill Stansbury. It has been adapted for the…
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The Winter Harvest Project
Four-season farmer Eliot Coleman strikes again with inspiration for all you cold-loving farmers out there! A master of extending the growing season, Eliot explains his strategies for a successful winter harvest and greenhouse design. The following excerpt is from The New Organic Grower, 3rd Edition by Eliot Coleman. It has been adapted for the web.…
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How To Make Blue Cheese
Attention, moldy cheese lovers — this recipe is for you! “Moldy” isn’t usually a quality we look for in our food; but when it comes to blue cheese, the mold cultures contribute largely to its unique texture and bold flavor. The following is an excerpt from Mastering Artisan Cheesemaking by Gianaclis Caldwell. It has been adapted…
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6 Tips and Tricks for Indoor Gardening
Craving a fresh harvest during the winter months? Try indoor gardening to grow fresh greens and more year-round! Here are 6 articles to jump-start your indoor harvest and get you growing in no time. Must Have Tools for Successful Indoor Gardening The process of producing high-quality food inside requires time and attention, along with the…
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Cream of Butternut Squash Soup
During this time of year — when the weather is cold and the sun still sets early — there’s nothing like a good comfort meal to warm you up and boost your spirits. This soup recipe is sure to keep you feeling cozy all season long! The following excerpt is from Full Moon Feast by…
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