When practicing permaculture, food and flowers can live harmoniously. They can even be one and the same. Even though we have a designated vegetable garden, we don't exclusively plant vegetables there. One of the joys of permaculture, as well as of gardening in general, is the endless way we can combine plants for multiple reasons. This is how to "stack functions," and "stack elements," which are part of the bigger picture in permaculture principles. Let's first … [Read more...] about Food and Flowers in Permaculture
Home garden
Raspberry Season
Ah, the raspberry! We have them growing wild here at the Mountain Farmhouse and we love them! I planted a few of the plants myself, but for the most part, they seeded themselves and grew. The birds help with that. Several years ago, I would not have wanted the raspberries to grow so wild and abundantly. I was trying to control nature too much. After learning about Permaculture, however, my outlook and approach became very different. Joel and I decided to let nature run its course, and … [Read more...] about Raspberry Season
Vegetable Garden Tour
A tour of the vegetable garden is long overdue. I've been hosting guests, working at my day job, contending with weather, and so on. But enough excuses! At long last, here it is! Vegetable Garden in Late July Here are pictures of some of my runner beans. There are Trionfo Violetto plus some Painted Ladies in the background. From farther away, you can see how the beans are climbing this support. (Below) I think I need a taller one! The flowers on the left are Scarlet Runners. From a … [Read more...] about Vegetable Garden Tour
Beans! Spiced, Pickled, and Dilly
Beans! Spiced, Pickled, and Dilly (UPDATED) Beans! The bush beans were ready to pick! Joel and I went out to the garden and picked all those that looked big enough. Among others, we grew the Blue Lake variety, which are a tasty green bean. We have some pole, or runner beans as well, but they are still flowering. Here are some of the beautiful flowers close-up. The first is Trionfo Violetto, a gorgeous purple flower which turns into a gorgeous purple pod. … [Read more...] about Beans! Spiced, Pickled, and Dilly
Cabbage Pest Deterrent
Do you have a pest problem in your cabbage bed? There are little critters that also tend to go after other brassica plants as well, such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, kale, cauliflower, and more. The 1-2" flying bugs look so innocent. I could not get a photo because they move so fast! They are little white butterflies with some blackish spots on them. There is also a cabbage moth which isn't quite as cute. So far, I've only seen the butterflies. They lay the eggs on the underside of the … [Read more...] about Cabbage Pest Deterrent