The Amateur Farmer

Shoe hanger garden

Posted on by Jean Campbell

This is my first year as an active winter gardener. My assumptions up until now were that winter was a time you just didn't garden. I've learned differently and now I'm trying a number of ways to keep production of homegrown foods and herbs going throughout the year. I came across a discarded shoe hanger, and after seeing a number of projects displaying herbs grown in vertical indoor containers, I thought I'd try my hand at a version with a bit of "sole". My intention was to overwinter herbs... Continue reading

Oh, yes — you CAN have a garden in winter!

Posted on by Jean Campbell

How I managed to reach age 50 and never get the memo that garden-time runs all year long is beyond me. I've gardened for at least half of my life; mostly herbs and flower beds, and my M.O. has been to give up on gardening in late summer. As the days grew shorter, I would lose interest in the garden and let it run riot. My assumption about gardening and the onset of winter was, "game over, dude", so I'd store the tools with great plans for the next coming spring. A couple of years ago I began... Continue reading

A quick-and-dirty greenhouse

Posted on by Richard Kirby

Readers of this blog know that Jean is an avid gardener. One of the problems we face each year is what to do with many of our plants during the winter to protect them from the cold. Most of the time, our decision is to bring all the plants inside -- and with our small house, that is no easy feat. This winter, we decided to do something different. We had taken down our frame pool for the season and were wondering what to do with the space in the backyard when Jean came up with the idea of... Continue reading

Healthy dandelion salad – who knew?

Posted on by Melissa Carden

I have never understood America's aversion to the humble dandelion. Named for the lion-tooth shape of the leaves, this jubilant weed seems a happy addition to any yard. Is it because everyone can have them? Seriously, what is up? The lion's teeth As a child, I loved to blow away the little parachute seeds after the flowers had gone to seed. But if that childhood joy weren't enough, I recently learned these guys are loaded with good things! The sunny little "weed" is chock full of... Continue reading