Adventures of an urban homesteader growing greens, preserving the harvest and tending a backyard barnyard
Insomnia has begun to really kick in for me on this home stretch of pregnancy. The combination of waking up every two hours to use the bathroom and being kicked in the ribs throughout the night (it’s okay, Bug… I’d rather you move too much than too little!) has made for some rough nights of sleep. Some nights it’s just better to throw in the
I’m keeping it simple with my spring vegetable garden this year. Baby could arrive anytime between now and the next 3-4 weeks, which means I will be down for the count come March for planting. Instead, I am planting some easy-going veggies now that can stand some neglect this spring. Lettuce & Green Onions – this is a classic companion planting combination that looks great
Although I am in the midst of writing my thesis, I am already looking ahead toward June when I get to walk across that stage and accept my masters degree in landscape architecture. Focusing on graduating is helping my motivation stay strong amongst the many distractions around me – namely the baby kicking my rib cage. Last week I had the pleasure of shadowing a
It’s hitting me more and more that in a few short weeks there will be a baby living here. The pregnancy has been great, but I almost just expect on some level to stay pregnant forever now. No so… This weekend Jay and I attacked Bug’s room – putting in shelves, unpacking gifts from family and friends, and all around “nesting”. My mother made this
The time for starting seeds is upon us! Not sure what to sow this year? My advice is plant what you already buy on a regular basis from the grocery store. You are more likely to use what you grow and make a dent in your grocery budget. When I lived in Brooklyn, I unloaded our weekly groceries and took an inventory: kale, spinach, butter
The growing season is not too far around the corner! Witch hazel is already blooming and my flowering quince buds are days away from opening. If we can get a handle on some garden chores now, we’ll be in good shape to maximize the harvest from our homesteads this year. When it comes to growing your own food, here is my short list of what
This Sunday at 1pm I will be speaking and signing copies of my book, Modern Homestead, at the Eugene Home & Garden Show. I have always wanted to attend the show because I know lots of my favorite local nurseries are there talking about edible landscaping. It will be a treat to share some ideas and inspiration with fellow green thumbs. These kinds of events
We said goodbye to our loving companion Howard this weekend, our devoted greyhound. He has been a part of our family for almost as long as Jay and I have been a family. We met him eight years ago after his racing days were over and I still remember falling in love with him that afternoon. We were so excited that we just stared at
We took a quick, whirlwind trip to Oklahoma where Jay’s family lives to visit one last time with them before the baby arrives. It’s a really different culture than what I am used to being a born and bred NW gal. So here’s a quick recap from the eyes of a Portlander. Upon arrival into Oklahoma City, we headed to the stockyards – an old
January is the time when nursery catalogs pour through our mail slots and cold evenings are spent carefully deciding what new trees, shrubs and vines to add to the homestead. There is an on-going debate between permaculture advocates and native plant experts on which plant species should be planted and which ones are dangerous. David Fothergill is one of my classmates and a plant expert,
