Planning for Spring Planting - Cold Frames (mini-greenhouse)

Most gardeners and backyard farmers are busy pouring through the piles of seed catalogs that seem to keep coming in the mail, dreaming about what varieties to plant in this year's garden and anticipating warmer weather to start their seeds. 

An easy way to get a jump start on your spring planting is with the use of cold frames or mini-greenhouses. These cold frames are easy to build and can be used for early spring planting, extending your growing season in the fall, and for winter growing. They are also great to use for seed starting if you don't have the space for a larger greenhouse.

The cold frames (mini-greenhouses) are 4' x 8' and are constructed using 2 x 3's and exterior grade screws. Each unit has four hinged roof panels that can be opened for planting and propped open for ventilation. They are very easy to build and can easily be constructed in an afternoon.

Once assembled, I used 6 MIL greenhouse film, which I purchased from Growers Supply, to cover the units, stapling the plastic to the frames and folding it around all edges. For added protection I use row covers and row cover hoops inside the mini-greenhouses to cover the seedlings.

Early last spring I moved one of my mini-greenhouse over the garden bed and planted my tomato seedlings directly in the garden. The protection of the plastic created a nice heated environment for the plants and they thrived, giving us early tomatoes!

Once your mini-greenhouses are built you can also use them in the fall to extend your growing season. In late fall right after the first light frost I move the mini-greenhouses over the kale, broccoli, cabbage, scallions and other cold hardy crops.

The hinged roof panels can be propped open so the mini-greenhouses don't get too hot during the sunny days, and closed at night to keep the frost or snow off the plants.  

I start more crops of lettuce in the fall and make sure the plants are well established before the frost. The plants will keep growing with the protection of the mini-greenhouses, providing us with fresh greens all winter long.

The plants may wilt when the temperatures drop well below freezing, but they will spring back to life as soon as the sun rises and the mini-greenhouses start to heat up. It is so satisfying to be able to go out into the snow and pick fresh greens in the middle of winter! I have had good luck growing kale, leaf lettuce, spinach, arugula, parsley, sage, carrots, garlic, scallions and leeks throughout the winter.

I have plans available on my website that you can download for free 

and use to build yourself either a 4x4 or 4x8 cold frame (mini-greenhouse).

We have had quite a few warm days this winter so why not take advantage of some of them to build yourself a cold frame (mini-greenhouse) and get a jump start on your growing season! They are easy to build and are versatile for extending your growing season!

~Rob~

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Vegan Lentil Walnut Loaf

Last week was cold and blustery and we had a hankering from some real comfort food. Growing up we used to have meatloaf with mashed potatoes and gravy, but not that we are vegetarians actual meatloaf was definitely out of the question.  

My wife has made lentil loaf several times in the past, but it doesn't really taste very good (sorry honey), so after doing a Google search for vegan meatloaf, I can across a recipe posted on eat, live, run that looked pretty good.

I was hopeful that this would turn out fairly good. Lately we have come across several recipes such as raw tacos and vegan meatballs that use walnuts in place of meat and those dishes are extremely delicious! 

We made this for dinner last week and were blown away by how tasty it was! 

This is by far the best meat(less) loaf we have had!

Ingredients:

1 cup green lentils
3 cups vegetable stock or broth
1 large yellow onion
1 large carrot
1 stalk celery
2 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup breadcrumbs
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
3 tbsp ground flax mixed with 1/2 cup water
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper

for topping -

2 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp pure maple syrup
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a small bowl, combine the ground flax and 1/2 cup water and set aside.

Simmer together the lentils, broth and a pinch of salt for about 25 minutes or until the lentils are tender and have absorbed all the broth.

Prepare your veggies. Chop the onion, grate the carrot and dice the celery. Saute the onion and celery in the olive oil over medium high heat for six minutes or until tender, not caramelized. Add the garlic and carrot and cook for about four minutes.

Toast the walnuts in the oven for six to seven minutes. Add them to the onion/carrot/garlic mixture and stir well.

Add the oregano, salt and pepper as well and take the mixture off the stove and transfer to a large bowl.

Add the breadcrumbs, flax/water and cooked lentils and toss well. Press the mixture into a greased loaf pan and set aside while you make the topping.

In another small bowl combine the ketchup, maple syrup and vinegar. Spread on top of the loaf and bake for 40 minutes.

We served it with mashed potatoes, vegan gravy and broccoli and it really hit the spot on that cold blustery day! This recipe is definitely a keeper!

~Rob~

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Product Review: Light Footsteps Salves

I love hand-made, all-natural and earth friendly products and prefer to use them over chemical based ones. I also believe in supporting small businesses so I have decided to do a "Product Review" post whenever I come across a product that I believe is "really good"!

The first product I would like to review is White Pine Oil Salve and St. John's Wort & Comfrey Salve made by Christine of Light Footsteps. 

I purchased some salves from Christine's ETSY store as Christmas gifts for my wife and daughters. They are all big chap stick users, but don't like the sticky feeling commercial products leave on their lips, so I thought this would make a nice gift. I purchased the St. John's Wort & Comfrey Salves and they absolutely loved them! 

This particular salve is made with "Olive Oil infused with St. John's Wort and Comfrey, Beeswax and Vitamin E and aids in the healing of cuts, scrapes and chapped skin or lips". It comes in a very nice 1 oz. tin and is easy to apply. The salve doesn't leave a greasy feeling like other products and really moistens and heals chapped lips and dry skin. My family loves this product so much that I had to order more so they could each have their own tin to carry with them. I also loved it so I ordered the Whit Pine Oil Salve for myself. I use it whenever I come in from chopping firewood and it works extremely well soothing and relieving my chapped hands. I prefer the Whit Pine Oil because it has more of a masculine scent.

I love this product for several reasons. It is made with all natural ingredients, it is made by someone who cares about green living and has a passion for saving the planet (check out Christine's blog), and it works so much better than the commercial products!

I highly recommend Light Footsteps Salves. 

They are awesome, healthy products and would make great gifts!

I have created a "Really Good Things" page on my website where I will be listing hand-made, all-natural and earth friendly products with links to their websites. If you are a home-based or small business and have a handmade product that falls into this category, feel free to contact me about being included in the listings!

~Rob~

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Is this winter or spring?

It's January, but it sure feels more like April. I keep thinking I need to hurry up and plan the gardens, order seeds and start to get ready to fill the greenhouse with seedlings! I have to keep reminding myself that I still have plenty of time to get all that done. 

During the winter, I usually like to sit in front of the wood stove with my garden plan and seed catalogs, dreaming about what to plant in this year's gardens, or catch up on my winter reading, but with the temps in the 50's I don't seem to be in the mood to do that. Instead I feel like I should be building the new greenhouse or fencing in the garden (in my head I can hear my wife saying, "how about building the kitchen you've been promising me for 5 years?"), but I know as soon as I start (the garden not the kitchen) it will turn colder and probably snow.

This year, as one of my goals, I am going to try and grow as much of our own food as possible. I have several great resources to guide me including:

The backyard Homestead,

Produce all the food you need on just a quarter acre! 

by Carleen Madigan

How to Grow More Vegetables

by John Jeavons

The Backyard Homestead Mini-Farm & Garden Log Book

by John Jeavons, J. Mogador Griffin and Robin Leler

and

One Circle

How to Grow a Complete Diet in Less that 1,000 Square Feet

by David Duhon

I am excited to see how much I can actually grow on our 1/4 acre lot! I will be keeping a blog journal to track the progress and see what kind of yields we end up with and hopefully we can move closer to our goal of becoming even more self-sufficient.

 ~Rob~

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The HomeAcre Hop

Scenes from the Garden (1/6/13)...

Buds in lilac bush, waiting for spring.

 It's only January 6th, but for some reason it feels later in the year. Maybe it's because other bloggers are posting their garden plans or because it's almost 40 degrees and sunny today, but I feel like I am already behind on planning the gardens. I have most of my seeds purchased and many saved from last year, but I still need to draw up my new garden plans and calculate exactly what I will be planting.

This year the plan is to expand the garden to 1000 sq. ft and try to grow as much of our own food as possible. Luckily I have several local organic farmers markets to make up for what I can't grow, but the hope is to become as self-sufficient as possible. Another goal is to build a 2nd larger greenhouse to start flowers and seedlings to sell at the local farmers markets. If we keep having these warm days I may be able to cross that one off my list soon!

Arugula in the mini-greenhouse.

Lavender still growing next to the greenhouse.

Leeks left in the ground from last fall.

Garlic poking up through the snow

Onions overwintering in their protective cages.

Ernie cleaning himself, enjoying the warmer weather.

I just have to remember that it's only the beginning of January and there are still many more days of winter to get through before it's time to start seeds for this year's garden.

The sign that hangs on my greenhouse.

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Deborah Jean's Dandelion House

Vegan Sushi

Vegan sushi is a favorite in our house. It is very easy to make and is delicious served alone or with the toasted sesame oil dipping sauce. Our girls love this sushi so much they gather in the kitchen to eat the end cuts every time we make it! 

Ingredients:

2 cups sushi rice

3 cups water

2 tbsp. seasoned rice vinegar

2 tbsp. brown rice syrup

1 tsp. salt 

1 pkg Sushi Nori Sheets

sliced carrots

sliced peppers

avocado 

*or any other vegetable you like, we have even added marinated tofu.

*Optional dipping sauce:

1/4 cup Nama Shoyu

2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp. agave syrup
2 tbsp. toasted sesame oil

-mix all ingredients together in a glass mixing bowl.

Directions:

• Cook sushi rice and water in a rice cooker or by following the directions on package.
• In sauce pan, heat seasoned rice vinegar, brown rice syrup and salt until syrup is melted.
• Mix vinegar mixture with cooked sushi rice and "paddle" until cool.
• Spread some sushi rice mixture on a nori sheet.

• Add sliced peppers, carrots and avocado.

• Roll up Nori sheet tightly, sealing edge with a little water.

• Slice into 3/4" slices and serve!

Enjoy!

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Gastronomical Sovereignty

Happy New Year!

2012 was a crazy year and I am a little happy to see it pass. There were some really great things that happened, and a few that I would much rather just move past and put behind me. It has been a year of change and self reflection leaving me excited for the possibilities of what 2013 may hold! I am looking forward to more big changes and adventures while I journey down this path.

For me the winter solstice signified a time for new beginning. The days between the solstice and January 1st are a time to reflect, dream and plan with New Year's Day being the starting point to take action.

With that being said, here are some of my goals for 2013:

• Build a 2nd larger greenhouse
• Expand the gardens to be able to grow more of our own food
• Fence in the gardens
• Put up a 12' x 20' high tunnel for winter growing
• Build a garden shed
• Install rain barrels
• Set up a drip irrigation system
• Attempt to get into the local farmers markets to sell seedlings, flowers and herbs
• Get the school garden started
• Put in blueberries, raspberries and grapes
• Grow more varieties to preserve for our winter food supply
• Plant mostly heirloom varieties and save seeds for following years garden
• Work towards becoming more self-sufficient, growing even more of our food
• Read more organic gardening, farming and homesteading books
• Develop more of my own products
• Redesign website to include information on organic growing
• Organize blog posts to provide information from starting seeds to harvesting crops
• Take more steps to keep me moving towards my dream
• Work less, play more
• Try to live more in the moment! 

What are some of your goals or resolutions for 2013?

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!!

~Rob~

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Tilly's Nest

Our First Snow of the Season!

We finally had our first real snow of the season!

The cold frame is covered, adding extra warmth to the plants inside.

The ducks seem to be enjoying the snow for the first time.

I brought them out of the garage and the first thing they did was lay down in it!

And as always, Buster enjoyed running around in the fresh snow!

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Taking some time off to enjoy my family ...

With the holidays drawing near, I find myself extremely busy preparing for Christmas, filling and shipping the last of the orders, and traveling to look at new jobs for my business.

Instead of stressing myself out trying to do everything that I think I need to do,  I am going to slow down so I can spend more time enjoying my wife and my children. 

I have some big changes planned for the new year and I hope you will all continue to follow me along my journey! I have made many new friends and really appreciate all the inspirational and supportive comments. I have enjoyed reading everyone's posts and stories and look forward to seeing what the New Year has in store!

I hope you all have a safe and happy holiday season and I will be back in January!

~Rob~

Sunday Photos - Trip to the Tree Farm

 

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Tilly's Nest

Book Review - Seed by Seed

Seed by Seed, The Legend and Legacy of John "Appleseed" Chapman

Normally I would review a farming or gardening book, but seeing that my wife is an elementary school  librarian and we are trying to get a school community garden started at the elementary school where she works,  I though it was appropriate to review a children's book.

Seed by Seed is about the legend and legacy of Johnny Appleseed. 

 They say the stories of Johnny Appleseed are part legend and part fact, but he was real. His real name was John Chapman and he was born September 26, 1774 in Massachusetts. He was a farmer who grew apples and offered them to pioneers heading west. He planted apple seeds every day and changed the landscape of our nation. He traveled by foot or canoe and planted apple trees in over a hundred thousand square miles across the Ohio Valley.

John Chapman was a simple man who lived by example. 

The examples he "planted" are:

Use what you have,

Share what you have,

Respect nature,

Try to make peace where there is war,

 and You can reach your destination by taking small steps.

This book gives details about how he lived each of these examples everyday until his death in 1845.

This is a great book to have in your personal library, especially if you have younger children. It would also make a nice Christmas gift and is a fantastic way to teach children about the important lessons he lived by, and possibly get them interested in gardening!

John "Appleseed" Chapman grew so many apples that chances are any apple you eat today is from a descendant of a tree planted by him!

Vegan Chocolate Chip Scones

We have been making these for quite some time. I can't remember where this recipe originally came from but I think we started with a basic scone recipe and veganized it. These scones are so fluffy and delicious, you can't tell that they are made without dairy or eggs. You can also substitute blueberries for the chocolate chips for equally delicious scones!

Ingredients:

2 cups white, or whole wheat pastry flour
5 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons vegan margarine (Earth Balance)
1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips
1/3 cup vanilla soy milk (or rice milk)
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 teaspoons EnerG egg replacer mixed with 4 tablespoons warm water

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 400° and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. Combine egg replacer and water, wisk and set aside.
3. In a food processor, combine flour, 4 tablespoons sugar, baking powder and salt.
4. Add the vegan margarine and pulse until it resembles a coarse meal.
5. In a separate bowl, combine egg replacer mixture, soy milk and vanilla.
6. Add chocolate chips (or blueberries) and wet mixture to dry ingredients, stir until a dough forms.
7. Place dough on a floured surface and knead a few times. then flatten into a circle about 2 inches thick.
8. Transfer to a cookie sheet and flatten into a circle about 2 inches thick.
9.  Slice like a pie into 8 triangles and sprinkle with remaining sugar.
10. Bake 20 - 25 minutes until golden.

Enjoy!

~Rob

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Tilly's Nest 
Fresh Eggs Daily

Making the Holidays Handmade

Fretwork angel ornament.

Each year we pledge to make most of the holiday gifts we give away to family and friends, but we usually end up way too busy to get everything done. We do however always find time to make new ornaments for our tree, sometimes creating keepsakes from items saved from our vacations.

Sea shell angel ornament - shells from out Cape Cod vacation.

If you don't have the means or time to make gifts yourself, there are several online shops that have many talented artist who sell their handmade items.

Some of my favorite places to shop for unique gifts are:

ETSY

FarmMade

and 

Goodsmiths

Carved snowman ornament

We also prefer to buy at local shops rather than at the big box stores or malls. We have several shopping villages close by like Old Mystic Village and often take day trips to Quechee Gorge Village in VT.
One of our favorite places to shop for food gift items is The Woodstock Farmers Market in Woodstock, VT. They also have an on-line store which makes it easy to send gift baskets to out of state family, friends or my business clients.

Carolina snowflake ornament.

We are looking forward to the day when we finally have our farm and can give more gifts like canned tomato sauce made from our heirloom tomatoes, or dried herbs, herb infused oils, and other items grown or raised on our farm!

Dried hot peppers from our garden.

Do you prefer handmade gifts for the holidays?

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Deborah Jean's Dandelion House