I garden because I believe growing my own food is empowering, healthy and fun. I enjoy plants for their shapes, colors and textures but I am primarily interested in growing edible plants so that I can provide fresh, healthy food for my family. I am interested in learning new ways to preserve our harvest so that we can enjoy it longer than our growing season permits. I also grow plants to feed and support our livestock, which currently consists of Nigerian dwarf dairy goats, a flock of pastured chickens and a hive of honeybees.
Our family moved to this old farmhouse four years ago. It was first built in 1738 and was run as a dairy farm into the 1970s. The farmer retired and the farm was broken up and sold. When we moved in, the yard was mostly lawn, with a large wild area in back crowded with small trees, shrubs and tall grasses. I have been trying to turn my two acres, which contains the original farmhouse and barn, back into a small farm using sustainable agricultural practices.
I am learning as I go. I was raised in the suburbs, so farming and increased self-sufficiency are things I have been learning (often the hard way) through research and then practice.
-- Robin, Massachusetts - "Live simply so others can simply live." M. Gandhi
12 comments so far
dini
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1422 posts in 694 days
hardiness zone 5
posted 239 days ago
Welcome!
-- the day you quit learning is the day you quit living.
GrandmaT
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5299 posts in 855 days
hardiness zone 5
posted 239 days ago
Hi There and WELCOME to GT!!! :-)
Look forward to chatting more with you and hearing all about your farm and gardening.
-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI - Zone 5
Bon
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4025 posts in 757 days
hardiness zone 5a
posted 239 days ago
Hello and welcome to GT.
-- Bon,Hastings,Ont.....zone 5a....Always room for one more
jroot
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2520 posts in 607 days
hardiness zone 5a
posted 237 days ago
Welcome to GT. It is good to see you participating already. You’ll enjoy your stay with us.
-- jroot
Dale & Vicki Struhar
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18 posts in 131 days
posted 122 days ago
We started out boarding and raising horses but as the kids grew up they lost interest in 4H. Vicki still has her horse which she raised for a colt about 16 yrs ago. She takes dressage lessons every week. We posted more pictures to our garden. hope you enjoy.
-- Dale & Vicki, Madison, Ohio
LadyPantheress
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43 posts in 36 days
hardiness zone 7
posted 30 days ago
Merry Meet-
Thank you for welcoming me to GT. I had written a reply to your post on my page explaining what I am planning to do here.
Happy Gardening
Brightest Blessings
Lady Pantheress
-- ~ Harm None ~
LadyPantheress
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43 posts in 36 days
hardiness zone 7
posted 29 days ago
Thank you so much for viewing and commenting about my 1st project here at GT. I have not used the pellets before and are a little concerned but I have a good feeling this year for a better container garden then my previous.
The lights in my green house were just on for taking the photos. I am using a heating mat under the trays and will not be using them till after the germination is complete and will remove them from the heating mat and place the growing lights about 1-2 inches above the new plants. This will help them stay a little shorter, sturdy, hardy and fuller plants for transplanting
Looks like you have many successful projects yourself. :-)
I love flowers too. Will be sowing Morning Glory’s, Moon Flowers and Nasturtiums soon.
I will be watching your progress as well.
LP
-- ~ Harm None ~
MsDebbieP
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6843 posts in 977 days
hardiness zone 5b
posted 9 days ago
you’ve changed your “name” identity.
Interesting :)
-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan
LadyPantheress
home | projects | blog
43 posts in 36 days
hardiness zone 7
posted 8 days ago
I will be sowing more seeds of what I lost for sure. Tomatoes are going to be very expensive this season according to the news. Bad crops due to bad weather where most tomatoes come from stores. I am very excited.
My peppers are doing fine so far and so is my oregano and marjoram.
Thank you again for your reply and encouraging words:-)
Hugs
LP
-- ~ Harm None ~
daltxguy
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36 posts in 74 days
hardiness zone 9
posted 8 days ago
Welcome Robin, formerly Radicalfarmergal :)
-- Disobedience is the true foundation of liberty. The obedient must be slaves. - Thoreau
Bon
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4025 posts in 757 days
hardiness zone 5a
posted 7 days ago
Does this mean your not radical anymore? (lol) Just kidding.
-- Bon,Hastings,Ont.....zone 5a....Always room for one more
Ron
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5 posts in 7 days
hardiness zone 5b
posted 7 days ago
Thanks Robin for the Welcome.
-- Ronm