food forest

Q&A with Kareen – How do I prevent bitter cucumbers?

There’s nothing more disappointing then putting your time and energy into growing veggies that don’t taste great. After a season of watering, weeding and fertilizing, you bite into that luscious cucumber and you immediately spit it out because it tastes so bitter.  In my video today, I address Rachel’s question about how to prevent bitter […]

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How I Use My Chickens to Prep New Garden Beds

Chickens are one of the easier and more useful animals to have in your backyard gardens. In permaculture, they are often the example of “each element performing multiple functions.” In other words, having chickens as part of your backyard ecosystem accomplishes several functions at once. Not only can they provide you with eggs and meat

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Q&A with Kareen – What native plants grow in a cold climate?

Since planting season is underway, this week’s Q&A with Kareen is especially timely and all about native plants. Sam asks what native plants grow in a cold climate and I share some of the shrubs and wildflowers that I have growing in my front yard.  Sam’s question is especially relevant since in April of 2023,

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What is Permaculture?

Permaculture is definitely one of the most misunderstood and obscure terms in the sustainability and gardening field. Is it a technique? A way of gardening? A philosophy?  Catherine Kirchner from Uncommon Pastures recently interviewed me about permaculture. Catherine owns a small, diverse, regenerative farm near Big Timber, MT where she raises grassfed & grass finished

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Don’t want to heat your greenhouse? Here’s what to do instead…

If you’re in a cold climate, having a greenhouse is a really effective way to extend your growing season on both ends. In March and April, greenhouses are great for early season greens and to grow out your seedlings. They also allow for additional growing time beyond our first frost date in the fall. With

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Q&A with Kareen – Cold climate pear varieties, pear preservation and what to do about codling moths

This week’s ‘Q&A with Kareen’ is all about pears. In the video, I answer Elizabeth’s questions about what pears I grow, an explanation about the kitchen tool I use the most for pear preservation, and what to do about codling moths.  The pears in my food forest are one of the yields that I look

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Q&A with Kareen – How to deal with an overheating greenhouse and tips for growing tomatoes in cold climates!

This is the first video in my winter series, Q&A with Kareen. In it, I answer Sandra’s question about ventilating a greenhouse as well as her questions about growing tomatoes in our cold climate.  An overheating greenhouse is a common problem, especially if you have a small one. I’ve found that even with windows or

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Raising Chickens in Cold Climates

Chickens are one of the easier and more useful animals to have in your backyard gardens. In permaculture, they are often the example of ‘each element performing multiple functions.’ In other words, having chickens as part of your backyard ecosystem accomplishes several functions at once. Not only can they provide you with eggs and meat

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