Winter 2018 I started leeks from seed to plant in my garden. They grew well and I ended up setting them out in the early spring. These leeks spent all of last summer, fall, winter and this spring in the garden. I kept waiting for them to get bigger but they mostly stayed smallish. Now … Continue reading Waste Not, Want Not: Leeks
Author: phillipsfarmbatavia
Slow Summer Mornings
This is my favorite summer ritual - slow mornings on the front porch with my breakfast and dog snuggles. I’ve set up my front porch like an extra room, with a comfy bench, coffee tables, and rugs. Most of my house plants summer on the porch too. It feels homey and welcoming. Usually Toby wanders … Continue reading Slow Summer Mornings
Purple Sourdough & Margaritas
My neighbor Rita was telling me about these blue Butterfly Pea flowers she ordered in the mail. They are said to have all kinds of miraculous healing and health supporting properties. Plus it dyes your food or drink a lovely shade of dark purple so that’s fun. Rita gave me a jar of dried flowers … Continue reading Purple Sourdough & Margaritas
A Meditation in the Woods
I’m working at Long Branch today and sat down for a minute to rest in the woods. I had to share this lovely moment with you all. I love the music of the birds in the woods and the way the sunlight dances on the ground as the leaves sway in the breeze, in the … Continue reading A Meditation in the Woods
Strawberries for Every Meal
Strawberry season is officially upon us again. Two years ago I planted 40 strawberry plants in my perennial garden and they multiplied and multiplied. I probably have 1000 of them now. They are in the whole middle of my berry garden as well as lining the edges of most of my flower beds. I figured … Continue reading Strawberries for Every Meal
Mr. McGregor’s Garden
I felt a bit like Mr. McGregor fighting off Peter Rabbit this last week. I had re-planted all my tomatoes after that late frost killed the first batch. Luckily I had saved half my starts inside - just in case - since I was planting so early. I had my beautiful babies all tucked in … Continue reading Mr. McGregor’s Garden
Peonies Make Me Happy
“Peonies” by Mary Oliver This morning the green fists of the peonies are getting readyto break my heartas the sun rises,as the sun strokes them with his old, buttery fingers and they open —pools of lace,white and pink —and all day the black ants climb over them, boring their deep and mysterious holesinto the curls,craving … Continue reading Peonies Make Me Happy
They Grow Up So Fast
Most of the sweet little ducklings we’ve received in the last month are now hard to tell apart from the adults. They’re close to fully feathered and have been spending all day down at the pond. They’ve mastered getting down to the pond and back up to the coop in the evening. It’s just how … Continue reading They Grow Up So Fast
Playing Duck Mamma
I finally had to call it quits with accepting ducklings. I was getting 2-4 calls or emails/day with people looking for a permanent home for their “quarantine pets.” 3 here, 5 there...it adds up! I’ve lost track of how many we have now and those babies are hard to count. I split them into smaller … Continue reading Playing Duck Mamma
Tomato trellis
I always have to try something new in my garden. This year it’s a new tomato trellis and some potato towers. I made the potato towers in March by creating a cylinder out of welded wire fencing, lining it with straw and filling it with layers of dirt/compost and potatoes. You can see them in … Continue reading Tomato trellis
