Whether you live in the city or out in the country, the best way to have complete control over your garden is by building a raised bed. I say this because everyone’s soil is going to be different. It could be very sandy, loamy, high or low in nitrogen, or even solid red clay like mine is. The best way to overcome challenges presented by your soil is by building a garden bed on top of your existing soil. The first step is determining the size bed you would like to build. I built my raised beds … [Read more...] about Building a Raised Bed (2023)
January: A Year in the Organic Garden
Welcome to a new year and a new blog series for our readers! By far, the most frequent questions we receive are about proper techniques for successful organic gardening for both edibles and flowers. We thought it would be fun and useful to pull together a series that follows the season and serves as a resource to answer those very questions. Our plan is simple. Early each month we will post an article to share our advice on what a successful organic gardener should be focused on in the … [Read more...] about January: A Year in the Organic Garden
A Bat Talk
We recently had the opportunity to both meet and have an engaging conversation with Dr. Rada Petric, Director of the Institute for the Environment at Highlands Field Site in Highlands, North Carolina, as well as Research Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Dr. Petric is studying the fascinating world of bat’s, in-particular their migration patterns and ecological impact on North Carolina. Hello! It’s great to meet you Dr. Petric. Please … [Read more...] about A Bat Talk
Fall-ing for Birds!
Every season brings unique opportunities to attract fun-flying fowl, and Fall is no exception. Having colorful, backyard visitors throughout the autumn and winter months requires planning and tasks, but their presence creates an environment full of wildlife and energy. Many experts might disagree as to whether or not backyard bird feeding will help wild bird populations, however feeding them during the colder months of the year will definitely benefit your neighborhood birds. Is it necessary … [Read more...] about Fall-ing for Birds!
Introduction to Lighting
There are so many different lighting options available in this day and age so I wanted to do a quick rundown on the different styles and how you could use them in your indoor gardens. If you are like me and like to get your spring seeds started and ready before planting time, I like to get mine started under a T5 fixture. These come in a wide range of sizes ranging from 2ft, 3ft, and even 4ft long fixtures. They also come in single bulbs, dual bulbs, quad bulbs, and some even with an eight … [Read more...] about Introduction to Lighting
Talking Mushroom Logs, Sustainable Agriculture, Community and More with Resting Point Farms
Today’s blog post is a conversation with one of our suppliers. We thought you’d enjoy hearing their story as much as we enjoy working with them. Please introduce yourselves. Resting Point Farms is a small heritage farm, in WNC, just beyond downtown Asheville’s edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains of the Southeast United States. We’re spirited by Jesse and “Sweet Dee”, partners in farming and in life, who provide care for this land that has been in the family for 20 years. We’re helping our … [Read more...] about Talking Mushroom Logs, Sustainable Agriculture, Community and More with Resting Point Farms
Making Your Own Mead At Home
Mead is quickly becoming a popular alternative to typical beers and wines. Mead is a fermented alcoholic beverage made with honey. It can range from 4%-20% alcohol and can be flavored with a wide variety of fruits and spices. At Fifth Season, we’ve been experimenting with a simple one-month mead that can be easily brewed in around 60 minutes. Whether you keep your own bees or enjoy local honey, this is an easy project that results in a delicious drink to sip on the cooler evenings. To … [Read more...] about Making Your Own Mead At Home
Pawsitively Purrfect Plants for Pet Parents
Parenthood comes in many forms. Having fur babies and leaf babies in one home creates an environment full of life and nourishment. It also comes with the responsibility of keeping everyone safe. If your pet is showing interest in your plants, or you are worried that they might, there are precautions to take in order to minimize damage. You can introduce a new toy whenever you bring home a plant to divert your pet’s attention or use hangers and stands to keep your plants off the ground and out of … [Read more...] about Pawsitively Purrfect Plants for Pet Parents
Simple Small-Batch Vegetable Ferments
I have a confession: As much as I enjoy gardening (and I really do!), the kitchen magic that ensues post-harvest – cooking meals straight from the garden, drying herbs for salt blends that become holiday gifts, making hot sauce, and of course, canning, pickling, and making preserves – well, that really lights me up! I feel such immense joy when gazing at a line of jars, still warm from the water bath, cooling atop a clean dish cloth. It brings me back to my childhood when my dad and grandmother … [Read more...] about Simple Small-Batch Vegetable Ferments
Fall Gardens Start in Summer
A common mistake among new gardeners is forgetting to plant the fall garden early enough. A perfectly-timed fall garden is, in fact, started in summer – not fall! Sure, you’re still harvesting zucchini and perhaps the tomatoes aren’t yet ripe but we’re now on the other side of the summer solstice when days are gradually getting shorter and crops will begin growing slower. So, all the while pulling weeds and plucking peppers, you’ll want to be gearing up to plant your fall garden! The main … [Read more...] about Fall Gardens Start in Summer
