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 each 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 A Year in the Organic Garden – January
Homesteading
A Year in the Organic Garden – November
Welcome back to our “Year in the Organic Garden Series!” In October, we planted bulbs and perennials, as well as mulched and tested our soil. If you missed the post, or want to refresh your memory, please take a look at October in the Organic Garden. In November, we’ll likely experience our first frost of the season. We will cover crop protection techniques and more. As always, we welcome your own comments, questions and contributions to help make this an even more useful resource for … [Read more...] about A Year in the Organic Garden – November
A Year in the Organic Garden – October
Welcome back to our “Year in the Organic Garden Series!” In September, we finished planting our Fall garden and discussed the benefits of Cover Crops. If you missed the post, or want to refresh your memory, please take a look at September in the Organic Garden. In October, we’ll plant bulbs (edible and flowers) and add some fall color. It’s also a great time to plant perennials before Winter arrives. As always, we welcome your own comments, questions and contributions to help make … [Read more...] about A Year in the Organic Garden – October
A Year in the Organic Garden – September
Welcome back to our “Year in the Organic Garden Series!” In August, we were harvesting our summer fruits and veggies and preserving the excess. We also got our Fall garden going! If you missed the post, or want to refresh your memory, please take a look at August in the Organic Garden. In September, our Summer’s harvest is waning or just plain done and we fully transition to cool season gardening. Read on for our suggestions on how to make the most of the month. As always, we welcome … [Read more...] about A Year in the Organic Garden – September
A Year in the Organic Garden – August
Welcome back to our “Year in the Organic Garden Series!” In July, we were watering, fertilizing, harvesting and even getting started on our Fall gardens. If you missed the post, or want to refresh your memory, please take a look at July in the Organic Garden. In August, our Summer garden’s harvest is at its peak and the transition to Fall gardening is imminent. Read on for our suggestions on how to make the most of the month. As always, we welcome your own comments, questions and … [Read more...] about A Year in the Organic Garden – August
Mugolio…that’s Italian for Fermented Pine Cone Syrup!
If you’ve heard of Mugolio, consider yourself well-ahead of us over here at Fifth Season Gardening. Turns out it’s a gourmet food that’s easy to make with readily available ingredients and the most basic of equipment. We had to give it a try! True Mugolio is from Italy and made only with cones from the mugo pine. Green cones are collected in the spring, mixed with sugar and allowed to ferment for 2+ months. Natural yeasts on the pine cones are responsible for the transformation into a … [Read more...] about Mugolio…that’s Italian for Fermented Pine Cone Syrup!
Getting to the Root of it
Root vegetables such as carrots, beets, parsnips, rutabagas, and others are a delicious addition to any fall or winter dish. If you’re lucky enough, and have been patient, you’re sure to be rewarded with delicious, nutritious tuber meals this winter! Proper harvesting and storing your fall bounty are key to culinary success. There’s no need to feel overly rushed when it comes to harvesting beets, carrots, and parsnips. These root vegetables are cold hardy and can tolerate autumn frosts. … [Read more...] about Getting to the Root of it
Matt’s Hot Sauce
Hi everyone, this is Matt from Carrboro. One of my favorite hot sauce brands has been a little difficult to find at stores for the past year and bland table fare at my house just isn’t going to get the job done.. Lightbulb moment…I would take matters into my own hands! I had a bumper crop of peppers this year and wanted to take a shot at making a fermented hot sauce. As I was using what I had, this recipe isn’t intended as a clone for the hot sauce with a rooster on the bottle. But it … [Read more...] about Matt’s Hot Sauce
Soooooo Many Hops!
Today’s post is a conversation with Steve from Winston-Salem, NC. In his spare time, he is an organic gardener and home brewer. He’s also kind enough to shop at FSG (Thank you!). Steve has been growing his own hops for a few years now and we thought it would be fun and useful to get his insights on growing this great plant. We hope you agree! Please introduce yourself to our readers. Hi, well you already shared my name, some of my hobbies and my home town. Other things that … [Read more...] about Soooooo Many Hops!
Hey Grass, Move Over! Make Room for Clover!!
About this time last year I was seeking a new solution to an annual ritual with predictably frustrating results. I’m referring to my Fall habit of preparing the lawn, seeding new grass, tending it carefully, being pleased with the results and then watching it all die just as soon as the heat of the next Summer arrives. One of my colleagues here at FSG suggested that I overseed my lawn with clover as a potential solution to my problem. I did a little research and found out that clover … [Read more...] about Hey Grass, Move Over! Make Room for Clover!!
