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There’s a certain kind of work this time of year There’s a certain kind of work this time of year that feels like setting the stage before the curtain rises. Today was all about that quiet, necessary groundwork — the kind that doesn’t shout for attention but absolutely shapes the season ahead. I started by clearing weeds, the stubborn winter survivors that always seem convinced they’ve earned permanent residency. Pulling them up felt like reclaiming the space, letting the sun touch soil that hasn’t seen daylight in months. Every tug released that deep, earthy smell that only comes from land waking up. Between weed piles, I stacked firewood along the fence line — one of those chores that feels older than language. Piece by piece, the stack grew, and the whole area began to shift from “winter leftovers” to “spring readiness.” The long shadows stretched across the dirt like they were pointing toward what comes next. And then came the heart of the day: clearing the 15’ × 15’ patch where this year’s giant pumpkin will grow. I chose this spot for a reason — it’s where we had last year’s cow manure delivered. All year long it’s been breaking down, sinking in, feeding the soil from the inside out. When I raked it smooth today, I could feel the difference under my boots. This isn’t just dirt. It’s soil that’s been quietly preparing itself, transforming into something rich, dark, and alive. Right now it’s just an open square of earth framed by firewood, weed piles, and the mountains watching from a distance. But I can already see the season unfolding — the mound rising, the vines stretching, the daily rituals of watering, feeding, and checking for growth. This is the prologue to the giant pumpkin story. The quiet work before the big reveal. Every season starts with a cleared space, a bit of sweat, and soil that’s been waiting for its moment. Today felt like the first page. #GiantPumpkinProject #SoilBuilding #FarmLife #GardenPrep #GiantPumpkin
Calendula has been one of the bright spots in our Calendula has been one of the bright spots in our winter beds. While everything else slowed down, these little suns kept opening, asking to be harvested again and again. We’ve been gathering the blooms all season, drying them for our herb jars — petals that have been used for generations in teas, salves, and all kinds of soothing blends. What I love most is how steady it is. Cold nights don’t bother it. Pollinators still find it on warm days. And every time we pick a flower, another one seems to appear, like it’s determined to keep the color going a little longer. A small, golden reminder that even in winter, something is always willing to give. #calendula #flowers #winter #medicinalplants #calendulasalve
It’s taken time, but watching this land slowly s It’s taken time, but watching this land slowly shift into real pasture has been something special. That’s grass. Actual grass. Growing because we’ve been working with the land, not against it — slow, steady permaculture in action. #Permaculture #RegenerativeFarm #PastureProgress #BuildingSoil #GrowWithTheLand
And the incubator has made its first appearance of And the incubator has made its first appearance of the year. I wish I could say it was for our egg laying chicks, but 4-H projects became the first priority. #4h #eggs #incubator #chicks
The package I’ve been waiting for finally showed The package I’ve been waiting for finally showed up over the weekend. Three “little” seeds from pumpkins that once tipped the scales at over 700 pounds! Hard to believe something this small can grow into something that big… but that’s the magic of it. Day 1 starts now. I have lots of soil prep to do in the coming weeks and will start seeds indoors in early March. My hope is to post the progress and lessons learned along the way. Hopefully I didn’t bite it off more than I can chew. What could possibly go wrong? #GiantPumpkin #AtlanticGiant #GrowBigOrGoHome #GardenAdventures #CountyFairDreams
Spent the morning mucking out Wesley’s pen and l Spent the morning mucking out Wesley’s pen and laying down fresh wood chips. It’s hard work, but there’s something satisfying about knowing all this “used” bedding is really just future compost in disguise. In 6–8 months, it’ll be feeding the garden and starting the whole cycle again. Nothing is ever wasted here. Plus, Wesley is much happier! #FutureCompost #SoilBuilding #RegenerativeLiving #CompostCrew #HealthySoilHappyPlants
Yesterday’s mail brought the first seeds of the Yesterday’s mail brought the first seeds of the season. Time to prep the ground, plan the layout, and get ready for what’s ahead. Details soon! #seeds #mail #seed #NotSayingYet #GuessTheProject
Made freshly milled flour donuts, fried it lard, a Made freshly milled flour donuts, fried it lard, and filled with our bourbon plum anise jam from our boozy jam collection. And of course for Valentine’s Day, in the shape of hearts#fmf #donuts #jellydonuts #boozyjam #valentinesday❤️
Getting excited for these brussels sprouts and cab Getting excited for these brussels sprouts and cabbage! I love eating brussels sprouts and this is the first year I’ve been able to grow them successfully. #Brusselssprouts #Garden #Cabbage
I learned something wild this week, and it sent me I learned something wild this week, and it sent me straight down a garden rabbit hole. Apparently some seeds come with full pedigrees—lineage charts, generations of traits tracked with intention, whole histories tucked inside a shell the size of a fingernail. I’m not getting pedigreed seeds myself, but the idea of them opened up this whole sense of wonder about what we plant and why. It didn’t change the seeds I ordered for my next project—but it definitely shifted the way I’m thinking about the season ahead. Somewhere in that swirl of curiosity, a new garden adventure started taking shape. Something fresh. Something joyful. Something I’ve never tried quite like this before. The seeds are officially on their way, and the journey starts the moment they hit the soil. #GardenMystery #SeedMagic #GardenAdventure #GrowWithMe #zone8bgardening
Had to reseed some of our pepper starts today. And Had to reseed some of our pepper starts today. And moved the trays under the grow lights that they will live under for the next several weeks. I need to add a fan to them soon to help increase rooting tomorrow. #seedtrays #seeds #peppers
Enjoyed some watermelon today after moving to thei Enjoyed some watermelon today after moving to their new paddock. #tamworth #pigs #feeders #bacon
🌱 Almost all of our pepper sprouts are up! 🌱 🌱 Almost all of our pepper sprouts are up! 🌱 #peppers #sprouts #seedling #earlyStart
Fried up some amazing pork chops tonight with a ho Fried up some amazing pork chops tonight with a honey mustard glaze! Using up the pork in our freezer to make room for this springs batch of Tamworth feeders! We have pork shares available for April & June! #tamworth #feeder #pork #porkchops #porkshares
Moved some tomato seedlings under the grow lights Moved some tomato seedlings under the grow lights today. #seedlings
The first seedlings are emerging! 🌱 #Seeds #Tom The first seedlings are emerging! 🌱 #Seeds #Tomatoes
Sometimes school looks different here. #showrooste Sometimes school looks different here. #showrooster #shelovesanimals
In case anyone was keeping track… It’s been no In case anyone was keeping track… It’s been not even 24 hours and my seedlings still haven’t sprouted. Every single year I tell myself I’ll be patient. Every single year a tiny, delusional part of me still hopes I’ll wake up the next morning to a tray full of overachievers popping out of the soil like, “Surprise, we grew overnight!” Gardening keeps me hopeful, humble, and hilariously unrealistic. The magic is happening — even if I can’t see it yet. #ImpatientGardener #StillNoSprouts #CheckingEveryHour #GardenerProblems #SeedStartingAddict
Tomatoes and peppers started today. #seeds #indoor Tomatoes and peppers started today. #seeds #indoor #heatpad
Feed pickup days are long, but worth it to have go Feed pickup days are long, but worth it to have good feed for our animals! #organic #nongmo #animalfeed
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