In thinking about “everyone” beginning to grow some small amount of produce in the Destructive Distance post, I have to turn inward to make sure I do what I can to promote this discussion and prove it worth experimentation on an individual level. I’ve been (more than) irritated at the lack of sunlight in the […]
I read that every year, at least 1.3 billion tons of produce rot in transport. Think of the irony of this. The modern-day “breadbaskets” of the USA are experiencing water shortages (partly) because they have shipped a vast quantity of water out of their regions to the rest of the country (via produce). Yet nearly […]
Out in the ether there’s a sense of urgency among some. Supply chain issues have made headline news (finally). Prices for just about anything are skyrocketing. Shortages have become more apparent… It’s easy therefore to feel a sense of panic, like we need to grow all our own food NOW. When you’re in a small […]
Our decision at YearZero to focus on native plants is not isolated. We also have to look at what’s already present in the growing space. This year we found ourselves pointing to things and asking, “what’s that?” There are so many mystery plants that have been “naturalized” in the USA, seeds blowing around from species […]
Status + Thoughts. I think we’re in that moment where there’s some brief euphoria (not unlike sitting with seed catalogs after Christmas), something like a subtle indescribable happiness about growing things. The space is about to take off. Daydreams begin of lush foliage bearing tomatoes and peppers and berries in this dense patch of land. […]
Patches of grass and mud, or dead leaves. That’s what I always used to think of when thinking of a forest floor. So I tried not to think of it. Then a few years ago I found out that a specialty onion I always wanted to try (allium tricoccum / “wood leek” / “ramp”) naturally […]
Spiced Elderberry Jelly: Cane sugar. Star anise. Apple cider vinegar. Orange zest. Clove. Cinnamon … Elderberries. Simmer, mash, strain… Elderberry Drink: Water. Honey … Elderberries… This perennial is often overlooked as a culinary source. The medicinal uses ranging from infections and burns to pain relief, swelling, and inflammation are widely known and gaining in popularity […]
How many hours are spent trying to delete the weeds that cover the ground and get in the way of planting + growth each year? How many pests attack countless farming operations? Mint is known as a way to deter pests. It has many culinary + medicinal uses. Yet it is widely accused of being […]
Peat Moss v. Coco Coir. In 2020 I wanted my first-ever seedling setup to be extremely neat + efficient. So I chose peat moss: a “soilless” growing medium that comes from swamps + marshes. The decomposed moss effectively holds large quantities of water. (Of course that didn’t stop me from overwatering it at times.) On […]
Marigolds So! As of April 22nd, we’re still in the seedling phase. BUT I wanted to note a difference I’m seeing between 2020’s marigold seedlings and what we see now. The germination this year was incredible: not to exaggerate but it took a week at the most. And the blooms are even brighter, more saturated, […]
