Issue #200. FEBRUARY 2024.
Celebrating my 200th newsletter today!
That feels hard to believe! I started The Patio Farmer in 2017 as a side hustle, in 2020 I ramped up communication, promotion, and services, and in 2021 my side gig when full-time.
Writing this newsletter is one of my favorite things I get to do through my business. I'm so flattered that you tune in each week to hear my thoughts and guidance.
News flash: This is a LEAP YEAR. Yep, notice that there's 29 days this month?! Leap years always feel special, somehow. And as a person who enjoys celebrating the simplest pleasures in life (like watching a seed sprout), I have a special treat planned for this week's newsletter.
We're going to learn about two growing space guests that LEAP - bunnies and frogs. One, is great to have visit. Another, eh... not so much. Read on!
TOMORROW, 2/29, is the last day to apply for the spring cohort of my new, top-tier coaching service -- PREMIERE PRACTICE. There is limited availability for this first cohort!
If you're looking for a one-of-a-kind service to support your food growing journey this year, PREMIERE PRACTICE is it!
Also, when you apply for a spot today (2/28) or tomorrow (2/29) and you will be gifted access to my Masterclass -- Six S's to Success, which goes live on the first day of spring (March 19). This is a $169 value.
What is PREMIERE PRACTICE?
A premium, 1-on-1 coaching service with 7 months of growing guidance, expert services, and educational resources to walk together through the spring, summer, and fall growing seasons. Includes weekly visits to your growing space, summary notes after each visit, milestone tracking, a monthly spending credit for materials and supplies, 7 months of membership to Plant Club by The Patio Farmer at the KNOW level, and more!
Who is eligible to apply for PREMIERE PRACTICE?
For spring 2024, residents of the following zip codes are eligible to participate -- 28202, 28203, 28204, 28205, 28206, 28210, 28211, 28226, 28270, 28277, 28105, 28078.
What services does The Patio Farmer provide during weekly visits?
Visits can include Consultations, Seasonal Installations / Plantings, Watering, Pest Inspections, Pest Treatments, Disease Inspections, Disease Treatments, Trellising, Pruning, Harvesting, Feeding, Weeding, and Plant Removal (only edible plants). The Patio Farmer is here to help your food growing space thrive! The Patio Farmer works exclusively with edible plants, with a few exceptions.
Will you build raised beds for me?
Absolutely! The Patio Farmer can build and install raised beds for you. The monthly supply credit can help cover material costs.
Do I need to be home for each weekly visit?
Nope! As long as your growing space is accessible without special entry requirements (or these can be provided to The Patio Farmer), you do not need to be home at the time of service.
Can I participate in weekly visits?
Yes! Ideally one, and up to two, visits each month will be scheduled where we work together to maintain your space. The first visit is usually a Consultation to go over your goals for the seasons, what you want to grow, etc. It is recommended that each seasonal planting / installation visit be done together as well.
The Patio Farmer is here for YOU!
Schedule a Consultation. Spots are filling up for spring! Right now, I'm booking Consultations about 2 weeks out.
Take a *Virtual* SkillPop Class. Patio Farming Basics on Thursday, 3/7. Sign-up for the class and you'll receive the recording later if you can't join live! If you're growing food in containers this year, this class is for you!
Join Plant Club by The Patio Farmer in March. Do you love fresh lettuce? Do you want to grow it successfully at home? Join Plant Club at the GROW level before March 11 to get in growing butter lettuce and spring mix from seed. Be sure to follow me on social media (including YouTube and TikTok) for unboxing videos for each month's Grow Kits!
Sign-up for updates about my Masterclass. Add your name to the waitlist and get access to a virtual pre-launch event!
The Forecast:
Below is a list of what can be planted now in the greater Charlotte area / USDA ag zone 8a.
Seeds: Artichoke, Arugula, Beets, Carrots, Cilantro, Edible Flowers, Green Onion, Kale, Lettuce, Onion, Parsley, Peas, Spinach, and more!
Seedlings: Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Cilantro, Collard Greens, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Parsley, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Fruit Trees / Plants (blueberries, blackberries, raspberries strawberries, and more!), Perennial Herbs (rosemary, lavender, sage, thyme, oregano, mints, chives, and more!)
Episode 23:
Grow $1,000 Worth of Produce on Your Patio
In this week's episode of The Growing Space Podcast, I’m sharing how to grow $1,000 worth of produce on your patio in a year. I have some tips and recommendations for you for how to maximize the earning potential (if you will) of your growing space.
You can find The Growing Space Podcast wherever you get your podcasts! Except... Apple Podcasts... for now! I'm working on resolving a technical glitch at the moment. So, if Apple Podcasts is your main source for listening to podcasts, might I suggest listening to The Growing Space Podcast on YouTube for the time being? It's free! No subscription necessary.
Be sure to subscribe to the podcast, give it a like or rating or review if you enjoyed this week's episode. Share it with a friend too!
Growing Space LEAPERS:
Bad Bunny, Good Frog
Let me just preface this section by stating that ALL creatures are deserving of love and care, and are inherently innocent visitors to our growing space -- including the bunnies, the squirrels, and the deer.
HOWEVER, this does not mean they are difficult at times to achieve happy coexistence. Other creatures are welcomed guests to our growing spaces as they help us keep our plants happy and healthy.
Since we're celebrating a leap year this week, let's focus on two visitors to our space who leap. Namely, rabbits and frogs.
First, let's talk about rabbits.
So cute, so fluffy, so hungry, so not invited to the party! Rabbits are common creatures in suburban settings, and especially if you have natural areas with trees, shrubs, and other hideaways for rabbits to nest. The tell-tale sign of a rabbit visit includes young plants nibbled down to the stalk or maybe a few scat signs (animal poop). A hungry rabbit could easily mow down your tender spring vegetables.
Here are a few things to keep in mind as you strive for coexistence with the rabbits in your growing space:
- Keep your plants elevated. Growing in raised beds and tall containers help keep your plants out of reach of these fluff-tailed leapers.
- Consider a perimeter fence for any affected in-ground spaces. Typically a 2-ft tall border fence helps keep rabbits out of your space but rabbits can leap up to 4 feet.
- Practice companion planting. This is always my go-to for keeping unwanted visitors away from my growing space. Plant green onion, radish, and plenty of herbs to help deter critters (of all kinds) from your spring growing space - they don't like those strong smells!
- Add a windchime. Movement, reflection, and sound are great deterrents!
Next, let's talk about frogs.
Also cute, perhaps not so fluffy, also hungry, and always welcome to any party of mine! Frogs are carnivores, meaning they will eat insects that visit your growing space. Encouraging and attracting frogs to visit your growing space will help you naturally manage spring pests. As amphibians, there are a few things to keep in mind as you consider rolling out the red carpet for these meat-eaters.
Here are a few things to keep in mind as you strive to attract frogs to your growing space:
- Add a water feature. As amphibians, frogs enjoy being around still water. You don't need a pond for this! Just a shallow reservoir near the ground will do.
- Add shelter. This could be as simple as an unused pot being turned upside and propped up with two rocks in a quiet area of your growing space. Include a few twigs or leaves to provide extra coverage. Fun fact: most frogs and toads are nocturnal, so they like a cool, damp, cave-like place to hang-out in during the day.
- Resist using chemicals. Amphibians are super sensitive to any chemical-based products. Striving for an organic setting for your plants will encourage frogs to visit!
And there you go, tips for keeping some leapers out of your growing space, as well as tips for attracting other leapers! Happy Leap Year!
pssst... I couldn't help throw in a reference to the Puerto Rican reggaeton singer, Bad Bunny, to the newsletter today. If you know, you know. Also, any other millennials / gen x-er's going to see Ricky, Enrique, and Pitbull this weekend?! Dale!
Yesterday was spent getting my business clients ready for SPRING! Do you know of a business or apartment community who is looking for help with growing food? I'm looking to add 1-2 new business clients this spring, and summer. Feel free to share my contact information OR respond to this email with any leads.
Also, next week I'll have an inventory of spring plants up in my Spring Shop! Until then, seeds and grow kits await you!
