Issue #202. MARCH 2024.
Hellooo Sunshine!
Blessed be, y'all. Daylight savings is HERE. Ok, ok, I know, I'm all out of whack too because of time change and yes, it does feel a little silly to still be practicing this BUT...
I'm here for the longer days and more sunshine. This happens happens anyway (btw) as we move closer to the summer solstice in June, no matter what the clock says.
To celebrate Daylight Savings, I've extended my Consultation availability for spring!
Consultations are ideal for new (and returning) clients who are looking for a 45-minute session, in your growing space or via Zoom, to discuss plans and answer questions. I send a full list of notes and next steps following each Consultation.
I'm currently booking 1-2 weeks out for Consultations. As we inchworm towards April, be sure to schedule time before the full-season rush approaches!
In this week's newsletter, I'm sharing a special podcast episode I recorded all about adding BACKYARD CHICKENS to your growing space.
I invited David Blackley and Pressly Williams, YES from Renfrow Farm & Hardware, on the show to discuss all things chickens. I can't wait for you to hear our conversation.
As we prepare to welcome SPRING next week, I'm sharing some edible and beneficial blooms you may consider adding to your space this week and next too.
REMINDER:
MASTERCLASS LAUNCH
Next Tuesday (3/19) is the first day of spring, and is the launch of my masterclass called the Six S's to Success.
I'm so excited to share this information with you. I've packed in SO many goodies, resources, downloads, and tools into this class. There are 8, self-paced modules included with this course, plus a slide deck. I walk you through each "S" to set you up for success in growing this year, and beyond.
Be sure to join the wait-list for the masterclass and receive a special welcome message from me, including a special early bird offer.
NOTE: I'm modifying my launch plan slightly. Instead of a virtual event via Zoom on Monday, 3/18, I will be sending a launch newsletter to those on the waitlist with a special early bird offer.
Ahem, I said early bird offer. You'd be crazy not to join the wait-list.
The Patio Farmer is here for YOU!
CALLING ALL HOMESTEADERS! Wanna go on a herbal plant walk and learn about oxymels? Or maybe you're like me and you're obsessed with corn and want to learn about heirloom grains and sorghum syrup. Whole hog butchery? Fermentation deep dive? Mushroom cultivation? Homegrown tomatoes? Urban farming. Sourdough. Composting. What else can I say except... see you at the Symposium on 3/24?
Apply for PREMIERE PRACTICE. This is my top-tier service offering and includes weekly visits from me to your growing space from March - September. This service is available in select zip-codes in Huntersville, Charlotte, and Matthews. Fees are pro-rated!
Join Plant Club. We're growing lettuce in March, rainbow carrots in April, zucchini in May, and edible flowers in June! There are FOUR different membership levels so YOU get to decide the amount and kind of support that's right for you.
Shop my Online Store. Plants, seeds, soil, plant food, grow bags, and MORE can be purchased online. Weekly delivery is available for those in the greater Charlotte area.
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 25
Backyard Chickens with Renfrow Farm
Episode Description: I'm hosting some Charlotte-area, farm and gardening celebrities on the show. David Blackley and Pressly Williams from Renfrow Farm & Hardware in Downtown Matthews join me to gab about backyard chickens, and why they are such wonderful companions in our growing spaces.
When you listen to The Growing Space Podcast, be sure to look through the show notes! I tuck in all sorts of helpful links and resources. Here are the links from this week's show,
You can listen to The Growing Space Podcast wherever you get your podcasts, including YouTube! Be sure to like, rate, review, download, subscribe, as you listen to episodes. The more interactions my podcast sees the more people like YOU I'm able to reach.
Spring Blooms
Edible & Beneficial Flowers for Your Growing Space
Perhaps this content is inspired by the blooming tulip magnolia outside my office window or the crop of wild violets carpeting the backyard or the dependable, overwintered, pansies I snacked on yesterday...
Errr... yep. I snacked on a pansy. Surprise! If you didn't know this already, they are edible flowers.
So today, let's meet some other edible, beneficial, flowers and why I love adding them to my growing space.
Now, there are several reasons why you would add flowers to your growing space. They are as follows,
- They attract pollinators. And if you feel like you want to see more bees, more butterflies, and more FRUIT in your growing space, flowers will help you do just that.
- They also help protect our plants. How so, you ask? Many edible flowers will either help repel insects and other visitors from snacking on our plants.
- They are pretty, and colorful. You can use edible flowers as a garnish to any fresh spring salad, baked goods, or in cocktails.
Here are a few of my favorite FLOWERS:
ARTICHOKES: Edible. Perennial. I'm obsessed with these blooms. They are neon purple and the swallowtails love them.
BACHELOR BUTTON: Edible. Annual. I like the mix of different colors, and how tall bachelor button get (only 2 feet). They also come in blue, which is one of the most rare, naturally occurring colors in plants.
BEE BALM: Edible. Perennial. Also goes by the names Monarda and Bergamot. Nothing draws in more pollinators than bee balm! The entire plant is edible, except the roots.
BORAGE: Edible. Annual. These easy reseeder is a welcomed companion through the spring and summer. Borage has spiky hairs along its stems and leaves, helping to repel insects and caterpillars (like the squash bug AND hornworm). The flowers taste like cucumber!
CALENDULA: Edible. Annual. These cheerful flowers produce healthy enzymes that nourish the skin! Calendula flowers are great to use in homemade salves and ointments.
CHAMOMILE: Edible. Perennial. Perfect for a soothing cup of tea. Chamomile's medicinal properties create a calming affect!
ECHINACEA: Edible. Perennial. Also known as, purple coneflower. These beautiful, inverted blooms attract pollinators as they bloom. The roots of this plant can be harvested for medicine. Echinacea tea (brewed from the cured roots) is a great immune system booster!
FLOWER MIXES: Combination of edibles, non-edibles, perennials, and annuals. Below are some of my favorites to use when trying to create an "ever blooming" patch of flowers in my growing space to support the pollinators, and production from my plants.
- BEE FEED: sow a season's worth of bee food
- HUMMINGBIRDS, BUTTERFLIES, SONGBIRDS: sow a meadow of small to medium sized flowers for the pollinators!
- PARTIAL SHADE: sow these beneficial flower seeds in a spot that gets a little less sunlight to transform that space into production!
- SOUTHEAST NATIVE: sow these if you live in the south eastern United States and want to cultivate flowers found in this region.
VIOLAS: Edible. Annual. Johnny Jump Ups are a cold hardy flower. They bloom all through fall, winter, and spring.
Hopefully this inspires you to sow some flowers and celebrate spring!
Photos from yesterday's visits to my business clients! Spring greens are sprouting, the peas are coming up, and the peaches are in bloom.
See you in spring!
