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Issue #201. MARCH 2024.

I don't know about y'all, but...

I'm absolutely loving these drenching days of *almost* spring rain followed by mild temperatures and sunshine. It's the perfect combination for helping seeds and plants GROW. How is your growing space these days? Are you ready for spring?

The first day of spring is less than 2 weeks away! And this year, I'm celebrating the Equinox by launching my brand new Masterclass called Six S's to Success. This Masterclass is a full mental download of information, guidance, and advice from me and will include 8 modules of information to encourage success in your growing space. My Masterclass is featured in the March edition of Natural Awakenings Charlotte, too!

This Masterclass will be available online, with self-guided modules, narrated by me (oh hey). The course will also include lots of downloadable resources, tools, and more! I'm creating a special companion piece, Top 30 Crops for Home Food Growers (a deluxe version of my seasonal Maintenance Plans).

Join the waitlist for this Masterclass and be the first to know when the course materials go live!

Join the Waitlist

In this week's newsletter, I'm sharing a fresh batch of SPRING SEEDLINGS in my online store, this week's episode of The Growing Space Podcast (featuring my first ever guest interview), sharing tips for growing kale, collard greens, and chard, and much more.

Thanks for being here friends!

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The Patio Farmer is here for YOU!

​Schedule a Consultation. Now booking for March 15 and beyond! Y'all are chomping at these bookings and I love it. Grab your spot today.

​Attend BYOP (Bring Your Own Pot). This event is in collaboration with Julie Coffey, one of my Plant Club members and Charlotte-area realtor with Keller Williams! Event is supported by Mortgage Right.

​Take my *Virtual* Patio Farming Basics Class. It's TOMORROW (3/7) with SkillPop. Join live at 7pm or catch the recording after class.

​Apply for PREMIERE PRACTICE. My top-tier, 1-on-1 coaching service with weekly visits to your growing space.

​Join Plant Club TODAY. In March, we're growing butter head lettuce and a gourmet lettuce mix! There are four different levels of Plant Club membership so YOU get to decide the amount and kind of support that's right for you. Joining at the GROW level ($65 / month) gets you a monthly Grow Kit.

Join Plant Club

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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!)

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SPRING SEEDLINGS

IN STOCK NOW:

• Kale: Dazzling Blue, Red Russian
• Collard Greens: Georgia
• Napa Cabbage: Red Trumpet
• Cauliflower: Clementine
• Swiss Chard: Rainbow
• Herbs: Eucalyptus, Golden Oregano, Foxley Variegated Thyme, Spearmint, Catmint, and Rosemary.

All plants are Certified Organic and sourced through Windcrest Farm.

I have also added a spring stock of plant food, soil, and grow bags. Find these under "Supplies." I also have 40+ Certified Organic or open-pollinated seeds!

What you need to know when shopping:

• All items qualify for home delivery IF you live in Mecklenburg, Gaston, Union, Cabarrus, York, Lancaster County or the Lake Norman area of Lincoln and Iredell Counties.
• Home delivery is available on Thursdays and Fridays, through May 2024.
• SHIPPING is available for SEEDS only. I can ship seeds to the 48 contiguous states.

Be sure to holler at my with any questions, and happy shopping!

Shop for Seedlings, and more!

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Episode 24

The Garden Giants

with Olga from Mushroom Mountain

Join me in welcoming my first podcast guest ever, Olga Katic, Owner of Mushroom Mountain, as we discuss the magical King Stropharia mushroom (AKA the Garden Giant) and learn why these are such excellent companions in our growing spaces.

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!

Listen to The Growing Space Podcast

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Tips for Growing Healthy Kale, Collard Greens, and Swiss Chard

These three crops are some of my favorite cool weather greens to grow. I love them because they grow beautifully in small, and large spaces. They are plants you can come back to over, and over again for harvests throughout the season. They also grow faster than broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage making them excellent considerations for spring planting.

Here are some tips for growing healthy kale, collard greens, and swiss chard at home this spring -

• Plant these leafy greens somewhere that gets at least six hours of direct sun.
• Amend your soil with compost or another nitrogen rich, all-purpose plant food. Compost Complete works great!
• Give your seedlings 12+ inches of space to grow. This helps the leaves get big and broad!
• Use a seedling (v. a seed) to harvest your plants sooner. Using a seedling, you are literally buying yourself a head start.
• WAIT. The hardest part. Until your plants are roughly 18 inches and has 8+ leaves. Waiting until your plants are tall, and productive, helps to ensure harvests throughout the growing season.
• Harvest a few leaves from each plant when you're ready. Start with the lower leaves and work your way up and towards the center of the plant.
• Snap the leaves right at the base of the main stem (see picture above, left). Don't leave little nubs on the main stem. This is super important! Removing the leaves clear off the stem tells the plant to channel energy into growing MORE leaves for you instead of trying to maintain an empty spot where it thinks there might be a leaf.
• Allow your harvested plants to rest for a week or two.
• Harvest again!

The most important take-away here is that you practice patience, and allow your leafy greens to become established enough to offer you multiple harvests throughout a 3-4 month period. The bigger the plant is before you start harvesting, the more energy and reserves it will have to regrow and produce for you!

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I spent some time admiring the peach blossoms at one of my business client's yesterday... even caught a little honeybee in action!

Enjoy the rest of your week, and all the spring blooms!