From the mountain field journal
General
Growing Flowers in the Mountains
Flowers That Thrive in My Mountain Garden Gardening in a cool-weather climate takes a certain kind of grit — the same kind of grit…
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Black Friday Homestead Win: Garlic, 18 Arborvitae Trees, and an Unexpected Garden Surprise
Yesterday was one of those days that reminds me why I’m building this life — not because everything went smoothly, but because it all…
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How to Start a CO Farm Stand: Grow, Sell, & Thrive on Less Than an Acre
A Simple Guide for Turning Your Homestead Skills Into Extra Income If you’ve been dreaming about earning a little extra income from your kitchen,…
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🌾 In Hard Times, Grow Something: The Quiet Patriotism of Feeding Ourselves
When times get hard, it’s easy to feel powerless. Prices rise, supply chains break, and even the most basic things — like putting food…
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The Artist’s Garden: Nature as Muse and Medicine
More than a decade ago, our high-altitude garden in the mountains of Colorado began as a small experiment in growing food and flowers. Over…
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🍂 Rethinking Fall Cleanup at Cheesecake Bear Ranch
As the days grow shorter and the crispness of fall settles in, gardeners everywhere feel that old familiar pull: the great fall cleanup. Out…
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No-Till, No-Weed, and No-Fuss Gardening
If you’re looking for a gardening method that requires less work, fewer weeds, and no tilling, the Ruth Stout Method might be your new…
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Cold-Weather Crops to Plant in March (Direct Sowing or Transplants)
I’m in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b-5a, meaning I have a short growing season with late frosts in spring and early frosts in fall. However,…
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