Just Hatched 2019: A Swansons Chick Update

Just Hatched 2019: A Swansons Chick Update

Wow, it feels like yesterday our chicks arrived, small bundles of fluff huddled quietly around the heat lamp. These girls have grown so fast and will soon move to their new homes as laying hens. When the chicks had first arrived, we launched a “Name the Chicks” contest and, out of the hundreds of entries we received, we drew six winning names.

From Flower to Fruit: The Mysteries of Apple Pollination

From Flower to Fruit: The Mysteries of Apple Pollination

Apple trees are great additions to any yard or garden, providing a source of food for bees, birds, wildlife and us! There’s nothing like the joy of watching your tree bloom in the spring, expectantly waiting for the fruit to ripen, and finally eating an apple freshly picked off your tree. The topic of pollination, however, can be confusing, so let’s review the basics.

How To Grow Peas

How To Grow Peas

Peas are always one of the first vegetables I plant in the spring. As soon as there's a sunny day in late February or March, I bundle up and head out to the garden to sow snap and shelling peas along trellises in my raised beds.

Vegetable Gardening with Kids

Vegetable Gardening with Kids

Edible plants are a great way to introduce your kids to the wonderful world of gardening. They’re colorful, fast growing, and delicious! It’s exciting for kids to see fruits and vegetables sprout and grow in their own garden (some, like Brussels sprouts, look very different in the garden than on the dinner plate!) I’ve also noticed that kids are often more adventurous about trying a new vegetable when they have grown it themselves. Here are a few tips to make creating an edible garden a fun and successful family endeavor!