Scott Stiller

I was able to grow a nice patch a few years ago here in central NC. The only problem here is the clay. They do great in sandy soil which I didn’t have. I did have plenty of compost piles at the time and decided to just grow in a couple of those. They did magnificent and were easy to harvest. Just don’t try to eat them right after harvest. They’re pretty nasty. 😂

I grew these and Hansen cherries for at least a decade. The Hansen’s were larger but the Nanking’s more prolific. I had Nanking’s I was able to divide by root division but others never tried to spread. They’re one of the main species I miss from my farm.

Hi Em.
I would first start by checking the season to sow some of your plants. Radish, turnips, lettuce, spinach, cilantro and most onions are cool season crops. In central NC all of these can be sowed now or at least started inside.
By the time you harvest the cool season crops you can be planting your favorite summer vegetables.
I would consider planting oregano in a pot and keep it harvested. It spreads pretty easily and may take up a whole square before long.
I’d start pepper plants inside soon. Peppers like poblanos take a longer season  you will have in western NC.
In the fall I would definitely sow Austrian winter pea for nitrogen fixation during the winter. Its natural lifespan doesn’t end in your location until June. If planting before then just chop and drop a week or two before planting. It’s such a great cover crop that it will keep the soil temp to low for direct sowing. That’s why it should be chopped and dropped a couple weeks before planting.

Thanks Carla. I hope you enjoy them if you make a batch! I just happened to have a couple ripe bananas so I had them today.

Here’s my new favorite. They taste like banana bread.
2 ripe bananas,
3 eggs,
1/2 cup almond flour,
1/4 tsp baking soda,
1/2 tsp cinnamon,
1/4 tsp nutmeg and ground cloves.

Mash bananas then combine everything with a mixer.
I no longer eat grains so these are my go to when I have a sweet tooth.

I hope things go smoothly for you Susan. I look forward to seeing your progress!

Hi Paul,
I applaud you for reaching out to your community. I have found that isolation is the worst part of being sick. I hope that your path gets easier and you have all the support you need.

Hi John.
When I started farming I was determined not to use any chemicals of any sort and I was pretty obsessed with keeping heirlooms pure.
After a year of trying to grow squash and various  heirloom pumpkins I had failed miserably. Squash bugs and borers had killed all of my plants.
I was very disappointed and was ready to give up on permaculture. During the next growing season I posted some of my frustrations here. Joseph Lofthouse and others helped me see things from a different perspective. He suggested planting several varieties and saving seeds from whatever I harvested. That year I was able to save a few seeds from one pumpkin that had nearly reached maturity. The next year those few seeds yielded a wheelbarrow full of a new, unique variety. They were beautiful and delicious. The season after and every year going forward this new variety was unstoppable. Even though they were covered in squash bugs there was never any harm to the plants or fruit.
Until poor health dictated that I sell the farm a decade later I continued to farm this way. Before I left I gave all of those seeds to a few young farmers who are growing them this year. I’m thrilled that my struggles can help them get ahead!

Hi friends. I have posted about this before but here’s how I grew grapes at my farm.

Thanks for Sharing that Andy! I knew I couldn’t be the only one that was doing it!