PHOTO GALLERY
There’s always some strange, interesting, beautiful or fun going on here at the Acre, so I carry a camera. Just in case.
Keeping the Garden Cool in a Heatwave
An overhead gourd garden will keep raised beds cool in late summer. The beds stay 15 degrees cooler than full sun so you can start fall crops 60 days earlier
HOME & GARDEN
How to Grow Broccoli as a Perennial
Did you know you can grow broccoli like a perennial shrub and have garden-fresh veggies year-round? Pick an heirloom variety and it's easy! Here’s how
Why Aren’t My Seeds Sprouting?
Having trouble getting your seeds to sprout or your seedlings to survive? It’s almost always one of three problems. Here's how to diagnose and fix them.
Why you should have a rain barrel (or two)
Wondering whether rains barrels are worth it? The answer is yes! They're an easy and nature friendly way to save your water. Here's everything you need to know:
Freckles is a Great Winter Lettuce
Freckles is a Romaine-type lettuce with medium green leave and attractive red splotches. Great for winter growing in USDA zones 8 or higher
Hoping for an Early Start on Spring
Spring is almost 2 months away, but if I don't plant something, I'm going to explode. I'm taking a risk and starting a bunch of veggie seeds early. Way early.
Garden Season Prep: Sorting Saved Seeds
Need a winter garden project? Get that seed collection under control! Here's how to tell which seeds have passed their prime and which you can save to plant.
HOME & GARDEN
FOOD & RECIPES
Recipe: Old Fashioned Ketchup (c. 1915)
Wonder how classic, homemade American ketchup tastes? It tastes like awesome! If you've got a few tomatoes, here's a simple, delicious ketchup recipe from 1915.
Pickled Cherry / Grape Tomatoes Recipe
Got a bumper crop of mini tomatoes and wondering what to do before they go bad? Here's a super simple way to preserve and enjoy your tomatoes all year long
Garden to Table: How to Make Giardiniera
Nothing beats the delicious simplicity of giardiniera, an Italian vegetable mix that's super easy to make with fresh ingredients from your own garden
FOOD & RECIPES
How to Make Old Fashioned Spicy Dill Pickles
It's easy to make delicious, spicy, tangy and tasty pickles at home, the old fashioned way using this simple, but amazing 100 year old recipe
5 Things You Can Make With Leftover Sweet Corn
Got corn that's leftover or past it's prime? Don't throw it away! Here are 5 recipes that'll turn that old sweet corn into a delicious dish.
Old Fashioned Cornbread Recipe
A super easy cornbread recipe that dates back to 1903. Made with sweet corn kernels and bacon, it's sweet, moist and practically irresistible!
Tapas Time!
Got a few extra veggies but don't know what to do? Make pinchos de encurtidos (a type of tapas). Easy & delicious, they're great with cheese and charcuterie.
AROUND THE ACRE
Live Video Stream
Visit the ChickenCam » (Tip: There are actually more ducks than chickens)
Make a live backyard or wildlife camera just like Chickencam for less than $50. It’s easy!
Weathercam
Live camera shot facing west toward the Pacific Ocean, about 7 miles away.
PHOTO GALLERY
There’s always some strange, interesting, beautiful or fun going on here at the Acre, so I carry a camera. Just in case.
Keeping the Garden Cool in a Heatwave
An overhead gourd garden will keep raised beds cool in late summer. The beds stay 15 degrees cooler than full sun so you can start fall crops 60 days earlier
HOME & GARDEN
How to Grow Broccoli as a Perennial
Did you know you can grow broccoli like a perennial shrub and have garden-fresh veggies year-round? Pick an heirloom variety and it's easy! Here’s how
Why Aren’t My Seeds Sprouting?
Having trouble getting your seeds to sprout or your seedlings to survive? It’s almost always one of three problems. Here's how to diagnose and fix them.
Why you should have a rain barrel (or two)
Wondering whether rains barrels are worth it? The answer is yes! They're an easy and nature friendly way to save your water. Here's everything you need to know:
Freckles is a Great Winter Lettuce
Freckles is a Romaine-type lettuce with medium green leave and attractive red splotches. Great for winter growing in USDA zones 8 or higher
Hoping for an Early Start on Spring
Spring is almost 2 months away, but if I don't plant something, I'm going to explode. I'm taking a risk and starting a bunch of veggie seeds early. Way early.
Garden Season Prep: Sorting Saved Seeds
Need a winter garden project? Get that seed collection under control! Here's how to tell which seeds have passed their prime and which you can save to plant.
HOME & GARDEN
FOOD & RECIPES
Recipe: Old Fashioned Ketchup (c. 1915)
Wonder how classic, homemade American ketchup tastes? It tastes like awesome! If you've got a few tomatoes, here's a simple, delicious ketchup recipe from 1915.
Pickled Cherry / Grape Tomatoes Recipe
Got a bumper crop of mini tomatoes and wondering what to do before they go bad? Here's a super simple way to preserve and enjoy your tomatoes all year long
Garden to Table: How to Make Giardiniera
Nothing beats the delicious simplicity of giardiniera, an Italian vegetable mix that's super easy to make with fresh ingredients from your own garden
FOOD & RECIPES
How to Make Old Fashioned Spicy Dill Pickles
It's easy to make delicious, spicy, tangy and tasty pickles at home, the old fashioned way using this simple, but amazing 100 year old recipe
5 Things You Can Make With Leftover Sweet Corn
Got corn that's leftover or past it's prime? Don't throw it away! Here are 5 recipes that'll turn that old sweet corn into a delicious dish.
Old Fashioned Cornbread Recipe
A super easy cornbread recipe that dates back to 1903. Made with sweet corn kernels and bacon, it's sweet, moist and practically irresistible!
Tapas Time!
Got a few extra veggies but don't know what to do? Make pinchos de encurtidos (a type of tapas). Easy & delicious, they're great with cheese and charcuterie.
AROUND THE ACRE
Live Video Stream
Visit the ChickenCam » (Tip: There are actually more ducks than chickens)
Make a live backyard or wildlife camera just like Chickencam for less than $50. It’s easy!
Weathercam
Live camera shot facing west toward the Pacific Ocean, about 7 miles away.