Page 12 - Vibe-3-edition

Homestead Harvest

The Garden

I was a “city girl” — with large dreams of owning broccoli and cauliflower, for example, are a bit
a homestead, bringing my horses home and liv- more finicky and in order to avoid frustration and
ing that “simple” life of self sustainable, healthy defeat, purchasing a healthy seedling to trans-
living where I could grow and produce my own plant to your garden is a nice way to start. Of
food. Knowing where my food is comes from and course depending on your area, some plants
reaping the reward from my labor of love every thrive better than others, and this may not apply
time I sit with my family for a meal. I use the to all regions.
term “simple” very lightly as owning a farm has Now for the exciting part—After a few months of
it’s ups and downs. I always chuckle in a Wel-
tender loving care, adequate sun and lots of wa-
come Call when my patient’s giggle and question
ter, your plants will start to produce beautiful
if their cat or dog (or turtle, I’ve got that too!)
fresh fruits and vegetables for you! Check on
count as a dependent when asked. Well my your specific plant for best time to harvest to
friend, I understand your concern, as my 100+ ensure you are receiving the most of your plant
animals that cycle through our farm on an annual
and start bringing your hard work to the table to
basis are very much dependents also!
enjoy! Not only is it rewarding, but gives a nice
When taking the plunge to country living and piece of mind to know you are consuming pesti-
growing and/or raising your own food there are cide free food and the taste of freshness is sec-
many things to consider. Are you looking to sup- ond to none!
ply yourself with fresh vegetables and fruits? Do
Stay tuned for methods of preserving your gar-
you want to expand to raise your own meat? The
den harvest to enjoy year round, along with rais-
first question to ask yourself: What is the ulti- ing farm animals and other farm-life adventures!
mate goal? Secondly: What do I need to achieve
this goal and are there any limitations I need to -Crystal
work through? @tidalridgefarm
For many, a self sustainable, seasonal garden is
completely manageable with very little limita- TIDAL RIDGE FARM — Port Williams, NS
tions. Whether you live in a high-rise with patio
access or a roadside bungalow, plants require
only 3 things: sunlight, water, and love. I suggest
As first generation farmers, Crystal and family built Tidal Ridge
starting small—choose what you eat most of
Farm from the ground up in August 2020. Located in the heart of
then do some research to make sure it’s growa-
ble with what you have access to. For example, a the valley in picturesque Port Williams, Nova Scotia, they are in
herb and salad green garden can be achieved in a an agricultural community surrounded by beautiful dykelands and
box planter. Tomato plants in a large round the Minas Basin which offers an optimal growing medium and
planter. Corn and squash for example, require
plenty of space for livestock. Specializing in small scale farming,
more space and lots of sunlight to thrive.
they strive to raise organic fruits and vegetables, poultry, pork
Once you have decided what to grow, it’s time to and eggs for their family and locals. It is important to the family to
plan! Will you be starting from seed? Or purchas-
ensure their livestock is healthy and happy during their stay at the
ing seedlings from your local nursery? For first
farm. Crystal also has a boarding and training program for horses,
time gardeners, I’d recommend starting out with
currently housing 4 horses and a donkey on site and offers riding
healthy seedlings for most plants. Some plants
O like beets, peas, beans, carrots and cucumbers, lessons to aspiring riders in both English and Western disciplines.
for example, sow great in the ground after your
last frost and are minimal effort to babysit as
they grow. Some plants like tomatoes, peppers,