Category Archives: Urban Farming

New Beginnings

Posted on April 20, 2019 by NearlyHomeGrown.com

This year, in particular, is full of new beginnings. I welcomed the New Year in with a toast and a cheer from my home in Apex, NC. Just a few months later, this native midwesterner calls Long Island, NY home. … Continue reading →

Posted in AeroGarden, Backyard Gardening, Basil, Cilantro, Hardiness Zone, Hydroponics, Indoor growing, Morel Mushrooms, Permaculture, Raised Bed Gardening, Sustainable, Urban Farming | Leave a comment

First Day of Last Frost

Posted on April 14, 2018 by NearlyHomeGrown.com

The last frost date for this area passed without incident on April 9th and today was my first day home to survey the perennials and sow some annuals. I’m just going to say it, my over-wintered herb garden is just … Continue reading →

Posted in Backyard Gardening, Blueberries, Chives, Herbs, Lettuce, Oregano, Organic, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Strawberries, Sustainable, Urban Farming | Leave a comment

Permaculture Summer

Posted on June 26, 2017 by NearlyHomeGrown.com

To create your own permaculture summer: Start with a good variety of fruits, berries and herbs that pretty much take care of themselves year after year. Add to that background of growth, some tender green leaves (lettuce and spinach will … Continue reading →

Posted in Asparagus, Backyard Gardening, Blackberries, Blueberries, Chives, Container Gardening, Figs, Herbs, Lettuce, Oregano, Parsley, Permaculture, Raised Bed Gardening, Spinach, Square Foot Gardening, Strawberries, Sustainable, Thyme, Urban Farming | Leave a comment

Summer Already

Posted on June 4, 2017 by NearlyHomeGrown.com

After an early, false spring in February that fooled blueberries and peaches into blooming followed by the rest of a perfectly normal winter that felt like it lasted forever, spring finally did come and then go in a flash and … Continue reading →

Posted in Asparagus, Backyard Gardening, Blackberries, Blackberry, Blueberries, Herbs, Lettuce, Peaches, Permaculture, Sustainable, Urban Farming | Leave a comment

Peeking at Presents

Posted on December 26, 2016 by NearlyHomeGrown.com

It is the day after Christmas and I wanted to peek at a couple of presents, patiently waiting their turn in the garden. We have had a few light freezes in the Raleigh area and at least one hard freeze … Continue reading →

Posted in Backyard Gardening, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Carrots, Heirloom Varieties, Parsnips, Raised Bed Gardening, Seasonal Eating, Square Foot Gardening, Sustainable, Urban Farming, Victory Garden | Leave a comment

Autumn Recess

Posted on November 23, 2016 by NearlyHomeGrown.com

Autumn has arrived in North Carolina, bringing with it the final harvest of bell peppers, roma tomatoes and serrano peppers. The herb garden has brushed off the first few light freezes and stands ready to make meals fragrant and savory … Continue reading →

Posted in AeroGarden, Backyard Gardening, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Basil, Bell Peppers, Carrots, Cilantro, Collards, French Tarragon, Herbs, Hydroponics, Indoor growing, Inventions, Kale, Kitchen Implements, Mulch, Non-GMO, Oregano, Organic, Parsley, Parsnips, Peppers, Pine Needles, Raised Bed Gardening, Roma Tomato, Sage, Seasonal Eating, Serrano Peppers, Square Foot Gardening, Sugar Snap Peas, Sustainable, Technology, Thyme, Urban Farming | Leave a comment

Aero Garden Update – Day 46

Posted on November 13, 2016 by NearlyHomeGrown.com

Day 46 of the prepackaged herb pack that came with my AeroBount and I have excellent basil growth, both genovese and thai.  The mint was just starting to grow and the cilantro, parsley and chives never really took off.  The … Continue reading →

Posted in AeroGarden, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Basil, Cilantro, Heirloom Varieties, Hydroponics, Inventions, Kale, Kitchen Implements, Non-GMO, Organic, Parsley, Sustainable, Technology, Urban Farming | Leave a comment

Collards – From Garden to Table

Posted on October 4, 2016 by NearlyHomeGrown.com

This year I grew the heirloom collards called Georgia Southern Creole, a pre-1880 southern variety that has done quite well overall. Growing organically means that some of the leaves were ventilated by a mid-summer cross-striped cabbage worm invasion (treated with … Continue reading →

Posted in Backyard Gardening, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Collards, Food Preparation, Heirloom Varieties, Raised Bed Gardening, Recipe, Square Foot Gardening, Sustainable, Urban Farming | Leave a comment

Fall Harvest Asparagus

Posted on October 2, 2016 by NearlyHomeGrown.com

This post comes after more than a year of researching every way I can think of and completely failing to find anything related to the matter at hand.  The matter at hand is the second growth of asparagus spears in … Continue reading →

Posted in Asparagus, Backyard Gardening, Chef John, Cherry Tomatoes, Food Preparation, Jersey Knight Asparagus, Kale, Morel Mushrooms, Mushrooms, Non-GMO, Permaculture, Purple Passion Asparagus, Raised Bed Gardening, Recipe, Square Foot Gardening, Sustainable, Urban Farming | Leave a comment

Saving (Pretty) Seed – Glass Gem Corn

Posted on September 26, 2016 by NearlyHomeGrown.com

My Glass Gem Corn has been happily drying above my home office and today was the day to strip the cobs and put up the kernels for popcorn and next year’s planting.  If you have been following my blog for … Continue reading →

Posted in Backyard Gardening, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Corn, Drying, Flint Corn, Glass Gem Corn, Heirloom Varieties, Non-GMO, Organic, Saving Seed, Sustainable, Trench Composting, Urban Farming | Leave a comment

Chicago City Farm – Field Trip

Posted on August 22, 2016 by NearlyHomeGrown.com

I arrived in Chicago yesterday for an annual conference with a few hours to spare so I took the opportunity to go see City Farm in person!  I have been looking forward to seeing this fantastic piece of urban farming/city … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabbage, Chicago Farm, City Farm, Collards, Farms, Sustainable, Tomatoes, Urban Farm Business, Urban Farming, Urban Renewal, Young Farmers | 2 Comments

I Can’t Even – Glass Gem Corn Harvest

Posted on August 10, 2016 by NearlyHomeGrown.com

Yes.  It is just that beautiful!

Posted in #Food(Growing)Porn, #NoFilters, Backyard Gardening, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Corn, Glass Gem Corn, Heirloom Varieties, Organic, Sustainable, Urban Farming | Leave a comment

Roma Wasn’t Built In a Day

Posted on July 9, 2016 by NearlyHomeGrown.com

Roma math: A decent batch of homemade tomato sauce with enough to freeze or can for future use requires a minimum of 15-20 lbs of roma tomatoes. The average day on the urban farm (with 16 roma tomato plants in … Continue reading →

Posted in Backyard Gardening, Food Preparation, Food Preservation, Paste Tomato, Pro Tip, Raised Bed Gardening, Resources, Roma Tomato, Square Foot Gardening, Sustainable, Tomatoes, Urban Farming | Leave a comment

Food With a Story – Mortgage Lifter

Posted on June 28, 2016 by NearlyHomeGrown.com

When was the last time you ate a tomato and considered the intrigue and controversy surrounding it’s provenance? This big guy, sold by Baker Creek under the name Mortgage Lifter is almost ready to harvest and when I save the … Continue reading →

Posted in Backyard Gardening, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Farmer Facts, Heirloom Varieties, Mortgage Lifter Tomato, Non-GMO, Organic, Raised Bed Gardening, Slicing Tomatoes, Square Foot Gardening, Sustainable, Tomatoes, Urban Farming | Leave a comment

Towering Tomatoes

Posted on June 18, 2016 by NearlyHomeGrown.com

The view standing next to my Hartman’s Yellow Gooseberry Tomato. The view a few steps back.  This tomato plant has already over taken the 8 foot bamboo support pole and I need a step ladder to access the top with … Continue reading →

Posted in Backyard Gardening, Cherry Tomatoes, Hartman's Yellow Gooseberry Tomato, Heirloom Varieties, Organic, Raised Bed Gardening, Square Foot Gardening, Tomatoes, Urban Farming | 2 Comments