The Refuge Permaculture Center
At Tara Farm and Nursery
Author: The Refuge Permaculture Center at Tara Farm and Nursery
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Que Tan Verde! Anaheim Peppers
Two tiny Anaheim pepper plants…. I planted them in an empty mineral lick tub with a mix of native soil and potting soil. The soil I kept just damp, not wet. The pollinators had no problem finding the small white flowers inside the potting shed. The shed allowed me to control how much rain, and…
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The Flowers of Late Summer
Late summer is so important for the plants, for the pollinators, and for our harvest. These flowers provide food for pollinators that are getting prepared to hibernate; food packed as tiny pellets placed in pollinator nests with their eggs in hollow stems and underground to feed newly hatched babies after spring thaw… food to prepare…
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Radical and Root Have the Same Origin
Most folks who follow me have no ‘edge’, no passion for the radical approach. Their gardening comes more from the institutionalized Master Gardener dogma perspective. I engage with them believing that there will be a moment when the light will go on and they will realize how strong they can be from seeing their place…
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Spring Into Action 2
Tasks for April 18:Pasture Management – move cows into Hayfield #2 to graze cheat grass and foxtail coming up. Duck Mulch – continue cleaning out duck pen and shelters and move to storage to compost. Also reduces mice, which reduces snakes close to the cabin. Rain Capture – install new parts for 250 gallon poly…
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Spring Into Action 1
Spring Task Series:Welcome to Spring at the Refuge!! A lot of the things you see here will be things you might also be doing around your landscape and gardens. Activities for April 16, 2023Plant herb seeds in window pots – #basil and #cilantro (how I miss homemade #pesto!!) Hook up all rain barrels- NOAA has…
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Observe Nature: Currant Patch and Bumble Bees
Observe Nature… that’s the class title for a class I’ll be offering later this year. But for now here is such a great example. That heavy spring snow bent the lower branches of the black currant down to the ground. With the thaw, and melt, the snow got heavier and pushed them into the mud……
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Special Order Plant 2023: Hardy Grape Vines
Homemade Wines, Cordials, Juice, Jam, Jellies. Canning is not necessary as long as you have a freezer. North American, native-based grape vines producing up to 20 pounds on a mature vine. Deep purple richness, full of immune support and home-grown flavor. Read on… I have stopped buying commercially made fruit juice. Every week I make…
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Special Order Plant for 2023: Elderberry
Special Order Plant for 2023: Its That Time of Year!! Finally… and just as a ginormous snow storm blows through…ugh….Elderberry *** The flavors and healing properties, the form and texture of the leaves and the fragile umbrellas of white to creamy flowers – I have several plants in my gardens: native North American, Samdal and…
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Pressed Between the Pages: The Reading List
I’m one of those folks who just has to have a real book in my hands to get “in the flow”. I have always had a library, and still love used book stores. I miss them terribly. There’s nothing like sitting on the hard wood floor with a large mug of deep black coffee, shelves…
The Refuge Permaculture Center 