Published in Spice Holler Farm·Jan 4, 2021Remember DecemberAs the year winds down to its annual grand finale, I knew it was necessary to take a pause and reflect on all that I have built here on the farm, and how it nurtures me daily. This contemplative vibe came after a strange series of events. Our neighbor dropped…6 min read
Published in Spice Holler Farm·Jan 4, 2021November No MoreThe urgency of being in the garden continues to wane, and it is a good feeling to focus on other aspects of farming for a while. Things like harvesting, storage, bookkeeping and such. …4 min read
Published in Spice Holler Farm·Jan 4, 2021Oh boy, it’s OctoberThe first frost came a few days early this October, pushing out an explosion of fall color and setting the mountains around the farm on fire. With a layer of fleece covering the newly transplanted crops, we were ready. …4 min read
Published in Spice Holler Farm·Jan 4, 2021So very SeptemberI have had to learn to appreciate that death is part of farming. A plant grows, we eat its leaves; it flowers, we eat its fruits, and then it dies or goes to sleep for the season, but with each little death I am given a little more life, and…6 min read
Published in Spice Holler Farm·Jan 4, 2021It was AugustWhen I was a kid in Hawaii we learned about the four seasons in school, but I remember being confused because it was warm every day so I couldn’t tell the difference. For me, and probably most kids, there were only two things in life: school and no school. (Well…7 min read
Published in Spice Holler Farm·Oct 19, 2020June and July JamJune and July often run together. Both start with the same two letters. Both are four letters long. And both are hot, not as hot as August, but just enough to need to keep a hanky handy. …Weeding6 min read
Published in Spice Holler Farm·Aug 21, 2020Mother, May I?The coldest part of the night is just before dawn. I know this because I’m usually awake when it happens and for most of the night I am kept awake with persistent hot flashes that keep me alternating between pulling the covers on and off again. …7 min read
Published in Spice Holler Farm·May 21, 2020And…AprilHope and fear are really just two versions of the same story but I guess everybody has a different opinion. Since apparently we’re living in a time of extreme stress, it’s been difficult to remain hopeful. (And extremely hard to commit to this journal in a timely manner.) …7 min read
Published in Spice Holler Farm·Apr 17, 2020It’s finally MarchFarming is an act of faith. I am sure I am not the first person to make this realization, although it seems revolutionary to me because I am so new to farming. I can’t help but noticing, though, that as I put seed to soil during this uncertain future, I…5 min read
Published in Spice Holler Farm·Mar 21, 2020Hello FeburaryI am so glad I got such a strong start in January because now things are really starting to ramp up. Each week my planting calendar is booked with an increasing number of plants to start. Each day is spent taking inventory on the seeds I have to make sure…5 min read
