Johann's Garden

Carnivorous plants are awesome.  Here in western Washington we can grow pretty much any of the Sarracenia (American pitcher plants) species and hybrids as well as a few others.  As a child I was fascinated with venus-fly-traps because they moved when catching prey.  In my adulthood I've discovered that some (maybe not all) of the pitcher plant species and hybrids are far better bug catchers and they have stolen my heart.  Since my "collection" of pitcher plants is growing I think I ought to keep a list of what I've got and what I think of it.  This is that list: Click here to see Sarracenia selections I have extras of listed for sale. Sarracenia : * S .  leucophylla  'Super Pink' Baldwin Co, AL - Very pink selection with yellow flower  * S. leucophylla  (Franklin Co clone B)  ×   minor  (pink hood) - Very cute with good strong color AND windowing!  Really becoming eye catching as it matures. Some pitchers flop, but ...

This is a list of edible species (as well as non-edibles I find useful) that I am growing in my developing permaculture-ish plot (Temperate climate, USDA Zone 8, Washington State, USA) which includes a small property of my own as well as two neighboring properties belonging to family members. Looking over this list it would seem that I could feed myself with this, but in reality many of these plants are still in their early stages of establishment, and not all of them are highly productive... In addition to this list there are other edible species naturally present on the property which are not included since they do not offer any meaningful production at this time. KEY: 🍇 = producing very good quantities each year 🍒  = producing lightly each year (either from lack of maturity or lack of capability) 🌱 = acquired, but have not yet planted out All unmarked have been planted, but are not yet producing ⚒ = potentially on the chopping block for removal for one reason or...

For the past year I have been running a fermentation group over on Facebook.  With the large number of people to share with and learn from, I have been able to compile a list of teas which people have vouched for as effective for brewing kombucha.  This list is intended to inspire the adventurous.  It is not intended to imply that teas not on this list can't work.  If you find an unlisted tea that works well for you then please visit Wild Fermentation Uncensored on Facebook and share your experience with us.  :) Disclaimer: Sometimes a tea is reported as working well by some while not working well for others.  I believe there are a couple of reasons for this...  Kombucha strain used (the exact mix of culture species and their vigor varies) Differing definitions of success; success meaning vigorous scoby growth to some, while simply meaning great flavor to others.  *Assam Tea ( Camellia sinensis )  *Barley Tea ( Hordeum vulgare )...

I have never been one to do things the way people say to. This has shown itself in multiple aspects of my life. For the last seven or eight years now I have been keeping a small flock of Jacob sheep to help with land management while providing meat for the freezer, beautiful sheepskin rugs, and wool. Actually I made a tiny block of cheese this year from some Jacob milk, but that's besides the point! :) For the last few years I have been trying a system where I don't pick who gets to breed with who. All the current season ram lambs (provided they meet breed standards) get a chance to compete for breeding with the ewes before heading off to the freezer in January. For a couple years I didn't even keep a mature ram around, but this past year I changed that as I increased the size of my pasture area.   I have been struggling to find information about this style of management as most breeders hand pick each ram for each group of ewes to be bred. I have been struggling with ...

Check out this fun short video about making sparkling cider and hard cider.  If you've been intimidated by this sort of thing in the past, and thought it was too complicated then this is gonna set you free!  If you like what you see then you should pop on over to the  Wild Fermentation Uncensored  group on Facebook to share in the collective learning and sharing of information on all things fermented.  :) See you there soon!

T here is something liberating about being involved in the harvest of food.  Even if I can't produce enough for a year round supply, it still feels good to harvest an animal that was raised under conditions that were humane and with techniques that contribute minimal stress to the animal.  Setting out to do something like this can be intimidating, but if you take a step back for a realistic look you will remember that people have been around harvesting and eating food for as long as they have been in existence.  The fact that a large part of the human population is now no longer involved with the process of harvesting and processing plants and animals into food does not mean we have lost the capability to do so if we just put forth a bit of effort.  Sheep having a hay day. I honestly do get most of my food from the grocery store.  However, I am fortunate to have access to land where I can raise sheep.  Therefore if I want lamb I do not need to buy it ...