Category: Spring

Poor Man’s Fertilizer: The Power of Snow

No Comments
Poor Man’s Fertilizer

The term “Poor Man’s Fertilizer” actually refers to snowfall, especially an early spring snow. 

The old farming phrase “Poor Man’s Fertilizer” refers not to rain, but to snowfall, particularly that light blanket of snow that falls in late winter or early spring. While it might look like just a pretty dusting, it’s actually delivering a quiet gift to the soil.

Here’s why snow got this nickname:

• Nitrogen Boost: As snow falls, it captures nitrogen from the atmosphere. When that snow melts, the nitrogen is released into the soil — giving plants a free, natural nutrient boost.

• Slow Release Moisture: Unlike rain, snow melts gradually, seeping moisture into the ground more evenly. This helps prevent runoff and erosion.

• Soil Insulation: Snow acts as a thermal blanket, protecting dormant plants and microbial life from harsh temperature swings and deep freezes.

• Cost-Free Fertilizer: For farmers who couldn’t afford store-bought fertilizers, a good snowfall was a welcome and valuable natural aid — hence the name.

So next time you see snow falling in March or April, don’t just grumble — it might just be doing your soil a favor. 

Recommending Reading…

Categories: Gardening Natural Fertilizer Spring Weather Events Winter

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Using Animals to turn Fields of Invasive Plants into Gardens

No Comments
Pig Worked Hill 2024

It’s been. a long process, when we went to The Barn Property on the 31 August 2022 it was at the request of the Family there, and the main goal was to keep the fields from becoming overgrown. 

The property consisted mostly old burnt out hay fields, Lupine, Hawthorns, Goldenrod, and Japanese Knotweed. Here are some photos from Fall 2022 …

Barn Property Fall 2022

Time Passes…. 18 months later… Spring 2024 

As You can see, the fields, even the area under the now thinned out Hawthorns has green grass growing. Actually, we had green grass by Mid-March. A true testament to the incredible work of our animals.

The following video shows a particular area that has not yet been worked as much as the other areas. An area where Hawthorn Saplings and Lupine has begun to take over. An area where our goats have grazed only briefly twice, and that our pigs turned up this Spring. Showing how persistent the Lupine are, and how much they’ve grown in the few weeks to a month since our pigs worked that ground. Here’s the Video…

The results are incredible, especially over time. As this year unfolds I’ll try to bring you updates as to the progress. I’m really not sure how the Corn, Sunflowers, and Peas will grow here, but we’ll find out and hopefully document our success here! We welcome Your Comments. 

Categories: Gardening Goats Pigs Sheep Spring Tilling

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Vesey’s Seeds Arrived Today, Come Help Us Plant Tomorrow!

No Comments
Vesey Seeds

So, it’s May, and We try to plant by the Moon! It’s not always possible, but we try! Planting by the Moon is something my Dad, Victor Hurlburt Sr., taught me. Recently I come across an excellent write up on this, and if it’s something You’re interested in, I encourage You to read Planting By The Moon by Wheelbarrow Nurseries. 

In simple terms, when planting by the Moon, you plant above ground crops between the time of the New Moon, and when the Moon is Full, and underground crops, on the dark of the Moon, or after the Full Moon. The next Full Moon is in three days, and day after tomorrow it’s going to rain! For two days! Actually less than an inch over the 24-36 hour period. So, I want to get our above ground crops planted tomorrow before the Full Moon and ahead of the rain. Thus, planting by the Moon, and also getting the seeds watered. 

Now, hopefully, I don’t regret it! The other thing about the weather, and the Full Moon, and gardening by nature, is that the weather during the Full Moon usually sets the weather for the month! Meaning if it’s clear on the Full Moon we’ll have a sunny month, and if it rains, we’ll have a rainy month! So, if there was going to be a big rain on this Full Moon, I’d wait till next month! Thinking the seed might rot, if we had a very rainy month! However, since it’s only going to be showers, and a bit of rain, it should lead to a month where the seeds we plant now get well watered, and have a good start to their growing season. 

So, if You’d like to learn more, or you’d just like to help, come give us a hand tomorrow! We’ll have fun! Give us a call for directions… call Brian at Briden Farm 902-907-0770. 

Categories: Composting Gardening Natural Fertilizer Planting Spring Survival Vegetables

Tags: , , , , , , ,