No One Knows Best

On our farm, in our garden design work, we work as a team with a common goal. Everyone chips in for digging, washing, boxing, welcoming guests, and cleaning tools. But everyone gets to explore passions and develop skills.  Sam Engler’s writing talent has awed me since he started here – at 16 years old. Home…

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Why I Decided to Self-Publish

‘Funky Little Flower Farm’ stories include memories like my coming out, of being with my father on his deathbed and Momma’s memories of her grandparents. I want to share them, but I want control over how they get published now and forever. When I struck a book deal with a publisher for my first book,…

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September is Still Summer

Late summer here extends  into September and October. Plants love it. This is the best time of year for gardens in the south. I like to garden visit now, everything is full and flowing, purple and orange, dripping with the weight of summer growth and buzzing with moths and the energy of life. Here are…

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Farmer Explains Why He Changed to No-till Tractors

No-till agriculture helps stop our huge, hidden erosion issues.  There are all sorts of advantages (and a few disadvantages).  No-till is a serious change in our food production.   I often tell gardeners that even at home, we need to go no-till too.   Most of our garden design and installation is no-till. Our little organically managed…

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A Good Excuse to Write

Why would a wildlife conservation magazine ask me to write for them?  I don’t get it either — kept thinking it was some sort of scam. “Could you write on how gardening soothes the restless soul?”, they asked.  Well that just struck a cord and I wrote a very person story.   It’s in their magazine,…

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Serial Internships & Old Dorm Stories

You know how they have classes for college freshmen intended to weed out the slackers? Well, back then, I was a self weeder.  After an academically embarrassing freshman year, I left Clemson to do an internship with the Greenery on Hilton Head Island; spraying all the chemicals it takes to keep that fantasy world green.…

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