backyard farm
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I’ve always had a deep connection with nature, having loved animals, getting dirty, and anything to do with the outdoors since I was a little girl, but it wasn’t until my mid to late 20s that I developed a passion for sustainable living and a drive to grow my own food.
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In this article, I explain why and how my husband and I created a backyard farm. I’ll also give tips so that you can do the same.
I want to start by explaining that farming is not my livelihood. Keeping a backyard farm is completely different from farming for a living.
I have a deep appreciation and respect for farmers, though their work and dedication are underappreciated by many. Farmers are the reason that you have food in your fridge and pantry, period.
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If you’re able, form relationships with local farmers. Support them by joining Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) partnerships or simply purchasing vegetables, eggs, honey, and any other items that they produce.
Plus, if you get to know farmers in your area, you’ll understand how your food was grown and raised. It’s especially important to learn about local farming practices if you’re concerned about animal welfare or pesticide and herbicide use.
My now husband and I traveled around quite a bit in our mid 20s and didn’t live in the same area year-round, so we weren’t able to start a backyard farm until we purchased our home back in 2016.
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Over the years, we have transitioned most of the farm to in-ground beds to make the most of our limited space. Now, most of our backyard has been overtaken by vegetables and flowers, and we couldn’t be happier.
They can be any shape and size and tend to have better draining soil, protect plants against foot traffic, require less weeding and maintenance, extend your growing season, and allow easier access for those with limited mobility (3).
Some pros to in-ground beds include lower water requirements and easier irrigation. Plus, they require less time and money to create. Finally, they’re a better choice for larger plants — like winter squash and watermelons — that take up a lot of space (3).
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We’ve learned which varieties of vegetables taste best and produce most, how much of each vegetable to grow, where to get the best seeds, and more.
I control diseases like powdery mildew by removing affected plant parts or treating the plant with natural remedies like baking soda. I take care of pests with organic treatments, such as diatomaceous earth, that won’t harm pollinators.
I am by no means an expert in organic disease or pest management and refer to professional gardeners like Luke Marion from MIgardener.com, local farmer friends Sang Lee Farms, or Cornell Cooperative Extension when I’m unsure of how to handle a disease or pest.
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We fertilize mostly with leaf compost that we create by mulching fallen leaves on our property, as well as blood meal, bone meal, and fish or kelp fertilizer.
I became interested in dahlias in 2015 and grew about 20 plants the first year we had our farm. Now, I grow around 500 dahlia plants that represent over 100 varieties.
I sell the flowers to local florists and floral designers as a small side business and love providing the local community with organically grown, unique blooms. The bees and butterflies absolutely love dahlias, especially open-centered varieties like the one pictured above.
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Pests love dahlias, so I control them organically by protecting the blooms with organza gift bags. Although it’s time-consuming, it’s best for our pollinators.
You don’t need much room to grow most types of flowers. If you’re new to this rewarding hobby, try easy-to-grow types like zinnias and sunflowers.
We purchased our first chicks in 2016 and have since gotten 2 more batches. We now have 17 chickens that live in a shed, which we converted into a coop with a large run and predator-proof automatic door.
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Chickens control pests, provide delicious eggs, and endless entertainment. While they’re easy to care for, it takes work to raise healthy, happy hens.
Don’t get chickens if you’re unwilling to care for them for their entire lives, which can be as long as 10 years. You also need to find chickens that can handle the environment in which you live. For example, look for cold-hardy breeds if you live in an area with cold winters.
A number of chicken breeds are friendly, docile, and productive egg layers. Some of my favorite breeds include Buff and Lavender Orpingtons, Easter Eggers, Barred Rocks, Cuckoo Marans, and Golden Comets.
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If you’re interested in keeping chickens, purchase and install a coop — or construct your own — to create a safe outdoor area before you purchase chicks or hens.
Even though it may be tempting to create a large backyard garden, I suggest starting small with just one large bed (or a few small beds) if it’s your first time farming or growing your own food. You can also try growing vegetables in pots.
Be realistic about how much time you can commit. Also consider your budget, as certain items like irrigation and fencing supplies can be expensive.
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Even if you don’t have much space, you can try a hand at growing your own food. Whether you have a tiny balcony in a city or a large backyard in the suburbs, there are ways to produce food.
For those with limited space, fabric pots like these make an excellent choice for growing veggies like tomatoes, potatoes, and greens on balconies or patios.
Keep in mind that some veggies and fruits — including pumpkins, watermelons, and some winter squash — take up a lot of room and aren’t best for those with limited gardening space.
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However, veggies like greens, herbs, tomatoes, radishes, carrots, and even potatoes are a great choice for small spaces because they can thrive in pots or small raised beds.
Planning is essential when starting a backyard farm. When designing your backyard farm, decide whether you want to install raised beds, in-ground beds, or both.
Try to pick a sunny spot for your backyard farm, and consider factors like soil drainage. Most veggies require 6 or more hours of full sun per day, though some can handle partial shade. If you have heavy, poorly draining soil, you may have to add compost, perlite, or peat moss.
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Next, decide how your plants will get adequate water. Although hand watering is easy if you have just a few raised beds, a larger farm may require irrigation. We have drip irrigation in our beds, which is effective and uses less water than overhead irrigation (
When we first started growing our own food, I grew veggies I didn’t necessarily enjoy, such as radishes and beets, simply because they were beautiful. I also planted way too many carrots and cucumbers.
When choosing which foods to grow, consider your taste preferences and which vegetables you currently eat the most often. I love purchasing seeds from Baker Creek, Fedco, High Mowing Seeds, and Johnny’s.
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Some veggies, including greens, peas, carrots, cucumbers, and squash, are quite easy to grow from
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