Plum blossoms at Crossing Hedgerows 4/30/25 I think we all are understanding more and more as the years go by that it's not wise to depend only on outside systems Saturday, May 17th at 2pm 🪵🍄 It's been awhile since we've had a meetup! Let's ease back into our gatherings with a leisurely walk around the sanctuary, and some conversation about homesteading. As I think we all know by now, it's not wise to ...
Saturday, May 17th at 2pm Tomorrow is the last day to RSVP! 🌷 Let's ease back into our gatherings with a leisurely walk around the sanctuary farm, and some conversation about homesteading. As I think we all know by now, it's not wise to depend only on outside systems to take care of us. Are there things you would like to delve deeper into that could help you feel more self empowered? There will be a ...
We had another beautiful time of connecting with the the spirits of the land and each other yesterday. We started with collecting nasturtium and marigold seeds to save for next year. Brennah had already begun collecting them, but having several people doing it was a fun project. (I have labeled the pictures to show the process for those who are interested.) Nasturtium seeds we collected Caitlin collecting nasturtium seeds ...
It was great to have Alyssa and daughter, Allie come out on Saturday for a work day. They finished harvesting the garlic scapes, weeded a flower bed, and dug and planted a bed of thyme plants which we started from seeds earlier this spring. They also helped me transplant a paw paw tree seedling to a wetter area where it will hopefully be happier. Between chores, we sampled some of my elderflower cordial ...
One of the priorities we have in designing the "non-wild" spaces of the farm and sanctuary is to choose multi-functional plants. In this video, you can see the bumblebees gathering nectar from the blossoms of the comfrey. I've also seen many other pollinators, and even hummingbirds, sipping from the comfrey flowers. Comfrey is likewise a medicinal herb used in salves for healing wounds, and occasionally a tea (for very specific conditions - not to be used long-term ...
Amazingly, it's been a couple of years now that Sarenth Odinsson and his family have been volunteering at the Farm and Sanctuary. Time has flown by so quickly. We've formed a wonderful relationship and it was delightful to hear Brandon talking about the yummy leek soup he likes to make, while we were transplanting leeks this week. The leeks are ones that self-seeded from some that were in our very first planting of the hoophouse in 2017. They've ...
It was another good community work day on Thursday. We started with a little walk around the farm... in which I apparently made at least one funny face! The honey berry bushes are blossoming and the lilacs are getting close. Honey berries produce edible, sweet, oblong shaped blue berries. They're in the honeysuckle family and another of our beloved perennials.Next we planted up many seed trays - one of my favorites being nasturtiums. I can't wait to ...
There are many signs of spring currently at the Farm and Sanctuary. garlic sprouts The garlic we planted last fall on one of our work days has sprouted. I planted some peas and cress along the back fence of the same garden this week. planting seeds some of our seed packets garden bed And we did some general clean-up for yesterday's work day ...
Crossing Hedgerows Farm is the Cavanaugh family farm which is adjacent to the Sanctuary land. It is currently also being shared with the community as part of the nonprofit mission. So sometimes you will see us refer to "Crossing Hedgerows Farm and Sanctuary". One of the aspects of the farm is the hoop house. It is a 30'x72' structure that we use for year-round growing and we keep some of our chickens in it during the winter ...
The wood mulch we've been waiting for has finally started rolling in. This is a resource we're able to get for free from tree service companies when they're working in the area. We were promised some earlier this fall, but for some reason they ended up dumping it elsewhere. But now, our township is trimming the trees along all the area roads and has said they will bring the mulch from this project to us. ...
It seemed like it would be nice to share a colorful summertime photo, to remind us of warmer days right about now. This was in our pollinator garden last summer, and the poignancy of the butterfly going about its business with its frayed wings struck me as how many of us are feeling these days. What thoughts does it bring up for you? Is there anything you'd like to share? Butterfly on Zinnia - photo ...