Category Archives: farm

Beekeeping: Some of Our First Moments

I’m not sure why I keep creating projects for myself, but I do. Beekeeping is one of my latest projects. My goal is to make my farm productive. I want to learn how to grow things. I want to learn how to provide for my family in a way that does not depend on the grocery store system that our culture depends too much on. I want to reconnect with nature and learn how to be a part of it rather than one who just “takes” from it. Bees seem to be a logical part of that. Without the bees and other pollinators we wouldn’t have the diversity we have in our gardens. My orchard is currently only 14 young trees. The bees, I hope, will be a part of making Continue reading Beekeeping: Some of Our First Moments


Greenstalk Vertical Garden planted with vegetables next to a wooden fence.

Buy Greenstalk Vertical Gardens! http://lddy.no/25if 
(affiliate link - Daddykirbs Farm. Thank you.)
Coupon Code DADDYKIRBS to get up to $10 off!


Introductory Beekeeping Class: My Experience

Bee Keeping… Where do you start? How hard can it be? Where do you get supplies? Where do you get bees? How much honey do you get? How much money can you make? Can you even make money? Will I get stung? How aggressive are the bees?

All those questions and more have tumbled around in my head. This is why I decided to take a Bee Keeping Class. There is a Bee Keeper who offers a class in our area. The class takes two and a half hours but is jam packed with Continue reading Introductory Beekeeping Class: My Experience


Greenstalk Vertical Garden planted with vegetables next to a wooden fence.

Buy Greenstalk Vertical Gardens! http://lddy.no/25if 
(affiliate link - Daddykirbs Farm. Thank you.)
Coupon Code DADDYKIRBS to get up to $10 off!


Can a Duck Fertilize a Chicken Egg?

I’m pretty sure the answer is no, but they sure will try!

When I showed this video to some friends they made the joke that this is the first step in a popular seasonal recipe: “How to make Turducken: Step 1” … Now that’s funny right there!

Daddykirbs Farm: Duck on a Chicken

Continue reading Can a Duck Fertilize a Chicken Egg?


Greenstalk Vertical Garden planted with vegetables next to a wooden fence.

Buy Greenstalk Vertical Gardens! http://lddy.no/25if 
(affiliate link - Daddykirbs Farm. Thank you.)
Coupon Code DADDYKIRBS to get up to $10 off!


My Garden 2013: The Ugly Potato Patch

Lately I’ve seen so many ways to grow potatoes. My head spins when I research the different methods. It spinned so much this year that I almost couldn’t decide how to grow mine. When it comes right down to it you just gotta do it!

I’ve spent too much money on the garden this year so when it comes time to put the potatoes down I wanted it to be cheap.  …and when I say cheap I mean FREE!

It came down to using what I had on hand. This scrap piece of erosion barrier that I got out of the dumpster should do the trick. Check out the video above to see how I put it together.

Daddykirbs Garden: The Ugly Potato Patch

Daddykirbs Garden: The Ugly Potato Patch

Update: April 6, 2013


Greenstalk Vertical Garden planted with vegetables next to a wooden fence.

Buy Greenstalk Vertical Gardens! http://lddy.no/25if 
(affiliate link - Daddykirbs Farm. Thank you.)
Coupon Code DADDYKIRBS to get up to $10 off!


Gardening With Kids

There are times when it’s challenging to work with kids. I have said in the past that getting your kids to help is the easiest way to double the time it takes to do a project.  I don’t always do a perfect job at whatever I do, but I really want too. It’s the desire to have things “done right” that makes inviting the kids to help difficult.  Yes, I admit it… I don’t always welcome the kids to my projects, but I’m getting better at it.

This year I have let down my guard. I am intentionally inviting the kids to come in and do some garden work. This has been done in the past but on a much more controlled and limited scale. Two 4’x4′ raised beds have been built specifically for two of my kids. In these beds they have planted what they want. They won’t be perfect… by any means, but they are fun.

I know my kids need to learn how to do some of this stuff. Gardening is something that everyone should know a little bit about. Growing food is so fundamental. There is a connection to who we are in this world that we GET when we grow our own food. Maybe that’s a weird way to say it, but it’s how I feel. 

Not all of my kids care to be in the garden… that’s ok. The two who really love it are a real joy. I love coming home and finding my little girl in the greenhouse singing as she is watering the little sprouts. She loves to tell me how many came up while I was at work.

My 15 year old son is autistic and he loves to plant things. He comes in with his service dog, Herry, to work with me as we plant new needs and potted plants. There are a few things he really enjoys in life: Frech Fries (crispy well done), Driving (he really wants a golf cart), Chin Hair and working with Dad!

Whatever my kids are learning in this process is good. Just plain good. There are times I think that “they need this”… and I’m sure they do, but really… I need them. I need this. They joy they give to me is far greater a reward than any harvest my garden will ever physically provide. I’m sure my improperly spaced pepper plants will be fine. My Tomatoes that aren’t planted quite deep enough will grow. I’ll survive my Lemon tree not producing as many Lemons because my little girl couldn’t resist picking those pretty flowers in the Spring. … All those things are nothing next to the blessings of sharing in the joy of gardening with my kids. 🙂
Here is a video of a garden conceived and created by the kids.

Greenstalk Vertical Garden planted with vegetables next to a wooden fence.

Buy Greenstalk Vertical Gardens! http://lddy.no/25if 
(affiliate link - Daddykirbs Farm. Thank you.)
Coupon Code DADDYKIRBS to get up to $10 off!