Water is often framed as a finite, competitive resource, where one person’s gain is another’s loss. But what if water could be managed in a way that benefits everyone—landowners, ecosystems, and even downstream neighbors? Despite legislation restricting pond construction in some regions under the premise of “water hoarding,” evidence suggests that small-scale water retention actuallyContinue reading “Ponds as Land Stewardship: How Strategic Water Management Strengthens Ecosystems”
Category Archives: Nature & Wildlife
Fescue: The Tough Grass That Keeps Landscapes Running
If you’ve ever walked through a pasture, tended to a lawn, or tried to manage forage for livestock, you’ve encountered fescue—one of the most resilient, adaptable, and occasionally frustrating grasses in temperate regions. Whether it’s Kentucky-31, tall fescue, or one of the more refined turf varieties, fescue can tell you a lot about your soil,Continue reading “Fescue: The Tough Grass That Keeps Landscapes Running”
The Great Mowing Debate: Why Longer Grass Wins (But Won’t Make Your Yard a Jungle)
Every spring, the battle begins. The mower is dusted off, the blades are sharpened, and suddenly, there’s a fundamental disagreement between two opposing forces—those who believe in keeping grass tightly trimmed to a uniform height and those who see the value in letting it grow tall and wild. At Huckleberry Farms, this argument is practicallyContinue reading “The Great Mowing Debate: Why Longer Grass Wins (But Won’t Make Your Yard a Jungle)”
Farm Table Talk: Let It Grow—The War on Pointless Lawn Standards
There is a battle raging in my yard, and it is not between pests and plants, rabbits and predators, or ducks and mud puddles. No, this war is far more ridiculous—it’s a war over grass. Specifically, whether or not it should be mowed. My mom, bless her heart, thinks the answer is an emphatic “yes.”Continue reading “Farm Table Talk: Let It Grow—The War on Pointless Lawn Standards”
Building Better Soil: Rotational Grazing, Wood Chips, Deep Bedding, and Rabbit Manure
There are two kinds of people in this world: those who say “dirt” when they mean soil, and those who know better. If you’re serious about land management, regenerative agriculture, or just making sure your ground actually supports life, you want soil—not dirt. Dirt is what’s stuck under your fingernails after a long day, aContinue reading “Building Better Soil: Rotational Grazing, Wood Chips, Deep Bedding, and Rabbit Manure”
Reading the Land: What Your Pasture Plants Reveal About Soil Health
If you want to know what’s going on beneath the surface of your pastures, put away the soil tests—just take a walk. The plants growing on your land are telling you a story about soil conditions, fertility, compaction, and even past disturbances. In regenerative agriculture, understanding indicator species is a key part of managing landContinue reading “Reading the Land: What Your Pasture Plants Reveal About Soil Health”
Floods vs. Puddles: Understanding the Power, Perils, and Perks of Water Gone Rogue
Water is essential to life—it nourishes crops, sustains ecosystems, and hydrates us on a daily basis. But too much of it, in the wrong place and for the wrong length of time, can quickly become a nightmare. Whether it’s a fast-moving flood rushing through the streets or a deceptively stagnant patch of standing water thatContinue reading “Floods vs. Puddles: Understanding the Power, Perils, and Perks of Water Gone Rogue”
Creating a Balanced Ecosystem to Manage Predators
Managing predators is a challenge every farmer faces. But what if we could create a balanced ecosystem on our land that naturally keeps predators in check? It might sound like a dream, but it’s possible with a bit of planning and effort. Joel Salatin, a renowned advocate for sustainable farming, emphasizes the importance of biodiversity.Continue reading “Creating a Balanced Ecosystem to Manage Predators”
The Benefits of Snow: Why We Need It for a Healthy Ecosystem
Last winter, here at Huckleberry Farms, we saw nearly no snowfall, and the impacts were felt throughout the year. We noticed an overabundance of pests in the spring and summer, as well as a concerning decrease in ground water levels. Despite the heavy spring rains, the soil wasn’t able to recover fully from the previousContinue reading “The Benefits of Snow: Why We Need It for a Healthy Ecosystem”
Bewitching Your Garden: Preparing for Next Year’s Bounty in the Spirit of Halloween
As the veil thins and the chill of Samhain (Halloween) approaches, the natural world around us begins to slow down and settle into its quiet, dark slumber. For many, this season symbolizes death and decay, but for witches, pagans, and those in tune with the cycles of nature, it is a time of transformation andContinue reading “Bewitching Your Garden: Preparing for Next Year’s Bounty in the Spirit of Halloween”
