Hello, Reader! This season, we wanted to share a little extra abundance with our garden family. For this week only, when you join the SAGE App with a yearly membership, you’ll receive a signed copy of our book, Permaculture Gardening for Everyone, mailed to you (or a loved one) in time for Christmas. It’s our way of saying thank you for believing in what we believe — that every family can grow food, medicine, and faith right where they are. 🌿 Here’s what you’ll receive: SAGE App (Annual...
8 days ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader! When we first started gardening, we made the classic mistake: trying to grow everything. Tomatoes, melons, lettuce, mangoes (in a pot indoors) ! You name it, we planted it. But over time, we realized that good gardening isn’t about growing more. It’s about growing what fits. 1. Observe before you plant. Notice which corners of your yard get the most light, which stay moist, and which stay dry. Then choose the appropriate plant for that spot. 2. Grow what you love to eat. You’re...
14 days ago • 1 min read
Hey there, Reader! Every year around this time, Dave and I find ourselves racing the first frost. The air turns crisp, the leaves start to fall, and we're beckoned with the challenge of how long we can keep the fall garden growing. The good news? With a little planning, you can protect your crops and harvest fresh greens even through winter. Here’s how we do it at Bethany Farm: ❄️ Start simple with cold frames. They’re like mini-greenhouses made from old windows or clear lids. A good cold...
28 days ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader! Have you ever moved a seedling and watched it wilt the next day?That’s transplant shock, and it’s usually not your fault. Like it us for us humans, changing house for plants is hard! Here at Bethany Farm, Dave and I have been moving a few annuals like garlic and potatoes, mostly perennials and hardwood cuttings these past weeks. Every time we do, I’m reminded that transition, whether in gardens or in life, always needs tenderness. Dave starting fall seeds, trasnplanting...
28 days ago • 1 min read
Hi friend, If you grow food in Virginia, we saved you a seat at Bethany Farm in Leesburg. Join us for a Farmers Soil Health Supper & Listening Session on Wednesday, Nov 12 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM I cannot tell you how excited and honored Dave and I are to co-host this event! Why come Share what is working and what is hard in your fields Swap practical soil health strategies with peers Connect with Brent Wills (VABF) and Beth Sastre (Virginia Cooperative Extension) and us (Dave and Nicky)...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Join me live from Bethany Farm for a fall garden tour and Q&A. We’ll look at cut-and-come-again greens, simple season extension, and answer your questions. LIVE from Bethany Farm (Permaculture Gardens) | Fall Garden Tour + Q&A with Nicky SchauderWhen:Today — 11 AM PT / 12 PM MT / 1 PM CT / 2 PM ETWhere:Zoom (updated Zoom Link below) Join Zoom:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89122584258?pwd=aarHGNa7NhJWbbNDqNn2mwIEXRCxO9.1 Meeting ID: 891 2258 4258Passcode: The passcode is embedded in the...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, When most of the garden begins to fade, there’s one group of plants that just keeps giving — cut-and-come-again greens. 🥬 These are the steady workers of the fall and winter garden: lettuces, kale, spinach, and mustard greens that you can harvest leaf by leaf, again and again. With just a little protection — a cold frame, hoop, or sunny windowsill — they’ll feed you long after your summer crops are gone. If you’ve ever wanted to stretch your growing season, this is the simplest...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Hey, Reader! “Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, but seven years of famine will follow them.” – Genesis 41:29–31 As the height of the growing season winds down, now is the time to ask: how do we extend the harvest well into winter? Chefs who Preserve the Harvest Some chefs leave such a lasting impression on my husband Dave and me. Much like a good theater show, it takes several days of relishing an exemplar fine dining experience to truly absorb the impact...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Hey, Reader! Let’s talk about composting. We believe the heart of a permaculture garden isn’t just the amazing trees, the beautiful guilds, or even the pollinators. It’s the humble compost bin. The compost bin: Brings life from death Transforms waste into nourishment Offers rich, fertile soil and endless garden possibilities Thanks to Grandad, we now have a 3-bin compost system in place! Grandad and kids setting up our new compost bin! “But I can’t compost…” Before you say, “I can’t compost...
2 months ago • 2 min read