Dave and kids transplanted the seedlings into beds! We hope you are feeling the stirrings of spring right now, Reader. Right now for us, something small but important is happening. Seedlings are outgrowing their trays. It is one of the most exciting moments in gardening.The moment when a tiny plant says: I’m ready for more space. And this is where many gardeners pause. Do I move it now?Is it too early?Will I kill it? So here is the simple rule we follow on our farm. Transplant when the...
7 days ago • 1 min read
Seed Starting 101: How to Know What to Grow, When to Start, and What to Do When Things Go Wrong "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how." — Mark 4:26-27 There is something quietly miraculous about seed starting. You press a small dry thing into the soil, you water it, you wait, and then one morning, something green is there that wasn't there before. For me, it never stops being...
19 days ago • 7 min read
Hey Reader, Tonight we’re opening the doors to our nursery. Not polished.Not staged.Just real seed trays, grow lights, and the behind-the-scenes work that prepares us for our Loudoun Spring Farm Tour in May. If you’ve been meaning to get your seeds started, this is your nudge. In Seed Starting 101, we’re walking through three simple but powerful ideas: 1. How to calculate how much you actually need to sowNo more guessing. 2. Seed starting strategies that reduce overwhelmWhen to start. How...
20 days ago • 1 min read
Hey , Let’s talk about something that quietly determines whether your seedlings thrive or struggle: Your potting mix. Not the brand name. Not the pretty bag. The actual ingredients. Here’s what a good seed-starting mix needs: Physical structure light enough for tiny roots to move through. Able to hold moisture without becoming soggy. Air pockets matter more than most people realize. Gentle chemistry Seeds do not need heavy fertilizer to sprout. They need low salts, steady moisture, and a pH...
28 days ago • 1 min read
Hey, Reader!If seed starting has ever felt harder than it should, you are not alone. Most of us struggle with seed starting for one of two reasons. We try to grow too much, too fast.(Ahem. That would be us right now. Just take a look at one of our five growing racks.) Or, we have tried before, something didn’t sprout or didn’t survive, and we quietly decide we are never doing that again. Like this tray of anise hyssop.You can see the carrots happily popping up in the back… but the anise...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi, Reader You're receiving this because our email system shows you as being local to us and we wanted to ask you... 🌱 Want Fresh Microgreens This February? We’re now offering weekly microgreens boxes for local pickup or delivery!Perfect for winter immunity, flavor boosts, and nutrient-packed mealss Our Broccoli greens ✅ Grown organically right here at Bethany Farm✅ Includes seasonal varieties like sunflower, radish, broccoli & more✅ Easy pickup or local delivery options available 📍 Available...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, "Something of God flows into us from the blue of the sky, the taste of honey, the delicious embrace of water whether cold or hot,and even from sleep itself."CS Lewis I love how winter covers the whole of my farm and tells me to rest and reset. Our garden shed log cabin in the snow This week I was deeply encouraged by a beautiful review of my book written by Christina Nifong, a seasoned journalist and food writer who lives in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. If you read her writing...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader (Note: This email is brought to you today by 12-year-old, Simon Schauder) Last week we finished our trip to VABF (the Virginia Biological Farming Conference). It really showed a whole new side of farming and taught us so much. If you didn't know, VABF is a weekend conference that consists of different talks regarding a new subject, strategy, or tip to turn your farm into a sustainable one without using toxic chemicals or pesticides. During that time, we hosted two talks ourselves,...
2 months ago • 1 min read
Hey ReaderJust a quick note from Bethany Farm as we pack up the car. This week, we’re heading to VABF, the Virginia Association for Biological Farming Conference, and it feels like one of those full-circle moments. We’re bringing:🌱 Microgreens to share👩🌾 Lessons for kids (real, hands-in-the-soil learning)🍽️ And yes, we’re getting fed, which honestly feels like a small miracle in January Winter can be quiet, but it isn’t empty. This is the season where nourishment and planning overlap, and...
2 months ago • 1 min read