There is a profound mystery to a broody hen. In an era of industrial agriculture, the "mothering" instinct—the fierce, singular drive to sit on a clutch of eggs until they crack open with new life has been systematically bred out of most commercial flocks. We’ve replaced the hen with the sterile, hum of the plastic incubator, trading biological magic for mechanical predictability. But after five seasons of successfully midwifing my hens through this process, I can tell you that while you cannot force a hen to go broody, you can absolutely…

If you ever cracked an egg and found two golden centers staring back at you, congratulations! According to centuries of folklore, someone might be shopping for a double stroller soon.

Today, when I gathered my girls’ eggs, one of them was massive in size. I assumed by the size that it was a double or triple yolk from my 5 year old broody hen, Frog. She rarely lays anymore but she’s happy to set on the younger hens’ eggs and occasionally pop out an oversized egg that shows that while her ability to produce eggs is dwindling, she is still quite happy to keep the brood going.

In Romani and Mexican traditions, the double yolk is the ultimate fertility forecast. The logic is as old-school as it gets: like produces like. Because the egg contains…

To the uninitiated, pruning may appear to be an act of subtraction, but in the context of high-performance fruit production, it is a sophisticated act of redirection. When we prune a peach tree in the volatile climates of Zone 4b or 5a, we are essentially communicating with the tree’s hormonal systems, specifically the distribution of auxins, the growth hormones produced in the apical buds. By removing specific branches, we break apical dominance and force the tree to invest its energy into a robust, sustainable architecture. The success of this intervention depends entirely on the grower’s ability to identify "branch hierarchy" and execute cuts with surgical precision

In the rigorous climates of Zone 4b and 5a, the timeline for pruning is not a matter of choice, but a matter of survival. To maximize the tree's potential and ensure it can withstand the physical load of both fruit and snow, pruning must

In the pursuit of systemic wholeness, one eventually confronts the reality that the boundaries of our own biology are inextricably linked to the nutritional inputs of our food sources. For years, I operated under the reasonable assumption that "local organic" feed represented the ceiling of responsible poultry management. It was convenient, certified, and certainly superior to the industrial-grade dross found in big-box stores. However, as I’ve deepened my understanding of inflammatory pathways and lipid profiles, I’ve had to acknowledge a difficult truth: local and organic are merely the "entry-level" requirements for true nutritional excellence. To achieve the high-omega, anti-inflammatory egg profile necessary for a healing-centric lifestyle, I was forced to abandon the "reasonable" and source a rigorous, hard-to-find blend of wheat, flax, and peas—entirely devoid of the ubiquitous corn and soy fillers.

The decision to eliminate soy and corn is rooted in

If you have ever driven past BB Lane Gardens or drifted by on Lake Iroquois you already know her. She is not the type to whisper for your attention and she certainly does not apologize for the space she takes up. She spills toward the road and the water with a confidence that practically dares you to look twice. It is a regular occurrence those visiting the lake to lean out their windows just to shout their admiration across the air. I receive it all with a smile that knows exactly why they are lingering because there is no limit to the material that feeds my ego when the view is this good. Still, I will tell you something honest. When the garden is a mess I feel it in my own skin. Usually I look the part too but the moment I put my full effort into that dirt everything changes. I enter the garden as one person and leave as another entirely. I walk out rejuvenated and frankly unstoppable.

Now in its sixth season BB Lane Gardens has reached a maturity that only comes with a bit of history. Last year she had to rest while the world around us got loud and messy. Between the relentless dust from the road and the nearby construction…

There’s something undeniably romantic about the idea of having fruit-bearing trees in your own yard. The thought of stepping outside and picking fresh apples, peaches, or plums straight from the branch feels like the ultimate version of seasonal living. That kind of freshness is hard to beat, and it’s one of the purest pleasures of growing your own food.

But what many people don’t realize at first is how much responsibility can come along with that dream.

Fruit trees are not the kind of plant you can simply “set and forget.” They require

Ash trees have long been an integral part of Vermont’s landscapes, from the shaded avenues of Burlington to the riparian woodlands and wetlands of Addison County. They contribute not only aesthetic beauty but also ecological and cultural value. Vermont is home to three native ash species: white ash (Fraxinus americana), green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), and black ash (Fraxinus nigra), the latter of which holds deep cultural significance for traditional Abenaki basketmaking. Collectively, ash species constitute approximately five percent of the state’s forests, with higher concentrations in northern wetlands, floodplains, and roadside plantings. Their ecological contributions are manifold: they provide critical habitat for birds and mammals, stabilize soils, moderate stormwater runoff, and offer straight-grained, durable timber. The loss of ash, therefore, is not merely a matter of individual trees dying—it represents a profound disruption to Vermont’s ecological fabric and cultural heritage.

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Soil forms the fundamental framework upon which every garden and landscape depends, yet its composition varies widely, influencing water retention, nutrient availability, root development, and overall plant health. In Vermont, gardeners frequently encounter two extremes: dense clay soils that remain waterlogged for days and resist root penetration, and coarse sandy soils that drain almost immediately and fail to retain nutrients. Both present unique challenges to cultivation, but by understanding their properties and employing appropriate amendments, gardeners can transform even the most difficult substrates into productive, resilient ground. Recognizing the characteristics of each soil type is

In Vermont, the landscape is dynamic, and even seemingly stable open fields are subject to change. A meadow left unattended for a few years will inevitably begin to host saplings of pine, birch, poplar, and occasionally invasive shrubs such as buckthorn, gradually transforming into a young forest. This progression, known as ecological succession, is a natural and healthy process that contributes to biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and long-term landscape stability. However, for those who value fields for hay production, wildlife habitat, pollinator support, or scenic vistas, allowing…

If you spend time walking through Vermont’s forests, fields, or even your own backyard, you may notice plants that appear to belong, from wildflowers tucked along stone walls to grasses filling old pastures and shrubs alive with the hum of pollinators. Yet appearances can be deceiving: not all plants that seem at home in Vermont are genuinely native. Some are naturalized, having escaped cultivation and established themselves in the landscape, while others evolved here over millennia, forming intricate ecological relationships. Recognizing this distinction is essential for gardeners, landowners, and conservationists who aim to cultivate healthy ecosystems, support pollinator populations, and maintain biodiversity…

Peonies are among the most celebrated perennials in the late spring garden, renowned for their fragrant, abundant blooms and impressive longevity. Their capacity to return year after year with increased vigor has made them a staple of both formal and cottage gardens. However, even these robust and long-lived plants require occasional intervention to maintain optimal health and floral performance. When peony clumps become overcrowded, when flowering diminishes, or when gardeners wish to propagate their plants to expand their own garden or share with others…

In Vermont, autumn signals more than the vibrant turning of leaves and the culmination of harvest—it also offers an opportune window for judicious shrub maintenance. While conventional wisdom often recommends pruning many shrubs in late winter or early spring, there exists a select group of species that genuinely benefit from strategic fall pruning. The rationale lies in…

As autumn arrives, many gardeners instinctively reach for rakes, leaf blowers, and tidy-up checklists, following conventional advice to “clean the garden” by cutting back perennials, bagging leaves, and leaving behind neatly sculpted beds for winter. While aesthetically pleasing, these practices often undermine the very ecological systems we aim to support. For pollinators and beneficial insects, a pristine garden is less a sanctuary than a barren landscape. To genuinely create a pollinator-friendly habitat…

The term "pollinator-friendly" is frequently used in marketing to promote plants that attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. However, this label often lacks a standardized definition, leading to potential misconceptions about the ecological benefits these plants provide. At its most basic, the label suggests that a pollinator can visit the plant. A bee or butterfly might land, sip some nectar, and move on. But just because they can doesn't mean it's good for them—or for the ecosystem…

Iron and calcium are two of the most important minerals in human nutrition, but they do not always work smoothly together. Iron is essential for making hemoglobin, carrying oxygen in the blood, and keeping energy levels stable. Calcium strengthens bones, regulates muscle contractions, and helps nerves function. The challenge is that the body often struggles to absorb both at the same time, and their interactions depend heavily on the form of iron present and the foods they are paired with.

Iron is one of the most critical nutrients for human health. Without enough iron, the body cannot produce hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Low iron intake or poor absorption leads to fatigue, weakness, poor concentration, and, in more severe cases, anemia. Many people assume that simply eating iron-rich foods is enough to cover their needs. But the form of iron in food matters, and this is where vitamin C becomes essential.

Coffee and tea are two of the most widely consumed beverages in the world. They provide comfort, flavor, and in many cases a welcome burst of energy. But if you are concerned about your iron status, it is worth understanding how these drinks interact with the mineral. The story has less to do with caffeine and more to do with the plant compounds that make coffee and tea so distinctive.

Kale has earned its reputation as one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables you can eat. A single serving delivers vitamins A, C, and K, minerals like calcium and potassium, and a range of phytonutrients that support health from your skin to your heart. But there’s a twist many people overlook: cooking kale can actually make it more nutritious and easier to digest than eating it raw.

Kale is a powerhouse green, but the way you prepare it changes how your body absorbs its nutrition. Some methods reduce oxalates and unlock minerals, while others enhance fat-soluble vitamins or preserve antioxidants. To make this practical, let’s look at how steaming, sautéing, roasting, eating raw — and using kale in soups and stews — affect its nutrient profile.

When people think of superfoods, kale, salmon, or blueberries usually come to mind. Yet the quiet champions of nutrition are often the simplest: seeds and nuts. These small, nutrient-dense foods carry minerals, healthy fats, and antioxidants that are difficult to get in sufficient amounts without them. Making seeds and nuts a part of your daily diet is an easy and reliable way to strengthen your nutrition.