Mar 6 2026

First rain tank installed.

First rain tank installed at Hodge Podge Farms

Mar 1 2026

After a couple of weeks, the tomatoes started in soil blocks are coming up.

Tomato seedlings coming up in soil blocks after two weeks

Feb 22 2026

Started a few cosmos indoors that were from 2023 just to see if they germinate and started a few radishes just to see if I could get some radishes ready in April.

Seed trays with cosmos seeds from 2023 and radish seeds started indoors

Feb 21 2026

Picked up Livingston Ornamental Corn seeds. Great for fall decorating.

Livingston Ornamental Indian Corn seed packet showing colorful multi-hued cobs with red, yellow, cream, and purple kernels

Feb 15 2026

Testing soil blocks for starting tomato seeds. I have never tried soil blocks before but will be testing them to see how seeds start in them compared to traditional seed trays. Trying half dried and half wet from the start to see if it matters.

Soil blocking tool and compressed soil blocks ready for starting tomato seeds Tomato seed packet 5557 for soil block experiment testing dried versus wet starting methods

Feb 13 2026

We just found this honey seller 8 miles down the road from us when we were at the Des Moines Home and Garden show! Local honey is wonderful for supporting beekeepers in our area.

Local honey seller display at the Des Moines home and garden show

Feb 5 2026

Picked up Bachelor Button 'Blue Boy' seeds at Wal-Mart. These cheerful blue blooms are perfect for attracting pollinators and will add a lovely splash of color to the garden.

Bachelor Button 'Blue Boy' seed packet displaying vibrant blue cornflower blooms on the front label

Jan 31 2026

Stocked up on seeds, quite the haul: sunflowers, snapdragons, dahlias, zinnias, sweet peas, nasturtiums, feverfew, and crepis drumstick flowers. A lovely mix from Eden Brothers, Baker Creek, Botanical Interests, and Livingston. Matt's still wants that bee hive.

Colorful 2026 seed collection spread on table showing various seed packets from Eden Brothers, Baker Creek, Botanical Interests, and Livingston seed companies

Jan 20 2026

Got our pumpkin and gourd seeds early this year! A wonderful variety from Livingston and Burpee: mini pumpkins, white pumpkins, Jack-O'-Lanterns, ornamental gourds including Turk's Turban and Daisy gourds, and even a few specialty varieties like Big Warty Thing and Peanut pumpkins. Planning ahead means we can start them at just the right time and hopefully have a bountiful harvest come fall.

Collection of pumpkin and gourd seed packets from Livingston and Burpee including mini pumpkins, white pumpkins, Jack-O'-Lanterns, and specialty varieties

Oct 15 2025

Pumpkin and gourd harvest day! The striped and warty gourds tumbled out of the box in a riot of cream, orange, and deep green—each one a little work of art. The bright orange pumpkins scattered across the lawn caught the afternoon sun beautifully.

Striped and warty ornamental gourds in cream, orange, and deep green colors tumbling out of a cardboard box Bright orange pumpkins scattered across green lawn in afternoon sunlight

Jul 20 2025

Tiger Lilies (Lilium lancifolium) blooming along the treeline. They bloom for about 2 weeks. Free to anyone who wants to dig them up.

Orange Tiger Lilies blooming along the treeline Orange Tiger Lilies with recurved petals and dark spots blooming in mass along wooded treeline

Jul 1 2025

Discovered a bee colony in a walnut tree! We were cleaning up the grass and heard buzzing. The tree was only about 30 feet from the pumpkins and gourds.

Wild honeybee colony visible in the crevices of walnut tree bark with bees entering and leaving the hive

Jul 17 2025

Good progress for 20 days! The pumpkins and gourds are thriving. We have been lucky with rain this year.

Thriving pumpkin and gourd plants with large green leaves after 20 days of growth in well-watered soil

Jun 27 2025

Day we signed the papers, the pumpkins had to go in.

Freshly planted pumpkin seedlings in newly tilled soil rows Wide view of pumpkin planting area showing multiple rows of freshly planted seedlings

April 27 2025

Bought some pumpkin and gourd seeds. We'll see if we can start them and have something to harvest that late in the season.

Assortment of pumpkin and gourd seed packets ready for late season planting