Row signs

This year I decided I needed to mark each row so that I didn't forget what I planted.  I looked on Pinterest for some inspiration and when I didn't find anything I liked, I decided to make my own.  So this year I busted out my Cricut machine and cut some vinyl.  I used the permanent vinyl so hopefully it will last a few years.  

I put the vinyl on a thin strip of wood.  I then attached them to just the regular wood stakes that you can get in bundles at Home Depot.  

After hammering in the nail I quickly realized I needed to pre-drill before hammering the nails. 

You need at least 2 nails for security so it doesn't flip down. 

Then I just used jute string to lash them together (mainly to cover up the nails.) 

Here's how I finished them off 

All finished 

Here they are in the garden. 

I think they turned out fantastic!! 

Pallet Garden

Since our location right now is not permenant, I decided to try a pallet garden.  It's cheap, easy to put together, and best of all, movable. 

I have several fun varieties of strawberries that needed to get in the ground but I didn't want it to be a permenant placement.  I have seen all the Pinterest pins on "vertical gardening" and growing in a pallet, so I decided to try it so that I can still grow my strawberries this summer and still be able to take them with us after we move.  

To build a pallet garden it requires just a few items.  

- a pallet- make sure that it is not treated with chemicals.  This pallet I used is Heat treated so it is completely safe.  Look for the stamp with an "HT" printed on the pallet.  

- weed barrier fabric 

- staple gun and staples

You have to line the inside of the pallet with the weed barrier to keep the soil in.  Weed barrier is breathable and soil can seep through as well so the plants don't get water logged.

I started out by measuring the weed barrier a little longer than the pallet and a little wider than 1/2 the pallet so that I could like it up the sides.  

I decided to plant in the pallet upside down to make more support underneath for transport.  

I stapled the fabric all through out 1/2 of the pallet since there is a center support beam, I just worked around it. 

Next I started tacking on the sides.  I decided to fold it like a present.  It seems to seal the soil in just perfectly too.  

Next I folded it so that it overlapped on top of the pallet to make it secure. 

Here it is folded over the top of the pallet and tacked down with staples 

It only took about 20 minutes to get both sides done.  It was super fast and free- since I had all of the supplies on hand.

For the soil, I used 50/50 soil from the garden and potting soil.  I didn't want it to be too heavy but needed the sandy loam soil for the strawberries to do well.  Strawberries are notorious for being chlorotic, so before I waterd it I sprinkled some blood meal 

around each plant to give them a boost. 

Here is the finished product 

  I still plan on adding some vinyl on the pallets when I figure out which varieties they are.  

Follow us on Facebook this summer to watch the Pallet Garden transform! 

About Dash of Granola

This is my beautiful family 

My husband Andrew is a great supporter of my crazy ideas and works so hard for our family.  My beautiful daughter Stella is 5 and she is my princess and such an amazing daughter.  And the little guy in the middle, he is my reason for this crazy journey of starting Dash of Granola Farm.  Jefferson is 2 1/2 and just so happens to rock an extra chromosome.  Jefferson has Down syndrome.  I have started this farm as a goal to have a safe, fun, educational place for Jefferson to work when he gets older.  I plan on hiring him and a few of his friends to work on the farm and  sell produce at the markets through out the summer.  I have high expectations for him and I plan on having him work with me as he gets older.  

Once I held my son for the first time, I knew he had Down syndrome.  I knew his life would be different than a typical child.  I knew I would have to fight the rest of his life for him and advocacy for acceptance.  I plan on pushing J and keep his mind moving and learning all his life.  I read about a farm in New York that hires people with intellectual disabilities to work on their farm.  This sparked an idea, why couldn't I do that? 

I have an extensive background in Horticulture.  I have a degree in ornamental horticulture from Utah State 

I have worked just about every field in horticulture.  But I have found my true calling and love in horticulture.  The past 4 years I have been working for the Salt Lake County Sheriff Office educating the prisoners in how to properly cultivate, grow, and harvest a garden.  We then go to the farmers markets and sell the produce.  The community is very supportive and loves to see the inmates at the markets each week.  I love this job and it is so rewarding to know I am hopefully helping these men and teaching them a life skill they could use after they are released.  

So going back to, why couldn't I do that? 

Last year I decided to start Dash of Granola Farm.  My goal hopefully within the next couple of years is to be able to hire a couple kids with Down syndrome to work for me.  Can you imagine going to the farmers markets and see a booth ran by kids with Down syndrome?  Seeing the public support the inmates, I cannot imagine how supportive the community will be supporting these special kids who are working, learning, weeding, watering, and growing the food they are selling.  (I know goose bumps right?) 

I am so excited!! This year will be a big year for us.  We currently have moved out of our house and are living with family for the summer.  This fall we will be purchasing our farm.  We will finally be getting our land that we will be able to call our own! 

Until next time, here is my reason!  

Dash of Granola Farm 2016

I am so glad you came to our site.  We are going to be doing a lot more and a lot will be changing within the next year for

 Dash of Granola Farm

First of all we will be going to the Kaysville USU Farmers Markets

 every Thursday evenings from 5-8pm in the 2016 Summer from July-September,  My family and I will also be making a few transitions, but our garden and little farm will still be in Hooper, Utah.  We have already made preparations for the markets and have over 500 bulbs of garlic planted to sell at the markets.
We will have California Soft Neck Garlic and Porcelain Music Hard Neck Garlic.
Along with the Garlic, we will also be growing a wide variety of vegetables like, heirloom and hybrid Tomatoes, Onions, Leeks, Lettuce and Greens, Kale, Beets, Tomatillos, Peppers, Green Beans, and lots of summer squash, zucchini, winter squash and several varieties of pumpkins.  We will also hopefully have the addition of Free Range Farm Fresh Eggs too!!

I am so excited for the

 season and I look forward to seeing everyone at the Markets.

Please check back for continual growth of our Family Farm!


Review of the start of Dash of Granola Farm's Market Sales and a few products

Jaring everything

I have decided ball jars, well glass jars, are one of my favorite things to store stuff in. Since they come in all shapes and sizes I have found many uses for them lately.  Here's what I did in my bathroom 

I'll post the recipe I used for the lavender bath bombs I made in the big jar in another post. But I think they look awesome.  

I also decided to get rid of the big table top spice rack in my kitchen to save some countertop space.  I already have a built in spice rack above my stove so there is no need for it.  So I sold it and then found these amazing jars on Amazon 

Then I realized that For Your Kitchen was a vendor that sold these and it just so happens that I live 5 minutes from the store.  So I bought a case of them today. I found some herbs at Walmart, the brand Wild Oats, that sells their herbs in square glass jars and that's where I fell in love.  I love how they fit so perfectly on a shelf next to each other.  Such a great space saver.  They also have a little shaker lid inside that is great.  

So then I decided to use my fun little cricut machine and make little chalkboard stickers for the labels.  

Pretty adorable eh? I haven't bought a chalk pen yet, but they will be so cute when I get the spice names on there.  

I also put the spices I use the most in these cute jelly jars.  I plan on making round labels for the lids for these ones. 

I loved how it turned out!! 

Dash of Granola Farm

 Welcome to our little farms blog.  My cute little family and I have decided to start a little farm and sell produce at some local farmers markets around town.  We just thought of doing this about a month ago so it's pretty new.  We are planning on having a much bigger and better garden next year so we can take more produce to the markets. Right now we are attending the Kaysville USU Farmers Markets on Thursdays from 5-8.  Next Thursday will be our last market till next June.  

I've already been planning our garden for next year and I plan on expanding the garden to accommodate the sales for next summer.  

A few crops we will have next year are:

Lumina (white) Pumpkins 

Regular Halloween pumpkins

Garlic

Garlic braids 

Kale

Winter squash

Peppers

Tomatoes 

Carrots

Purple potatoes

Im so excited for next year. It's going to be fun! My little guy is just learning how to walk this year so he will be fun to help pick and sell next year! 

 It will be amazing! 

Look for us next Thursday at the Kaysville farmers market!! 

Quick single strap purse tutorial

I wanted a little single strap purse to take on my vacation. I wanted it light enough to just carry a couple diapers wipes and my wallet. I also wanted it small enough that I could just shove it in my Vera Bradley duffle bag for the flight. 

  I looked at a couple of stores and didn't find anything so I decided to make one myself.  

There wasn't any patterns on pinetrest so I made my own. 

The dimensions is 15 1/2" wide 10" tall (not including the strap) and 4" deep. I also used bias tape to finish the edges. 

I also added a pocket in the lining to hold chapsticks and other little things 

Start by sewing the corners first and then I ironed down the seams.  Don't forget to sew in the pocket before sewing the purse together. 

Next put the two pieces together and see together. 

 Next press all of the seams on the lining and shell of the purse. 

Next I sewed the bias tape to put it all together. I've never worked with bias tape before but once I got the hang of it it makes it easier to finish off the edges. 

I think it turned out great!