September 2, 2022
From Florida to The Funny Farm
Goodbye Florida I know, I know. You have questions. Did we really say we moved from Florida to a Funny Farm in Iowa? Why in…
March 6, 2025
Midwest Turmeric Production Updates
Is Midwest turmeric production a viable option? I attempted to tackle that question in a previous post, which you may find a helpful start for…
November 15, 2024
Heirloom Apples of Seed Savers Exchange
I was thrilled to have the opportunity to visit the heirloom apple orchards of Seed Savers Exchange this fall. Their orchards hold hundreds of heirloom…
August 15, 2024
Kill Hemlock Organically
If you read my previous post on massacring hemlock, you will remember that I became the owner of a large poison hemlock grove last year.…
August 13, 2024
Flooded Dreams
This year started like most others for our family, with big dreams. We had no idea that they would end up as flooded dreams. We…
May 27, 2024
Grumpy Pants Plants’ Heirloom Apple Orchard
Below are varieties that we are currently growing in our heirloom apple orchard. Unless otherwise noted, these are young grafted trees that we hope will…
May 27, 2024
How to Grow Purple Passion Asparagus
Thank you for supporting our small family farm! This post will detail how to grow your new Purple Passion asparagus plants. Purple Passion is sweeter…
Goodbye Florida I know, I know. You have questions. Did we really say we moved from Florida to a Funny Farm in Iowa? Why in…
Ms. Grumpy Pants PlantsSeptember 2, 2022
What do plastic eating mushrooms (pestalotiopsis microspora) eat? If you Google this question, you'll likely find one of many websites describing a 2011 study from…
Ms. Grumpy Pants PlantsMarch 16, 2024
Perhaps you love growing your own fresh herbs and spices. Maybe you were inspired on a recent trip to a tropical location. Perhaps you simply…
Ms. Grumpy Pants PlantsDecember 25, 2023
If you are new to cloning lion's mane mushrooms (hericium erinaceus), you may wonder how to distinguish between healthy mycelium growth and contamination. The goals…
Ms. Grumpy Pants PlantsDecember 21, 2023
Picture this: you plant a garden that produces far more tomatoes (or other vegetables/fruits) than your family could ever eat. You could spam your coworkers…
Ms. Grumpy Pants PlantsOctober 27, 2023
An Assorted Pick
How to Grow Amazing Okra
Clemson Spineless okra (top) and Alabama Red okra (bottom) This post details how to grow amazing okra (abelmoschus esculentus), even if you did not grow…
How to Make Slow Cooker Pea Soup
Like many who grew up in the Midwest, I love soup in the winter. I also love the convenience of simmering food in a slow…
