Courtesy of Roxanne C., Philadelphia PA Beginning urban farmers eager to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability include rainwater harvesting in their startup plans. Once they start implementing, they usually find that what sounds good in theory doesn’t work well in practice. The first downside is the expense in gear –...
Courtesy of Wally S., Wally’s Market Garden, Pleasantdale SK This is a burning question among new and experienced SPIN farmers alike Get ready for the answer that drives everyone inside and outside of farming crazy: It depends. Your choice of irrigation will depend on lots of factors, including your type...
Courtesy of Wally S., Wally’s Market Garden, Pleasantdale, SK In niche markets, SPIN farmers can adjust their pricing to cover their seed cost, but you should always try to get your seed costs down as low as possible. That means buying in bulk and shopping around. Take pea greens. I...
Courtesy Roxanne C., Philadelphia, PA An aspiring flower farmer planning to start up in 2018 has been thinking through with us whether or not to invest in a cooler. Here are some of the considerations. If you opt to take SPIN’s low road and launch without a cooler, it will...
Courtesy of Roxanne C., Philadelphia PA Backyard farmers have a unique set of fitness gear. It’s designed to make their workouts easier to do, not harder. Like this tool here. It’s the Stand and Plant planter. It was invented by a Tennessee farmer who specializes in sweet potatoes. He grows...
Courtesy of John Greenwood, JNJ Farms, Macomb IL When it comes to SPIN-Farming irrigation, keep it flexible, cheap, crop-specific and portable. That’s especially important if you are farming multiple yards, like John Greenwood of JNJ Farms in Macomb IL. Here’s how he made his sprinkler system. I buy a stick...
Courtesy of Bryon, Saskatoon SK I am now starting to appreciate the phrase repeated by so many experienced farmers about the need to get your hands in the dirt. It has been very exciting these past few days, as I’m being exposed to more aspects of the occupation. The one...
Courtesy of Wally S., Wally’s Urban Market Garden, Saskatoon SK I have never been a big fan of labor saving devices. SPIN-Farming is labor intensive, with many farm tasks being done by hand, so it is certainly wise to find ways to work more efficiently, without having to hire workers....
Courtesy of Wally S., Wally’s Urban Market Garden, Saskatoon SK SPIN-Farming does not require elaborate or expensive infrastructure, and that includes irrigation. Everything you need to install an above the ground system that stays permanently in place throughout the season, can be purchased at the garden center and hardware store....
