Cold frames, often described as mini-greenhouses, are a gardener’s secret weapon for extending the growing season. These simple, low-tech structures, typically made of a transparent top and wooden or brick base, harness the sun’s warmth to protect plants from frost and cold winds. Positioned directly on the ground, they create a microclimate that allows garden…

The Russian Comfrey is not just any plant; it’s a permaculture superstar. As a potent nitrogen fixer, it thrives when planted alongside trees, absorbing and storing nitrogen from the atmosphere to enrich the soil. We regularly cut it, and just the other day, we captured a moment of it being transported in a wheelbarrow to…

Russon Family Farm’s has a strong commitment to helping to reverse climate change. This involves implementing regenerative agriculture practices that take carbon out of the air and sequester it in the soil. In order to determine the amount of carbon that it is able to sequester Russon Family Farms is partnering with The Soil Inventory…

On our farm, every day is an adventure, thanks to our delightful ensemble of ducks, chickens, and dogs. They remind us daily of the simple joys of farm life and the deep connections we share with all creatures, big and small. Violet the Border Collie When we purchased the farm in early 2020, we decided…

If you squint at the accompanying picture, you might notice something unusual, something that doesn’t naturally belong in a garden: coiled, brown tubes intricately woven among the plants. This isn’t any ordinary piece of gardening equipment – it is the key to our newfound approach to gardening: a drip irrigation system. Not only is it…

Our journey at Russon Family Farms has always been about embracing sustainable farming techniques. Today, we are proud to unveil our latest undertaking: an earth-sheltered solar greenhouse. This innovative structure utilizes not one but three technologies to maintain a consistent and efficient warmth, ensuring an optimal environment for plant growth. First, the greenhouse takes full…

At Russon Family Farms, we believe in the potential of hard work and creativity, especially when it comes to ensuring sustainable water sources for our green spaces. Today, we’re excited to share our recent project: the construction of a ferro-cement water tank. The journey began with a strategic site selection: the highest point on the…

At Russon Family Farms, we understand the power of companion planting, especially when it comes to maintaining a vibrant and thriving orchard. Today, we’re excited to share our experiences with a plant that has proven to be a game-changer for our orchard’s health and productivity: Comfrey. Comfrey, with its robust root system that can reach…

In the heart of the frigid Michigan winters, we at Russon Family Farms have found a new way to warm our hearts (and our bodies). Introducing our latest endeavor: a cozy, homegrown sauna, constructed using odds and ends from our very own barn! Building a sauna might seem like a daunting task, but when you…

Every inch of the earth holds a story within its folds. Our pasture garden, which boasted an immense array of blossoms last summer, was no exception. Its transformation from a field littered with boulders and nails to a vibrant, teeming garden has been nothing short of miraculous, reflecting nature’s resilience and tenacity. But, as we…