Canning tomatoes is one of the most satisfying parts of summer. They’re versatile, they preserve beautifully, and they become the backbone of so many family favorites: chili, pasta sauce, soups, casseroles, and quick weeknight meals. But tomatoes also sit in a tricky middle ground when it comes to acidity, which means safe canning procedures matter.

Last fall, we tucked hundreds of little garlic cloves into the soil, now it's finally time to harvest!

We’ve learned that many of these so‑called “weeds” are actually deeply medicinal natives — we’re highlighting a handful of the wild healers you can find right here in our region, how to harvest them responsibly, and the traditional benefits they’ve offered for generations. Here at Rock Pillar Grounds, we use fresh herbs for medicinal tinctures. You can also dry herbs for teas, oils or make salves.

We all know that ticks & mosquitos can be more than just a nuisance- they can carry diseases. So before you reach for store‑bought bug sprays, let's talk about what’s actually inside them.

It’s elderberry haircut season, and we’re not shy about it. Snip, snip — off go the tired old canes, making room for the fresh, berry‑loaded growth that’s coming. Elderberries have been treasured for generations — not just for their deep, earthy flavor, but for their long history of supporting wellness through the colder months. They’re one of those plants that feel like a bridge between the garden and the apothecary.

This year, we’re focusing on herbs that pull double duty: big flavor for the kitchen and gentle support for everyday wellness. These are the quiet powerhouses of the garden — the ones you reach for when you’re cooking dinner, soothing a scratchy throat, or brightening a winter tea.

Companion planting is a great way to use nature's resources to get the most out of your garden experience by attracting beneficial bugs while deterring harmful ones, using shade plants to aid others on those hot summer days and providing a healthy garden by planting produce together that nutritionally balance one another.

Let’s grow something beautiful this year. Below is a simple, confidence‑building guide to help you design a garden that truly serves you—your space, your climate, and your table. Gardening season comes up faster than you realize. Winter is the perfect time to map out your garden. Whether you’re stocking your pantry or simply craving the joy of fresh tomatoes warm from the vine, a little planning now makes all the difference later.

Fall and winter are prime time for setting the stage for a strong, healthy spring garden. Here on the farm, we’re doing a few key things to prep our soil, protect our perennials, and plan ahead.

Made with nothing more than apple leftovers, water, and a spoonful of sugar, this slow-fermented vinegar is a true homestead workhorse. Apple scrap vinegar is a safe, non-toxic staple for the home, garden, and barnyard alike.

Garlic is a quiet powerhouse in the garden. It repels pests, requires little fuss, and rewards patience with flavorful, long-storing bulbs. Mid-October through early November is the sweet spot for planting garlic.