FAQ

Why do you call your space a "farm" instead of just a "garden"?

I'm calling my space a "farm" because (1) the name FarmTina sounds cool, and (2) I have grand visions of a fully functional farm in my backyard that includes food AND animals. I'm starting out with just vegetables so I can ease into it slowly. If I kill the veggies because I'm overwhelmed, it's not a big deal, but if I kill animals, then that is terrible. I want to make sure I'm into the flow of my homestead before I add animals.

Aside from learning how to grow my food, I'm also experimenting with using my produce to make new things. I make pickles, cheese, beer, bread, and lots of other food things from scratch using ingredients that I raise.

What's so great about having a backyard garden?

The major challenge in everything I'm doing is that I live in New York City. I don't have a car (or even know anyone who does!), I live alone (so I don't have help), and the environment is a very strange one. I have been adjusting my gardening techniques to accomadate for the polluted air, acid rain and a backyard full of feral cats and NYC rats. Even just picking up a bag of soil from a garden center requires planning, cab money, and about 2 hours out of my day.

Why are you blogging about your farm?

My friends and family keep asking to see photos of what I'm up to in my yard, so this is a good way to share! Plus, I have some accountability towards others to make sure I'm doing things correctly. I love all the feedback I get!

Can I buy/trade/have some of your farm produce?

I'm not an official farm so I can't legally sell you anything I grow, produce, pickle, brew, etc. But, I love to trade! Get in touch and let me know what you've got...

Who does your illustrations/design/built your site?

I do! When I'm not farming, my official real job is an illustrator and designer. I specialize in blog design!

Comments

[Maggie]

I am just begining my very first garden and I have found your blog very inspirational. Although I find the idea about planting in plastic conatiners easy and great( right up my alley) I am concerned about the exposure of the plastic chemicals seeping into the soil. What research have you done on this if any, because I am trying to do the garden as organic as possible to benefit my grandson. Thanks for the enjoyable educational blog and I wish you much sucess with your tomatoes and evry other endeavor.

[Jo Ann]

I was contemplating on growing farm plants in my window boxes. What would you suggest? Any plant ideas that would not need a huge depth of soil. I have great sun.

Jo Ann
Brookine, MA

[Early]

Thanks for the great info dog I owe you bigtigy.

[Xlarge]

I am attempting a grdean for the first time, and am unsure of the best spot to plan it. Our house block much of the sun in our yard, so the best spot is at the bottom of a small slope where the water runoff passes, leaving the ground almost always saturated and soft. I planned on building a bit of a raised bed. Is this a good spot to plan my grdean or not? I watched a few videos online and one said it would be a good spot, but I wanted to be sure.Thanks in advance!