How to Grow a Loofah Sponge in Israel
Today was a big day nine months in the making. Today we picked and processed the loofah sponges that we planted back in April. Anyone who wants seeds to plant their own loofahs next summer should be in touch. I want to turn Ramat Beit Shemesh into the Loofah Capital of the World! (Yes, I […]
VIDEO TOUR: Our Winter Vegetables + Hydroponics
This is an early December tour of my vegetable growing beds. Winter vegies such as kohlrabi, onions, fennel and snow peas are getting established. Some of the summer vegetables are still going strong, including sweet potatoes, eggplants, peanuts and ground cherries. We get a glimpse of my hydroponic lettuce too! You can read about our […]
Our Winter Vegetable Garden Plan
Sukkos is behind us and that means it’s time to get serious about winter vegetable planting. I just ordered a bunch of seeds from my favorite seed store. Now I’m mapping out my growing beds. Here are some considerations in my planning: two of my beds get very little sun in the winter. Really most […]
The Secret Truth About Growing Your own Vegetables
I have a confession. Many of the vegetables I grow on my farm are imperfect. The kind of vegetables that if you saw them in the produce section at the supermarket, you’d be shocked at the low quality and wonder if you should start shopping elsewhere. I also wouldn’t pay good money for an eggplant […]
Why I never planted peanuts before – and why I did now
My peanuts sprouted! I have wanted to grow peanuts for such a long time but I never did. Since they are legumes (kitniyot). there is a halachic imperative to leave a big space between them and other vegetables (48-60 cm, depending on which halachic opinion you follow) Beans are also kitniyot – another summer favorite […]
How to help plants survive a heatwave
It’s the third day of Israel’s heatwave and our plants are really suffering from the temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celcius. The best solution is extra watering and creating shade for more vulnerable plants, as well as adding a layer of mulch over the soil, to minimize evaporation. The sun is burning the leaves until […]
The No. 1 Vegetable to Plant Right Now
Everyone keeps asking me what to plant now, so I made a list of my favorite summer vegetables to grow. I ordered it from least practical, easy and rewarding – to the most! Can you guess what will be my #1 recommendation? All these are fairly easy to grow in the Israeli summer but some […]
My 5 Latest Farming Failures
I’ve posted a bunch of successful projects and people are starting to talk like I’m some sort of farming wunderkind, unlike them, who are “untalented” or have “a brown thumb.” So let me know clarify: I have failures ALL THE TIME. I kill plants, I waste money, I make things that no one in my […]
Growing Vegetables in Israel Using Cheap or Free Raised Beds
This post was updated in March 2023 Want to know how I’m growing 47 summer vegetable plants in 8 sq.m.? Here’s how! Most people think that there are two options for growing vegetables at home: in containers or in the ground. But there is a third option that is MUCH better than both of the […]
6 vegetables from your kitchen you can plant and grow
It’s spring time! Do you wish you could grow some vegetables – but can’t visit the nursery due to lockdown? That’s why I created this list of 6 vegetables from your kitchen you can sprout and grow These plants are all ideally planted in spring – i.e. right now. 1. Sweet potato Plop a sweet […]