Why Seeds Won’t Germinate: Reasons Seeds Aren’t Sprouting
Struggling with seeds not germinating? Learn the most common causes of low germination rates and practical solutions from full-time produce growers using real-life experience.
How to Grow Kale From Seed: A Planting and Harvest Guide
Kale plants are one of the most reliable crops we grow on our Iowa produce farm. Whether we’re transplanting kale seedlings in early spring, setting out a fall crop in late summer, or harvesting sweet leaves after a light frost, kale earns its place in our growing plan every year. We follow organic practices on…
Storing Winter Squash Long Term: A how to guide for storage
Winter squashes are one of the most reliable, low-maintenance, long-lasting foods you can keep on hand for the colder months. At Pleasant Grove Homestead, we love showing people how incredibly simple it is to store butternut squash, acorn types, spaghetti squash, sweet meat, hubbard squash, and many other types of squash—all without hours of canning…
Ground Beef Substitutes That Aren’t Vegan: Best Ways to stretch meat
While ground beef substitutes and plant-based meat alternatives are trending in every grocery store aisle, we’re taking a different approach here at Pleasant Grove Homestead. Beef—especially pasture-raised beef—is one of the few animal products that contains all nine essential amino acids in comparable amounts to what our bodies need. It’s also rich in vitamin B12, zinc, and iron—nutrients that are often…
Front Quarter vs Hind Quarter Beef: What’s the Difference & What Do You Get?
Buying a quarter of beef, half beef, or even a whole beef is one of the best ways to fill your freezer with high quality, locally processed beef. But if you’re new to buying beef in bulk, one of the biggest questions is: What’s the difference between front quarter and hind quarter beef? Does that matter? And more importantly… When…
What to Do With Too Many Cherry Tomatoes: Recipes & Ideas from the Farm
If you’ve ever grown cherry tomatoes, you already know how it goes. You plant one or two tomato plants in the spring, dreaming of sweet, juicy little tomatoes to snack on in the summer months. But then—suddenly—you’re swimming in them. Buckets, baskets, and bowls of plump cherry tomatoes cover your counter, and you’re left asking: What’s…
Budget Friendly Meal Prep: Making a plan for meals
Preparing meals on a budget is easier than you think! In this blog, we will discover how healthy eating can be budget friendly with easy family dinners. “Hey, what’s for dinner?” Ah, the age-old question that gets asked every. single. night. And yet, we still rarely know the answer. After a day of making so…
Understanding differences in pork cuts: Loin vs. Shoulder
Learn the difference between pork loin and pork shoulder and how you can use either for delicious meals. Both pieces of meat have unique characteristics to make them ideal for different dishes. Since you are purchasing a larger cut of meat, it’s a good idea to understand the distinct differences to choose the best cut for…
Sour and Spoiled Milk: Understanding the difference and uses
While drinking a cup of fresh milk that has soured does not sound appealing, there are benefits to using soured milk in your kitchen! There are many milk products that can be made from soured milk found in the back of your fridge, so let’s reduce our food waste and make the most of some…
Hanging vs. Packaged Weight: What to expect buying beef meat
If you are looking to buy beef directly from a farmer, but confused by all the lingo, this post outlines common terms used when buying a quarter, half or whole animal so you can feel confident filling your freezer with a beef share! You will need to be informed about how your locker and farmer…