Recent Newsletters
Birkenstocks not required
John B. Marek is a writer, farmer, outdoorsman and recovering economic developer. You can find his books at johnbmarek.com. Living sustainably often gets painted as an exclusive club reserved for the left-leaning, granola-toting, Birkenstock-wearing elite. But the...
Gardening to Offset the Rising Cost of Groceries
In a time when the cost of groceries continues to climb, turning to the garden for relief can be both a practical and fulfilling endeavor. Gardening, often seen as a hobby or a way to beautify our homes, can also become a significant source of good food. However, it's...
Organic may not mean what you think it does
John B. Marek is a writer, farmer, outdoorsman and recovering economic developer. You can find his books at johnbmarek.com. Organic has become a buzzword in the world of health and wellness. You'll find it on the labels of numerous products, ranging from food items to...
Gardeners, Rock Hounds, and Artifact Hunters Unite!
Did you know that your garden right here in the Piedmont region of North Carolina might be hiding treasures from the past? It's true! Local rockhounds and artifact enthusiasts often find fascinating historical items in this area, especially after a good tilling or a...
Sorry, my big ol’ house isn’t for sale
John B. Marek is a writer, farmer, outdoorsman and recovering economic developer. You can find his books at johnbmarek.com. (Image courtesy of Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Recently, a series of articles has attributed some blame for the tight housing market and exorbitant...
If You Waited Too Long to Start Seeds, Wait a little longer and Direct Sow!
As Winter begins to close and Spring looms, many of us feel like we should have started seeds to be able to plant a decent garden this year. But the gardening season has not begun yet. In fact, for certain crops, waiting a bit longer and directly sowing seeds into the...
Hearts and ashes
John B. Marek is a writer, farmer, outdoorsman and recovering economic developer. You can find his books at johnbmarek.com. This year, a celestial twist of fate brings a rare and noteworthy alignment as Ash Wednesday coincides with Valentine's Day. The confluence of...
Gardening for Picky Eaters in General
In the quest to encourage picky eaters to embrace a variety of vegetables, the garden offers another secret weapon: the fresh, raw taste of just-picked produce. Often, vegetables eaten straight from the plant can be a revelation in flavor and texture compared to their...
Escaping the grind, ignoring the grit
John B. Marek is a writer, farmer, outdoorsman and recovering economic developer. You can find his books at johnbmarek.com. Rolling hills bathed in golden sunshine, quaint towns dripping with small-town charm and folksy accents, and communities bound by strong,...
Gardening for Picky Young Eaters
I am a mom of a picky eater. And I bet a lot of y’all are too. It’s developmentally appropriate for small children to hesitate on unfamiliar foods. In the realm of picky eaters, vegetables often top the list of “no-go” items, much to the dismay of parents and...
Warming Up to Change & New 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zones
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Plant Hardiness Zone Map is an important tool for gardeners and farmers across the country. It guides them in determining which plants are most likely to thrive in a specific location. These zones are based on the...
When letters were sophisticated
John B. Marek is a writer, farmer, outdoorsman and recovering economic developer. You can find his books at johnbmarek.com. By 1978, the riding lawnmower my father had purchased from Buckeye Mart a decade earlier was beginning to show its age. It could be challenging...