Welcome to Old World Garden Farms!
Just six short years ago on a crisp fall weekend, we began work on what we now call Old World Garden Farms. A little 3 acre plot of land in the middle of Ohio, “The Farm” was little more than an overgrown thicket of small trees, thick brush, and a mess of poison ivy. After a long weekend of clearing the land with a rented walk-behind brush cutter, and a few painful weeks of dealing with poison ivy for Mary – we had carved out a little space to start our dream.
With four kids in their teens heavily involved in extra-curricular activities, and with each of us juggling our own professional career, we wanted to build a place to be able to start to simplify our life – and enjoy our love of the outdoors and all it has to offer.
Let’s set a few things straight right from the beginning on what we are not.
We’re far from “hippies”…. and in spite of our children and friends constant ribbing, we don’t wish to make our clothes from hemp. We’re pretty regular people, we still go out to dinner now and then – we love to travel, and the last time I checked – we still shop in stores for some of our food and obviously those non-hemp clothes.
What we are – are two individuals committed to a more simple approach to life, who want to be responsible for a majority of the food we eat, and conserve the resources we consume. We both came from great families who gardened, and both have fond childhood memories of working alongside our parents in the garden and kitchen.
We remember homegrown meals, and great winter dishes made from the food we grew and canned in the summer. We both loved it, and strive to once again create a household that embraces those values responsibly. Simply put – to do things the best way possible for us and the land.
We have tried to incorporate simplicity and responsibility into every facet of our lives as we slowly work on our dream. We grow most of our own vegetables now in a 60 x 40 plot that yielded us over 3000 lbs of vegetables last year. Our chickens have grown up to supply our family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers with fresh eggs every day – not to mention they give us great compost for the garden. This past summer we canned over 200 jars of our own tomato juice, pizza and pasta sauce, salsa, peppers and more. For us, we hope it’s just the beginning.
Old World Garden Farms
Our goal is to re-use existing structures and products and utilize new only when necessary – and to do so in a way that adds lasting beauty to the property. Too often the image of reuse and recycle conjures up thoughts of cardboard shanties and soda pop structures in what can only be called a junk yard. That’s a stereotype we hope to break with Old World Garden Farm. Showing that you can recycle and reuse with an eye toward creating something lasting and beautiful.
Our chicken coop was built almost entirely of used shipping crates we obtained for free. Same goes for our composting bins. Our “new” barn, was built over the course of a summer by reclaiming 2 turn of the century barns (one of which was my dad’s), and turning them into our Old World Garden Barn. Both barns came only for the price of simply tearing them down.
Our farm is and will always be a work in progress – and always with an eye towards good stewardship of the land and its resources. We have planted a mini apple orchard and grape vineyard on the hillside – and installed a rain collection system from the barn roof for watering the garden and landscape throughout the growing season. The ultimate goal is to build a house on the property, and live the dream!
Thanks for stopping by, and here’s to a more simple life!
Mary, Jim and the Chickens
I done what you said about your strawberry/ rhubarb jam but its runny! I usually add certin to my jams and they come out great. but the flavor of your jam is like mine great! I made two strawberry /rhubarb pies and froze them for later use. So now have to wait for rhubarb to regrow again for sauce!
Thank you for your website which I love.
The only problem is that I live in Ireland and we don’t measure in cups. We measure in Grams, ,
or pounds and ounces.
Because your measurements don’t convert accurately I find that what I bake doesn’t turn out ok.
Is it possible that you might be able to give recipes in metric rather than cups and also litres instead of cups That would be a great help.
Thank you and keep up the good work.
Josephine
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Hi,
So glad to see what you have embarked on. Congrats ! My wife and me raised our children in NH homesteading and we moved back into the other culture for a while due to moves– now we have a small space and are back into
self sufficient habits again– on a much smaller scale. I hope for your continued success.
I also just found your website thanks to my sister in Ct.! I have been raising most of the vegetables and now eggs and chickens for several years.. I’ve always had a garden even while living in apartment houses/complexes! we have a little less than an acre of riverfront land… I will be watching and reading as you share your stories of life lessons from the “farm” Do you encourage visitors to your homestead? thanks Debie
Just ran across your Blog. My wife and I , and another couple, Sam and Janie just bought some land here in rural Alabama ,together, mainly to create a organic garden like you have done.. I definitely will be interested in a lot that you and your husband do.. For “starters” I would love your Starter recipe and on-going recipe for your bread and for return I will send you a great marinate for grill chicken.. It has a secret ingredient that most people never use and makes the chicken and even BBQ ribs taste wonderful with it..
Ill send it this weekend too ya
I love your site! I just found it. I currently have 7 Golden Comet hens who lay the best eggs! I’m a Master Gardener who loves to garden and put up my food. I do not think that I could kill an animal to eat. I can’t wait to start gleaning your articles.
Thanks for your very informative site. will be visiting quite often. 🙂
Maria gardenlady49@hotmail.com
Love the idea of rain water catchment. Please check the PH usually too acidic, if so add a tbl spoon of baking soda and retest. Enjoy your bit of paradise! A fellow organic gardener.
Looking forward to digging through the website. Just finished your articles on building the garden. Great plan!
Thanks Jack! We hope you enjoy !!!
I LOVE the new website! It’s everything you described. And I love the photo of you two. You’re so young, and gorgeous!! Keep up the great work. I can only imagine how many people you are inspiring by sharing your story.
Thank you so much for the compliments — especially the young part 🙂 I am glad you enjoy the new website and we hope that you continute to follow our journey! Mary and Jim
I am trying to make my way down this same path. Just found my spot last June and have been working on getting the homestead dry and tight. I have lots of ideas and am borrowing some of yours.
Thanks for all you do!
Kim
I found this site this spring and it is by far the most informative site for any type of gardener. Enjoy every week when you post new things. And the candied jalapenos are the best!!!! Thanks for all the information and please keep posting!!!
Hello Jim and Mary,
I just found your site and it is absolutely a delight to peruse. I had no idea there was so much talent and creativity so close by to me.
Tim (from just down the street)
How do I winter over a rosemary topiary? I was told to put it in a dark closet till March then bring it out and begin watering it. I live ohio
Have been following your blogs ever since finding them a week or so ago, and am thoroughly inspired and impressed from reading what you do.
An idea for you::: If you would put your writings in hardbound volumes they would sell off the shelves.. There are still many (read: millions of) old-school people out there that do not “do” computers and would love to read about your ideas, successes, failures (if you have any), goals, dreams, and everything else you do. I would buy them, too. 🙂
Keep up the good work. 🙂 Jim and Mary (-Jane)
Jim – Thank you so much for the kind words – that really means a lot! We are actually in the process of writing a book as we speak – and hopefully will complete it this year – and i hope you are right that it will sell! :):)
I totally guarantee you that they will sell. Proof::::: Just look how well received your articles already are. I wish I was your publisher. Just put one of those beautiful pictures on the cover of each one of your books. Go strictly hardbound and resist the urge to do anything in paperback. Your writings have real class and for that there is no substitute. Jim
Hi! I just started a new blog about our adventures in Western New York State. ziegenvinehomestead.blogspot.com/
My first post just went up tonight. We have a long way to go! We are in the planning stages and your blog has been a great source of conversations and guidance! Please keep doing what you are doing! 🙂
Thanks Allison and good luck on the new blog – we will have to check out your first post!
Hope you get a chance to check it out. We love what you are doing and how you are doing it!
I found your site just the other day, and I have to say that you encompass what my husband and I hope to achieve (with the purchase of some land hopefully in the future!) with our lifestyle. We’ve already started a raised bed garden complete with 6′ deer-proof fence and rain barrels to water the garden. Our kiddos are much younger than yours (2 and 4), and we want to raise them knowing the process and responsibility of gardening/creating your own food resources.
I am curious about your climate – I am in Northern Ontario (Canada) and our growing season is brief, so we face some challenges with longer-growing veggies. Can you comment on what methods you use to extend your growing season if that is necessary in your area? I’ve been through Ohio many times, but honestly I’m not sure if it’s anything like Northern Ontario 🙂
I look forward to reading through your blog and receiving email updates! Consider me a new fan 🙂
Just found your site an copyed your blueberry syrup recipe my grandchildren will love this. We are also live in Oh not far from you Knox County we also grow most of out good, an what I cant do my dear amish friends help us. We are not that old 60s but health has slowed us down. We try an stay withheirloom seeds an most of the time I start my own, that way I get what I like. Due to ms this year in my life we got our veggies at a green house an wasn’t pleased with the out come. I would some day like a blog my sons tell me to but I am not smart about the ciber world I am Old world . Thank you for your most wonderful site,
love your article on garlic Going to try it in the fall, I also live in Ohio I have a friend who does a lot with culinary herbs so I am going to forward your web site to her, I know she will just love it.
Thank you so much! Ohio has been a challenge this year with all of the rain – but so far so good with the garden! We are about 30 minutes east of Columbus – what area of Ohio are you from?
Hi,
Just for interest I would like to know If Akron, Is near Ohio. I used to work for General Tyre in Africa – Arusha which is in Tanzania. As now I am in Canada I would like to visit that place as matter of interest.
Thanks and awaiting for reply – my email almas.nathoo@yahoo.com
almas.
Your blog is my idea of paradise…thee ideal way of living. I truly am glad to have found it!
Just found your blog. I feel like we would have a lot to talk about as we are at a similar place. We have invested the last 25 years in our business and our kids and are now trying to simplify a bit. Our kids are teens (and early twenties), too, and very busy. We started gardening and canning and I started making a lot of my own personal care products. And NOW we are thinking about chickens and goats. Too bad you live a state away, I would love to sit down and talk over a cup of coffee 🙂 Can’t wait to try your blueberry syrup!
Thank you, I will deff. take you up on that offer. What is the best time during the year.
Thank you.
I am from Toronto Canada, reading you blog is very interesting. I love nature, hopefully live on one. I was wondering if you’ll take on volunteering holiday visitors to help on the farm. We would love to visit.
Enid,
Enid – We would always welcome visitors to the farm – especially volunteering ones :):) Let us know when you are thinking and we will see what we can do!
I was nominated for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award today! In appreciation, it now becomes my turn to make choices! I hope you don’t mind, but… I’ve enjoyed your blog so much that I’ve nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Thank you so much for ALL the great help and tips you’ve shared that will help my husband and I with our goals! ~ Teresa
http://threecedarsfarm.wordpress.com/2013/04/02/a-surprise-in-my-email/
Thank you so much Teresa, and congrats on your nomination as well!!! Jim and Mary
Thank you for taking the time to write about your experiences and share in such detail, all of your discoveries from Tomato stake/cages to growing from seeds. It’s a gift of your time to do that, and I’m really thankful! We are going to get our stake/cages ready for spring, and am looking forward to learning more as the season progresses! Sandy
Thank you so much Sandy – That was so nice of you to say!!! We really enjoy writing about the farm, and it makes it all the better when we get comments as nice as yours! Stay in touch and good luck with the garden this year! Jim and Mary
You guys are such an inspiration to those who dream of a simpler life. Beautiful!
Wow – thank you so much for the kind words Crystal!!!! We are glad you like the site!!! Jim
Love the barn. It is close to the one I have drawn in my head for our little piece of heaven. I might steal your idea of using the old metal roof as the lower siding. The patina on the old metal that I will be using is so beautiful and I was struggling with how to use it and enjoy it. I am impressed how much produce you are able to get from your garden in such a short amount of time since beginning this journey. Just want to clarify something. Are you actually living on the land currently or live off site and plan to build a cabin to live in one day.
Thanks so much for the compliments Kathleen. We were really happy with how the roofing material worked out -and hope yours does as well! We live off site – with the plan for a house and a cabin there at some point. We hope to have the cabin up soon – within the next year or two at the most.
Hi, just letting you know I’ve nominated you for the “Mrs Sparkly’s Ten Commandments” blogging award. Great blog – congrats and well deserved!
http://harvestbeyondmyfrontdoor.wordpress.com/2012/10/20/creative-beautiful-and-sparkly/
Love your story! My husband and I just bought 6.5 acres of wooded land this summer and plan to build our family a small house, garden and chicken coop
to become self sustainable. I cant wait til our “Manitou Acres” is a reality!
Thanks so much Christina for stopping by – and glad you like our little blog 🙂 It sounds like you have lots of excitement coming up – you will have to keep us updated on the progress!!! Good luck!!!! Jim and Mary
LOVE LOVE LOVE your site! It’s soooo inspiring and SO ME! WISH my hubby liked to do this sort of thing to, but he doesn’t. Just dearly LOVE your barn! Would dearly love to tear down old places like that and rebuild with the materials. I have ALWAYS dreamed of having an old Victorian home to fix up or would just love helping someone else do one. lol I do get to fix up old furniture and I enjoy that. I have a couple pieces I have redone and working on one of those now. Anyway just had to tell you how much I enjoy reading and seeing your pix. WOW
Thank you so much for the compliments Rose! We really enjoy tearing down and re-using items that might otherwise end up in the trash. It’s a lot of work but so rewarding.
Just found your blog through Frugally Sustainable. It sounds like you live a lot like my family does. I’ll enjoy reading more about you.
Welcome Heidi! So glad you enjoy reading it – I am going to check out your blog as well! We really enjoy the farm and hope someday to retire to it!
Jim and Mary
Nice blogs,
We just bought 4 acre’s with a standing decent shape mid size barn complete with a 3-4 stall milk palor. fenced in 2.5 acre pastor, House well and septic the property is in bad shape and needs tons of work it hasn’t been mowed in 2 years. Our goal is to simplify and become much more self sufficent. I have enjoyed your stories and you have sprouted some ideas for our farm.
That’s great – love the fact that you have so many diff’t breeds. We are going to add a few more to the flock next year – but probably keep it right around 12 to 15 birds total. We use large amounts of compost in our planting holes and use manure / manure tea as our fertilizer.
What kind of chickens do you have?
We have 3 Leghorns and 6 Golden Comets – they are all just over a year old – and we get about 8 eggs a day from them.
That so cool!
We have 13 chickens, at least 6 different kinds of breeds. They are going to turn 3 years old May 18th.
Do u use any chemicals on you plants?
We nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award!! We love your blog! http://collingwoodfarm.wordpress.com/awards/
-Rich and Linde
I feel like I’ve struck gold here, with your blog. I am looking forward to exploring your site and being inspired by your many wonderful projects! I dream of one day moving back to the country and of being as self-sufficient as I possibly can. It’s nice to have someone to look to who is already several steps ahead of me, and I’m hoping I can learn a lot from you!
Wow ! Thank you for that! We really do love working on the farm and creating what we call our “little slice of heaven”. Look forward to reading your new posts as well!
Jim and Mary
Well, this is great, your ideas are down to earth and doable, nothing like dreaming a dream that you CAN and WILL achieve.. I love your new old barn, we have an old old barn that is being remade using other old old barn timbers, but very slowly. I don’t mind slow.. c
Awesome Mary! Loved reading your story. It inspires me to spend a little more time in my own garden this year.