How to create your own Shabby Farm, just like Rachel did at her home.

Step 1. – What to plant

Choose what to grow based on your season and climate. There’s plenty of information online or at your local nursery. Rachel chose lots of greens like kale and lettuce for daily smoothies and salads.

Step 2. – Healthy Soil

Whether growing directly in the ground (as Rachel did) or in pots, be sure to add organic compost and vegetable fertilizer to your soil prior to planting.  This helps add vitamins to your soil. Healthy soil means healthier vegetables and less bugs – you will be happy you took this step!

Step 3. - Watering
Don’t forget to water! A fancy irrigation system is not needed; just an old fashioned hose will do, so long as you remember to soak the soil a little bit every day. This can be a relaxing way to start your morning in solitude, or a fun way to spend some time as a family at the end of the day.

Step 4. – Harvest time

When it’s time to harvest salad greens or kale, pick a couple leaves off of each plant (instead of pulling out the entire plant). That way your farm will continue to grow for many months without needing to re-plant. This is true for things like tomatoes and cucumbers as well. Crops like radish will need to be re-planted, but they take only 30-35 days from seed to harvest so have fun and eat away!

Step 5. – Sharing is caring

Share the harvest!  Rachel loves to share her bounty with family, friends and neighbors. Be sure to use the hashtag #shabbyfarm on your pictures or tag Rachel at @rachelashwell so we can see how your farm is growing and what recipes you are creating with all your healthy produce.

Jill Volat is Rachel’s personal farm designer. She’s a garden educator, designer and consultant.  She’s also the founder of the nonprofit The Edible Apartment and the creator of the garden-inspired skincare line Earthling Beauty.

Visit www.TheFarmista.com for more information.