In the Garden
The BearFamily Garden is a mix of pollinator friendly flowers, fruits & vegetables. In 2021 we added a row of raised beds, but for the most part we grow in deep black soil we inherited from the previous owners. In 2021 we designated one of our two plots to a cut flower garden for farmer’s market bouquets. In 2022 we added a third plot dedicated to growing zinnias and sunflowers. Get a behind the scenes view of the cutting garden on our Instagram page: @BearCountryBlooms. We use the produce we grow to make salsa, jelly, apple butter, breads and offer fresh produce at the Bongard’s Market, the Carver Market and at our farm stand at the end of our driveway. We use organic practices and organic seedlings but are not certified organic.
In 2014 I started documenting what was blooming at our new house. I wanted to build a library of images & names to go with them so I could learn #whatsdointhebloomin . It has grown into a way for me to track the differences from one growing season to another and as I had hoped, I can look up the name of a plant I’ve forgotten. Over the years I have expanded, tamed, & added to the original flower beds. At last count over 200 plants flower throughout our yard. It took a leap of faith to leave the incredible backyard we had at the campground, but God has blessed us beyond our wildest dreams with our new backyard filled with flowers, fruit trees, & rich soil.
Desktop View: Click on an image to bring up a larger view. The name of the plant appears when you hover the mouse over the image. Mobile view: Tap a photo to bring up a larger view. If you want to read the captions as you scroll through tap the little dot in the lower right hand corner of your phone screen.
Growing our own food
I do not claim to be an expert gardener, but I do strive to be a lifelong learner. I’m always trying new techniques and methods of maximizing yields and minimizing work. We’ve been growing food in this soil for six years now and as the photos show, things are constantly evolving. As time allows I will update this page with some of the tips and tricks we use in the BearFamily Garden. Until then enjoy watching the plants grow before your eyes. If only it were that easy in real life!
The Garden Blog
WHAT’S GROWING IN THE BEAR FAMILY GARDEN IN 2023?
Green bell peppers
Gourmet peppers
Anaheim peppers
Jimmy Nardelo Peppers
Cucumbers
Amish Paste Tomatoes
Celebrity tomatoes
Sungold cherry tomato
Jaune Flamme tomatoes
Yellow onions
Winter luxury pumpkins
Strawberries
Raspberries
Bush beans
Scarlet Runner Beans
Zucchini
Yellow summer squash
Japanese eggplant
Gooseberries
Honeyberries
Apples
Rhubarb