Wool Pellets

From Fleece to Garden: Introducing Sustainable Wool Pellets

As sheep farmers, we know the joy and hard work that goes into producing quality wool. But at the end of each year, we're often left with fleeces that don't quite meet the grade for one reason or another. Instead of seeing this wool go to waste, we've found a sustainable and beneficial solution:

Wool for your garden!

freshly shorn wool in our raised beds

For years, we've been passionate about finding ways to utilize all of our wool. We've always sold or processed the premium fleeces, but the remaining often presented a challenge. Our philosophy is and always has been to use everything we produce, no waste…otherwise we could not be a sustainable farm! We experimented with raw wool in our own garden – in raised beds, around trees, even as mulch (as you can see from our blueberry bush!). We knew the nutrients were there (studies have proven it!), but raw wool had its drawbacks. It could be messy, and while it suppressed some weeds, others thrived in it. We needed a better solution."

We even considered pelletizing the wool ourselves, but never quite figured out the how. So, kudos to those who cracked the code! We're now able to offer pelletized wool – the perfect solution for using our ‘less-than-perfect’ fleeces!"

PELLETIZED WOOL!

pelletized wool

These aren't just any garden amendment; they're a powerhouse of natural goodness for your plants.

Why Choose Wool Pellets?

• Sustainable Solution: We're repurposing a byproduct of sheep farming, reducing waste and creating a closed-loop system. This is good for the environment and your garden.

• Natural & Organic: Our wool pellets are a natural and organic alternative to synthetic fertilizers, so you can feel good about what you're putting into your soil.

• Slow-Release Powerhouse: Unlike chemical fertilizers that can leach away quickly, wool pellets provide a steady supply of nutrients and moisture, feeding your plants consistently over time.

• Water-Wise Gardening: Wool's incredible water-retention ability (up to 30% of its weight!) means less watering for you, and healthier, more drought-resistant plants.

• Easy to Use: Simply incorporate the pellets into your soil or potting mix – it couldn't be easier!

Our wool pellets are packed with essential nutrients:

• Nitrogen: Promotes healthy leaf growth and vibrant green foliage.

• Potassium: Strengthens stems, improves fruit and flower development, and enhances disease resistance.

• Phosphorus: Essential for root growth, blooming, and overall plant vigor.

How to Use Wool Pellets:

Wool pellets can be used in a variety of gardening applications:

• Vegetable Gardens: Give your tomatoes, peppers, and other vegetables a boost of nutrients.

• Flower Beds: Promote vibrant blooms and healthy growth in your flower gardens.

• Potted Plants: Improve drainage and water retention in container gardens.

• Seed Starting: Provide essential nutrients for seedlings and promote strong root development.

We're excited to offer this sustainable and effective gardening solution to our community. By choosing our wool pellets, you're not only giving your plants the nutrients they need, but you're also supporting sustainable farming practices and reducing waste.

Ready to give your garden the natural boost it deserves?

Try our wool pellets today and experience the difference! Visit our website [link] or contact us to learn more.

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Fresh from the dirt: Horseradish Sauce

The holidays. A time for family, traditions, and of course, delicious food. For our family, that often means a beautiful standing rib roast. While I usually love hosting, I have to admit, sometimes the pressure of pulling it all together can stifle my culinary creativity. This year, however, was different. My sister graciously took on the hosting duties, freeing up my mind to wander and dream up ways to elevate the feast.

And then it hit me: the horseradish growing in my garden!

This wasn't just any horseradish. This horseradish has history. Planted by John’s father in the mountains of Western North Carolina, it was later transplanted to our farm in Alamance County, where it has thrived. A living connection to family and tradition, right there in my backyard.

My first few attempts at harvesting and making fresh horseradish sauce were, admittedly, a bit disappointing. But I'm a firm believer in learning from my mistakes. So, I did some research and discovered the secret to unlocking the true potential of this fiery root.

It turns out, I was harvesting the wrong size of root. My husband, John, recalled his mother's advice: always use roots smaller than your pinky. Wise words, indeed, and likely perfect for enjoying the horseradish raw, as John remembers sharing that nostril-opening burn with his mom while digging the roots. However, for making the sauce, it seems a different approach is needed.

Enter Alan Bergo, the Forager Chef. His description of the experience – "do you like hot fire, weeping and agony?" – resonated with me instantly. And the best part? You can control the level of "fire" to your liking!

The general consensus is that horseradish roots should be dug in the colder months, ideally after the first frost. There's some debate about whether to dig in months containing the letter "R" or months ending in "R." In our southeastern region, that likely means October, November, December, and even January and February.

The key to my newfound horseradish success was the size of the root. Instead of the small, pinky-sized roots I'd been using, I harvested a 2-3 inch root. That made all the difference!

Here's how I transformed that humble root into a vibrant, flavorful sauce:

Fresh Horseradish Sauce

Ingredients:

• About 1 cup fresh horseradish root, cut into cubes

• About ½ cup water

• ¼ cup white vinegar (adjust to taste)

• ½ tsp salt (or to taste)

• ½ tsp sugar (or to taste)

Instructions:

1. Wash the horseradish root thoroughly and peel it.

2. Grate or finely chop the root. I used my powerful Ninja blender, which worked perfectly.

3. Add the horseradish to the blender. Grind it until finely chopped.

4. Slowly add the water and white vinegar, blending until you reach your desired consistency.

5. Add salt and sugar to taste.

6. Caution: Be extremely careful when removing the blender lid. The fumes can be intense! It's best to open it briefly and step back to avoid a face full of horseradish vapor.

The result? A horseradish sauce that was both fiery and flavorful, the perfect complement to our standing rib roast. It added a welcome kick to the meal, a testament to the power of fresh, homegrown ingredients.

This year's holiday feast was made even more special by the addition of this homegrown horseradish. It was a reminder that sometimes, the most extraordinary flavors are found right in our own backyards. And it was a delicious tribute to family traditions, both old and new.The holidays usually include a beautiful standing rib roast for dinner and this year did not disappoint. I often host the meal and must sadly admit taking on the hosting task might leave me a bit less time for creativity . This year one of my sisters hosted so my brain was a bit more rested and full of ideas for helping to make the feast superb.

Then I had that head smacking moment … the horseradish growing in my garden!

Horseradish with history! Planted by John’s father in western NC. We transplanted it to our farm in Alamance County NC. It thrives!