Embracing the Chaos: The Untamed Side of Spring at Salty Sprig
Spring has sprung at Salty Sprig, and with it, the hurried dance of planting, tending, and battling the ever-growing weeds. As I make my way through fields full of lavender plants needing weeded and flower and herb seedlings, I’m reminded daily that farming is as messy as it is rewarding.
The Reality Behind the Blooms
In a world where social media often shows only the most picture perfect scenes, it’s easy to feel disheartened by the reality of muddy boots, tangled gardens, and long, exhausting days. This spring, the weeds seem to have conspired to overtake my plants, challenging my resolve and my back. There are never enough hours in the day, and sometimes, despite my best efforts, I end the day feeling like I’ve barely made a dent.
The Beauty of Imperfection
But here’s the thing- farming, much like any passion or hobby, isn’t meant to be a picture of perfection. Each messy corner of my farm tells a story of resilience and growth, not just for the plants but for myself, as well. It’s in these moments of chaos and failure that we often learn the most.
Accepting our flaws and failures is crucial, not just in gardening but in life. The pressure to maintain a “Pinterest perfect” appearance can be overwhelming and it’s liberating to acknowledge that sometimes, things just don’t go as planned- and that’s perfectly okay.
Why It’s All Worth It
As tough as these days are, I remind myself of the future. Soon, the farm will be a full of colors and scents. Lavender, herbs, and flowers will bloom not in spite of the chaos, but because of it. The very soil that’s cluttered with weeds now will hold the roots of what’s to come. And when everything is in bloom, the struggles of these long spring days will fade, overshadowed by the beauty and abundance of life here at Salty Sprig.
A Message to Fellow Gardeners (and Dreamers)
If you find yourself overwhelmed by the messy reality of your garden, your hobby, or even your life- take heart. You are not alone. Embrace the mess. It’s part of the journey, part of the growth. And yes, it’s absolutely worth it. Here’s to the muddy, chaotic, utterly beautiful path we’re on. Let’s walk it together, with our heads held high and our boots firmly planted in the soil.
Salty Sprig Beginnings: Farming, Flavors and Fresh Starts
Welcome to Salty Sprig: My Journey to Farming
Hey there! I’m Megan and I’m excited to welcome you to Salty Sprig, my very own lavender and herb farm nested in the hills of Rainier, Oregon. Through this blog, I want to share with you not just the beauty of my farm but also the real, raw moments that make this journey unique. Not everything is perfect and I plan on dishing all the dirty details.
Why I started Salty Sprig
The dream of Salty Sprig began with a trip I took with my sister to Pelindaba Lavender Farm in Friday Harbor Washington in 2019. I remember telling my sister when we were there that I was going to have a lavender farm someday. When my kids graduated and I had time to reflect on what I wanted my life to look like, a dear friend reminded me about the profound experience the lavender farm had on me. In 2023 I took a leap from my 9 to 5 to full time farming with the amazing support of my husband Robert. My mom Peggy, who is a gardening guru and a mentor to me, gave me the idea to grow cut flowers which I was able to sell to a local florist last year. My mom has been by my side every step of the way and is very much a part of Salty Sprig. It hasn’t been easy but every day is a learning experience and I can honestly say that I get to wake up every day and love what I do.
Our Farm’s Philosophy
At Salty Sprig, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a journey of continuous learning and adaptation. While I strive to use organic methods, every day presents a new lesson in what it truly means to farm sustainably. For instance, managing weeds is a constant challenge here. Rather than relying heavily on manual weeding, I am exploring more integrated approaches to reduce this labor-intensive task. My goal is not only to create a thriving, productive farm but also one that harmonizes with it’s natural ecosystem, learning to work smarter with nature rather than against it.
A Day on the Farm
A typical day for me starts before the sun comes up usually working on my website (I’m not techy so it’s a task). I also do accounting for my husbands business which I try to tackle in the morning. Once the sun comes up, I let the chickens out and walk the farm to check on the plants. It is at this point that I usually change the plans I had made the day before based on what I see and what immediate need pops up. Unexpected challenges like a wind storm or a pest outbreak (moles are my enemy right now) keep me on my toes. The small successes like watching my seeds sprout or harvesting fresh herbs are incredibly rewarding and remind my why I decided to take this journey.
What’s Cooking at Salty Sprig?
Salty Sprig isn’t just about farming. I’m excited to bring you along on my culinary experiments- from farm to table. Expect to see blog posts and videos featuring seasonal recipes, cooking tips, and how I use our farm fresh herbs and produce to create a variety of dishes.
Join Our Journey
I hope this blog becomes a place where you can find inspiration, learn a bit about farming, and enjoy our farm to table adventures. I’m so excited to hear from you, whether it’s questions about gardening, requests for recipes, or just a simple hello.
Thank you for joining me at the start of this beautiful, imperfect journey at Salty Sprig.
Here’s to growing together!