Into the Hedge

Into the Hedge is a Substack focused on the nuanced experiences of farm life, from the ecological impact of land management to the deep, personal connections with food, animals, and community. It explores themes of growth, death, sustainability, and the symbiotic relationship between humans and nature.

Sustainable Farming Food and Cooking Animal Husbandry Community Building Wildlife and Ecosystems Handicrafts Natural Dyeing Agroforestry Personal Reflections Pest Management

The hottest Substack posts of Into the Hedge

And their main takeaways

Early-Spring Outsiders

119 implied HN points • 19 Apr 24
🍲 Food & Drink Gardening Homesteading Cooking Animals
  1. The farm received help from friends and family to prepare for an expanding bird operation, showing the importance of community support in running Hedgerider.
  2. Moon the goose is thriving despite being alone, showing resilience in animals and the efforts taken to keep her company.
  3. Garlic Mustard, an early-Spring plant considered invasive, can be a tasty and nutritious food source when harvested correctly, showcasing the potential of wild edibles.

Piss Man

119 implied HN points • 09 Apr 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Poetry Nature Photography
  1. The author discovered a connection between relieving themselves outside and growing a robust tuft of greenery.
  2. The post also discusses farm updates like the hatching of geese, chickens transitioning to pasture, and the story of a chicken named Holy Shit that came back from the dead.
  3. There's a poetic element in the post about Piss Man, with a unique story and poem shared by the author.

Race Against the Fox

99 implied HN points • 29 Mar 24
  1. Meeting neighbors during a wild goose chase can lead to unexpected connections and help
  2. Checking in with neighbors for assistance during challenges can be beneficial
  3. Using decoys and other methods can help lure back missing animals like geese

Green Guts

119 implied HN points • 20 Mar 24
  1. Mowing the fields can result in unintentional harm to insects and wildlife, even with efforts to minimize damage for the health of the environment.
  2. The act of mowing serves a practical purpose in maintaining pasture health, even though it involves the unintended consequence of insect casualties.
  3. Despite the ecological impact, the beauty of a freshly mowed field is often appreciated and can draw positive feedback from visitors.

Valentine’s Day Surprise

119 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🍲 Food & Drink Farming Animals Livestock
  1. On Valentine's Day, a surprise egg from a goose marked the beginning of flock growth.
  2. The first egg symbolizes the start of a new generation, with plans to incubate for the future.
  3. Expansion of the poultry operation is not just about eggs; it involves trading harvests for more geese.
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Kill or No

99 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Farming Wildlife
  1. Hunting is not just about killing, it involves a whole process with time spent in the woods.
  2. The act of killing a deer marked a shift to being a hunter, impacting the author's perspective.
  3. Despite not succeeding in hunting deer for a season, the focus has shifted to self-awareness and being present in the woods.

Headcheese

99 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking
  1. The process of butchering an animal for food can be emotionally intense and a reminder of the true cost of our food
  2. Making dishes like headcheese from uncommon parts of an animal can lead to a deeper connection with the food we eat
  3. Engaging in preparing and cooking food from scratch can offer valuable insights into the origins and value of our meals

Farm Dump

79 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
  1. One piece of advice when buying a farm is to find the dump, as it can be surprisingly common on properties.
  2. Don't let unproductive or useless items hinder productivity - prioritize what matters.
  3. Take responsibility for managing waste on your property to prevent clutter and maintain a productive environment.

Last of Last Year's Geese

59 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Farming Ceramics Craftsmanship Nature Animals
  1. The farm collaborated with a ceramics studio to create unique split-leg pottery aprons, showcasing handcrafted workwear and textiles.
  2. The geese were taken for slaughter as part of the farm's routine, highlighting the emotional complexity and respect for the animals under the farmer's care.
  3. The geese play a role in maintaining the farm by helping with grass cleanup before the arrival of new growth in spring.

Our Cat Grape

79 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Animals Nature Farming
  1. Grape, the cat, efficiently hunts rodents on the farm, helping control their population and protect other animals.
  2. Grape occasionally presents ceremonial kills to show gratitude or concern, showcasing her unique relationship with the farm.
  3. The presence of Grape and her hunting skills may either reduce the rodent population so effectively that they are hidden, or reveal an issue that would have been unnoticed.

The Cotton Patch Goose

79 implied HN points • 18 Dec 23
🍲 Food & Drink Animals Heritage
  1. Goose breeds are categorized by size from light to heavy, with each breed having different characteristics like temperament and foraging ability.
  2. The Cotton Patch Goose is known for its instinct to forage, keeping fields free of weeds, and is chosen for local heritage, heat tolerance, and sexual dimorphism.
  3. Contradicting the typical behavior of other geese, Cotton Patch Geese use less water, are indifferent to shelter and feed, and often stand apart from the flock.

Welcome!

79 implied HN points • 14 Dec 23
🍲 Food & Drink Farming Community Nature
  1. The newsletter is about The Hedgerider Farm and offers weekly reports on its activities.
  2. The goal of the farm is to turn marginal land into a space that benefits the family and community.
  3. The newsletter discusses the realities of farm life, including the handling of death with respect and the reflections on the choices made for the farm.

The Icy Hand of Death

59 implied HN points • 26 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Reflection Nature
  1. The difference between dormant and dead is a matter of degrees.
  2. Death's icy hand struggles to reach deep enough to pull lingering life out of the fig's roots.
  3. Moving the fig to a new location with less death's grip can be a compassionate act with underlying motivations.

Potter’s Aprons

59 implied HN points • 29 Nov 23
🎨 Art & Illustration
  1. Pottery aprons made by Cone Zero Ceramics are hand-sewn with vintage fabric. They are designed to cover legs when squatting at the wheel.
  2. Apron design by Maren includes sturdy panels and side pockets to prevent items from falling out. More aprons will be available for sale in the Cone Zero shop.
  3. Various images of the pottery aprons give a visual insight into the designs and patterns created by Maren.

Agile for Anarchists

1 HN point • 01 May 24
💼 Business Management Strategy Productivity
  1. The PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act) system, rooted in an anarchic ethos, is successfully used on a farm to manage work without needing authoritarian supervision.
  2. Despite challenges, PDCA can be effective in corporate environments, but it may require adaptation and a supportive workplace to thrive.
  3. Regular meetings following the steps of PDCA help the farm team review and plan their work, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and adaptability.

Crossing Vultures

59 implied HN points • 19 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Nature Animals
  1. The author attracted vultures by burying a pig's skull for a woodland harvest spell, which led to an unexpected situation.
  2. Vultures were drawn to the skull and caused a disturbing atmosphere on the farm by harassing geese.
  3. By taking action to secure the skull and prevent further disturbance, the author managed to resolve the vulture issue.

Exceptional Tree

39 implied HN points • 16 Nov 23
📚 Literature Poetry Nature
  1. The story of the Exceptional Tree illustrates the transformation from loss and decay to new life and growth.
  2. Despite experiencing winter and appearing lifeless, the tree eventually reveals new growth, showcasing forces of decay and growth shaping its exceptional form.
  3. The constant cycle of seasons highlights the ever-evolving nature of the tree and how change doesn't erase the essence of what once was.

Look-alike

59 implied HN points • 02 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Family
  1. Having a look-alike can have unexpected benefits like fooling geese.
  2. People and animals often rely on visual similarity to make quick judgments and decisions.
  3. Similarity in appearance can sometimes compensate for lack of certain traits or skills.

Brown Bath

39 implied HN points • 07 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Color Crafting
  1. Natural dyeing from plants often results in brown hues despite the colorful nature of the raw materials - this is due to scientific reasons that are hard to pinpoint.
  2. Although there are more efficient and precise synthetic dyes available, working with natural dyes can be more enjoyable and reflective of the environment.
  3. Despite the challenges and abundance of other dye options, exploring the variety of browns from natural sources can be an exciting and rewarding process.

Ticks Go Up

39 implied HN points • 07 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nature Prevention Observation Treatment
  1. Ticks are attracted to humans when in the woods, but there are ways to protect yourself like tucking pants into socks and wearing light-colored clothes to spot them easily.
  2. Ticks are slow-moving creatures, mostly found below the waist and tend to climb higher on the body once making contact.
  3. Active observation is key when dealing with ticks; understanding their behavior and knowing where to look can help in spotting and removing them from the body.

Why Willow?

39 implied HN points • 18 Mar 23
  1. Willow is a miraculous plant that grows quickly and absorbs more carbon than it produces, making it an eco-friendly option for various applications.
  2. At Hedgerider farm, they are cultivating 37 types of Willow for landscaping, living structures, furniture, and more, with plans for a broader Agroforestry scheme.
  3. By working with the land to grow crops like Willow in harmony with the existing forest, it is possible to protect natural landscapes from further degradation caused by irresponsible practices.