29/08/2024
Storage questions answered!
Guidelines and specific recommendations on best storage practices, including temperature, humidity, and optimal shelf life for 16 classic storage crops.
Harper's Farm House
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- Harper's Farm House
Our sweet little 1924 farm house sits on two acres close to the city. We grow vegetables, starts and a variety of plants & flowers at various times of the year!
You can find vacation rental information on Airbnb with "Suburban Farm House near Seattle". Airbnb Listing: 1924 fully furnished farm house with everything updated. Located 20 minutes to Seattle and Tacoma. Easy access to SeaTac Airport, grocery stores, bus lines and citified amenities. The farm house has a queen bed on the main floor and two twin beds upstairs in separate rooms. You can relax on
the deck and watch the chickens peck about. Des Moines Marina, Saltwater State Park and the Des Moines Creek Trail are nearby. On weekends, we occasionally have plant and vegetable sales on the farm, so keep an eye out for our local signs when we are open and offering locally grown veggies!
30/07/2024
What to do with horseradish leaves!
Horseradish, often celebrated for its pungent root, hides a lesser-known secret in its foliage. The leaves of the horseradish plant carry an array of health benefits and culinary potentials that can transform wellness routines and recipes alike. Below, we dive into the myriad of advantages these lea...
03/07/2024
On my to-do list around the nursery is to create habitat specifically for Thamnophus (garter snakes). In addition to being objectively awesome, they are happy to wolf down slugs in your garden. Here is what I think is Thamnophus sirtalis fitchi (what some call valley garter snake) working on a surprisingly large slug along Perry Creek in Snohomish County.
To attract garter snakes, they ideally want a nice rock pile in a sunny spot, a water-source, and zero interactions with lawnmowers.
03/07/2024
Snakes do a garden good!
On my to-do list around the nursery is to create habitat specifically for Thamnophus (garter snakes). In addition to being objectively awesome, they are happy to wolf down slugs in your garden. Here is what I think is Thamnophus sirtalis fitchi (what some call valley garter snake) working on a surprisingly large slug along Perry Creek in Snohomish County.
To attract garter snakes, they ideally want a nice rock pile in a sunny spot, a water-source, and zero interactions with lawnmowers.
07/05/2024
Pine needle mulch. Genius!!
Pine Needles don’t make the soil acidic! And they’re a fantastic garden mulch!
This photo shows ponderosa pine needles being used as a mulch around garlic plants. The pine needles were applied right after planting the seed garlic last fall and have been on the soil since.
The gardening myth that pine or fir needles can’t be used as a mulch because they will acidify the soil is commonly repeated. It results in people throwing tons of dropped needles into the city compost bins and then going and paying lots of money for premium mulches like chopped straw.
We don’t blame anyone for believing this, since it sounds intuitive and is often mentioned even by very experienced gardeners.
But studies have proven that Pine Needles do not ever have a powerful effect on soil PH, even when fresh and green.
The fact that soil beneath Pine or Fir Trees is acidic is not because the trees themselves make it acidic, but because these species evolved to grow and thrive in naturally acidic soil.
If there are no small plants growing beneath a pine tree, it is most likely due to the shallow and dominant root system of the tree, along with its shading, which does not allow other plants to easily establish below it.
Fresh GREEN ponderosa pine/Douglasfir needles are acidic, but as they age & microbes decompose them, they quickly turn brown. Once brown they’re PH neutral. At this point, they’re a perfect mulch.
They a dense, long lasting mulch. They don’t compact. Allowing air & water to pass through, while still aiding in shading the soil and keeping seeds from germinating if applied thickly. Once fully decomposed after 1-2yrs they release lots of valuable nutrients.
A thin layer can be used like straw so that larger seeds/bulbs can easily sprout through.
Pine needles also do not blow around or wash away easily. So they make an ideal mulch in spots where other materials might not stay put.
We always recommend utilizing the materials available for free. Why go and pay a premium for bagged mulch if you don’t have to?
You might have a neighbor with a ponderosa pine that throws out bins & bins of needles each year. Ask if you can have them!
Sources:
https://today.oregonstate.edu/news/myth-vs-reality-what%E2%80%99s-truth-behind-some-common-gardening-practices
https://extension.unh.edu/blog/2019/10/do-pine-trees-pine-needles-make-soil-more-acidic
15/04/2024
https://northwestmeadowscapes.com/
native grass and wildflower seed for pollinator conservation, rain gardens, meadows, and wildlife habitat in Oregon and Washington.
13/04/2024
Purple Dead Nettle information.
In the world of herbs, few possess the versatility and hidden benefits of purple dead nettle. Often overlooked, this unassuming herb carries a rich history and a modern relevance that extends from nutrition to medicine. Join us as we uncover the nutritional richness, medicinal potential, and culinar...
13/04/2024
Great farming tips!
08/03/2024
A few horse activities to do when riding isn't in your cards...
3 experts share their favorite activities to do with your horse when the weather is too poor to ride.
25/02/2024
Horses on spring grass can be a dangerous situation. Graze in the morning hours for short time frames and gradually build up over the days and weeks until their system has adjusted to the nutrient loads.
Spring is the time when horses are most likely to founder. Founder, also known as laminitis, is a very painful and debilitating hoof condition in horses. It can have a handful of different causes, but the most common is pasture-caused founder which occurs when a horse consumes too much rich grass in a short amount of time
A sudden change of diet from all-hay to all-new-grass can trigger laminitis. It is safer to make sure horses are still eating some hay every day in the spring. It may be tempting to economize on hay and just turn them out when the fields green up, but it’s not worth the risk. The new spring grass is lower in minerals and higher in sugar.
Did you know that the sugar levels in the grass are lower in the morning than in the afternoon? So graze ‘em early in the day.
Here’s a great article that will help you learn more about founder and how you can protect your horse and treat it: nwnhc.com/spring-founder-prevention
21/01/2024
17/01/2024
Plant hardiness zone changed on you? Here is some information on what that may mean for your gardening plans...
The official map that helps gardeners and farmers decide what to plant has undergone a dramatic shift, thanks in large part to climate change. The 2023 update, released in mid-November, shows that about half of the country has moved into a warmer hardiness zone. Overall, the map is about 2.5 degrees...
31/12/2023
New Year's resolutions can also include being a better steward for the land, water, air and all living beings dependent on it's health for quality of life.
16/12/2023
Never use glue traps or poisons to control rodents. It's a slow and painful death for the victims.
15/12/2023
As winter puts everything to sleep and dormancy, help Mother Nature take care of her little helpers and leave things to natural processes. She knows how to take care of it better than we do, so watch and learn what she has to teach us.
30/11/2023
Add some stumpery to your landscape and see who comes to visit!
16/10/2023
Great resource for planning crop rotations!
Planting the same crops on the same fields, year after year, strips the soil of nutrients and allows pests and w**ds to flourish. In regenerative agriculture, farmers rotate different types of crops over time. This helps limit pest infestations and nourishes beneficial microbes in the soil with a more diverse diet. Rotating between nitrogen-fixing crops like soybeans and nitrogen-hungry crops like corn can reduce the need for fertilizers.
Photo credit.
12/10/2023
There's still time to spend in the garden! Here are some to-do items to start buttoning it up for the winter! And remember to leave the leaves! That's habitat, mulch and fertilizer... all great things.
Check out these 6 must do fall garden chores that can help pave the way for an incredibly productive and w**d free garden next year!
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Sancho's Stall
Sancho Pony is feeling a little down lately since he's on stall rest for awhile. Fortunately we have some amazing artists who came by to give his stall some colorful inspiration to get well soon!
If only people could take care of each other as well...
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Our Story
This sweet little 1927 farm house is perfect for a small family or as a romantic getaway for two. It's clean, cozy & updated throughout while still maintaining vintage charm. Enjoy the farm life while still living near the city. The best of two worlds!
The space
This 1927 fully furnished farm house with everything updated. Located 20 minutes to Seattle and Tacoma. Easy access to SeaTac Airport (~ 6 miles away), grocery stores and citified amenities. The farm house has a queen bed on the main floor and two twin beds upstairs in separate rooms. You can relax on the deck and watch the chickens peck about. Drink your coffee and enjoy the relaxation of a comfy farm house while you prepare a meal in the kitchen.
Des Moines Marina and The Beach Park are nearby if you want to visit Puget Sound and look out to the Olympic Mountains. This is a perfect little getaway for families. Enjoy the freedom and privacy of your own little farm house.
Free use of the washer and dryer in the basement. Cable TV. WiFi. Plenty of parking. It's as cozy as can be...
For guests with kids, we have a high-chair & a pack-n-play for use during your stay. There are toys, puzzles, Disney movies, sidewalk chalk and a playground across the street. The field by the guest garden is safe to run and kick a ball in.
There is a seasonal guest garden, so help yourself to whatever you can harvest during your visit. It’s all there for you to enjoy as the veggies and fruit become ready to eat. We have fruit trees including a variety of apples, plums, cherries and grape vines. Everything is as organic as the air and water provided by Mother Nature herself. Guest access
Guests have free & ample parking in the driveway. Please do not block the drive leading through to the pasture gate. You can park in front of the white garage door... it's no problem to block it.
If you need additional storage (for longer term stays), just ask. We can make some room for bikes, kayaks, gear, etc. in the basement.
Free use of: -Washer & dryer in the basement. -Gas BBQ & patio furniture on the deck.
Please DO NOT wander around the farm without Earl or I in attendance with you. It is important that gates get closed so animals do not get out and for your own safety. I am extra cautious when it comes to people being around the animals, so for insurance purposes, you will need to sign a waiver if you want to be around the horses and wander around the farm. No exceptions. By booking the farm house, you agree to these terms and the Limitations of Liability for equine activities.
ANNOTATED REVISED CODE OF WASHINGTON TITLE 4. CIVIL PROCEDURE CHAPTER 4.24. SPECIAL RIGHTS OF ACTION AND SPECIAL IMMUNITIES
Rev. Code Wash. (ARCW) § 4.24.530 (1994)
§ 4.24.530. Limitations on liability for equine activities - - Definitions
Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the definitions in this section apply to RCW 4.24.500, 4.24.510, and section 3, chapter 292, Laws of 1989.
(1) "Equine" means a horse, pony, mule, donkey, or hinny.
(2) "Equine activity" means: (a) Equine shows, fairs, competitions, performances, or parades that involve any or all breeds of equines and any of the equine disciplines, including, but not limited to, dressage, hunter and jumper horse shows, grand prix jumping, three-day events, combined training, rodeos, driving, pulling, cutting, polo, steeplechasing, endurance trail riding and western games, and hunting; (b) equine training and/or teaching activities; (c) boarding equines; (d) riding, inspecting, or evaluating an equine belonging to another whether or not the owner has received some monetary consideration or other thing of value for the use of the equine or is permitting a prospective purchaser of the equine to ride, inspect, or evaluate the equine; and (e) rides, trips, hunts, or other equine activities of any type however informal or impromptu that are sponsored by an equine activity sponsor.
(3) "Equine activity sponsor" means an individual, group or club, partnership, or corporation, whether or not the sponsor is operating for profit or nonprofit, which sponsors, organizes, or provides the facilities for, an equine activity including but not limited to: Pony clubs, 4- H clubs, hunt clubs, riding clubs, school and college sponsored classes and programs, therapeutic riding programs, and, operators, instructors, and promoters of equine facilities, including but not limited to stables, clubhouses, ponyride strings, fairs, and arenas at which the activity is held.
(4) "Participant" means any person, whether amateur or professional, who directly engages in an equine activity, whether or not a fee is paid to participate in the equine activity.
(5) "Engages in an equine activity" means a person who rides, trains, drives, or is a passenger upon an equine, whether mounted or unmounted, and does not mean a spectator at an equine activity or a person who participates in the equine activity but does not ride, train, drive, or ride as a passenger upon an equine.
(6) "Equine professional" means a person engaged for compensation (a) in instructing a participant or renting to a participant an equine for the purpose of riding, driving, or being a passenger upon the equine, or, (b) in renting equipment or tack to a participant.
§ 4.24.540. Limitations on liability for equine activities - - Exceptions
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, an equine activity sponsor or an equine professional shall not be liable for an injury to or the death of a participant engaged in an equine activity, and, except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, no participant nor participant's representative may maintain an action against or recover from an equine activity sponsor or an equine professional for an injury to or the death of a participant engaged in an equine activity.
(2) (a) RCW 4.24.530 and 4.24.540 do not apply to the horse racing industry as regulated in chapter 67.16 RCW.
(b) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section shall prevent or limit the liability of an equine activity sponsor or an equine professional:
(i) If the equine activity sponsor or the equine professional:
(A) Provided the equipment or tack and the equipment or tack caused the injury; or
(B) Provided the equine and failed to make reasonable and prudent efforts to determine the ability of the participant to engage safely in the equine activity, determine the ability of the equine to behave safely with the participant, and determine the ability of the participant to safely manage the particular equine;
(ii) If the equine activity sponsor or the equine professional owns, leases, rents, or otherwise is in lawful possession and control of the land or facilities upon which the participant sustained injuries because of a dangerous latent condition which was known or should have been known to the equine activity sponsor or the equine professional and for which warning signs have not been conspicuously posted;
(iii) If the equine activity sponsor or the equine professional commits an act or omission that constitutes willful or wanton disregard for the safety of the participant and that act or omission caused the injury;
(iv) If the equine activity sponsor or the equine professional intentionally injures the participant;
(v) Under liability provisions as set forth in the products liability laws; or
(vi) Under liability provisions in chapter 16.04, 16.13, or 16.16 RCW.
HISTORY: 1989 c 292 § 2.
Interaction with guests
We live in the home directly south of the farm house with the three dogs keeping an eye on things. I am out feeding the animals every morning and evening. I'm usually around all weekend doing chores. If you see me and have questions, flag me down. I would be happy to help with whatever you need. Come evening time, Earl & I are usually ready for a cold one, so holler if you want to sit back and enjoy one with us.
I tend to lean toward giving our guests privacy since it's their vacation and family time. I am happy to offer more time around the farm if we can schedule it a little in advance. I work during the week, so weekends are best for extended interaction time.
Other things to note
For extended stays, the monthly price includes all utilities, insurance, yard maintenance & garbage services. That being said, please conserve the resources (gas, electricity, water, garbage & recycling) so the monthly rate can remain affordable & competitive. I also reserve the option of doing a monthly inspection to make sure the house is being kept clean, the vacuum is being used and repairs aren't needed.
For extended stays, the Post Master has asked that guests request a "Temporary Forward" of the mail instead of a "Forward". It will make their job easier.
For those staying with pets. Conditions exist... please clean up after them daily. There will be an additional fee added to the rate to cover the extra cleaning involved if warranted. Any damage created will need to be covered by you and is a condition of allowing them to stay. Pets are not allowed on the furniture or beds. We have an area north of the driveway that is fully fenced and gated with a shelter. Dogs can run freely in there and can stay outside or in the basement when no one is home to monitor them. The basement is warm in the winter and cool in the summer, so it would be comfortable for them to stay in all day if necessary. Pets are not allowed to stay in the house unattended. We do have free-roaming chickens and a barn cat, so if your dog likes to chase animals, then please es**rt them with a leash when walking them around the property.
As mentioned earlier, we are conveniently located near the airport (~6 miles). With that comes airplane noise and can be noticeable during the summer while sitting on the deck. The house itself is extremely quiet and insulated with sound insulation and triple pane windows.
The neighborhood
Des Moines is a charming water-land town nestled along the inland waters of Puget Sound. It has the only marina between Seattle and Tacoma with a boat launch at the Redondo Pier, a seasonal farmer's market at the marina, unique shops and family restaurants. There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy at the local city and state parks nearby. The Redondo Pier has a boardwalk along the water and Salty's Restaurant is a nice place to watch the sun set behind the Olympic Mountain Range. Federal Way is the next city to the south where you will find lots of shopping opportunities. Check out our Guidebook for more activities and fun things to do!
Getting around
Public transit runs north and south on Pacific Highway South and I-5. SeaTac Airport is 10 minutes away, where you can catch the light rail system into Seattle.
Policies
House Rules
No smoking. No parties or events. Check-in is anytime after 3PM. Check out by 11AM.
Self check-in with lock box.
More information
You will have the whole house to yourself, so privacy is not an issue. It's clean and updated with cozy down bedding and nice linens. The bathroom is newly renovated with new tile and fixtures. The tub/shower has grab bars for those needing assistance. There are two TV's with basic cable, a desk, couch, kitchen nook, and large deck with a new grill to enjoy in the warmer months. The grocery store is 0.5 miles away. We live next door, so if you need anything, we can help you out. Please let us know if anything needs repair or attention so your visit is comfortable and worry free.
The cleaning fee will cover washing all of the linens, vacuuming, sweeping and general cleaning after your departure. Please strip the beds and pile the linens so I know what needs to be laundered. Towels can be tossed into the tub. Other than that, the house should be turned over the same way it was delivered to you.
If food is left in the refrigerator, then we sort out the perishables and feed it to the chickens. There are usually condiments (ketchup, mustard, relish, etc.) for the guests to use, so you may want to see what's on hand before stocking up at the store.
Those with pets... all droppings must be picked up and disposed into the garbage. Pets aren't allowed on the furniture or beds. Any damage that they cause will need to be repaired or compensate us for the repair(s) to be done. And, pets should not be left unattended in the house. They can stay in the basement which is warm in the winter and cool in the summer, or they can stay in the fenced yard next to the garage. Please walk them on a leash just in case they like to chase cats or chickens.
Base Rules: Absolutely... -No smoking. -No parties. -No drugs. -No shoes in the house. We like to keep the 'farm' outside. You may prefer to bring a pair of slip-on shoes for easy on and off. Please use the mud room as the main entrance.
I will happily give you a tour of the farm. There are a few rules to follow for your safety and the animals, so we can go over those when we wander around.
There is a farm cat that will greet you and want your attention. His name is Mouse, so if you like cats, he will happily be your friend. If you don't, he will still try to be your friend.
If you enjoy gardening, I would be happy to show you where the tools are, provide you a pair of gloves and let you get your green thumb on.
Frequently on weekdays, you may see a red Grand Am or a white Volvo wagon pull into the driveway. A lady will get a bag out of her trunk and put it in the blue container by the garage. Don't be alarmed. She is my mother-in-law, Mercedes. She drops off fruit and vegetable scraps for the chickens and I'll distribute it to them the next morning.
Thank you and we hope you enjoy your stay!
You must also acknowledge
Dangerous animals on property - We have horses that some people might be intimidated by. We have coyotes, raccoons, opossums, eagles, owls and hawks that visit the property.
Pet(s) live on property - We have a farm, so there are chickens, horses and a barn cat to enjoy.
Amenity limitations - We don't have a dishwasher, but it hasn't been a problem for guests.
Potential for noise - Airplanes and roosters can be heard when outside.
Must climb stairs - There are steps to the back porch through the mud room. There are two bedrooms on the top floor with steep carpeted stairs.
Security Deposit - if you damage the home, you may be charged up to $300.
Some spaces are shared - Guests will share the driveway with farm visitors. The best spot to park is in front of the garage door or next to the truck.
Surveillance or recording devices on property - We have a camera pointing at the driveway so we know when someone comes on the property.
