Stories
Prepping Tobacco Beds
Blackberry Farm Master Gardener John Coykendall describes the history of raising tobacco in Tennessee.
#John Coykendall
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Stories
Velvet Beans
Master Gardener John Coykendall is planting velvet beans to add a special touch to this year's garden.
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The Art Spirit in Daily Life
As an artist and landscape painter, Master Gardener John Coykendall captures nature on his canvas.
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Stove Pipe Peas and the Grove Pepper
Master Gardener John Coykendall reflects on his search for a seed variety enjoyed by a Central Florida farmer.
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The First Seedlings
The first seedlings welcome a new season filled with hope for a successful growing season.
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Looking Back: Connecting in the Garden
Master Gardener John Coykendall reflects on his favorite experiences across 27 years at Blackberry Farm.
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Preaching the Seed Gospel
Master Gardener John Coykendall travels across the country to spread the importance of saving heritage seeds.
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Searching for the Past
Master Gardener John Coykendall describes his ongoing search for heritage seed varieties and preserving their history.
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A Winter’s Day in Our Garden Shed
Master Gardener John Coykendall describes what a cold, rainy day looks like in the Winter Garden.
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Forgotten Fencerows
Master Gardener John Coykendall spends Winter days taking long walks and reflecting on his farm's history.
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The Gardening Daydreams of the Winter Season
In the stillness of Winter, Master Gardener John Coykendall imagines the new gardening season right around the corner.
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The January Garden
The Garden at Blackberry Farm continues to flourish throughout the Winter months.
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The Final Summer Harvest
Blackberry Farm just had our first frost of the season, marking the true transition from the Summer garden to the Fall garden.
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Keeping Our Agricultural History Alive
Over his years as Master Gardener, John Coykendall has observed shifts in attitudes and awareness about our foodways.
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Capturing Fleeting Scenes and Moments in Time
Blackberry Farm Master Gardener John Coykendall reflects on capturing photos around the Garden.
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Shoepeg Milling Corn and Kentucky Field Pumpkins
Blackberry Farm Master Gardener John Coykendall shares the history of two heritage crops grown at the Farm.
Stories
Our Gardens from an Artistic Perspective
Blackberry Farm Master Gardener John Coykendall describes how nature inspires his personal artwork.
Stories
An Early Hint of Fall’s Approach
Every year when we reach the days of late August, Master Gardener John Coykendall's thoughts turn to Fall.
Stories
Farming Memories from Long Ago
Master Gardener John Coykendall created a patch in the Garden that features crops inspired by an old friend.
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Honoring a Life Well Spent
Blackberry Farm Master Gardener John Coykendall recalls warm memories and stories of his mentor Arlie O'Bryant.
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Naming Beans and Field Peas
Blackberry Farm Master Gardener John Coykendall shares how a few heirloom seed varieties received their names.
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Saving Tomato Seeds
Master Gardener John Coykendall walks through the process of saving heirloom tomato seeds and continuing to grow the varieties he values so much.
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Deeply Rooted - A Documentary with John Coykendall
Master Gardener John Coykendall shares his stories and knowledge in a documentary of seed saving, Deeply Rooted.
Stories
April Garden Update
April is the month when the full force of Spring comes alive.
Stories
The First Sign of Spring
As early as mid-January, the first sign of Spring makes its appearance in the planted landscape.
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Spring Greens
After a long, hard and cold winter, our ancestors anticipated the first warm days of early Spring and the first “Spring greens” that would begin to appear in the fields and pastures.
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Seeds of Love and Plants From Our Garden
This Valentine’s Day, think of some of our favorite herbs and seeds in a different light.
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January in the Garden
Long after the crops of summer have been harvested and the larder filled with canned goods from the garden, work continues on the farm.
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Black Walnuts
When our pioneer ancestors first arrived in East Tennessee, walnuts were an important staple during the Winter months.
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Shelling Bees
One of our favorite activities that we offer guests during the Winter months is “shelling bees.”
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Fodder Shocks
Master Gardener John Coykendall recalls pulling fodder in his youth during harvest time.
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Best Pumpkins for Carving
Learn about a few pumpkins that are good for carving with Master Gardener John Coykendall.
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The Coffee Cornfield Bean
Every growing season, I grow several varieties of tomatoes, beans, peas, butter beans and many others for seed production and preservation.
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In Early October
In early October, the Farm fields begin to take on the look of early Fall, and the cornfields begin turning color.
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August Harvest Time
In August, we celebrate the fruits of our labor and take full advantage of the many crops that are ripening in the field.
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Tomato Season
In our Summer garden, we feature anywhere from 25 to 50 heirloom tomato varieties.
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Potato Onions
Potato onions have been around for a long time and were once commonly grown in our area of East Tennessee.
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How to Get Your Kids to Eat Their Vegetables
Master Gardener John Coykendall shares a great first step to getting kids to eat their veggies.
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Goober Peas
Goober Peas are a historically important legume that we continue to grow at Blackberry Farm.
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Herb Clabo: A Mountain Legend
A few days ago, an old friend of John Coykendall by the name of Herb Clabo celebrated his 100th birthday.
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The Celebration of a New Season
Blackberry Farm has always looked forward to April and the renewal of another green season.
Videos
Gardening Today and Tomorrow
Blackberry Farm Master Gardener talks gardening in the past, present and future in an interview with Blackberry Magazine.