Cove Creek Polyface Farm

Cove Creek Polyface Farm A homestead nestled in The Ozarks ran by a bowyer & his metro girl turned farmer in the polyface farm style. We sell eggs.

We raise chickens, rabbits and the occasional duck as well as grow fruit & veggies. I teach at the occasional homestead event too.

Why Every Zone 7a Gardener Should Grow Figs If you're gardening in Zone 7a, figs might just be the fruit tree you've bee...
06/12/2026

Why Every Zone 7a Gardener Should Grow Figs

If you're gardening in Zone 7a, figs might just be the fruit tree you've been missing!

Unlike many fruit trees that require spraying, complicated pruning schedules, or multiple varieties for pollination, figs are surprisingly easy to grow. Once established, they're drought-tolerant, productive, and reward you with some of the sweetest fruit you'll ever taste straight from the garden.

Why Figs Thrive in Zone 7a: ✅ Cold-hardy varieties like and can survive our winters. ✅ They love the long, warm summers we enjoy. ✅ Most figs are self-fertile, meaning one tree can produce fruit. ✅ They can be grown in the ground or in large containers. ✅ Few serious pests or diseases compared to peaches and apples.

Plant them in a sunny location with at least 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. South-facing walls, fences, or protected corners can help them thrive and provide extra winter protection.

Even if a harsh winter kills the top growth, many hardy varieties will regrow from the roots and produce again. That's a level of resilience every homesteader can appreciate!

And let's talk about the fruit... sweet, honey-like, jammy, and unlike anything you'll find in a grocery store. Fresh figs rarely travel well, which means the best figs you'll ever eat are the ones you grow yourself.

Whether you have a sprawling homestead or just room for a container on the patio, a fig tree can provide years of delicious harvests with surprisingly little effort.

Have you planted figs in Zone 7a? What's your favorite variety?

Want to Grow Figs in a Colder Climate? Grab a 5-Gallon Bucket! One of the easiest ways to enjoy homegrown figs in Zone 7...
06/06/2026

Want to Grow Figs in a Colder Climate? Grab a 5-Gallon Bucket!

One of the easiest ways to enjoy homegrown figs in Zone 7a and colder areas is by growing them in 5-gallon containers. Container-grown figs give you something in-ground trees don't—mobility.

As winter approaches and temperatures begin to drop, simply move your fig tree into an unheated but protected space such as a garage, shed, barn, or enclosed porch. The goal isn't to keep the tree warm—it's to keep it dormant while protecting it from damaging winds and extreme temperature swings.

❄️ Winter Fig Care Tips: 🌱 Water sparingly during dormancy. 🌱 Allow the tree to naturally lose its leaves. 🌱 Keep temperatures cool but above prolonged deep freezes. 🌱 Avoid heated indoor spaces that can force early growth. 🌱 Move the tree back outdoors after the danger of hard freezes has passed.

Container growing also makes it easier to: ✅ Control soil quality ✅ Prevent root competition ✅ Move trees to sunny locations ✅ Protect rare or less cold-hardy varieties

I've always said that fruit does better with a friend, and figs are no exception. Even if you only have a small patio, porch, balcony, or rental property, a container-grown fig can provide years of delicious harvests.

Sometimes the best orchard doesn't start with acres—it starts with a single bucket and a dream. 🌳❤️

06/04/2026

Fruit is coming right along.

The Blueberry Farmer's LamentThe catalogs arrived in winter's chill, Promising sweet berries upon the hill. Glossy pages...
05/31/2026

The Blueberry Farmer's Lament

The catalogs arrived in winter's chill, Promising sweet berries upon the hill. Glossy pages whispered of harvests grand, Blue jewels hanging heavy across the land.

So I dug my holes in the stubborn clay, Worked compost and sulfur day after day. Measured the pH, tested the ground, Chasing that magic number the books had found.

The first year they sat there, barely alive, While neighbors asked, "Do you think they'll survive?" I watered and worried through drought and rain, Learning that farming is patience and pain.

Then came the frost on an April dawn, When blossoms that promised a harvest were gone. A single cold night and the crop disappeared, Taking with it the profits I'd counted and cheered.

The birds came next with their thieving ways, Watching my bushes through summer days. They never paid taxes, they never paid rent, Yet somehow they knew where every berry went.

The weeds grew faster than any bush could, Mocking my efforts as only weeds would. The deer took a nibble, the rabbits took two, And the Japanese beetles invited their crew.

Still, each June morning beneath Ozark skies, I watched tiny green berries begin to arise. Slowly they blushed from green into blue, As if the whole world was starting anew.

Then harvest arrived with stained purple hands, Buckets and sweat and impossible plans. My back would complain, my knees would protest, Yet somehow those mornings were still among the best.

For there is a magic no paycheck can buy, In tasting a berry warmed under the sky. Sweet from the sunshine and rich from the rain, A reward born from hardship, heartbreak, and strain.

So here's to the farmers who gamble each year, With weather and wildlife and prices unclear. We plant with our faith though the odds may seem grim, Trusting the seasons and working with them.

For blueberries teach what all good farmers know: The sweetest things in life take forever to grow. And every blue berry that falls in your hand Carries the story of the farmer and land.

Most people have never heard of a Jostaberry… but once you grow one, you’ll wonder why every homestead doesn’t have them...
05/26/2026

Most people have never heard of a Jostaberry… but once you grow one, you’ll wonder why every homestead doesn’t have them.

A Jostaberry is what happens when a black currant and a gooseberry decide to create the PERFECT berry bush. Thornless. Hardy. Heavy producing. Packed with Vitamin C. And somehow they took the best traits from both parents without the headaches.

These deep purple-black berries have a flavor that changes as they ripen:
Early harvest = tart, tangy gooseberry kick
Fully ripe = rich notes of black currant, grape, kiwi, and sweetness that makes you keep reaching for more

And the plant itself? An absolute powerhouse.

✔ Thornless bushes
✔ Disease resistant
✔ Self-pollinating
✔ Cold hardy to Zone 4
✔ Huge harvests
✔ Easy to grow for beginners

Jostaberries thrive in full sun to partial shade with rich, well-drained soil and regular watering. Once established, they become one of those “plant it and wonder why you waited so long” fruits.

Fresh eating, jams, jellies, pies, sauces, juice, wine… they even freeze beautifully. Their bright acidic bite makes them an AMAZING cranberry substitute in baking too.

At Cove Creek Polyface Farm, we love finding those old-world fruits and uncommon berries that deserve a comeback — and Jostaberry absolutely earns its place in the garden. We will be planting some this summer.

If you’ve been looking for a low-maintenance fruit bush that produces heavily and tastes incredible, this might be your next obsession.

Would you grow one, comment below.

If you think figs can’t survive an Arkansas winter… think again. Zone 7a can absolutely grow beautiful, productive fig t...
05/20/2026

If you think figs can’t survive an Arkansas winter… think again.

Zone 7a can absolutely grow beautiful, productive fig trees — you just need the RIGHT varieties and a little winter prep. Some of the best cold-hardy figs for our area include:

**Celeste – the famous “sugar fig” with incredibly sweet fruit

**Chicago Hardy – one of the toughest figs you can grow

*"Brown Turkey – reliable, productive, and beginner friendly

We have all these varieties on our farm plus a few more!

The secret to success? LOCATION matters.

☀️ Plant figs in FULL SUN (8+ hours daily)
🏡 South-facing walls and corners create warm microclimates
🌱 Use rich, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic pH (6.0–6.5)
📅 Always plant in EARLY SPRING after the last hard frost

And don’t panic if winter knocks them back. In Zone 7a, figs often die back to the ground during brutal winters… but a healthy, well-mulched fig will explode back to life in spring like nothing happened. That resilience is part of what makes figs so incredible.

Winter prep is EVERYTHING:
✔️ Mulch heavily around the roots
✔️ Wrap young trunks with burlap or frost blankets
✔️ Try the “bend and cover” method for extra protection

Water consistently the first year, avoid soggy roots, and prune dead wood in late winter before growth begins.

There’s something deeply rewarding about harvesting sun-warmed figs from your own backyard in the Ozarks. A fig tree isn’t just fruit… it’s a legacy tree that feeds families for generations. ❤️

For more educational homesteading content and tips on protecting young fig trees through winter, follow along and enjoy another educational Fig Friday from Cove Creek Polyface Farm

Before my hip surgery, Cove Creek Polyface Farm delivered eggs every other Friday. $5 a dozen or $8 for an 18-pack. Sure...
05/18/2026

Before my hip surgery, Cove Creek Polyface Farm delivered eggs every other Friday. $5 a dozen or $8 for an 18-pack. Sure, it helped cover feed and chicken expenses… but the real value wasn’t in the money. It was in the relationships.

Every porch delivery, every quick conversation, every person asking “How are the chickens laying this week?” built trust. By the time those same customers walked into the farmers market, they already knew us. They knew our farm name. They trusted how we raised our food. And when people trust you, they choose YOUR stand first.

Social media has become one of the greatest tools a homestead can utilize. Not just for sales, but for education. People want to learn where their food comes from. They want to reconnect with the land, even if they only have a tiny apartment balcony.

A single tomato plant in a bucket can become the gateway into gardening. One herb pot on a porch can turn into raised beds the next season. Teaching people WHAT to grow, WHEN to grow it, and HOW to grow it creates confidence — and confidence changes lives.

That’s why Cove Creek Polyface Farm is often invited to speak at local farm and homestead conventions. From creating living “impenetrable” fences that take years to establish, to our incredible gooseberry protection and permaculture talks, we love helping others learn practical homesteading skills that actually work.

If your organization, farm event, school, or homestead convention is looking for educational speakers, feel free to reach out to us (479) 225-7639. We would love to come share, teach, and inspire others to grow.

Always remember when times are tough, bulling or other things that attempt to harm your soul remember this:Dirty water d...
05/18/2026

Always remember when times are tough, bulling or other things that attempt to harm your soul remember this:
Dirty water does not keep plants from growing. Toss any insult or injury into the water, sure it makes it dirty but you are drowning those ugly thoughts and words and utilizing that water not only to grow your garden but to grow your spirit and it helps your soul glow when you overcome obstacles in your path!

So, on the farm this week we planted more blueberries and a plethora of styles of beans, we have the trellis ready! We d...
05/18/2026

So, on the farm this week we planted more blueberries and a plethora of styles of beans, we have the trellis ready! We did take the afternoon on Saturday to teach the grandchildren some. Basic kayak skills. They took to. It's like a fish in water.

What happened at the Tulsa Farmers Market this past weekend is the kind of story that stays with you.Police say a 31 yea...
05/14/2026

What happened at the Tulsa Farmers Market this past weekend is the kind of story that stays with you.

Police say a 31 year-old Jabier Medina attacked Kevin King, a Jehovah’s Witness known around the market for his outreach work, with a makeshift machete during what authorities described as a mental health crisis. Witnesses said complete strangers jumped in, tackled Medina, and held him down before things became even worse. King suffered serious facial injuries and was rushed to the hospital.

And honestly… it makes you stop and think.

Farmers markets are supposed to feel safe. They’re supposed to be places filled with fresh vegetables, homemade bread, music, laughter, and children running through the park while neighbors visit from booth to booth.

That’s why stories like this hit so differently.

It also makes me incredibly thankful for our small Farmers Market in Prairie Grove. Thankful for a place where families can still shop, sell, meander, and simply enjoy the morning without fear hanging over every moment. A place where children run around the park playing together while parents breathe a little easier.

In today’s world, that kind of peace and community is something truly special.

Address

18260 Cove Creek South
Prairie Grove, AR
72753

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