How can I grow lettuce successfully during hot summer weather using no-till methods?

Choose heat-tolerant lettuce varieties, maintain consistent moisture, and use shade or timing strategies to reduce heat stress.

What are soil blocks, and why are they useful for starting vegetable seeds?

Soil blocks are compressed cubes of growing medium that start seedlings without plastic pots, helping reduce transplant shock and root binding.

How can wood chips and farm pathways improve a no-till farm?

Wood chips can suppress weeds, retain moisture, and build organic matter, while productive pathways can be planted or managed to add farm value.

Free online course How to be a Farmer

Duration of the online course: 2 hours and 2 minutes

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Build real farming skills online: no-till growing, soil health, compost and smart production. Take the free course and level up toward a better harvest.

In this free course, learn about

How to make soil blocks for seed starting and what materials/tools are needed
Benefits of wind strip trays for starting seeds (air pruning, healthier roots)
How to turn garden paths into productive space and methods to monetize pathways
No-till techniques for growing lettuce in summer and why heat-tolerant varieties matter
Unique challenges of no-till carrots and strategies to improve germination and weed control
Ways to manage Johnsongrass in a no-till system (suppression, prevention, persistence)
Realities of farming with kids, including the most challenging parenting periods on-farm
No-till mindset: improve systems/efficiency instead of expanding farm size
Where to source wood chips and practical uses (mulch, paths, weed suppression)
How to choose a no-till system based on goals, scale, labor, climate, and markets
When to broadfork vs not, and why broadforking helps with compaction and soil structure
Drivers of strong market sales and how success can create workload/exhaustion issues
Benefits of a BCS power harrow (PDR) for leveling/bed prep vs a traditional tiller
Key steps to transition from homestead to profitable farm business, plus four compost types

About the free online course

Starting a farm can feel overwhelming: soil, weeds, tools, markets, and the constant question of what to do next. This free online course helps you build practical farming judgment by focusing on the real decisions growers face every week. You will learn how to start strong from the ground up, improving soil structure, choosing approaches that protect long-term fertility, and adopting systems that fit your land, climate, and available time.

Through field-tested examples, you will explore no-till strategies that support healthier soil life while still aiming for reliable harvests. You will see how to make choices for seed starting and transplant success, why timing and variety selection matter in challenging seasons, and how growers adapt when crops become more demanding than expected. The course also looks at problem-solving in the field, including resilient ways to reduce invasive pressure in a no-till setting and how smart material use can simplify maintenance and improve growing conditions.

Farming is not only production, it is a workflow. You will consider how to create useful space where others waste it, how to decide when to loosen soil and when to leave it alone, and how to evaluate tools by the quality of results and the energy they save. Along the way, the course connects everyday technique to sustainability and profitability, touching on what it takes to move from a homestead mindset to a farm business that can serve customers consistently without burning you out.

Whether you are aiming for a market garden, a diversified small farm, or a serious homestead, you will finish with a clearer framework for improving your system rather than simply expanding. Expect actionable insights, a more confident decision-making process, and a grounded understanding of how soil care, crop strategy, and efficient operations come together in modern farming.

Course content

Video class: HOW TO MAKE SOIL BLOCKS. 04m
Exercise: What is a key benefit of using wind strip trays when starting seeds?
Video class: Your Garden Paths Don’t Have to Be Wasted Space! 09m
Exercise: What is one method mentioned for making farm pathways profitable?
Video class: How To Grow Lettuce in Summer (No-Till) 16m
Exercise: Why is it important to select the right type of lettuce seed for growing in the summer?

Video class: No-Till Carrots (Our Greatest Challenge Yet) 10m
Exercise: What is one challenge that is unique to growing no-till carrots as mentioned in the text?
Video class: 5 Tips for Getting Rid of Johnsongrass 08m
Exercise: What is one effective strategy to manage Johnson grass in a no-till farming system?
Video class: Farming With Kids 06m
Exercise: What is one of the most challenging periods for parents when raising children on a farm, according to the text?

Video class: Get Better or Get Out 05m
Exercise: According to the no-till farming approach, what is recommended instead of expanding farm size?
Video class: Where to Get Wood Chips and How to Use Them 07m
Exercise: What is one effective use of wood chips mentioned in the content?
Video class: Choosing Your Own No-Till System 10m
Exercise: What is a key factor to consider when choosing a no-till system for your farm?

Video class: When We Do and Do Not Broadfork (and how we make that decision) 06m
Exercise: What is a primary reason farmers use a broadfork in their soil management practices?
Video class: Making $2K a Week at Market and Totally Exhausted 10m
Exercise: What is one of the major contributing factors to the farm's success in market sales?
Video class: Leveling Ground with a BCS PDR 07m
Exercise: What is one benefit of using a Power Harrow (PDR) over a traditional tiller?

Video class: From Homestead to Farm Business 09m
Exercise: What did the speakers in the text identify as a crucial step for transforming their homestead into a successful farm business?
Video class: The Four Types of Compost 07m