My name is Katie Williamson. I live in Flag Pond, Tennessee and am honored to be part of Build it Up 2025. While I have gardened in the past and visited many farm and permaculture projects, this year I have my biggest garden yet and am also experiencing my first year cultivating in East Tennessee.
My garden is 30 feet by 60 feet and is situated on the only really flat part of my mountain property. I opted to till once because the rocky clay soil was so compacted. I then applied a layer of woodchips, leaves and compost and let that sit for a while.
Once Build it Up began, I started the task of shoveling out the pathways and forming the four foot beds to prepare for the first spring seeds and plants.
I appreciate Built it Up so much. The program is so well organized and has provided me with a ton of valuable information on local varieties to grow, pest management in this climate and of course, so many epic plants!!
It is the end of May 2025 and I have already begun to harvest lettuce, beets, arugula, radishes, chard, swiss chard, kale, cilantro and parsley. I can’t wait to what is to come. Being part of the Built it Up has connected me to the local growing community and having such a beautiful garden has connected me to my neighbors. I am grateful for the experiences and look forward to eating lots of BLTs in the near future!!
Katie