If you want a garden, you’ve got to be ready to put in work… There’s no way around it unless you want to hire someone to tend it for you! But as bad as you want a garden of your own, maybe you are intimidated by the amount of work you think it will take.
20 Tips to Start Your Low-Maintenance Garden Read More »
Gardening is a rewarding pastime, one that anybody can do. It’s very easy to get started, but at the same time, you can spend a lifetime mastering the skills to become a truly expert green thumb. A big part of that challenge is understanding the nuances and specific challenges that come with different environments. Depending
The Ultimate Guide to Gardening in the Southeast of the U.S. Read More »
When you think about raising sheep, what’s the first thing you think of? If you answered “wool,” you aren’t alone. That is indeed their most iconic commodity, but it isn’t the only thing that they produce. Sheep are a true utility livestock breed, capable of producing wool, of course, but also plenty of milk and
The Top 12 Sheep Breeds to Raise for Meat Read More »
A big part of taking care of animals is understanding how long they can be expected to live. No one wants to think about their animals dying, especially if we have forged close bonds with them, but on a working homestead, it’s important so you can better anticipate when you’ll need replacements. Chickens are often
How Long Do Chickens of Each Breed Live? Read More »
Thinking of getting your own flock of chickens? You aren’t the only one, but there’s a lot you’ll need to know if you’re going to do a good job of it. Yes, chickens are generally easy to care for and they’re extremely easy to get. A quick trip to your local livestock store or Tractor
12 Chicken Care Downloads That are 100% Free Read More »
You’ve heard the old saying before: “his chickens came home to roost.” But have you ever wondered what the roost at home looks like for those birds? The domestic chickens we keep today are similar to their ancient jungle fowl ancestors from Asia in many ways. One of those traits is that chickens still prefer
Chicken Roosting Bars: All You Need To Know Read More »
Even if you don’t own any chickens, you’ve heard the expression pecking order before. It’s a term, or sometimes a colloquialism, that simply means hierarchy: who’s the top bird, who’s the second in command, who are the middle managers, and who are the grunts down at the bottom. It might not be a surprise to
The Pecking Order Explained (Keep Your Coop Conflict-Free) Read More »
Chickens don’t take baths in water like other animals. Instead, they take a bath of sorts in dust, sand, or loose, dry dirt. This dust bathing is critically important for chickens since it helps their feathers stay in good shape, wards off external parasites, and, if you can believe it, helps them stay cleaner overall.
Top 10 Herbs to Add to Your Chicken Dust Bath Read More »
When fall approaches, you know it’s apple season. It’s one of my favorite times of year! I look forward to pies, pastries, preserves, and eating these ruby red and yellow-green lovelies right out of hand. But like all good things, it has to come to an end: even the most bountiful harvest won’t last, and
Quick Way to Store Apples in Your Pantry for 6+ Months Read More »
Most gardeners know that pretty much all plants, and certainly most vegetables, need lots of sunlight in order to thrive. They need it so they can convert it into energy, energy that’s necessary to help them establish strong roots, grow tall, and produce ripe, tasty fruits. A lack of sunlight or, worse, getting shaded out
Top 20 Veggies That Like to Grow in the Shade Read More »
