We moved to our home just a mere 10 years ago. We had no idea we wanted to be homesteaders then, let alone as self sufficient as we are. We just wanted to raise our family, in a home with a decent sized backyard. Who knew we would be able to turn that backyard into …
Getting ready for a garden isn’t hard at all. You just need to put a bit of thought into it and plan ahead BEFORE you get lost in those colorful seed catalogs. Ask yourself a few questions like “What do you like to eat?”, “How much room and time do I have” and “Can I …
Photo by J&J Acres With the summer heat in full force in our hemisphere, many of us are also turning up the water spigot. After all, plants need water, and the hot sun makes it evaporate! So the logic is to water, and water often. That may help your plants make it through the heat, …
Getting compost together isn’t difficult, nor is managing it. There are just 5 easy steps to composting to get you on your way to all the black gold you could ever want! Collect Your Green Material Your kitchen scraps are known as “green” material. Simple enough, right? Grab yourself an old ice cream bucket, an …
Why should you consider a hydroponic grow system? A hydroponic grow system is a gardening system that uses primarily water instead of soil as the method of distributing nutrients. The word comes from the marriage of two different root words: Hydro meaning “water” and ponic meaning “to work.” Hydroponics is literally “the work of water,” the art of …
Known as vermicomposting, raising worms specifically for the purpose of harvesting the castings to use as garden fertilizer is both an organic and effective method for giving your vegetables the nutrients they need to thrive. Castings are worm poop – waste – what worms “cast off” as excrement, and to a gardener, it is pure black …
During the gardening season, you will see it. Gardens are all around, and many are producing wonderfully, tasty treats already. You have heard of a Farmer’s Market, but have you ever been to a Produce Auction? Here are some tips and tricks on how to survive a produce auction. The basic gist is this: the …
Early spring at the last sign of frost is the perfect time to get your spring garlic in the ground. We use a lot of garlic here, and having fresh, organic garlic year-round is an important ingredient. From pizzas to side dishes to garlic bread and dips, this root vegetable is hard to pass up. …
They are also very useful for food for you and your flock! See why you should grow Russian Mammoth Sunflowers! As you are planning your garden, hidden away, pouring over your stash of newly arrived seed catalogs. You are staring at vegetables, flowers, fruits and all things “seeds”. Don’t even bother to deny it; I …
If you want to be more self sufficient, learning how to add fruit trees is a great step. It’ll provide food for your family, food for the bees, and even food for your backyard chickens. Fruit trees can also provide shade, making them a win-win on your homestead. When you want to add fruit trees, …
