Taking care of chickens is just as much art as science. I say that because, even if you’re just a backyard chicken owner, getting them to live in harmony with the environment around them can be tricky… Chickens make a mess when they’re kept confined in the run for a long period of time, and … Read more
It’s funny how the littlest things can turn into huge problems. Take flies, for instance: even a single fly buzzing around in your home can be a huge annoyance, but clouds of them will spread disease, hurt your animals, and make life intolerable. If you are like me, you probably reach for the usual solutions: … Read more
Raised beds are one of the most versatile ways you can set up your garden, or a great addition to a traditional in-ground garden. The beds make it easier to care for your plants, save your back, and can be downright attractive when done properly. Also, raised beds are easy to build yourself. Easy to … Read more
No matter where you live, no matter what you are growing, if you are a gardener, you know the pain and aggravation that comes with having weeds getting in the way… These parasitic and pesky plants come in all kinds of different species, but they all compete with your fruits, veggies, and ornamentals for nutrition, … Read more
Dogs get all the credit as man’s best friend and working companion, but you shouldn’t underestimate the contribution that cats have made to keeping human holdings safe. When it comes to pest control, particularly the elimination of rodents which can spread disease and cause damage, cats are peerless and constantly vigilant predators. Cats have accompanied … Read more
Every gardener knows that your plants, whatever you’re growing, need lots of water and attention from you, and also protection from pests if they are going to thrive. But that isn’t all they need… Plants also need food, and that means fertilizer. Fertilizer supplies the needed elemental nutrients that all plants must have in order … Read more
There’s an old saying that says there is someone out there for everybody, and I don’t know if that’s true or not but I can definitely tell you with certainty that there is a breed of chicken out there for everyone. No matter what your desires or preferences, there’s bound to be a breed of … Read more
Ensuring that you’ve got enough food on hand during a survival situation is paramount. There’s no substitute for having a big stash of food ready to go, but sometimes you’ll need to supplement that supply or come up with alternatives if it is inaccessible for whatever reason. Happily, nature supplies all kinds of edible and … Read more
Raised beds are a great way to make gardening just a little bit easier. With them, you won’t have to work right at soil level, and you can typically get better control over feeding, watering, and keeping out pests. I love them myself, and it’s hard to go back to in-ground gardening after! But planting … Read more
It’s hard to overstate just how important pollinators are. Pollinators ensure all kinds of plants, including the ones in our garden, can share their pollen to make new seeds, and it improves genetic diversity. Among pollinators, some of the most important ones are bees. Bees visit all sorts of different blooms on different plants looking … Read more
Beekeeping is a great pastime, and more than that, it is a productive and potentially lucrative one… Bees are crucially important pollinators that can help out your own crops and garden, as well as those belonging to your neighbors. By taking care of them, you’ll be rewarded with lots and lots of golden, delicious honey. … Read more
Picking the right companions to grow alongside each other in your garden can make all the difference in your experience and your harvest. No, it’s not just about aesthetics or looking good on Instagram: companion plantings are those where one or both plants benefit from being near the other. It could be nutrients, shade, protection … Read more
There’s one thing that’s always at a premium in any garden, and that is space. Whatever it is you are growing, your plants all need a certain amount of room, and when you choose to grow one or the other you can’t put something else in its place. That’s just the way things work. But, … Read more
There’s always a lot to do in your garden: plants to tend, pests to get rid of, and soil to improve. Even a small garden can turn into quite a job! Most of us who garden by choice want to get a great return and enjoy the fruits of our labors. That’s why companion planting … Read more
Chickens are awesome. Well, they are awesome if you love keeping them or if you have Stockholmed yourself into believing that you do… I’m only half kidding: no matter the benefits, no matter how much you enjoy having your birds around, they are always going to cause problems. The best setup, the best care, the … Read more
Nothing beats homemade food. Absolutely nothing. If your family is like mine, you’ve probably got a signature recipe or two that everyone who tries it claims can beat all the others in the county, if not the state. If it’s that good, you might think, why not start selling it for a profit yourself? Lots … Read more