Garden

As a homesteader, you are likely always looking for ways to improve your land. One of the best ways to do that is by using cover crops. Cover crops can help improve soil health, suppress weeds, and provide food for livestock. One of the most popular cover crops is crimson clover. In this post, we … Read more

One of the best things you can do to enhance your own self-sufficiency is grow your own food. After all, people have been doing it basically forever! It’s a great way to get closer to the things you eat, and it also helps to prevent waste in the kitchen since you are far more likely … Read more

No matter what your preferences are when it comes to heat, there’s bound to be a pepper variety for you. From the crisp, green sweetness of bell peppers to the ferocious wallop of the classic cayenne, there is something for every taste. The good news is that most pepper varieties are basically the same, and … Read more

If you’ve been putting in a lot of work in your garden or in your raised beds elsewhere on your property, there is hardly anything more heartbreaking than coming outside to discover pests have trampled, nibbled, and wrecked the fruits of your labor. This is doubly true when you are closing in on harvest time! … Read more

It has been said that squirrels are merely rats with good publicity, and I for one believe this assertion. I don’t hate them or anything, and they certainly are cute, but when it comes to sheer destructive capability squirrels are right up there with their uglier cousins but they get a pass because of those … Read more

Composting is one of the single best things that you can do for your garden, or any other plants you take care of. It allows you to convert what would otherwise be kitchen, household and yard waste into extremely rich, nutritious soil that all plants will love. Composting is a surprisingly delicate process, one requiring … Read more

If you are working on your own compost pile, you’re probably doing so because there is hardly anything better for nourishing the plants in your garden and elsewhere on your property. You also probably already know that your compost pile is actually a tiny ecosystem all its own, one that needs various organisms present in … Read more

Before you read any further, I am not nuts! You will love using this tea… for your plants! That is to say, we are talking about eggshell fertilizer tea. Eggshells are often used for the sharp edges to keep snails out of gardens, but this humble kitchen scrap is worth much more than just a … Read more

As gardeners, we all want to keep our gardens looking great for as long as possible. But for older folks, that task can be a little more difficult. If you’re older, you may have difficulty bending down or reaching up, and you may tire easily. In addition, you may be susceptible to health problems such … Read more

The humble garden hose is used for a variety of purposes around almost every home in America. But they get a far greater workout on a working homestead, and are commonly used all day long during the hot seasons. The expandable garden hose is fast becoming one of the most popular hoses for the job. … Read more

Even if you are the most conscientious of gardeners, there may come a time when your plants start to die. It can be frustrating and upsetting when this happens, but before you give up on gardening altogether, take a look at some of the most common reasons why plants might die. With a bit of … Read more

Do you want an eco-friendly garden but don’t have the time or energy to deal with planting and maintaining annual plants? Or maybe you’re just lazy like me. Either way, perennials are the solution for you!  Perennial crops come back year after year with little maintenance, which makes them perfect for those who love gardening … Read more

If you tend to your own garden, you already know that time is always at a premium. There’s a never-ending list of things to do, chores to handle, and projects to start, or sometimes cancel! It’s a good idea, then, to draw on any technique, tip or hack that can make your life just a … Read more

With the arrival of my son last September, I found myself chomping at the bit to find ways to get him outside – and my research led me to instructions on how to build a play garden for kids. I have to be patient for now. After all, he’s not even a year old! However, … Read more

Many people love the idea of growing their own tomatoes. They are a beloved addition to many summer dishes and can add a delicious pop of color to any plate. But before you can enjoy the fruits of your labor, you need to make sure you are giving your tomato plants the proper care – … Read more

Do you want to maximize the yields of your garden – and minimize the amount of work you have to do? If so, there’s a gardening hack you need to know about – and it’s called crop rotation. It sounds like an agricultural technique that only large-scale commercial farmers would rely on, but the reality … Read more