Garden

Have you been wanting to grow fruit on your homestead – but put it off because you thought it was too big of a task for you to handle? Think again. Blackberries are some of the easiest plants you can grow on your homestead or in your backyard, and they’re also some of the most … Read more

Sweet potatoes are a popular vegetable, especially at holidays. They suggest images of crisp fall days, family meals, and special occasions. Sweet potatoes are an easy vegetable to grow, but they have different needs than many garden vegetables. They are also one of the best yielding vegetables, producing forty to fifty pounds of tubers from … Read more

I have tried to start different types of fruit trees without much success. I mean, I was really getting angry at my inability to do so as I generally have a green thumb. After several failed attempts and then one accidental that worked, I decided I should do some research. The answer is stratifying your … Read more

The gardening season is over, and it is time to put your vegetable garden to bed. Fall is the time to get your garden ready for the next springs planting cycle. The list of work can be long but it all doesn’t have to be done in one day. Do the work as it comes … Read more

Parsley is an herb that is low maintenance, therefore it is easy to grow. It looks a lot like cilantro. It has feather-like leaves that are bright green in color and has a mild aroma. The plant can grow up to a foot tall. Parsley is a biennial herb meaning it takes one year to … Read more

Bats have gotten a bad rap over the years, thanks to their associations with blood-sucking vampires, and the scare of them carrying rabies. However, despite these myths, bats are actually really useful in the garden. In fact, only 3 species of bats carry rabies and all of them live in Central and South America. Instead, … Read more

Companion planting is one of the best ways to make use of space and improve the health of your tomatoes. Like good friends, companions to tomatoes boost their productivity and ward away negative energies that affect growth. While some companions keep away pests, others encourage beneficial insects for pollination and their predatory capacities. Equally, some … Read more

When you first start gardening, you may ask yourself whether growing organic food is worth it, or if you would be better off sticking to more conventional growing practices. As a consumer, you may ask yourself the same question, wondering whether purchasing organic produce or other food is worth the (substantial) extra cost. However, there … Read more

The plow was one of the most important inventions in the history of agriculture. From the early plows pulled by horses or mules to the mechanical ones now towed by tractors, this one farming implement still plays an essential role in the overall health (and success) of your garden. What Are the Benefits of Plowing? … Read more

When we build diverse gardens, we can enjoy the myriad of wildlife that visit the flowers and plants that congregate there. Instead of being mauled by roving bugs, ravaging our crops, diversity in the garden brings natural forms of pest control and increased pollination for higher yields from wildlife such as bats and wild birds. … Read more

Winter slows down everything in the garden, including the compost. Short, cold days change the conditions in your compost pile, bringing the decomposition is almost a halt. It doesn’t have to come to a complete stop though; winter composting is very possible with the right techniques. Now is not the time to through in the … Read more

It can be tricky to make a garden on a slope. Many problems may arise if the land has an incline, mostly because the unevenness of the land can dry the soil. This dry soil can then lead to problems with watering, pruning, and more. Sadly, many don’t have a choice about where they garden. … Read more

If you have ever tasted a homegrown tomato, you likely already know how much more flavorful it is than a store-bought tomato. And it’s not just your imagination playing tricks on you. Homegrown produce does taste better than supermarket produce, and it offers a variety of other advantages as well. 1. They will look different … Read more

When I was a kid I can recall my mother constantly using a red powdery thing in her beverages and on her food. It always looked like she was in pain when she’d take a sip or bite. I asked her what she was doing, and she told me, “I’m using cayenne pepper to keep … Read more

Boron is a trace mineral, common supplement and nutrient that is, sadly, neglected by many of us. Found naturally in several plants, it offers several benefits, not just to plants but also to all of us. Boron plays an important role in plant growth. It is present in the soil in the form of boric … Read more

My grandmother had an old habit of always planting her herbs by the back door of the kitchen. She took a flowerbed that was there and incorporated most of her herbs in with the lovely flowers in her flower garden. Many of the flowers were also edible. She told me this was so that as … Read more