How to Attract Wild Birds for a Healthier Garden

bluebird

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 Composting 101: What You Need to Know

a 3-bin composter made of scrap wood and wire mesh on the winter homestead

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

How to Garden on a Slope in 11 Easy Steps

fruit trees and grapevines growing on a hillslope by the sea

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

Boron Uses and Benefits

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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

How to Make An Edible Garden

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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

Homestead Money-Making: Grapevine

grape vine

Chances are if you live on a rural homestead in most regions of the country, there is a good amount of grapevine growing in the woods. Those thick and winding vines can be worth their weight in gold. For many years artisans have harvested grapevine to make decorative trees they adorn with lights, wreaths, and … Read more

33 Superfoods You Should Be Growing

vegetable garden with raised beds

If you own a garden, you are likely already aware of the myriad benefits associated with growing your own food. Homegrown veggies can be grown without pesticides, herbicides, or other chemicals, giving you complete control over what you put in your body. Even better, homegrown veggies give you the financial flexibility necessary to can, freeze, … Read more

The Mega-List of Gardening Mistakes

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updated by Tara Dodrill Despite the wide availability of gardening advice available via blogs, books, websites, informational articles, and even video collections on YouTube, many people fail to take care of their gardens properly. This is largely because each garden is vastly different, possessing different soil types, microorganisms, weather conditions, and crops. To ensure your … Read more

How to Invite Pollinators in Your Garden

attracting pollinators featured

Smart gardeners know the importance of attracting pollinators to a garden. Pollination is a process in which pollen is moved from one plant to another, so fertilization can take place. Pollination occurs in many ways and insects also help in the process, hence they are called pollinators. There’s a diversity of plants that are grown … Read more

Ways to Increase Your Garden’s Yield

woman harvesting sweet potatoes

There are two types of gardeners. Those who aim towards planting and harvesting quickly so that they could start growing new crops quickly. Then there’s the second type, those who prefer to adapt methods that can help them get more out of  their garden. Sadly, not everyone pays attention to the yield as many garden … Read more

20 Plants to Grow for Calcium

calcium plants featured

In addition to being required for healthy and strong bones and teeth, calcium plays an important role in everything from your nervous system to your muscle control, making it important that you are consuming enough of this mineral. Most people turn to dairy when it comes to their calcium intake, not realizing that there are actually … Read more

Edible Landscaping: What Is It, and Which Plants to Choose

edible landscaping featured

Edible landscaping refers to mixing food plants in with your ornamental ones, to create a setting that is not only visually appealing, but productive as well. Examples include: Whether you are completely new to edible landscaping, or already practice the concept but need some inspiration, this guide will teach you all you need to know … Read more