Blog - Homesteading, Permaculture, Gardening

5 Disadvantages Of Organic Farming: Is It Worth It?

The public perception is that food grown organically is much healthier, and organic farming is more environmentally friendly. Organic agriculture differs significantly from conventional agriculture, which brings both advantages and disadvantages. The disadvantages of organic farming are it is labor-intensive, sensitive to economic decline, requires more planning, and can’t benefit from synthetic chemicals. The advantages…

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December 28, 2021

Blog - Homesteading, Permaculture, Gardening

What’s The Differences Between Agroforestry And Permaculture?

Agroforestry and permaculture are distinct but complementary approaches. These approaches aim to create sustainable relations between people and nature. Though closely related, agroforestry and permaculture are not the same. Agroforestry is a specific agricultural approach that combines trees with perennial and annual plants and livestock to create synergistic, integrated production zones. Permaculture is principally a…

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December 27, 2021

Blog - Homesteading, Permaculture, Gardening

5 Ways To Harvest Rainwater For Your Permaculture Garden

Water is by far the most valuable resource in a Permaculture Garden. There are no gardens, no grazing, no trees, and hence no sustainability on any farm or homestead if there is no water. Harvesting, diverting, storing, and reusing as much water as possible is usually emphasized in permaculture design, whether above or below ground…

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December 25, 2021

Blog - Homesteading, Permaculture, Gardening

Is Homesteading A Lot Of Work? Here’s The Answer

Some people are envious of homesteaders living the dream. All they see are beautiful sunsets, cute chicks, ducklings, and calves. Other folks wrinkle their foreheads in horror, their nostrils somehow seem to curl, and they gasp in sympathy, disbelief, and confusion at the poor deranged individuals who choose to be homesteaders. So what is the…

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December 22, 2021

Blog - Homesteading, Permaculture, Gardening

The Benefits Of Urine In Permaculture

So, you’ve adopted the philosophy of permaculture and are working with nature in the management of your homestead. You thoughtfully observe what’s happening on the land and see how everything works together to be self-sustaining. Well, what could be more natural than urine, right? Urine can be used in permaculture as a nitrogen boost for…

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December 20, 2021

Blog - Homesteading, Permaculture, Gardening

The Best Way To Grow Microgreens In Your Kitchen

Harvesting fresh greens in the heart of winter, or anytime really, right from your kitchen, is a wonderful feeling. Growing microgreens is an easy and productive way to have a kitchen (permaculture zone zero) garden. While there are a few ways to grow microgreens in your kitchen, I have found the best way is by…

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December 10, 2021

Blog - Homesteading, Permaculture, Gardening

What Do Goji Berries Taste Like And Are They Worth Growing?

When you're trying to decide what food to grow on your homestead there are a few things to consider. You should always plant things that grow well in your zone, will provide an abundant production, and above all it should be something you enjoy eating. So let's consider the Goji Berry. Goji berries are a…

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November 30, 2021

Blog - Homesteading, Permaculture, Gardening

5 Ways To Learn Permaculture For Free

There seems to be a great amount of interest about learning permaculture these days. It also seems that many people who practice permaculture want to send people who inquire about it to permaculture design courses to get their education about permaculture. While I think there is certainly a time and place for many to take…

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November 21, 2021

Blog - Homesteading, Permaculture, Gardening

How To Make A Homemade Bloom Booster: A Quick Guide

It is easy and cheap to make your bloom booster fertilizer at home. There is no need to purchase costly fertilizer products from garden stores because you can make a superior quality fertilizer - fermented fruit juice (FFJ) - for pennies on the dollar. Fermented fruit juice (FFJ) is an effective homemade bloom booster containing…

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November 20, 2021

Blog - Homesteading, Permaculture, Gardening

How To Empty A Compost Tumbler: A Quick Guide

One of the most taxing aspects of composting is turning the pile. Enter the compost tumbler. These devices make turning your organic waste into compost much simpler. By allowing air to enter the system, you improve the rate of decomposition. However, once in, how do you get the compost out again? Here is a quick…

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November 20, 2021

Blog - Homesteading, Permaculture, Gardening

7 Reasons Why Your Squash Is So Small You Must Know About!

Many gardeners have experienced the disappointment of harvesting tiny squash from plants they've spent months growing and caring for. Luckily, there are ways to ensure that your plants produce larger squash. Squash doesn't reach their full potential size when grown in compacted, slow-draining, nutrient-poor soil and when they don't receive adequate amounts of heat, sunlight,…

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November 19, 2021

Blog - Homesteading, Permaculture, Gardening

What Are Sectors and Zones In Permaculture Design?

In permaculture design, it's important to take a holistic view, examining the broader picture and larger patterns before we hone in on the details. When we talk about sectors and about zones in permaculture, this is our way of clarifying the patterns we see around us. This is how we use those patterns to inform…

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November 18, 2021

Support the work of Redemption Permaculture at the Small Town Homestead and the Modern Homesteading Podcast

Yew on The Benefits Of Urine In Permaculture
How often can urine be used on plants? Is there any other uses for urine? I'm thinking I will have…
Elaine on Honey Locust vs Black Locust: What’s The Difference Between Both
Thanks! I was about to go check Sam's book because I was sure I ate a whole bunch of the…
Lori on Is Purslane a Friend or Foe of the Garden?
Purslane is easy to grow and tasty! I recommend it highly to folks looking for new goodies to add to…
Allelulia on 10 Ways To Use Comfrey On Your Permaculture Homestead
You ve got me hooked. thank you so much for sharing your education with the world. You are a good…
Nadya on Jostaberry: A Homesteader’s Dream Berry for Permaculture Gardens
Thank you for this lovely overview. I was delighted to find a Jostaberry at our Edible Landscaping of Yamhill Co.…

Lessons from the Hive
"Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
— Galatians 6:9 (ESV)

Today I spent some time watching the activity around my honey bee hive. It seemed like every bee had a purpose. Some were leaving the hive in search of nectar and pollen. Others were returning with their legs covered in golden pollen. There was a constant flow of movement—busy, organized, and productive.

As I stood there watching, I was reminded that none of those bees were working for immediate reward. They weren't gathering nectar to enjoy it that afternoon. They were working for something larger than themselves. Every trip, every flower visited, every load carried was contributing to the health and future of the hive.

It made me think about my own life.

So much of what I do on the homestead feels like that. Planting seeds. Building soil. Repairing fences. Pruning fruit trees. Many of these tasks don't produce immediate results. They require faith that the effort invested today will bear fruit tomorrow.

The Christian life is often the same.

Galatians 6:9 reminds me not to grow weary in doing good. Sometimes I want to see results right away. I want the garden to grow faster, the project to be finished sooner, or the answer to prayer to come immediately. But God often works through seasons of patient faithfulness.

The bees don't quit because they haven't made honey yet. They continue their work day after day, trusting the process God designed for them. Likewise, God calls me to remain faithful in the work He has given me, trusting that in His timing there will be a harvest.

Watching that hive today reminded me that small acts of obedience matter. A prayer offered. A kind word spoken. A task completed. A seed planted. None of it is wasted when it is done for the Lord.

One day, the harvest comes. The honey is stored. The fruit ripens. The prayers are answered. But until then, God calls me to keep working faithfully.

Reflection Questions
- Am I growing weary in an area where God is calling me to remain faithful?
- What "small acts" of obedience might God be using to accomplish something much larger?
- Where do I need to trust God's timing instead of demanding immediate results?
Prayer

Lord, thank You for the lessons You teach through Your creation. As I watched the bees today, remind me that faithfulness matters even when results are not immediately visible. Help me to work diligently in the tasks You have given me and trust that You are bringing a harvest in Your perfect timing. Keep me from growing weary and strengthen me to continue doing good. Amen.