Ruth Imogen Stout was an American author recognized for her “No-Work” gardening books and techniques. She inspired many gardeners to exercise better gardening practices and defy the typical orthodox methods of gardening. Her vegetable gardening methods are compared to what is known as permaculture today. It has taken decades for Ruth's work to gain recognition,…
If you have leafy green vegetables or flowers in your garden, you probably have noticed a white powdery substance on your plants’ leaves, stems, or fruits during the warm seasons of the year. That’s powdery mildew. It may look terrible aesthetically and can spread very fast, but it’s nothing to worry about. It’s controllable and…
You’ve probably heard about rosemary from cooking shows or for its healing properties. What people don’t hear about is its other numerous uses. Did you know it can be used as a measure of pest control? What about in hair products? In this article, I’ll show you how and why you should grow rosemary at…
We love hazelnuts because, aside from being the key ingredient in Nutella, they are multipurpose. As a permaculture homesteader, planting the hazelnut is not just great for your food forest; it also has so many practical and commercial purposes. What Does The Hazelnut Tree/Bush Look Like? Without pruning, hazelnuts are bushes that can grow very…
Nature despises bare soil in your garden and it will work to cover it with something if you don't (usually weeds you don't want there). Mulch it a great option to cover that bare soil and has many benefits, but what kind of mulch should you use. The Benefits Of Using Mulch In A Vegetable…
Permaculture homesteads and gardens offer numerous methods for cultivating edible and ornamental plants. Among these, the espalier technique stands out as a unique method for training plants to grow in specific patterns along vertical or horizontal planes. This age-old practice not only enhances garden aesthetics but also maximizes space and productivity. In this post, we'll…
When I hear about stinging nettle, I think about the love-hate relationship I have with that plant. In its natural habitat, you have to be very careful to avoid the stings. Once you've managed to harvest it, you can make a vegetable dish out of it or consume it for its health benefits. For a…
Yarrow is among the best herbs to grow in your garden. It has several advantageous properties, such as its medicinal and dye properties, among others. In a food forest, planting yarrow would definitely maximize the production of not just fruits but herbs. In this article, I will discuss how to plant yarrow and why you…
The reward of gardening rhubarb, the harvest, is the best part of growing it. Its fleshy stalks work wonders in meals, salads, and desserts. However, if you value the space in your garden or food forest and want to get the most from it, then rhubarb shouldn't be the only plant there. The only problem…
Growing onions are easy, you go to your local farm supply store or get online and purchase your onion sets or bulbs and plant them in your garden. But what if you want to be more self-sufficient and sustainable as a permaculture homestead? You can grow your onions from seeds you harvest from the previous…
Cabbage worms can wreak havoc on many types of plants, including brassicas. If you’re trying to grow a beautiful garden and it’s covered with larvae, eggs, worms, and moths, you’ll have a difficult time getting anything edible out of it. The good news is there are many ways to keep them from coming back next…
What if there was a way that you could grow your own sweetener that could be used as a sugar substitute in many ways without the negative impacts of sugar. I think that would be some important information to have. Guess What? You Can! The plant is called Stevia. What Is Stevia? Stevia is a…
