One of my favorite authors of all time is Wendell Berry. Over the years I have received great encouragement and inspiration from this author for many endeavors, particularly when it comes to homesteading and permaculture. Who Is Wendell Berry? Wendell Berry was born on August 5, 1934 in New Castle Kentucky. His father was a…
One of the best ways to keep an abundance of fresh food on the table throughout the growing season is by practicing "Cut and Come Again" harvesting, but what is it and how do you do it? What Is "Cut and Come Again Harvesting"? Cut and come harvesting again is a vegetable harvesting technique that…
Turmeric is one of the most popular spices around. Chances are you’re familiar with turmeric (and its main component, curcumin) as an anti-inflammatory and as the spice responsible for the yellow color in curries. Turmeric is also one of the fastest growing supplement markets for investment purposes. This multi-purpose spice is also surprisingly easy to…
Every year we strive to have the best most productive garden we can have in the season we have to grow it in. One way to get the most out of the growing season is through the use of cold frames. What Is A Cold Frame? A cold frame is an enclosure built close to…
Have you ever heard the term chill hours but weren't quite sure what it meant and if it was important for you to understand? Well if you are growing fruit trees or certain vegetables it's probably something you need to know about. What Are Chill Hours? Chill hours or chilling units is the measurement of…
Growing your own food means that you will always know what you are eating, where the food has come from, and that the produce is toxin-free! These days there are so many ways that you can grow your own produce, from caring for a few small pots on your balcony to running a farm or…
The food forest is a relatively new concept in the United States, and many people think that forests and food forests are the same. So, what is the difference between a forest and a food forest? Food forests are man-made forests that are specifically made to grow food. They have 8 layers and are designed…
A variety of brassicas are some of the favorites of many gardeners to grow and eat. But what is a brassica? Brassicas are cruciferous vegetables coming from the cabbage and mustard family, also sometimes called "cole crops". These vegetables are among some of the oldest cultivated plants known to man. Some Brassica Varieties Commonly Used…
Taking care of grapevines requires a certain level of expertise. Once you master your techniques, you can grow grapes in your garden. One of these techniques is pruning, a process people often do and can be hard to understand. Pruning grapevines serves many purposes, including adjusting the vine size and shape, controlling the number of…
Often when I have tried to quickly explain to someone what a swale is a question sometimes gets asked: "what's the difference between a swale and a ditch?" Swales and ditches are similar in a few ways, it is often said about swales that they are ditches on contour. That is true but this fact…
f you're anything like me then you find books to be a great source of education and inspiration. That's why I keep my shelves full of great books. Here is a list of 21 great permaculture books that will help you take your permaculture homestead to a whole new level.
A backyard food forest can be a wonderful long-term addition to any permaculture homestead. However, many avoid starting one because they believe it will take too long to establish and obtain a productive yield. So how long does it take to grow a food forest? For a food forest to reach full maturity at every…
Blueberries have been a welcomed addition to our permaculture homestead since the very beginning but it took time to get the soil conditions right for their optimal growth. As most blueberry growers know, this finicky bush plant likes its soil a little different than most plants do. Blueberries like to grow in acidic soil conditions…
The first animals I brought onto my homestead were rabbits and years later I'm still raising them. They were and still are one of the best livestock options for my property and the benefits are many. Here are 9 reasons they may be the perfect livestock for your permaculture homestead too. 1. Rabbits Are Easy…
Bokashi is a form of composting that is different than other types of composting since it is an anaerobic rather than aerobic process that ferments organic material instead of fully decomposing it. Bokashi composting requires some special equipment and materials but can produce finished compost in a short period of time. Bokashi compost is highly…
Hey gardening friends! Ever heard of plants that take a little more time to show off their full potential? If you're curious about adding some patience-rewarding greenery to your garden, let's chat about biennial plants. Grab your favorite beverage, and let's delve into the world of biennials! Understanding Biennial Garden Plants Biennial plants are the…
Knowing how long it takes to grow potatoes ensures you harvest the potatoes at the perfect time when the potatoes have fully grown and are most delicious. After all, potatoes are one of the most versatile ingredients, growing your own is a must! Early varieties are generally ready for harvest after 90 days, but late…
Few things are more fulfilling than witnessing the complete life cycle of your livestock on the homestead. Hatching quail eggs is a great way to experience new life on the farm and it's really easy when you have the right setup and the right information. Here is what you need to know when it comes…
I believe every homestead should be composting in some way if they are growing any food in the soil. Turning organic matter into a valuable garden amendment makes sense for the environment, for your health, and for your bank account. "Nature demands a gift for everything that it gives, so what we have to keep…
When it comes to growing an abundance of berries on your homestead, or as I like to call it, "building your own nature's candy factory," there are a few things to consider like what to grow, how much to grow, where to grow them, and how to maintain them. Even after taking all these things…
