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…
