Trees can supply abundantly for the homestead and should be grown for various reasons. Not only do trees provide food, beauty, and shade, but they can also help improve soil quality, prevent erosion, and provide a habitat for wildlife. First, however, you have to plant your trees. In this article, you'll get a step-by-step guide…
Organic gardening can sometimes be tough. It comes with a specific set of rules, and each plant is different and has its own needs. Vermiculite is often added to soil mixes to help plants thrive in different situations, but how safe is organic gardening? As a general rule, vermiculite will not add any possible toxins…
Edible landscaping is a way to combine the beauty of traditional landscaping with the practicality of growing your own food. By incorporating edible plants into your landscape design, you can create an aesthetically pleasing environment while also providing fresh, healthy produce for you and your family. What is Edible Landscaping? Edible landscaping is the practice…
As gardeners, we come to understand that we are more soil farmers than vegetable farmers. Without healthy soil, you cannot have a healthy garden. So how do we determine the health of our garden soil? Understanding the Soil Structure Soil Composition The ideal soil composition for most garden plants is a loamy soil, which is…
If you’re limited on gardening space or maybe want to block out some neighbors and get a little privacy in your backyard, then building some planter boxes with trellises may be the way to go. These great additions to the garden are easy to build, inexpensive, and can provide you with a lot of food…
If you are looking for an easy to grow, colorful, and nutrient rich plant to add to your food forest then Jerusalem artichoke, also known as Sunchoke, is exactly what you need. Jerusalem artichoke can be harvested for its tubers which can be cooked up like potatoes and provide iron, vitamins, and other health benefits,…
Harvesting rainwater is an excellent practice for any homestead, but rainwater collection systems aren't without problems. However, there are many solutions to the common issues. 1. Algae Buildup In Water Catchment Here are some steps to address algae buildup in a water catchment system: Increase water circulation Algae thrive in still, warm water. Increasing water…
Growing more food on less land, with more people involved, is an excellent way to bring people together from different regions all over the world and to also learn about how we can grow our food in a way that restores our health and also the health of the landscape. Permaculture is a holistic design…
With warm weather right around the corner, many people consider planting their own garden to grow and nurture during the warmer months. While many plants can be bought in stores, it can be just as fun, if not more rewarding, and certainly cheaper to plant your seeds from scratch and grow them yourself. Planting seeds can…
It has been my experience that passion and inspiration can motivate you and take you a long way. That's not to say that knowledge and skill aren't important, but rather are the tools that require the fuel that drive them. Quotes can be that fuel! They can create a spark that can start a fire…
Raising small livestock on a homestead can have many advantages over large livestock, especially on an urban or suburban farm. Of all the livestock I've raised, Coturnix Quail are my favorite for a lot of reasons. Here Are 9 Reasons You Might Want To Start Raising Coturnix Quail 1. Raising Quail Has A Small Footprint…
A septic system is often considered a taboo area that is best left alone and not featured in your garden planning. However, utilizing this area of your property is not only useful and part of the permaculture ethos, but it can also be beneficial to the septic system. We have some tips you can implement…
Reflections On The Pursuit Of Modern Homesteading by Harold Thornbro Busy commutes, demands of a job,Freedom and peace, these things do rob.Long hours away, little time at home,Can things be better? Must I be owned?Is there an answer? Can I escape?It seems there’s a way but a new life I must shape.Getting back to the…
Think of the soil in your garden as a living, breathing, dynamic ecosystem. For soil to be healthy, it requires microorganisms, earthworms, etc., to break down the decaying plant and animal matter into nutrients and other minerals. Organic matter like mulch, manure, and compost are used to turn sandy soil into rich organic soil packed…
Pollarding and Coppicing techniques are very similar but achieve slightly different goals. Each involves a method of pruning which ultimately results in more growth over time and shapes the tree in the desired way. What Is Coppicing? Coppicing is a very traditional method used to manage woodland areas. It is done by trimming the tree…
Working the homestead can be physically taxing but fulfilling. There’s something about shaping your lived environment that makes you feel well integrated where you live. But the work gets to be backbreaking and picking the right tools can save hours of fruitless frustration. The best chainsaws for homesteading are chosen according to the homesteader's needs…
Homesteading is a dream for many people but most are waiting because they either haven't thought through the many benefits of homesteading or they think they can't do it where they are. Well, here are 10 reasons you should start homesteading right now, right where you are. Back in March of 2018, I recorded episode…
Rabbits can be very cute and charming creatures…until they get into your garden and eat all the fruits and vegetables that you’ve worked so hard to grow. You can keep rabbits out of your garden with a combination of physical barriers, adding plants that rabbits tend to avoid, and removing any elements around your garden…
Silvopasture is a hot topic in agroforestry and permaculture. Unfortunately, the name doesn't do a great job of explaining what it is. So what is silvopasture and how can you implement it on your homestead? Silvopasture is a system where animals are grazed in between rows of trees to provide nutrients for the soil, food…
So you grew the sunflowers and they fulfilled their purpose as the centerpiece of your garden, a trellis, or maybe a privacy screen and now they are standing 8 or more feet tall and drooping over and the seeds look just right, now what do you do? Time to harvest those seeds! What a great…
