Companion planting is when two or more plants are grown close together for the benefit of one or both of those plants.
Is your once-lovely flower or herb garden bed lost under a jungle of tough grasses and assorted weeds? Don’t worry—you can bring it back to life! With some patience and a bit of hard work, you’ll have a thriving, weed-free space where your perennial flowers and herbs can flourish. In this article, we’ll guide you…
If you're looking to create a sustainable garden that provides a continuous supply of fresh and nutritious produce, then a permaculture homestead garden might just be the answer. By implementing permaculture principles, you can achieve sustainable gardening success in your own backyard. Permaculture is a holistic approach to gardening and agriculture, focusing on the harmonious integration of landscape and…
Permaculture, a system of agricultural and social design centered on mimicking the patterns observed in natural ecosystems, has long embraced the concept of guild planting. At the heart of this method is the belief that plants, much like people, benefit from having the right companions. But what is a guild, and how can understanding them…
Few plants will make you feel more like a successful green thumb gardener than garlic. I personally find growing garlic to be one of the most fulfilling and useful plants to grow on my permaculture homestead. Here is everything you need to know to get started growing it in your garden. A Little About Garlic…
https://youtu.be/9P6RRUSEi6o Comfrey is a cherished plant in many gardens, known for its medicinal properties, soil-improving abilities, and rapid growth. However, not all comfrey varieties are created equal. Two of the most popular types are Common Comfrey and Russian Comfrey. Understanding the differences between these varieties can help you choose the best one for your gardening…
On Today’s Podcast Episode, Harold and Rachel Discuss Nitrogen Fixing Plants. How Do They Work, What They Are, and How Best To Incorporate Them Into Your Homestead. The Modern Homesteading Podcast, Episode 247 – July 6, 2024 Listen To The Podcast Permaculture gardening is a great way to improve sustainable and self-sufficient ecosystems. One of…
Alley cropping 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 alley cropping and how can you implement it on your homestead? Alley cropping is an agricultural method where annual crops are planted in between rows of trees or other…
For those who have been delving into permaculture and sustainable gardening, the term 'herb spiral' might sound familiar. An emblematic design of permaculture, the herb spiral embodies efficiency, diversity, and sustainability. In this post, we'll dive deep into what herb spirals are, why they work so well, and how you can build and plant in…
On Today’s Podcast Episode Harold and Rachel Discuss Succession Planting, What It Is, The Benefits and Challenges Of It, And How To Implement Succession Planting Into Your Garden. The Modern Homesteading Podcast, Episode 211 – July 10, 2023 Listen To The Podcast Harnessing the Power of Succession Planting: A Homesteader's Guide Introduction to Succession Planting…
On Today's Podcast Episode Harold Has A Conversation With Helen Atthowe about Systems Thinking To Balance Profitable Yields With Minimum Soil Disturbance, Soil-Building For Microbial Abundance and Diversity, and Habitat Building For Natural Enemies and Enhanced Biological Control. The Modern Homesteading Podcast, Episode 208 – June 19, 2023 Listen To The Podcast Helen has worked…
Borage is an incredibly useful annual herb to grow in an organic garden. It can work well in mixed beds and borders, alongside perennials, and even in your kitchen vegetable garden. Borage is one of my favorite permaculture-friendly plants for those who wish to garden in a sustainable, wildlife-friendly, and organic way. In this article,…
If you're looking for a versatile and resilient berry plant for your homesteading or permaculture garden, look no further than the Jostaberry. This hardy plant, a cross between a black currant and a gooseberry, offers a unique flavor and abundant harvests, making it an ideal choice for any garden. In this article, we'll explore the…
On This Episode of The Modern Homesteading Podcast, Harold Talks About Plant Guilds. What They Are, The Benefits Of Guilds, and How To Build Them On Your Permaculture Homestead. The Modern Homesteading Podcast, Episode 195 – March 28, 2023 Listen To The Podcast What Is A Guild? A plant guild is a grouping of plants…
On This Episode of The Modern Homesteading Podcast, Harold and Rachel Discuss 17 Useful Flowers You Can Grow On The Homestead. The Modern Homesteading Podcast, Episode 188 – February 7, 2023 Listen To The Podcast 17 Useful Flowers To Grow On Your Homestead Calendula (Annual) Direct sow outside or start inside. A pretty little flower…
On This Episode of The Modern Homesteading Podcast, Harold and Rachel Talk About The Basics Of Growing Onions On Your Homestead. The Modern Homesteading Podcast, Episode 186 – January 26, 2023 Listen To The Podcast Growing Onions on the Homestead: A Guide for Successful Harvests In this beginner's guide, hosts Harold Thornbro and Rachel Jamison…
https://youtu.be/LC317FOUJlo On this episode of the Modern Homesteading Podcast, Harold and Rachel Have A Conversation All About Growing Garlic. The Reasons You Should Grow It, How and When To Plant It, Companion Planting, and Harvesting Garlic. The Modern Homesteading Podcast, Episode 155 – September 14, 2022 Listen To The Podcast Episode Topics of Discussion About…
Lettuce is a fresh leafy green that's a popular addition to summer salads or sandwiches worldwide, and if you're into gardening, it's more than likely you will grow a variant of this plant in your garden. But what do you do if it begins to taste bitter? Lettuce can become bitter from three major causes:…
Pole beans and bush beans share a lot of similarities. After all, both are still types of green beans despite how different their names are. Yet, these two types of beans also have an extensive list of differences that will leave you wondering which one you should be growing. Pole beans grow vertically and can…
On this episode of the Modern Homesteading Podcast I talk all about hazelnut; how to plant it, care for it and reap all the benefits from it. Listen To The Podcast The Modern Homesteading Podcast, Episode 146 – June 13, 2022 – Why And How To Integrate Hazelnut Into A Food Forest. Topics I Discuss…
If you have pine trees in your garden, you are probably already aware that they can stunt the growth of some plants, and you may be wondering how you can deal with this issue. Growing edible vegetables under a pine tree can be challenging, but it is possible if you choose your plants with care…
