The leaves are covering the homestead and as an act of good stewardship, you're wondering what's the best thing to do with them all. Have you ever made leaf mold (leaf mould for our non U.S. friends)? So what is leaf mold, and how do you make it, and use it? Leaf Mold or Mould…
On Today’s Podcast Episode, Harold and Rachel Discuss Several Ways To Feed Your Garden and Maintain Healthy Soil and Healthy Plants. The Modern Homesteading Podcast, Episode 242 – May 21, 2024 Listen To The Podcast Why You Need To Feed Your Garden Soil Feeding the soil increases nutrients and water retention, and improves soil structure.…
Composting in the winter comes with unique difficulties, but it can be done effectively. By understanding how the composting process works, knowing the challenges of composting in colder temperatures, and following a few practices, you can keep composting right through the colder months of your climate. Challenges Of Composting In The Winter Composting in winter…
Sheet mulching is a key strategy in an organic permaculture garden. But if you are new to gardening in a sustainable way, you might be a little confused about sheet mulching and exactly what this strategy entails. So why is sheet mulching a good idea, and how can you adopt this approach in your own…
The Reotemp 20 Inch Fahrenheit Backyard Compost Thermometer is a thermometer designed for monitoring the temperature of compost piles in a backyard composting setup. This thermometer is 20 inches long and displays the temperature in Fahrenheit. The thermometer is made of stainless steel, which is durable and resistant to corrosion, and features a large, easy-to-read…
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…
Composting is something every gardener, and I might argue every household, should be doing. Having a countertop compost bin can make the job easier and more pleasant to deal with, making it more likely something you will continue to do every day. What Is A Countertop Compost Bin and Some Of Its Features? A simple…
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…
We all know that adding compost is a crucial element of keeping your garden rich and ensuring that your plants are nurtured and have the nutrients to stay healthy. Soil that is high in organic matter can help plants to grow strong, but how do you know how much compost you need? Use the information…
When walking the aisles at your local garden center looking for some compost to put on your garden, you may find yourself overwhelmed with the number of options available. With so many types of compost on the shelves, how do you choose which is right for your plants? One of the most misunderstood--and underutilized--types of…
Pine trees drop thousands of needles each year. If you have pine trees on your property, you’ll probably find yourself looking for a way to get rid of them. Because they are so numerous—and free—you may wonder if pine needles are good for compost. Yes, pine needles are good for compost when added in small…
If you're a home gardener looking to reduce your waste output as much as possible while simultaneously creating nutrient-rich soil for your plants, composting is a great choice. Turning kitchen scraps, old newspapers, and grass clippings into garden soil is a multi-beneficial process. However, not all food scraps are safe to use in your compost…
Having maggots in your compost may sound like a really bad thing, especially if you’re squeamish and you don’t like bugs. If you’ve ever pulled the lid off your compost bin and found its contents wriggling, you’ve probably felt horrified – but are maggots all that bad? Maggots are not usually an issue in a…
Have you ever wondered what the best way to add cardboard to your compost bin is? Cardboard is a valuable addition that will prevent your compost from getting too wet, but you need to make sure you are adding it in a suitable way to maximize its usefulness in your compost heap. You can add…
So, you’ve adopted the philosophy of permaculture and are working with nature in the management of your homestead. You thoughtfully observe what’s happening on the land and see how everything works together to be self-sustaining. Well, what could be more natural than urine, right? Urine can be used in permaculture as a nitrogen boost for…
One of the most taxing aspects of composting is turning the pile. Enter the compost tumbler. These devices make turning your organic waste into compost much simpler. By allowing air to enter the system, you improve the rate of decomposition. However, once in, how do you get the compost out again? Here is a quick…
As gardeners, we are always looking for ways to keep our growing as natural as possible, and part of that is finding ways to improve the soil without using chemical fertilizers. Wood is about as natural a product as you can get, so gardeners with access to wood, wood chips, and sawdust may see this…
If you are a keen gardener, you will, at some point, gain an interest in creating your own nutrient-rich compost for your plants. Once you commit to this decision, you will need a composter that will allow you to create your own black gold! To assist you in this search, we have some ideas on what you should…
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…
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…
