On this episode of the Modern Homesteading Podcast I talk about all the benefits to raising rabbits on your homestead. Listen To The Podcast The Modern Homesteading Podcast, Episode 145 – June 6, 2022 – Stacking Functions With Rabbits On Your Permaculture Homestead. Resources Check out my article on – 9 Reasons Raising Rabbits Might Be…
On this episode of the Modern Homesteading Podcast I discuss food forests and whether or not you can or should grow one on your property. Listen To The Podcast The Modern Homesteading Podcast, Episode 144 – May 30, 2022 – Should You Grow A Food Forest On Your Property?. Resources What Is A Food Forest?…
Soil fertility is key in any sustainable food growing operation. Without proper management, plants will drain the soil of its fertility, leading to reduced productivity and plant health. Most synthetic fertilizers are very harmful for the environment. Thankfully, certain plants can help increase soil fertility. The best plants for increasing soil fertility are those that…
With rising food costs and even occasional food shortages in the store, many people desire to grow at least some of their food. The problem is that many homes are located in areas with strict regulations or very limited space. The solution to these problems is edible landscaping which can create beautiful curb appeal, a…
It can take months, if not years, to create a sufficient amount of traditional compost in compost bins. While it's a wonderful way to create healthy, fertile soil, it's labor-intensive and very time-consuming. Thankfully, there's another, simpler way to improve your soil: the chop and drop system. The chop and drop system in gardening is…
Because they look so similar at certain times during the year, yellow wood sorrel and clover are often confused for one another. While clover is often considered to be a beneficial nitrogen-fixing plant, yellow wood sorrel is a pesky stubborn weed. So what's the difference between them, and how can you tell which you have…
It’s late summer and the last of the warm weather flowers are blooming – so are your allergies. Goldenrod and ragweed are growing side by side along the road and in your backyard. They’re both the same thing, right? Left: Ragweed, Right: Goldenrod Goldenrod and ragweed are two different plants. Goldenrod is a perennial that…
Permaculture design can be viewed as engineering using biological elements and natural forces. It can be difficult finding a straight answer on the full scope of opportunities and if a permaculture certificate alone is enough to make a difference in the world and a living. With a Permaculture Design Certificate, you can become a permaculture…
Landowners all around the world are seeking more sustainable, cost-effective ways to manage their properties. Carbon emissions and a loss of biodiversity are common side effects of traditional land management styles. Permaculture keyline design, on the other hand, is a land management practice that helps to combat these issues. Keyline design is a land management…
Elderberries make a great addition to any garden. Not only are they beautiful with fragrant blossoms, but the berries themselves are packed full of nutrition and a delicious flavor that you can turn into tea, syrup, pie, and preservatives. In order to do this, you will need to propagate elderberry cuttings first. To propagate elderberries,…
One of the topics that come up often about getting into permaculture is the cost of getting started. Many people find it daunting because they believe that apart from permaculture taking a lot of time and patience, it also takes a lot of money. Plus, how can it be profitable when competing against modern agricultural…
Peat moss is frequently used by gardeners. However, as a permaculture gardener, it is important to delve a little deeper and look at the true cost of everything we use in our gardens. Peat moss has long been prized by gardeners. But this is a material which may not have a place in a permaculture…
Permaculture isn’t just a trend; it is a way of life for many. Sure, some people do it for social media likes and woke points. But there are those, such as the Jaguar de Madera project, that are changing their communities by lifting people out of poverty while restoring dignity. To do it properly requires…
Goats can be a blessing in small numbers but a curse when overstocked, so you need to know a few things before getting some. They are highly intelligent and entertaining animals with several permaculture uses, but if you have too many, they will raze your garden to the ground. Goats are good for a permaculture…
Soil is the foundation of permaculture gardens, so it is vital to prevent the loss of soils through erosion. Luckily, there are a variety of commonly-used permaculture practices that can effectively control soil erosion. Soil erosion in permaculture gardens can be controlled by cover-cropping, mulching, incorporating organic matter into the soil, and growing perennial plants.…
Within the last few decades or so, the earth has suffered massive environmental changes from both natural events as well as mankind's irresponsible actions that affect the animals and plant life. Both Permaculture and Organic Gardening are a response to correct some of these issues but what are the differences? Permacultures' primary focus is not…
Domesticated animals are a common sight in permaculture systems. But is it possible to practice permaculture without animals? Fortunately, the answer is an emphatic ‘yes’! Permaculture systems can be designed and managed without domesticated animals. Plant-based strategies can fulfill the same functions usually performed by animals in permaculture systems, including processing organic wastes, providing soil…
Using natural organic methods sounds idyllic, learning to work with nature rather than fight against it. Yes, co-habituating with deer, squirrels, and aphids means accepting that some food will have bites in it and the occasional plant destroyed. But it is fine––until the mosquitoes arrive. Those bloodsuckers make life so uncomfortable you begin rethinking your…
The public perception is that food grown organically is much healthier, and organic farming is more environmentally friendly. Organic agriculture differs significantly from conventional agriculture, which brings both advantages and disadvantages. The disadvantages of organic farming are it is labor-intensive, sensitive to economic decline, requires more planning, and can’t benefit from synthetic chemicals. The advantages…
Agroforestry and permaculture are distinct but complementary approaches. These approaches aim to create sustainable relations between people and nature. Though closely related, agroforestry and permaculture are not the same. Agroforestry is a specific agricultural approach that combines trees with perennial and annual plants and livestock to create synergistic, integrated production zones. Permaculture is principally a…
