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…
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…
https://youtu.be/i8WUclgtrbw On this episode of the Modern Homesteading Podcast, Harold and Rachel Share 8 Valuable Ways To Make Use Of The Fallen Leaves On The Homestead. The Modern Homesteading Podcast, Episode 167 – November 15, 2022 Listen To The Podcast 8 Ways To Make Use Of Fallen Leaves On Your Homestead 1. Leave Them Where…
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…
On this episode of the Modern Homesteading Podcast, Harold and Rachel Have A Conversation About What To Do With Garden Beds After The Harvest. The Modern Homesteading Podcast, Episode 152 – August 24, 2022 Listen To The Podcast Topics of Discussion Garden CleanupWhat To Do With The Organic MaterialDiseased PlantsPest InfestationsSoil TestingAdjusting pH if NecessarySoil…
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:…
On this episode of the Modern Homesteading Podcast, I talk about how to use cover crops to benefit the soil in your garden. The Modern Homesteading Podcast, Episode 148 – July 28, 2022 – An Introduction To Using Cover Crops For Soil Improvement. Listen To The Podcast Topics I Discuss What Is A Cover Crop?Two…
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…
Fungus gnats can multiply by the hundreds quickly, infesting your home quickly despite their short lifespans. The rest of this article will explain what you should do if you find yourself having a fungus gnat problem, or you simply want to prevent one. Fungus gnats can be prevented by watching how much you are watering…
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…
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…
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…
Garden lime can be used to correct soil that is too acidic. Using lime can be an effective and affordable way to lower soil acidity, nourish healthy bacteria, and add helpful nutrients to soil. However, amending the soil can take some time, and you may run the risk of over-liming or negatively impacting some of…
If you are a certified organic farm, it's important to know which chemicals and substances you are allowed to use when growing your crops. If you're a small-scale home gardener who is trying to follow organic standards to raise crops you feel good about, it's also important to be aware of what you can safely…
There are divided opinions on the use of Epsom salts in the garden, and some have observed that there is not much research to prove that their application is beneficial. However, many gardeners swear by this practice, and Epsom salts have been used to amend the soil for generations. Epsom salts can be sprinkled around…
