If you are like many gardeners, rhubarb needs little encouragement to grow at a prolific rate and many gardeners and homesteaders are often at a loss of what to do with it. Rhubarb, often celebrated for its role in pies and desserts, can also shine in savory dishes as well as beverages and this spring...
Pumpkins are often celebrated for their role in delicious pies and festive jack-o’-lanterns, especially around the fall season. However, their benefits extend far beyond these popular uses. For homesteaders, pumpkins offer a wealth of advantages that can enhance your self-sufficient lifestyle. From nutritional benefits and soil improvement to livestock feed and pest control, growing pumpkins...
How to Make and Use Weed Water for Your Garden Weed water is an eco-friendly, nutrient-rich solution made from common garden weeds. It provides plants with essential nutrients and improves soil health without the need for chemical fertilizers. Making weed water is simple, but does take some time and you can experiment with your own...
For gardeners, achieving a thriving garden is not just about planting seeds and hoping for the best; it requires a deep understanding of the intricate factors that influence plant growth. One of the most important, yet often underestimated, elements is soil temperature. This aspect of gardening plays a key role in determining the success and...
Many homesteaders and gardeners don’t give a lot of thought to the growth cycle of potatoes and their harvesting times. Yes most of us know that there are numerous varieties of potatoes such Yukon Gold or Kennebec – but few are aware that these are both classified separately from each other in what is called...
Any gardener knows that fertilizers are important to maximize growth, but for those concerned about what’s in consumer fertilizers, there are numerous methods for creating your own fertilizer that will equal if not out perform products like Miracle Grow and other chemical laced products. Natural liquid fertilizers are nutrient-rich solutions made from organic materials that...
From seed to harvest, the Growing times for vegetable seeds. Knowing the length of time it takes for your vegetable seeds to reach the various important stages of their growth goes a long way to successful gardening. A primary benefit is succession planting to ensure a steady flow of fresh ready to harvest vegetables...
How Temperature Impacts Life Span of Dried and Dehydrated Goods Assessing the longevity of food storage is complex due to numerous influential factors. These include the initial quality of the food when bought, among other elements. Temperature: The Primary Factor The role of temperature is paramount in determining the shelf life of dried foods. The...
All homesteaders and gardeners know the value of compost in growing food and for cosmetic flower beds etc, but for many, the actual process of composting and the science behind it is a vague concept. When you produce your own compost, having an advanced understanding of the process and methodology behind what maximizes the...
Often mistaken for a problematic weed, the plantain plant (Plantago major) has a fascinating history of medicinal properties ranging from a powerful antiseptic to treating high blood pressure and as a gentle digestive aid for those suffering from everything from IBS to heartburn. Where most people know the healing aspects of the Aloe Vera plant,...