There are many reasons for egg production to diminish in your flock. Here are some simple remedies that can spur them to renew their laying routine. Genetics, age, stress, and diet can all contribute to a hen’s overall egg production. When a hen’s production falls, it’s time to assess these factors, to help your chickens…
It doesn’t matter if you have 100 acres, or a small backyard, if you have livestock, you’ll have predators. Everything out there thinks you brought your animals home for their supper, and they are going to try to take them. There are few things sadder or more frustrating on the homestead than discovering your livestock…
People have been making wine for thousands of years. Long before all the fancy winemaking equipment was invented. And you can make your own “vintage” with just a little know-how, and even less equipment. I’ve made many gallons of wine from several different kinds of fruit. For each batch, there were only four ingredients: Fruit,…
Whether you buy your peppers at the grocery store or grow them in your own garden choosing the right pepper for your family is not an easy task. There are thousands of varieties of peppers and each one has its own heat signature. Many peppers are not hot at all, but most will challenge even…
Onions will grow just about anywhere, but to get those big softball-sized onions that we all want, there are a few things to consider. Let me show you how to make ‘em Big and Sweet! Isn’t that what everybody wants? Just about everybody loves onions, and most people want them to be sweet and as…
Clearing land can be backbreaking work, but there are machines that can save you an enormous amount of time. A Forestry Mulcher is one of those machines. I’ve had a Forestry Mulcher on my property on three different occasions, and I can absolutely recommend that type of service to clear your land. A competent operator…
Anyone can stick a seed in some potting mix, but not just anyone can get it to sprout and grow. But you can! If you follow some simple tips, you can be the envy of all your gardening friends, and get off to an amazing start. Starting seedlings is so rewarding. I’ve been doing this…
Ants can be bothersome around your house. But Fire Ants are more than just a bother because of the threat they represent to you, your animals, as well as anybody else that might come on your property. Fire Ants have a very hostile nature, and their toxins can produce serious reactions. But with the proper…
In a word… YES! I’ve had incredible results using the Back To Eden method. My soil has been transformed from hard red clay to a dark, brown heavenly goodness, and I did it by using the methods outlined in the Back to Eden Film. When the film first came out, I implemented the “deep mulch”…
Blackberries are highly nutritious and contain a wide array of important nutrients including potassium, magnesium, and calcium, as well as vitamins A, C, E and most of our B vitamins. They are also a rich source of powerful antioxidants that give blackberries their deep purple color. Native Americans used many parts of the Blackberry plant…
So, you’re starting a homestead. What do you do first? There are so many things to do. So many things to install. So many things to build. So many things to plant. It can certainly seem daunting. One thing for sure is that you will want to grow food. Why would you want a homestead…
There are many factors, that will determine your need for an irrigation system, including your location, the season, and typical climate conditions. If your location gets adequate annual rainfall, you might not need one. If, however, you are like most folks (who don’t live in Seattle) you’re probably going to need to do some irrigation….