Author: Kate Chalmers

Kate moved to Portugal in 2020 and lives with her husband on a half-hectare ‘quinta’ – traditional terraced land with olive trees, grapevines, and a house that seems to be taking forever to renovate! The current menagerie of animals includes an ancient cat, George, and an assortment of chickens of all shapes and sizes. Kate has over 15 years of experience in the UK veterinary industry and is also a passionate gardener. Together, Kate and her husband have turned a barren olive grove into an abundant food forest and vegetable garden that is a haven for wildlife. Future plans include more animals, particularly sheep and goats for milk production to make cheese, butter, and yogurt!
  • Does Potting Soil Go Bad? [3 Ways to Tell for Sure!]

    While we go to great lengths to nurture our garden and vegetable plots, neglecting the soil in our indoor and container-grown plants is too easy. While you can reuse it under the right conditions, potting soil has an expiration date,…

  • Can Goats Eat Cucumbers?

    Can goats eat cucumbers? Goats are renowned for their voracious appetites, and they will frequently eat a wide variety of foodstuffs – whether we want them to or not! If you grow your own vegetables, you’ll be quite familiar with…

  • 16 Festive Christmas Fairy Garden Ideas You Can DIY

    A Christmas fairy garden unlocks the magic of the holidays and makes a fabulously festive decoration for any homestead! A fairy garden is also one of the best holiday crafts for you and your kids, friends, or family to enjoy…

  • How Long Does It Take to Grow a Christmas Tree?

    Have you ever been tempted to grow your own Christmas tree and wondered how long it takes? Or maybe you’re pondering the thought that you could start a small Christmas tree farm? If you’ve got land to spare, then growing…

  • Do Cows Have Horns? [Polled Cows vs. Horned Cows!]

    There is nothing like the magnificent sight of a herd of cattle grazing peacefully in a field of lush grass. It is way too easy to take these beautiful bovines for granted without taking a second glance. But look closely….

  • How to Plant Aloe Vera Without Roots [No-Fail Method!]

    If you’ve never tried propagating succulents, you’ll be amazed at how easy and fun it is! Unlike other fussier plants, succulents such as aloe vera will sprout roots with surprisingly little encouragement, making it simple for us to turn one…

  • 15 Cheap Fence Ideas and Designs for Privacy and Utility

    Whether you’re setting up a smallholding or need to revamp your garden, low-cost fencing options are a lifesaver. Quotes from fencing companies can be shockingly expensive, so you might start looking at other cheap fence ideas and low-cost fence designs….

  • 36 Fun and Creative Pumpkin Face Carving Ideas

    Every fall season, you’ll find me scouring the internet for creative pumpkin carving ideas, ranging from scary faces to artistic portraits to multi-pumpkin “collages.” If you’re anything like most homesteaders and backyard gardeners, you’ll have grown a glut of pumpkins…