Anyone who keeps chickens will know that they can be very individual characters. What works for one of your girls won’t necessarily work for another. Trying to break a broody hen is one of those occasions when their quirks and…
An herb garden is one of the most satisfying ways to get into gardening. But to grow good herbs, you need even better soil! Starting your fragrant herby plants off in the right way will reap benefits in the future,…
When I first considered raising hens on my backyard hobby farm, one benefit rose quickly to the forefront – no more wasting food! Two of my three kids are champion food wasters. Well, the chickens will eat it, soon became a…
Languid evenings spent outdoors around an open fire are a treat until we get smoked into some weird version of musical chairs. If you’ve shrieked in dismay at how bonfire smoke seems to smother you? You’re not alone. Thanks to…
Let’s face it – life on a homestead or farm isn’t all sunny days and dry weather! Whether you’re a backyard gardener or building an off-grid tiny house? You will need to go out in all manner of weather to…
Choosing perennial vegetables and edible ground cover plants can help you create layered, thriving, and biodiverse systems in your organic garden. In sub-tropical and tropical zones? Okinawa spinach is a great option to consider. It’s delicious and easy to grow….
As a homesteader or small farm owner, you have many good reasons to purchase a cow. Not only can you save money by producing your milk and beef, but the quality of both of these will likely be much better…
Are you tired of living in a box? Or maybe you’re sick of right-angled walls and low ceilings? Or maybe, you’re sick of your home to the point where you’re uttering get me out of here! Well, imagine something different. Imagine…
Herb gardening is often the starting point for many gardeners when someone gifts us a pot of basil or chives for our kitchen windowsill. But if you’re new to gardening, it can be hard to figure out just how much water your…
A few years ago, after many failed attempts, one of our hens finally managed to hatch a clutch of six chicks. Soon afterward, my delight turned to despair – four of the six were roosters! As our cute fluffy chicks matured into…
An herb garden stuffed with fresh sage leaves is one of the most satisfying things you can grow. Nothing beats fresh sage straight from the garden, and if you can grow enough to dry some for the winter, then even…
From asparagus to zucchini, Nova Scotia’s climate supports the growth of a wide variety of vegetables. With careful timing and the ideal cultivars, any gardener can produce a bounty to be proud of and share! There are a few nuances…
If someone asked you, what do cows eat? Your reaction would probably be to sneer and say, well, grass, of course! Everyone knows cows eat grass, but farmers and homesteaders raising cattle for meat, milk, or both know that a cow’s diet is more…
Cheeseburger sliders are one of the best ways to spruce up your backyard barbeques or holiday get-togethers. Since they’re so tiny and delicious – experimenting with sliders is also a ton of fun! When paired with a few choice side…
In the summer heat, issues pop up that need solving. I’m talking about bug issues! And in particular, mosquitoes. When you sit out on your lawn chair in the backyard and feel something bite you, it’s most likely a mosquito….