For many years, I only fed my chickens whole or cracked corn. I hoped they were getting all the nutrients needed from the bugs, seeds, fruit, and the surrounding pasture. After a while, however, I noticed my chickens were hardly…
Chicken meat is a healthy and classic family (and farm) staple! But rooster meat has a reputation for being inedible, chewy, bland, and not worth eating. Is that true? Can you eat a rooster? Or not? The confusion between chicken…
Sugar snap peas are delicious! I love eating them raw, steamed, stir-fried, sauteed, or pickled. Homegrown, freshly picked peas are also sweeter than ones you can buy. Not to mention – much fresher and crispier. Luckily, growing sugar snap peas…
Are you thinking about raising a feeder pig (or two – or twelve!) on your farm? If so, you’ll need to know a few feeder pig tips to maximize your luck. And no, a feeder pig isn’t just a pig…
Life on the homestead is tough, and we need the most comfortable work boots that can live up to the task. Work boots that give you blisters or pinch your toes make achieving your goals that bit harder. Unfortunately, many…
Since ancient days, people have burned various plant materials to create aromatic fumes that supposedly repel insects. That is why burning incense is considered a clever way to keep unwanted little flying creatures at bay. Today, we have a wide variety of…
The black bean is commonly native to the Americas and a staple in Mexican, Cajun, and Creole cuisine. Black beans are also delicious cold, pureed, or baked! Wouldn’t it be nice to have these versatile legumes thriving in your backyard’s…
Having spent most of my life in the city, I learned on the fly when I moved to my homestead. I managed well with a few horses and a couple of chickens, but I was shockingly unprepared for bottle feeding…
Hummingbirds are some of the tiniest and most beautiful garden creatures you can allure to your home and garden. The first time you see one fluttering along your hedge or wall of flowers – you won’t believe your eyes! Attracting…
Growing jalapeños in pots is much easier than you might think. And it’s a great place to start gardening! If you love the fresh taste of a spicy jalapeño in salsa through the summer, let’s dig into this generally fuss-free…
Much like cherry tomatoes, the gardening season in Ontario is small but sweet. However, a well-organized gardener will find plenty of opportunities to grow abundant produce at home in Ontario. So – which are the best vegetables to grow in Ontario and…
Electric lawn edgers might seem like something you may not need on your homestead, but they can serve some hugely handy functions. I find it difficult sometimes to keep the grass off of my paths, for example. It might just be my…
If you have ever wondered why a neighbor often makes a smoky fire pit every night or lights torches and you are clueless about the reasons – you could be surprised. The common wisdom is that fire and smoke keep pesky…
Winter can be a tricky time for gardening – especially when the frosty weather takes you unawares! Many plants will not survive exposure to cold weather, so what is the best way to keep our treasured plants warm and safe?…
As the days lengthen and temperatures rise with the summer weather, oodles of critters emerge to pester ranchers and their horses. Some of the first pests your horses will notice – are flies. I don’t have to tell you that…