April can be a busy month for many gardeners. But of course, what you do in your April garden will depend on where you live. One of the most challenging things for any new gardener is working out what to…
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…
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…
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…
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?…
Who would have thought our old worn-out car tires could become valuable rubber mulch that neatens gardens while also helping your plants thrive? And – if rubber mulch is so great, why doesn’t everyone use rubber mulch rather than organic…
Welcome to British Columbia, home of the mildest climate in Canada. If you’re new to the province, you might be wondering what that means for you as a gardener. Spoiler: It’s good! With a little careful timing, most vegetables will…
Chokecherry vs chokeberry! What’s the difference? By some cruel (and confusing) twist of fate, we have two similar plants – with nearly identical names! One of these bears edible fruits, while the other can cause toxicity or even death in…
Mulch can be an essential tool for a healthy garden with robust plants! Mulch can help protect your soil from extreme temperatures, and it can help keep the soil moist and reduce weed growth. All of this can help your…
Preparing for the winter season is one of the primary tests in establishing a durable homestead. One element of preparation includes protecting your plants. Frost has a way of penetrating the roots of young plants, damaging them, and killing them…
Winter is here! And, you have a good crop of tomato plants. So you are asking yourself, will they make it through the cold season? Or – maybe you want to plan a tomato crop that lasts year-round, so you’re…
We all know that high heat kills germs of various kinds. After all, our very own bodies raise temperature to kill pathogens. We boil, roast, or bake food not only to make it more digestible and tastier but to make it safe…