Winterberry is the homesteader’s secret weapon for jaw-dropping winter color when everything else in the garden has gone dormant and dreary. While most native shrubs are busy being boring from November through March, winterberry lights up like nature’s Christmas lights…
Planting backyard trees is one of the best investments a homesteader can make. The right trees will feed you, shelter your livestock, improve your soil, attract pollinators, provide firewood, and even generate income, all while asking for very little in…
Thanksgiving cactus is one of those plants that looks fussy but secretly thrives on benign neglect once you understand what it actually wants. Unlike its desert-dwelling cousins, this Brazilian native prefers humid air, shady corners, and soil that drains like…
So, you’ve decided to grow some hedge apples (also known as Osage orange trees) – an excellent choice! Whether you’re planning a living fence, stocking up on dense firewood, or want those quirky brain-shaped fruits for fall decor, you’ve got…
Here’s our bulletproof, nearly perfect system after pruning hundreds of shrubs over the years. Hydrangeas are some of the most forgiving shrubs you can grow, but they have one quirk that trips up almost everyone. Timing! Prune at the wrong…
For years, we’ve been told that a perfect, leaf-free lawn is the hallmark of responsible homesteading. But this year, I broke every lawnkeeping rule in the book. I stopped raking my leaves! As a result, my yard is thriving. And…
The cost of running a homestead has been increasing lately. Have you noticed the same? That’s why I’m a massive proponent of permaculture! Permaculture transforms your homestead into a self-sustaining system that produces delicious food each year while requiring less…
Building a backyard food forest means selecting plants that work together across multiple layers. It also means choosing edible perennials and yummy fruit trees that require only minimal maintenance once established. Well, we’ve got all of those angles covered. The…
Hostas are tragically underrated garden plants! They help transform any corner of your yard into stunning focal points with lush architecture and vibrant foliage. How you start your hostas makes all the difference in how quickly you’ll enjoy those gorgeous…
Bugs need your help! Insect populations have massively plummeted by more than 75% in some areas over the past few decades. And pollinators are disappearing at alarming rates. Remember when you used to drive along highways, and your windshield would…
October always gets me thinking about the spooky side of nature. Most folks spend this time of year worried about ghosts and goblins. Meanwhile, I’m fascinated by the real terrors lurking in bogs, swamps, and greenhouses across the country. Chief…
Want to grow some delicious fruit that tastes like a tropical vacation but thrives in cold climates? Meet the pawpaw! It’s North America’s largest native fruit with creamy, custard-like flesh. It tastes like a mashup of banana, mango, and melon….
Want to transform your garden into a thriving nocturnal ecosystem? Then it’s time to roll out the red carpet for bats! These incredible flying mammals are nature’s ultimate pest control squad. They hungrily devour thousands of mosquitoes, beetles, and moths…
Tired of dropping $20, $30, or even $50 per shrub at the plant nursery? Here’s a secret that seasoned homesteaders know. The best plants are often free! Whether it’s a knob of ginger, a stem of mint, or a cutting…
Growing blueberries is one of gardening’s most rewarding adventures! Imagine stepping out your back door on a warm July morning and picking handfuls of plump, sweet blueberries for your fluffy, homemade pancakes. This all-in-one blueberry growing guide shows how –…