Why should private circular driveways be restricted to stately mansions and fancy hotels? No more! Your humble homestead can enjoy the convenience and safety of a driveway looping around a picturesque garden island, saving you and your guests the hassle of reversing your vehicles onto the road! A circular driveway may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Circular driveways are longer than a…
Is your mind set on growing an organic food garden? But you’re shy of all that toil? Then imagine this – a low-effort, inexpensive approach to gardening that produces an abundance of nutritious organic crops! Say goodbye to the grocery store blues and hello to the no-work Ruth Stout Method of gardening! The Ruth Stout Method fuses perpetual mulching with a ‘no till’ approach, enabling crop beds…
Some people call Zero-Turn Radius lawnmowers ZTRs, but I call them zero-turns. I love mine, and it reformed my attitude about the repetitive lawn care chores I have here on our homestead. We only have about 6 acres, but we use it wisely, and it provides all of our needs. The zero-turn made keeping the…
Are you looking to cover up an unsightly view or create some privacy in your garden as quickly as possible? Instead of going to the expense of erecting an unsightly fence, cheap fast growing privacy trees are the perfect choice for creating a natural barrier around your outdoor space. There are many advantages to choosing…
Reusing old mulch can be a wise and environmentally friendly practice. It offers numerous advantages for gardeners and the planet. Mulch, which consists of organic or inorganic materials spread over the soil surface, serves various purposes. Its primary uses include weed suppression, moisture retention, and soil temperature moderation. While fresh mulch is commonly used for…
You’ve seen them out there – burning around, making tight turns, and mowing down epic amounts of grass. With lawn weeds flying everywhere! It’s a homesteader on their best zero turn mower for 5 acres – and boy. That looks fun! And it is. Alright. Let’s jump right into why we’re here today, reviewing the…
No matter how much of a nature-lover you are, I bet you’re not immune to one creature’s presence.The flies. Especially the pesky summertime flies. Oh, the flies. They will buzz around your head. They will go for your food, sweat, tears, and even your saliva. The saliva part is probably the least romantic iteration of…
In most cases, the process of how to lay pavers on dirt is simple and something many homeowners can accomplish without professional help. It’s an excellent way to seamlessly expand your backyard’s living area, opening it up for fun and good times while adding value to your home. There are a lot of different paver…
Tomatoes are one of my favorite summer crops, with every juicy fruit tasting like yummy sunshine bursts! However, waiting for tomatoes to grow and bear fruit can be frustrating at times, with it seeming to take forever from sowing our precious seeds until the first harvest. By discovering how to make tomato plants grow faster,…
Well, ‘yellow’ there! As a lifelong naturalist and outdoorsman, I have a deep respect for all trees, especially those huge, old woodland champions that hold a hundred years of stories. Yes, I am definitely a dendrophile, a lover of all trees. But do you know what’s even more refreshing than the lovely green foliage of…
As the days get longer and warmer, it’s the perfect time to embark on a new garden project (like a watermelon trellis!), especially as late spring and early summer are ideal for planting summer fruits like watermelons. These large, round, and full-of-flavor fruits offer a ton of health benefits, provide essential refreshment during hot summer…
You wake up one morning and perform a routine check-up on your wonderfully lush plant army – be it houseplants, garden flowers, or vegetables. Everything seems all right, but with your sleepy eyes, you notice the soil particles moving around a bit. Are you still dreaming? You rub your eyelids, squint, and realize the soil…
Struggling with the notorious zucchini monster taking over your garden? You’re not the only one! Every year I forget just how vigorous the growth of zucchini plants can be, going from innocent little seedlings to triffid-like monstrosities seemingly overnight! One way of solving this problem is by learning how to grow zucchini vertically. By following just…
I adore growing sugar snap peas! They are the perfect combination of sweet and crunchy. Eating them is a heavenly delight. These little green pods also pack loads of flavor and nutrition, and growing sugar snap peas is a doddle for even the most novice gardener. But what’s the best way to grow sugar snap…
Have you ever woken up in the morning, excited to harvest some juicy, ripe tomatoes from your garden, only to find them mysteriously nibbled on overnight? Believe me; I know how frustrating this situation can be! But how can you find out what is eating your tomatoes at night? With some clever detective work, that’s…
I’m the heart and soil behind Outdoor Happens. Dream of a garden that feeds you or a farm that practically runs itself? I’m here to help make that dream a reality. With 25 years of hands-on gardening and farming, I’ll share down-to-earth tips to help you grow your own slice of sustainable paradise.
Ready to dig in without getting buried? Stick around, let’s make your dreams happen!
