Permaculture swales spillway

How to prepare for food shortage! Do you have a stockpile of essential foods ready and waiting for your household to use at a moment’s notice? If not, then you’re at risk of experiencing a crisis if food shortages occur in your area or even all across the globe. Fortunately, it’s easy to learn how …

A sloping backyard can present many difficulties when creating a functional and aesthetically pleasing outdoor space. One potential solution to this problem is incorporating the following retaining wall ideas into your landscape design. Retaining walls add visual interest and dimension to your sloped yard. And they also serve the practical purpose of holding back soil …

In summer, it gets hot here. Of course, we can go inside the house or use air conditioning to cool down, but what about our outdoor animals? Chickens swelter in their coop, rabbits hide away, goats sweat in the paddock, and our dogs dig holes to try and find some way to stay cool in …

Does your yard sport a naked well pipe sticking out of the soil like a long-lost snorkel? Well – we have good news. Your wellhead (aka a well pipe) can wear a cover. And we have many creative ideas to help you cover up your well pipe, which can protect and beautify it simultaneously! Some ideas to cover your well …

I have been toying with the idea of introducing cows to our smallholding, but the thought of upgrading all our fences is a little daunting, to say the least. From what I’ve experienced of cows, they perceive fences primarily as scratching posts and then as items requiring mass destruction. So, that left me wondering: what …

The best goat milking machine can make life on the farm just that little bit easier! This review explains the features to look for and our 5 recommended milkers.

We all know that chickens are birds, but can chickens fly? After all, it’s not like we see flocks of chickens soaring through the skies every day! Let’s dive into the delightful world of chicken flight (or lack thereof) and settle this winged mystery once and for all! Shall we? Can Chickens Fly? Chickens can …

Are you dreaming of a lush, beautiful indoor garden? Well, we can help. But finding indoor hanging plants for sun-deprived spaces is tricky! However, with the right selection of hanging plants, you can add some greenery and life to these dim spaces. Fortunately, many beautiful and easy-to-care-for hanging plants don’t need direct sunlight to grow …

Common dandelions symbolize childhood, summertime, and making wishes come true! Who doesn’t fondly remember telling the time with a dandelion clock? However, as much as these yellow flowers have a place in my heart, many weeds that look like dandelions are not quite so welcome! Some of these dandelion doppelganger weeds can pose challenges for …

One of the coolest parts of raising chickens and being a backyard chicken keeper is collecting multi-colored eggs every week! Blue eggs, green eggs, pink eggs, even orange eggs! But maybe there’s a higher demand for white chicken eggs in your neighborhood – or perhaps some of your family members prefer bright, white eggs. So, …

If you’re going to a farm to look at chickens or to pick up a llama, arriving at a muddy field with a sagging gate and a flimsy sign with a faded number on it can be soul-destroying. You don’t know if you’re at the right place or even if anyone is still alive in …

There’s always fencing to be done on a homestead or farm, and the best fencing pliers make your life a lot easier. I have one set of pliers I always carry with me. They’re the pliers that can do anything – grab wire, twist it, cut it – I’m ashamed to admit that sometimes, they’re …

As a homesteader, contemplating adding a beef cow or two to your menagerie can feel like you’re hitting the big time! It’s all fine and dandy playing around with poultry, sheep, and goats, but bringing some beef cattle into the mix starts to step everything up a gear. But if some beautiful bovines are next …

We love storing food in Mylar bags. The past few years have taught the world the value of preparation for unforeseen emergencies. Whether you consider yourself a prepper or not, it’s hard to deny the benefits of having extra food stored away to keep your family safe and healthy if the mainstream food supply fails.  …

Here are the best plants that absorb lots of water. And they’re vital for all gardeners – because even the finest lawns can develop issues with excessive moisture. Heavy rain, inadequate drainage, and soil repacking after construction projects can all contribute. Pooled water can cause mud pits in your yard or allow water to soak …

Let’s brainstorm four genius ways to amend clay soil without tilling. Because as you know, clay soil is generally not desirable for gardening. Sure, some plants can sustain life in compact clay, but most vegetables, herbs, and even ornamentals struggle to survive in this soil type. So, what can you do if your property has …