Although most people seem excited to learn about our self-reliant lifestyle, every now and then, someone doesn't get it. Or they may think that we do this simply to save money. But the reality is that there are a lot of benefits to growing your own food. Chemical free When you grow your own, you know exactly what was or was not sprayed on it, as well as what was used to … [Read more...]
Celebrating summertime with the best varieties of tomatoes
Reading Epic Tomatoes by Craig LeHoullier took me back to my childhood and enjoying tomato sandwiches with my grandfather during the summertime. Though I've reviewed many books this year, this is one of the most delightful perhaps because of the many delicious-looking photos, descriptions, and the author's personal stories about different tomato varieties. LeHoullier even … [Read more...]
Save water, time, and money using drip irrigation
"Trees grow faster, with wider trunks. Shrubs and perennial flowers bloom more profoundly. Vegetables and fruit and nut trees yield more abundantly." - Robert Kourik How is this possible? In the quote above, the author of Drip Irrigation: For Every Landscape and All Climates is referring to the benefits of drip irrigation, compared to watering your garden by hand or using … [Read more...]
Getting started with saving your own seeds
During my cross-country farm tour last fall, I stopped by Seed Savers Exchange (SSE) in Iowa and was overwhelmed by their amazing heirloom seed collection and the many other resources that they offer. So, I was excited to read Seed to Seed, which was written by one of SSE's seed researchers - Suzanne Ashworth. At Del Rio Botanical near Sacramento, California, Ashworth conducts … [Read more...]
Book review: Plowing with Pigs
I was originally drawn to Plowing with Pigs and Other Creative, Low-Budget Homesteading Solutions because I am planning to raise pigs, but it turns out you really can't judge a book by its cover! While there is a chapter about pigs and the many ways they can help you around your homestead, this book is actually a collection of many different affordable homestead solutions. The … [Read more...]
Book review: The Permaculture Book of DIY
I recently moved and now have space for many more do-it-yourself (DIY) projects compared to my previous city apartment. Well, now I've added even more to my to-do list after reading The Permaculture Book of DIY. This book is a compilation of 23 different projects based on permaculture principles - meaning that they are designed to be "low impact, ecologically sound projects" … [Read more...]
A beginner’s guide to medicinal herbs
Within hours of starting to read Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide, I had started a tincture and an infusion. It is one of my favorite herbal books for beginners, and I'm not alone in that opinion. It is one of the classics. The book starts with basic info about herbs, then includes a chapter on how to make herbal remedies. She has complete instructions … [Read more...]
Want to learn how to grow mushrooms?
I've been hearing more and more about homesteaders and farmers growing mushrooms and was curious to find out what all the fuss is about. Though I love to eat mushrooms, I hadn't seriously considered growing my own until I read Mycelial Mayhem by David and Kristin Sewak. Now, I feel like I have really been missing out by purchasing mushrooms from the supermarket as there are so … [Read more...]
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange giveaway
Located in Mineral, Virginia, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange is a 72-acre farm and cooperatively run business which sells more than 800 varieties of open-pollinated, organic, and heirloom vegetable, herb, flower, grain, and cover crop seeds. Most of their seeds are grown by a network of over 50 small farms across the United States. You can learn about some of their seed … [Read more...]
Planting a medicinal herb garden
I’ve spent the day curled up with my favorite seed catalogs and dreaming about my gardens. Every year between Groundhog Day and the first day of planting in the spring I struggle to find activities that allow me to feel close to green growing things. This year has been particularly maddening with the early spring teasing us to get outdoors, tempting us to do more than is wise … [Read more...]
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