Spring is here in all of her glory. But she went from winter temperatures to those of summer. Where did the pleasantly mild weather go? That is my grace period of final garden bed cleanup, dutifully applying compost, weeding, planting, and mulching. These days the warmer weather is loosening my tongue and sapping my motivation. […]
Eat Your Urban Homestead
A growing trend in the United States is urban homesteading. It is popping up from the suburbs through city centers; communities large and small. Whether they have a window sill, small patio, or a backyard, folks are taking steps to become more self-sufficient. One way they can accomplish that is through raising their own food. […]
5 Steps to Remove Mold from Wooden Clothespins
Line-dried laundry is one of life’s simple pleasures. Clothes smell fresh without artificial fragrance. Gravity pulls out most wrinkles without the need of an iron. And one of my favorite reasons… enjoying the sounds of nature while sheets dry on the line… no hmm of a dryer interrupting song birds. But one other item goes […]
Bearded Irises: Beauty in any Size
Gardeners, don’t you just love late spring flowers? The air is lush with fragrances from sugary sweet, reminiscent of grape soda to the deeper, heady floral aromas. Colors explode from dainty pastels of pale pinks and soft yellows spanning the spectrum to regal hues of bold oranges, deep purples, and vibrant bi-colors. But one flower […]
Can You Do That? Grafting Tomatoes!
Whether you start seeds yourself or buy seedlings from a greenhouse or CSA, tomatoes are a garden staple. They are an easy crop to grow, come in a wide variety of colors, and provide a taste of summer that just can be replicated in grocery store produce. Heirlooms have been the secret darling of the […]
A Modern Spin on Backyard Homesteading
While the Homestead Act of 1862 granted land to applicants after five years of living on the land and demonstrating improvements (such as planting windbreaks and constructing buildings), modern homesteading has no such requirements. Believe it or not, it is taking place right now in backyard across urban America. People are returning to a lifestyle […]