As someone who grew up in a household that used a name brand, commercially produced lip balm, I vowed to make my own some day. The store-bought brand left me yearning for something better. The store brand? You know the one. Plastic tube. Came in plain and later in cherry scented varieties. It left your […]
Raspberry Lemon Jam
My raspberry bushes produce a fall treat… another crop of bright red berries. Since freezing temperatures is something on the horizon, I quickly harvest so my family can enjoy this berry. But this season, rather than turning the fall crop into wine or a mixed berry jelly, I decide to make an old classic with […]
Why a Freeze Kills Plants
As nighttime temperatures dip towards freezing, many gardeners are frantically harvesting the last of the garden bounty. They know that their remaining nights are numbered. Summer flavors are nearly done. Tomatoes. Peppers. Eggplant. Squash. Basil. Fresh produce from a garden is truly sublime. The flavors are fresh and vibrant. They are far superior to the […]
A Fall Pest: Grey Aphids
If you grow anything in the brassica family (kale, collard greens brussels sprouts,cabbage, etc…) you have seen them. Small. Grey. In clusters. Hanging out on the under side of the leaves. And they tend to make their appearance in late summer, early fall. What are they? Grey aphids. Grey aphids are also known as cabbage […]
20 Homestead Activities to Share with Young Children
People around the country are returning to their roots. They are becoming modern homesteaders and joining the legion of others who want to cook meals from scratch, garden organically, raise backyard chickens, and learn the art of preserving. But much as we are returning to our roots, what about the next generation? Are we encouraging […]
California White: An Eggcellent Chicken for Urban Settings
Whether you have acres or a small backyard, chicken keepers are always searching for a great egg laying breed. Sure, temperament comes into play. Some folks may make decisions based on egg color, but for my money… when it comes to selecting an egg laying breed, California White is the one that I keep coming […]