For beekeepers, fall signals an end to all of the work of summer. But for those who live in regions that experience winter, there are still a few more tasks to do before settling down with a cup of tea in front of the fireplace. Remember, you actions now will help your bees survive the […]
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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. […]
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 […]
Can You Really Homestead in the City?
I have farming in my blood. My dad was a farmer. His father was a farmer. His grandpa was a farmer. You get the point. Yet as an adult, I moved to the city and left the country life behind me… or so I thought. I had an urge to get my hands in the […]
Bees: Feeding Pollen in Early Spring
Early spring marks an unsettling time for beekeepers. The weather can fluctuate between winter conditions to a gorgeous short-sleeve type of day. We worry. Have the bees survived the last round of cold weather? Is the hive strong? Are enough plants blooming to provide food for the brood and the rest of the colony? Now […]
Urban Homestead in Winter: The Work Doesn't Stop
Growing up on a farm in Iowa, I have vivid memories of my hard-working dad. He was up every morning to milk the cow, then tending to the rest of the of the livestock, and finally… the rest of the chores in order of importance. This cycle repeated itself every day. It didn’t matter of […]