May 2026 Planting Calendar by USDA Zone: What to Sow This Week
What to plant this May by USDA zone — peppers, beans, squash, melons. A working-homestead planting calendar for zones 3 through 9.
Vegetables
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Hardening Off Seedlings: The 10-Day Schedule That Actually Works
Stop losing seedlings on transplant day. A day-by-day, 10-day hardening-off schedule for tomatoes, peppers, brassicas, and more — plus the three mistakes that kill more transplants than frost.
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Community | Gardening | Home | Maintenance | Projects | Skills | Vegetables
Mulch Magic: How to Pick the Perfect Blanket for Your Veggie Garden
If your veggie patch could talk, it would probably say, “Hey, can I get a blanket over here?” That’s basically what mulch is — a cozy cover for your soil that keeps it comfy, nourished, and protected. Whether you’re growing tomatoes, carrots, or enough zucchini to feed the whole neighborhood, the right mulch can make…
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Community | Food Preservation | Gardening | Recipes | Skills | Vegetables
Homestead BBQ: Unique Summer Recipes with Fresh Garden Produce
Late June brings a vibrant harvest to your homestead garden, perfect for firing up a homestead BBQ. Romaine lettuce, green beans, radishes, and peas are at their peak, ready to shine in outdoor dishes that celebrate self-sufficiency. This article shares three unique recipes, each using a different cooking method—grilling, smoking, and griddle-searing—to make the most…
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Gardening | Home | Skills | Vegetables
Growing Potatoes in Your Backyard Garden
This root vegetable not only thrives in a variety of climates but also offers flexibility in planting methods.
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Food Preservation | Fruit | Gardening | Herbs | Home | Skills | Vegetables
Thriving in the Chill: A Guide to Winter Gardening
Did you know you can make your own versions of the most popular boxed foods?
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Green with Envy – Un-be-leaf-able Benefits of Using Greenhouses
In today’s world of gardening and agriculture, greenhouses have become a staple for both professionals and hobbyists alike. But what exactly is a greenhouse, and why do you need one? Let’s dive into the world of controlled environments and explore the benefits of having your own greenhouse. What is a Greenhouse? A greenhouse is a…
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Gardening | Home | Vegetables
From Stink to Soil: Turning a Rotten Situation into Compost Gold
Compost, often referred to as “black gold” by gardeners, is a nutrient-rich soil conditioner that is invaluable for maintaining healthy plants and a thriving garden. It is essentially decomposed organic matter that enriches soil, promotes beneficial microorganisms, and helps retain moisture. Understanding composting, creating your own compost, and utilizing it effectively can significantly enhance the…
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Offseason Garden Prep
If you’ve got a fall garden going, you’ve still plenty of plants in the ground, so bookmark this for when you’re done for the year. If, however, like many gardeners, your growing season is over for the year, its time to begin thinking about prepping your ground for spring. Read on for some ways you…
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Pruning Summer Squash? Yea or Nay
Its about that time of year. The garden is starting to blossom, and among the sea of green and brown, you’re starting to see little shoots of color popping up everywhere. If you’ve planted summer squash, large orange/yellow flowers will be among this sea of growth. But how best should you care for your growing…
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Zeolite: Yay or Nay?
If you started reading this hoping for a definitive answer to the question above, I’m sorry to disappoint. I’ve been reading about Zeolitef for a while and–given the nature of the soil in my garden–decided to give it a go this year, working about 3 pounds into roughly 300 square feet of garden space as…
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Naturally Animal-Proofing Your Garden
Obviously the easiest way to keep critters out of your garden is to put up a good fence. The higher and tighter the better, while burying the bottom will go a long way toward keeping critters from digging beneath. What if you don’t have the time or materials to get a fence up, however? Read…
