It's a bad time to be a seed-spitter. Sunflower seeds have long been my constant companion. Whether making a run to the store, or working in the woods or field, sunflower seeds have always provided a nice, salty (or spicy, depending on seasoning!) distraction to keep me occupied. Alas, I've noticed a sharp uptick in prices as of late, that's driving my habit into newly costly … [Read more...] about Roasting Sunflower Seeds
Hay! That’s Not Straw!
When I first started homesteading, I didn’t know the difference between hay and straw. Not because I was uneducated; it’s just not something a suburban kid would ever have known. I had country cousins whom I visited, and my uncle even raised quail at our house. It was just something that I never caught onto. The fact that most of the visitors to my house don’t know the … [Read more...] about Hay! That’s Not Straw!
Six September Gardening Tips
As the days grow shorter and the temperatures get either downright pleasant, or just a little less unbearable depending on what part of the country you're in, you're likely wondering what steps you can take in your garden. Its an odd time of year, as the harvest of ripe produce lines coincides with the approach of dormancy for many plants. That doesn't mean there's nothing to … [Read more...] about Six September Gardening Tips
Asian Longhorn Beetle Invasion
August is a great time to enjoy the outdoors, and it’s also the best time to spot the invasive Asian longhorn beetle as adults emerge from trees. That’s why the U.S. Department of Agriculture is declaring August as “Tree Check Month.” Checking trees for the beetle and the damage it causes is one way you can protect trees and help the USDA’s efforts to eliminate this beetle from … [Read more...] about Asian Longhorn Beetle Invasion
6 Ways Diatomaceous Earth Can Help Your Homestead’s Health
If you can pronounce Diatomaceous earth, kudos. If you can SPELL Diatomaceous earth, double kudos. But even if you mispronounce it like I do, (Dianysis, Diagnosis, Dionysus) that doesn’t mean you can’t use it as an effective tool on your farm or homestead. So, what is Diatomaceous earth? It looks like something Tony Montana would snort off his desk in Scarface, but it is … [Read more...] about 6 Ways Diatomaceous Earth Can Help Your Homestead’s Health
