It's that time of year: Black bears soon will leave their dens and become active. Though they'll primarily forage on green vegetation, bears will eat from bird feeders, outdoor pet foods and garbage cans, if available. Taking simple steps now can keep bears safely at a distance and prevent conflicts this spring and summer: Remove bird feeders or replace feeders with … [Read more...] about Help Protect Bears This Spring
Gardening
Oak Wilt and Pruning
If you live anywhere in the Midwestern or Eastern United States, its time to stop pruning your oak trees for the year. Why, you ask? With the onset of spring, the worry of oak wilt grows anew. Caused by a fungus, oak wilt has existed in the aforementioned regions of the United States for some time. Red, black and pin oak are most susceptible to oak wilt, though white and bur … [Read more...] about Oak Wilt and Pruning
How to Grow Your Own Toilet Paper
Most homesteaders begin their journey with the desire to be fully self-sufficient. From food, to power, to transportation, this can be quite a process. Oftentimes, however, the simplest needs are overlooked in favor of more flashy pursuits, but the devil is in the details. Have you ever considered, for instance, how to live without store-bought toilet paper? If not, read on, … [Read more...] about How to Grow Your Own Toilet Paper
Prepping Your Procrastination Feed Plot
I know, I know, your feed plot should already be well underway. But if you're like me, summer chores got the best of you, and you're a little late putting it in the ground. The good news is, you're not too late, particularly if you're south of the Mason-Dixon like myself. Brassicas and tender cereal grains are damn near irresistible to whitetail, are easy for even novices to … [Read more...] about Prepping Your Procrastination Feed Plot
Purslane: Worthwhile or Weed?
Purslane. I guarantee you've seen it, and if, like me, you grew up below the Mason-Dixon, you may even have heard of it by the slightly unappetizing moniker: Hogweed. Found growing wild across most of the United States, purslane is most definitely a weed, but the question is, is it a useful one? As you've probably guessed, given that we're devoting an article to it, it is … [Read more...] about Purslane: Worthwhile or Weed?
