Across the Nation, cities, municipalities and even rural towns have routinely voted to keep livestock out of city limits, dictating what people can and cannot raise on their own property. This has led to the persecution of raw milk farmers and other small producers. Some cities have even targeted and fined people for converting their lawns into small self-sustainable … Continue reading Maine ratifies food sovereignty rights into their state Constitution
4 ways to preserve your harvest without canning
You’ve just harvested your garden, and you’re now surrounded by more homegrown produce than you can possibly eat before it all goes bad. Canning might be the most obvious solution, but let’s face it: it’s not the easiest task. Thankfully, there are lots of great ways that you can preserve your harvest without having to … Continue reading 4 ways to preserve your harvest without canning
9 vegetables that are the easiest to grow in containers
You don’t need to have a backyard to grow your own food. If you’re limited to a cramped balcony, a small patio or even just a sunny windowsill, you can still grow vegetables. The key is to use containers, such as pots, planter boxes and barrels. You can even recycle old baskets and reusable bags … Continue reading 9 vegetables that are the easiest to grow in containers
Top 6 organic fertilizers for your garden
The use of fertilizers dates back 8,000 years, when early farmers used manure to fertilize their crops. However, modern, commercial agriculture has now become heavily dependent on toxic synthetic fertilizers. These man-made chemicals allow farmers to temporarily increase the yield of their crops, but they also destroy beneficial soil microorganisms, cause air and water pollution and increase … Continue reading Top 6 organic fertilizers for your garden
6 Most important skills every homesteader should learn
Living on a homestead seems like sunshine and rainbows from afar. But there’s actually more to homesteading once you get up close and personal. You’ll need to know more than just how to keep the house clean, the animals fed and the vegetables watered. But don’t fret. Each homesteading skill you learn will take you one step … Continue reading 6 Most important skills every homesteader should learn
Home gardening tips: How to plant, grow and harvest 3 oregano varieties
Oregano is a versatile herb with many ornamental and culinary uses. Grow different varieties of oregano in your home garden or container garden if you want access to a fragrant, flavorful herb. (h/t to TheHomesteadingHippy.com) 3 Oregano varieties for your home garden Choose among the three oregano varieties below and plant one that suits your culinary needs. … Continue reading Home gardening tips: How to plant, grow and harvest 3 oregano varieties
Is your garden “fertilizer” made from toxic sewage sludge?
Summer is almost here, which means millions of Americans are busily planting their gardens for the season. With that typically comes lots of fertilizer, many brands of which contain toxic sewer sludge, also known as “biosludge,” disguised as plant “food.” The Sierra Club recently conducted a study on garden fertilizer and found that much of it … Continue reading Is your garden “fertilizer” made from toxic sewage sludge?
Seed starting 101: 4 Good reasons to start seeds indoors
Though it’s possible to grow a vegetable garden by buying seedlings from your local garden center, it’s better to start your garden by growing seeds indoors. For one, it’s way cheaper than buying seedlings every time you want to grow something. Plus, you can buy seeds for more varieties than you will find for sale as … Continue reading Seed starting 101: 4 Good reasons to start seeds indoors
5 Plants that can keep mosquitoes away from your home
Summer is just around the corner, and the warm weather means the mosquitoes are about to come out as well. It is difficult to keep these pests away from your home, especially without the use of chemicals. Fortunately, certain plants have qualities that mosquitoes find very repellant. Here are five of those plants. (h/t to OldWorldGardenFarms.com) … Continue reading 5 Plants that can keep mosquitoes away from your home
How to grow, harvest and use turmeric, a versatile superfood
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a tropical plant in the same family as ginger. It is commonly used as a spice but also hailed for its medicinal properties. You can find turmeric, fresh or powdered, in most health food stores and even mainstream groceries. However, it doesn’t come cheap. Luckily, turmeric is relatively easy to … Continue reading How to grow, harvest and use turmeric, a versatile superfood
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 