So you’re ready to start growing your own vegetables…. Awesome! But where do you start?

Luckily there are tons of options! It all depends on the space you have available and what you plan on growing. You should start by deciding if you want to plant right off the ground, using raised beds or plant in container pots. The choices are really based on preferences or what you are growing. If you are very limited in space or want to start small just to ‘taste the waters’ so to speak, using container pots is a great way to start! I have a great big back yard but I prefer raised beds myself. Like me, if you have ample space, raised beds offer great benefits.

Even though I have ample yard space, I’m somewhat limited on a spot because my backyard is partly shaded. If you decide to pick a spot in your backyard, I would suggest two things: one, make sure the spot you pick receives lots of sunlight during the day, and two, make sure you raise the area. You can raise the area by simply adding lots of soil, enough to make a mount, higher than the ground. Raising the area has many benefit, for one it provides better drainage. Though some plants prefer cooler shady area, but most do well in full sun. For example eggplants, they prefer the heat, so full sunny area will be the ideal spot to plant them.

Whatever option you decide to go with, make sure you prep the area thoroughly and make sure that your soil has a good balance of nutrition by mixing a good mixture of topsoil and fertilizer, which I will discuss more on future posts. Or you can simply go to your local nursery and purchase good organic potting soil. Like us, plants and vegetables require food and water. So making sure your soil is rich is one of the many steps of having a successful garden. If you decide to use pots to grow your vegetables, make sure to choose the right container size as choosing the right size is key. The right size container is essential for better drainage and also helps improve root system for vegetable with larger roots. It also helps by providing space for your vegetables to grow and thrive. Proper size holes underneath the container are also essential to help with drainage. If the container is the right size but doesn’t provide adequate drainage, it doesn’t help, so be aware.

If you decide to go with a raised bed, your options are limitless. Like pot containers, they sell countless types of raised beds by both sizes and materials. This year, I decided to be creative and build my own raised bed using 2 x 6 x 10. Simple raised beds are very easy to build, and if you are unsure where to start, they are numerous videos on the internet that can help you. I’ve had to do my own research before I built my raised bed and I’m very pleased with the results. I will discuss the many choices of building your own raised bed(s) in future posts. The idea is also the same, make sure you have a good mixture of soil in each bed, and size also does matter. So make sure you build your raised bed according to what you plan on growing. Also make sure your raiseds beds are located in an area that receives plenty of natural sunlight during the day. I find that adding a layer of garden fabric underneath the bed before adding soil helps prevent weed from coming up from the bottom. It helps a lot as you will learn that weeding is time consuming and a very big part of gardening.

I can go on forever but I think this is enough to get your started. I will discuss more in future posts on how to mix your own soil and what size planters or raised beds are recommended depending on your plant selection. I look forward to hearing from all of you. I would love to know which option you have chosen in the past and how it worked for you. And if you are just starting, I would also love to hear from you. Does this article help and which option do you plan on going with? Any tips, suggestions and/or ideas would be greatly appreciated. For inspiration, I’ve added a few photos that I’ve come across the internet, depicting vegetables in either container pots or raised gardens.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s plant something! Be creative and have fun!
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Learn more at http://morninghomestead.com/gardening
Best Vegetable Seeds for Planting to Feed Your Family

We all agree that like us, plants require nutrients to grow and thrive. They also need oxygen from the air for root respiration and other nutrients like, carbon and hydrogen. In fact, plants need about thirteen ingredients for optimum growth. Such ingredients includes Calcium, Sulfur and Magnesium, and others that are usually ignored. Out of the thirteen, Nitrogen (N), Potassium (K) and Phosphorus (P) are the most popular ingredients labeled. These nutrients are vital to the soil’s health. Each offers different type of nutrients to your plants, understanding the impact they each make to your plants is crucial.

You might say, “Well I didn’t have to worry about any of that, my garden thrived and I grew plenty of vegetables last year.” You may be right, however you must remember that even if you started with good quality soil, each time you grow any plants from that garden, they take in all the nutrients and leave the soil infertile. Soil infertility can be caused by other factors like digging or tilling the soil, poor runoff, leaching from rainfall and much more. One way of replacing lost nutrients into your soil is by fertilizing your garden.

First, let’s take a look at closer look at those key ingredients.

Nitrogen (N): Nitrogen is an essential element of all amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. Nitrogen helps plants create proteins needed to produce new tissue. Nitrogen is also an element of chlorophyll, the substance that gives plants their green color. One way of figuring out if your plant is receiving sufficient nitrogen is usually by the leave color. A dark green color most likely means your plant is receiving proper amount of nitrogen. It’s important not to add too much nitrogen to your soil as it will cause your plants to grow more foliage than producing crops. Although nitrogen can be added to soil in either organic or inorganic forms, plants take up only inorganic nitrogen. When planting, keep in mind that certain plant like soybean (from the legume family), will produce their own nitrogen into the soil by using the Rhizobium bacteria through a process called “symbiotic” associations.

Potassium (K): Like Nitrogen, potassium also plays in important role in plant growth. It promotes growth and amplifies protein production. Most importantly, potassium improves resistance to diseases and insects. Keeping your soil moist increases the movement of potassium to plant roots and boosts availability. Oxygen and potassium works hand in hand. If your soil is too wet and unable to breath, it will mostly not be able to take in necessary potassium. So it is very important not to soak your soil as it will decrease the uptake of potassium. Potassium deficiency will lead to slow or immature growth, frail and unhealthy roots. One way of telling potassium deficiency in your garden is by also looking at the color of the leaves, yellow or white spots on the leaves usually means a lock of potassium intake. In any case of potassium deficiency, they are a few method of adding more potassium back into your soil. Potassium chloride, potassium-magnesium sulfate or Manure are great source of potassium. But using a potassium chloride fertilizer is one of the most common way to add potassium to your garden. When using either method, it is strongly suggested to research each method as results will vary for different plants.

Phosphorus (P): Like its cousin nitrogen and potassium, phosphorus is equally as important to your soil. Its main role is to store and transfer energy. Phosphorus availability is measured by three factors: Soil pH, amount of organic matter, and proper placement of fertilizer phosphorus.

Sufficient phosphorus in your garden soil will stimulates early plant and root growth and accelerates maturity. Like any other nutrients, too much of phosphorus can be damaging to your plants. Excessive phosphorus in your soil will reduce the plant’s ability to grow and produce. On the other hand, like any other nutrients, phosphate can be lost from your soil over time through soil erosion. Various phosphate fertilizers, like rock phosphate or rock dust, manure and bone meal are available to fix that. Rock phosphate consists of soft rock of smaller particle size and are recommended to use in soils with pH level above neutral (pH7). Manure contains soluble, organic and inorganic phosphate compounds.

Concentration of phosphorus from manure vary based on material used for vermicomposting, a process of composting. And lastly bone meal, a flour-like material like powder composed of primarily animal bone should not be applied to soil with a pH level above 7.

Few of us have ideal garden soil, but if you are among the many of us who don’t have the ideal garden soil, there’s hope! There are easy ways to improve your garden soil by using fertilizers. Luckily, there is not shortage of fertilizers in the market. They are available in powered and liquid form, organic and inorganic. Each bag or liquid bottle of fertilizer sold will label each ingredients and the percentage available, for example 5-3-3 or 5-10-5 and the list goes on. These number are very important because they tell you the percentage of Nitrogen, Potassium, Phosphate and other nutrients available.

Now that you have a basic understanding of the different type of soil nutrients, you’re one step closer to having a successful growing season. Adding in soil amendments and soil fertilizers will not only improve the structure of the soil but it will add missing nutrients into the soil. Adding organic matter to the soil will add bulk to sandy soil or help with drainage if you have heavy or clay soil.

It is recommended to add in 3 to 4 inches of organic matter to your garden each year as it will improve the productivity of your vegetables. Here are some common organic soil amendments:

• Compost enriches and add in organic matter to your soil. It also improves soil structure, helps retain water and prevents run-off. It can be made in a worm composting bin in your backyard or indoor.

• Animal manure like compost also add organic matter to the soil. It’s an excellent source nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and other nutrients. Manure can differ from each other so be cautious when using.

• Peat moss offers several benefits to the soil. Unlike compost or manure, it breaks down slowly in the soil, therefore doesn’t require frequent application. It holds moisture and releases it to the plant roots as needed, making it favorable in sandy soil. It also helps holding key nutrition into the soil.

• Seaweed, derived from sea plants, it contains low quantity of nitrogen and phosphorus. It prevents fungal and diseases and is an excellent source of growth hormones and nutrients to the soil. It is available in liquid, powder and pellet from.

• Green manures are plants grown in the fall and tilled under in the early spring, often called “cover crops”. Some examples are buckwheat, clover, fava beans, fall rye, field’s peas, and oats. They will add bulk to the soil and improve drainage and aeration. Some variety will add nitrogen to the soil.

When you first start to go down the path of Eco-friendly gardening, deciding on the right organic gardening supplies for the best effect can be somewhat overwhelming. The first thing to do would be to do a little research. I can’t stress enough the importance of taking the time to do some research before starting any project. I will be discussing more the difference between organic and inorganic fertilizers in future posts.

As stated in my previous post, you should always have a garden soil test kit, if not an inexpensive test kit is the first purchase you need to make when checking the pH level of your soil. You’ll find one at any gardening supplies store. The instructions that come with the kit will be easy enough to follow even for a first-time user. Remember, even if your soil has proper nutrients, your pH level can be out of whack and if your pH level is not within the normal range between 6.0 to 7.0, some plants may have difficulty absorbing some nutrients. Hopefully this article will guide you in the right path.
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Sources:
https://extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/PB1637.pdf
https://morninghomestead.com/best-liquid-fertilizer-pastures/
https://morninghomestead.com/best-bloom-boosters-reviews/
https://morninghomestead.com/best-hydroponic-nutrients-reviews/
https://extension.usu.edu/waterquality/agriculturewq/fertilizer
https://morninghomestead.com/best-tow-behind-broadcast-spreader/
Best Vegetable Seeds for Planting to Feed Your Family

Do you enjoy gardening? Perhaps you do it in your spare time or you are an avid gardener. Growing your own vegetable or herb make sense, right? It saves you money in the long run and it’s rewarding. Why pay for it if you can pick it fresh from your garden? I would say, grow it yourself! Before growing anything, it is crucial to learn about your agricultural or USDA Plant Hardiness Zone, (USDA Plant Hardiness Zone).

Knowing your zone hardiness will help you figure out what to plant, and when to plant them. Researching about each vegetable or herb is also a great way to start because it’s beneficial to know their temperature requirements, likes and dislikes. As stated before, research, research and research some more! My other advice to you is to grow what you like. Not what you think your neighbor or family will like. If you love tomatoes, the more reason for you to grow it!

Remember, gardening is seasonal. Depending on where you live, most likely you might have a short growing season. However some of you might even be able to grow year round with little or no effort. I live in the Northeast and the winters here can be brutal, so my growing season is very short. I can only plant between the last frost day of the spring (which a little before or after Mother’s day!), throughout the summer and harvest before the last hard frost in the fall. Once the snow starts here, the outdoor world is practically sealed completely! For me, growing indoor is not feasible because I don’t have much space in the house that receives considerable amount of natural sunlight, which is necessary. I intend to invest in a decent greenhouse to start growing earlier and to also be able to extend my growing season, but until i do, i will have to just wait till it’s safe outdoor like most of you.

Knowing your climate is crucial. It is essential to know the average temperatures in your area because it will be helpful in determining when to start sowing outside, transplanting or harvesting your crops. Again, I can’t stress it enough, timing is key! Timing must be good depending on what you’re growing or else your garden will be doomed before it even begins. Windy Springs can also be harmful to your garden, especially when your seedlings are trying to germinate. Keep in mind that night-time average temperatures are also a big factor in plant growth. Just because the temperature during the day is pleasant doesn’t mean it’ll be the same at night. For example,the Fall in the northeast are mostly pleasant during the day, but night temperatures can quickly fall near freezing.

If you live in other regions perhaps the Midwest or the Southern part of the country, when I’m trapped in an endless winter doom, you might be able to extend your growing season and produce in abundance through October, November and even into December! Most root crops like Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Carrots, Spinach and Brussels sprouts thrives in the fall. And most perennial herbs like Chives, Lavender and Rosemary are also not afraid of a light frost. However, they are ways to extend your growing season even the harshest conditions which I will discuss on a later post.

If you live in other parts of the country where you have succeeded growing throughout most of the seasons, I would love to hear from you. How far into the growing season were you able to plant? Are you just starting to plant your own vegetable, if so, what are you thinking of starting with? For all the gardeners with more experience, i would also love to hear from you, any tips and tricks you may be able to share with the rest of us will be appreciated!

I’m constantly researching and learning about gardening and one of the best website to find gardening information is the Old Farmer’s Almanac. I’ve found their website to be very helpful when it comes to growing your own vegetable. This table is taken directly from their site, It offers so much more information than I can cover on my post. Check it out, bookmark it and familiarize yourself with all the information that it provides.
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Others:
http://cemonterey.ucanr.edu/files/268453.pdf
Best Vegetable Seeds for Planting to Feed Your Family
https://morninghomestead.com/greenhouses-near-me/
https://morninghomestead.com/best-led-grow-lights-reviews/
https://morninghomestead.com/best-hydroponics-books-beginner-reviews/
https://morninghomestead.com/best-evergreen-shrubs-front-house/

So you’ve picked your plants and you are ready to create the best looking and most productive garden, good for you! You even went so far as selecting the best spot in your yard or selected the right size planters. Starting a new garden is not too difficult, the trick is keeping it healthy and making sure it thrives throughout the growing season, given your climate conditions. You think by cleaning up the area, or turning up the soil and adding a few plants, you should be well on your way of growing a garden?

Well, that might work for a little while but not for long term gardening. There’s a bit more to it than that. A successful growing season requires a little bit of planning. There are a few extra simple steps you should take to ensure the success of your garden in the long run. For example, making sure the soil is “gardening quality” or otherwise healthy. Knowing your soil type and condition is crucial.

To ensure a long and successful growing season, you must make sure you start off right. The soil is one of the major key components in a garden, because it provides nutrients and air that your garden require to grow and develop. I personally feel that it’s the most important part of your garden, but then again that’s my personal opinion. The success of your garden starts with how healthy your soil is. Your garden will have a better chance to thrive and be more productive if you start it with quality soil.

However, I should tell you that starting with quality soil is NOT the only components of growing a successful garden. There is so much more to gardening. They are other factors like watering your garden on a regular basis, making sure that area receives lots of daily natural sunlight and so on. Starting with good quality soil is a great start, but keeping it healthy throughout the season is also just as important.

Each plant require a certain pH level, though most thrives around 6.0 to 7.0 pH level. So knowing your soil pH level for growing vegetables is very important. The pH level determines the acidity or alkalinity level in your soil or the nutrients available for your plants. A simple soil test will usually indicate your soil’s pH level.

You can find numerous pH tester kits from your local nursery, they vary in prices depending on how simple or advanced the tester is. As a gardener, like using a glove, you should always have one of those handy also. Once you determined the pH level of your soil, the next step is to figure out if you need to adjust it by raising or lowering it. In most cases, you do need to make some adjustments. But luckily there are a few ways to fix that.

Using Limestone is the most common way of raising the pH level of soil. On the other hand, Sulfur is used to lower it if needed. They are available in both powered and palletized form. Just be careful to not adding too much as it will leads to plant poisoning. Another test is recommended a few days after application. It is also recommended that you monitor your pH level throughout the season because a few factors can alter your soil pH level over time.

For example, your pH level will fluctuate if you are in an area that receives a lot of rainfall or if you decide to use fertilizer to provide nutrients to your vegetables. All fertilizers nutrients are measured by 3 key ingredients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Either in the front or in small prints in the back, each bag of fertilizer will most likely be labeled with the type of nutrient and/or the percentage provided. See Fertilizing Your Garden Soil post for more information.

Without enough Nitrogen, your garden will most likely fail. Most plants rely on nitrogen from the soil in order to thrive. Some rely on nitrogen from the soil more than others. So knowing if your soil has enough nitrogen is important. There are in nature a few plants that will produce their own nitrogen. They are called nitrogen-fixing plants. By the help of a bacteria called “Rhizobium”, they are able to draw nitrogen gas from the air and store it in their roots. Any leguminous plant of the pea flower family, such as peas and beans are considered nitrogen-fixing plants.

Those type of plants will release natural nitrogen into the your soil. So be proactive by planting plants that helps one another. For example, corn and beans can do very well together: Corn naturally sucks nitrogen from the soil, whereas beans adds nitrogen to the soil. I will provide more recommendation in future posts.

Even though I stress that knowing your soil pH level is important, the results should be used as a guideline. There’s much more to improving your soil than just having the right pH level. There are many other factors to keep into consideration, like the type of soil you may have. If you soil is too sandy, loamy or clumpy, you also have to fix that by adding other ingredients to help improve it. The type of soil in combination with the pH level should help you determine what to add or remove to make your soil healthy.

As always, any comments and or tips are appreciated. Check out more details below:
Best Vegetable Seeds for Planting to Feed Your Family
Everything You Need To Know About Growing Heirlooms
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Sources:
https://morninghomestead.com/how-to-compost-at-home-easy
https://morninghomestead.com/best-hydroponic-nutrients-reviews
https://morninghomestead.com/best-bloom-boosters-reviews
https://extension.psu.edu/soil-quality-information
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/extension-gardener-handbook/1-soils-and-plant-nutrients

Tending a garden can be a great joy in life, but if you live in an area of the country that the seasons can seriously affect all of the hard work that you have put into your garden, you will want to make sure you take special care of it before winter strikes. For many plants, they must be properly prepared for the winter season, especially if they are perennials (plants that continue growing from one year to the next), and if they are newly planted that year. You do not want the frost and frigid temperatures to kill off your plants. Not to mention, sometimes plants get pushed out of the ground if not protected properly.

Getting your perennials prepared for winter means a lot of little steps. First you want to make sure that you cut away all of the dried and dead stems after the first frost. If you have any stems with seed heads, leave them there. You will want to compost some organic material to lie around the plants to give them as much nutrition as possible throughout the winter months. And you will want to get rid of all diseased parts of any plants or mulch. Once the ground freezes, you can add the compost around the plants for the season. Covering your plants is another great way to protect them from the cold nights and frost, but don’t forget to remove cover during the day so the plants can breath and take in sunlight. You can find several different type of cover for your plants at your local nursery or online. Or, you can be creative by making your own, that’s always fun and less costly!

If you have planted bulbs, you will want to protect them from the inches of snow and ice that can gather over the months. A simple and easy way to protect them is by covering the garden with evergreen branches to make sure that you protect the soil from too much moisture and cold dry air, which can crack the soil and push the small bulb up out of the ground. The evergreen helps to keep this from happening. If they are flower bulbs, planting them at the right time of year will bring you wonderful buds in the spring.

These are just a few examples of certain ways you could protect or “winterize” your garden before the first frost comes, and before the inches of snow get piled on top. Plants are delicate, and when they are left in frigid temperatures for so long, there is a lot that can happen to them. By preparing the gardens in the correct way, you can ensure that you will see these beautiful plants again in the spring. It may take a bit of time and work at the end of the fall season, but you will not regret doing it.

Lastly, always make sure you know your plants. Find out as much as you can about your plants when purchasing, knowing how much cold or heat any particular plants can tolerate will help you better take care of them. Don’t be afraid to ask the people at your favorite nursery questions about what to expect from a plant during the summers and winters in your area. Asking where to plant and how to care for a plant before you purchase it will save you money and time in the long run. Below are some example found over the internet of how others have protected their plants.

As always, happy planting!
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read more:
Best Vegetable Seeds for Planting to Feed Your Family
Everything You Need To Know About Growing Heirlooms
Evergreen Shrubs for Front of House

Do you use fertilizer in your garden? If so, do you mix your own or do you buy from your local nursery? Most of us use bagged fertilizers from our local nursery, but whether you mix your own fertilizer or use store bought, the question is do you know how they impact the plants and the soil?

In my last post, I discussed the basic nutrients in fertilizers, check out Vegetable Garden: Fertilizer 101 for more details. In this article, I will discuss the type of fertilizers and the pros and cons of using fertilizers in your garden.

With so many fertilizers available in the market, it is important to recognize the different types. Fertilizer sold in the market are either organic or inorganic. Inorganic fertilizers are known as “synthetic or “chemical” fertilizer. Fertilizers basically fall into two types: slow-release and quick-release. Most labels will tell you whether the fertilizer is a slow-release or quick-release fertilizer. If and when you decide to fertilize your soil, the question is usually, which is better organic or inorganic fertilizer?

Honestly, based on my experience I’m not sure if the plants can tell the difference, but I’m not a biologist so I can’t say for sure. I think the real question is how do they impact the soil and the environment? There is no doubt that there are major pros and cons when using either type. Ultimately, the choice will be up to you. Based on what you’re growing, how conscious you are about the environment and/or how deep your pocket is. And if you are still unsure, I’m hoping this article will help.

Organic fertilizers are made up of organic materials that must first be broken down by microbial activity before the nutrients are available to the plants. Consequently the nitrogen they contain is water-insoluble nitrogen (WIN). Both water insoluble and water soluble nitrogen percentage are labeled on a fertilizer bag, if no WIN is listed on the label, assume that all the nitrogen is water soluble or quickly available.

Generally, most organic fertilizers are known to be slow acting, meaning that they take longer to release nutrients into the soil therefore they are less likely to do damage to your plants if applied incorrectly. They release nutrients slowly to your plants throughout the growing seasons. There’s a misconception that only organic fertilizers are slow-released fertilizers.

However, slow release fertilizers can either be organic or inorganic. In fact, inorganic fertilizers are synthetically formulated to be both slow and fast release. Organic fertilizers are also known to improve soil structure by adding essential microorganisms into the soil in turns improves the soil’s ability to hold water and nutrients.

However, because of the natural components of organic fertilizers, they contain a much lower percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, the three key nutrients in all fertilizers. Even though less application is required, a large quantity might be required when applied.

The downside of using organic or slow-released fertilizers in your garden is that they released the nutrients much slower into the soil and that per pound, they are much more expensive than inorganic fertilizers. I personally used both in my garden at different time so nutrients are always available to my plants.

On the other hand, chemical fertilizers are fast acting or quick-release fertilizer. Quick-release fertilizers contain water-soluble nitrogen. Unlike the slow-released fertilizers, they provide nutrients like nitrogen to plants immediately after applying. Which means using too much can damage and sometimes kill your plants, so it is important to use as directed.

Depending on your soil temperature and the amount of rain you receive in your area, those nutrients don’t usually last too long into the soil. More rain means more application might be required. The advantage of using chemical fertilizers is that you will know exactly what percentage of plant nutrients are available in each bag. Have you tested your soil lately?

If so, you’ll know what you need to add or remove from your soil to help maintain a neutral pH level for your plants. If you need to add Nitrogen to your soil, you’ll have an idea of what fertilizer you need based on the percentage labeled on the bag. The numbers labeled on the bags are very important to know because individual garden soil requirements, as well as specific plant needs.

Note that too much fertilizer does not make stronger plants! In fact, over-fertilization can cause quick, weak growth, leaving plants vulnerable to disease and wind damage. In addition, extra fertilizer washes away and can pollute streams, lakes, and ground water – our source of drinking water. Fertilizers should be used as directed from manufactures.

Below is a quick list of the advantages and disadvantages of using fertilizers them in your garden soil. What you choose is really up to you, remember this article is strictly informational.

Organic Fertilizers

• More expensive.
• Slow-release. Less likely to damaged plants.
• Nutrients are unlikely to be washed away.
• Less application is required.
• Improves soil’s structure and the ability to hold water and nutrients.
• Contains lower percentage of the key nutrients for your plants, such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
• Unfortunately, due to the organic nature of the

Inorganic Fertilizers

• Fast acting. Nutrients are available immediately to plants.
• Breakdown of plant nutrients are precise, therefore you know exactly you’re adding to the soil based on your need.
• Made of synthetic formulas.
• More application might be required in case of heavy rainfall.
• Can damage and even kill plants if applied incorrectly.
• Because chemical fertilizers are mass produced, they are less costly.

Each fertilizer is blended differently. Following the direction on when to apply and how often to apply correctly is crucial. So which is better, organic or inorganic? The choice is really up to you, the type of fertilizer you choose, organic or chemical impact your soil and the environment in different ways. I recommend to use both so your plants always have the right balance of nutrients.

Do you use your own mix of fertilizer? Please let us know how that has worked for you. Any tips from you will be most appreciated.
Check out: Best Vegetable Seeds for Planting to Feed Your Family

To most, fall is probably just a transition from summer into the frigid winter months with piles of crunchy leaves – from orange, gold and to red. For most, it’s also a season of festivities, Halloween festivities! However, it is very much a season of blooms and gardening. If you are afraid that your garden will not succeed because of frost and the freezing cold, keep reading. Fall gardening is just as fun and as rewarding as any other season.

Depending on your growing region, the fall can be a very advantageous growing season. Fall gardening consists of planting your crops by mid to late summer allowing plenty of time to mature before the winter months. Be reasonable, timing is everything. Keep in mind that plants grow slower during the colder months, so planting too late into the season will not allow your crops to mature on time and will probably wither and die before harvesting time.

Fall gardening involves all aspects of year round gardening, from proper exposure to sunlight, soil preparation to proper drainage. Proper drainage is as important as anything else, as waterlogged, swampy areas proved to be deathbeds for germinating seeds and tender shoots. The significance of soil preparation in gardening can never be over-stressed.

The soil needs proper aerating, achievable by raking up the soil and removing debris from prior season. The soil needs proper nutrition by means of the use of organic matters and fertilizers if necessary. Proper germination of seeds require rich and porous soil. Not to mention that planting the right type of herbs or vegetables in the appropriate season is key to a plentiful garden.

There is a long list of vegetables that will tolerate hard frost to even snow, they are referred to as “hardy vegetables”. These vegetables include kale, cabbage, carrots, radishes, lettuce, spinach and broccoli. They can tolerate weather as low as 25 degrees F. Not only these vegetables can tolerate the cold but they also taste better when matured during the cold season. Peas are also fall vegetables but only if you live in a warm climate as it will not tolerate hard frost.

The fall is also great for harvesting juicy fruits. They include, blackberries, apples, and cranberries. For the herbs lovers, depending on your region, rosemary, parsley and sage are also known to do well in the fall however will not tolerate hard frost.

I hope this article will convince you that Fall gardening is achievable and will inspire to start your own fall garden. So go on and give it a try. Have you tried it before? If so, would love to hear from you, tips and tricks are appreciated as usual.
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Everything You Need To Know About Growing Heirlooms
Best Vegetable Seeds for Planting to Feed Your Family
https://morninghomestead.com

Good morning to all. It's 9.15 on a bright sunny Sunday morning. I'm wearing shorts and sunglasses (and they are necessary) and have recently breakfasted on the decking. The second cup of coffee is going down rather well.

All good then.

As the sun is out, Henny is sunbathing...and sneaking into the kitchen...and sun bathing right in front of the kitchen door so you can't open it...and...well okay, she's into everything - why not, there are only so many hours in the day for chicken business?

Of course breakfasting in the garden with chickens wandering about is never going to be incident free and this morning was no different. Me, a plate, toast and a Pekin bantam named Rosie. We've been there before, several times in fact and as I sat down I could see it coming again. The neck was stretching, interest gleaming in the eyes. With a flap and a leap I had a bantam on my knee. A moment later, she'd nabbed the last bit of toast I was holding and disappeared into the herb patch. A four chicken chase ensued, but the little lavender bird held onto her prize. The chives now have a chicken shaped trample hole directly through the middle.

The Faverolles are out from their pen. The netting has gone and they are free to explore and make friends. They aren't making friends as such. Not yet. Whilst the netting was up, the Favs were pretty much ignored and this continued for about three minutes before the chasing and pecking and flying bantam leaping began (it's the only way they can reach). It took Rosie quite a while to walk around Bailey (very small bird / very big bird).

She started at the front, wandered all the way around and assessed the situation before having a go and sending a spooked Fav running for cover. Bailey has plucked up the courage to have a go back, but Henri legs it if another chicken even gets close.

Seeing that her bantam army wasn't having full success in seeing off the interlopers, Henny has taken on the battle. This involves pecking, chasing, stealing their food and dust bathing in their run. Just because she can.

And if the Favs are being photographed; see them off get in on the action:

The Favs are settling in quite nicely mind. I wouldn't say they're the smartest of birds.They've not quite figured out that a chicken can go around things, instead choosing to try to go straight through every time. They're supposed to be happy in a run. This isn't true, they want to be out all the time and have to be physically caught in order to get them back in. That's not particularly difficult mind as they are quite partial to a cuddle.

We do however have beard [facial feather? / must think of something non-beardy, but beard works] issues. Bailey and Henri seem to cover themselves in water every time they drink, sometimes going so far as dunking their whole heads (don't ask why I haven't a clue). This means that they have lovely clean fluffy feathers and a head that looks like it's been dunked in muck. Bathing them is going to be interesting. We need to get an alternative drinker that doesn't allow dunking.

Right, time for a cup of tea - Sunday isn't really a day for doing things.
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Sources:
The 2 Best Grandpas Chicken Feeders
Top 5 Best Chicken Coop Heaters
https://www.almanac.com/news/home-health/chickens/raising-chickens-101-how-get-started
https://morninghomestead.com/best-incubator-thermometer-hygrometer-reviews/
https://morninghomestead.com/how-to-tell-if-my-chicken-is-a-rooster-or-hen/

We have four bantams who live in an Omlet Eglu, from which they escape (...somehow?) to wreak general havoc and mayhem on the garden. They came to live with us in the middle of 2010 as six week old chicks and quickly declared the garden their territory along with the kitchen whenever the door gets left open. We got them from the very nice and friendly Cheeky Pekins.

This is Daisy (full name Daisy Duke) or sometimes Little Duke. A Columbian Pekin Bantam who was top chook before a stubborn bout of broodiness upset the whole order*. She's small and fluffy with short little legs and a funny run. As a chick Daisy wasn't interested in treats but has since become completely obsessed by corn. Anytime the back door is opened she will sprint across the garden, clucking expectantly and will follow you all around the garden in the hope that something good will be dropped. She's also rather partial to a cuddle, although sometimes this can interrupt important Daisy business. She lets us know if that's the case.

This is Rosie or Miss Peckerson (read-on). Rosie is a lavender pekin bantam and can be a sweet little bird who will quite happily hop onto your knee to sit and preen. At other times she can be quite the little demon who seems bent on putting us at the bottom of the pecking order by giving fingers, feet, legs and anything else that gets too close a quick nip. Rosie has mellowed of late really is now a sweet little bird. Though she does have a history with corn on the cob and cheesecake.

Next is Willow our millefleur pekin bantam. A lovable little bird who is quite docile and was most assuredly bottom of the pecking order. She isn't now, maybe (?)* She has quite the cute little cluck when she wants some treats, is good friends with Rosie and can mostly be found shadowing her around the garden and sometimes even sitting with her when she's laying an egg.

And finally Maise Poot, our little sabelpoot bantam, a quite beautiful little bird who wants to do nothing but play in the garden and has the ability to make the most horrendous "several cats being strangled" noise when she's locked in the run and thinks she should be out. She's always on the move making it more than a little difficult to get pictures. As you'll see below, her feet are a blur. This probably means she was on her way to eat something. On occasions I've re-named her a sabel-pig due to the amount the little bird will eat.

* - The pecking order. It's hard to know exactly what is going on. Daisy was top chook, but since broodiness, somehow Willow the meekest little Pekin of all will now quite happily peck at Daisy and chase her away. But Maisie will if necessary see off Willow and Rosie, and Daisy will see off Maisie. So I give up, we'll leave them to squabble amongst themselves when the treats come out and they'll sort it out.
We have five big girls, or full size chickens if you'd prefer. Three are hybrids, two purebreeds. They all live in their palace (a walk in run) at the bottom of the garden which we bought for them in Spring 2011.

Wilma was once boss chook and is an old girl for a hybrid as she's over four and a half years old. Wilma is a Pepperpot, a Rhode Island Red crossed with a Maran and a Plymouth Rock. She's the original naughty chicken and has always been a ring leader for any mischief that goes on in the garden. She used to love to dig big holes everywhere and would in fact be frequently lost to sight as the hole got ever bigger. It's perhaps a wonder she never got herself stuck. She's a little old now and a lot more sedate. She's been very poorly on a number of occasions and was so ill on one day she couldn't even stand up. We felt sure we'd lose her, but somehow she's recovered and is now a happy Wilma chook again. She's a wily old bird. She may not be the quickest these days, but see knows how to make sure she gets her share (and more) of any treats that find their way into the palace.We do have a soft spot for the old girl. She seems able to get away with mischief the other birds would definitely get told off for.

Belle is a Bluebelle hybrid. Belle is a prim and proper chicken. She doesn't scrat too much because her feet might get dirty and she absolutely hates muddy ground. It is amusing to watch her tip toe through any muddy ground. She is obsessed with corn and will cluck huffily if any treats go into the run which don't include her favourite. Since we lost Ginger and Wilma has been poorly Belle is now number one bird in the coop. We're not entirely sure how, we've seen her peck the other birds and they generally don't seem to notice. She is however a quite massive bird and she'll simply barge the others out of the way if she wants to get at the feeders.

Pickle - the perennial bottom chook. She was named the day we got her. The older girls were absolutely outraged that new chickens had appeared in their garden (they bawked for two days solid). Pickle managed to escape from my grasp whilst putting her into the run and jumped down amongst the older girls and was promptly set upon. From day one she's been able to get herself into all sorts of pickles. We had to spray her with genetian violet (something that we frequently have to do) and she spent the next six months with a patch of purple feathers. She has a floppy comb and a wacky chicken hairdo and is just about as scatty and mad as a chicken can be. She has been known to wander along the top of fences and even the trellis (which stands even taller than me) and of course she'll generally get stuck and need help getting down as she's gone too high. Pickle has a perch in the palace which she loves to sit on, she is in fact the only big girl who bothers with it.

Mu-Shu Barnevelder is a recent addition to the flock. She's a hefty bird who loves to munch her food. Not surprisingly Mu-Shu has a particular love for corn. She has her eye on the top chook position, but Belle is having none of it. She's a naughty little sneak too, forever nipping out of the run door to dine on plants she knows she's not really supposed to be dining on. Mu-Shu has a habit of roosting in the hole to the nest box. It's useful if she goes to bed first as she's so big none of the other birds can sneak past.

And last of all is Marley Barnevelder. When she came to live with us she was a tail feather or two short and hasn't yet grown them back. Marley too is completely obsessed by corn and will get herself into a frenzy whenever the shed door gets opened. For a big bird, she does quite like a cuddle and happily sits for a little while. Not too long mind, there is after all digging to be done and worms to be found and no chicken can rest from chicken business for too long.

The ex-bats we haven't had too long and they don't yet have names. They'll be added soon though.

The birds no longer with us:

I'm leaving their little biographies as they were. It's my blog I can do what I want.

Ginger, sometimes called Gingernutter or Gingernut Ranger when she's being naughty is a Gingernut Ranger, a Rhode Island Red crossed with a Light Sussex. She too is over four years old and can be a cranky old bird when she doesn't get her way. She has a habit of trying to roost in the nest box and clucks huffily when she gets moved. Number two to Wilma she actually spends more time keeping the rest of the girls in line than the top chook does.

Sweetie (or Sweetie Pie) is around two and a half years old. When we first got her she came close to being re-named Atilla the Hen as she pecked and chased the other newbies incessantly. She soon settled down and now lives up to her name. She loves it when I get a spade, trowel or rake out and (very cutely, but quite annoyingly) stands as close to the spade as possible so she can get any worms that get dug up. She likes corn, but will always pick greens over anything else....

You May ALso Like:
The Elliott Homestead
How Much Does It Cost To Produce A Dozen Eggs?
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https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/naughty-chickens.817275/

Africa is a land of culture and art and this is reflected in the items from the land. The African market is fulled of tribal artifacts, artwork and sculpture and other distinct items like fashion jewelry and bags. They are extensively understood for their artistry and great work. African baskets are such items which display the special functions of the African land. They are hand weaved from the natural products like Naza palm, reed, papyrus and raffia. They can be made use of to love the interior designs of your house. They are lovely representations of the African land. You can utilize them for use in your kitchen or you can likewise utilize them for ornamental function.

The African baskets are gathered from the various lands however a lot of them originate from the sub-Sahara area of the continent. The African baskets are comprised of various products however the something that prevails in them is that they are all hand woven. They are thought about to be the genuine pieces of African art and decorate your house with the essence of the land. You can utilize them to hold fruits, show family items or just utilize them for embellishing your interiors. Put them on your table or on the drawing space and they’ll offer a various want to your house.

These vibrant baskets from Africa take are finely woven and take roughly a week to obtain finished. They show vibrant and lively colors and have excellent completing. The fantastic thing is that they differ not just in design and color however they likewise differ in their sizes and shape. While the majority of them have open faces, a few of them are sculpted with covers. The covers are once more a special display screen of artistry. The container shaped African baskets are from South Africa and they can be made use of in the kitchen or as little nooks.

Now you may be believing that to obtain these gorgeous African baskets you will certainly need to see Africa. Definitely not, due to the fact that you can purchase these African baskets online from the web sites of the non-profit companies or structures which run their operation in Africa to sustain the wildlife. The cash that they gather by offering these items go straight into the tasks that are indicated for African neighborhood advancement. It suggests that when you purchase African baskets online from these companies then you contribute your cash to an excellent cause. So right here’s a chance for you to embellish your home or apartment and at the exact same time contribute your cash for an excellent cause.
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Do not forget to visit: morninghomestead.com

The expense of having your chimney fixed depends upon the level of the damage in addition to the service provider you decide to deal with. You ought to look for somebody with a performance history of doing quality work who charges a reasonable and competitive rate in order to get the most for your cash and to remain within your budget plan.

A basic cleaning might not cost quite, however a full restoration or restoring of your chimney might cost considerably more. For example, bricks might require changed and implanted in with the old bricks that are still undamaged. That will certainly cost cash for both parts and labor. An extensive cleaning will certainly simply cost you the guy hours. The expense of having your chimney fixed might be something as basic as getting a chemical cleaning log to obtain rid of the excess carbon developed on the within your chimney from great deals of use. This is a natural procedure that simply needs some mild scraping after you’re through burning your log.

If the outdoors part of your chimney is entirely breaking down, it will certainly need that you pay for the services of a specialist who can climb up on your roofing and look after the issue. Ultimately, if it is constantly utilized and the required repair works are not made, the flames can possibly leave to other parts of your home. This is a severe threat, and it is among the reasons this has to be done sometimes.

If your home is old however the chimney is brand-new, think about the financial investment in fixing your chimney in order to safeguard your house. If you can do any of the repair yourself, you can minimize expenses a good deal more than if you needed to utilize a contracting professional to do the bulk of the work. A total restoring of your chimney can cost approximately a number of hundred dollars as well as into the thousands vary, depending upon the scope of the work included and who you work with to do the task.

If you intend on having him do a cleaning too, you can include that to the overall duration of your expense. Nevertheless you decide to tackle having actually the work done, keep in mind that it will most likely cost you more in the long run if issues go without being handled since of the risks to your house and since having a chimney totally changed ares more pricey.
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more at morninghomestead.com

If you would like to mend, remodel or redesign your gran level, it is very important to do the appropriate type of preparation. Achieving this activity will certainly need you to recognize for how long it will certainly take, price, and also specifically just what you are trying to attain. Hiring somebody to do the job, such as a specialist, is an essential choice to make, particularly if you will certainly not be doing the work. In this write-up, you’ll check out some necessary ideas and also techniques you could utilize for your gran level job.

You have to ensure that you have sufficient cash to do your gran standard task prior to you start one. Whether you’re doing the job on your own, or employing an expert, it’s vital to recognize just how much every little thing is visiting set you back. The price of this task could consist of devices as well as relevant materials. Constantly overstate just how much your task will certainly set you back to make sure that you will certainly not be startled. Totally recognizing the expense of your job, particularly from a specialist, will certainly be lined out on the quote or agreement that you have in your ownership. Knowing surcharges is something you need to go on leading of every action of the remodelling.

Are you considering repairing your washroom or cooking area? If you are, in some cases this is a much better option compared to making a totally brand-new area. Prior to you do any sort of full and also complete restoration of an area, take into consideration straightforward modifications that could make huge distinctions. Easy factors to do are changing cupboards or including brand-new home appliances. When it concerns the washroom, you could require a brand-new flooring or maybe some brand-new components yet, once more, you do not always need to go crazy as well as change every little thing. Pricey restorations are just not essential, specifically when making your cooking area or shower rooms appear like brand-new with a little paint and also some brand-new store-bought products.

When picking just what buildings or improvements to do, ensure you do not disregard any sort of little repair services or upgrades that are needed. By not repairing smaller sized points around the nana level, you could really make it look even worse which is not a great idea, particularly if you are attempting to offer it. Basic points like dealing with a doorknob, or changing damaged home appliances could make all the distinction around the world. These kind of problems do not normally set you back much to mend, however if you overlook them they could begin to accumulate and also offer your gran flat a diminished appearance. Simply work with someone to obtain the task done you do not wish to do it. Emphasize to obtain these factors achieved when feasible.

Eventually, you will certainly make little repair works that will certainly cause a significant improvement of your gran standard that you will certainly expand to cherish. By very carefully preparing your nana level task initiatives, you could conserve money and time as well as guarantee the most effective outcomes. If you could work with a professional that can help you with your nana level task, you will most definitely conserve cash by acquiring this expert aid. You need to never ever think on exactly what you should do. Consistently figure out the realities! To stay clear of any type of feasible undesirable shocks, consistently intend your nana standard building job well beforehand to ensure that you recognize precisely just what to anticipate.
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more at morninghomestead.com

Stoneware meals and supper sets are simply as popular and valued by today’s cooks as they have actually been for centuries passed. Stoneware is a safe product for cooking food and it is likewise among the most praiseworthy sort of product that has actually been utilized throughout centuries as a cooking vessel. The artistic designs discovered on stoneware have actually constantly been extremely attracting lots of people. And things are no various now. Stoneware has actually made a huge return just recently due to its numerous uses in today’s cooking areas. Some cooks choose to purchase their stoneware meals separately while other select total supper sets however they all purchase for the advantage of the remarkable product.


Stoneware meals and supper sets are long lasting and this enhances their value in the kitchen much more. These cooking and serving vessels are in fact made from clay that has actually been dealt with at really high temperature levels. They keep the food warm for a very long time since the product has an intrinsic capability to save heat.

They are more durable than meals made from china or porcelain. The heavy finishing of glaze put on the clay base makes these meals a lot more resistant to splitting or cracking.

Stoneware meals and supper sets are dishwasher safe and are extremely simple to preserve and tidy up. And to make it even much better, you can utilize stoneware meals in the microwave! That is one advantage that makes the sale for many households today.

You can securely keep it in the oven and even freeze it if you wish to save something in it. However one care when freezing in stoneware – care needs to be taken when taking the vessel from the freezer. If there is too much of an unexpected temperature level alter the meals are most likely to break. To obtain around this, simply make sure to enable some thawing time on the counter or over night in the fridge prior to heating in your microwave or oven.
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more at morninghomestead.com

When it pertains to pine staining, lots of novices rapidly understand that incomplete pine can be an extremely hard wood to stain, frequently ending it blotches or streaks of dark and light locations. Whether the task includes bookshelf, furnishings or cabinets staining, the technique to prevent blotching and streaking stays the exact same. The following post will certainly supply you with some pointers and techniques associated with pine staining incomplete wood.

The initial step to accomplishing a great stain is by gently sanding the surface area of the wood in order to eliminate a few of the irregular surface area hardness fundamental in the majority of made items. By sanding, you eliminate much of the unequal surface area structure that leads to the cutting procedure throughout the manufacture of furnishings or other wood items.

The next step in pine staining is to deal with the surface area of the wood so that it equally soaks up the pine stain. This is specifically crucial when you’re carrying out cabinets staining due to the fact that the face of many cabinets deal with the kitchen and have to look even and expertly done. The very best technique of treading pine wood is by using wood conditioner, which produces an ideal wood surface area where pine staining will certainly lead to a completely even absorption of the stain.

Lastly, using stain to pine wood is practically an art in itself. Even with wood conditioning, it is extremely simple to use too much stain, or to unevenly use the stain which will certainly still lead to unequal staining of the wood. The very best method is to prevent pine staining too greatly by utilizing a wet fabric or sponge brush that permits you to thoroughly use the stain equally along the surface area of the wood. Constantly prevent dealing with the procedure of pine staining like painting – painting includes a good deal of irregular application, however several brush strokes fix that. With staining, you can not make use of numerous brush strokes, however instead have to equally use the stain the very first time, and this is where a sponge brush can assist.

An option to pine staining that numerous experts take is to prevent staining the wood completely. Lots of people instead utilize various oils, shellac, or really diluted stain. For instance, boiled linseed oil or walnut oil stain commonly uses better than conventional pine staining. Particular shellac items, such as amber shellac, looks specifically good on pine and is really simple to use. Amber shellac uses a great honey color to pine wood.

Despite the technique you take, it is essential to take a look at pine wood as a stain “sponge,” so cautious pine staining ought to constantly be exercised to prevent irregular or extreme stain application throughout the whole task. Doing this will certainly lead to an extremely stunning completed task that you can be pleased with.
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more at https://elliotthomestead.com

Henny. Ex-bat hen. Honorary bantam. Would be adventurer.

The world really must be an interesting place for a little ginger hen who likes to explore. A shed for example. For you and I a place of little real interest. There's a lawnmower, various tools and miscellaneous junk that probably should have been chucked out, but to Henny it's a place of untold wonders. A place to which entry must be obtained at each and every opening of the door.

There are times we we hadn't even realised she was in there. The door had been shut, other business attended to. Only then did we notice the absence of our ginger hen. We found her gazing from the window of the shed, looking hopefully for someone to open the door. One to watch in future. Don't just lock the shed door, check for Henny first.

Then the kitchen - through of course another door. Whilst admittedly sort of cute, chicken entry into the kitchen is generally frowned upon. Vague threats of "you know what tikka sauce is famous for" however just don't seem to work. In fact nothing short of shutting the damn door seems to work (we've tried various other blocks; shoes, a large pink trug, a minefield) - nothing works. However the kitchen does have one almost mystical item. The wonderful magical barrier of silver metal that joins the tiled kitchen floor with the wooden floor of the lounge and dining room. No chicken has crossed it. Not ever.

Henny has. Over she went, past the dining table, looking this way and that with a happy little cluck. A glance at the sofa and the rug, but ooooh another door. Well a hen has to see what might be behind it. And more doors! And steppy things that go up.

We eventually retrieved the little bird from the middle of the bath (I do believe she fell in whilst attempting to munch an indoor plant).

And so many other places a hen can play; the wood-store (good for all manner of bugs), behind the shed and behind the garden sofa (as I write this on said sofa, Henny is behind it). But surely no hen would want to go down the side of the house? - the long narrow corridor that not even the sun dares to enter; the place that's filled with just the unfortunate few leaves the wind has seen fit to banish?

But there's a gate at the end. A gate is a little like a door. And we know what Henny thinks about doors...

In a way she's sort of right. They were made to walk through. And walk through it she did, pecking at the odd weed here and there that had, until that point, escaped the clutches of Mrs C. We didn't notice at first, you know with using the pressure washer to clean the car (which along with the long rubber hose type thing, chickens are quite chicken about). But unperturbed, Henny continued to explore. She has seen the front door and has wandered about the underside of a Mini. Despite being returned to the garden, she sneaked her way back another three times before we'd completed the chore at hand.
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more at:
How Much Does It Cost To Produce A Dozen Eggs?
Top 5 Best Chicken Coop Heaters
https://morninghomestead.com/chicken/

The great grey beast of February was how a favourite author of mine once described this month. Christmas is now a memory and seems so long until the promise of some sunny warmth - it really is apt for many. It's my birthday soon mind (and Mrs C's just a few days before that) so February's really not so bad for us. Except of course the getting older, somehow that part has long since ceased too be amusing.

That said January wasn't so pleasant for The Naughty Chicken house. We lost not one but two of the girls. Somehow we always seem to lose them in twos. First Penny the ex-batty bird fell, ill. She went quickly, we couldn't get the poor little bird to eat or drink and she died not long after midday. It does seem unfair her time was so short, but at least the inquisitive little bird had some time to discover eating grass and ransacking gardens even if it really wasn't enough.

And then the end of an era...Wilma chook the last of the original Naughty Chickens died last weekend. She was five years old, not so bad at all for a hybrid and she had indeed been looking older and older recently. Not that it stopped her jumping up to get at the corn from your hand, or even dented her desire to be first out of the Eglu every single morning no matter what (the old girl did like to get first troughings at the feeder each morning...and seconds...and thirds...).

She had been at death's door twice before over the years and it seemed certain on each of those times that we would lose her so it was in part a bit of a relief that she went over night in her sleep at least she wasn't ill. I should have known something was up. The night before when we moved the birds from the nest box (as we have to do EVERY single night) she seemed particularly against the idea off moving to the point that I had to pick her up and move her onto the roosting bars myself. I sort of wish I'd given her one last night sleeping in the best box material...
I don't wish to dwell too much she had a good run.

Onto other things and snow is forecast tonight. We have an amber warning from the Met Office which might well mean nothing happens at all. We are going to see Snow Patrol tonight though...I really am being serious.

This does pose the problem of when to clean the chickens out...today when it's now somewhere around -5 to -6 or tomorrow when there could well be a good covering of snow. Hmmmm choices, choices. I'll start with breakfast and we'll see where things go...
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more at
How Much Does It Cost To Produce A Dozen Eggs?
morninghomestead.com

Time I think for an update to happenings in the Naughty Chicken garden. There has in fact been relativly good chicken behaviour. This isn't normal. Not at all...not in this garden...they must be up to something...and this has me slightly concerned.

But don't be thinking they've all grown glowing little rings that hover and twinkle just above their combs. Let's take Henny for example, our little ginger ex-bat who frequently breaches the netted area in which they roam. She knows she shouldn't (she has of course been told), but this doesn't stop her she just gets a bit more...what's the word....ah yes, sneaky.

I'll elaborate; Mrs C was on the phone (probably talking kittens - we'll come to that!) when she noticed a certain little ex-bat in a place said certain little ex-bat shouldn't be. With no major carnage being wrought upon the garden Mrs C finished her call before going to sort out latest escapade. But by then Henny wasn't outside of the netting she was back inside giving Mrs C that curious slighly wonky look and clucking the chicken equivalent to an innocent whistle.

One little ex bat that is certainly learning mischief. And loving the sun too on those infrequent occasions it decides to peep out from between the clouds. Whenever it does, Henny seems to find her way onto the bench at the bottom of the garden for a nice bit of sun worship (usually followed by Red who prefers to be lifted up onto the bench as jumping seems far
too energetic).

Right then. Kittens. I wholly blame TBIL and his fiancee for this predicament. They got themselves two fluffy little kittens, one of which was a little too feisty for the dog and had to go back - but not before he asked Mrs C if she wanted a playful little grey kitten. For various reasons it didn't work out but the idea has been planted and it does appear to be growing...
...oh....help...me...
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more at https://elliotthomestead.com/chickens/

Welcome to my chicken keeping guide. I'm not an expert, not by any means, but I have been keeping chickens for a number of years now. I've learnt a lot, made mistakes (don't we all) but I've enjoyed it all and now consider chickens an essential part of the garden. As such I want to encourage anyone interested in keeping chickens to go out and get them and in the process make their garden a more interesting place.

This is a guide for anyone thinking about getting chickens, people new to chicken keeping and there might even be a few bits of useful information for people who have been keeping chickens for a while too.

There's a lot to get through, so it won't all get done in one go and bear with me; there is no grand plan to this, I'm winging it, writing as I go. I'll keep at it adding to it, editing and amending. Perhaps one day it will become something useful.

Part I - Thinking about getting chickens

The first and most important thing to do before you buy any chickens is research. Make sure you know exactly what you are getting yourself into. Keeping chickens is fantastic. They will make you smile every time you look out into the garden, they'll follow you around clucking hopefully for treats and their general antics will most assuredly keep you amused.

However, whilst they are certainly not difficult to take care of, like all pets they will demand a portion of your time. They will need cleaning out on a regular basis. Not just in the summer when the sky is clear and the sun is shining (even in England this does happen from time to time), but throughout the winter. It's not the greatest fun to scrub poop covered roosting bars with soapy water in sub zero temperatures, but it needs doing. I'm not trying to put anyone off, but you need to do your research and know what is needed to ensure your chickens will be happy.

There are many areas to consider and this is simply an introductory overview. I'll go into many of these in much more detail, but for now here's a summary of the areas you should be thinking about:

Breeds - There are so many breeds I can't even begin to discuss them all here. I will add a breed guide at some point in the future. Go back to the first principle. Do your research. First decide if you want a hybrid or a pure breed. Hybrids will provide you with more eggs, pure breeds will lay less, but will usually have a longer life. Some breeds are more friendly, others will be more flightly (or indeed batty). We started with hybrids and they are great fun and lovely birds. However it's hard to lose them. As such we're currently favouring pure breeds in the hope that they'll be with us for longer. It's a personal choice, you'll be happy either way.

Houses - This comes down to two basic choices; wooden or plastic. There are so many options now it can be a little bewildering. Wooden houses can be quite beautiful and are considered the traditional choice. Plastic houses offer a more funky design but may not be to everyone's taste. We went for the plastic option from Omlet (and I am not in any way saying this is the best choice, it is simply the choice we made). It's not cheap, but then some of the wooden designs will remove a sizeable sum from your pocket or make your credit card groan with the strain. That said there is no denying that a plastic house is easy to clean and maintain. A wooden house will need to be treated on a regular basis and is considerably more susceptible to red mite (more on that terror later). But wooden houses do have a number of distinct advantages and I'll discuss these in a later section.

Noise - This is something you'll need to think about. The last thing you want to do is annoy your neighbours. It is certainly something we were concerned about. Chickens generally do not make that much noise. Hens do cluck but certainly make less noise than the dog that barks a few doors down the road. Most people find the noise of happy hens a quite pleasant sound. They do on occasion get spooked or lay an egg they're particularly proud of. They will then crow and bawk, this can at times be fairly loud and yes ours have done this early on a Sunday morning (the little oiks). For us it has never been an issue. We have great neighbours who have no problem at all with chickens. If you're worried, talk to your neighbours, but remember your pets will lay eggs and everyone likes half a dozen free eggs from time to time.

If you want a cockerel, then noise will have to be a consideration. They will crow at dawn (and remember in the summer this could be as early as 3 to 4 am!) and this means they may not be suitable for all gardens. Consider your location and decide if having a cockerel is right for you.
Cockerels - Which brings me naturally onto cockerels. Some people seem to think that you have to have a cockerel. I'm not sure where this idea comes from, but it is simply not true. Cockerels will keep the girls in line and can be strikingly beautiful birds, but they are not necessary to keep a few chickens in your back garden. Chickens will be quite happy without a cockerel and will lay just as many eggs.

Garden size - Chickens don't need huge amounts of space and can quite easily be accommodated in even relatively small gardens, but quite naturally, the more room the better. You can keep them inside a run, but they love to be out and about, foraging in the grass and amongst the shrubs and plants. Consider your garden size and tailor the type of house and the number of chickens accordingly. Above all else make sure they have enough room to be happy.

Chickens and the garden - Garden friendly chickens are a myth*. Some chickens are better than others, but all chickens will scrat your favourite annuals and munch the leaves of anything that takes their fancy. To a chicken, the garden is a larder, gravel paths are great fun to play in and spread to areas they were never meant to be spread to and soft fruit on low lying branches will disappear quicker than you can blink. That said chickens love bugs and slugs so they're not all bad for the garden. You will need to adapt to make your garden as chicken proof as possible. If you are particularly garden proud, then consider a separate fenced off chicken section, perhaps at the bottom of the garden or perhaps consider bantams, the smaller type of chicken which will be a little easier of the garden.

* - As per my experience to date - please do feel free to comment if you have the perfect garden friendly breed as I'd love to know what it is.

Obsession - A genuine concern. Two chickens lead to four, to nine, to bigger houses and larger gardens, to several acres in the countryside, a small holding with pigs, sheep and a goat...

...ok that's just my wife's dream and she has been diagnosed as batty about chickens. And I'm writing this...
I'm not finished yet, there's much more to add and it's coming soon. Maybe I should write a book...
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more at:
Raising Chicken For Eggs And Meat: A Complete Guide For Beginners
The 2 Best Grandpas Chicken Feeders
https://morninghomestead.com/chicken/
https://elliotthomestead.com/warm-chickens-without-burning-coop/

The most fundamental question that indoor gardening enthusiast need to answer is whether to grow using soil or to attempt growing using hydroponic techniques. Many beginning gardeners choose soil gardening simply on the grounds that it is familiar territiory. Hydroponics on the other hand is more equipment and technique intensive and therefore requires a stronger foundation in the minds eye of the gardener to be successful.

The primary motive for the transition from soil to hydroponics is the perceived potential of increased production. This motive is valid and can be expressed using the following statement: A well managed system of hydroponic gardening will out produce a well managed system of soil gardening. The key point in this statement is the concept of "well managed" A well managed soil garden is easier to attain in that the soil being used is usually adequate to bring the target crop to fruition without the use of supplemental fertilizer or additives.

A well managed hydroponic garden on the other hand requires a considerable amount of user input in terms of systems and equipment monitoring. It should be noted that once the hydroponic system is established and operating that routine maintenance will become somewhat simplified although it will never be as simplistic and carefree as a soil based garden.

Why are hydroponic growers willing to tollerate a system that requires more scrutiny? The answer, as previously mentioned, is increased production. Most indoor gardens utilize a relatively small area and growers want to maximize production within the alotted space. Growers using modern HID or LED lighting, as applied to the latest developments in plant breeding, are experiencing growth rates that have surpassed all expectations.

This means that the lighting systems must be adjusted vertically on almost a daily basis which means that growers must be routinely present. It is for this reason that the hydropnic grower does not feel overly burdened since their presence in the garden is already mandated. A typical daily visit to a hydroponic garden will include a quick light adjustment along with a check of the various monitors and pumps that maintain optimal conditions.

Once established and operating it should be pointed out that the only supply inputs into a hydroponic gardening system are the nutrients necessary for plant growth. In contrast soil gardening will require new soil each and every crop which can be quite labor intensive. This need to replace the soil stems from the idea that once nutrients are depleted from the soil they will need to be replaced by using supplemental fertilizer. The use of fertilizer, however, insures an eventual build up of soil salts which will inevitably lead to a decrease in production.

It is for this reason alone that some growers with long term aspirations have turned to hydroponics. Taking the above analysis into consideration it can be seen that hydroponics may not be for everyone. Although the initial cost and skill level associated with this style of gardening may be higher the rewards can be higher as well...
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more at
Best Vegetable Seeds for Planting to Feed Your Family
Everything You Need To Know About Growing Heirlooms
morninghomestead.com

Thorny plants in the garden while I love to use. Becomings natural barrier, the summer – to stay green in winter and offers some surprises, fragrant flowers in different trenches.Spouse promise of ilex, osmanthus, or plants such as Mahonia. Mahonia Ilex and very clean, straight fence can be good, but not. Mahonia winter flowering gardens of fragrance for overseas landscaping applications, use plenty of osmanthus. Recently, produced, variegated osmanthus great. Curious dikemedim my garden, but I would recommend more.

M. X. japonica, or M types of media such as the yellow flowers in long, thin corn opened. Can continue the show until the end of March. Perhaps more recognition, expensive plant in our country very görülmemesine fact that reason. Recognized and used plenty of Mahonia, M. aquifolium’dur (Hani said he made the fence). This plant will flower in spring, summer in the middle consists of female plants, purple grape-looking seeds. The structure’s interesting, is that scarlet shedding leaves in winter. Full sun to shade, securely attach anywhere in your garden. During this period of flowering

M X. Write or type of media other than M.japonica bush is tall and closely packed.

All kinds of clay, lime, humus, be grown in damp soil. He hates being dry type. If you are the roots of trees for planting in your garden shaded leaf decay, newsprint, torfla sew together. So make sure humidity, that’s enough.

Those flowering in winter – cold, withstand up to 20 degrees. Snow, never not a problem in air pollution.

Seedlings planted in a small 1.5 x 2 meters 5 years, 3 x 4 meters can be reached 20 years. After the beads of purple flowers, type of important food sources of birds.

Mahoniaları from home in your garden you can see, if possible, build it into a wall painted white. In winter, deciduous azaleas, flowering bulbs, type agapanthuslar long purple, gray-leaved hostalar, orange-colored lilies opened their periods, or leafy green mohanianın permanent use in the body of the fund. For this reason, careful arrangements to groups.

Write like a pruning flowering type of fence. In winter, the type that only flowers after the flowers in full from the bottom, should be cleaned out of the first leaf. More pruning is unnecessary. Symmetrically on a small branch line leaves the rooting powder professionally cut and strengthened in January, the new seedlings can become hot in the greenhouses. Need to warn, difficult to manufacture.

The market, imported from a seven-foot potted mahonialar 14 million pounds sold.Colorless, light yellow in winter, garden, happiness getirecğini not think I think that’s a lot of money. Sew the plant will get the weather heated. April – May are the ideal times.
Planting roses in a small amount of potassium-based fertilizer will help the stains.

Thorns does become immersed in your hands bleed, but if you have superstitious beliefs in the evil from your home, keep away from your garden. Thorns of love … Get rid of monotony.
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more at
Best Vegetable Seeds for Planting to Feed Your Family
Everything You Need To Know About Growing Heirlooms
morninghomestead.com

Urban agriculture refers to the cultivation, processing, and distribution of food in and around a town, city, or metropolis. By some estimates, about 50 percent of the world’s population will live in urban areas by the year 2030, if not more, and along with the steadily growing population, global food security and safety is a major concern. Already, about 80 percent of the farmland suitable for agricultural purposes is being used. As such, the potential for urban farming can help alleviate the strain of traditional farming methods.

Urban agriculture has its roots in ancient times when residents of cities like Babylon cultivated hanging gardens and farms. During World War I, President Woodrow Wilson called for citizens to use as much available space as possible for food growth. It’s estimated that by 1919, over 5 million plots grew over 500 million pounds of produce. Efforts to plant foods to supplement rural farming also saw success during the Great Depression when many food shortages developed.

Almost $3 million worth of food came out of the Depression subsistence gardens. Around the time of World War II, victory gardens grew crops to bolster the war effort, boost morale, and lessen the pressure of food production, which led to more than 5 million Americans taking part in growing over 9 million pounds of produce a year. Now, even First Lady Michelle Obama has reestablished the idea of urban farming by planting her own 1,100 square food “victory garden” on the White House lawn.

Some cities have implemented community-run farms, such as the Collingwood Children’s Farm in Melbourne, Australia. Collingwood is a not-for-profit farm adjacent to the Abbotsford Convent complex. The farm is open year round and hosts a farmers’ market on the second Saturday of every month with produce from the farm and other producers in the area.

Other community models include the allotment garden where gardeners tend to their own individual, subdivided plots, generally between 50 to 400 square meters, within the larger garden. The parcels are leased from the owner, whether they’re operating through a public, private, or ecclesiastical organization. Gardeners typically pay a membership fee and must follow certain rules.

Difficulties persist in urban agriculture as well. Sometimes space can be hard to acquire in certain cities, security of the area’s time availability can be uncertain, or cultivated land can be contaminated and present a health risk. Some also argue that urban agriculture can never supply enough food to replace farming in rural areas or match its efficiency.

But whether the gardens are in abandoned lots, on rooftops, or in tracts of undeveloped land, the benefits of urban agriculture go beyond the security and availability of food, including economically, with the creation of job opportunities and an increase in small business activities; socially, with increased employment and income, improved community relations, and better health; and environmentally, with the production of potable water from waste water and recycling waste into energy and nutrients.
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learn more at https://elliotthomestead.com

An estimated 80 percent of the world's population will inhabit urban areas by 2050. As the earth's population grows and moves toward city centers, there's mounting concern that there won't be enough food to feed everyone. In addition, since about 80 percent of usable land is already being cultivated, there's a lack of space to grow all of the necessary food. One way scientists have found to circumvent the issue of space is urban agriculture, and specifically, hydroponic farming.

Hydroponic farming is the cultivation of plants by utilizing mineral nutrient solutions in water instead of soil. They can either be placed into gravel, pebbles, or similar objects that have been saturated with a nutrient solution (aggregate substrate system) or suspended in a trough that contains a nutrient mixture (nutrient film technique). The water is circulated so there's no waste, and there's also a decreased risk of pathogens because of the sterile, soil-free environment, which is ideal given the risk of food borne illnesses like salmonella and E coli. Almost any plant can survive via hydroponics because they are able to thrive by absorbing nutrients that are calculatingly added to the water supply. As such, plants can be grown anywhere, including rooftops, which also allows for plants to be grown year-round.

From the first mention of using soil-less planting techniques by Francis Bacon to the research of William Frederick Gericke in the late 1920s, hydroponics was seen as a revolutionary claim to change the face of agriculture. Later work by Dennis R. Hoagland and Daniel I. Arnon debunked claims that hydroponic farming could produce better yields than soil-based farming, but their research didn't include the advantages of hydroponics, such as not having to worry about inadequate or over watering. In the 1930s, this type of farming saw success on Wake Island, which lacked natural soil. On the island, Pan American Airways was able to grow vegetables hydroponically for their passengers. Eventually, by the early 20th century, the process was developed for commercial applications in the United States.

Today, hydroponic farming has thrived, especially in New York City where space is at a premium. In 2008, Viraj Puri and Eric Haley founded Gotham Greens. They hope to produce as much as 80 tons of produce annually in their rooftop greenhouse facility in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. They claim their methods produce 20 to 30 times more product per acre than field production, while eliminating the use of farmable land, re-circulating their water through an advanced irrigation system, being more energy efficient, and using no chemical pesticides, insecticides, or herbicides.
Other companies with an interest in hydroponic farming include Manhattan-based BrightFarms, Lufa Farms in Montreal, the largest hydroponic farm in North America, and Sky Vegetables in Needham, Massachusetts.

Although it takes more technology to grow plants hydroponically than typical farming methods, with more research and fine tuning, it could be the best way to produce high-quality foods for the future.
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you can learn more at
Everything You Need To Know About Growing Heirlooms
morninghomestead.com/best-hydroponics-books-beginner-reviews

Using spaces and resources in cities that would likely go unused, urban agriculture is the practice of gardening in empty lots, rooftops, balconies, basements, and steep slopes, in urban locations for the production of food. With about 80 percent of the U.S. population and 50 percent of the world's population living in cities, there's a driving need to use city resources to their full potential. The results can be more far reaching than merely preserving food security.

Not only do the gardens take advantage of spaces not normally occupied, but they're also environmentally sound. They use waste water, eliminate agricultural runoff, and assist in the reuse of food scraps and waste in the form of compost to keep the garden growing. Additionally, the food is grown organically; there's no need for pesticides, insecticides, or herbicides. Another added benefit is that the added greenery beautifies the city and helps to clean the air.

With the increase in transportation costs, urban agriculture keeps the production of food in city limits. There's no need to outsource for food when it's grown and easily accessible nearby. In addition, there's an economic benefit for companies that specialize in urban farming because of the supermarkets, restaurants, farmers' markets, and specialty stores that will likely be purchasing the produce. Urban agriculture creates more job opportunities and also encourages business growth, whether it's a large-scale farm or a family selling their weekly harvest at the local farmers' market. People become more independent and empowered after seeing their hard work pay off.

Likewise, urban agriculture benefits residents of any income. Especially for community gardens, those who would likely benefit the most from accessible, nutritious, and fresh food are the urban residents who are living near or below the poverty line. It's estimated that for every dollar invested in a community garden plot, it yields about $6 worth of vegetables.

Socially, there can be an improvement in community relations. When people are working together for the common goal of maintaining their garden, there's a greater sense of camaraderie and neighborhood pride. Urban agriculture can also promote good health and nutrition. Instead of buying produce at the supermarket that gets trucked in from dozens of different locations across the country, people become more educated and are able to know exactly where their food comes from. With that knowledge, they can better monitor their fruit and vegetable intake and engage in better eating habits. There's also a sense of satisfaction in knowing that they grew it themselves or are able to visit the plot where it grew.
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more helpful info at
Best Vegetable Seeds for Planting to Feed Your Family
Top 7 Best Homesteading Books for Beginners
morninghomestead.com

[quote author=Yodexy post=78484126] hello, can you send me those videos? I'd love to learn thanks

Well, the title says it all. The very spunky “hen”, which we thought was able to crow, is indeed a rooster. I admit I hadn’t been looking closely at the chickens lately, as grandpa has been taking care of them. After my wife told me that the “hen” was crowing for three hours a couple days ago, I figured I’d look and make sure we didn’t have a rooster. When I checked the smaller coop, there was a very good looking young rooster looking back at me.

Unfortunately, a rooster is a very bad idea where we live. Pretty sure city ordinances don’t allow roosters and to be honest, the ordinances about chickens make it very difficult to have a coop that is actually legal, given the lot sizes here. So the rooster had to go. I don’t want any neighbors calling on us and spoiling our fun.

The Sacrifice

I figured that it would be better to turn one rooster into a roaster than to have five chickens sitting in my freezer. So I did what I had to do, and got ready to kill the bird. Now, for people living in the country, I’m sure that killing a chicken is just the way it is. It’s a bit weird for a city-slicker, though. However, with grandpa’s instruction, I killed the rooster, then plucked the feathers and cleaned it. Let me just say that getting all those feathers out is a big pain.

Dinner Time – Chicken Soup

Since it was a smallish bird and pretty muscular, I made soup with it. I had been told the meat would be tasty, but would also be tougher than a store-bought chicken. Cooking it for almost 3 hours to make soup fixed this. The chicken was falling apart when it was all done. And I have to say, that the soup was very, very tasty.
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more at:
The Elliott Homestead
morninghomestead.com/chicken

Water

If at all possible it is best to purchase homestead land with water wells in place. Traditionally, these wells may not be very deep but they were ample for a small family. Quite often, other wells were also used for the livestock.

It is always a good idea to have the homestead water tested for diseases before drinking. Pump the well out a few times and then take a sample to a health authority to be tested.

Drilling a well is a complex operation requiring a lot of cash up front. In addition to this most well drillers get paid by the foot. This is an incentive for them to keep drilling!

Baby Sit The Drilling Operation

If you had to drill a well to get water you cannot afford to leave the drillers unattended. They may seem trustworthy and credible and all that stuff but I can assure that when they are paid by the foot they are going deep.

I talked to many local farmers in my area before I brought the well drillers in. I was told that I would get water as soon as I hit the gravel before the bedrock.

With the engines roaring loudly, the well drillers insisted that the water was down deep into the bedrock.

Based on my surveys of neighbors, I made it very clear to them that I had $2000 dollars and if they drilled beyond that amount they were going to be very charitable because I wasn’t paying a penny more.

As it turned out they struck water at 42 feet and I saw the running water spewing out. There was a lot of fine sand down there and they still found a way to increase the costs by selling me a $700 dollar screen to help keep the sand out. The total bill came to $2200 dollars, and so I paid.

Later, another neighbor had a well drilled only two miles away in similar soil conditions and they went to 200 feet. That was 200 X $40.00 =$8,000! Plus $2500 for hydrofracking which was 10,500 before taxes. Now in Ontario Canada you have to add another $1,350 for “environmental taxes!

Babysit the well drillers unless you want to be a slave to the lenders!

Dig Your Well Close to the Home

Digging your well close to the home will reduce the overall cost of the plumbing and overall cost of the pump required to provide the water to your home.

If you used a diviner or some method of determining the source of water you may want to dig the well first and then build the home near it once the lines are installed.

Place Water Lines Away From Walls

This is very important. Water is a strange thing in winter. Cold water coming from a well seems to freeze faster when it senses heat. Your room could be above 80 degrees but if the line is near the foundation of the home it will freeze overnight!

Placing the line far enough away from cement surfaces or possible wind chills prevents the lines from freezing and allows one to install heat tapes or insulation uninhibited by walls or foundations.

In fact, based upon experience, it is best to place each water line (incoming or outgoing) into a separate 4″ abs pipe for a full eight feet down. This will prevent any wind from chilling the line by keeping the ground and any cement from contacting it, and allow heat from the home to sink downward and keep it from freezing. Off the grid living requires this method since heat tape needs a generator to operate due to the high wattage. Save the fuel and install the pipe.

Use Submersible Pumps

Submersible pumps come in a variety of sizes, amps, and horsepower. They are also quiet in operation, never freeze below the surface, and give many years of trouble free operation. These pumps usually require a control box to boost start the pump.

However, 200 feet of line filled with water will tire you out when it needs servicing, and lining up the pit-less adapter can be a challenge.
If you have solar and wind you can get Grundfos Pumps especially rated for your well depth, distance from house and desired water pressure. They are 1/2 hp and available without the control box which draw fewer amps.

You will have to ask your hardware store to purchase it for you because most wholesalers won’t sell to you. You should be able to talk to them directly and then the store will bring it in on your behalf and add there usual handling fee.

If you have Solar — Do Not buy off the shelf because they are not energy efficient and will over load your inverter and batteries.

Use Twin Jet Pumps

If your well is close to the home and not very deep you may want to use a Twin Jet pump. One line pushes and primes the other to increase the pressure into the home. The main reason for this kind of pump is simplicity and ease of repair particularly in severe winter conditions because it in usually placed in a shed or a basement.

Use a Pump House

If the well is far enough away from the house or one simply doesn’t want to hear the pump kicking in you may want to use a pump house. In this manner you can pump water a long distance including uphill if necessary.

Don’t forget to install a heat source for winter use. If you live off the grid this may not be your best choice.
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read more at
How to Quiet an Aquarium’s Water Pumps?
Top 5 Best Pressure Switches for Well Pump
morninghomestead.com

As a tried and true modern homesteader I find myself wondering what kind of homesteading tips can I give people desiring to homestead in urban areas of the city because the urban Homesteader have things that are unique to them.

The term “The Urban Homestead” is defined for those living in or close proximity to the city and they want to improve their situation. Their desire is to live a self sufficient lifestyle where they live in the city.

This seems like a contradiction of terms. Urban Homesteading is neither homesteading nor hobby farming in its truest sense of the word.
While it is possible to enjoy gardening in the city there are few remaining places where you could have even a few chickens. Therefore, out of necessity one still has to have another place of employment. However, with the increasing interest in doing what we can to protect our environment we will continue to encourage people to do what they can wherever they are.

Currently the term ‘homesteading’ applies to anyone who is a part of the back-to-the-land movement and who chooses to live a sustainable, self-sufficient lifestyle. While land is no longer freely available in most areas of the world, homesteading remains as a way of life.

The new movement — ‘urban homesteading’, can be viewed as a simple living lifestyle, incorporating small-scale agriculture, sustainable and perma-culture gardening, and home food production and storage into suburban or city living.

Before you dig up your whole backyard, you might try growing a crop in a community garden the first season. Once you are sure you want to keep going, you can carefully plan out your garden at home. Start with some easy to grow container plants.

Herbs like oregano, sage and thyme grow well in pots. Vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers are another great starter idea. Maximize space with trellises, plant stands and hangers.Companion gardening can make the most of a plant box or raised garden bed. Many gardening manuals are available to tell you which plants do well together.

Before you dig up your front lawn you better visit city hall unless you want a lawsuit. City planners and your neighbors get a little touchy when they see yards of grass seemingly destroyed by one yard that does not look the same!

My other concern is when people face undo hardships such as the ice storms that have plagued various areas this winter. Several weeks without electricity is a major concern. People out in the country may not have done well either because of their dependence on the electrical grid.
True homesteaders by nature plan for these things in advance by having diversified heating and electrical sources.

For example. I have wood heat that I use all winter. I also have propane radiant floor heat as an option. I also have water heated through the wood stove for showers and dishes if necessary. I have a propane stove for cooking but I can also cook on the wood stove. I have a solar powered refrigerator, batteries, solar panels, windmills, gas and diesel generators for electricity.

No matter what happens on my homestead I always have a backup. And this is where city dwellers experience much of their misfortune when a family is totally dependent on electricity and/or natural gas for heat. Electricity, natural gas, and water are totally unusable in a crisis within the city.

I have lived in cities, small towns, and on the homestead. Therefore, I have drawn some of my own conclusions over the years.

Plan To Move Out Of The City

The truth is that you may be able to put a planter on your balcony or have a tiny garden but it will not provide the means to be truly independent and live off the land if you are living in the city.

If you succeed in planting a small garden, there is no guarantee you will see the harvest before someone steals it.

But there is more to it than that.

Everything costs in the city. Regardless of the type of job you have or the pay you receive there never seems to be enough money to go around because of the cost of inflation.

It Costs To Live In The City

The overall price of living in the city is enormous.

Besides the everyday fear of what may happen, there is the stress of traffic congestion, high mortgage and rental prices, the dwindling of funds on things we think we need to have.

Along with the high costs of living in the city, your employer is determined to keep you at the lowest possible pay level for the most amount of work. It’s the almighty dollar and your employer wants to keep as much as possible for themselves.

No matter how hard you work there will always be the feeling that you are tirelessly working for someone else with very little appreciation.

Your Too Busy To Homestead

City dwellers are too busy driving, running errands, shopping, picking kids up at school, going to sports events, theaters, dining and so forth to enjoy homesteading like it is meant to be.

Take the average city dweller out of the city in the country and they will climb the walls that first month out of boredom. They are so used to running around that they find it hard to sit still.

If you really want to homestead you have to separate yourself from the lifestyle of the city that is ingrained into every fiber of your soul.
It is possible to work in the city and be a hobby farmer. That is different from homesteading and completely different from Urban lifestyles.
Hobby farming is living in the country while still being connected to the city. This may be the best choice for many people due to lack of employment is rural areas and for those people who really do love the city.

As for me, I love homesteading and I have enough work on the homestead farm to keep me busy and to keep me from getting bored.
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more at morninghomestead.com

Homesteaders raise livestock and grow a garden on the homestead farm to put food on the table. Once we harvest this garden, wild fruit, or meat — we must find ways or tips to homesteading to preserve and store our food for the long winter ahead. It is a fact of life and one would do well to learn it now because it will be your very survival.

Build A Pantry

A small cool room is all that is needed for a pantry. It should have several strong shelves to hold the weight of jars and jars of canned vegetables and meat.

It should be easily accessible to grab what is needed at a moments notice. Having the pantry at or near the kitchen is best.

Learn Canning

Canning or drying is the most energy efficient way to preserve food. You never have to worry about the electricity going out and thawing out your freezer. Preserved foods will last years although we try to preserve only what is required for one year plus a little extra just in case.
There isn’t really that much to know about canning but the homesteader should learn it and they will enjoy the fruits of their own labor all winter long.

Bake Your Own Goods

All that is required to bake at home are the basics. From the list below you can make hundreds of recipes and never get bored.

Butcher Your Own Meat

Butchering is a process that is easily learned both by men and women. Slaughtering on the other hand is difficult for some people.
So we will pretend that the animal is already skinned out and ready to butcher.

You do not need to do as the butchers do. I learned butchering by doing it and I am convinced that you can too.

If you look very carefully at the carcass you will see areas that just naturally look like they can be cut apart. One can also do leg wholes, or cut it up into smaller chunks. Some of the joints require a little digging, slicing and poking around and eventually they will yield to your control.
Package the meat into small packages using wrapping paper placing wax inside and double wrap or place inside larger freezer bags to preserve well.

Don’t forget that you may use a pressure canner for all kinds of vegetables, meat, fish and poultry.
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more tips at morninghomestead.com

Homesteading and livestock go together like butter on bread. Livestock on the homestead farm can be a great source of income and/or meat for your family depending upon your views and interests. Livestock can be a great source of joy if they are enclosed in proper fencing and buildings.
In the above picture this is what happens when the goat and pig find their way out at the same time. We normally only let the chickens free range. Clearly, the fences were in need of repair. May as well take the photo moment!

Be Practical

The small homesteader may want to keep smaller animals such as sheep or goats. Keeping in mind that I must sell what I do not eat, or eat what I cannot sell –keeps us humble.

Is there a market for my livestock? If there is no market — then how long am I prepared to feed it? Goats and sheep are cute and fun to raise but most people don’t eat them. So how many are you going to raise?

That is why it is good to think in terms of profitability. Feeding animals that I cannot sell or benefit from on the kitchen table is not practical. They become pets that require a lot of work for little in return.

Find The Market

Before you invest large amounts of cash find out what sells locally. See if there is interest in buying what you will be raising. If cattle is the mainstay then you might have to raise cattle too. But here is the catch. Competition!

If everyone is doing cattle it will affect the prices.

Specialize

There may be a lot of cattle ranchers around your area with Black Angus on the range. You might want to raise a different strain of cattle or try organically raised beef for specialized markets at fair prices. You do not however want to undercut the market because it will affect future prices for you and your neighbors.

You may not be able to sell your meat at the Super Market but you can offer butchered quarters, wholes, halves, and various cuts of meat to people who do not want to pay the higher super market prices. Once again, find out what your local rancher will sell for and match his price, but charge extra for butchering and wrapping.

Take orders First

In the spring it is s good time to take orders for “free range, organically raised chickens”.

It is unlikely that you will get any money up front but you can take orders and thereby know how many chickens to order and sell accordingly.
You may also wish to do the same for cattle, hogs, goats or lamb.

Your chances of success will most likely be raising what people are accustomed to buying in the grocery store.
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See Also:
The 10 Best Fences for Goats, Cows, Horses, and Sheep
Top 7 Best Homesteading Books for Beginners
morninghomestead.com