“The most efficient and effective way to guarantee summer success is through planning your garden during the winter.” We are heading into the coldest, bleakest months of the year, but this season has one highlight… something like the gardener’s version of the swallows returning to Capistrano: The arrival of seed catalogs in the mail. The […]
winter
The Basics of Pruning Fruit Trees in Winter
Growing fruit trees has been a lifelong passion. I’ve been growing and pruning fruit trees for most of my life. I planted my first apple tree with my father when I was seven years old. When I was fourteen years old, my first summer job was working at a local orchard with old Mr. Johnson. […]
Winter Homestead Organization & Preparation: The Key to a Fruitful Farm
Winter is perfect for thinking about working smarter, not harder on the farm. These homestead organization tips are key to success next year! As our homesteads slow down for the winter, it is the best time to close things out, reflect on the past year, and plan for the new one. This focus on homestead […]
3 Steps for Preparing Honeybees for Winter
The cold weather is creeping in and that means that it is time to start getting the homestead ready for the cooler months. If you are a beekeeper, then this includes preparing honeybees for winter. Bees do a good job of taking care of themselves, but it is still a good idea for you to […]
How Do You Keep Chickens Warm ?
From the moment that you first bring home the newly hatched chicks, the question of how to keep chickens warm will become important. Unless the chicks are hatched under a broody hen, it is your responsibility to keep chickens warm. Surprisingly, this is a short term concern. Once your chicks are mostly full grown, and feathered […]