Insteading
Homesteading & Sustainability
“Did you know there’s an 800-year-old oak tree in Kent, England? It’s called Majesty or the Fredville Oak.” “And what about that sycamore tree near Hadrian’s Wall?” I replied. “That one's only …
“Imagine a tree that grows flowers right on its trunk!” My friend looked over my shoulder at the image. “Much like that tree that grows fruit on its trunk -- what was it called?” “The Brazilian …
Flowering trees are available in a variety of sizes and shapes for almost any landscape application. Not only do deciduous flowering trees bring visual impact and beauty to your homestead, but they …
“I’d like to go by climbing a birch tree, And climb black branches up a snow-white trunk Toward heaven, till the tree could bear no more,But dipped its top and set me down again. That would …
“Look at this tree!” I passed the image to my friend. It was a blustery, rainy day, and a good time to sit indoors and plan our next gardening adventure. I was looking for unusual trees to add to my …
“I need at least one of these trees,” I decided. “A dynamite tree. A tree that can kill in multiple ways -- and I don’t mean by falling on a person. Though that could definitely kill as well.” “Why …
Ever been to an international grocery market and didn’t recognize half of the fruits that were stocked? Or how about a tropical vacation where you had the opportunity to feast on new and exotic …
Continue Reading about 15 Tropical Fruits You Should Know About →
It’s that time of year again! The birds are heading south, and the hearth fires are ablaze. Having a campfire out under the stars on a chilly night is one thing. Trying to heat your home with a wood …
Continue Reading about Different Types of Firewood To Use & To Avoid →
A tree nursery is a designated area where young trees are cultivated and grown. They are made to grow vigorous, healthy, young trees. Tree nurseries help support young trees by protecting them from …
When you're planning your garden for the upcoming spring, you may find yourself quickly running out of space in your yard, garden beds, and hanging planters, but who says you have to pick and choose …
Continue Reading about 40 Large Planters For Trees And Flowers →
Living in the tropics allows the homesteader to go wild with unique tropical fruit trees and shrubs. You really can’t get a better climate for fruit production. The majority of the tropics worldwide …
Continue Reading about 15 Weird and Wonderful Tropical Fruit Trees for Tropical Homesteads →
Coconut palms are astoundingly useful to tropical or subtropical homesteaders. They provide everything from wood to medicine to nutritious, high-calorie food. They’re hardy, need minimal to no …
Continue Reading about Tropical Homesteading: How to Harvest Coconut for Fresh Water and Meat →
The arborist was following me around the property. It had been a hard winter with several damaged trees and a lot of large limbs downed. Rather than use the chainsaw to clean up the mess, I preferred …
Continue Reading about Homestead Stories: The Mighty Oak Tree →
I had spent another morning doing battle with the proliferous wild grape that grew across my rock wall border. I had nothing against grapevines, especially when they bore fruit (which these vines …
Grown for decades by farmers and gardeners across the mid-western United States, Osage orange trees are incredibly versatile and can serve all sorts of purposes on the homestead. The wood from the …
Continue Reading about Osage Orange Trees: Durable Hardwood With Alien-Like Fruit →
“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire …” is a phrase most Americans can sing along to without even thinking, but there is so much more to these amazing trees than Christmas lyrics. Much more than a …
Continue Reading about Planting, Growing, and Maintaining Chestnut Trees →
“Oh my! The flowers on those trees look like tulips.” I was taking a walk with my grandmother along a country road just north of Lake Erie. It was spring and the weather demanded some outside …
When landscape professionals talk about dwarf trees, they refer to trees both deciduous and evergreen that are explicitly cultivated to remain small and manageable. If space is limited, dwarf fruit …
When one thinks of trees, visions of vast swaths of forested mountains, steamy jungles, or frosty taigas may come to mind. But not every tree needs a scenic backdrop to flourish—some can be content to …
Continue Reading about 7 Indoor Trees To Add Some Greenery To Your Home →
It always seems like you don't realize the lack of shade in your backyard until it's too late. You've already settled on a good book, put out the lawn chair, and made yourself a nice lunch when you …
Continue Reading about Fast Growing Shade Trees For Your Homestead →
Apple trees truly are giving trees. In spring, their fragrant, pale blossoms dot the landscape with a welcome, hopeful change from the soggy grays and browns of late winter. In summer, their lush …
The black walnut tree is a part of the tree species Juglandaceae. While they’re native to some parts of Canada, you will most likely find black walnut trees in the United States. In the states, black …
Fungi are remarkable, and after many trees fell in our yard we discovered the beauty of living fungal art. Trees--they’re beautiful when healthy, but even long-living, solid trees can meet an …
Continue Reading about Our Dead Trees Became Living Fungal Art →
Throughout much of the southwestern United States, pecan trees flourish. A tough and hardy tree, pecan trees can live and produce nuts for as long as 300 years. Pecan trees enhance the environment and …
Continue Reading about Pecan Trees: Managing A Pecan Grove →
My Dad's running a gardening experiment in his backyard. What happens if you let an apple tree fully fruit, instead of thinning the smaller fruits in the spring? This is what happens: Yes, …
Continue Reading about Too Many Apples Broke This Apple Tree →
Living willow structures or fences start with live cut rods or withies. Once inserted in the ground, they take root. Willow sculpture may use green wood but the rods are not planted, so the sculpture …
At my permaculture design course last weekend the guest speaker was Douglas Bullock, of the well-known Bullock Brothers Permaculture Homestead on Orcas Island. Douglas was lecturing on the …
