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 famous because it starred with Kevin Costner in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,” my friend countered. “Great movie,” I sighed. “And so was […]
If you are a gardener, chances are you’ve grown tomatoes. There are few plants more adored and widely grown across the gardener landscape from carefully watered patio pots, to the sprawling volunteer emerging from the compost pile, to the ruby-studded plants staked out in the back 40. But I would guess that while the percentage […]
Not all green beans are created equal. With unique traits on flavor, growth, and texture, get to know the different types of green beans you can grow at home.
“What is that?” I asked, pointing to the spikey, green gourd-like side dish on my plate. “Bitter melon,” my friend answered simply. We were sharing dinner at her place for a change, enjoying foods from the garden and the local market. “It doesn’t grow locally, but I found it at the small Chinese market downtown. […]
Many gardeners and homesteaders can testify to taking a stroll through their garden and finding slimy little guys slithering on their flowers and vegetables. A common thought that arises would be “Are these snails good for my plants?” or “Should I get rid of them?” Look no further for the answers. This article will cover […]
When talking about alternative living and going back to the land to homestead, permaculture is a frequent topic. But what is permaculture? And why is it such an important part of living off nature and the land – especially when one is trying to homestead off the grid? Who came up with it and what […]
Garlic gives a breath of fresh air to many cuisines around the world, making it a kitchen staple. Its punchy flavors can grow from your home garden, but to do so, discover different garlic varieties and their characteristics.
My jalapeño peppers did terrific this year! Small harvests came in clusters or waves, and even though I ate these babies regularly, I had to start preserving them. It began with the dehydrator. Then some went in the freezer, a bunch were powdered, and eventually, pickled peppers were in my steam canner. Storing Jalapeño Peppers […]
Am I the only one who had an all-out war with squash bugs this year? They annihilated most of my butternut and zucchini before the plants even had a chance to produce. I knew how to get rid of them, but the bugs had covered too much ground before I realized they were present. We’d […]
Onion is layered produce, full of surprising flavors and textures in its varieties. From the common brown-skinned onions to the rarer pearl-sized types, let’s take a look at this kitchen staple to help you choose the right variety.
Stacking Firewood
The story I’m about to tell happened more than three years ago, so I feel comfortable finally airing it out, knowing that the places and persons involved have forgotten this conversation and completely moved on. It all started when I submitted a bio for an article (to a publication I’ll not name, as I don’t […]
“Look at this!” I was having tea with a buddy, looking through some garden magazines. Much better than the internet — I think so, anyway. “Oh my,” I replied. “That looks like a pinecone made of flowers.” “Orchids, actually,” my friend proclaimed. “It’s called the pinecone-like orchid, or pinecone-like raceme dendrobium.” She looked at me […]
In various cuisines, celery leaves and stalks add aroma, flavor, and texture. Get to know this well-loved vegetable, starting with its three main types and their distinct characteristics.
Eggplants are one of my favorite fruits. I feel conflicted admitting that, however, as they’re one of the more challenging plants to grow on my dry Ozark hill. Since I don’t spray plants with chemicals or grow hybrids, any plant grown in my garden is devoured by flea beetles before it reaches maturity. My best […]
Cabbage is an annual vegetable crop known for its versatile culinary use. Get to know these dense-leaved heads that come in many varieties — each with distinct features and flavor.
When I was about 5 years old, my mom and us kids lived in a massive farmhouse with my aunt, uncle, and cousins. I loved being around all the farm animals but was always a bit skeptical of the loud, boisterous geese. One morning, while we were doing the morning chores, I had a nasty […]
I love raising rabbits for many reasons, one being the many benefits of their manure. Rabbit manure is an incredible resource for organic gardens. It increases soil quality by improving both the soil structure and the life cycle of beneficial microorganisms living in the soil. Rabbits are an excellent source of poop, and it doesn’t […]
As we dip into the cold stillness of winter, the garden lays silent and still under its mulch blanket. The trees are bare, the birds quiet, and anything green and growing seems like a distant memory. But for the avid gardener, this is the season of dreaming and planning. Seed catalogs will be arriving in […]
Belonging to the nightshade family, eggplants are versatile summer produce due to their meaty texture and subtle flavors. They are a staple ingredient in various dishes, especially in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine. Technically speaking, an eggplant is not a vegetable, but a fruit that is botanically categorized as a berry. Eggplants are served as […]
Heating with wood is a beautiful thing. It’s hard to beat sitting next to a crackling fire on a cold winter night as the snow gently falls outside. However, that wonderful feeling comes at a price — a lot of sweat and hard work for many months prior to winter. What happens between the time […]
Ocotillo, also known as coachwhip, Jacob’s staff, vine cactus, or by the scientific name of Fouquieria splendens, is a flowering spiny shrub that’s a characteristic species of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts. Desert Life Though this species resembles a cactus with its long spiny branches, it is more closely related to blueberries and tea. Ocotillos […]
Knowing the different types of kale will guide you in choosing the appropriate variety for cooking or growing. Here’s everything you should know about this leafy vegetable, including it’s rare varieties!
Don’t get lost in the vast world of tomatoes with this comprehensive guide! Discover which varieties are suitable for canning, salads, or sauces. Learn about unique varieties and more to expand your tomato knowledge for home garden or kitchen.
“How many names does it need?” I asked. “I don’t know,” admitted my gardening friend (who loved all manner of trivia). “But this plant has quite a few — dragon flower, snapdragon, toadflax, dog flower — not sure about the last two, but I have to agree the face of the flower looks something like […]
Tomatoes have come a long way through their agricultural history. From their domestication by the Aztecs to their first transatlantic adventure to Spain; from their bizarre stint as a deadly poison in Great Britain and early America to their present state of eminence in every seed catalogue and garden, human relationships with tomatoes have gone […]
For those of us who use alternative building methods in construction, it can be difficult to find a mentor. Trade schools generally teach stick framing, so you will be hard-pressed to find an official school in which to learn. And if you can’t find an architect who is a natural builder to apprentice under, your […]
If you are like many of us modern homesteaders, you weren’t raised in this life. You probably come from the city or suburbs and worked a typical 9 to 5 job. As you soon find out, that sort of life doesn’t really prepare you well for living on a homestead. So how do you fill […]
“What was that plant you gave me last year? I can never remember the name.” My friend, Susan, pointed to a plant in her garden. “The Bergenia?” I nodded. “Yes. It’s sprouting a stem — I didn’t think it flowered.” “It does, but only briefly. Like a pig’s squeak,” she explained. “Which just happens to […]
For some, composting is a stinky mess that half-reformed hippies insist on building in “decent” neighborhoods. For others, it’s a mysterious, alchemical process that master gardeners alone comprehend. Still others may think composting is a grand idea but are intimidated by the initial setup and assumed learning curve. And finally, some can admit composting is […]
Composting pasta has been linked to major composting issues, making it an unconventional organic material. However, with proper preparation and best pile management practices, you can convert leftover pasta into nutritious compost.
Hair have slow decomposition rate, gradually releasing nitrogen into compost. Small amounts of hair will benefit the overall composting process, but an excess of it has its caveats.
Some types of wine corks are fine to compost, but other types should never go to your compost. Aside from a nutrient-rich compost, wine enthusiasts can transform natural corks into beautiful art or useful garden mulch.
When I was fresh out of college, I worked as a guide at a wilderness retreat center. We hosted weekend retreat groups, encouraged participants to compost food waste in our big compost bins, and provided a pamphlet to help them do it correctly when one of the staff wasn’t present. One hot fall afternoon, I […]
Whether seeds are suitable for composting is a hot debate! Learn the advantages and disadvantages of including them to your pile, and other useful tricks to prevent unintentional seedling growth and spread.
“Did you know there’s a shrub in India that blooms once every 12 years?” (My friend was sharing more gardening trivia.) “I read about it somewhere,” I replied. “What’s it called?” “The kurinji shrub. When it blossoms, the hillsides turn a bluish purple.” “Must be a sight to behold.” “Like that a plant that stinks […]
Pine trees commonly produces heaps of pine needles, ready for compost use. However, you need to learn some precautionary measures and other useful tips to effectively transform them into beneficial compost.
Fresh or dried, flowers are more than just their visible beauty. Some flower types can contribute to your compost pile under optimal conditions and correct preparation.
Inclusion of garlic in compost pile is a double-edged sword. Although it boosts the nourishment of your compost, large quantities of garlic scraps can significantly impact your pile, especially its microbial action.
Not only are tomatoes beneficial for your health, but they’re also good for your compost. Correct preparation, and optimal compost conditions will yield the best compost quality and prevent potential problems.
Popular during summer days, watermelons have chunky rinds that can be used for composting. Learn how to maximize their nutrients for your compost, and avoid common composting issues.
Instead of sending away your cardboard scraps to landfills, consider turning them into nutrient-rich compost. Learn the advantages and disadvantages of cardboard in compost and explore other sustainable alternatives if a home compost isn’t possible.
Traditionally excluded from piles, cheese can only be transformed into a healthy compost under proper methods. Explore the complex process of composting cheese, including potential issues and the optimal composting conditions needed for its safe transformation.
Composting citrus fruits presents some challenges, especially on your pile’s pH. Learn the correct preparation and best practices when processing your citrus scraps into nutrient-rich compost.
Avocado is a popular fruit, flexible for various dishes. The resulting avocado wastes, however, can be used for composting, instead of contributing to landfill wastes.
Rhubarb leaves are not only useful for cooking, but also for composting. Although tricky to process, rhubarb leaves provide nitrogen essential for producing the best compost quality.
Composting cooked food is a tricky challenge, especially for beginners. Learn the pros, cons, and intricacies of processing cooked food safely and efficiently.
You can efficiently process flour into nutrient-rich compost, but doing so presents some composting challenges. Learn more about the best practices, potential issues, and alternative disposal options of flour waste.
Discover how to compost mushrooms, everything from preparation and composting methods, to potential issues and alternatives. Gain insights about how adding mushrooms to your compost pile can enhance the nutrient content and help improve your garden soil.
Learn how to compost cat litter efficiently and responsibly, considering factors like the types of cat litter suitable for composting, potential health hazards, and the right composting conditions. Gain insights into various eco-friendly, compostable cat litter options and how their integration impacts the composting process.
