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Is Milk a Whole Food?
Is Milk a Whole Food?
A Beginner’s Guide To Restoring Cast Iron
Let’s say you’re walking down the aisle of an antique store, mildly browsing the booths, hunting for treasure. All of a sudden, there! You see it. A cast iron skillet. Sure, there are rust spots, and it looks like it hasn’t seen service for a few decades, but you’re smart enough to know this thing
Homestead Stories: Common Burdock
My friend passed the paper, and I read the headline: “Invasive Weed Killing Animals — Wow! That’s scary. What else does burdock kill?” “Just about everything in its path by the sound of it.” “We seem to have a lot of invasive plants taking over.” “The powers that be always have a great plan,” my
17 Of The Best Hanging Plants To Add Beautiful Greenery To Your Home
One of the most recent trends in home decor includes adding greenery to your home. Hanging baskets allow you to grow beautiful plants without sacrificing counter space. Hanging plants can add greenery inside your home and have been proven over and over to have positive impacts on your health and the air quality in your
Raising Champagne d’Argent Rabbits
I’ve raised a few different breeds throughout the years and I’m currently waiting for a pair of Champagne d’Argent rabbits. This breed is said to be one of the oldest from France. I love their temperament and disposition as well as their beautiful coats. The Champagne d’Argent breed makes great show rabbits and pets, and
Introduction to Worm Farming
If you’re interested in cultivating dynamic, healthy, nutrient-rich soil, and are keen to incorporate nature’s natural composters, worm farming may be a perfect option for you. While rather less common than most soil invigorators, worm farming may be the most beneficial option (and in the long run, the least amount of work). Interested? Read on
Can I Compost Hair?
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.
Hugelkultur: What It Is & Inspiration For Your Permaculture Garden
Instead of putting those small branches, leaves, and grass clippings in bags by the curbside…build a hugelkultur bed. Simply mound logs, branches, leaves, grass clippings, straw, cardboard, petroleum-free newspaper, manure, compost, or whatever other biomass and organic matter you have available, top with soil, and plant your veggies or perennial plants. What you’ll get in return
How To Coexist With Squirrels On The Homestead
The United States is an ecologically rich country full of plant and animal diversity. Those living in the States are fortunate to have animal life around them regardless of the region where they live. An animal that remains consistent — no matter where one ventures — is the squirrel. Mischievous, cunning, social, talkative, fast, curious,
DIY Wine Cellar Plans + 10 Ideas to Inspire You
When you first moved into your house or apartment, there were probably a few things on your wish list. Maybe it was a fireplace. Or perhaps, a big open kitchen. And of course, you probably had a beautiful yard to grow a garden on your list. If you consider yourself a wine connoisseur, maybe it
Styrofoam Art
Expanded/Extruded Polystyrene Inspiration – (C8H8)n Styrofoam is a trademark name of Dow Chemical and is ‘extruded’ polystyrene (hard insulation). The white stuff used for packing and coolers is ‘expanded’ polystyrene, but often mistakenly referred to as styrofoam as well. Nurdle Beach. A nurdle is a pre-production plastic pellet or ground down particles which were formerly
Pebble Pathways
“Nobody trips over mountains. It is the small pebble that causes you to stumble. Pass all the pebbles in your path and you will find you have crossed the mountain.” Unknown. A pebble and stone path with gaps increases permeability. By Jeff Bale. jeffreygardens.com Pebble path in the UK, image by Hermes.goldenagegardens.blogspot.com Pebble Mosaic in
VHS Tape Art
VHS, Cassette Tape & Video Tape Art Zilvinas Kempinas – ’02’ Video tape loop, electric fan. Installation Spencer Brownstone Gallery 2007. www.spencerbrownstonegallery.com Zilvinas Kempinas – ‘Tube’ Venice Biennial – 2009, magnetic tape, plywood. One walks through the center of the installation. www.spencerbrownstonegallery.com Zilvinas Kempinas – ‘Columns’ Vertically streched video tape, plywood, nails. Installation Spencer Brownstone
DIY How-to: Build a $300 in-Ground Greenhouse (w/ plans)
Farmers have been trying to extend the growing season of their crops for hundreds of years. So far, the greenhouse has been the dominant technology, since it doesn’t usually require electricity to operate. The problem with setting up an off-the-grid greenhouse is that the typical, “glazed glass” structure can be prohibitively expensive to construct. That’s
Butterfly Eggs
Julia Heliconia Butterfly Egg in a tendrill of a Passion flower creeper. The Julia Heliconia is an orange butterfly found along the periphery of the Gulf of Mexico. Image by Martin Oeggerli. www.micronaut.ch Large white butterfly egg (Pieris brassicae). The yellow eggs of the large white butterfly are laid in clusters on the undersides of leaves in
The Surprising Benefits of Rabbit Manure
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
7 Chicken Predators And How To Protect Your Flock
When I still lived in the city, I dreamed of chickens. I browsed breed lists like a bride-to-be looks through wedding catalogs. I anticipated morning egg gathering, rooster crows, egg-laying cackles, and lots of free fertilizer! But for all my research, I had no idea what it would feel like to face what I grimly call “predator
Companion Plants For Potatoes
It’s easy to cultivate potatoes on a homestead, and it’s well worth it: they’re a staple food that can be used in almost any kind of cooking. If you grow your own potatoes, you can be sure that they’re organic, non-GMO, and pesticide free. You can easily store them without freezing, drying or canning. Companion plants—plants
Andalusian
Characteristics The Andalusian is an elegant sight to behold if you ever get to see one of these fairly uncommon birds. With blue-grey feathers tipped in black, and bright red combs, they are quite striking! As is typical of many Mediterranean breeds–of which the Andalusians are some of the oldest–they are great foragers and survivalists.
Araucana
Characteristics Everything about the Araucana is slightly unusual. From its tailless rump to its little pea comb hidden between humorously-curling ear-tufts on either side of its head, the Araucana is a conversation starter! Originally bred from native Chilean chickens, these are hardy birds that can tolerate both hot and cold environments well. They are active
Barbu d’Uccle
Characteristics As far as pet chickens go, these are a fantastic choice for both their friendly dispositions and manageable sizes. Their looks are endearing as well, with heavily feathered feet, full beards, and so many hackle or cape feathers that their necks almost seem to melt into their tails. The hens are known as excellent
Barnevelder
Characteristics Very recently developed in Holland from mostly black chickens, the Barnevelder, or Barney, as it is sometimes affectionately known, is a gorgeous sight to behold in the chicken coop. With iridescent-green feathers striped with double layers of light lacing, they will certainly merit a double-take! In addition to their looks, they are also renowned
Chantecler
Characteristics With a bitty, flat-lying comb, almost non-existent wattles, chunky body, and close-lying feathers bolstered by dense feathering, this is truly one of the most cold-hardy chickens to be found. If you live in an area where the cold is a serious consideration when building your flock, you should really look no further than this
Cornish
Characteristics Colorfully metallic or dazzlingly white, these fierce-faced birds have graced many a plate. And while the butchered benefits of these birds have been greatly publicized, there are a fair number of cons to this breed as well. First off, their close feathering is not very insulating. These birds do poorly when exposed to the
Croad Langshan
Characteristics The first thing you may notice about the Croad Langshan is its height. The impression is accentuated by the breed’s long legs, high tail, and regal disposition. Then you may be impressed by their friendly, calm disposition. Finally, once you visit the coop, you may be astonished to find a handful of what looks
Cubalaya
Description Though it has the appearance and lineage of a fierce game bird, the Cubalaya does not express any of that belligerence toward its human handlers. These chickens are known for their tameness and ease of handling, which makes them rockstars on the exhibition floor! Though they were developed in Cuba for meat, eggs, and
Faiyumi
Characteristics With its silvery head, large single comb, onyx-dark eye, and trim, black-speckled body, this chicken is visually quite similar to the Silver Campine breed, but built a little more like a forward-leaning roadrunner. Those bright, dark eyes of theirs are excellent at scanning the skies for predators–with such alert personalities, it’s hard to take
Faverolles
Characteristics If it’s a unique-looking bird you want, look no further! This portly chicken sports a beard that would make a hipster jealous, muffed cheeks, feathered feet, a fifth toe, and can be found in almost every color in chicken kind. Aside from their endearingly odd looks, one of the most notable traits of the