One of the best things about keeping chickens for meat is that you can feel confident that the end product was ethically produced. There is also no doubt that homegrown birds taste better. Raising your meat chickens may seem like a no-brainer if you have the space, but is the result worth the effort and…
When it comes to colorful bursts of tropical flavors, it is hard to beat the delightful deep orange color and creamy goodness of ripe papayas. Juicy, delicious, and packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, the fleshy fruits are readily available and an excellent addition to your chicken’s menu. Papaya is a chicken superfruit that can…
Chickens are omnivores requiring a mix of plant and meat materials to ensure optimum health. Cats are carnivores and demand a diet rich in meat-based proteins. Although the two animals have different nutritional requirements, can chickens eat cat food? Chickens can eat cat food as an occasional treat. Cat food that adheres to nutrient profiles…
Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but there are some chicken breeds with features that even a mother would find hard to love. There are chickens with everything, from giant feet and disproportionate bodies to birds that resemble walking plucked roasts. Nature has a great sense of humor and has provided an…
Zucchini is considered a vegetable by many, although it’s classified as a fruit in botanical terms. Whether you want to call it a fruit or vegetable, it packs a healthy amount of nutrients. Zucchini is a summer squash that features in many a human diet. Poultry owners may wonder, can chickens eat zucchini? Chickens can…
The nutritional benefits derived from honey are well-known and documented. A team of busy bees produces the golden ooze, and we have been farming and consuming honey for thousands of years. Regarding chicken treats, can chickens eat honey? Chickens can eat honey as it contains a healthy mix of antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and amino acids,…
With correct planning, it is entirely possible to keep a chicken coop warm without electricity, even in the coldest climates. Many chicken breeds can tolerate cold conditions well, but they appreciate a snug coop and need protection from icy drafts. Although moving your entire chicken coop to a more protected position may not be possible,…
Most chicken keepers are amazed that such tiny hen bodies can produce comparatively enormous eggs. Since responsible poultry owners care about the well-being and comfort of their animals, it is natural to wonder if laying eggs is painful for chickens. Laying eggs is not painful to chickens and is an entirely natural process. A hen…
Tuna is a healthy source of nutrition for humans and animals alike, with moderation being the keyword when adding nutritional fish to a balanced diet. We know chickens can eat all sorts of food, but can chickens eat tuna? Chickens can eat tuna as it is a healthy source of protein, numerous vitamins, and essential…
Like many delicious treats, mangoes have an upside and a downside. The upside is that tropical fruits are irresistibly tasty and packed with an array of vitamins and minerals. The downside is they contain high amounts of sugar and very little protein. This leaves many poultry owners wondering if it is safe for chickens to…
Grapes are often called nature’s candy because they are delightfully sweet, plump balls of juiciness that come in various colors. Since it is common knowledge that grapes are unsafe for dogs and cats, poultry owners may be concerned that the same holds true for chickens. Chickens can eat grapes, and grapes are a good source…
While you will probably never see a chicken fishing, there is no doubt that they love everything about eating fish! Avid anglers may be delighted to know that they can share their annual quota and offcuts with their flock and that fish has a lot of health benefits for chickens. Chickens can eat fish, and…
Cherry fruit, derived from different plants of the Prunus genus, is a firm favorite in many desserts and baked treats such as cherry pie. With over 1,000 different cherry varieties in the United States, millions of people love this little red or black fruit. Can chickens eat cherries? Chickens can eat cherries as they are…
You might not know when looking at celery that it’s related to carrots or parsnips. These vegetables form part of the family Apiaceae, known as the parsley family, and celery was used in ancient medicine by the Chinese and for flavor by ancient Greeks. Today, we use it in various dishes. Can chickens eat celery?…
Many chicken owners think ventilation in a chicken coop is only important during the hot summer months. However, as the mercury drops, the need for proper air circulation and vents inside the coop becomes even more critical. Designing a coop with adequate ventilation is about keeping the air inside the coop fresh, dry, and healthy…
Chickens come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny bantams to plus-sized Jersey Giants. Owing to their spectacular size, owning a flock of giants can be an exciting experience. Although they are gargantuan compared to most other breeds, their docile temperaments make them ideal for families with young children. Jersey Giant chickens are the biggest…
The idiom, as rare as hen’s teeth, means something is extremely rare or nonexistent. Humans and many other animals have teeth to grind food before swallowing, but what if you only have a beak? Many birds and some reptiles have devised an ingenious system to grind their food inside their stomachs, but for the process…
Chicken terminology is unique. While we refer to portions of poultry as legs, thighs, or breasts, we never speak about sheep thighs or pork breasts! So, if chickens have breasts, it is natural to wonder if they also have nipples. Even though they share the same terminology, chicken and mammal breasts are entirely different, and…
While your chickens will never send you a Valentine’s card or sing love songs, there is no doubt that our feathered flock is an affectionate bunch. Chickens spend their days socializing with each other and often become comically excited when they spot their owners approaching. This can leave poultry owners wondering if they are just…
Chickens have a healthy appetite overall and love plant- and meat-based foods. If you are wondering if chickens can eat sardines, you only need to look at the nutritional benefits of the small oily fish. What type of sardines you feed your chickens is important, as not all sardines will be a healthy treat for…
Few things are more delicious than feasting on ripe raspberries. This prolific summer fruit is packed with goodness. Raspberry bushes frequently produce more than enough to share, and since they have a very short shelf life, it is natural to wonder if your chickens can enjoy a share of the juicy red bounty. Chickens can…
Chickens can eat both cooked and uncooked pasta and enjoy Italian-inspired noodles very much. It is better to serve pasta to chickens as an occasional treat to the chicken flock as it contains lots of carbohydrates which can cause obesity and heart problems when eaten daily. Depending on the type of pasta, how it’s prepared,…
Chickens eat almost anything you feed them and have a healthy relationship with various food sources. Not all food types are good for them, so stay clear of feeding them things like avocados and raw potatoes with green skins. When it comes to condiments, can chickens eat mayonnaise? Chickens can technically consume mayonnaise in small…
Since 1941, Cheerios has been the staple breakfast food for many American families. The popular oat-fueled O’s are available in delicious flavors such as cinnamon, vanilla, blueberry, honey and almond, and pumpkin spice. Humans love it, but can chickens eat Cheerios? Chickens can eat original Cheerios, made primarily from whole grain oats and packed with…
Adding some toys to your chicken coop can make a massive difference to your flock’s general health and overall happiness. Challenging poultry behavior, including egg eating, feather plucking, and fighting, can often be eliminated by making the coop an interesting place for your hens to spend their time. Toys for chicken coops should relieve boredom…
Easter only comes around once a year, but by adding a few olive egger chickens to your flock, you can enjoy collecting gorgeous, olive-colored eggs all year round. Olive eggers are less well known than their relatives, the easter eggers, but their pale green-shelled eggs are equally sought after in egg baskets. Olive eggers can…
Chickens are a prime food source for many a predator, and poultry owners often have their hands full at ground level trying to keep foxes, raccoons, coyotes, and opossums from getting their paws on the flock. Flock owners must also be wary of predatory attacks from the sky. Here is how to protect chickens from…
Chickens have a tendency to try any food source you place in front of them. Being omnivores, chickens eat a wide variety of food types. Nuts are a particular favorite of our feathery friends, and the right ones are an excellent source of nutrition when added to a commercial feed diet. Can chickens eat pecans?…
Chickens are omnivores and enjoy plant-based foods as well as protein-filled meat. For some owners, feeding chickens to chickens is an uncomfortable concept, while others willingly engage in the practice. Makes you wonder, can chickens eat chicken? Scientifically speaking, chickens can eat chicken. However, in some countries, such as Australia, you are not allowed to…
Chickens are omnivores and eagerly consume most types of food that are on offer, including cheese. Since processed dairy snacks like cheese aren’t usually on any bird’s menu, it is natural to be cautious about feeding them to your chickens. While cheese has some health benefits, not all types of cheese are the same, and…
Chickens pecking each other to death isn’t something reserved for the horrendous practice of cock fighting. Even a coop full of sweet little Henny Penny types may kill other chickens in certain conditions. So why do chickens attack each other, sometimes to the death? Chickens may kill each other for many reasons, including during the…
The story of the wily old fox and his love for the chicken coop is a tale as old as time. Foxes love chickens, but the feeling is not mutual. To protect your feathery friends from disappearing, you must be proactive in your efforts to secure their coop. Here’s how to fox-proof a chicken coop….
No one knows whether the chicken or the egg came first, but we do know that eggshells are a superfood for laying hens. Saving and recycling your hens’ own eggshells is a natural and inexpensive way to provide additional calcium for the hens in your flock. Chickens can eat eggshells, and they are a valuable…
Unlike regular twist-off lids that you find on products from the grocery store, flat-top mason jar lids are the type most commonly used for home canned food. When processed correctly, they provide a firm vacuum seal that ensures the food inside remains fresh for as long as possible. Not everyone is familiar with canning jar…
Aluminum foil has been keeping food sealed and warm for over a hundred years. Since it can be molded to fit snuggly against food and prevents heat from escaping, it has proved invaluable as a strong yet lightweight food covering. Adding a layer of aluminum foil is an effective method to keep food warmer for…
Almost everyone has a thermos, and in most households, it is a greatly underutilized piece of equipment. A thermos can be used for much more than keeping coffee hot on fishing trips. It can also keep meals and sauces piping hot so you can enjoy them steaming and tasty no matter where you are. …
Did you know ancient Egyptians used that pepper as part of the embalming process? Although pepper was more commonly used as a food flavoring than a preservative, the anti-microbial chemicals in peppercorns were regarded as a precious ingredient in ritually preserving royalty. Pepper contains some anti-microbial and antioxidant properties, which slow down food spoilage. While…
If you have an abundance of jalapenos from your vegetable garden this year, it’s time to get excited. There are so many versatile ways to can your harvest without only resorting to the usual pickles. From plain jalapenos to cowboy candy and everything in between, there are loads of ways to can your jalapeno harvest…
Pink Himalayan salt has taken the world by storm with its gem-like pink color and claims of health benefits. Although Himalayan salt is significantly more expensive than table salt, the price difference does not indicate its suitability for canning. Since Himalayan salt contains an assortment of trace minerals, it is not recommended for canning. The…
Queso dip takes nacho cheese dip to the next level of deliciousness, so it is natural to want to keep a supply of this canned goodness in your pantry. Unfortunately, dairy products are not good candidates for home canning. Plenty of rebel canners disagree, and canning queso dip is a controversial topic amongst home canners….
Canning dairy is more intimidating than simpler foods, like vegetables or your favorite fruit jam. Just thinking about canning cheese sauce should instantly raise all our food safety red flags. Canning dairy products, including nacho cheese sauce, is not scientifically validated or recommended by the USDA. Canning dairy products like cheese is controversial and is…
Canned chickpeas are a protein-rich superfood. This versatile legume can add texture to stir-fries, be blended to create creamy dips and sauces, or tossed in salads. Chickpeas are also a popular vegan meat alternative, but are canned chickpeas pre-cooked before canning, or is further processing required? Canned chickpeas are completely cooked and ready to eat….
Whether it’s pistachio nuts, pasta, rice, or pretzels, your go-to to store them is probably a plastic container. However, not all plastic is the same, and the sturdy waterproof material also isn’t entirely air-tight. While your dry food may taste fresh for short periods, your trusty plastic containers will need some backup if you need…
Potatoes are a versatile staple food in many households. They are ideal for adding to stews, mash, roasts, or making French fries. Unless you have a root cellar, keeping a supply of potatoes can be challenging. Canned potatoes are the perfect way to have fresh, ready-to-use potatoes on hand throughout the year. Canned potatoes are…
The versatility and sheer goodness of French onion soup is hard to beat. It can be enjoyed as a hearty broth or used as a rich, caramelized base for casseroles, pasta dishes, or even onion rice. Canning your own homemade French onion soup will mean you always have a supply of this valuable ingredient at…
Getting your canned food safely sealed and stored in the pantry is a significant achievement. It can be quite a letdown to find that when you are ready to use your wholesome preserved food, the lids feel like they are welded on. Fortunately, some handy hacks are available, and you don’t need ninja skills to…
Once you start preserving food, you quickly realize how addictive it is and want to learn more. Although plenty of information is available online, few things beat a good print book to give you the feeling of authenticity that you want to carry through in your food. No matter how long you have been preserving…
What could be better than having delicious homemade meals available every day? Meal prepping has become a hot new trend that makes healthy eating convenient and fun. The only downside to preparing meals days in advance is that to remain tasty and not cause any foodborne illnesses they must be stored correctly. Cooked meal prep…
It may seem impossible to enjoy a hot meal hours after you have prepared it without keeping it on the stove. Even if there is no electricity available at your campsite, picnic, party, or work area, you don’t have to limit your menu to sandwiches. Plenty of tried and tested methods exist that will keep…
Summer is on the way, and soon most of us will be spending much more time enjoying the great outdoors. Since you won’t be near your trusty kitchen warming appliances, keeping food warm for a picnic requires a different approach. Adding hot food to your picnic menu makes a delightful change, and it is possible…
Combining oil and dried tomatoes or basil to create mouthwatering Mediterranean condiments has become commonplace. Herbs and garlic are also frequently mixed with olive oil to make herb-infused oils for cooking. It may be surprising to realize that while oil slows spoilage on some food, it should be used cautiously when preserving raw food. Oil…
Vinegar has been a reliable food preservative for centuries, and many varieties are available. Almost every pantry in the world contains at least one bottle of vinegar. This versatile natural substance can be used as an effective cleaning agent, an acidic flavoring for fish and chips, or even an organic weed killer. Vinegar preserves…
Many of us are guilty of collecting kitchen equipment and tools randomly. Before we know it, our cupboards become a collection of bits and pieces from different projects, but we still always seem to be missing something we need. This comprehensive list of essential food preservation tools and equipment will help you buy the correct…
Preserving food is the best way to prevent food waste, reduce your monthly food budget, and ensure that your preserved food lasts as long as possible without spoiling. There are several methods for preserving food, but how well does vacuum sealing work? Does vacuum sealing preserve food? How long does vacuum-sealed food last? Vacuum sealing…
Food security has become a hot topic in recent years. With the increased cost of living and possible disruptions in the formal food chain, the unsettling reality is that it is impossible to depend exclusively on food retailers. Savvy consumers need to plan, buy food wisely and store rations effectively to provide their own safety…
Preserving food is essential to keep food from spoiling and to prevent food waste, but most people use appliances such as refrigerators and freezers to preserve food. However, what if you do not have electricity or if the electricity goes out? How can you preserve food safely and effectively without electricity? Several effective methods to…
If you have an abundance of green beans, you can easily freeze them so that you have a constant supply during winter. If you use a FoodSaver to vacuum seal your beans as well before freezing them, you’ll find that you can keep them in the freezer for up to 3 years. Here’s everything you…
Chickpeas are an excellent source of protein, especially for people who follow vegetarian or vegan diets. Plus, they’re highly nutritious and can be used in so many different ways. A favorite is to blend them into a delicious hummus dip. It is possible to freeze chickpeas in order to store them for longer periods. In…
Butter beans are also commonly known as lima beans. They are kidney-shaped and have a buttery taste. If you happen to grow these in your garden and have an oversupply, you can freeze them for longer storage. Here’s how you can freeze butter beans with complete step-by-step instructions. Choose The Beans Carefully It’s important to…
Food that is correctly packed and sealed inside 5-gallon buckets can last more than 20 years. Storing food in sealed buckets effectively prevents spoilage caused by pests, light, and moisture. Eliminating oxygen inside the bucket is vital when using this method, so packing and sealing it correctly at the onset is essential to ensure the…
Canning jars should ideally be sealed using a pressure canner or hot water bath technique to remove air and create a vacuum seal. However, boiling is time-consuming and adds several steps to the canning process. This may leave you wishing there were alternative methods to seal canning jars that do not involve boiling. Canning jars…
Yellow squash, which is also known as summer squash, is highly nutritious and extremely versatile. Since it is easy to grow and bountiful during the warmer months, it is natural to want to preserve and store a supply to use throughout the year. However, yellow squash’s soft consistency and low acidity often make canning challenging….
Food preservation is one of the pillars of a homesteading lifestyle. Being able to preserve food safely makes it possible to stock up and create a personal safety net to counter variability in the food chain. We all know that preserving food is a good idea, but we may not be sure of the reasons…
Preserving foods has been done for much longer than we have had fridges. Fridges are a reasonably new concept, being around for just over a century, compared to food preservation methods. Food preservation is done in many ways, such as smoking, salting, canning, and pickling, to name a few. But how does sugar preserve food?…
If you are excited to start canning your harvest and stocking your pantry with homemade preserves but don’t have a water bath, we have some great news. You don’t need one. Like many things on a homestead, necessity is the mother of invention. We are here to show you how you can safely can food…
Recently, there has been a resurgence in preserving food at home, including canned meatloaf. Canning meatloaf at home is a helpful exercise for so many reasons. Not only are you dodging the additives and preservatives in commercially made products, but you’re also using recyclable containers and saving yourself money. When canning meatloaf, it is recommended…
Canned evaporated milk is a useful product to keep in the grocery cupboard. It can be mixed with water and used in place of fresh milk and has become a popular ingredient in many recipes. The real dilemma results from the old can of evaporated milk left in the back of the cupboard for years….
Dehydrating food is a great option for long-term storage, but once it is dehydrated, what is the best way to store it? Mason jars are an option for protecting and storing dehydrated food, but some aspects require consideration when using this method. The best way to store dehydrated food in mason jars is to cut…
Pickling apple cucumbers is one of the best ways to preserve them, and it means that you can enjoy them for many weeks or months to come. You can also freeze sliced apple cucumbers to preserve them, but these will need to be added blended into recipes as they won’t be crisp when they’re defrosted….
Crab apple trees are prolific croppers, and if you have one of these trees growing in your garden, you’re going to be looking for ways to preserve your harvest so that you don’t waste any of these small but sweet fruits. Common Methods Used To Preserve Crab Apples There are actually a few different ways…
Canning jars are specialized jars that can withstand the high temperatures and pressures of the canning process. They also have a flat lid that can be vacuum sealed in order to preserve the food inside. If you’re just starting to can your own produce, you might be wondering how much canning jars cost. Types Of…
Have you ever wondered why canned food lasts so long? You’ll even find that many canned foods don’t have a best-before date because the canning process ensures a long and stable shelf life. Here are some reasons why canned food lasts so long. Why Does Canned Food Last So Long? The Food Is Heated Inside…
Salt is a common ingredient used in preserving. However, there are a variety of different types of salt, so you need to ensure that you use the correct one for your method of preserving. You might be wondering whether canning salt or pickling salt is the same as curing salt. Canning salt is not the…
You might have been surprised to discover that birds are actually descendants of dinosaurs. They have evolved for millions of years from the earliest dinosaur species and have survived because of their ability to fly and search for food all over the world. Does this also include chickens? Are Chickens Dinosaurs? Chickens are not dinosaurs….
![Black Chickens With Feathers On Feet [4 Breeds]](https://homesteadcrowd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/black-cochin-chicken-768x531.jpg)
Black chickens with feathers on their feet are known for their striking black plumage and the interesting feathers that they have on their feet. These hens are also well-known for their hardiness, broodiness, and their ability to lay eggs. Popular Breeds Of Black Chickens With Feathers On Their Feet Numerous breeds of chickens exhibit these…
If you have backyard chickens and let them free-roam, you might find that they come onto your porch. This can be a problem for a number of reasons. If your porch is made of wood, the chickens may scratch and peck at the wood, and this could damage it. They will also leave droppings, which…
Cleaning a chicken coop is not that difficult if you stick to a regular schedule and understand the importance of keeping the coop nice and clean for the benefit of your chickens and their egg production. Here are some instructions on how to clean a chicken coop. Set Up A Cleaning Schedule To make your…
Keeping your chicken coop nice and clean is of paramount importance because it means your chickens will be healthy and happy. A clean coop is also less likely to attract rodents and other pests and diseases. So, how often should you clean a chicken coop? How Often To Clean A Chicken Coop? While there is…
When deciding which treats to feed your chickens aside from the pellets that you give them, you might be wondering whether chickens can eat apples. Can Chickens Eat Apples? The good news is that chickens can eat apples, and these are actually quite nutritious for them as long as you don’t feed them too many….
When you have an oversupply of certain fruits and vegetables, you might be searching for which of these are safe for your chickens to eat. During your search, you might ask whether chickens can eat beans. Can Chickens Eat Beans? It’s perfectly safe to feed beans to your chickens as long as they’re cooked. However,…
You might be looking at your fruit bowl and notice that one of the bananas has just ripened beyond the point you prefer to eat it. Rather than mashing it up to make banana bread, could you feed it to your chickens? Can Chickens Eat Bananas? Chickens can definitely eat bananas, and what’s more, you’ll…
People who raise backyard chickens are always looking for nutritious treats to give their chickens as a supplement to their regular diet. Have you wondered if chickens can eat watermelon? Is It Safe For Chickens To Eat Watermelons? Watermelon is perfectly fine to feed to your chickens. In fact, you might find that they actually…
If you plan to raise your own chickens, you’re going to need a chicken brooder. This is because newly hatched chicks are not able to control their body temperature within the first few weeks of their life and need to be kept warm. What Is A Chicken Brooder? A chicken brooder is a device or…
Are rats getting into your chicken coop? If the answer is yes, you really need to address this issue because rats can pose a danger to your chickens and their overall health and the health of the coop as a whole. Plus, rats can also pose a risk to any humans that are constantly entering…
If you’re planning to get some backyard chickens so that they can provide you with lovely fresh eggs on a daily basis, you’ll need to first set up your chicken coop and then decide whether you’re going to let them roam around your garden during the day or whether you also need to build a…
Whether you have chickens for laying eggs or meat production, it’s important to keep an eye on their weight. Knowing how much each breed of chicken should weigh helps you to estimate how much feed it’s going to need and also spot any possible illnesses or diseases within your flock. Of course, the average weight…
When it comes time to raise some backyard chickens for the first time or to add to your flock, you may come across the term “straight run chickens” as you’re perusing some chicks for sale. Straight run chickens are chicks that have not yet been sexed to determine whether they’re male or female. This means…
If you’re building your first chicken coop, you’ll want to know everything that you should put inside the coop to keep your chickens happy and healthy. It’s essential that your coop contains all the necessary items so that your hens will be content and continue laying eggs for you. Essential items inside the coop include…
With the rising cost of living right around the globe, many people are turning to produce more of their own food at home in any way that they can. This often includes a backyard veggie patch, perhaps some fruit trees, a potted herb garden, and even investing in some backyard chickens. After all, eggs are…
If you’re new to raising chickens, you’re going to have a few questions about their behavior, how to care for them, and what you should feed them. One of those questions might include when you should expect them to start laying eggs. Generally, chickens will come into lay at around 6 months of age. However,…
If you’re considering raising backyard chickens so that you can enjoy the scrumptious eggs that they’re going to lay for you, you’ll want to invest in a decent chicken coop. This will keep your hens safe and give them a beautiful home where they feel comfortable and happy. So, what are the secrets to a…
If you have backyard chickens, you are probably always looking for what you can and can’t feed them. To keep your chickens healthy, you want to give them a varied diet so that they lay lots of lovely eggs for you to collect. So, is it safe for chickens to eat tomatoes? Yes, it is…
Orchids are the most delightful plants that many people believe are difficult to grow. However, if you give them the right conditions, these gorgeous flowering plants are not all that difficult and will give you years of enjoyment. So, how long do orchids live? In their native habitat, orchids will generally live for around 20…
A pulled pork butt has to be cooked over a low fire or on a slow grill for a considerable length of time in order for the meat to become tender enough so that it can be pulled apart with a pair of forks. But because you can’t see inside the butt to see whether…
You might have come across pictures of square watermelons on social media and thought that someone was pulling your leg. However, Japanese farmers have been growing these square watermelons for over a decade now, and the process is relatively simple. So, how are these square watermelons grown, and why would you want to grow a…
Growing pumpkins is exciting as you watch the plant go from a small seed to a lovely, large ripe pumpkin. Have you ever wondered how this happens? What are the various growth stages that a pumpkin plant goes through? As you know, pumpkin plants start as pumpkin seeds. That is those same seeds that you…
Growing watermelons in your garden is not that difficult if you have the right conditions and enough warm weather for the fruits to grow and mature. Unlike many other fruits that grow on trees, watermelons grown on a vine can spread up to around 18 feet (5.4 meters). This means that you’ll have to set…
Growing your own cucumbers at home is highly rewarding. Homegrown cucumber tastes much better than those you buy at the store. However, sometimes gardeners will face problems with their cucumber plants and one of these is the leaves turning yellow. There are a variety of reasons that the leaves of your cucumber are turning yellow….
If you have an abundance of green chillies, there are various methods that you can use to preserve them. This stops your chillies from going to waste, and you can use them all throughout the year, even when it’s too cold to grow them. Green chillies can be preserved by drying them in the oven…
Having your fridge break down is one of those things that’s unavoidable but leaves you with a dilemma as to how you’re going to keep your food cold so that it doesn’t spoil and you have to throw it out. While hopefully, this doesn’t happen to you, here are some ways that you can keep…
If you have your own fig tree, you’ll know that all your figs will usually ripen at once, and you won’t be able to eat them fast enough before they go off. For this reason, you’ll want some easy preservation methods so that you can stop all those lovely figs from spoiling and be able…
If you have a bay tree growing in your backyard or a friend has given you bay leaves from their tree, you may want to dry them so that you can store them safely in the pantry for up to 1 year. Bay leaves should be harvested in mid-summer when the leaves have fully developed…
Carrots are one of the easiest vegetables to grow in your garden and, quite often, one of the most rewarding because they are so versatile when you use them in the kitchen. However, although growing carrots is fairly easy, gardeners often wonder why their carrots are so small. Small carrots can be attributed to a…
There’s nothing nicer than having lovely fresh warm bread straight out of the oven with your evening meal. But what about when the bread is ready, but your dinner guests are late? What can you do to keep your bread warm for longer without having it dry out in the oven? There are a few…
Wheat berries are entire grains of wheat that still have their outer layer of bran. This outer layer helps to protect the berries and means that they can be stored for quite a long time. But you have to know how to store them correctly. Most importantly, you want to keep your wheat berries dry…
Shredding carrots is one of those tasks that can take up a fair bit of time and energy, especially if you do it by hand. Therefore it would be convenient to be able to store them so that they’re ready to use when you get home after a busy day at work. So, how do…
When you have a bumper crop of juicy, ripe tomatoes, you want to know how to preserve them so that you can enjoy them all year round and stop them from going to waste. Even better, you won’t have to settle for store-bought tomatoes that have absolutely no taste because they’ve been picked too early,…
Dried fish can be used in many ways in the kitchen and is a high source of rich omega-3 oils or fatty acids. But, in order to ensure that your dried fish lasts for the longest possible time, you need to know how to store it correctly. Dried fish can be stored in a cool…
Lychees are delicious tropical fruits that only have a fairly short season. Therefore, when they come into season and are plentiful in stores, it’s tempting to buy them in larger quantities. However, fresh lychees will only keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, so how do you store them for longer? It’s actually…
If you grow your own raspberries, no doubt you’re likely to end up with a bumper crop sooner or later. So, if your family wants to enjoy raspberries all year round, why not consider freeze-drying them? You can eat freeze-dried raspberries just as a snack on the go or when you feel like a sweet…
Watermelon is a healthy and nutritious snack to enjoy all summer long. However, once a watermelon is cut, you have to know how to store it correctly to keep it as fresh as possible and to stop it from getting soggy and mushy. Most importantly, you want to store your cut watermelon in the fridge…
If you like to make your own fruit and vegetable juices, you’ll need to know how best to preserve them so that they stay fresh for as long as possible. Obviously, it’s best to consume fresh juices as soon as they’re prepared, but sometimes you need to save time and prepare your juices in advance….
As you are most likely aware, basil only grows outdoors during the warmer months. Therefore, if you want to enjoy basil in your cooking for the rest of the year, you’re going to have to preserve some from your summer harvest. Or, try growing it indoors over winter. One of the best ways to preserve…
If you like to make cakes at home, you should be aware that many homemade cakes don’t need refrigeration. As long as you keep your cake in a covered container, it should stay fresh and ready to eat for up to a week. Of course, this will depend on the type of cake and the…
The serrano is a long, thin pepper that originates from Mexico. If you are growing this variety of pepper in your own garden, you’ll want to know how to preserve it, especially if you have a bumper harvest. Serrano peppers only have a shelf life of around 3 to 5 days if you keep them…
If you’re after a healthy snack to take with you while hiking or just want to add some delicious flavor to your morning granola, why not consider freeze-drying some strawberries? Both fresh and frozen strawberries can be freeze-dried, and we show you how with these easy steps. 1. Prepare Your Strawberries To stop your strawberries…
Fresh turmeric can be preserved in a number of different ways, depending on how long you want to store it. It will keep for a couple of weeks in the refrigerator and around six months in the freezer, or you can dehydrate it and turn it into powder for much longer storage. You can also…
If you want to prepare your gingerbread house early, how do you preserve it so that it’s perfect for bringing out at Christmas time? And, can you preserve this year’s gingerbread house until next holiday season? Here’s a quick guide on the best ways to preserve your gingerbread house. How to Preserve Gingerbread House 1….
Did you know that you can keep fruit fresh by storing it in mason jars? This method is particularly useful for soft fruits such as berries and will keep your fruit fresher for much longer than if you were to just put it in the fridge in the plastic packaging that it comes in. Here…
Long beans are commonly grown in many different Asian countries because they really appreciate warm and humid climates. These beans are much longer and thinner than normal green beans. Luckily, long beans can be grown in many parts of the world as long as you grow them during summer. Here’s a complete beginner’s guide to…
Growing green beans in Florida is very easy and can be enormously rewarding for Florida gardeners. In fact, there’s nothing quite as refreshing as going out to your garden and picking a bunch of beans that you can have for dinner. Here’s our complete guide for growing green beans in Florida. Choose the Right Variety…
Did you know that you can freeze garlic? This is a great way to preserve the garlic that you’ve grown in your garden so that you can use it all year round in your cooking. One of the best ways to freeze garlic is in ice cube trays because the garlic will be in usable…
Many people these days are learning about the appeal of using duck eggs in their cooking and baking. Duck eggs have a much richer flavor and texture than chicken eggs and they are also higher in nutrition. However, if you’ve never used duck eggs before, you might not be entirely familiar with how to store…
It’s become a common habit in our modern age, to buy our vegetables at the grocery store, bring them home, and put them straight into the refrigerator. But, this is not always the best practice because many vegetables lose their nutritional value when exposed to cold temperatures. To preserve your vegetables without a fridge, you…
Plantains are fruits that look very similar to bananas. However, they are generally used in many different ways in both sweet and savory dishes. The only problem with ripe plantains is that, like bananas, they can quickly go brown and get mushy. This means that they are past their usefulness. However, there are ways that…
Overall, snake plants are incredibly hardy and one of the easiest indoor plants for beginners to grow. However, like all plants, occasionally, problems do arise. So, what are the reasons why your snake plant leaves are turning brown? Snake plant leaves turn brown as a result of incorrect environmental factors. These can include incorrect watering,…
Monsteras are easy-to-grow indoor plants that will fill any corner of your home with a gorgeous touch of greenery. Their lovely, large green leaves help to brighten up your interior. However, you might be wondering why your monstera leaves are turning brown and how you can prevent this. Monstera leaves can turn brown for a…
When grown outdoors, tulips have a very short flowering season. But what if you could enjoy these magnificent blooms at other times of the year? Well, you can, by growing them indoors. However, to do this successfully, you need to use some tricks of the trade to encourage your tulips to flourish indoors. You first…
We all know that nothing tastes or smells better than a ripe and juicy home-grown tomato. And those of us who are avid gardeners always ensure that we grow plenty of tomatoes during the summer months because these plants need both warmth and plenty of sunshine. But what if you knew that you could grow…
The asparagus fern is one of the most popular houseplants around the world. Despite its delicate appearance, this plant is quite hardy and easy to care for. The only way to you can propagate an asparagus fern is through division. This is because the plant has tuberous roots and cannot be propagated by using stem…
Calathea Jungle Velvet, also known as Calathea Warscewiczii, is a gorgeous tropical plant that is perfect for growing indoors. It has lovely dark green velvety leaves with lighter green veins. The undersides of the leaves are a rich burgundy color. To care for your calathea, you should give it plenty of warmth and some humidity….
If you want to plant tomatoes in your garden, you need to know the ideal planting time so that your tomato plants thrive, grow and produce plenty of delicious fruit. Here’s a rundown on the general planting times for tomatoes per state related to the lowest hardiness zone in that state. State Postal Code USDA…
Potatoes are such a satisfying crop to grow in your home garden. There’s a certain amount of excitement that comes with digging around in the soil when it comes to harvesting your potatoes to see how many you can find. When getting ready to plant your potatoes, you need to know the ideal planting time…
If you want to increase the number of thyme plants that you grow in your garden, it’s quite easy to propagate this aromatic herb. In fact, thyme lends itself perfectly to planting around garden borders, either around your vegetable or flower gardens. One of the easiest ways to propagate thyme is by using cuttings. Here’s…
Rubber plants are well-known indoor plants that are easy to look after and perfect for new indoor plant growers. However, like all plants, they can have problems from time to time. Many people experience droopy leaves on their rubber plants. So, why do rubber plant leaves droop? The common reasons for rubber plant leaves drooping…
If you don’t have to have a large garden or even any garden at all you can grow delicious, flavorsome tomatoes in large pots or tubs on your balcony or out in your patio area. To grow tomatoes successfully on a balcony, all you need is a large pot, the right tomato variety, an adequate…
If you’ve decided to grow a few varieties of peppers this season, you might be surprised that some of your peppers are growing upward. In other words, the fruits themselves are growing upright instead of hanging down from the branches. This is actually normal for a number of varieties. Peppers that grow upwards include: Should…
Most expert gardeners will tell you that tomatoes need to be grown in the sun. In fact, ideally, they should have at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily. But what about if your garden just doesn’t get enough sun throughout the day? Should you give up on growing tomatoes? Tomatoes can be grown…
Dragon fruit plants, also commonly called pitaya, are part of the group of plants called succulents. They are stunning ornamental plants that also produce the most delicious fruit once the gorgeous white flowers have finished. Dragon fruit prefers the free-draining soil, which is slightly moist. Sandy loam soil is ideal, and it should be neutral…
Growing a mini farm in your backyard is a great way to make some farm-to-table food. Potatoes are a staple vegetable in most diets, and you can easily grow them in your garden. It may be tricky to find out when potatoes are ready to harvest since they’re hidden under the soil. Apart from that,…
Potato plants aren’t your usual garden plants because their growth process is slightly different from other plants. Additionally, you can’t really tell the quality or the quantity of the yield unless it’s harvest day. That happens because the tubers or the potatoes remain buried underground for 90-120 days. You don’t get to see the results…
Potato plants are easy to sprout, grow, and take care of. Still, that doesn’t stop them from being a little unique when it comes to the planting process. Watering potato plants is an important activity when growing potatoes. So, how to water potato plants? You should water potato plants enough to keep the soil moist…
Potatoes are unique plants as they don’t grow from seeds like most other plants. Instead, the same potato that you can eat today can be used to grow a new plant later if the right conditions are met. Let’s break things down a little. The parts of the potato that we eat and enjoy are…
Potatoes are what I’d like to call a beginner’s crop. It doesn’t take much for them to grow, and they produce abundant harvests with a single seed. Plus, you can plant them almost any time of the year! The only problem with potatoes is that there are a ton of factors that can affect their…
Potatoes are the third-most important crop in the world, right after rice and wheat. They produce more food on less land than any other major crop, making them great options for gardeners and farmers with limited areas of cropland. If you’re planning to plant potatoes this season, you’re in luck, potatoes are among the few…
Lemongrass, also known as barbed wire grass, is a unique-looking perennial that gardeners usually plant to repel mosquitos. That’s not the only advantage lemongrass is beloved for, however. This plant has also been proven to cure high blood pressure, stomach convulsions, and the common cold. In case you find yourself inclined to get a lemongrass…
Bugs come to your home for all sorts of reasons. You may have accidentally spilled some sugar. Perhaps your blood is too enticing, and a mosquito can’t help but pay you a visit for a little drink. Either way, they’re unwelcome guests in your home. While bug spray or insecticides may be an effective solution,…
Lemongrass typically thrives in tropical climates, especially in areas with ample access to bright sunlight, creating an attractive fragrant ground cover in your garden. It can also be planted next to other edible plants like tomatillos, peppers, and tomatoes because it grows in similar conditions to these plants and can help repel pests. In this…
It’s essential to select the right size pot for the plant you want to grow in it. If the pot is too small, the roots will be too confined, and the plant won’t grow as best as it could. Therefore, you need to know how to measure plant pot sizes. Plant pots are usually referred…
Paste tomatoes are often called Roma tomatoes. They are popular with some gardeners but not with others. Have you wondered what paste tomatoes are and why you should grow them? Paste tomatoes are normally used for making tomato paste. They are also particularly useful for making sauces and for drying. They are different from other…
Eggplants are interesting garden plants to grow. However, they do have a fairly long growing season, and once the fruits develop, it can be difficult to determine when they are ready to harvest. Most importantly, you want to wait until the eggplant is ripe before you harvest, but how do you tell? To know if…
Bell peppers are popular garden plants grown throughout summer. They are easy to grow, and the fruits that are harvested can be used in a huge variety of dishes. It’s easy enough to buy seedlings from a garden center but have you wondered whether you could grow bell peppers from seeds? You can grow bell…
Black Krim and Cherokee Purple are both different varieties of tomatoes. They are both quite dark-colored, large, and very tasty. While there are a number of similarities between the two varieties, there are also some notable differences that we’re going to discuss. The most common differences between these two tomato varieties are their appearance and…
There are numerous varieties of ghost peppers that you can grow. In general, the difference between the varieties is their color. There are red, orange, brown, dark green, white, yellow, or even peach-colored varieties. If you grow any one of these, you might be wondering when they are ready to be picked. Ghost peppers are…
Zucchinis are fast-growing summer plants that often oversupply us with their delicious and versatile fruits. But, if left to grow along the ground, they can soon take up a lot of space and leave little room for growing other types of vegetables. But, there is a solution. By staking zucchinis, we can save on space,…
Although sunflower seeds are typically sown straight into the garden, many people like to get them started early because it can take quite a few weeks for the plants to grow and produce those gorgeous flower heads. But, can you transplant sunflowers? Sunflowers can be transplanted as seedlings after they’ve been started indoors. But, you…
Habanero and Scotch Bonnet are both hot chili peppers. They may look quite similar and are often substituted for each other in recipes, but there are some differences between the two, especially in flavor. Some varieties of habanero chilies are slightly hotter than scotch bonnet chilies. Habaneros are also a little sweet and fruity but…
Many home gardeners love to grow cucumbers throughout the summer months. While looking at the varieties available, you may have noticed some of them being labeled as parthenocarpic cucumbers. More than likely, this has prompted you to ask, what are parthenocarpic cucumbers? Parthenocarpic cucumbers are those varieties that are able to set fruit without pollination….
If you’re growing poblano peppers for the first time, you might not know exactly when they’re ready to be picked and how you should pick them. Poblano peppers should be picked when they’re around 4 to 6 inches long and are a dark green color. But, if you want a pepper with a little more…
Most likely, you know that both ancho and poblano are names of chili peppers. You might even have grown poblano peppers in your garden. But do you know the difference between ancho and poblano peppers? Actually, both ancho and poblano peppers are the same plant. The only difference is that ancho peppers are actually the…
Poblano peppers are mild chili peppers with an elongated shape. They are normally slightly twisted and have a pointed tip. These plants need to be grown in summer because they are not cold-tolerant. In USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11, they can be grown as perennials, but in other zones, they are grown as annuals….
Poblano peppers are easy to grow and quite versatile. They have relatively thick skins. This makes them perfect for stuffing. They also make a great alternative to jalapenos for people who don’t like their peppers too hot. But how big do poblano peppers get? Poblano pepper fruits can grow to around 4 to 6 inches…
As gardeners, whether experienced or novice, we are sometimes puzzled by things happening in the garden that are not usual. Often, we worry that we’re doing something wrong, and sometimes, we just marvel at the diversity of nature. For example, are your peppers turning black? Have you wondered why this has happened and if it’s…
Growing tomatoes is one of the most rewarding things you can do. There’s nothing quite like the taste of ripe, red tomatoes that you’ve picked from your own garden. However, tomato plants can have certain problems, and one of them is the tomato leaves turning white. Why does this happen, and what can you do…
Basil is a wonderful herb to grow in summer. It’s also one of the best companion plants that you can grow in your vegetable patch. The lovely aromatic leaves can be used in so many dishes, and they are the prime ingredient in pesto. There are plenty of plants that can be grown alongside basil…
Sweet banana peppers are the ideal plant for people who don’t like their chili peppers hot. Instead of a spicy kick, these peppers have a slightly sweet and tangy taste. Then, there are also hot banana peppers that do have a spicy kick. These are similar in heat to jalapenos. But have you wondered when…
Whether you’ve heard of them or not, oxheart tomatoes have been grown for many years by passionate gardeners. So, what are oxheart tomatoes? Oxheart tomatoes are large, juicy tomatoes that have a pointed bottom. They’re very similar to the beefsteak varieties that you might be more familiar with. This variety of tomato generally ripens mid…
Jalapenos lend themselves perfectly to growing in pots. This makes them ideal for gardeners who have limited space in the garden or those who only have a small balcony or patio. Another benefit of growing your jalapenos in pots is that you can move them around easily to follow the sun. These plants are sun-lovers…
If you’ve never tried growing delicious and nutritious kale before, you might be wondering, how does kale grow? Kale grows as a biennial plant in the cooler seasons. This means that it completes its entire life cycle over two years. After you plant it, kale will focus on producing lots of lovely, tender green leaves…
If you’re excited about getting ready to grow some kale, whether in your garden or in a container, you might be wondering when it will be ready to harvest. The first kale leaves should be ready to harvest in around 60 days after you plant the seeds. The plant itself should be around 12 inches…
If deer are common where you live, and you’re growing tomatoes, you might be wondering whether deer eat tomato plants. As deer are herbivores, they do eat tomatoes. In fact, they’ll eat your tomatoes right off the vine and will even munch on the tomato plants themselves because they actually prefer to eat the leaves…
As you may be aware, there are literally hundreds of different tomato varieties. But did you know that these can be grouped into two major growth variants – determinate and indeterminate? So, what actually is the difference between the two? Determinate tomatoes are bush varieties that only grow to a certain height (4 feet or…
Kale is a wonderful winter vegetable that is easy to grow and has the benefit of a continuous harvest if you know the correct way to harvest it so that it continues to grow. You can harvest your first kale leaves around 60 days after you’ve sown the seeds. At this stage, the plant should…
Kale is one of those lovely leafy green vegetables that every person should be growing. It’s incredibly hardy and easy to grow, but many people don’t have access to an outdoor garden. So, can kale be grown completely indoors? It is possible to grow kale indoors. Because the growth of the plant is restricted by…
Kale is an easy vegetable to grow and ideal for cooler climates because exposure to frost makes the leaves sweeter. Most common varieties of kale are biennial, which means that these plants complete their life cycle over two years. Kale seeds will germinate in around 5 to 8 days. In around 2 weeks, you’ll see…
Kale is one of the best vegetables to grow during winter, as exposure to a few frosts will make the nutritious green leaves sweeter and tastier. Kale can easily be grown from seed, but it’s equally as easy to plant seedlings that you’ve either grown yourself or purchased from your local garden center. Kale seedlings…
Luckily for gardeners who live in colder climates, kale is one of the hardiest vegetables that can survive in temperatures that drop below 10 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 12 degrees Celsius). In fact, kale often tastes better once it’s been exposed to a couple of frosts. However, it’s recommended that Kale only be grown in USDA…
Growing curly kale is the same as growing any other type of kale. This healthy and nutritious vegetable thrives in colder climates and benefits from a couple of frosts to develop sweeter and more flavorsome leaves. Plus, it’s quite an attractive vegetable to add to your garden or even plant around your borders. Curly kale…
Rosemary is a lovely herb to add to your vegetable patch or herb garden. It’s even attractive enough to plant among your ornamental shrubs and flowers if you experience relatively mild winters. Most people grow rosemary for their cooking, but the plant also produces dainty flowers that are absolutely loved by bees and other pollinators….
Rosemary can easily be grown in large pots or containers. This means that you can bring your plant indoors during the winter or place it inside your greenhouse if you have one. It also allows you to move your rosemary around so that it gets all the sun that it needs. Here’s the complete guide…
Rosemary is a woody perennial that hails from a Mediterranean climate. Therefore, it’s quite used to hot summers with minimal rainfall. Rosemary also grows naturally in sandy soil that is near the ocean. In these areas, the humidity is relatively high, but the soil does not retain a lot of moisture. In general, you should…
Rosemary is a popular herb that is often used in Mediterranean cooking and goes great with lamb and potatoes. Rosemary is actually part of the mint family but is certainly not as invasive as many mint plants. So, you might be asking whether rosemary is a perennial. Rosemary is a perennial but can be grown…
Many gardeners are keen to grow parsnips for their sweet and delicious roots that are ideal for roasting or making a lovely soup in winter. While parsnips are relatively easy to grow, gardeners that have never grown them do have questions about all aspects of their growth. Here are eight important things to know about…
Parsnips are easy vegetables to grow, and once they’re growing in the ground, there’s really not much to do except keep them watered. However, there are numerous questions that people have about growing these delicious vegetables. Here are just 7 of your most common questions and the answers. When Should You Harvest Parsnips? Ideally, you…
Lemongrass is a great perennial herb for people who live in areas without cold winters as it loves the sun and the warmth. For those in colder regions, this flavorsome herb can easily be grown indoors. Lemongrass needs 6+ hours of sun daily. Plant it in well-draining soil with a pH between 5 to 8….
Parsnips are popular root vegetables that many gardeners like to grow. Because they are root vegetables, like carrots and beets, parsnips do not like to be transplanted and have to be grown from seed to avoid distorted and forked roots. One way that you can start your parsnips seeds early indoors before the soil has…
Parsnips are one of those root vegetables that you’ll find rewarding to grow and harvest from your own garden. They’re relatively easy to grow, and there’s nothing better than going out to the garden and digging up a couple of parsnips to have as part of your evening meal. Growing parsnips in raised beds is…
If you’ve never grown lemongrass before but want to give it a try, you might be wondering whether this useful herb needs full sun or whether it can survive in the shade. Lemongrass needs around 6 hours of sunlight daily. As it’s a tropical plant, it likes a hot and humid growing environment and will…
Lemongrass is a tender perennial, which means that it can’t tolerate frost or very cold temperatures. Generally, it prefers a warm climate with plenty of rainfall. It’s an easy to grow plant when given the right conditions. Lemongrass will grow as a perennial in USDA zones 10 to 11. In zones 8 and 9, it…
If you don’t have a large garden or live in a relatively cold climate, you might be wondering how to grow lemongrass in pots. This is a great way to grow your lemongrass and is fairly easy to do. To grow lemongrass in pots, you need to choose a container that is at least 12…
Did you know that you can grow your own lemongrass plant from a stalk that you’ve purchased at the grocery store or farmer’s market? Here’s an easy step-by-step guide on what to do: 1. Choose Your Lemongrass Stalks Carefully To ensure that the stalks you buy are capable of producing roots and growing to become…
Lemongrass is both a herb and a grass. Many people grow this plant in their garden or in a pot so that they can use the stalks and leaves in their cooking. But, you might be wondering where lemongrass grows naturally and where you can grow it. Lemongrass is a tropical plant that grows naturally…
Growing lemongrass is both easy and rewarding. This delicious herb is not only delicious in all types of Asian cooking, but it’s also quite an attractive ornamental plant. For landscape planting, you might be wondering how tall lemongrass grows. Each lemongrass clump can reach a height of between 3 feet (0.9 m) and 6 feet…
If this is your first time growing lemongrass, whether in the garden or in a pot, you’ll want to know a little about its growth habit. The question that is commonly asked is whether lemongrass spreads. Like most perennial grasses, lemongrass definitely spreads. Lemongrass is a fast grower when in the right conditions and will…
If you live in a cold climate or in a region that gets really cold weather in winter, you might be wondering whether it’s possible to grow some lemongrass inside your home. Yes, you can grow lemongrass indoors. In fact, this is the only way that you can overwinter lemongrass to protect it from frosts…
Lemongrass can be grown from seed, from seedlings, and also by dividing up existing clumps. It’s an easy herb to grow and also looks attractive in the vegetable or herb garden. Plus, you can use it as an edging plant if you want to. It takes around 75 to 100 days to grow lemongrass from…
Lemongrass is a pungent herb that is used often in Asian cooking. If you’ve never seen lemongrass growing, you could be wondering if the plant is actually a tree. So, is there such a thing as a lemongrass tree? Lemongrass is not a tree. It’s a hardy, grass-type plant from which you harvest the thickened…
If you’re just starting to grow some lemongrass in your garden or in a pot on your patio, you might be wondering whether lemongrass flowers. Conversely, you may have been growing this delicious herb as an annual and have never seen any flowers on the plant. Lemongrass produces flowers that are similar to other grasses….
Lemongrass is a relatively easy-to-grow plant that you can grow either as ornamental grass or a culinary herb. Many people use the lemongrass stalks in Asian cooking, and the leaves can be used to make tea. Lemongrass also contains citronella, so it’s great for repelling insects. Lemongrass is a tender perennial. That means it will…
Lemongrass is a fabulous plant to grow in your garden. It can be grown as a perennial in warmer areas or as an annual if your area experiences severe frosts. Just be appear that the lovely strappy leaves have a very sharp edge and can cut you if you’re not wearing gloves. To grow lemongrass…
Lemongrass is a delicious herb that you can grow easily either in your home garden or in a large pot. It has so many uses and is also helpful for repelling insects. But how to water lemongrass? You might need to water lemongrass every day if the weather is hot and dry. Using a misting…
Lemongrass grows naturally in areas that have a warm and humid climate. But don’t worry. If you live in a cold climate, you can still grow some lemongrass. You just have to grow it differently. The best way to grow lemongrass in a cold climate is to plant it in a pot and bring it…
Kale is an easy crop to grow right throughout the winter as it benefits from exposure to light frosts. This makes the kale leaves sweeter. You’ll also find that there are many different varieties of kale that you can grow. To grow kale from seeds: How To Grow Kale From Seeds You can grow a…
Parsnips are easy to grow from seed, and they can be left in the ground until you’re ready to use them. They have so many uses. You can add them to stews and casseroles or roast them for a delicious side dish. To grow parsnips from seeds: How To Grow Parsnips From Seeds Parsnips are…
Mint is a highly versatile herb and is amazingly easy to grow. You’ll find that it’s best to grow mint in pots or containers. Otherwise, it’s likely to take over your garden entirely. For this reason, it’s handy to propagate new plants periodically to ensure that you always have lovely fresh leaves to use. Here’s…
Carrots are not only highly nutritious, but they’re also extremely versatile and are great for adding to any dishes that need a little more bulking out. If you grow your own and your soil temperature doesn’t drop below 25 degrees Fahrenheit (-4 degrees Celsius), you can just leave them in the ground until you need…
Poblano peppers are very popular and easy to grow. They almost reach the size of bell pepper, but they do have a touch of heat. They’re not as spicy as jalapenos and have some of the fruitiness that bell peppers have. If you’ve just discovered these peppers and are growing them, you might find that…
Having a bumper harvest of lovely, large pumpkins means that you can enjoy them all year round if you store your pumpkins correctly. Alternatively, you might have purchased a large pumpkin from a roadside stall and don’t want to use it all at once. In this case, you need to know how to store cut…
Who doesn’t love to munch on a handful of peanuts or use them in delicious home-baked cookies? That is unless you have a peanut allergy, of course. Peanuts are highly nutritious, but they also have a high oil content. This means that they have to be stored correctly, so that they don’t go rancid. It’s…
Did you know that chestnuts are high in vitamin C? They are also low in fat and highly nutritious, as well as high in fiber. But the chestnut growing season doesn’t last too long, so if you want to enjoy these tasty treats all year round, you’ll have to learn how to store them correctly….
With any type of shellfish that you purchase and that you’re not going to consume straight away, it’s really important that you store it correctly. This will ensure that the shellfish is safe to consume once the time comes. With oysters, it’s particularly important that you store them safely. Fresh oysters need to be stored…
Whether you make them yourself or purchase them at your favorite bakery, cinnamon rolls are loved by almost everyone. But, if you’ve made or purchased a few extra, how do you store them to keep them nice and moist, and fresh? It is best to store cinnamon rolls in an airtight container to prevent them…
Roses are the most delightful of flowers and bring joy and happiness to anyone who receives a bunch or even just a single rose. Plus, many gardeners take great pleasure in growing beautiful roses in their gardens. But what about if you’ve been given a rose on a special occasion or you have some spectacular…
Sliced ham is a popular staple that most people buy to have on sandwiches or for serving as cold cuts when they have friends over. But you have to ensure that the ham you’re serving is still good to eat and hasn’t started to deteriorate. So, how long does sliced ham last in the fridge?…
Asparagus is a hardy vegetable to grow for its lovely tender green spears. The foliage of the asparagus plant is also quite attractive and adds a little ornamental value to your vegetable garden. Asparagus is a perennial and will come back again in spring every year. It’s a plant that lives for a very long…
Peperomia Hope is a lovely semi-trailing plant with bright green leaves that have ribbed veins. This makes the leaves look like they’re striped. This plant is easy to grow indoors as long as it gets an adequate amount of light and the soil is kept moist. The plant looks very much like a succulent, but…
If you’ve ever grown tomatoes, you’ll know that they can get quite tall, and their branches are heavy when they’re full of ripening fruit. This is the primary reason to use a tomato cage. A tomato cage not only provides good support for your plant but also helps to keep the ripening fruit off the…
Hydrangeas are lovely old-fashioned garden plants that are undergoing a revival. They’re surprisingly easy to grow and require minimal maintenance. They can tolerate a variety of conditions, including full sun and part shade. Plus, they’re super easy to propagate. You may notice, though, that your hydrangea leaves sometimes turn brown. There are a variety of…
Begonia maculata is a showy indoor plant that is quite spectacular and popular with houseplant lovers. It’s not that difficult to grow if you understand its particular needs and how to solve or avoid any problems that you might encounter. Quickstart Guide For Growing Begonia Maculata About Begonia Maculata Begonia maculata is a stunning plant…
Philodendron Burle Marx is an easy plant to grow and has beautiful narrow heart-shaped leaves. This is a lovely houseplant that is popular with many enthusiasts and helps to remove toxins from the air. Here are some tips for growing this lovely indoor plant. Quickstart Guide For Growing Philodendron Burle Marx About Philodendron Burle Marx…
Summer squash is one of the easiest vegetables to grow, and it’ll provide you with a constant bumper harvest all summer long. In fact, just two plants will feed an entire family if you follow our tips. Plus, you’ll have some spare to share with your neighbors. To grow summer squash, you need a large…
Soils commonly contain diseases, pests, and even weed seeds. This is why sterilizing the soil is recommended before planting new crops. Most soil sterilization methods are ideal for small amounts of potting soil. However, there is one method that you can use to sterilize larger areas of garden beds outdoors. We’re going to look at…
Oregano is one of those herbs that every home gardener and cook should consider growing. It helps to spice up Mediterranean dishes but can be used in all types of cooking to add some extra flavor. It’s also super easy to grow in pots. To grow oregano select a pot that’s around 12 inches (30…
Violas are cool-season flowers that are best grown in the spring and fall. They are very easy to grow and add a lovely splash of color and cheeriness to your garden. Here’s a summary of how to grow violas. Here are 11 top tips for growing violas successfully. 1. Plant Violas In Early Spring and…
One of the best ways to reduce the humidity in our homes is will moisture-loving plants. These plants can easily absorb humidity and moisture from the air. Many plants that thrive in tropical and sub-tropical regions absorb the moisture in the air through their leaves. Therefore, they act as natural humidifiers and keep our homes…
Asparagus is one of those vegetables you can count on to return to your veggie patch year after year, without too much assistance from you! As long as asparagus is planted correctly, you can expect a tender and tasty crop to appear during the Spring of every year! Asparagus can be planted in full sun…
Are you perplexed as to why your cucumber plant is not growing? The most common problems that lead to stunted growth and lack of fruit set for cucumber plants relate to inadequate soil conditions, poor watering, lack of nutrients, and non-optimum weather conditions. Lack of fruit set or fruit that is not fully developing can…
Did you know that there are many houseplants and herbs that you can grow in water only? This is known as hydroculture and is an easy way to have an indoor garden without the hassle of messing with potting mixes and remembering to water your plants. In fact, plants grown in water require very little…
Growing your own delicious red tomatoes is one of the ultimate joys of vegetable gardening. But first, we have to protect those plants from certain pests that may visit, e.g., rabbits. Rabbits do eat tomato plants, and they can do quite a bit of damage to your lovingly tendered crop. Not only do rabbits enjoy…
Calathea warscewiczii is a popular houseplant grown for its velvety and colorful leaves. It’s more commonly referred to as Jungle Velvet Calathea. This Calathea is native to the tropical areas of Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Being a tropical plant makes Calathea warscewiczii the perfect specimen for growing indoors, where the climate is more easily controlled….
Clivias are popular plants with home gardeners because they are shade-loving and flower over winter. They are evergreen plants that don’t lose their dark green foliage like other plants grown from tubers. Their flowers are quite spectacular and help to brighten up an otherwise dull winter’s day. In temperate and tropical areas, clivias can be…
Having a selection of canned food in your pantry means that you can prepare a meal quickly when you don’t have time to cook from scratch. It’s also a good way to get a bit of variety in your diet when seasonal produce is out of season or you can’t get to the store. But…
Growing strawberries can be both fun and rewarding. There’s nothing quite like picking juicy, ripe strawberries from your garden to feed your family, whether as a treat or for making strawberry jam. But when should you plant your strawberries? The ideal time to plant strawberries is in the spring once any chance of frost has…
Spinach is one of the easiest and most rewarding vegetables to grow, even for first-time gardeners. It’s also great because you can just harvest as many leaves as you want and leave the plant to continue growing. Plus, spinach is great for impatient gardeners because it doesn’t take long before you can start to harvest…
As home gardeners, it’s common for us to grow a variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers from seed. Seeds are generally inexpensive to purchase, and there’s an enormous pleasure to be had from watching a plant grow to full size from a tiny seed. Generally, seeds should be planted no deeper than around 2 or…
Spinach is one of the easiest vegetables to grow, even for beginner gardeners. It’s also a crop that you can harvest continually until it goes to seed. Just cut as many leaves as you need and let the rest continue to grow. Spinach is fast-growing. It only takes around 5-6 weeks after you sow the…
Strawberries are a delightful plant to grow for gardeners of all skill levels, even beginners. But, to get the best from your strawberry plants, they do require certain growing conditions that you have to understand. Strawberries are quite particular about their sun, water, and soil requirements, but if you follow our guidelines, you can’t go…
Asparagus is quite an easy plant to grow, but you have to be patient to harvest your first tender spears. The plant goes dormant over winter and produces fresh new growth in spring. It takes around 3 years of growth to start harvesting asparagus spears if you grow from seed. However, asparagus can also be…
Strawberries are a favorite plant to grow for many gardeners. Their delicious fruit can be used in so many ways, and they can be grown in the ground or in containers. Learn everything you need to know about the growth habit of this delectable fruit. Are Strawberries Perennials? Strawberries are perennials and can be left…
Parsnips are a root crop and relatively easy to grow as long as you have viable seeds. You can plant them alongside your carrots and beets and enjoy them in a variety of different ways. Parsnips are delicious in soups and stews, and you can even make parsnip fries. The best way to grow parsnips…
Monstera deliciosa is a common houseplant that adds a touch of greenery to your interior space. It’s easy to grow and requires very minimal care. It’s commonly known as the Swiss Cheese plant due to the structure of the leaves that have splits and holes. Monstera originates from Central American rainforests, making it a tropical plant. This makes…
When grown indoors, Amaryllis can brighten up any room with their striking flowers that come in a variety of colors and are sweetly fragrant. The trumpet-like flowers are large on tall upright stems. The plants originate from southern and central America and are actually bulbs. They are easy to grow as long as you have…
Lemongrass is a fantastic herb to grow in your garden. It’s an essential ingredient in Thai cooking but has multiple other uses. Each lemongrass plant will grow to about 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall. This also makes lemongrass an ideal plant to add as a border to your ornamental garden. As a plus, lemongrass contains…
Peonies are beautiful colorful garden ornamental plants that are popular with gardeners who live in cooler climates. If you’re new to growing peonies, you might be wondering how long it takes for them to grow and bloom. It usually takes 2 to 4 years before peonies bloom for the first time. Herbaceous peonies will usually…
There’s no need to put your vegetable growing on hold over the colder months. In fact, there are many vegetables that do much better as a winter crop than being grown in the warmer weather. Let’s look at the top 15 winter vegetables that are easy to grow. Onions Onions have a long growing season….
Kale is an easy-to-grow vegetable that you can harvest for a fairly long period of time, especially over the cooler months. But you might be wondering how long it actually takes to grow kale. To harvest your first leaves, it will take around 55 to 75 days if kale is grown from seed. If you…
Kale is part of the Brassica family and is regarded as a winter vegetable. It’s easy to grow, and you can continually harvest the leaves all throughout even the coldest months. Kale happily grows in full sun but can handle partial shade, especially in climate zones that experience hot summers. It also likes to be…
Kale is one of the easiest and most versatile vegetables that you can grow. But you might have wondered if kale is a perennial and whether it comes back every year. The most common variety of kale, curly kale, is not a perennial. It’s a biennial. It completes its entire life cycle over two years….
Peonies are gorgeous perennial plants that gardeners in cool climates love to grow. If you’re interested in growing peonies, you might be wondering when they bloom and whether you can extend their blooming season. Peonies will bloom in April, May, or June in most locations. Woodland peonies will usually bloom the last week of April…
Peonies are one of the hardiest perennials that you can grow. They require very little maintenance. But, like all plants, there are a few problems associated with growing peonies, and some of these may even cause your peonies to die. The most common reasons why your peonies might be dying are: Let’s look at these…
Peonies are beautiful flowers that have been cultivated for thousands of years. They originate from China and are the floral symbol for this country. But are peonies perennials, and do they come back every year? Peonies are perennials and will come back every year. Peonies will start to die down in the fall. But, they…
There are different types of Lobelia plants, and these are lovely plants that will make a great addition to gardens of any size. There is a couple of problems that can affect these plants and cause the plants to turn brown and show signs of dying. The common reason why Lobelia might be dying are: …
If you have the space for a coop outside, then raising some chickens could be a great idea for your family. But you might be wondering how many chickens you need. Here is a handy table that shows how many chickens the size of your family should have. Family size Number of chickens Eggs per…
For many years that have been many programs on the television that pushes gardening as an enjoyable task to do and a convenience. However, what these programs do not tell you is how hard it is to maintain a garden. Gardening is quite hard for beginners as it requires some knowledge and may sometimes be…
Water is one of the essential ingredients your plants need to survive. They need to be appropriately watered to ensure they can grow big and healthy. So should you water plants every day, or is that too much? Plants do not need to be watered every day. This could actually be damaging for some plants….
Farmers are not considered rich in a financial sense. Although both median farm operators’ household income ($83,111 in 2019 in the U.S.) and average farm household net worth ($1,042,855 in 2019 in the U.S.) were higher than those of the general population, farmers are not considered rich by most people standards. Being rich or wealthy is,…
The process of canning food used to be an extremely popular method of preserving produce. Nowadays, this process happens far more infrequently, so you may be wondering how hard is it to can your own food at home. Canning is an easy process that anyone can do if the recommended canning process is followed properly….
If you’re thinking of starting your own garden, you may be wondering what the cost of getting it started is. There are lots of things to consider with gardening, particularly if you are new to this. This article aims to give you a complete look at the true cost of starting a garden for the…
When opening a can of fruit, some of us might be wondering if the fruit has already been cooked. Do I need to prepare the fruit in any special way? Can it be consumed directly after opening? All canned fruit is cooked as part of the canning process. In fact, it’s a requirement by the…
If you have successfully grown a great crop of onions at home, the last thing you want is to lose some of your harvest due to improper storage. You might be wondering whether you can store your onions in an airtight container. Whole onions should definitely never be stored in an airtight container. You might…
Corn you have grown yourself at home can taste so much better than corn you can buy in the store. And you can choose a wide range of options for homegrown corn that are not easy to find in the stores. But if homegrown corn is chewy, it can be very disappointing. Working out why…
Many people successfully raise chickens and turkeys together. And it is certainly possible to do so. However, it may come with some challenges. It is best to mount different sizes of roosting bars in the coop when raising chickens and turkeys together. Turkeys raised for meat require different feed than laying hens. It is recommended…
When you create new raised beds in your garden, how you plan to water them is very important. It is a good idea to make water a top priority whenever you create a new growing area. In this article, we will discuss the important topic of how to water raised beds. We’ll talk about how…
Both compost and manure can bring major benefits to the vegetable garden. But which one is best depends on a number of different considerations. Thinking about these considerations will also help you determine where each is best used. Compost is best used to create the top layer of planting areas in a no-dig garden, in…
If you want to preserve fruit in honey, there are a number of options. Honey can be a useful preservative. For longer-term preservation, the safest and most effective way to preserve fruit in honey is to use honey as a canning syrup and to process fruit covered with this canning syrup in the usual way,…
One of the first questions people interested in having a homestead ask is: How Big A Homestead do I need? Most homesteaders aiming for self-reliance and a high degree of self-sufficiency will usually find that a homestead of 2-10 acres is large enough to meet all or most of their needs. Five acres should be…
Many people dream of one day having their homestead, where they can live as sustainably and self-reliantly as possible. But for many, the dream feels out of reach – often for economic reasons. If you are one of those people, you might be wondering how people afford to homestead. Many people afford homesteading by initially…
Deciding to raise ducks could be the best thing you ever do on your homestead. But raising ducks successfully means starting outright. In this guide, we’ll talk about everything you need to keep your ducks safe, happy, and well. If you want to raise ducks, you will need some accommodation for them. Whichever ducks you…
Keeping ducks can be a fun, relatively easy, straightforward, and rewarding experience. But if you are new to the world of duck keeping or considering keeping them for the first time, you might be wondering what to feed ducks and what to avoid. You can feed ducks with duck feed you can buy in shops….
Adding animals to your homestead can be a great way to increase your self-reliance and resilience. Keeping different kinds of livestock can be a fun and interesting thing to do. More than this, it can provide you with a range of useful yields. However, choosing which animals to raise is not always easy. One important…
If you are thinking about effective ways to insulate a chicken coop, the chances are that you find yourself in one of two potential situations. Either you will be thinking about the design for your coop before building one from scratch. Or you will be thinking about ways to insulate a chicken coop you already…
If you are making your own chicken coop, you may wonder what floor to use. The best and worst floors for chicken coops very much depend on where you live and the conditions to be found there. The best chicken coop floors are either no floor at all or wood boards protected with a rubber…
If you have made or want to make some homemade jam, you might be wondering whether you can preserve jam without a canner. If you don’t have a water bath canner, don’t be tempted not to process your jam. This is not safe. You can preserve jam by freezing it. But if you don’t have…
If you are trying to establish a new homestead or farm, you might be wondering how many chickens per acre you can keep. It is recommended to stick to around 50 chickens per acre, with a maximum of around 100 for free-range, ethically kept birds. In very specific situations, you can keep around 400-500 chickens…
Lemon or lime can be used as a traditional preservative to improve the quality and shelf-life of a number of perishable goods. You can use lime or lemon juice as a preservative to prevent fruits like apples, bananas, avocados from turning brown. You can also soak fruits before dehydrating them, in lemon juice and water…
Chickens should use a roosting bar in a coop at night. Unfortunately, as experienced chicken keepers know, they do not always roost where they should. To get chickens to use the roosting bar, first, you might just have to wait or place them where you want them. If this doesn’t work, you can try to…
Those with a love of fruits know that there is a range of ways to enjoy them fresh or preserve them for later. But does alcohol preserve fruit? Alcohol preserves fruit. And not only that. Using alcohol to preserve fruit actually gives two excellent yields – alcohol-infused fruits that taste great on their own or…
Nesting boxes are the spaces chickens will use to lay their eggs. Getting it right when it comes to the locations, number, size, and materials of nesting boxes is crucial for domestic flocks. From my own experiences, I know that chickens seem to take any excuse to lay in the most inconvenient places possible! But…
One of the traditional ways to preserve meat is to use salt. Salting, otherwise known as curing, is an age-old technique for meat preservation. But in today’s health-conscious world, we know that too much salt is bad for us. So how do we preserve meat without salt? Can you really preserve meat without salt? Yes,…
Some people plant seeds directly in coffee grounds. But science does not support many of the claims made for this material. You should not plant seeds directly in coffee grounds. Coffee is high in nitrogen, but other plant nutrients are more variable. Coffee grounds compact easily. Caffeine in coffee grounds may also have a negative…
Learning how to raise rabbits on your homestead can bring many benefits. One key reason why they can be such a useful type of small livestock to the rear is that they also provide a bountiful source of manure – free fertilizer for your garden. To raise rabbits for manure, you must choose the right…
As you delve into the world of food preservation, you will often read the term ‘process.’ But what does it mean to ‘process’ in canning? The word ‘process’ in canning refers to the steps that we take to safely preserve food for later use. The goal in this canning stage is to heat jars to…
One question people who are new to keeping chickens might ask is: Can chickens stay in the coop all day? Chickens can stay in the coop all day only from time to time. It is not recommended to keep the chickens in the coop all day, all the time. When you leave the chickens locked…
Preserving eggs for a longer time might sound like a difficult task if you’ve never done it before. But in reality, there are many easy techniques that can help you to do just that. There are a lot of other methods that have historically been used to preserve fresh eggs. But they are not recommended…
One of the first questions the person who wants to start a vegetable garden asks is How big a garden should I create. It depends on many factors, but from our observations, we can tell that: For most people, the beginner’s garden size should be 25 square feet (2.3 square meters). It’s better to start a smaller…
The best month to grow vegetables will depend on the type of vegetable, where you live, your specific garden, and the growing methods you have chosen. But as you learn more about common annual fruits and vegetables, you can build up a better understanding and learn what vegetables to grow each month where you live….
Should you insulate a chicken coop? (And if so, when, why, and how should you do so?) To answer this question, we need to delve a little deeper into what chickens need, the conditions where you live, and the materials you use to build a coop in the first place. Generally speaking, you should create…
Potatoes are a staple crop for many home growers. But many struggle when it comes to an understanding of how to store their potatoes over the winter months. Keeping potatoes in a traditional root cellar can be a great option. But the conditions required can be challenging to maintain. Home-canned potatoes are another preservation solution….
An acre is a unit used for measuring an area. It equates to around 43,560 square feet or 4046.86 square meters. But it can be useful to have a clear idea of what this unit of measurement actually means. So to get a better idea of what an acre is and what it looks like…
Canning is an essential part of sustainable home growing. It can allow you to have access to fresh and wholesome food from your garden year-round. But when it comes to home canning, safety is of paramount importance. You need to be sure you know how to tell if canned food is bad. Several tell-tail signs…
Many of us want a homestead, where we can begin to take back some control over our own lives and live more sustainably, in closer harmony with the natural world. One of the most common questions people ask when contemplating a change to this way of life is how much land they need. Are 5…