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Author: Thomas Nelson

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3 min read Backyard Livestock

If you’re thinking about adding ducks to your backyard, farm, or homestead, you might be wondering: how often do ducks lay eggs? How many eggs will my ducks lay every year? It’s a good question. You wouldn’t want to add a bird to your homestead that doesn’t produce very many eggs, right? Some breeds of...

5 min read Gardening Tips

Roses are undeniably beautiful, with their deep red petals and sweet scent. But when their leaves start to turn yellow, it can be a disconcerting sight. The yellowing of rose leaves can be caused by a variety of things, including over-watering or a lack of nutrients. If your rose leaves are turning yellow, it’s a...

4 min read Gardening Tips

Having a lush, green, perfect lawn is a gold standard for many homeowners. Unfortunately, the grass seed we lay down doesn’t always like to do what we want. Sometimes it has difficulty getting established and looking nice. It can be difficult to grow grass under a tree. Trees are beautiful and should be planted everywhere,...

2 min read Gardening Tips

If you want to be a successful gardener, there’s one thing you absolutely must know: your hardiness zone. Having a successful garden in Los Angeles means knowing when the first and last frost is likely to take place and how cold it gets in the winter. The climate of Los Angeles, California is characterized by...

6 min read Trees and Shrubs

Fall is my favorite time of year because of all the different colored fall leaves. The bright oranges, reds, and yellows of the leaves make me feel so happy and content. I love to take walks and admire the beauty of the trees in my neighborhood, as well as take pictures of the colorful leaves....

3 min read Gardening Tips

Plumeria is a tropical flowering plant that is native to Central and South America. It is an evergreen shrub that produces clusters of fragrant, waxy-looking flowers in shades of white, pink, yellow, and red. The flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies and are popularly used in floral arrangements. Plumeria is easy to grow and requires minimal...

4 min read Backyard Livestock

Raising quail is an easy, fun, and ultimately rewarding hobby. Once your chicks are adults, you get fresh quail eggs! Not a bad deal, right? Quail are super easy to raise. This guide will show you how to raise quail chicks. Picking the right breed of quail to raise is important, so be sure you’ve...

4 min read Backyard Livestock

I have been raising jumbo Coturnix quail for years and I have come to love this breed of quail. I appreciate the docile and friendly nature of jumbo Coturnix quail (when raised by hand), as well as their hardiness and ease of care. They are a great bird to raise, whether you’re looking for eggs...

3 min read Gardening Tips

Having an aloe vera plant in your home is a great way to bring a bit of nature indoors and add some greenery to your living space. Aloe vera is a low-maintenance plant that doesn’t require intensive care, which makes it a good plant for beginner and novice gardeners alike. It can be quite upsetting...

3 min read Gardening Tips

If you live in USDA hardiness zones 8-10, you’re in luck—growing fig trees is a breeze! These beautiful trees can add a lush, tropical feel to your garden, and they require very little maintenance. Fig trees thrive in full sun, but they can also tolerate some shade. They need well-drained soil, so make sure to...

4 min read Flowers And Houseplants

I love growing jade plants! When I lived in southern California, I grew them outside year-round. They could get pretty big! I find them so calming and peaceful to work with as a gardener. They are definitely one of my favorite plants. They’re quite hardy, so they don’t need a lot of care to thrive....

2 min read Gardening Tips

Basil plants are annual herbs that flower in the summer and early fall. They produce small white or purple flowers that are quite fragrant. The flowers attract a variety of pollinators, including honey bees, bumble bees and butterflies. After flowering, the plants produce small, aromatic, edible seeds. It’s very easy to harvest basil seeds and...