Raising backyard animals is, in my view, and important part of any garden. Of course, not every gardener will be able to, and that’s fine. Animals like ducks produce delicious eggs and manure that can be composted and used in your garden. The duck breed that I keep are the Campbell variety of ducks. In...
Fennel is one of my all time favorite herbs to grow. It’s a tall, sturdy, hardy herb similar to dill that adds a wonderful aroma to my garden and is good in several dishes that I frequently cook. I just like the plant too. The frond-like leaves swaying in the breeze on a warm summer...
Horse manure is one of those amendments to a garden that really kicks it off and charges it up. Horse manure, like rabbit manure, is something I apply to my garden and compost heap pretty much every single year. For rabbit manure, I have my own source. This is another story though. Rabbit manure is...
When we talk about fertilizing our plants, the usual nutrients we mention are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK). But there are a total of 13 mineral nutrients that can be found in soil, and each is important for the health of plants and animals alike. One of them is magnesium. If there’s an imbalance of...
Calories are a big subject in the fitness world. If you’re trying to lose weight, gain weight, or maintain your current weight, tracking your calories and making sure you consume and burn the right amount every day is the ticket to success. It’s all about those calories! Your body burns calories in a number of...
Raising my own chickens has been one of the true joys in my life. I find them to be really interesting, amazing creatures. I can’t tell you how many chickens I’ve hatched from egg. I think my all-time favorite chicken breed is the buff orpington. They have a great personality, lay a bountiful number of...
I love beer almost as much as I love gardening, and if I’m being honest, I often combine the two! Nothing beats working outside in the hot summer sun, tending your garden, and enjoying a little bit of beer while you do it. At least for me! Gardening and beer go together in more than...
Coconut shavings, coconut oil, coconut flour, coconut cream, coconut milk – what is it that coconut can’t do? If you love coconut products, you might be tempted to plant a coconut palm tree of your very own. Hey, I get it! Let’s talk about how to plant a coconut palm tree of your very own....
Nothing stinks worse than going out to harvest some cabbage or basil only to find gaping holes in the leaves and a slimy, shiny trail all over your plants. You’ve been visited by slugs and snails! There are a few ways to prevent this from happening again though. Let’s talk about how to keep slugs...
On the subject of squirrels, many folks are looking for ways to deter or get rid of squirrels. But squirrels have their place in our cities, towns, and communities. They are one of many countless animal species that we share this planet with, and one we see often skittering across sidewalks and up trees. Not...
It has so far not been a terribly uncommon experience in my life where I go buy a bunch of lettuce with lofty salad goals in mind only to have it rot and whither away, resulting in a tasty lettuce snack for my ducks. Such a shame. This lead me to wondering whether or not...
Apple cider vinegar is a constant staple in my home. If I don’t have a full gallon jug of it in my pantry, that means I haven’t paid attention to how much of it I’m using. I find tons of different uses for it, from making salad dressing to cleaning. I even use it as...
