How to Grow Parsley from Seed

Learning how to grow parsley from seed means you'll have ready access to this versatile herb almost year-round. Named 2021’s Herb of the Year by the International Herb Association, parsley is one of the most recognizable of herbs. If you’ve been to a restaurant, you’ve probably been served curly parsley as a garnish. However, parsley is much more than a garnish and it can be an important herb to grow if you’re selling herbs and produce for profit.

How to Use Rosemary in Your Home and Chicken Coop

Rosemary uses are as varied as its varieties from the kitchen, throughout the house and even to the chicken coop. A native of the Mediterranean, Portugal and northwestern Spain, the name rosemary means "sea-dew" since its blossoms have a dew-like appearance. Known for remembrance, rosemary is certainly a hard-to-forget herb!

A Pollinator Field Guide

We know that pollinators are important, in fact, they are responsible for one out of every three bites of food we take. This has spurred on a backyard revolution of planting for pollinators. While everyone’s busy making their land animal and insect-friendly, it’s fun to know who’s who in the garden. That way, when you start spotting the pollinators you’ve attracted, you’ll know what you’re spotting and some fun facts about them.

Chicken Breeds Made in America

Just in time for Fourth of July, it’s fun to consider adding some chicken breeds made in America to your flock. These breeds are the backbone of a hardy, productive flock. They are good egg layers with high levels of production. They can endure the tough weather we often get in this country. And many have unique features, such as hawk-coloring to avoid predator detection. Nothing fancy, only purpose, for these breeds whose history, in many cases, goes back to our founding fathers and helped to bring about a growing nation.

Do Chickens Eat Ticks and Spiders?

Have you ever wondered if chickens eat ticks and spiders? The short answer is yes. In fact, before we got chickens, I did a lot of research on this subject because we had a problem with black widow spiders.

How to Grow Blackberries and Raspberries

Blackberries and raspberries kicked off the 2020's as the Herb of the Year. Scientifically known as Rubus, and referred to as brambles, it would be hard to find a more useful herb for the homestead and self-reliant homeowner. Learning how to grow blackberries and raspberries provides delicious berries that can be eaten straight off the vine or cooked into cobblers, crisps and tons of other dishes. The berries can also be turned into products like jams, jellies or even wines for personal use or for sale to add diversity to farm income. Some even grow the berries and offer them as a u-pick product during the summer months providing customer foot traffic to the farm.

How to Keep Chickens Cool in Summer

Keeping your chickens cool in summer is a must-do. There's nothing we can do to stop the heat, but we can help our chickens beat the heat.

With the mercury rising, it's important to remember that high temperatures can be harder on a flock than the cold temperatures of winter. The effects of heat are cumulative and can be enhanced by high humidity, so be sure to keep vigilant during heat spells. A temperature of 80 degrees with high humidity can bring on heat-related problems.