As I sit in my Starr Hill farm office writing this article, I just completed taking a full inventory of my hay and feed supplies on our farm. In doing a mid-winter inventory, we look at how many bales of first cutting and second cutting hay we have, along with bedding hay and round bales. In additio...

Whether your pasture is half an acre or a dozen acres, you know as a farmsteader is does much more than just grow grass for your animals to browse upon. In short, a pasture provides pollinator habitat, a safe space for native species to flourish, area for soil to heal and generate (thanks in part to...

The Perennial Plant Association has chosen Phlox paniculata ‘Jeana’ as the Perennial Plant of the Year for 2024. ‘Jeana’ is an exceptional garden phlox renowned for its impressive flower show, tall sturdy habit and pollinator-friendliness. Dense, domed trusses crown stiff stems from midsummer to ear...

Cold frames allow for the early planting of spring vegetables such as lettuce, radishes, carrots and cabbage by protecting them from frost and cold temperatures at the beginning of the season. You can construct a season-extending cold frame for your garden with an old window, some salvaged wood and ...

Sugarmakers – those folks who tend to groves of maple trees year-round and tap them to take advantage of the tasty superfood that comes from them when the weather conditions are just right – are mostly known for making one product: maple syrup. And while it’s true the vast majority of maple sap is e...

Selecting a sheep breed represents an important part of the process of launching a sheep operation. For sheep breeders Steve Gabriel and Alex Caskey, the Katahdin breed checks all the boxes. The two presented “Katahdin Sheep: A Versatile Breed for Pasture and Silvopasture” as a webinar hosted by Foo...

Each year, over 121 million Americans visit public gardens. From public green spaces to community gardens to private yards, gardening is a critical part of our country’s culture. “Gardening in America,” the American Horticultural Society’s first Self-Paced Online Course through its Lifelong Learning...

If done right, buying something secondhand can save you a lot of money upfront. Whether you’re updating your wardrobe at the local thrift shop or buying a new-to-you car for the family, purchasing something used can definitely help your budget – as long as you pay your due diligence. You wouldn’t bu...

Sugarmakers (as those who make maple syrup are known) have, for centuries, had to contend with whatever Mother Nature throws at them come late winter and early spring. The maple season is short and entirely subject to weather conditions. The traditional maple sugaring season extends from early Febru...

“I just want good products for my homestead that will last. I am tired of cheaply built products that are built to be cheap but only last for a year or so, and sometimes not even that long. I wish I could connect with some small family shop who makes products like they used to.” If that sounds like ...

February is International Hoof Care Month – and that’s always a timely discussion for any livestock owners. Hoof care and maintenance is a vital part of owning and working with any breed of hoved livestock; improper or absent care can set off a domino effect that causes poor health, improper nutriti...

There’s a lot to consider when developing a maintenance plan for your pastures over winter, says Extension Educator Laura Kenny with Penn State Extension. Though Laura’s emphasis is equine, much of what she has to say applies to livestock across the board ( https://tinyurl.com/3b94t37b ). Though som...

When working in their sugarbush this winter, maple producers are encouraged to be on the lookout for signs of the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB). This wood-boring insect, native to southeast Asia, will kill many hardwood trees. However, its preferred host is the beloved maple. This highly destructive...

Many gardeners start vegetables, annual flowers and herbs from seeds, either indoors or directly in the garden. However, have you ever considered growing your own perennials from seed? Perennial plants are defined as plants that live for more than two growing seasons. Tender perennials may live only...

For some people, hot sauce is a hard no. For others, it’s a risky adventure. Yes, the taste up front may be thrilling, but then you end up reaching for a glass of milk and a tissue to dab your leaking tear ducts. Hot sauce does more than burn (in both good and bad ways). It’s a way to use some of th...