Ring-necked pheasants stride across open fields and weedy roadsides in the U.S., southern Canada and the Finger Lakes area of New York State. They have graced our landscape since 1892 when they were successfully established on Gardiner’s Island, near the eastern end of Long Island. By the 1920s they...

Personalization is the name of the game these days, from our clothing styles to the curated advertisements the algorithms give us on our social media apps of choice. If you can set the light bulbs in your home to the colors you want, shouldn’t you also be able to build a greenhouse made specifically...

There are people out there, like my dad, who believed “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” He used his grandfather’s pitchfork for a number of duties on our little four-beefer operation, and despite its age, it worked wonderfully. There are others that like to jump on the latest technology, those “ear...

Like cows, goats and even tomatoes, there is a wide variety of pigs breeds to choose from, should you decide you want to add these animals to your homestead. Almost unanimously, one breed rises to the top in popularity, and with good reason. The American Yorkshire pig grows to a large size, is relat...

As a small-scale farmer, gardener or homesteader, you’re always looking for innovative and sustainable ways to improve your land and increase productivity. Check out some of the benefits of incorporating willows into your farm. Willows are versatile and fast-growing (up to 10 feet per year) trees or...

It’s that time of year when the groundhog has retreated back into its burrow, but the temperature tempts us with the possibility of spring. We all know there’s still plenty of snow and cold weather yet to come. On those days, when the world outside is gray and dreary, the walls surrounding us can se...

It feels a little like celery is often overlooked. It’s simply a side for buffalo wings. It’s chopped up and put into a little bit of everything, from hearty chicken noodle soup to the holy trinity of Creole cooking (onions, peppers and celery). It’s even tossed in to tuna sandwiches for a little cr...

Even as the meteorologist says another storm will be dumping snow on parts of the Northeast soon, spring is just around the corner. Garden supply and feed stores are putting out seeds, potting soil and trays, and in some of those stores you can hear little peeping sounds. It’s always fun to look at ...

Spring is in the air, and what better way to celebrate a return to gardening than to share its magic with children? It’s not too early to start planning now. Consider dedicating a small piece of the garden this summer as a spot where the kids in your life can experience the magic of gardening firsth...

Beginning with a big breakfast in the morning, food and diet are an integral part of our day. Food can affect our physical and mental health – food can heal. A yummy bit of a favorite dish can brighten any mood. Food is the great equalizer and a wonderful connector! Our differences fade away when we...

Tomatoes have been on our tables and in our gardens for so long, it’s nearly impossible to think of them as growing in the wild. Once upon a time they did just that. That’s not to say that a typical supermarket tomato or a tasty, red Mortgage Lifter or Big Boy could be enjoyed back then. Tomatoes ha...

Cole crops is the general term used to describe broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale and kohlrabi. Harvesting these vegetables at the right stage of maturity results in nutritious, high quality produce – which is awesome news for February 17, National Cabbage Day! It almo...

We pay a lot of attention to the fruits and vegetables and livestock we raise to feed ourselves, but it seems like grains are often put on the back burners of our minds. Take barley, for instance. This versatile crop is a member of the grass family, and it was one of the first cultivated grains, bei...

You know we at Country Culture really enjoy directing your attention to the lesser known holidays and the more fun side of agriculture and horticulture, but sometimes even we don’t understand the timing of certain events. February, for instance, is Elderberry Month. The small, tart and healthy berri...

If you love the idea of making something with your own hands and you delight in the sweetness of something natural, maple sugaring may just be the thing for you. The great news is that indulging in maple sugaring doesn’t have to be a huge enterprise. If you want to give a shot without investing thou...