During the holidays, poinsettias show off in shades of red, pink and cream. They’ve been hybridized to decorate our homes during a season when the garden outdoors is fast asleep. Most people treat them as a holiday plant to be enjoyed for a limited time then disposed of, but that doesn’t have to be....

Mistletoe may be a welcome holiday sight when hung over a doorway if a loved one is near. Still, it can be an unwelcome intruder when found in your trees, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horticulturist. “Mistletoe is a hemiparasite – a semi-parasitic plant,” said Allison Watkins,...

Although not as commonly seen in rural regions as they are in more urban areas, feral cats – those that are most definitely not house pets – serve important roles. These wandering felines are often great mousers and keep the pest population down. A “barn cat” might be considered feral, and that’s ok...

Snow flurries and winter storms can be unpredictable and the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) encourages home and business owners to prepare in advance before bad weather hits. “Outdoor power equipment like snow throwers can make quick work of a big job,” said OPEI President and CEO Kris Kis...

In honor of National Horse Day, I had the opportunity to sit down with Tina Krieger, former manager of Country Folks Mane Stream (the equine-focused sister publication of Country Folks , our flagship and agriculturally-focused trade paper), life-long horse owner and our resident expert on anything w...

Cows, horses, sheep, pigs, goats and chickens are still the most common forms of livestock in the U.S. but llamas deserve some love too. The ancestors of llamas are believed to have originated from the Great Plains of North America around 40 million years ago. However, they migrated to South America...

The National Garden Bureau has deemed 2023 the Year of the Amaryllis. The Amaryllis you decorate your home with during the winter holidays is a Hippeastrum. A member of the genus Amaryllidaceae, Hippeastrum bulbs are native to Central and South America and include 90 species and over 600 cultivars. ...

Did you know there are 1.3 million registered snowmobiles in the U.S.? And that the economic impact of the snow machines is around $26 billion annually? Snowmobiling is a big deal if you live in a region fortunate enough to receive enough snow to make the season happen. According to the Internationa...

Dear Santa, We recognize that you, like all of us, may be having a difficult time this year getting your hands on the materials your elves need to build and craft and assemble all the things we’re asking for. We know that we’ve been good this year, but that silly supply chain? Not so much. With that...

For many families, picking out the perfect Christmas tree is an annual tradition. But there are a few things you should keep in mind about your real Christmas tree to help keep it fresh through the holiday season. Trim the trunk – Make a fresh cut across the bottom of the trunk. I know it seems odd ...

If your big fluffy dog is anything like my big fluffy dog, they love bounding outside into freshly fallen snow and catching snowballs that are tossed to them. While supervised play time is great, winter presents the hazard of long exposure to low temperatures, and that can be dangerous. Yes, your do...

Small Business Saturday has been taking place for over a decade now on the day following the mass stampedes on Black Friday. Why put more money into the hands of faceless corporations when you can support your neighbors? Country Culture wants to take some time to mention one small business you can s...

The daylight hours keep growing shorter, and the days are flying by. Before you know it, the holidays will be here. If you have a gardener (or garden lover) on your holiday gift list, you may be wondering what might make them smile during a season when the garden is buried beneath snow. For new gard...

If your electricity goes out due to snow and ice, a generator can keep power flowing to your home or business. The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), an international trade association representing manufacturers and suppliers of outdoor power equipment, small engines, battery power systems, p...

“America’s farms have long been vital to our nation.They contribute to our public health, safeguard our environmental resources and stand at the forefront of our country’s path toward energy independence.We must continue supporting the vital relationship between American farms and families, and work...