Search results for: foraging

Every winter, there comes a point where you bundle up tightly, head outdoors, and it hits you, right in the face – that little whiff of spring. Instead of bitter …

Finding free food is always a cause for celebration among the homesteading types, and the pawpaw is a prized yet often forgotten option. Considered the largest native North American fruit, …

Springtime is my favorite time to forage. There’s an abundance of wild edibles growing this time of year. After a long winter of heavy, comfort foods, the woods and fields …

Raising perennial berry bushes on the homestead can take years of effort, often with minimal reward. A better option? Focus on foraging the wild fruit abundant in your region. Autumn …

Every gardener knows, without a doubt, that some of the most delicious and nutritious foods cannot be bought at any store. Though you can find them free for the taking, …

In the forest, just before delicate spring buds at the ends of tentative branches begin to gently open, life on the forest floor is already awakening. You may even catch …

Schlumbergera – no, it’s not the name of a new Belgian craft beer brewery; rather, it’s the genus of cactus we’re going to talk about. Most of us know it …

Ah, the humble crab apple. How many of us have walked right past these tiny little apples growing in our yards and parks? Sure, they have beautiful blossoms, after all, …

Have you heard the term “underpruner” before? I honestly hope you haven’t, because if you have, that would mean I haven’t just made that up. Which I totally did. To …

While weeding the other day, I had the welcome distraction of a fat bumblebee foraging nearby for nectar and pollen. Among the sea of blue violets that is my lawn, …

Perennials are a staple when it comes to adding visual interest and appeal to our outdoor living spaces. These trusty plants come back year after year, making them an easy-care …

Ah, dandelions. Whether you love seeing them in your yard or detest them, you’ve got to admire their resilience. Despite our best efforts to purge them from our landscape, these …

I first came across the term “edimental” when I was looking up whether I could eat this mesmerizing little plant that I had bought on impulse. It’s called purple Shiso …

I bought a Lomi! You know, those cute little countertop composters that everyone is reviewing and that keep popping up in your social media ads. As I am an actual …

This spring, while you’re out tidying your flower beds, don’t forget to cut a handful of hosta shoots to go with dinner. Hostas are a classic landscape filler, immediately recognizable …

Where fresh water meets land, the cattail stands tall, its cylindrical seedheads and upright sword-like leaves lightly swaying in the breeze. Cattails are so ubiquitous to water that it’s quite …

As fall moves into winter, chicken keepers face a seasonal shift — their hens are molting, and egg production slows or stops. Our chickens are molting so hard it looks …

Bears on the homestead is a unique problem to have, but a challenging one too. These predators are big, strong, scary, and can be incredibly persistent. If you have bears …

As summer fades and autumn takes center stage, big changes start happening in the world of our feathered friends. Some species prepare for migration and take flight, while others get …

Crunchy, tangy capers are a staple in Mediterranean dishes. These tiny buds pack a flavorful punch and go great in everything from seafood to the classic chicken piccata. Normally, there’s …

As any seasoned weed-puller knows, keeping on top of weedy growth in the lawn and garden is a never-ending grind. Some weeds are easy, yank them up once and they’re …

Did you know there are people out there who hate mulberries? I know a few, and I’m sure you do too. Personally, I love mulberries, and by the end of …

Look, normally, I would draw you in with a funny story or quaint anecdote, but today I’m not messing around; we’ll get straight to the point. Should you grow spicebush? …

Ready, set, wait. Just because you are ready to close your garden down for winter doesn’t mean that nature is willing and ready. And so it happened that in early …