Lydia Noyes

As winter ends, rhubarb is one of the first garden plants to greet us in the spring. This hardy perennial produces tangy stems that are perfect in pies and cobblers …

Gardening at home can be challenging if you lack a lush lawn to transform into a planting space. A yard filled with concrete can pose its challenges for growing food, …

Shopping for gifts for gardeners can be a challenge. After all, one can only have so many potted plants. If you’re seeking some inspiration for gifts that stand out, this …

Your home life is more wasteful than you realize. The average American household consumes more than 900-kilowatt hours every month. Assuming you’re powering your home with coal or petroleum, this …

When it comes to sustainable fertilizer options, flies aren’t quick to come to mind. But the truth is, a black soldier fly composting system is one of the quickest, most …

Few things bring more joy in a late-season garden than harvesting a bounty of bright-hued peppers. This gem of a garden plant is considered low maintenance—there’s rarely much you need …

Keeping houseplants healthy can be a constant challenge. You might think that keeping them indoors means they will remain safe from invading insects, but in reality, many varieties would love …

No one enjoys unexpected houseguests, especially those of the rodent variety. Chilly winter weather makes your home extra inviting for mice escaping the cold, making it a typical time for …

As garden season approaches, it’s time to think through your growing strategy. One of the best ways to get a head start on food and flower production is to learn …

The craft beer movement has caught the world by a storm, and it shows no sign of slowing down. However, the global hops supply is struggling to keep pace, and …

The end of the gardening season comes as a relief to most of us. After months of managing massive daily harvests of zucchini and tomatoes, cooler weather and slower growing …

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, …

You’ve pulled a year’s worth of produce from your garden. Now it’s time to give your soil a rest. Today, your goal is to learn how to mulch your garden …

Once the garden gets producing, everything starts coming in at once. Without some initial planning, your countertops will soon become overwhelmed with home-grown bounty. The good news is there are …

Serious gardeners are forever looking for new ways to improve their growing strategy. One time-tested method is adding blood meal to garden soil. Despite this amendment’s off-putting name, it’s an …

When it comes to improving your self-sufficiency, learning how to brew your own beer tops many lists. However, lots of people are put off because they assume mastering homebrew requires …

When it comes to perennial garden plants, lavender often tops the list. This member of the mint family adds fragrance to every flower bed and attracts a variety of beneficial …

Few things taste better than the summer’s first fresh strawberry. Take one bite of a sun-ripened berry, and you’ll never be satisfied with watery commercial varieties again. Fresh strawberries are …

If you’re lucky enough to have an asparagus bed, you’ll benefit from eating home-grown vegetables earlier in the season than almost anyone else. Crisp and tender stalks make this hardy …

Buying remote land is the ultimate dream for many people, but the process can feel daunting when you’re only in the idea stage. Where are the best places to buy …

When planning out your homestead growing space, the vegetable garden tends to get most of the attention. However, you’re doing your family a disservice if you don’t prioritize learning how …

If you’re considering jumping into the world of backyard livestock, knowing which species to commit to can be a challenge. Goats have no equal when it comes to escaping fencing, …

If you can’t travel to the tropics, why not make your backyard feel like an oasis instead? It’s possible to capture a sense of swinging palm trees and lush jungle …

Looking to elevate your gardening game this spring? Consider skipping buying transplants and starting seeds at home instead. Seed starting allows you to begin the fun of gardening season a …