Tag: simplestead
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Decorative and Useful Garden Fencing
You know that expression “good fences make good neighbors”? Well, I always thought of that turn of phrase as negative. That’s probably because Robert Frost’s poem, Mending Wall, made it seem so divisive and futile. Yet, it doesn’t have to be that way. Good Reasons for Fences There are many ways a good fence can…
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Raising Ducklings Week 2 (with Video)
This article is part of a series on what life with ducks is like. It’s intended to give new duck keepers, duck dreamers, and anyone who needs some adorable diversion an inside look at simple ways to keep ducks. Be forewarned, my point in creating these posts is to make you want to keep ducks…
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Growing and Harvesting Ginger at Home (with Video and a Peak in My Fall Garden)
Hi everyone! It’s finally fall here in Northwestern North Carolina. After the intense heat, humidity, and heavy rains we’ve had for the last two months, this weather is an amazing gift. I just wish I could wrap it up and share it with the West Coast for awhile to help all those brave people out…
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Raising Ducklings Week 1 (with Video)
Mama Madge, one of my free range Muscovy ducks, hatched out 13 adorable ducklings on August 26. Up until two years ago, we had so little predator pressure on our homestead, that she could have raised these ducklings to maturity on our large pond with no help from me. Unfortunately, the predators finally found us.…
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Growing and Harvesting Mustard for Spice
As a homesteader, I grow most of our vegetables, herbs, and fruits. I also raise chickens and ducks for eggs and keep goats for dairy. But until a few years ago, I still bought most of my spices. Since I use tons of spices when cooking and making ferments, that meant I still had a…
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How to Choose the Right Duck Breeds
If you are looking for inspiration to help you choose the right duck breeds for your homestead, take a look at my post on Morning Chores. While you are there, take a few minutes to browse all the other informative homestead posts and inspiration on that amazing reference site. There are all sorts of livestock…
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The Little Yellow Duck House and Mirabelle Plums
Looking for duck housing and run inspiration? Check out my converted chicken coop with a run inspired by a chunnel (chicken tunnel).
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Meyer Lemon Love
If you are looking for a plant to make you happy mid-winter, let me tell you about these glorious golden globes pictured above. These luscious lovelies make the whole month of January feel like it’s lit with radiant summer sunshine. On cloudy days, or when I just need a winter pick me up, I head…
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The Power of a Well-Planned Potager
Do you want your garden to produce food even with 4 weeks of neglect in extreme heat and dry weather? Then plant a well-planned potager garden.