Category: Blogs
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Surviving the Winter After the Garden is Already Dead
This comes every year and yet I still feel ill-prepared for the boredom and longing that always wretches my gut. Nothing is green, everything is dead, and the world around me is frozen, covered in ice, and seems deadly still. Meanwhile I’m stuck indoors avoiding canning the 400 lbs of…
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Finding Joy in the Jungle: 8 Ways to Stay Motivated When Your Garden Feels Overwhelming
If you’ve ever stepped outside and looked at your garden with a sigh instead of a smile, you’re not alone. Whether it’s weeds that won’t quit, pests that think they own the place, or just the sheer amount of work to do—gardening can sometimes feel more like a chore than…
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The Benefits of Soil Blocking for Seed Starting
Soil blocking is an environmentally friendly method for starting seeds that offers several benefits. It eliminates plastic containers, promotes healthier root systems through air pruning, reduces transplant shock, and encourages vigorous growth. Additionally, soil blocks save space and resources, making them suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
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When to Plant: 10 Seeds to Start 10 Weeks Before Frost
Starting seeds indoors 10 weeks before the last frost can lead to a successful garden. Key plants include peppers, eggplants, onions, leeks, celery, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, artichokes, and parsley. Providing proper conditions like warmth, light, and airflow will encourage strong growth and ensure an abundant harvest. Happy gardening!
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Top Plants to Deter Japanese Beetles in Your Garden
The author, a gardener who dislikes pests like Japanese beetles, shares effective strategies to deter them naturally. By planting a variety of companion plants, such as catnip, garlic, and marigolds, the garden ecosystem can thrive without chemicals. The article emphasizes plant diversity and personal experiences to manage pest populations effectively.
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The Advantages of Homeschooling: Tailored Education for Kids
Title: The Benefits of Homeschooling: A Path to Personalized Education Chapter 1: Introduction to Homeschooling Homeschooling is more than just an educational alternative; it’s a lifestyle choice that can have profound impacts on both children and parents. Over the years, homeschooling has become a viable option for families seeking personalized,…
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Coming Home
Last week was a big week! On Friday 2/23, I finally left my career to be a stay-at-home mom and full-time homesteader. I won’t lie, I’m still a little shook up about it because this happened 4 full weeks early, but I know this is what God wanted us to…
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Garden Planning in January
It’s time! Well technically it’s not time until January, but I just can’t wait. Its currently 12/29 so…. Close enough? There’s something so exciting and renewing about planning the new garden. Setting new goals, reflecting on last years successes (and inevitable failures), and my favorite part SEED SHOPPING! I know…
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Loss on the Homestead
The time has come. We’ve had our chickens for 9 months with zero indication that predators could get to them. Then we came back from a long weekend vacation and boom, two chickens missing. Two out of our ten chickens were just gone. Not much evidence as to what happened…
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How we became small town homesteaders
Homesteading refers to a self-sufficient lifestyle, which can include activities like growing your own food and preserving it. The authors are a couple whose journey into homesteading began in 2021 with a small garden and has expanded into maintaining a large vegetable garden and a flock of chickens. The experience,…
Hoffmann Homestead 