Survival Gardening for Pandemics

Gardening for the Long Term

A basic law of physics states that matter cannot be created or destroyed. From the perspective of your vegetable garden, think of all of the vitamin C and lycopene in those fresh tomatoes, the sight-enhancing vitamin A in carrots, and the folate and iron in green leafy vegetables and broccoli. Where did it all come from? Of course they came from the soil. Now think about next year and what will be left to supply the fruits (or vegetables) of your labors? [ … ]

The Great Big Corn Sugar Deception

With a little bit of imagination, the whole idea of corn sugar seems like a pretty tasty treat. Imagine tender kernels of freshly picked golden corn gently squeezed to release the sweet essence hidden within. [ … ]

Growing Luscious Loganberries

Origin First discovered in the garden of, and named for, James Harvey Logan – a California lawyer who lived 1841 to 1928, the origin of loganberries is a mite controversial. Some believe they are a [ … ]

Growing Glorious Grapes, Part II: Pruning and Training

Now that the vineyard is planted, you need to know how to care for it properly. Read on to learn how to train and prune vines for optimum production and care. Pruning Prune vines in [ … ]

Cucumbers and Their Flashy Family

I don’t mean to brag or anything, but I’ve got a few good-looking cousins, and many of my cousins have been blessed with a healthy batch of good-looking kids. A few weeks ago, I got [ … ]

Growing Glorious Grapes

Vineyards may be the oldest organized gardens. After Noah’s flood, the first thing he grew was a vineyard. People have been following his example for thousands of years. Grapes, called the “queen of the fruits,” [ … ]

Organic Pest Control

Some things that all gardeners face are insects and weeds in our vegetable patches. Growing our bounty without using chemicals can prove a bit overwhelming for the organic gardener, especially the novice. This article will [ … ]

Growing Beautiful Blackberries

Blackberries are easy to plant and once established, require little maintenance after the first year. They are cold hardy, withstanding temperatures well below zero when properly tended. Plants will live for decades, although individual canes [ … ]

Poison Apples?

Welcome back to my bi-weekly rant on the ever-popular and increasingly necessary Off the Grid site. I’d like to take a moment to thank Bill, Brian, Jeramy, Hanne, and the rest of the crew here [ … ]

Planting And Caring For Strawberries

Strawberries are a family favorite for many and can be easily grown and cared for. This year I planted my first patch since buying my home two years ago. Years ago I cared for strawberry [ … ]

Study Reviews The Culprits Behind Dying Bees

Since about 2006, farmers, scientists, beekeepers, and casual observers have noticed sudden declines in bee populations. Beekeepers were seeing at least 30 percent of their bee populations die or disappear each year. Scientists began calling [ ... ]
Five Secrets to a Productive Garden

If you’re considering a food garden as part of your long range emergency preparedness plans, the number one piece of advice you need embrace is: “Do your research.” The rules for successful gardening are very [ ... ]
Beautiful and Edible Ground Covers

I have found that there are a couple reasons that one might like to plant a ground covering that is edible. The first is that you have a small yard or garden plot and want [ ... ]
How To Make Your Own Essential Oils and Perfumes

Making essential oils is done by extracting the natural oils from herbs and/or flowers. These extractions can be made with oils or alcohol. Extracting Oils with Oil Oil attracts oil, bringing it out of the [ ... ]