A natural living site where you'll learn about organic gardening, foraging, home medicine and more.
In northern climates, gardeners grow what is called hardneck garlic because it thrives in cold temperatures. In late spring, hardneck garlic produces a leafless, curly, flowering stem called a scape. The scape itself is delicious, and can be used in many ways. Garlic scape powder is one of many ways I use garlic scapes, and while I love garlic powder and make my own, making scape powder is a much easier process.
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Water bath canning is a great skill to have when it comes to preserving the harvest. Choose water bath canning to preserve high acid foods like jams, jellies, fruit, most tomatoes and sauces, pickles, relishes and vinegar based condiments.
Even if you live in a small apartment, this is a skill you can learn and practice now before you are able to move to your dream homestead. Fruits and vegetables can be purchased at Farmer’s Markets even if you don’t yet have your own garden.
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You are likely familiar with wood chips, which refer to any woody material which has been broken down into small chips. Ramial wood chips, on the other hand, may be new to you. Also known as arborist wood chips, ramial wood chips are made from small diameter (under 3″) tree branches and often include the fresh leaves of the tree.
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Wood chip gardening, also known as the Back-to-Eden method of gardening, has gained popularity in recent years. It’s done so for good reason, but many people give up after just a season or two because they are not implementing the process correctly.
Here are 10 common mistakes that people make when wood chip gardening; this will help you to proceed with success in your gardening journey.
We grow everbearing raspberries, and the way we manage them, they produce a heavy crop of berries from mid-August through September. And it just so happens that our jalapeño peppers ripen during that time as well. Thus, the perfect combination for an amazing treat – low sugar raspberry jalapeño jam!
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Author Susannah Shmurak recently released her new book, Everything Elderberry: How to Forage, Cultivate, and Cook with this Amazing Natural Remedy. Since I grow, forage, and enjoy using elderberries, I looked forward to receiving a copy of her book about this natural herbal remedy, and delicious berry. Continue Reading