Monthly Archives: June 2023

Why I Bought a Compact Tractor (and not any other farm vehicles)

Ideally, I would have an ATV, a UTV, a farm truck, a back-hoe, and a compact tractor (heck, throw in a super-sized tractor since it’s all hypothetical), but I (like most of you) don’t have a couple hundred thousand dollars laying around (yet – still hoping God wills me a stray winning lottery ticket). However,Continue reading “Why I Bought a Compact Tractor (and not any other farm vehicles)”

Here’s Everything We Did in Our First Year on the Homestead

We moved to our new property of just over six acres in Georgia in July 2022. As we approach the end of our first year on the homestead, I think it’s important to reflect and quantify all that we accomplished in these first 12 months. Looking backwards will help us gauge how much progress weContinue reading “Here’s Everything We Did in Our First Year on the Homestead”

The Pros and Cons of Mulching with Straw

Many folks, including myself, use straw to mulch their gardens. Mulching is vital to vegetable and fruit production as it protects roots from freezing temperatures, retains moisture in the soil (reducing watering requirements), and suppresses weeds. While there are many pros to using straw in the garden, no mulch is perfect and without its negatives.Continue reading “The Pros and Cons of Mulching with Straw”

What Most Homesteaders Lack

I’ve been thinking more and more about the differences between homesteaders and small-scale farmers and market gardeners. While there are many similarities, usually including similar lifestyles, a love of the outdoors, and a desire for wholesome food, there are also notable differences. Small-scale farmers and market gardeners grow food and tend animals to make aContinue reading “What Most Homesteaders Lack”

The Best Seeders for Homesteads and Market Gardens

Any serious homesteader or market gardener will quickly see the value offered by a wide variety of push and tractor-mounted seeders. These seeders save us back-pain and time, while also encouraging a more systematic approach to gardening. If gardening on any plot of 1000 square feet or more, a seeder is essential, and fortunately thereContinue reading “The Best Seeders for Homesteads and Market Gardens”