Archive for the ‘Quick Tips’ Category

Cover crops just might be the hardest-working plants you’ll ever grow. Cover crops (also called green manure) suppress weeds, build productive soil, and help control pests and diseases. Plus, cover crops are easy to plant and require only basic care to thrive. And they grow well in nearly every part of the country.

To get started! Check out this article

The Science of Stacking Firewood

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

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To some, laying in firewood is one of those seasonal jobs that takes hold of you as soon as the leaves start to change and doesn’t let go until enough has been stored to get you through the winter. Other’s say there is spirituality to the task, knowing that there is something more to a tree than wood and bark and leaves.

There is also an art and science to building a firewood pile. To learn more about how to best stack and store firewood for optimum use all winter, check it out at Mother Earth News here.

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Creative Commons License photo credit: Leonard John Matthews

Put the SOLE back in your food

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

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Eating SOLE food can help us live happier, healthier lives with the added benefits of helping the environment around us. But, what is SOLE food? Simple – it’s food that is Sustainable, Organic, Locally grown and ethically raised. For the best results for you, your family and the planet, ask yourself if what you eat is:

Sustainable? Rotating crops and allowing field to lay fallow (unused), farmland can rest and continue to support agriculture for hundreds of years.

Organic? Natural seeds, weed control, pest control and fertilizers produces healthier food while protecting the planet from harmful chemicals.

Locally Grown? Locally produced food gives your family fresher food, it save on fuel because it’s not trucked long distances, it helps support the local economy. But, most of all it allows you, the consumer to meet and know area producers – putting a face to your food.

Ethically Raised? Patronizing producers who provide a humanely raise and processed product promotes the continuation of these practices, encourages producers to stay engaged by providing them with a livable wage and also benefits the environment.

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Creative Commons License photo credit: Graham Coreil-Allen

September 2, 2009

It’s no wonder. Children are in school approximately 180 days a year. The average cost of a school lunch is about $2.66 per day. If you’re buying school lunches every day of the school year you’re spending almost $479 per child per year. And, if you’re buying a drink, you can add another 50 cents a day at least – that’s an extra $90. That’s a grand total of $569 for each child.

Instead of paying to feed your kids highly processed, over sugared lunches, send them with fresh, good-for-you, homemade snacks and lunches, and save yourself a bundle. A favorite casserole, leftover from last night’s dinner, homemade soup or even a fresh sandwich made from home cooked turkey or chicken is much better than anything most schools have to offer.

Have a selection of small nibbles like baby carrots and dip, celery and peanut butter, cubed cheeses, yoghurt or sliced fruit so kids can select their favorites. Encourage kids to be part of the process so they learn what makes a healthy well-rounded meal. Allow them to make suggestions about what they want to eat (as long as it fits into your healthy meal guidelines).

To keep sliced fruit from turning brown, place about a teaspoon of lemon juice in a cup or so of water. Soak slices for a few minutes then dry and place in lunch containers.

Creative Commons License photo credit: staticjana

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Trade in those rolls of paper towels and those packages of paper napkins for washable, re-useable cloth, and put the savings to work on your homestead. For the cost of a roll of paper towels or a package of paper napkins, you can buy good quality, long-lasting cloth towels and napkins that will last for years – saving you hundreds of dollars each year.

To save even more money replace all paper goods (plates, cups, eating utensils, table clothes, etc.) with washable and re-useable ones and watch your savings grow even more.

Tip For The Week

Friday, May 1, 2009

Water conservation is a top priority on any homestead.

One way to help save all you can is to keep a plastic pitcher near the sink. Use it to collect ice cubes, leftover water in glasses, water from cooking pasta, potatoes, hard boiled eggs, etc. You’ll be amazed at how much accumulates throughout the day.

Once the pitcher is full the water can be used for potted plants or in the garden – saving what is needed from the tap.