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Puyallup Speaker Spotlight: Ann Larkin Hansen
Ann Larkin Hansen of Storey Publishing will present four workshops on sustainable farming and bugs at the Mother Earth News Fair, an annual sustainability festival, June 4-5, 2011 in Puyallup, Wash.
Cub Cadet Debuts RZT S ZERO Electric Zero-Turn Riding Mower
The all-new RZT S ZERO is available in select markets and will be headlining the Cub Cadet Test Drive Experience Tour.
Getting Started With an Organic Garden
Experiences getting started gardening in the 1970's and suggestions for beginning your own projects in 2012.
Gutter-Planted Garden Greens
It was becoming pretty obvious the crowding and lack of light were real limitations to my mini garden. Then, the idea of a trough on the windowsill came to mind, combining a way to water all the plants uniformly and efficiently all at once. Great, now how to make this trough? Wood? Sheet metal? The choices all seemed expensive, clumsy, prone to leaking...then the light bulb went on in my head: gutters!
On Growing All Your Own Food
Thoughts on growing all your own food. How much space is required and other things to consider.
10-Day Local Food Challenge
Could you eat only food grown within 100 miles of your home for 10 days? Learn more about this challenge and why you should consider taking it on.
Creating an Edible Landscape
There are various means for developing an edible landscape.
Introducing The Principles of Permaculture Design – Using Nature as our Teacher
Maddy Harland writes about principles that underpin our understanding and practical application of permaculture. She relates them to designing a green home and garden but also explains how permaculture can help us to create more sustainable lifestyle
Transplanting Brassicas
Transitioning seedlings from indoor starts to outdoor plants
Piles of Dirt
Taking care of compost is essential to healthy soil and good food.
Spring Planning
Starting flats of seedlings begins this year's growing season.
Organic Gardening and Rainwater Harvesting: Sustainable Living by Example
Engineer Venkappa Gani leads by example when it comes to sustainable living. His entire backyard is an organic garden, an edible landscape that borders his rainwater harvesting tank collectors overlooked by solar panels that power his home (and more!). Gani is dedicated to sustainability, a word he lives by everyday at his suburban home in Austin, Texas.
Great Gardening Books, Garden Planning, and the Fight Against GMOs Continues
Ira Wallace explores good winter gardening reads, gives advice on how to use the winter lull wisely to plan and prepare, and shares an update in the ongoing court battle to protect family farmers from agri-giant Monsanto.
Fruit for the Future
Looking ahead to spring, we're using these long days to plan a rootstock order of perennial trees, shrubs, and herbs.
Homegrown Fridays 2012
Eating only homegrown foods on the Fridays in Lent.
Thoughts of Spring Begin to Stir
A winter thaw inspires starting the first seeds of the season - indoors, of course: kale, chard, and spinach to start.
Chicken Manure Fertilizer: Let Your Chickens Make Mulch
What's your idea of a delicious and wholesome breakfast? A fluffy, organic egg omelet made with fresh vegetables? Perhaps scrambled eggs and roasted garden veggies? No matter what your preference, it may surprise you to learn the link between the
Joel Salatin Inspires at Heritage Harvest Fest
Monticello's Heritage Harvest Festival inspired us to keep at those challenges that frustrate us on the farm.
The Urban Food Forest: A Groundbreaking Trend in Urban Agriculture
Urban food forests and public gardens provide communities with an edible landscape for everyone to share. These public fruit forests are the new trend in urban agriculture and play an important role as sustainable local food systems in their communities.
Sauerkraut is an effective and delicious way to store cabbage and add something "fresh" to the winter months
Considering Individual Perspectives to Create a Sustainable Future
Publisher Bryan Welch's conviction that we need a better vision for our future led him to consider the way we form images, which led him to holograms. Humanity's perception of its present world and its vision for its future are formed from billions of individual perspectives. Each individual human being possesses a unique vision, a single point in the light field. Each perspective records the person's place in space and time. Each point of light forms a complete image, a complete vision for the future. When we reproduce the light field projected by those billions of unique visions, we get a three-dimensional picture of humanity's combined vision. Effectively, we can't perceive the future in three dimensions without taking into account the entire light field. Find out more about how we can use this idea to create a model for a sustainable future that can be applied across the globe.
Taking the Steps We Can to Live More Sustainably
In most cases, we can't do all of the things we would like to live more sustainable lives — at least, not all right away. We can all do something, though, and making the choices and taking the steps that we can is an effective, satisfying way to make our lives more self-reliant and better for the planet every day.
Does "Made in the USA" Mean It's Sustainable?
Americans equate products made in the USA with sustainability and often choose American-made products over other options, a study finds.
How Bad Is Monsanto?
Coporations continue to purchase interests in seed industries. Could this be a problem?
Busted: Sustainable Forestry Initiative Label is Greenwash
A ForestEthics report calls out the American Forest and Paper Association-backed Sustainable Forestry Initiative label for not protecting forests.
How to Save a Million Dollars With a Sustainable Lifestyle
Most American homes are codependent with a lifestyle-support-system of roads, wires, pipes, lines of credit, satellites, and a collective identity determined by the supply side. Yet just about any household budget offers continuing opportunities for creating a healthier, less expensive lifestyle that's also easier on the environment.
Weed & Water Wednesday: 10 Green Gifts for Gardeners — All Under $50
Check out this roundup of 10 favorite sustainable gifts for the gardeners on your list — all under $50!
Four Questions for a Sustainable Society: Does it Create Abundance?
The only practical means of creating abundance in our world requires examining the ratio between our capacities and our desires. Our capacities can be measured. Our desires can, presumably, be adjusted to fit within our capacities. And if we fit our desires within our capacities with some room left over then abundance is possible.
Four Questions for a Sustainable Society: Is it Fair?
The highest goal of politics might be to instill a sense of fairness in society, since that sense of fairness promotes tranquility, productivity and prosperity. The cooperation that undergirds a healthy society — the social contract — is based on a sense of fairness. Without it, a society is unhealthy and unproductive and, ultimately, ceases to exist. As the next big challenges facing our species will be global challenges, considering fairness from a global perspective will be one key to creating true sustainability.
Four Questions for a Sustainable Society: Is it Repeatable?
Fairness and repeatability share this essential value: They can be visualized today, even when sustainability cannot. If we make fairness and repeatability part of our criteria for decisions today, they contribute to sustainability in the long-term even if they don't provide permanent solutions.
Four Questions for a Sustainable Society: Is It Beautiful?
If we need a vision for a sustainable future then we need a lot of people to contribute their own ideas and energy to forming and realizing that vision. If we are to attract the energy of millions of people to the task, then we must start with beauty in the frame.
KOR Launches Nava — The Bottled-Water Killer
KOR Water has announced the reusable Nava filtering water bottle.
Montana Radio Company Presents The Cool Green Home
Missoula, MT company awards home owners sustainable products.
The Super Green List: Safe, Sustainable and Healthy Seafood Is Possible
The Monterey Bay Aquarium updates The Super Green List, a guide to helping you choose healthy and safe seafood from more sustainable waters.
Woody Harrelson Partners With Step Forward Paper
Step Forward Paper is a new type of paper made most from wheat straw (80 percent to be exact) with the remaining 20 percent made of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood fiber.
How Do You Support Sustainable Farming?
Here's a helpful guide to help you make sustainable choices while shopping or out to eat. What else do you do to support sustainable farming practices?
Female Farmers Get Down and Dirty
Look out guys — these women really know what 21st century farming is all about.
Is Sustainable Food Affordable?
Help us discover ways to achieve an affordable sustainable diet.
Update on Conservation Reserve Program Opt-outs
Decision from the USDA: Farmers won't be allowed to break their CRP contract without penalty.
Urban Homesteading – Think Local
Wherever you live, you can practice sustainability and share your successes with your neighbors.
Asking Questions to Build a Better Future
Asking if an idea or action is fair and repeatable is one way to determine if it will be useful in building a beautiful, abundant future.
Fairmont Hotels: The Ultimate Green Luxury
Natural Home editor-in-chief Robyn Griggs Lawrence reviews the sustainably minded Fairmont Hotels.
Veteran Green Building Editor Wins Hanley Award
BuildingGreen.com founder and Environmental Building News editor Alex Wilson wins Hanley Award for Vision and Leadership in Sustainable Housing.
Small Homes: More Bang For Less Buck
Living luxuriously doesn't necessarily mean living large — at least not in these homes — and reducing a little waste doesn't hurt, either.
Using Questions as a Guide to Creating a Sustainable Future
In business, we build a vision of the company at its most successful and we articulate a set of questions to guide us toward that vision. If it works, more or less universally, in business, then why couldn't we apply it to other large, complex undertakings?
Raising Chickens Grows More Popular as More People Seek Sustainable Food
Consider these simple steps for making your backyard flock-friendly.
A Journey to Sustainable Living and a Self-Reliant Lifestyle
Luke Dinan, a young man from Toronto, Ontario, is forging his way towards sustainable living and a self-reliant lifestyle; a path we can appreciate, strive for and maybe contribute to.
Sustainable City Living
The book Toolbox for Sustainable City Living: A Do-It-Ourselves Guide is a collection of skills, tools, and technologies usable by urban residents wanting to have more local access and control over life's essential resources.
Worm's Way Launches New Website
The set launch of Worm's Way Group's new website promises improved usability, more speed and exclusive web-based promotions.
The Aquaponics Source Announces Publication of "Aquaponics Gardening"
"Aquaponics Gardening: A Step-By-Step Guide to Raising Vegetables and Fish Together" offers advice and insight into the world of sustainable gardening
Home Garden Laws: Weeding in the Nude and Other No-Nos
Home gardeners and urban farmers can come up against garden laws and regulations that can limit the size, style and components of their garden.
EVENT ALERT: Heritage Harvest Festival at Monticello
Attend the Heritage Harvest Festival at Monticello to learn more about heirloom gardening.
Next Generation Gardeners
Involving children in planning a garden and growing vegetables can lead to healthier adults and a healthier planet.
Two Low-cost, Supereasy Ways to Protect Your Fall Crops
protect fall crops
The 80/20 Rule of Homesteading
This current situation is a perfect example of the 80/20 rule of homesteading: 80 percent of your time, energy and effort is spent on maintenance; 20 percent on progress towards the dream. A majority of your time homesteading is spent covered in chicken poop, squashing potato bugs, figuring out why gas isn't getting to the carburetor in the ATV and shoveling snow after dark by headlamp.
Connecting the Dots Between Envelopes and Clearcuts
ForestEthics exposes Sustainable Forestry Initiative Greenwash, catalyzing growing corporate trend and grassroots consumer movement to avoid SFI.
Sustainable Agriculture, Farming, Gardening, and Food: A Resource List
This listing links to information resources related to sustainable agriculture, organic farming and gardening, and growing and buying good, safe food.
Attend A Winter Conference
Many sustainable agriculture groups sponsor conferences in the winter. Learn more about these opportunities to continue your learning and broaden your network.
Sustainable Cork Flooring: Elegant and Eco-Friendly
Sustainably harvested cork creates a beautiful flooring material that's competitively priced with other kinds of sustainable flooring.
Down a Dirt Road
Hello to my new life and good-by to the old.
See Food, Inc. for Free!
PBS will air Food, Inc. on TV Wednesday, April 21 at 9 p.m. Eastern.
Seventh Generation Commits to Sustainable Palm Oil
Seventh Generation commits to using sustainable palm oil in all products by 2012.
Is Sustainability an Impossible Dream?
We claim to live sustainably if we can harvest or extract the earth's resources without depleting or permanently damaging them. By that standard, no one in a country that devours coal, oil and water—and uses up a quarter of the earth's resources—can live sustainably.
The Manure Diaries
Manure-spreading day is a big event on the farm, for everyone from the chickens to the border collies. And it's part of a wonderful seasonal cycle that's the foundation of self-reliance and sustainability.
Have It Your Way
Be aware: Living sustainably can be hindered by homeowner association rules.
Speak Out Against NAIS
Tell the U.S. Department of Agriculture to abandon their efforts to create and enforce a National Animal Identification System. We've made it easy for you with sample wording and directions on where to submit your comments.
We Want Your Input: Sustainable Oysters
Readers suggest sustainable oyster sources.
Help a Small Organic Gardening Company Grow
An interview with the founder of a small organic gardening business that focuses on education and helping gardeners go organic. Learn more about this company and vote for it to win funding from a small business competition.
Succession Planting: Lettuce, Carrots, and More
Want lettuce and carrots all year round? Ira Wallace tells us her simple simple method for keeping track of succession plantings.
A Hydroponic Gardening Primer
What exactly is hydroponic gardening? Though it may sound complicated, it's really not. The word "hydroponic" comes from the Greek "hydro," meaning water, and "ponic," meaning work. The basic concept is this: growing plants in a nutrient rich water solution rather than in soil.
Small Space Gardening That's Affordable
Regardless of how little space you have, you can grow some of your own food. Space is just an excuse. By building a self-watering container or soda bottle planter you can maximize the space that you have. You don't have to have a huge garden - growi
Fall and Winter Gardening in Pots
Even if you only have garden pots to work with, you can still container garden in fall and winter to grow vegetables.
Late-Summer Gardening
In July and August, it's time to start thinking about planting crops for fall. But how do you get good seed germination when the soil is so hot?
Getting Paid for What I Love to Do
This summer Cam became a market gardener and actually got paid for something he loves to do - grow vegetables!
Survival Gardening in the Deep South
Why "hot and humid" doesn't have to equal "sad and lifeless."
How Has Gardening Brought People Together in Your Life?
One great thing about gardening that goes beyond soil building and crop rotations is its ability to bring people together. As spring is now officially here, it's a great time to revel in all the pleasures the season is sure to bring. Please share your thoughts and stories about how gardening has brought people together in your life.
What Are Your Best Tips for Gardening in the Southwest?
Readers familiar with triple-digit temperatures share their best tips for gardening in the southwest. Get advice about what to plant, when to plant and how to plant if you live in the hottest areas of the country.
Learning How To Grow Tomatoes
Sue Parker shares her grandmother's secrets to a strong tomato crop.
Growing the Nerves
But maybe, at the end of the day, I am just a person with weak nerves doing something that depends on so many unknown factors – the weather, the bug population, the quality of seeds and some plain ol' luck.
Earth Gauge Tip of the Week — Spring Gardening
April is National Garden Month! Learn about the benefits of building a garden and tips on how to create one even if you don't have a big backyard.
Landrace Gardening: Food Security Through Biodiversity
Landrace gardening enhances food security by growing genetically diverse crops that are not as prone to crop failure as monoculture fields of near clones.
Landrace Gardening: Naming The New Varieties
Landrace gardening requires different plant naming conventions than those followed by industrialized agriculture.
Landrace Gardening: Don't Worry About Plant Purity
Landrace gardening promotes hybrid vigor and avoids inbreeding depression by encouraging promiscuous pollination.
Landrace Gardening: Survival of the Fittest
A photo essay showing off the stunning success of landrace gardening on my farm. This success was achieved because I changed my growing methods to embrace one of the key elements of landrace growing; "survival of the fittest."
Landrace Gardening: Getting What You Want
Using landrace gardening and promiscuous pollination to get what you want from your garden.
Urban Gardening and Growing Melons
An experiment in urban gardening produces a melon miracle.
How to Grow Chocolate M&M's
Learn how to grow one of America's favorite treats, chocolate M&M's.
New Garden Seeder Improves Planting Experience
The innovative garden seeder from Simple Seeder increases speed and ease of planting.
Sharing: Your Garden's Other Health Benefit
The instinct to share home grown herbs, flowers and vegetables runs strong in gardeners, so sharing home grown goodies brings heartfelt rewards.
Seed Bombs: Random Acts to Re-Flower the Earth
Have you heard of "guerrilla gardening," where folks toss flower seeds into vacant lots, or sometimes sneak in at night and plant flowers in unkempt highway medians or strips along city sidewalks? Check it out this year as a fun and fruitful way to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.
Where Have All the Gardens Gone?
Is having too many gardens a detriment to selling a suburban home?
What Did You Do With Your Garden Over the Winter?
Readers share tips and tricks for taking care of winter garden beds.
How Can I Grow a Good Fall Broccoli Crop?
Growing fall brassicas can be a challenge, but here are some tips on how to prevent them from getting eaten by bugs or withering.
The Nature of Garden Giving
Can't have a garden of your own, but you want to garden? Urban Garden Share allows you to do exactly that!
Are You Growing Any Food Indoors This Winter?
If you're growing food in the house through the cold months, our readers can benefit from your experience. Have you had success at indoor gardening before? What did you grow? Share your tips and tricks!
A Better Garden Next Year
A good watering system will save you time and money in your garden.
What Are Your Favorite Gurus for Gardening Advice In Your Region?
Readers share regional gardening resources.
Gardening: It's Not All Unceasing Drudgery
Old books can be a hoot to read! Check out these quotes from an 1890 book, How to Make the Garden Pay, by T. Greiner.
A Creative and Resourceful Grandmother During the Industrial Revolution
A transplanted Choctaw and Southerner, a grandmother shows her strength and creativity during the Industrial Revolution and shows how one can face and adapt to life's challenges.
Overwhelmed by My Garden
At this time of year, Cam feels a little overwhelmed by the gardening chores ahead of him.
Fighting Over Food
Michelle discovers a new threat to her basil plants!
Colorado Garden Dreaming
Building garden boxes that keep critters out.
Tea for the Bees, Tonic for the Soul
Honey bees, the Boston tragedy, and our power to create the world we've been waiting for.
Sustainable Restaurant Association Greens Dining in the United Kingdom
Restaurants in the United Kingdom can be evaluated and accredited based on choices such as purchasing ethical meat and dairy products, choosing fair trade coffee, monitoring energy use, supporting community charities and serving tap water.
Why is There an Energy Crisis?
A BIG issue in everyone's lives today is increasing fuel costs. The seriousness and scope of our energy problems calls for an all-out effort for sustainable solutions, starting as soon as possible.
Students Design Sustainable Homes on Reservations
Passive solar design comes to Navajo families, as architecture students build homes on Utah reservations.
Including Animals In Your Diet
Animal products provide vitamin B12 in your diet, which is necessary for a healthy nervous system. Learn what and how much you would have to eat to meet your daily B12 need and other considerations for adding animals to a sustainable diet.
Regenerative Agriculture
Focus on Food records an episode from Chaffin Orchards and discusses sustainable farming and the ethics of eating meat.
First Experiments In Natural Building
Eric, Michael and Loren decided to build a winter shelter from natural and re-used materials two winters ago, their first ever natural building experiment. This is an account of that experience that changed their lives in mysterious and unforeseen ways (for the better!).
Eco vs. Ego: Giving Up Activities That Hurt the Environment
For many people, going green seems like a daunting task, but in reality, a few simple lifestyle changes is all you need.
Permaculture as a Global Solution
Permaculture is at the heart of the solution of many environmental crises. Permaculture is alive with the possibilities of positive change.
Feast Days And Potlucks
Celebrate meals with homegrown or local food. Tips for making your celebration gatherings zero-waste events.
A Recycled T-Shirt that Prevents Green Washing
ECO360 Trust produces sustainable T-shirts made from 100% recycled PET plastic water bottles. ECO360 Trust is a campaign of the non-profit Institute for Sustainable Communication.
In Her Boots: Sustainable Farming for Women, by Women
The workshop series "In Her Shoes: Sustainable Farming for Women, by Women" will provide on-farm, women-led sharing of resources, experiences and inspiration to further connect, encourage and support female organic farmers, entrepreneurs and agricultural leaders. These all-day workshops will be in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and each will cost $20 and include lunch.
Agriculture and the Environment
While productivity is often the name of the game at large farms, local food, minimal environmental impact and healthy conditions for farm workers also are hot topics today. Yet, our agriculture — and our living — have a greater impact on the environment and the life it supports than these issues alone address.
Organic Herb Farm Wins Case Against Pesticide Drift
Jacobs Farm in Santa Cruz, Calif. was recently awarded $1 million in damages for lost income due to pesticide drift.
PASA Conference to Address Sustainable Farming and Our Food System
The Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture's upcoming annual conference on sustainable farming will focus on how to achieve sustainability in our food system, as well as the future of agriculture in general.
Congress to Cut Conservation Funding?
Congress is accused of bait-and-switch tactics when they propose millions in reductions to the conservation-related program assistance that helped pass the 2008 farm bill.
12 Rules of Raking
Save time and avoid blisters and burnout by following these common-sense guidelines this leaf season.
Sorghum Revival: Shared Memories of Sorghum Production on an Amish Farm
Arthur Bolduc shares his story of experiencing life near an Amish community in Ohio, where he enjoyed the exciting process of sorghum production firsthand.
Locavore: A Word to Live By
Guest blogger and longtime advocate of sustainable food Gwen Roland reflects on the new popularity of local eating, and highlights some of the innovative local food projects funded by Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) grants.
2009 Farmers Market Grants Are Available
Secure grant funds for your farmers market, community-supported agriculture program and more by applying to the USDA by April 27.
Taking the Energy Evangelical Tour on the Road
Cam speaks to a group of university students about "sustainable" development...
Sailors For the Sea Creates Environmental Lesson Plans For Young Sailors
Sailors for the Sea presents its new Rainy Day Kits teach young sailors to care about marine ecology and the environment with fun, interactive games.
Why Do You Value Your Heritage Breed Livestock?
We know why we love heritage breed livestock, but why do you?
Find Farming Internships and Apprenticeships
Looking for a farming internship or apprenticeship? Search the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Center's online directory of farming internships and apprenticeships to find one that interests you.
We're Not From Around Here
Where is the strange and wonderful place this homesteader describes? And how do you get there?
A Biofuel-Powered Hybrid Home on Wheels by Sunray Kelley
SunRay Kelley's Gypsy Wagon is an exciting, sustainable home on wheels built from a camper vehicle.
'Organic Mushroom Farming and Mycoremediation' by Tradd Cotter
In 'Organic Mushroom Farming and Mycoremediation,' author Tradd Cotter offers readers an in-depth exploration of best organic mushroom cultivation practices, shares the results of his groundbreaking research, and offers creative ways to apply cultivation skills—whether the goal is to help a community clean up industrial pollution or simply to settle down at the end of the day with a cold Reishi-infused homebrew ale.
A Personal Perspective on Oregon's Sustainable Farm Movement
John Clark Vincent excerpts from his book Planting A Future: Profiles from Oregon's New Farm Movement and shares information about new developments in sustainable farming practices coming out of the state of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. His interests range from seeds to slow food and include pretty much everything in between the two as they relate to Oregon's sustainable farm movement.
Earth Week Special From Worm's Way
Want to Save on Earth-Friendly Products? Check out Worm's Way's sale by clicking on the Earth Week banner at WormsWay.com and enjoy up to 20 percent off your purchases.
A Growing Trust
In this section you will find stories of real farmers across the country that made it work. You'll find their story, how they did it and who helped them. We hope these stories will inspire and educate new farmers, as well as land owners and community members to become involved in the new agrarian movement. A growing trust.
The Case for Using Sustainable Building Materials
Recently, I had an epiphany in a building supply center. Even though I've been in the building trades for over 35 years and made countless trips to purchase building supplies, this trip was different.
Shrimp and (Really Good) Grits with Greens Recipe
Recipe for Southern-style shrimp and grits, made with superb Floriani Red Flint grain corn.
Two Good Chairs: Preserving Resources, Amplifying Delight
The "One Good Chair" competition winners, announced at Winter Las Vegas Market, demonstrate that minimal materials can result in maximum comfort.
Hay Day
The accumulation and storage of hay is an essential summer task.
Organic Farming Conference Returns to Wisconsin
The Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) hosts its 23rd annual Organic Farming Conference, February 23-25, 2012, at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse, Wis.
The Animal Lover's Dilemma: A Quest for Sustainable Farming Techniques
Elizabeth Van Deventer has been on a quest to find the answer to sustainable farming and an ethical diet most of her life. Follow along as she discovers the impacts of producing tea, palm oil and fruit, and how she eventually settles on a lifestyle that is in tune with the earth and all of its creatures.
Quick Tip: Preparing Your Potted Garden for a Hard Freeze
Give your pots the protection they need when freezing temperatures arrive with a portable greenhouse. You can also bring in pepper plants for the winter and have fresh peppers indoors.
Easy Ways To Make a New Vegetable Garden
Starting a new vegetable garden bed doesn't have to be a long, tedious, back breaking job. There are a few different ways to get the job done quickly and relatively easily!
Six Ideas for Small-Space Gardening
Here are six of my favorite ideas for those of you with small spaces and still want to get your garden on.
Grow a Quick Crop of Lettuce Indoors
Before space beneath your grow light is needed for onions and other early seedlings, fill it with baby lettuce grown in translucent clamshell salad containers.
Organic Insect Control for Your Container Vegetable Garden
Dealing with insects in your garden is inevitable. It's just a matter of when it happens. Just because you have some critters munching on your food doesn't mean that you have to break out the chemicals.
No Space? No Excuse! Start to Grow Your Own Food
Having little space is not a reason to not be growing your own food. It's just an excuse. I've been apartment gardening since 2009.
Growing A Garden At High Elevation
Some of the difficulties we encounter in gardening at a high elevation
Tips for Small-Space Gardening
Learn three simple tips for making the most of small gardening spaces, including hanging plants and advice for selecting seed varieties.
Nature's Footprint Proudly Launches the UrBin Grower
The UrBin Grower is a unique gardening system that takes place in self-watering containers that can be used on decks, patios, side yards or porches.
Tips for Seed-Starting Success
You want to start your urban garden from seed this year, but you're not sure where to start because you've only started from transplants.
Gardening on a Budget: Seven Tips for Success
Don't let the cost of gardening keep you out of the dirt this year. Cheap gardening can be fun and easy. With these tips for gardening on a budget, you'll save on seeds, make your own fertilizer and impress your friends with your gardening know how.
Gardening in Winter: Everything You Need to Know About Indoor Agriculture
It's absolutely possible to be gardening in winter. You simply need to understand what to plant, when to plant it and how to maintain the best possible growing conditions in your home for indoor agriculture.
End of the Season
A philosophical look at the coming of winter, with ideas for preserving the summer after the end-of-the-season pepper harvest.
Landrace Gardening: Maintaining a Landrace
Joseph Lofthouse shares how to maintain thriving populations of landrace vegetables in the garden.
Plant Garlic in the Fall for a Larger, Healthier Crop
Do you know the best time to plant garlic? Try planting in fall instead of spring for healthy, large garlic bulbs.
Growing Hand-Made Wheat and Hand-Made Kids
Steve explains how he and his 11 year old son grew a crop of wheat entirely by hand, and why this is something you should try, too.
HOMEGROWN Life: Let's Talk About Poop
HOMEGROWN Life blogger and Bay Area homesteader Rachel discusses using manure in the garden, including which type of animal waste is best for which crops.
Choosing What to Grow in a Small Yard
With a small space, how do you choose what to grow? You can grow an amazing variety and amount of vegetables and herbs in a very small space, integrate veggies and herbs into your flowers, and maximize the use of pots.
Landrace Gardening: Beautiful Crops
A photo essay showing off the beauty of landrace crops.
Landrace Gardening: Fruit and Nut Trees From Seed
The principles of landrace gardening can be applied at any scale from small annual gardens to multi-generational community wide tree farms.
Landrace Gardening for the Casual Grower
Exploring my hopes and dreams for the landrace seed movement with suggestions about how farmers, merchants, and gardeners could cooperate to create a more robust, secure, and locally adapted food system.
Heat-Tolerant Tomato Varieties
Some tomato varieties wilt when temperatures get too hot. Find heat-tolerant tomato varieties that can grow robust tomato plants in hot climates.
Nominations Sought for 2015 Moses Organic Farmer of the Year Award
The Midwest Organic Sustainable Education Service is looking for an organic farmer worthy of being named their 26th annual Organic Farmer of the Year.
Container Planting On 10 Acres
You'd think that if you have some 10 acres you'd have a wonderful fields full of fresh vegetables and fruits. You'd think you'd have a simple way to create an awesome garden. And if you live where I live, you'd be wrong.
EZ Tomato Cages Provide Support Lacking in Other Brands
EZ Tomato Cages are collapsible and sturdy unlike many currently on the market.
Barebones Welcomes You to the Outdoors
Barebones strives to make the experience of outdoor recreation and hobbies a priority.
Alpaca Gold Introduces Line of New Organic Fertilizer
Introducing Alpaca-Gold, a new company producing 100% all natural, organic Alpaca fertilizer.
What to Do With Garlic Scapes
Learn what to do when you spot garlic scapes growing on hardneck garlic types, and discover how to use garlic scapes that you remove from plants.
The Dieter's Guide to Weight Loss While Gardening
Cam describes his weight loss program which involves lots and lots of gardening....
Strawberries Are a Bargain At Any Price!
Michelle knows how much work it is to grow strawberries.... and she's happy to be able to buy them at any price!
I'm Not Crying Over My Onions This Year!
Cam is enjoying a bumper crop of onions this year!
Friendly Farmhands from Philadelphia
Cam and Michelle enjoy having their first "HelpX" volunteers to help out in the gardens!
Photo of the Week: Strong Swiss Chard
See this shot of Swiss chard with strong colors that any gardener can appreciate.
Gardening in Small Spaces: My Topsy Turvy Tomato Planter
I've learned that gardening in small spaces can be challenging, but I've had great success with a Topsy Turvy tomato planter this year. Have you used similar products in your home? How do you handle gardening in small spaces?
A Perfect Ending to the Ultimate Garden Giveaway
Meet Kriste Misiak and her family, the recent winners of the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Ultimate Garden Giveaway.
The Power of Pinterest
Using Pinterest can help inspire new gardening ideas.
Mountain Gardening And The Challenges - Part 2
Thank goodness for good friends who will share their garden harvest with those of us less skilled.
A CSA Update
Cam is exhausted but exhilarated by the early success of his CSA.
My Love Affair With Garlic(2)
Cam shares his love affair with garlic and explains the work involved with growing and processing organically-grown garlic.
The Extreme Sport of Running a CSA
Cam ponders the wisdom of starting a CSA at the ripe old age of 52.
Summer Planting for Fall and Winter Harvest
It may be sweltering hot outside, but we're still busily sowing seeds at the Southern Exposure farms! Learn how to plant your bountiful fall and winter garden, with abundant harvests through Thanksgiving and beyond.
Tomato Tastings, Fall Garden Starts, and Getting Ready for Garlic
Come rejoice in the bounty of heirloom tomatoes - experience the flavors and choose your favorites at tomato tastings throughout the Southeast. Plus, it's time to plant fall alliums - garlic and perennial onions - and fall crops for winter storage!
Crossing the Gardening Rubicon
Every fall Cam is tired of gardening and vows to make his vegetable garden smaller. Every spring he is excited about getting back in the garden and ends up making it bigger!
Learning A Lot from the Happy Wanderers
Cam enjoyed another week with some volunteer helpers!
Introducing Durable, Collapsible EZ Tomato Cages
EZ Tomato Cages are the brainstorm of two friends, both fed up with purchasing tomato cages that were cheaply fabricated, weak and difficult to store.
The Dog Days of Drought
Cam is getting worn out trying to keep up with watering during a drought.
Garlic Time!
A brief thesis on the finer properties of garlic and planting instructions.
A Composter Anyone Will Ever Need
The Aerobin 400 uses a patented aeration core inside an enclosed bin to promote aerobic break down of organic matter. The Aerobin 400 is easy to use - just open, drop in materials, and close.
Learning How to Grow My Daily Bread
Cam grows a patch of wheat to see how much work is involved. He will never take a loaf of bread for granted again!
We Are Opening the Doors at the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR!
It's opening day at the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR! We're covering all kinds of cool gardening topics at the Organic Gardening Stage.
Thank God I'm a (Transplanted) Country Boy
Cam has a great deal of respect for farmers.
Week #11 of Sunflower Farm CSA
It's Week #11 of our CSA and we can't find boxes big enough to fit all of the great produce!!
'Food Is Free' Project Losing Their Teaching Farm
The Food is Free Project has inspired thousands of individuals, families and groups around the globe to start front yard free gardens to share with friends and neighbors. They are losing their teaching farm.
How to Supercharge Your Soil with Minerals
Your veggies contain the nutritional content that the soil can provide the plant. Saying a plant only needs NPK is like saying all humans need is carbs, fat and protein. It is much more complicated than that.
The Garden That Was Not
Why it is important to stay on top of a garden.
Composting for Anarchists
Composting doesn't have to be tough! Learn to make easy compost without the stress.
Landrace Gardening: 2014 Progress Report
The methods of landrace gardening can provide food, even when social or family troubles take us away from the garden.
Space-Saving Gardening: How to Grow More Food (Video)
Learn how to grow more food in your organic vegetable garden without enlarging your garden space by using the space-saving gardening techniques outlined in this short video.
What to Plant Now for Your Fall and Winter Garden
Ira shows how you can keep sowing and planting through late summer and into fall. Learn how to keep your garden producing abundantly through the cold months ahead.
Snow in Virginia, But It's Time to Get Planting All Over the Southeast
A tour of the gardens at Southern Exposure, where we're taking advantage of warm sunny days in February to get our gardens ready for intense planting ahead. But there's still plenty to sow, indoors and out.
Compost: Food Waste Prevention and Potential Fertilizer
I say compost, you think of rotting food, dirt, flies and a horrible smell. For that reason most people wont' even consider composting at home.
Prop 37: Heirloom Corns and Other Reasons to Support California's Right to Know
Join us in fighting the threat of GMOs: California's Right to Know (Prop 37) for GMO labeling leads the nation, and the Southern Exposure lawsuit against Monsanto continues to push through the courts. Plus, fall gardening can be easier than summer!
Attracting Beneficial Insects to Your Garden
Ira Wallace inspires us to create flowering, native plant habitat in our gardens. Learn how to identify plants that are 'user-friendly' to the bugs that help keep our gardens healthy.
Green Goods: Useful Products and Gifts
An index of previous posts that have referenced green products. These posts have covered building- and home-related products, as well as chocolates, books, and other types of goods. Many of the products mentioned in these posts would make good gifts.
Tree-Planting Season
It is a busy time for planting here. Not tomatoes, peppers, or squash, though. We got in our order of trees from the Missouri Conservation Dept. last week. In the past, we had planted mostly walnut, but we have a good enough supply of our own walnut seedlings that we are focusing on native trees that could use a boost to restore the forest to what it once was. So we are planting pecan on the bottom areas, shortleaf pine on ridge tops where the soil is poor, and burr oak on the better upland areas.
Why We Farm
It is a regular occurrence, a question we're asked: Why do we do all this work?
Living The Sustainable Life: Interns, Building With Trash, and So Much More
Who would think it's possible to discover the artist in me, incubate a business, plus milk goats, grow a garden...all in one unforgettable summer. I'm a rich woman by any standard.
Asking and Waiting: Seeking Answers to Disrupt the Disease Process of Global Warming
How feeding the hungry amounts to action on behalf of a planet on fire with a toxic yang imbalance.
Prepare for Pesticide Spray Season - Part I
What is Pesticide Drift? "Pesticide drift" is the movement of a pesticide through the air away from the intended target. You might actually see the drift in the form of a mist. You may smell it. But it can be invisible and odorless. The spray may be applied from the back of a tractor — referred to as a "rig." Or it may be applied from a spray plane or helicopter.
Biochar: Not All it's Ground Up to Be?
Incorporating charcoal into the soil helped Amazonian farmers grow better crops, and its new industrial version is promoted as a panacea for both agriculture and the global climate. Those claims are not realistic.
"Grow a Sustainable Diet" — the Book!
"Grow a Sustainable Diet" is an upcoming book (spring, 2014) that helps you plan what to eat and what to grow, feeding you and the Earth while maintaining a small ecological footprint.
Puyallup Speaker Spotlight: Joel Salatin, livestock expert
Joel Salatin of Polyface Farms will present a workshop on localized food systems and pastured livestock at the Mother Earth News Fair, an annual sustainability festival, June 4-5, 2011 in Puyallup, Wash.
Rethink Everything
Every now and then we need to re-evaluate our thoughts, just as we re-evaluate our things. Learn about making cloth Christmas gift bags and find out how walking barefoot in the grass is good for you.
Our Greatest Challenge: Breeding a Productive Chicken!
With just about every breed of standard bred, heritage poultry, we have work to do. They are not producing like they once were.
'The Farm Then and Now' by Douglas Stevenson
"The Farm Then and Now" by Douglas Stevenson tells the story of The Farm: an intentional community that has defied the odds, blending idealism with a practical approach to create a model for sustainable living.
Healing the Earth
Self-dubbed "lunatic farmer" Joel Salatin describes how sustainable living and more conscientious agricultural practices can mend and revive a planet pushed near the brink.
Uncork Sustainably When You Wine and Dine
While you may already look for eco-friendly organic wine when you select a bottle, you're probably not aware of the environmental implications of opting for a wine closed with natural cork in lieu of a less sustainable synthetic stopper.
Sustainable Farming with Reynaldo Ochoa: Rainforest Hero
Reynaldo Ochoa, the subject of a new short film, grows with a goal of teaching and practicing permaculture unique to an individual's region, emphasizing sustainable farming as opposed to "slash and burn" agriculture.
Releasing an Accidentally Trapped Skunk
Organic gardeners often need to remove mammal pests such as groundhogs and raccoons. Like many, I use live traps. How to deal with a skunk you accidentally catch, without getting sprayed?
Find Sustainably Harvested Wood
If you're getting ready to build a home or begin a woodworking project, consider building with sustainable wood products. With help from the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and the Forest Stewardship Council databases, you can locate sustainably harvested wood.
How I define Sustainable Beekeeping
My brief discription of sustainable beekeeping
Teeter-Totter for Sustainable Living
Daniel Sheridan found a way to turn children's energy into electrical power with a see-saw that generates electricity. The see-saw should generate enough electricity to light a classroom for a whole evening after only five to 10 minutes of use.
Seven Springs Speaker Spotlight: Doug Van Haitsma, Micro Farmer
Doug Van Haitsma of the Mon Valley Initiative will present a workshop on micro farms at the Mother Earth News Fair, an annual sustainability festival, September 24-25, 2011 in Seven Springs, Pa.
Meat Shopping Made Easy
It's hard to shop responsibly sometimes, especially for meat. There are so many different label claims that it's hard to remember which are meaningful and which are just fluff. Here's a handy reference card that will give more power to your purchases.
Eat Less Fish--From Better Sources
Worldwide fish consumption is at an all-time high, so take action by eating only sustainably harvested seafood from ethical sources.
What Does "Rainforest Alliance Certified" Mean?
The Rainforest Alliance Certified seal has been popping up on coffee, tea, cocoa and fruit products all over the world. So what exactly does this certification signify? We've investigated.
Saving Energy Canning Tomatoes
Learn how to use less energy canning tomato products.
Small Scale Forestry for the Homestead
Our work in the woods starts long before we get the chainsaw and axe out; by being in the woods, observing and contemplating. We're looking for healthy trees that we can help to thrive and that will be of benefit in the future.
New Holland Announces Contest to Win a 5-year Tractor Lease in the Boomer 555 Contest
Beginning July 1, 2011 and continuing for the next five months, legal residents of the U.S. and Canada can enter to win a five-year lease of a New Holland Boomer 30 compact tractor and loader with the industry-leading Boomer Guard5.
Beautiful, Rustic Dog Fence
This rustic, resourcefully sustainable dog fence fits right into the landscape. Before you install a fence, look around your place first to see what's already available.
My journey from monoculture farmer to homestead beekeeper
I briefly describe my journey from a kid on a large 2000 acre alfalfa farm in the west to a homestead beekeeper in the midwest, on our 35 acres that we call BeeLanding.
Making More Dirt: Compost Management
Managing compost now allows for more productive use the following season.
The Austerity Conundrum
While conservation is neccessary for providing for an ever-growing human population, it alone cannot solve our problems. In fact, it may distract us from the real issue at hand.
Pushing limits
With an understanding of your limitations, you can operate more safely and efficiently. Training in timber cutting techniques can greatly expand your capabilities
Saturday .... In the Woods
Even after 15 years, Cam still loves heating his home with wood that he cuts himself.
Living Offgrid Affordably 14: Enough Rest, Onward Ho
Our humble abode begins to take shape.
Living Off Grid - A Look at Sustainability
A quick look at different ways to be sustainable whether you are off grid or not.
Puyallup Speaker Spotlight: Darrell Frey, Permaculture and Bioshelter Design Specialist
Darrel Frey, permaculture specialist, will present workshops on permaculture and bioshelter design at the Mother Earth News Fair, an annual sustainability festival, June 4-5, 2011 in Puyallup, Wash.
Puyallup Speaker Spotlights: Kirk Haffner, Solar Power Expert and Jeff Swotek of the USDA
Kirk Haffner, solar power expert, and Jeff Swotek of the USDA will present workshops on solar power and USDA programs at the Mother Earth News Fair, an annual sustainability festival, June 4-5, 2011 in Puyallup, Wash.
Puyallup Speaker Spotlight: Rene' Skaggs
Rene' Skaggs of the Pierce Conservation District will present a workshop on increasing pasture productivity at the Mother Earth News Fair, an annual sustainability festival, June 4-5, 2011 in Puyallup, Wash.
Forest Succession Success
Regeneration of trees on a harvested area give hope for generations to come.
Improve Soil with Cover Crops
Managing Cover Crops Profitably, 3rd Edition, is now available in print and by download from the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program. Learn how to make your soil perform at its very best!
Summer Weeding
Weeding in the summer is all about species maintenance
Food Policy Councils Advocate for Community Food Security
Cities, counties and states across the country have created food policy councils in response to their concerns about future food security in their communities. The councils work to coordinate local food efforts, such as farmers markets, to develop a sustainable food system.
Let's Pay Farmers to be Good Stewards
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking comments on how to implement the new Conservation Stewardship Program. Here's the lowdown, plus instructions on how to submit your opinion — it's easy!
Puyallup Speaker Spotlight: Christy Hemenway, Honeybee Expert
Christy Hemenway of Gold Star Honeybees will present a workshop on beekeeping at the Mother Earth News Fair, an annual sustainability festival, June 4-5, 2011 in Puyallup, Wash.
This Little Pig Went to Market: Puyallup Speaker Feature, Cheryl 'the Pig Lady' Ouellette
Cheryl "the Pig Lady" Ouellette will present workshops on meat processing, growing meat for market, free-range pork, and growing what you love at the Mother Earth News Fair, an annual sustainability festival, June 4-5, 2011 in Puyallup, Wash.
Get Your Local Food From a CSA
Pass the cold, wintry months with warm thoughts of how you can eat more local food while supporting sustainable agriculture this coming season.
Growing Calories
Grow to fill yourself up from your garden. Potatoes will give you the most calories in the least space and are an important part of a sustainable diet.
Who Will Benefit from the National Animal ID System?
The National Animal Identification Plan will be easily implemented by large factory farms, but it means trouble for smaller operations. Will the system really keep us safe from disease, or will industrial ag and tracking system manufacturers be the only beneficiaries?
Puyallup Speaker Spotlight: Daniel Kosel, Rancher
Daniel Kosel of Red Poll Cattle will present a workshop on Red Poll Cattle Ranching at the Mother Earth News Fair, an annual sustainability festival, June 4-5, 2011 in Puyallup, Wash.
Homegrown Wedding
A wedding using homegrown and local food and no disposable items. Decorations were things already on hand. The ceremony took place in a field and the reception was in a barn...and there was love-lots of it!
The Most Sustainably Managed Woodlot in North America
Cam describes why his method of harvesting firewood from his woodlot is the most sustainable way.
Puyallup Speaker Spotlight: Steven Moize, Seventh Generation Farmer
Steven Moize of the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy will present a workshop on rotational grazing at the Mother Earth News Fair, an annual sustainability festival, June 4-5, 2011 in Puyallup, Wash.
Living Offgrid Affordably 9: Finally, Something Goes Up
We finally see walls and a loft floor.
'Farming the Woods' by Ken Mudge and Steve Gabriel
In Farming the Woods, authors Ken Mudge and Steve Gabriel teach readers how to fill forests with food by viewing agriculture from a remarkably different perspective: that a healthy forest can be maintained while growing a wide range of food, medicinal, and other non timber products. Forest farming is an invaluable practice to integrate into any farm or homestead, especially as the need for unique value-added products and supplemental income becomes increasingly important for farmers.
Maine Leads the Way with Unique Farms
Mary Quinn Doyle shares a background about how she became involved in a volunteer project traveling around Maine for over two years visiting over 180 unique farms to take photos and write stories about them for an educational book and website.
Maine's First Net-Zero Energy School Under Construction
The new home for Friends School of Portland will be only the third school in the United States to achieve Passive House certification.
Corn and Coreopsis: Sustainable Solutions
A new approach to conventional agriculture would unite not only row crops and prairie plants, but farmers and environmentalists.
The Unsustainability of Local
A few months back I heard a comment on an NPR radio program that really caught my attention. The program was about the local food movement and at one point the guest on the show said, "Now remember - just because it's local doesn't necessarily mean it has a smaller carbon footprint. That Argentinian apple that was shipped on a barge with thousands of tons of other apples may actually have required less fuel per apple than the apple than came from a few hundred miles away in the back on a farmer's pickup."
Spring Pruning
Pruning perennials is essential for plant health and vigorous production.
Changing the Context of Transportation
Cuba's bike transformation was the result of a change in context induced by external forces. It was a disruptive event that forced them to adapt. Here in America, a land of such excess, no such sudden disruption looms (nor could it be predicted, I believe). Our transportation context is centered on the car. Our culture and economy are "driven" by the car. So, how do we create a culture of transportation that is dominated by bicycles?
Farmers in Training: A City Dweller Gets Lessons in Harvesting, Milking and the Meaning of Life
The place I call home these days is The FarmSchool, a fertile 180-acre strip of ridge top in Athol, where 15 student-farmers are spending a year learning the ins and outs of growing food, managing forests, and raising animals for meat. I arrived at the farm in October, just as the leaves were reaching their peak brilliance. The Farm School — which offers three-day programs for schoolchildren, a summer camp, a full-time middle school, and the apprenticeship program I'm in — takes us through all seasons of farming, weaving together class work and on-farm training.
New School Teaches Heirloom Poultry Production, Marketing, Breeding and More
The Sustainable Poultry Network and Western Piedmont Community College have combined forces to create the American School of Sustainable Poultry Husbandry, an intensive poultry workshop for anyone interested in poultry production, marketing, breeding, hatching, cooking, etc.
Community Container Gardening
Building community through sharing work and food.
Landrace Gardening: Racing the Weeds
By applying the principles of landrace gardening, you can help your plants win the race against weeds.
Landrace Gardening: True Potato Seeds
By growing potatoes from pollinated seeds we can develop locally adapted plants that thrive in our gardens.
Landrace Gardening: Saving Landrace Seeds
Seed saving is an integral part of landrace gardening.
Landrace Gardening: Fertilizing Landraces
Landrace gardening allows us to minimize fertilization by selecting for plants that thrive in the pre-existing soil.
Landrace Gardening: Growing Popcorn
Joseph Lofthouse shares tips for growing landrace popcorn.
Tomato Tasting Time: Planning a Fun Garden Party
A perfectly ripe heirloom tomato is one of the great joys of summer, here are some tips for organizing your own heirloom tomato party.
Imprelis: Another Deadly Herbicide, This Time From DuPont
We've been warning you about aminopyralid-containing killer compost for quite some time. Now there's a new deadly herbicide on the market, Imprelis, and it's wreaking havoc in at least seven states.
Get a Head Start With Chitting Potatoes
To make the best use of potato-growing season, use the technique of greensprouting.
Grow Extra-Early Spinach with This Easy Tip
Get an early spinach crop with this easy gardening tip.
Free, Easy and All-Natural Mulch
It's easy to overlook how useful grass clippings can be, but early fall is a great time to collect this valuable 'yard waste' to use in your garden as mulch.
Landrace Gardening: Sunroots
Sunroots are a typically-cloned crop with great potential as a locally-adapted survival-of-the-fittest landrace
Landrace Gardening: Replanting Hybrids
How to use hybrids in a landrace garden.
Landrace Gardening: Foreign Imports
A photo essay documenting imported landraces that I started incorporating into my existing landraces during the current growing season.
Time to Plant Cover Crops
Cover crops protect your soil over the winter and are beneficial for soil building. Learn more about your cover crop options and the time to plant them.
Four 'Holy Moly I'm Freezing' Keys to Gardening Success
It's freezing out - but that doesn't mean it's time to quit gardening. Learn how fall and winter are the key to next year's gardening success.
Landrace Gardening: Seed Swaps
Grow enough seed for yourself and a little extra for seed swaps and you may never have to pay for seeds again.
Survival Seed Banks, Part 1: What Seeds Are Available?
A market farmer's perspective on survival seed banks, evaluating current offerings.
Attend a Regional Food Workshop on Winter Gardening in Kutztown, Pa.
The Keystone Center, in partnership with the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center, is hosting a regional food workshop called "The Traditional Winter Garden: Fresh Food From December to March."
Landrace Gardening: Hybrid Squash
A photo essay showing off the beauty of landrace squash.
Free Gardening Guide App From MOTHER EARTH NEWS
The new free Food Gardening Guide iPhone/iPad app from MOTHER EARTH NEWS provides detailed information on growing all major garden crops. Tap on a crop, and find out how to plant, when to plant, how to prevent pests and diseases, types and varieties to try, and more. In addition to crop-specific advice, the app also provides thorough details on general gardening categories, including watering, improving soil, crop rotation, garden fencing, cover crops, vertical gardening and much more.
Find Your Average Last Frost Date
Knowing your average last frost date is key to getting your garden off to a good start.
Egyptian Walking Onions
Egyptian walking onions are one of my favorite crops because they produce food for my family from early spring until late fall.
'Integrated Forest Gardening' by Wayne Weiseman, Daniel Halsey and Bryce Ruddock
"Integrated Forest Gardening" is the first, and most comprehensive, guide about plant guilds ever written, and it covers in detail both what guilds are and how to design and construct them, complete with extensive color photography and design illustrations.
Gardening: A New Year's Resolution
Gardening is as easy as you want it to be!
A Greenhouse: Part Two
The greenhouse takes shape with the help of family.
Survival Seed Banks, Part 3: Seed Storage Common Problems
A landrace market farmer's perspective on survival seed banks. Part 3: Storing the seeds. With careful forethought, it is possible to store seeds in a manner that will allow them to avoid or survive common seed destroying events.
How We Transplant Vegetable Plugs
This post will take a look at how we transplant vegetable seedlings in our certified organic greenhouses, especially tomatoes, peppers and eggplants.
All About Zucchini
Zucchini is a summer crop that keeps on giving all season long. They are easy to grow.
Top 10 Tomato-Growing Myths
There are many tomato tales out there. If you want to know which farmer stories are true, read on to get tips on growing great tomatoes.
How to Graft Tomatoes
Learning how to graft tomatoes yourself not only saves money but gives you unlimited options for what varieties you choose to graft. With a little practice, you can become skilled at this worthwhile technique.
Landrace Gardening: Promiscuously Pollinated Tomatoes
Creating a landrace of promiscuously pollinated tomatoes. Details about my major plant breeding project for the next few seasons and a plea for help.
Plan Next Season's Garden Now
Winter down-time from the garden is the best time for planning what vegetables you want to grow in the upcoming season. Having the seeds ready and knowing when to plant them can minimize the chaos in spring and maximize harvests in fall. It's all about getting ready now.
Landrace Gardening: Dealing With Cytoplasmic Male Sterility
A pragmatic approach to eliminating male sterility from a home garden. Includes a diagram and photos about what to look for.
Genetic Engineering and Cell Fusion CMS
Cell Fusion genetic engineering is emerging as a hot topic in the Certified Organic seed and food industry. We can expect the resolution of this issue to impact both small-scale and large-scale growers.
Permaculture Gardening, Part 4
Building a layered bed to develop organic material in the soil, hold moisture and decrease the amount of work.
Permaculture Gardening Part 3
Our first project: building a small keyhole mound.
Hello From Raintree Nursery
Sam Benowitz and Tara Bittler are joining the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Blog Squad, and they break down the types of gardening and fruit-growing information they will share with you each week.
How to Store Seeds
Good storage conditions for your garden seeds are essential. These tips will help you learn how to store seeds.
Straw-Bale Gardening in the New York Times
Here is a great article on straw bale gardening.
Kale or Collards
Which grows better in Pacific Northwest gardens - kale or collards?
Morgan the Wonder Dog Can Read My Mind
The right dog can be a very useful member of the family when you are growing corn!
The Gardener As Magus, from 'Beautiful and Abundant'
I was 9 when Mr. Posey "hired" me. Once I was certain he wouldn't chase me off, I started spending nearly every spare moment there. It was my first job, and I loved it.
Who's That Standing in My Garden?
Cam finds an new old-fashioned way to keep the wildlife out of his garden.
The Results of My Great Wheat Growing Experiment
Cam shares the results of his experiment growing wheat in his vegetable garden.
Mike & Melissa's Side of the Story
Our HelpXers Mike and Melissa share their experiences as volunteers here at Sunflower Farm.
GMO Labeling, Fall Greens, Winter Storage Vegetables, Yacon and Fresh Kimchi
Killing frosts are arriving, but Ira's staying self-sustaining all winter, with winter-hardy greens and plenty in storage, from sweet potatoes to pickled peppers. Get inspired with ideas for kimchi and a fresh twist on winter salads, with yacon.
Got Leaves? Put 'Em to Work
Use autumn's bounty of fallen leaves to expand your garden, protect your plants and improve your soil.
My Love Affair With Garlic
Garlic is a very labour-intensive crop to grow but the rewards are worth it!
Appreciating Our Four Seasons
Cam appreciates all four of our seasons!
Bountiful, First-Season, No-Till Vine Patch
Planting a vine patch for the first time is easy without the need to till up a lot of soil; instead, cut out sod circles and mulch the surrounding area.
Seed Starting Tips
Consult these seed starting tips for easy advice on seed planting, using the best materials, watering, grow lights and more.
Plant Edible Ground Cover
You can sneak a few attractive, low maintenance food plants onto your lawn, and your neighbors will never even notice.
EcoTulips Only U.S. Certified Organic Flower Bulb Company
This certification confirms that the company's import, warehousing, and sales processes meet the standards of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program.
Keeping Moles and Birds Away From Your Produce
Use old CDs and soda cans to keep pests out of your garden.
The Summer of My Wheat Obsession
The second post (of three) describing an organic gardener's attempt to grow his own wheat.
Cheap, Solar-Powered Haircuts and Eating My Own Masterpieces
Cam has found another way to save money - his wife cuts his hair now! He also describes how even though he isn't artistic he creates and enjoys the masterpieces from his garden.
Presenting My Gardening Workshop to the Queen
Cam is hoping that the Queen attends his gardening workshop this weekend at the Royal Botanical Gardens....
My Favorite Family Heirloom - A Shovel!
Cam describes some family heirlooms - especially his favorite one - a shovel!
Working Outside of My Comfort Zone
Cam describes a recent adventure involving round bales, train tracks and a stressful drive home.
Zen and the Art of Backhoe Operation
Cam was generously offered the loan of a small backhoe and had a whale of a time getting jobs done!
Warding Off Vampires at Sunflower (Garlic) Farm
It's an aromatic time of year at Sunflower Farm - time to clean the garlic!
The Most Important Four Inches In Your Garden
Cam describes "double digging" as a way of creating a new garden without losing precious topsoil.
Thinking About Starting a Garden? Jump Right In!
Catch the gardening bug, and start to grow your own food! Once you start, you'll love it. Here are some basic pieces of advice for the budding gardener.
CobraHead Tools — Enabling Older Gardeners
A problem for older gardeners is finding tools that make gardening easier as getting up and down becomes harder.
Market Farmers Share How They Deal With the Heat
If you're a market gardener battling the heat, you'll want to check out these great tips for keeping yourself and your crops cool.
Easy Tips for Starting Your Seeds Indoors
One way to get a jumpstart on the growing season is to start growing your seeds indoors. For most of you it's still cold outside. That doesn't mean that you can't get a headstart on getting your garden started for the new year.
Zombieland Comes to Sunflower Farm
The drought conditions at Sunflower Farm are making Cam rather cranky.
Forest Gardening: Planting Small Shrubs and Soft Fruit
Maddy Harland introduces the shrub layer of a forest garden and gives six useful tips for establishing a low maintenance and healthy garden.
Backyard Wild Morels
Finding wild morel mushrooms growing in our urban backyard means plenty of marvelous meals.
The Great Sunflower Farm Food Experiment
Cam undertakes an experiment to see how much food he can produce on his one acre of garden space.
Introducing Forest Gardening - Beautiful, Productive, Edible Gardens
Maddy Harland introduces forest gardening – beautiful, low maintenance and productive gardens that provide for many of our needs – food, fuel, medicines and fibers.
How I Ended Our Drought
Ranting about the drought worked! We got rain here at Sunflower Farm!
Welcome Spring to Your Homestead
Yes, spring is finally here. Time to start farming.
Plant Garlic this Fall
Plan to plant garlic this fall, and enjoy unique varieties and their incredible health benefits.
Sorting, Classifying and the Heartbreak of Wasting Food
Cam has been busy harvesting and sorting potatoes.
Harvesting Sweet Potatoes
After a summer of growing sweet potatoes, fall is the long-awaited time to enjoy the fruits of your labors. Properly harvesting sweet potatoes, followed by sound curing and storage methods, will ensure you can enjoy your crop through the winter months.
Everyday Families Growing Their Own Vegetables
Everyday families can now provide much of their fresh vegetables using Aquaponics. Aquaponics is the production of edible fish and vegetables growing in a drought proof, no weed, back saving growing system.
Homegirl Homesteading
The how's and why's we homestead
World's Best Gardening Clogs
Try BOGS gardening clogs, a super-comfortable pair of gardening shoes that will stand up to tough wear.
What Gardening Book Would You Recommend for Beginners?
Gardeners suggest gardening books for beginners.
Still Playing With Water After All These Years
Cam has always enjoyed playing with water. Now he lets his solar-powered pump do some of the work!
Running on Fumes
Do you feel like the month of June left you gasping for air? You are not alone. I am hoping July will be slower paced and full of summertime fun!
Succession Planting
Keep your garden full all season by planting the next crop as soon as the previous crop is harvested. Tips for deciding what to plant next.
Growing Gluten-Free Grains in the Garden
Registered dietitian, Linda Simon, shares her experiences growing gluten free grains in her garden.
What is Mycorrhizal Fungi?
I asked Heather, the Marketing and Customer Service Specialist over at Thrive, a few questions and here's what she said about mycorrhizal fungi.
Year-Round Mulching
Mulch, like compost, plays an important role in organic gardening. To maximize the flavor and nutrition of your produce, learn how to use and balance the characteristics of various organic materials when mulching.
Hazelnuts (Filberts) In My Garden
Growing and harvesting hazelnuts (filberts) in your garden.
A Passion For Blueberries
It's always wonderful to meet someone who is passionate about what they do!
Look Ma! I'm a Market Gardener!
Cam loves growing and selling food!
Can't You Just Spray?
Cam battles with scarabs in his raspberry patch.
Seeds: How Many Do You Need?
Know how many seeds you need for your area considering germination rate and extras.
Late October, and the Garden Is Still Going Strong
The Ogden Community Garden winds down, and one gardener marvels at the late October harvest, and on how much the garden has meant to everyone who has helped tend it.
Winter Gardens
Easy, practical, delicious – growing an organic food garden is a skill anyone can learn: that's my main message! It doesn't have to involve a lot of work and certainly doesn't require a big investment in special products or equipment.
A Plant Whose Virtues Remain Undiscovered
The ACTUAL benefits of weeds in your garden. Use and value diversity! Find the benefit!
This Is About Smut
Cam shares what he has learned about corn smut in his organic garden.
What the Best-Dressed Beds Are Wearing This Winter
Garden soil left exposed in winter is easily damaged by compaction, erosion and leaching. Use mulches or cover crops to safeguard and build your soil during the winter months.
Good Reasons to Garden
While there are plenty of great reasons to grow a food garden, we recently polled readers to find out their primary motivation for gardening. Read their interesting results, plus tell us more about your gardening philosophy.
I Love My 4X4 But...
Cam finds getting around in the country, especially in the winter, so much easier with his 4X4 truck.
Dealing With Drought
It's been a rough summer for gardeners and farmers alike. Here's how we've been dealing with drought and a few tips on watering.
Sun Powers More Than Rice Fields
Lundberg Family Farms announces the opening of a new warehouse that is powered by 100% solar energy. Lundberg Family Farms produces wholesome, healthful rice products while protecting and improving the environment for future generations.
All That Stuff That Comes from the Ground
Cam appreciates the simple things like rotten hay and beautiful vegetables from his garden.
It's Not Too Late to Plant a Fall Garden
Follow these simple tips on fall gardening.
Late-Season Garden Vegetables
Keep those vegetable plants growing for a second harvest late in the year. Organically-grown, heirloom varieties will survive with a little help.
A Quick Primer for Processing Figs, Sea Berries, Shipova and Cornus Mas
The ripening time of a particular fruit varies from one location to another and from year to year, though the order in which varieties ripen stays roughly the same.
Weed-Free, Self-Fertilizing, Till-Free Garden Beds
Want a worry-free, weed-free, organic-matter-rich vegetable garden bed? It is doable and fall is the best time to put it in action!
Best Grow Lights for Starting Seeds Indoors
Learn which fluorescent bulbs are the best grow lights for starting seeds indoors.
Pre- and Post-Frost Garden Tasks
The first frost of fall is a significant change in the garden. It is a sign of summer vegetables finishing and cold crops coming into prominence.
Starting Your Own Black Cohosh, Ginseng, Goldenseal and Other Woodland Medicinal Herbs
Use the cold winter months to start your own shade garden with native woodland plants.
Securing Covers on Low Tunnels
Low tunnels are easy structures to build to protect your winter veggies. Keeping the covers on in windy conditions can be a challenge. Learn simple steps you can take to make your low tunnel covers stable, no matter what the weather brings.
A Fun New Way to Decide Which Tomatoes to Grow
Tap the Tomato Chooser app for info on 333 tomato varieties, plus help deciding which tomatoes to grow in your garden based on the traits you want.
Homesteading Month Brings Cold Weather Gardening to Washington's Rural Living Today
Rural Living Today founder and advocate, Marie James, told us about a Homesteading Education Month event she and her family hosted in Northeast Washington to teach gardeners how to grow vegetables in cold weather.
Seed Swaps, Seed Saving and Abundant Winter Veggies
Host a community seed swap in honor of "National Seed Swap Day," plan to save your own seeds from the garden this year, and get inspired to cook creatively with winter vegetables.
Food Gardening Guide App: Updated and Expanded!
This free app puts the growing info you need right at your fingertips: cultivation guides for each major crop, plus how-to for invaluable gardening skills.
April Garden Planner
What to plant in April for your vegetable garden, and what sized pot you need for your vegetable plant.
Protecting Our Right to Save Seed, Fighting GMOs, and Growing Onions
Ira Wallace covers developments in the lawsuit to protect your right to save seeds and how to take action against GMO contamination of the food supply. Also, choose the right onions for your garden and learn what to sow in January.
Growing Tomatoes Without Chemicals
When you ask people if they want chemicals in their garden or on their food, most will say no. They want to limit their exposure to the chemicals and pollutants.
10 Tips for a Tiny Balcony
Think your balcony's too tiny to provide food and fun? Check out Apartment Therapy's great tips for making the most of your outdoor space.
Beautiful Gardens, Heirloom Tomato Sauce, and Greasy Beans
How far along are your tomatoes? Ira Wallace gets inspired by gorgeous gardens in Asheville, North Carolina, and shares a quick, easy recipe for tomato sauce.
Heirloom Vegetables: Saving Seed
Heirloom vegetables are multi-use crops that have been passed down from gardeners for decades, sometimes centuries. Respected author and gardener, William Woys Weaver, discusses his reasons for using heirloom plants and saving seed.
On Permaculture
This is an excerpt from Christopher Nyerges' "Self-Sufficient Home" book (published by Stackpole) where he talks about some of his early gardening experiences and when he learned that the health of the soil is the most important aspect of gardening.
The Thrill of Gardening
The experience of growing one's first garden is a thrill one will never forget.
Be Self Sufficient with Sweet Potatoes; Harden off Your Tomatoes
At the gardens of Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, we're preparing to plant sweet potato slips, hardening off transplants, and enjoying an abundance of spring cabbage. Learn tips and tricks for getting your transplants ready for the great outdoors.
Organic: What Does It Mean to You?
When you say "organic" most people think of elitists that are buying over priced food because they think that they are better than others. What does the "organic" really mean though?
Planting Healthy Hibiscus, Delicious Yacon and Nutritious Sunchokes
Sweet, healthy, root vegetables that love growing through the heat of summer? Learn about adding Jerusalem artichokes, yacon, and sweet potatoes to your gardens. Plus, more on the incredible health benefits of roselle (hibiscus).
Start Early Seedlings, Get Bare Root Fruit Trees Now, Plant a Row for the Hungry
It's mid-February, time to start thinking about spring! Ira Wallace helps us make our garden plan, remember our perennials, and Plant a Row for the Hungry this year.
From Gardener to Farmdener
I'd like to introduce the words farmden and farmdener into the English language. I wonder if there are any other farmdeners out there. And just what is a farmden? It's more than a garden, less than a farm. That's my definition, but it also could be described as a site with more plants and/or land than one person can care for sanely. A gardener and garden gone wild, out of control.
Heritage Grinding Corns for Sustenance, Resilience and Self-Reliance
Ira Wallace talks about heirloom grinding corns that provide resilience and sustenance to gardener interested in self reliance. Includes a recipe for Southern style cornbread muffins.
Terra Madre Day—Slow Foods Celebrates Good Things from the Earth
Southern Exposure celebrates Slow Food's Terra Madre Day with a fresh winter greens salad, featuring yacon, a South American root vegetable that tastes like fresh pear! Plus garden planning to have your own farm fresh food through the winter.
When to Plant Corn, Beans and Squash — Natural Signs for Planting
Ira helps you get started using nature's signs to plan your garden. Don't just rely on planting dates — easy observations of what's blooming, buzzing, and singing in your garden will help you see changing patterns from year to year.
Growing Potatoes in Containers
Growing potatoes in containers allows you to increase your yield in a small amount of space.
Okra Hedges, Sweet Corn all Summer, and Succesions for Warm-Season Crops
Hints for harvests all summer long - don't just sow once! Ira helps you plan summer successions for your garden. Plus, discover culinary secrets of okra you never suspected - okra coffee and okra oil - and a recipe for a simple okra lunch.
Last Chance to Sow Cool-Weather Vegetables
Consider planting these three categories of vegetable crops during late summer and fall: Warm weather crops that will die with frost. Cool weather crops that grow well in spring and fall, but don't thrive in your summer. Cold-hardy crops to grow over the winter and get off to a fast start in early spring.
Local Economics
D Acres offers alternative economics. We are the 99&: join us.
Earth Building in Thailand
I had heard there are thousands of new earthen houses in Thailand. That really amazed me, so I set out to learn the details about the modern earth building movement in Thailand.
Low-fired Brick
Low-fired brick is a very sustainable building material with low embodied energy. They are made with locally procured clay and fired with rice hulls, a by-product of growing rice. Brickyards are located near urban areas to minimize transport costs.
Throwback Thursday: DIY Holiday Decor That Graced President Obama's Guest House
Two years ago, the Natural Home & Garden staff had the honor of decorating President Obama's guest house with sustainable and handmade holiday decor. Try some of these "president-approved" projects yourself!
Sustainable Neighborhoods and Communities: Initiatives, Certifications, and Developments
An overview of groups, initiatives, planning certifications, and neighborhood developments that promote sustainable communities, including Transition initiatives, ecovillages, One Planet Communities, LEED for Neighborhood Development, and others.
Eat These Birds to Keep Them Alive!: Developing Sustainable Poultry Flocks
So, what makes a flock of poultry sustainable? What is standard-bred poultry? If you purchase chicks from a hatchery, are they true to the breed? Why does every hatchery sell Rhode Island Reds and they all look different? Why do the Cornish Cross meat chickens have so many problems? Raising standard poultry is the only true way to improve the sustainability of quality local food while preserving the strength of Heritage poultry.
Why We Celebrate Earth Day
Don't miss these featured documentaries showing on PBS's Earth Day programming.
Towards Perpetual Motion Machines - Part 2 of 3
A three-part series on sustainable comfort systems for heating and cooling homes using passive solar design, solar electric power, system controllers and newly popular heat pump technology.
Towards Perpetual Motion Machines-Part 3
A 3-part series on sustainable comfort systems for heating and cooling homes using passive solar design, solar electric power, system controllers and newly popular heat pump technology.
Hands-On Guy Makes Pellets Burn Efficiently in Airtight Woodstove
Steve explains how one practical guy invented a way to burn pellets efficiently without an expensive pellet stove
Healthy Farms: The Answer to a National Superweed Crisis
Monsanto's Roundup Ready system transformed typical weed problems into a national superweed crisis, only healthy farms can correct the damage done.
Vandana Shiva to Visit Kansas City
Leading food sovereignty activist Vandana Shiva will present "Cultivating Diversity, Freedom and Hope" in Kansas City. Many other farming and gardening workshops and events are planned for April 17-18, 2014.
Sustainable Food Lessons From Kenya
In Kenya, even for middle class families, much of what ends up on the dinner table is grown or raised at home. With food prices rising, more and more Americans are looking towards ways of growing some of what ends up on their table at home. Both in terms of personal health, and the environment, this is a very good trend—it's a food source as local as you can get.
Take a Bite of Farm Aid!
The Farm Aid concert is a chance for us to shine a spotlight on these people who work every day to put good food on our tables.
What's More Important - Organic Food or Local Food?
Both organic and local food are important if we want to eat nutritious and delicious food. Furthermore, our current food system is in jeapordy because petroleum and water supplies are dwindling and climate change is resulting in more extreme weather.
A Few Reasons to Love Plum Organics
One of our "14 Sustainable Food Companies You Can Trust," Plum Organics is good for your baby's health and the health of the planet.
Earth Ovens, Heirloom Tomato Tasting, and Milking Practice - Oh My!
Aside from the great stage presentations, the exhibitor booths have a lot to offer FAIR attendees.
My Exotic Daily Life
While many of those visiting our Hostel are farmers and homesteaders themselves, some come from that "city culture" and seem to take their first hesitant steps outside of a flatly paved driveway when they arrive at our place. Wide eyes, a sense of adventure.
Books: Gardening, Permaculture, Ferment, and Chickens
Book reviews by permaculture educator Cindy Conner. Learn about Sustainable Market Farming, The Art of Fermentation, The Permaculture Handbook, and The Small-Scale Poultry Flock.
Interacting With Animal Husbands at the 2011 Mother Earth News Fair
Animal Husbandry tent experiences from Day 1 of 2011 Mother Earth News Fair.
Eat Local When Eating Out!
Restaurants are at the vanguard of thoughtful sourcing, choosing local, sustainable farms and cooking seasonally.
Yogurt-Making & Bread-Baking
Homestead skills of yogurt-making and bread-baking increase your independence from grocery store aisles and international food conglomerates.
Drill baby, drill...for efficiency
Now's the time to redouble our efforts to tap into energy efficiency. The potential is huge and the benefits are even greater.
Monsanto's False Advertising
Monsanto, the world's largest producer of genetically modified seeds and the toxic herbicides used to drench them, is calling itself a supporter of sustainability. You're kidding, right?
Photo Essay: A Sustainable Treehouse Community in Costa Rica
Take a photographic tour of Finca Bella Vista, a sustainable treehouse community in Costa Rica.
Living on a Self-Sustaining Farm in Mid-20th Century Virginia
This blog post tells what life was like on the self-sustaining farm of Olen and Anna Mae Showman located in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia during the middle of the 20th century.
Dear Mr. President-elect
Sustainable farming expert Michael Pollan has some words of wisdom for the next president of the United States.
Spring Harvest
Harvesting abundance in the early spring.
Planning For Eating
Begin your garden planning with what,and particularly how much, you want to eat. Take a look at what you are eating now and go from there.
Garden Washing Station
Set up a washing station in your garden. Rinse your veggies there, saving the water for the garden and keeping your kitchen clean.
Winter Carrots
Eat carrots from your garden all winter! A little planning goes a long way toward more food with less work. Learn how to start with a winter cover crop of rye, with carrots following next in the rotation, maturing by the time the first frost.
Seventh Generation Debuts Recycled Cardboard Bottles
Laundry detergent manufacturer reduces plastic by 66 percent in new easier-to-recycle bottles made from recycled cardboard and newspaper.
30 Steps to Energy Efficiency - Step 4: Turn Down Your Thermostat
There are two situations which do not require you to be heating your home: when it is warm and when you are not at home. Since it is still a bit chilly outside, you may want to consider setting up a routine of turning down the set temperature on your thermostat when you head out in the morning and when you go to bed.
Turning off the Power
Monitoring energy use has led to increased motivation for conservation
A Father's Legacy of Natural Living
One of my earliest vivid childhood memories is sitting on my father's lap as a young girl reading the magazine together in the 1980s and all throughout my childhood. He would read aloud while I studied the pictures of passive solar building, vegetable gardening, sheep shearing, building your own sugar shack and the beautiful array of topics which he read to me frequently. Those images, along with the camping trips in the mountains, the whitewater and canoeing excursions, and our family trip to Alaska, have been etched in the catacombs of my childhood memories and have sculpted the person I have grown to become.
Chicken Tractors
Use of a mobile chicken tractors allows us to keep the birds on fresh ground and stay on top of the weeds.
Living Offgrid Affordably: Before Breaking Ground
Let's stop for a minute and think about what we are doing!
Solar Food Drying 2012
Solar drying experiences in 2012, including tomato varieties Principe Borghese and Long Tom.
Pigs in Paradise: Tasting the Good Life at a Biodynamic Farm in Costa Rica
Finca Luna Nueva in Costa Rica's verdant San Carlos agricultural region is a dynamic, living example of permaculture and biodynamic farming, where every being is part of a system that nurtures the body and the soul.
HR 875: No Need For Alarm … Yet
Relax: HR 875 isn't a bill to outlaw organic farming, as you might have heard. But it's not exactly good news for pesticide-free producers, either. Here are the details.
Enriching Activities Offered in the New Year
Solar Energy International (SEI), the National Wildlife Refuge System, and the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service all offer events to educate participants in varying pursuits. This blog provides links to activity calendars and workshop schedules.
Woman's Homemade Sauerkraut Highlights Cottage Food Fight in Arizona
Sandy Boyce's sauerkraut was a hit, selling out each week, until her county health department asked her to stop. Across the nation, regulations can prevent small-time home producers from distributing their 'cottage foods' to the public.
Coffee and Climate Change
Farms which have earned Rainforest Alliance certification go beyond conserving the environment and improving the lives and livelihoods of farm workers; they also help to curb climate change.
Antibiotic Resistant Superbugs: The Chicken That Threw Me a Change-Up
According to FDA data, the quantity of antibiotics sold for livestock use in this country continues to rise, topping 29 million pounds in 2011. This has a direct effect on the efficacy these same drugs will have on us. Sam Spitz has personal experience with a resistant illness and FamilyFarmed.org asked him to tell his story. It's a cautionary tale that should have us all making better food choices. Read how we can all influence the campaign to end the misuse of antibiotics in livestock and keep antibiotics working for us when we need them!
Using A Piteba Oil Press
Learn about using the Piteba to press your own homegrown oil.
Living Off-Grid Affordably: Breaking Ground (Kind-of)
Turning liabilities into assests.
The Facts About HR 875, 759 and 1322
More on the much-feared food safety bill, HR 875, and its Congressional counterparts.
Cold Frames, Kim Chee, and Lawns 2 Lettuce 4 Lunch
Progress in the straw bale and wooden cold frames, delicious Kim Chee recipes for winter harvested Chinese cabbage and winter radishes, and an update from the Lawns 2 Lettuce 4 Lunch program in Arlington, VA.
Always Have a Backup Plan
The journey to a self-sufficient life is a bumpy ride. Having a backup plan — or two — can make all the difference in your progress.
Flowers - Food for the Soul
This garden is practically maintenance free as it produces some of the most beautiful and most beloved flowers. After you have tried it, you will wonder, why didn't I start growing hardy annuals sooner? Don't miss the opportunity to garden in the forgotten seasons.
Know When to Plant What: Find Your Average First Fall Frost Date
Learn how to calculate best planting times for fall harvested crops.
Landrace Gardening: Localize Your Garden For a Better Harvest
Joseph Lofthouse, seedsman from Paradise Utah, is now blogging about "Landrace Gardening" on Mother Earth News. The blog is a practical hands-on manual about how to improve crop production by localizing your plants to your unique garden.
Know When to Plant Each Crop in Your Exact ZIP Code
Use our popular When to Plant app to know when to plant each crop in your area.
Bring Garden Planning Into Your Garden With Gardening App
Try using the Grow Planner app to streamline your garden planning and your garden work.
Planting a Fall Garden the Easy Way
Our Vegetable Garden Planner assists you in planting your fall garden by giving you planting dates specific to your location, projected harvest dates and more.
Growing Watermelons — Tips From Experts at Willhite Seed
Get tips on growing watermelons from the expert growers at Willhite Seed company, which offers dozens of unique watermelon varieties.
Fedco Seeds: Heirloom Seed Highlights From the 2012 Catalog
Highlights from the catalog of Fedco Seeds, by the editor in chief of MOTHER EARTH NEWS.
Great News for Southern Gardeners: Organic Tomato Transplants for Fall
To better accommodate the planting schedule of gardeners in the southern United States, California's Natural Gardening Company will make a dozen varieties of tomato transplants available by mid-August.
Homestead-Based Income Key to Success
There are many more ways than ever to earn income without ever leaving the homestead. As energy prices rise, earning the money you need without traveling is key to success. It just might not come from the place you expect.
Using Leaves in the Garden
Using leaves in the garden will boost the soil's organic matter.
Growing Pine Trees From Seed
Growing pine trees from seed will allow you to produce lots of trees very economically. Follow these instructions to propagate pine trees from seed.
'Garden Insects Guide' App
It's a bug-eat-bug world out there! Learn how to identify 15 common garden pests and bring in 14 beneficial bugs that feed on them, a strategy that will foster a healthy, balanced garden ecology.
Starting Seeds with Children
Starting seeds with children indoors is a project that extends into outdoor planting of the seedlings in spring and harvesting produce in the summer. It allows you to share success and satisfaction with children and makes it more likely they'll eat their vegetables!
Challenges Of Mountain Gardening
Tips that we have learned gardening at a high elevation.
What Keeps Farmers Busy in the Winter?
Wintertime for a farmer is full of projects and planning.
Gourmet Garlic: Porcelains
Do you eat garlic for its health benefits? Choose a Porcelain cultivar for maximum impact!
Drip Irrigation for Raised Bed Gardens
This blog post tells you how to set up a drip irrigation system in a raised bed garden.
Aeroponic System Basics
Growing lettuce and other leafy greens indoors with an aeroponic system in a south-facing window seems like a wise move, especially during this long, snowy winter. Here I will explain the basics of growing greens with an aeroponic system, starting off with the initial expenses and moving on to pH and nutrient solution. Then I'll hope the sun provides enough life-giving rays long enough each day to grow some leafy greens.
Better Lettuce Seed Germination
When lettuce is mentioned, many think of the standard iceberg lettuce found in supermarkets and restaurant salads. That is changing with the growth in popularity of the different types of lettuces from Romaine to head and leaf-type lettuces, mainly due to the flavors and colors that they offer from deep red to almost white and noticeably sweet to tangy and slightly bitter.
Poof! You Are a Scientist: Or Adventures in Beginning Gardening
You're not just a beginning gardener - you're also a scientist!
Vegetable Transplant Growing Secrets of a Greenhouse Professional
This blog post takes a look at some of the methods we have developed over the last 25 years growing vegetable seedlings in our certified organic greenhouses. This time we take a look at the conditions required for healthy seedling growth.
Seed-Starting Secrets of a Greenhouse Professional
This blog post shares some of the simple techniques learned through many years of experience by someone who grows vegetable seedlings for a living.
Grow Indoor Winter Crops
It is possible to grow fresh crops through the dark months even without a greenhouse, and even where we live, a thousand miles from the Arctic Circle, where the winter sun brings only brief and meager light.
Propagating Lavender
This blog takes a look at the steps taken to propagate lavender by taking cuttings.
A Homesteader's 5 Favorite Gardening Tools
A good gardening tool is lightweight, ergonomically correct and has a positive impact on the soil. We only use hand tools (non-powered) in our gardens since we find that we can get the job done easier and more efficiently with a more correct impact on the soil and less impact on our bodies than we would with any machines.
Seven Springs Speaker Spotlight: Linda Conroy, Herbalist
Linda Conroy of Moonwise Herbs and Brooms will present a workshop on bioregional herbalism at the Mother Earth News Fair, an annual sustainability festival, September 24-25, 2011 in Seven Springs, Pa.
Growing Up Poor on a 1-Acre Farm
Gene GeRue relates the lessons he learned from a childhood of frugal living.
Coast of Maine Organic Products Releases Video
We produce wonderful, organically approved soil products for the independent garden centers.
Garlic Seed Sources
Find garlic seed stock for growing garlic.
Living on a farm in the city
Don't let your wanderlust for more space hold you back from creating your homestead in the city.
Have You Used Painted Pebbles to Keep Birds Away From Your Fruit?
Painted rocks or pebbles can potentially deter birds from pecking at ripening fruit. Tell us how this technique has worked for your, plus check out other readers' tips and responses.
Hoping for Prettier Sweet Potatoes
Cam describes the method he used when planting his sweet potatoes this year with hopes that he'll end up with a prettier finished product!
Disease Prevention for Tomatoes
Tips for keeping your tomato plants healthy.
CobraHead Announces New Website
The new website offers the home gardener an expanded product selection of useful garden products.
The Amazing Cold Frame
If I could only pick one season extending structure, it would be a cold frame. Incredibly versatile, a simple cold frame is the key to taking your garden from a two or three-season plot and turning it into a year round vegetable factory.
Garden Fresh for the Holidays – Southern Style
The vegetables and herbs that are still available in our Southeast garden make for delicious, festive and surprisingly varied holiday fare.
Seven Springs Speaker Spotlight: Ruth Rogers Clausen, Deer-Proof Gardener
Ruth Rogers Clausen of Timber Press will present a workshop on how to cope with deer when gardening at the Mother Earth News Fair, an annual sustainability festival, September 24-25, 2011 in Seven Springs, Pa.
The Case for Doing Nothing about Pests
This spring when the pests arrive in your garden try this radical strategy - Do nothing!
Urban Agriculture and Garden Training
Amid mounting concerns over food security and sustainable food systems, the rise of urban gardens and agriculture has been on the rise. Due to a paralleled increase in the numbers of people interested in learning how to garden, programs in urban agriculture at colleges as well as nonprofit urban garden training programs have sprouted up across the country.
How to Rotate Crops in Your Vegetable Garden
Learn how to rotate crops with this helpful crop rotation video.
Land Pride Introduces New Rotary Tillers
The RTA12 & RTR12 Series Rotary Tillers from Land Pride till soil for seedbed and planting preparation with uses and applications in landscaping, gardens, and residential areas.
Learning How to Garden at the FAIR
Our MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR last weekend was full of great presentations about all facets sustainable living, including on learning how to garden.
An Apple Tree Returns to Its Former Glory
A neglected, overgrown, old apple tree does have charm, its gnarled, elbowed branches seemingly ready to reach out for a hug. The fruits, unfortunately, more often than not are too small, too pest-ridden, and too high in the tree. My fear of heights makes the last deficiency most important to me. Large, clean fruits are for nought if I can't bring myself to climb a ladder or the branches for harvest.
Gardening With Children Workshop
Jason Akers, The Self-Sufficient Gardener, taught kids of all ages the basics of gardening on Saturday and Sunday at the Fair.
Dispelling the Myth: Chickens and Gardens Don't Work Together
When I first got chickens many years ago I had two initial goals: to let my flock roam free range and live as close as possible to how they would naturally, and to build my soil with their manure.
It Feels Like Christmas Morning in the Sweet Potato Patch
Cam enjoyed a very successful sweet potato harvest!
Trellising Cucumbers
Trying to decide the best way to trellis my cucumbers and learning some new techniques.
Feeding Communities With City Farming
A potential solution to rising food prices, food insecurity and the obesity epidemic may call into play raising farms inside the city limits.
Supporting Roles in the Garden and Flowering Annual Vines of Summer
Enter attractive easy to assemble garden structures that attractively stake, prop and gently guide plants while never stealing the spotlight from the beautiful garden starlets they support.
5 Signs You Have Cabbage Worms in Your Garden
As you can guess from their name, cabbage worms primarily attack plants in the cabbage family, but are not exclusively cabbage feeders.
Hydroponic Vegetable Gardening: Could Soil Go Out of Style?
Recently a trend in farming called hydroponics has resurfaced and gained national attention that has grown in popularity with some, but has left others with mixed feelings.
Seven Springs Speaker Spotlight: Jason Akers, Gardener Extraordinaire
Jason Akers, The Self-Sufficient Gardener, will present two workshops on gardening at the Mother Earth News Fair, an annual sustainability festival, September 24-25, 2011 in Seven Springs, Pa.
Barnheart: Yearning to be a Farmer
If you have a constant, overwhelming urge of wanting to be outside breathing in the fresh air and partaking in various farming activities, you may be suffering from barnheart.
And Then There Were Two (Greenhouses)
Cam is trying to extend his growing season with DIY greenhouse structures.
Seven Garden Activities to Help Kiss Winter Goodbye
So, you can't wait for the weather to warm up enough to get out and plant a few seeds in the ground? Well here is a list of gardening ideas and activities to keep you occupied and happy right up until the day that spring arrives!
HOMEGROWN Life: How to Schedule your Planting by the Moon
How to Schedule your Planting by the Moon
From Typewriter to iPad in Three Easy Decades
Cam is getting burned out on technology and seeks solace in his "low tech" garden.
Puyallup Speaker Spotlight: David Tracey, Guerrilla Gardening Expert
David Tracey of New Society Publishing will present two workshops on organic gardening at the Mother Earth News Fair, an annual sustainability festival, June 4-5, 2011 in Puyallup, Wash.
Puyallup Speaker Spotlight: Erin Harwood and Eloyce O'Connor, Herb Enthusiasts
Erin Harwood and Eloyce O'Connor of the Garden Delights CSA and Herb Farm will present a workshop on natural remedies at the Mother Earth News Fair, an annual sustainability festival, June 4-5, 2011 in Puyallup, Wash.
Puyallup Speaker Spotlight: Jessie Price, Healthy Cook and Linda Gilkeson, Master Gardener
Linda Gilkeson, master gardener, and Jessie Price of EatingWell Magazine will present workshops on gardening and healthy cooking at the Mother Earth News Fair, an annual sustainability festival, June 4-5, 2011 in Puyallup, Wash.
Forest Gardening: Choosing Smaller Trees & Shrubs
The next installment of Maddy Harland's blog series on forest gardening. This week how to choose the lower canopy.
The Unstoppable Forest is Taking Over
Mother Nature has a way of filling in the blank spots....
Potatoes And Voles
Strategies for controlling voles in the potatoes in your garden.
Deep Organic Gardening — Good for Your Garden, Good for Your Budget!
If you strive to grow a garden that is beyond-organic, that relies on very few (if any) off-site products, and that saves you both money and work...deep organic gardening is for you!
How to Buy Seeds
Deciding where to buy seeds can be a perplexing challenge. How does a conscientious gardener choose seeds that will grow well, look lovely and taste great, but also support sustainable seed farmers and healthy environments?
The Greenhouse Dream Fulfilled
Cam has been collecting old windows for years and has finally put them together to make a greenhouse!
Seven Springs Speaker Spotlight: Candy DeBerry, Plant Pollination Expert
Candy DeBerry, Ph.D. of Washington & Jefferson College will present a workshop on pollination at the Mother Earth News Fair, an annual sustainability festival, September 24-25, 2011 in Seven Springs, Pa.
A Hoophouse on the Horizon, Part 4: Learning Curve
Gardening for the first time ever in a hoophouse is a lot like gardening elsewhere. But, it is gardening in a whole different climate!
Take Our Nationwide Companion Planting Survey
Companion planting can be a great strategy for organic gardeners. Take our nationwide companion planting survey to help us gather useful information about this gardening technique.
Why, How and When to Plant Garlic
Garlic is one of the easiest plants you can grow, and fall is the time for planting. Here are a few resources to help you get started.
Seven Springs Speaker Spotlight: Tammi Hartung, Herbalist
Tammi Hartung of Desert Canyon Farm will present three workshops on growing and using herbs at the Mother Earth News Fair, an annual sustainability festival. September 24-25, 2011 in Seven Springs, Pa.
Founders Seed Collection Offered by the Living Seed Company
The Living Seed Company is creating a platform to inspire gardeners and gardeners to be.
Designing & Planting Your Own Forest Garden: Selecting Trees for the Top Canopy
Maddy Harland describes the canopy layer of a temperate forest garden and shares some useful tips on designing and planting useful and edible tree crops.
Crafting a Handmade Garden
I'm a handmade gardening gal – part eco-friendly, non-traditionalist; part crafty creative with more ideas than money, and an abiding aversion to off-the-shelf shopping. My garden is my canvas, my vision, and my voice.
The Fabulous Food Garden Contest
Your attractive food garden could win you $500 and a chance to be featured in MOTHER EARTH NEWS.
Upgrade a Gravel Pathway
Let's put water back into the soil where it belongs. Permeable or porous surfaces, like a gravel path or patio, allow rainfall and irrigation to percolate into the ground rather than spill into the street.
Puyallup Speaker Spotlight: Lindsay Lee, Grafting Gardener
Lindsay Lee, nursery owner and Seed Savers Exchange advisor, will present a workshop on grafting fruit trees at the Mother Earth News Fair, an annual sustainability festival, June 4-5, 2011 in Puyallup, Wash.
Seven Springs Speaker Spotlight: Elsa Sanchez, Horticulture Specialist
Elsa Sanchez of Penn State University will present two workshops on compost and mulch at the Mother Earth News Fair, an annual sustainability festival, September 24-25, 2011 in Seven Springs, Pa.
I'd Better Make it Meaningful
Cam contemplates his place in the universe while weeding his corn patch....
Compost Awareness Week 2010: Composting Outside the Bin
MOTHER EARTH NEWS contributing editor and compost expert Barbara Pleasant provides some great homestead compost tips in celebration of Compost Awareness Week.
Create a Garden That Works for You
When a vegetable garden doesn't look like a vegetable garden, what is it? A polyculture, where gardeners strive to address this simple truth: The most effective way to grow healthy plants is to create gardens that replicate nature.
What a Mild Winter Means
The good, the bad and the ugly of a nice mild winter and its effects on the homestead in 2012.
Low Tunnel Construction: How to Build a Mini Hoop House
Get a materials list and step-by-step insructions for low tunnel construction for your backyard garden.
With a Packet In My Pocket
To ensure we have a full productive garden, each spring I start a habit of carrying a packet of seeds in my pocket every time I head to the garden!
Try This Technique: Grow Lettuce Under Shade
Many gardeners take lettuce off of their summer planting lists, but shade covers can put garden-grown lettuce on your table more than a month sooner this fall.
Starting Seeds For Spring
By starting seeds indoors, you get a jump start on spring garden planting.
Time to Plant Garlic (With Growing Tips)
Fall is the time to plant garlic. The cloves send down roots during the winter, popping their green heads out in early spring.
The Post-Frost Garden
The first killing frosts of the season change the garden-scape.
Great Ways to Increase Your Harvest
The actual footprint of a garden is only one of many factors for how much food that can be produced there. With succession planting, good soil and some planning the same garden area can produce substantially more food.
Eco-Friendly Gardening Tips for Any Season
This blog post explores eco-friendly gardening tips to refreshing your garden tools, furniture, accessories and outbuildings without the need to buy mass-manufactured goods or use harmful chemical treatments.
New Garden in the High Desert
Moving to a different climate and gardening zone can be a challenge, especially in the high desert. The best approach is to start small and add plenty of organic material.
October Garden Planner for Growing Cool-Season Crops
Though summer vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, basil and cucumbers grow at a reduced pace in the fall, cool season crops like lettuce, carrots, radishes, peas, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower are coming into maturity throughout October and into November.
Conserving Water with a Rainwater Cistern Tank and Gravity Watering System
A gravity watering system can consist of a cistern to save roof top rain water and elevated tanks to gravity feed this water to your garden. As climate change makes rain less predictable, you can both water your garden and help save ground water.
October Is Leaf-Mulch Season
Using leaves as mulch to enhance soil fertility.
Deep Mulch Gardening: Building a Habitat for a Whole-Soil Ecosystem
Using these techniques you can spend an afternoon building a deep mulch garden and stop tilling and composting for up to 30 years.
The Larder
Winter food storage in a naturally cooled space.
Self-Directed Gardening Education
Winter is the best time to step back from your garden and learn something new. Do some research, participate in learning programs, and work on your garden notebook. When the opportunity arises next year, visit the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR.
Winter Solstice
Everything pauses during the time around the winter solstice.
About Honeybees and January… and April…
Ordering bees in January doesn't seem to make sense, until you understand that April is the cruelest month. Plus, if you order bees in January, and then you don't need them - that's just a reason to celebrate! Order early!
An Appalachian Alternative to Mountaintop Removal Coal Mines
Many criticize eliminating coal mining in West Virginia because of the amount of jobs the sector provides. A wind farm, however, would employ over 200 local residents during the two-year construction phase, and create 40-50 permanent maintenance jobs afterward. A wind farm would also allow the mountain to be used for other purposes, like sustainable forestry, mountain harvesting, and gathering of wild forest plants, creating additional jobs and the opportunity for stable income for locals.
Homesteading Month Brings Country Skills Workshop to Today's Abundant Living
Jim and Holly Smith, founders of Today's Abundant Living, sent us this great review of a Homesteading Education Month open house and country skills workshop they hosted at their Michigan homestead.
Tuesday Video: How to Avoid Disposable Utensils and Paper Products
These money- and waste-saving alternatives to paper and plastic products eliminate the temptation to resort to disposable for your summertime outdoor dining needs.
Third-Party Certification - A Tool to Ensure Sustainability
As a third-party certifier, the Rainforest Alliance ensures that farms and forests are sustainable environmentally, socially and economically. The green frog seal and the FSC logo have become widely recognized, credible symbols of sustainability.
We Had No Idea Food Could Taste This Good
When we stayed on an organic farm in Costa Rica, my kids and I experienced the beauty of self-sufficiency and saw how truly sustainable development benefits the local community as well as the global one. Mostly, we miss the homemade butter.
Made in America Challenge Highlights Sustainable Domestic Furniture
Shocked that nearly everything in their Dallas home was made overseas, a family starts over and furnishes their home only with items made in the USA. ABC News challenges everyone to take a pledge to purchase products made in America.
Local Materials, Small Designs and DIY Labor Equals Sustainable and Affordable Housing
What does it take to build truly sustainable houses – the kind people really want and can afford? If you build small and use natural building materials, then most likely you'll be able to build your own home in a reasonable amount of time for cash.
Treating Dairy Cows Humanely: A Case to Ban Tail-Docking
Tail Docking of dairy cows serves no purpose and causes pain and discomfort for the cows.
End-of-Season in the Greenhouse
As winter descends a three-season hoop house is weeded, compost spread, and a straw mulch applied. Next spring will be here soon.
Cover Crops: Add Some Oomph to Your Soil
Cover crops are grown between planting seasons as a way to give back to the soil what cultivation takes from it. And cover crops aren't just for large-scale growers—they can help you get the most out of your backyard vegetable garden too!
Winterizing your bees the natural way.
This post is about winterizing a colony of bees naturaly, using ideas and tips that we at BeeLanding have learned from nature.
Trimming the Yard with Oxen and Hand Scythes
Read about methods to utilize animal- and human- power for trimming the lawn and keeping back weeds, all free of fossil fuels.
Rancho Margot: Restoring Natural Abundance in Costa Rica
Once a barren wasteland destroyed-like much of Costa Rica's land--by decades of cattle ranching, Rancho Margot is now a verdant and productive paradise. Find out how the Sostheim family has accomplished this in just seven years.
The Future of Urban Gardening
Learn about the advantages of urban farming from those who are leading the way. The benefits include improved food production, increased revenue sources and reduced energy use.
The Lazy Urban Gardener's Safety Net
So, what do you do if you neglected to start your veggies way back in January or February? You had good intentions but there always seemed to be something that stole your attention. Now it's the planting season and you have nothing to plant...
Home and Away
Completing tasks in preparation for a few days away from the homestead
Back to Nature: A Summer Camp Experience for Children
Blogger Crystal Stevens discusses her time working at a nature-based summer camp for kids.
Russians Prove Small-Scale Organic Can Feed the World
Using an old-world technique, Russians are growing their own organic crops -- and it's working.
Continuing Fight for the Right to Grow Food: Orlando's War on Gardens
In a war on gardens, the City of Orlando has taken issue with the rows of beans, greens, and other vegetables occupying Jason and Jennifer Helvenston's front yard garden. The Helvenstons respond to the City's request they remove their "illegal" garden.
Find Organic Gardening Supplies
These sources can help you locate organic and other natural options for plants, seeds, and weed and pest control products.
Survival Seed Banks, Part 2: Types and Qualities of Seeds to Include
A landrace market farmer's perspective on survival seed banks. Part Two – Suggestions about the types and quantities of seeds to include in an emergency seed bank.
Vegetable Gardening In The Southeast
Review of The Timber Press Guide to Vegetable Gardening in the Southeast, a new book written by Ira Wallace.
Barbara Pleasant Receives Garden Writers Association Award
Among a slew of other awards for her outstanding writing, Barbara Pleasant has received the 2013 Silver Award of Achievement from the Garden Writers Association for her Gardening Know-How column.
Guide to Organic Gardening App
No matter your level of gardening expertise, our Guide to Organic Gardening app has the advice and how-to you need to dig in and grow a bountiful organic food garden. With articles on composting, beneficial insects, weed control and more, you'll have a wealth of organic gardening know-how at your fingertips after you download this app onto your Apple or Android smartphone or tablet.
Hoop House Transformation
The hoophouse on our farm is filled with greens all winter long. It's almost hard to switch gears for summer tomatoes.
Cold, Colder, Coldest: Which Vegetables Overwinter in the Garden?
Some crops survived the cold temperatures while others died. Which ones are most reliable for winter outdoors and in the hoophouse?
Creating Your Own Micro-Climate
Creating a micro-climate is an essential tool for your survival and homesteading skills. Making the right micro-climate for your plants specific needs will not only help them survive, but thrive as well.
Zoned Out: How Climate Change Will Affect Your Gardening Choices, Part 1
How fast climate change will require you and your descendants to move north in order to keep farming and gardening a serious question you should be asking yourself.
Revitalize Potting Soil with Compost and Homemade Fertilizer
How to revitalize your potting soil for another strong vegetable season. You can use your own compost and homemade fertilizer to give your container veggies the boost they need for the season.
Sharing the Love With Community Gardening
Want to find a new garden plot for next year? Look into community gardens in your area, or start your own!
Seed Starting Video and Tips
Have you started your tomatoes and peppers yet? 'Tis the season to start seeding long season crops indoors. If you normally buy organic starts from your local nursery, try your hand at seed starting.
Gardening for Climate Change
Climate change is here to stay, with violent and unpredictable weather. This presents challenges to home gardeners, so is there a way to storm proof our gardens?
Panting Like Lizards
We're lucky to be able to live the way we do, even when we feel like we're melting
Seven Springs Speaker Spotlight: Jackie Cleary Dietrich, Small-Scale Farmer and Diane Ott Whealy, Seed Saver
Diane Ott Whealy of Seed Savers Exchange and Jackie Cleary Dietrich of Auburn Meadow Farm will present workshops on gardening and farming at the Mother Earth News Fair, an annual sustainability festival, Sept. 24-25, 2011 in Seven Springs, Pa.
Make Gardening Easier: Build Permanent Beds and Paths
MOTHER EARTH NEWS Associate Editor Shelley Stonebrook offers tips for building permanent garden beds and paths. Shelley presented her workshop "10 Great Ways to Make Gardening Easier" at the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR in Puyallup, Wash.
Doing a Little Something for Ourselves
We learned a long time ago that we couldn't attract an audience for our magazines unless we gave our readers tools they could use to improve the world personally. A backyard organic garden is the perfect symbol of positive vision and commitment.
Flowers Add Beauty and Diversity to the Vegetable Garden
There are many logical reasons for adding flowers to your vegetable garden: attracting beneficials, crop diversity, companion-planting, barriers and healthy soil. But perhaps their beauty does not need to be rationalized at all!
Seven Springs Speaker Spotlight: Deborah Niemann, Home Dairy and Homegrown Food Enthusiast
Deborah Niemann of Antiquity Oaks will present two workshops on traditional home dairies and homegrown food at the Mother Earth News Fair, an annual sustainability festival, September 24-25, 2011 in Seven Springs, Pa.
Seven Springs Speaker Spotlight: Ann Adams and Liz Brensinger, Healthy Gardening Experts
Ann Adams and Liz Brensinger of Green Heron Tools will present a workshop on the principles of good body mechanics at the Mother Earth News Fair, an annual sustainability festival, September 24-25, 2011 in Seven Springs, Pa.
Photo of the Week: Passing on the Knowledge of Self-Sufficiency
If we want future generations to live self-sufficient lives, we have to pass on the knowledge. This week's "Photo of the Week" reflects that point.
A Menu of Organic Fertilizers
Explains the benefits of organic fertilizers such as rock phosphate, kelp, fish meal and greensand, and tells you how to get buy these materials at reasonable prices.
Spinach Alternatives: Warm Weather Salad Greens
Is it too hot to grow spinach where you live? Try these fabulous alternatives.
Carel Struycken: Leaning Towards the Paleolithic
Actor Carel Struycken is famous for his role as Lurch in Addams Family, as well as many other roles. He is also a big proponent of permaculture. Nyerges talks with Struycken at his Pasadena home about permaculture and sustainable farming.
Re-Greening My Thumb
Simran Sethi starts dreaming of spring gardening, with the goal of renewing her efforts to grow real food.
Backyard Vegetable Gardeners: Go Get a Hoop House for Winter!
It is not difficult to set up a backyard hoop house to extend your growing season. The result is abundant, delicious greens and extra months with your hands in the soil. Share information here on backyard hoop house gardening and cuisine.
Gardening and Food
Part of gardening is knowing what to do with your veggies after you've grown them. Here, we will examine what to do with those pie pumpkins this upcoming Fall.
Composting Toilet Construction and No-Till Gardening Details
talking about building a composting toilet and how well the Seed Swap went on Saturday. Hauling capacity of a golf cart compared to an ATV generated some useful and helpful comments regarding electricity vs internal combustion engines. No till works!
Birdbaths Are Good for the Garden
A birdbath in the garden does much more than a birdfeeder. Attract birds to the garden with water, and they will help with pest control, soil aeration, and much more as they get the water they need for drinking and grooming. Wasps love a drink too.
Livin' the Dream, Off the Grid and Thriving
An introduction to Cam Mather's off-grid home and lifestyle.
Seven Springs Speaker Spotlight: Sue J. Morris, Gardener and Healer
Sue J. Morris of Sue's Salves will present two workshops on gardening and creating salves at the Mother Earth News Fair, an annual sustainability festival, September 24-25, 2011 in Seven Springs, Pa.
Toward the Future
Where are we headed, vis a vis our food systems? Can we as individuals make a difference in our food? Yes!
Seven Springs Speaker Spotlight: Jennifer R. Bartley, Kitchen Gardener and Cook
Jennifer R. Bartley of American Potager will present a workshop on cooking with herbs and vegetables from a kitchen garden at the Mother Earth News Fair, an annual sustainability festival, September 24-25, 2011 in Seven Springs, Pa.
Wabi-Sabi Wednesday: 7 Wabi Gardens
In a wabi-sabi garden, plants are chosen because they belong in that garden and in that climate, and they're allowed to strut their stuff if they're considerate of the plants around them. Both plants and guests are encouraged to meander and explore.
Forest Gardening: Establishing the Ground Layer
Maddy Harland explains how to make light work of establishing the ground layer in a forest garden, create a wildlife habitat and control pests all at the same time.
Time to Plant Popcorn!
Popcorn is easy to grow and makes an attractive and delicious alternative to sweet corn, especially in a small garden. Kids will love the cute little ears, and adults will treasure the superior flavor of homegrown popcorn. Plant in late spring.
Share the Yard
Simran Sethi teams up with two neighbors to "grow food, not lawns."
Spring Greens and Other Things from the Early Vegetable Garden
The mild winter has led to an earlier than usual spring growing season and plenty of surprises in the way of plants making it through the winter that normally would never survive the cold season. Here's a peek at what's growing in my spring garden.
Counting Blessings
Simran Sethi takes a moment to give thanks.
A Modern Homesteader's Shame
How can someone who claims to be a 'modern homesteader' not have planted her garden by the end of June, you ask? Well, let me tell you...
Pat Stone: History's First Asset to the Planet
Congratulations to Pat Stone creator and editor of Green Prints Magazine and, now, a recognized Asset to the Planet!
Cold Frames, Fresh Greens and Homegrown Roots
Ira takes us on a winter garden tour of the experimental gardens at Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. She describes the various experimental cold frames for winter gardening and winter starts. Includes a winter recipe for Sweet Potato Leek Soup.
First Time Gardener in the Office Garden
Summer intern Megan describes her first time gardening at MOTHER EARTH NEWS, planting cucumbers for the first time and watering the office garden.
Saving Stressed Tomatoes
Describes a method of protecting tomatoes from excessive heat using a sunscreen, vermicompost tea, pulling blighted leaves.
Legal Front Yard Gardens Go Beyond Containers
St. Paul, Minnesota, not only allows front yard gardens and promotes growing vegetables in containers, but encourages residents to beautify the boulevard with plants, including edibles.
A Perfect Summertime Retreat--Built for $22,500
Swamp Hut is a complex of four 8-by-12-foot huts surrounding a deck with a fireplace. This an off-the-grid, light-on-the-land summer getaway could easily be replicated in your favorite vacation spot.
Local Investment, Green Business, Corporate Social Responsibility, Sustainable Economies
A list of links to orgs, associations, websites, books, and other resources related to local economies, community resilience, green business, corporate social responsibility, green jobs, environmental and social entrepreneurship, and investment.
Parallel Chord Pallet Trusses
If you have access to small diameter trees and wood pallets, and live in an area not restricted by building codes, then this truss design is one good low cost roof option. If you do all the work yourself, these trusses are virtually free.
Small Diameter Roundwood Trusses
The roundwood truss system described here enables DIYers to build their own trusses at very low cost. You can gather truckloads of poles from national forests, enough for several small houses, for the cost of one $25 firewood permit.
Transformation Tuesday: Trash Turned Giftwrap
Forget the time and money that goes into conventional giftwrap. Use these inspirational ideas to wrap lovely gifts with materials otherwise bound for the recycling bin.
Rubble Bag Houses
Concrete rubble from collapsed buildings is a huge problem in Haiti. It is blocking roads and hindering reconstruction. Instead of spending millions of dollars trucking the rubble away and disposing of it, why not use it to build affordable housing?
Heirloom Tomatoes and National Seed-Swap Day: Attend a Local Event or Host Your Own!
We're getting revved up for winter seed swaps, and planning our tomato plantings to account for all the great tasting events next summer and fall. Find out how to find your own local events, or host your own!
Find the Best Seeds and Tools for Your Garden
We have developed two customized search engines that make it easier to locate companies that offer specific varieties of seeds and plants, as well as organic garden products and tools.
Sustainability, One Step At a Time
Once our bodies and our imaginations are engaged, the incremental change begins. Then it gets easier and easier to envision humanity occupying this planet–this beautiful, abundant planet–far into the future.
Holiday Hoop House Salad Bar
Potted greens are a good complement to greens in the hoop house soil.
What to Plant Now: Leafy Greens
Sow leafy greens in late summer to reap abundant crops in the fall.
Food is Love
Simran Sethi enjoys the fruits of late summer at a local farm dinner.
Toward Perpetual Motion Machines
A 3-part series on sustainable comfort systems for heating and cooling homes using passive solar design, solar electric power, system controllers and newly popular heat pump technology.
Dear 2011, This Year I Resolve To. . .
Simran Sethi explores resolutions for healthy eating and offers a resource, The Cleaner Plate Club.
Summer Loving
Simran Sethi looks back at her New Year's resolution: to nourish herself.
Growing Renewable Energy Sources in the United States
The Obama Administration releases its plans for new renewable energy sources. Ken Salazar, Secretary of the Interior, explains that the new solar energy zones span six states and keep both domestic energy and environmental preservation in mind. If completed, the power generated from these solar energy zones would provide electricity to roughly seven-million homes.
Key Considerations for Building Affordable Housing
Building housing projects in developing regions is extremely rewarding, but also quite challenging. It's prudent to draw ideas from as many resources as possible to improve the process. The following guidelines have proven effective.
Too Many Garden Veggies! What to Do?
YIKES! What to do when you've planted too many veggies? Is your garden producing more than one family can eat? Sure, you can give it away. But wait! Try pickling those garden gems. This way, you'll be able to enjoy them through the winter and beyond!
Illegal Front Yard Vegetable Gardens: Des Moines Considers Home Garden Ban
Des Moines, Iowa, gardeners may soon find themselves in hot water with their City. A local resident recently took front yard veggie growers to task for what the resident feels to be unsightly lawn growth. Beets and berries, it seems, do not have the same aesthetic appeal as a green, freshly-mowed front lawn.
Homegrown Carrots
Homegrown vegetables are a lesson for kids in where food comes from.
Fight for the Right to Grow Food: Orlando Man Cited for Illegal Gardening [Updated]
Jason Helvingston of Orlando, Fla., fights for his right to grow food in his front yard garden after the City of Orlando cited him for illegal gardening, pitting food self-sufficiency against city ordinance.
Feeding Bees With Real Food - Honey and Pollen
You don't have to depend on nature to feed your bees. Take matters into your own hands and plant enough good food for your bees, so they have good, safe food all year long.
A Weekend at the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR: A Snapshot Tour
Take a visual tour of the events at the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Fair in Puyallup, Washington.
My First Time: A Garden Connection With My Grandpa
My first blog for MOTHER EARTH NEWS takes me back to a time when I didn't know I had a love of gardening. One of my first gardening experiences came during an unlikely encounter with my curmudgeon grandfather.
Uses of Diatomaceous Earth on the Homestead
For those of us who hate to use chemicals in our gardens, in our homes, or with our livestock and pets, diatomaceous earth may be a safe and efficient substitute. It may worm your animals, rid them of fleas and lice and even handle indoor pests.
Teaching Homesteading--in a Nutshell
Growing Local Food is a new book that encompasses all the needed basics to grow plants, keep heritage breed animals and bees. The author is a homesteader and physician who gives the readers the basic information to grow or find nutritious, local food