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Some people have no other option, like if they live in an apartment or have horrible soil or are physically unable to work the soil. Some people just want to grow edibles for the fun of it and aren't concerned about the ROI.

I have a chicken tractor that I use, but I've left the chicken coop and run in the same location for years. Does that allow diseases and parasites to build up? I keep the area as clean as possible and I haven't had much trouble with sickness, but I got to thinking about how vegetables and...

You've got that right about regulations and labeling not being strict. I fell into the trap of buying local honey at the store. It was pricier, but I thought it was worth it to support a local producer. Much later I learned that the honey came from a different state. It was just repacked in...

Exotic might not be the right word I'm looking for, but have you ever considered the market for more uncommon fruits? Not many people grow gooseberries, muscadines, currants, or pawpaw fruit.

You should follow the directions on the seed packet when it comes to spacing. Tomatillos don't require another variety; you need another tomatillo plant for cross-pollination but that is it. Instead of planting them in one long row, maybe it would assist pollination to plant three short rows...

My hens have always returned to their nesting boxes. I think they feel safer doing their business in there. My ducks would usually lay in their nesting boxes too, but I had one that insisted on nesting in tall grass, so I just let her. I probably wouldn't let the chickens out of their run if...

Which predator do you find is the worst to fend off when raising chickens and ducks? I haven't raised ducks for a while, but when I did, it was cats and dogs who usually got them. I rarely lost a duck to a predator though. When it comes to chickens, I think mink are the worst. A mink can...

I'm filling out my census sheet (late) and I'm not sure how to answer the race question. I'm used to selecting "white" and moving on. But now they want more info. I originally thought I should type out Caucasian, but googling set me straight on that. I'm not sure where my ancestors...

What do you think is the average number of strawberry plants that you'd need to grow in order to start a U-Pick operation? I bet it would be expensive to start, but then it should become relatively self-sustaining since strawberry plants send out runners that can make new plants. Since people...

I got to thinking about this yesterday after seeing some news reports about the coronavirus, so I did an informal inventory of the supplies and food that we have on hand. I'd say that we could go three to four months before we'd need to get anything at the store or have it delivered to us...

I make notes while I'm out and about my homestead. I type my notes into my phone and I keep those synched with my computer. I have horrible handwriting so documenting things that way works best for me.

Aloe Vera is great because it has healing properties and it doesn't require a lot of water, but it's not exactly the most beautiful or eye-catching plant. Are there any low-maintenance plants that bloom, have gorgeous foliage, or have aromatic leaves or flowers?

Maybe you could try planting a Princess Kay Plum. It stays pretty short and compact, particularly if you're mindful about trimming it. Its flowers are white and in the fall its leaves turn a beautiful red or yellow color.

It depends on your climate and neither plant are terribly difficult to grow, but I'm leaning more towards lemon balm simply because it will grow in most locations and it will do okay in the shade. It thrives in cool temperatures with low humidity, but it will honestly grow just about anywhere...

Nothing wrong with that, @Riin. Taking your time to plan things out and to decide what will best benefit your family and grow in your area is a wise choice. I jumped into homesteading without undertaking the amount of preparation and planning that I should have. It was a rocky first year...

I have one child who absolutely loves cats, dogs, and every other animal, so much so that she morphs into Elmyra from Tiny Toons Adventures. You know what I mean, "I'm gonna hug you and kiss you and love you forever." That enthusiasm sends the animals running. I've told her to watch how I do...

Plant some chamomile. They look like daisies, they're simple to grow, and it's known for its healing properties. Plant some fennel too. It tastes like licorice and is known for calming an upset stomach.

It's a small red fox. I'm so angry. I feel like I've been robbed! I feel terrible for letting it happen too. I didn't even know we had wild creatures like that in the city. I'm going to do better about protecting my girls now that I know what I'm up against. I thought it had to be a human...

The camera finally caught the chicken thief! It's a small fox. I'm in an urban setting, so I'm shocked that we have foxes around here, but that's what it is. A red fox to be exact. I thought my problem was a skunk because it sort of leaves an odor behind. That darned fox chewed through the...

Have you tried that dating website that's marketed towards farmers? It's called Farmers Only. You should see their homepage. It looks like something out of a romance novel.