HOMESTEADucation

Peat moss is used for terrestrial plants both indoors and outdoors. It is spongy and holds enough water without being sopping wet, and is derived from digested Sphagnum moss, making it organic. Most people say that peat is not a renewable resource and therefore should not be used. And it turns out…most people would be correct. Really I think the confusion is peat moss vs. sphagnum moss Peat moss usually has that texture that you imagine when you think of moss. It’s thin a...

Emergencies on your Homestead // Does this lifestyle make you tough? Where you started vs now?How have you changed? Have you changed? Advice for those starting out.Join us as we sit down and have more of an overall conversation about the above. It is important to reflect as the years go by, make changes, remember what didn't work and what does. Here are a few stats that we talk about.1in 5 Americans live in rural America- a non metropolitan area. Mostly, Americans live rou...

Season 5: Episode 3 / Natives, Growing Zones, MicroclimatesWhat is a native species?According to US Forest Service:“Native plants are the indigenous terrestrial and aquatic species that have evolved and occur naturally in a particular region, ecosystem, and habitat. Species native to North America are generally recognized as those occurring on the continent prior to European settlement.”What is an invasive species?From US Forest Service:“An "invasive species" is defined as a species that isNo...

Season 5, Episode 2 / To Deworm or Not to DewormPermaculture PerspectiveEmploy Rotational Grazing methods to manage worm populationsAnimals should have enough forage for 5-7 days, roughlyAnimals enter when grass forages reach 8-10” and legume forages reach 10-12”Never allow animals to graze the forage below 4”. This slows forage regrowth and encourages parasite ingestion otherwiseA full rotation supplies 21-28 days before animals re-enter the original paddockPasture rest and sunlight exposure...

After a long Summer break, Angela and Mandi are BACK! Join us as we catch everyone up to speed, chat about "seasons" in homesteading. Maybe it is because we are seasoned? Real life conversation just like we are sitting down with you on your homestead. Cheers to you all! Find us on social channels!Angela: @axeandroothomesteadMandi: @wildoakfarms

Peas: Can be sown when soil temps are between 40 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.Shelling peas: for storageSnap peas: fresh eatingSweet peas: flowers, not edibleSow ¼-½” deep in well draining soil. Keep moist through germination and while growing.Trellis is required. Peas have thigmotropism: the ability to feel with sense of touchRadish: Can be sown when soil temps reach 40 degrees Fahrenheit.Pay attention to radish size, depth, and soil needs when planting.Grow very quickly!Carrots: Very diff...

This is likely one of many chats between the both of us about our Livestock Guardian dogs. One of many. Stay tuned for more to come! Cheers. Angela @axeandroothomesteadMandi @wildoakfarms

The brassica family includes cole crops, descendants of the mustard family and wild cabbages. This includes broccoli, cauliflower, romanesco, kale, brussels sprouts, cabbage, and collards.(cabbage is actually a member of the mustard family- but we lump it into brassicas!)Soil and TemperatureThese crops prefer well drained soil, kept moist. The seeds require slight warmth to germinate at 65 degrees Fahrenheit or more, but prefer to grow in cool conditions. If grown in peak summer, and not prov...

We had the extreme honor of speaking with the incredible Dr. Temple Grandin today. She is not only a pioneer in the Agriculture industry as a whole, but an advocate for animal welfare and husbandry, and she has written over 60 scientific papers. On today's podcast we discuss one of her latest published papers:Grazing Cattle, Sheep, and Goats are Important Parts of a Sustainable Agriculture Future. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/16/2092You all. She is brilliant. Even if you don't ...

Starting onions from seed:Onion seeds are tiny little black seeds. Go figure, they are like more than 50% ofother seeds.They prefer to be planted in loose/fertile soil and or seed starting mix.You *can start them right in the ground if you have a longer growing season, butmost gardeners that aren’t planting starts are starting seeds early in the year. Late-Jan- Feb.If you plant directly in your beds plant them an inch deep and keep rows at least 1foot apart.Onion plants have very shallow root...