Cilantro is one of those herbs that people either adore or can’t stand—there’s really no in-between. Personally, I’m a big fan. Luckily, most of my family likes it too, though maybe not as much as I do. Seriously, what’s not to love? It’s simple to grow, gives you two herbs in one, and comes with … Read more
We’ve been growing edible hibiscus for years now, and honestly, it’s one of the easiest plants we’ve ever had. You might know it as Rosella, Jamaican Sorrel, or Florida Cranberry, but its scientific name is Hibiscus sabdariffa. The best part? You can eat the flowers, fruit, and leaves—every bit of it! In cooler places, you … Read more
summer, the star of our garden is basil. Sure, tomatoes might be most gardeners’ pride and joy, but for us, it’s all about basil. Why? Because we’ve likely run out of homemade basil pesto for our weekly pizza nights—sometimes for weeks, if not months. And let’s be honest, nothing beats fresh basil pesto on pizza. … Read more
When most folks imagine a food garden, they picture annuals like tomatoes, cucumbers, and broccoli. But there’s a whole world of perennial vegetables, fruits, and herbs that thrive in nearly every gardening zone—except the absolute coldest. Every year, we make it a point to add more edible perennials to our garden. The idea is that … Read more
A mulberry tree is an absolute must for your homestead or backyard. These fast-growing shade trees provide food for your family and excellent fodder for chickens, ducks, goats, and other livestock. Every part of the tree—the leaves, bark, and berries—is edible. Mulberry trees make a fantastic addition to any family orchard. When we first moved … Read more
Out of everything I’ve grown, I’d say pineapples excite me the most. I’m not entirely sure why, but there’s just something amazing about planting a pineapple top and getting fruit a couple of years later. This photo is from August 2011, about four months after I planted my first pineapple top. Here’s the same plant … Read more
a fruit garden on your property means years of harvests since most fruits come from perennial plants. Your backyard orchard will feed your family, support wildlife, and add beauty and shade to your land. From the day we moved here (and even before), we knew we wanted a family orchard. When we bought this place, … Read more
You can grow enough food to feed your family, even on a small piece of land. Maybe not 100% of your fruit and veggie needs—but honestly, I don’t know anyone who grows all their own food. This is a long article, so grab a cup of tea, a pencil, and paper for notes. Some of … Read more
Figuring out how much to plant to feed your family for a whole year is super helpful when planning your garden. What works for one family of four might not be the same for another—it all depends on taste preferences, your climate, and whether you’re growing veggies just for fresh eating or planning to preserve … Read more
Mulching in the vegetable garden isn’t just about making things look nicer. It helps keep weeds in check, improves the soil, cuts down on watering, and does so much more. But what exactly is mulch? What is mulch? There are a few ways to define it, but basically, mulch is any material you spread over … Read more
