Homestead Basics

When gardening season comes, should I try to remove all the stones in my garden? (answer).

From The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

What is the benefit of using red plastic mulch in my garden? (answer).

From The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

Which of the common vegetables to plant take the longest to germinate? (answer).

From The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

What region of the United States is best for raising kiwifruit? Is the Alabama climate suitable? (answer).

From The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

Is basil difficult to grow? (answer).

From The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

Have you heard of planting seeds in eggshells to start transplants? (answer).

From The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

“Rather than fasting I was feasting, and the vast, bountiful desert was my food.”

Do you know of a pet-safe means to prevent or reduce the fleas in my rather large yard? I tried nematodes on my lawn, but that didn’t work. Daily yeast tablets and flea collars don’t seem to repel them from my dog either. (answer).

From The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

Launched in May of 2009, the SusBus brings education, awareness raising activities, and sustainable living opportunities to both traditional venues like schools and festivals, but more importantly to places like sports-related events, concerts, conventions and other non-green events.

When is the best time to transplant camellias? (answer).

From The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

Experts say only a fraction of the Sahara desert, probably the size of a small country, would need to be covered to produce enough clean electricity to supply the whole of Europe.

When is the best time to plant rosebushes? (answer).

From The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

Ringling Brothers gives away elephant manure when the circus comes to Atlanta. Is pachyderm poop good for my garden? What is the best manure for gardening? (answer).

From The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

When I bring my houseplants into the house at the end of summer, they seem to sprout bugs, whereas they were bug-free outside. What’s up? (answer).

From The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

What’s the best way to keep pigweed from coming back in our garden in Michigan? (answer).

From The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

How do I overwinter a plumbago? I live in the Northeast. (answer).

From The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

I planted a Norway spruce and now it seems to be leaning. How can I straighten it? (answer).

From The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

Taking care of yourself emotionally is vital at any stage of life, especially since your own emotional state has a profound effect on family members and anyone else you spend much time with. One person’s positive attitude or calm demeanor tends to ru…

I’ve been trying to grow mint indoors, in containers at a south-facing window. Can I keep them indoors year-round and how best can I keep its nice aroma? (answer).

From The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

New review of evidence has the FDA concerned about the impacts of BPA, one of the most common chemicals found in consumer products…

How do you plant true lilies? (answer).

From The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

I want to start some seeds indoors this spring. How soon can I sow broccoli and tomato? (answer).

From The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

I’ve noticed my houseplant leaves dripping, even when I haven’t watered them lately. What is happening? (answer).

From The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

What is the best way to keep a poinsettia alive from year to year? (answer).

From The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

Organized by the “No Impact Project”, I joined hundreds of other people from around the world in a week of personal analysis and change with the goal of reducing our carbon footprint and leading a better, happier life in the process.