One of the things many people do when they move to a more rural location is start a garden. While there is much to know about gardens, it is best to start small. Take the time to continue to research as you go, and expand your plot.
Depending on your climate and topography, your garden can produce food to eat. Many consider buying a greenhouse and/or setting up a hydroponic system as well.
Starting with in-ground gardening may be a place to start. To enrich the soil, you may want to consider composting. Composting is easy to do and can make a big difference in your garden.
Even if you don’t intend to live off-the-grid completely, you will enjoy many benefits from gardening.
Whether you are interested in fruits, vegetables, herbs or an orchard, with proper planning and research, you can grow food. You and your family can enjoy fresh, homegrown produce by starting a garden, spend more time outdoors, and literally enjoy the fruits of your labor. You will continue to learn new things and skills through trial and error.
Having a steady food supply helps in self-sustainability and also provides a sense of comfort for those interested in prepping.
Flowers and other plants are beautiful too. Along with food production, beautiful scenery is an important part of rural living as well.
The yucca plant is a popular ornamental indoor and outdoor shrub. Although it’s easy to confuse the names yucca and yuca, these are two different plant species. We’ll be covering the yucca plant here, which … Read more
Pepino melon – The perennial pepino shrub often produces an abundance of fruit in various types of conditions. It has recently become more popular to plant in home gardens, especially in warmer climates. Where it … Read more
Filled with nutrients and a great addition to salads and other dishes, you might be ready to dig into the beets in your garden. However, knowing when to harvest beets is vital to their quality … Read more
Learn when to harvest potatoes. Since they’re a root crop, they aren’t visible. We’ll explain how to know when potatoes are ready to pick. Potatoes are annuals. You plant and harvest potatoes, and then the … Read more
Growing a quinoa plant can be surprisingly easy, especially after you get it going. After harvesting, you can enjoy it in salads, as a side dish or meal. It’s easy to grow for beginner gardeners and … Read more
Beefsteak tomatoes are easy and fun to grow in your home garden. They can grow to be a pound or more each. Whether you’re slicing them for sandwiches, dicing them up for a quick pico de … Read more
Learn about growing zucchini successfully. Gardening can be expensive and takes time. Do it right the first time. Whether you are a beginner gardener or experienced, growing a zucchini plant is easy when you give … Read more
Pole beans remain a staple in many gardens because they are one of the easiest summer crops to grow. They thrive in heat and humidity. They are also called vine beans, climbing beans, yard longs, … Read more
While store-bought Romas tomatoes can be succulent and flavorful, there’s nothing like homegrown to have your dishes bursting with life. Whether you’re cooking up some marinara sauce or slicing up a fresh summer salad, Roma … Read more
Artichoke plant – Enjoyed since Roman times, artichokes are herbaceous perennial plants that belong to the thistle family. Their flower buds are edible and harvested before they flower. Artichokes are an attractive landscape plant and … Read more
The mulberry tree is a fast-growing, large deciduous tree. It provides fruit as well as shade. Some varieties can produce berries the first year. They require minimal care once fully established. Mulberries are some of … Read more
Learn about growing a pistachio tree and how pistachios grow. You’ll need a male and a female tree to produce nuts. Achieving successful harvests requires patience. With the right climate, your backyard might be the … Read more
Learn how to dry basil so it doesn’t go to waste and so you can use it throughout the year. Plant a few basil plants in the spring. By the middle of summer, you’ll have … Read more
If you haven’t tasted a yellow watermelon before, you’re in for a treat. They are sometimes sweeter than pink and red varieties. I never heard of them until we grew them. It’s easy to grow … Read more
Learn how to grow garlic from a clove. Once planted, one clove will yield an entire bulb. Growing garlic is easy. It’s low maintenance and perfect for beginners. In addition, it doesn’t take a lot … Read more
For crisp stalks full of flavor, read these tips for how to grow celery. You’ll want to ensure it isn’t watery, bitter or too stringy. Beginners should start by growing from grocery store celery. Experienced … Read more
Learn how to get rid of creeping charlie. This insidious weed is often referred to as ground ivy. It’s a fast-growing, invasive vining ivy. It thrives and spreads in moist and shady areas. If you have plants … Read more
Kaffir lime and kaffir lime leaves are popular ingredients in Asian food and other cuisine. With an excellent flavor profile, the fruit and leaves have many culinary uses. You can grow kaffir lime trees indoors … Read more
The sycamore tree is a shade tree. They can grow 70 – 100 feet and sometimes higher. Sycamores need lots of space to grow. You’ll often see them in parks and lining streets. They are … Read more
Soybean plants grow soybeans, which are legumes. They are easy to grow in warm season months. The beans take approximately 80 days to harvest. Soybeans are an annual crop, popular in the midwestern United States. … Read more