11 Unique, Lightning-Fast Vegetables You Can STILL Grow From Seed

Written by: Mary Dyer Survival Gardening [ repost: http://www.offthegridnews.com/survival-gardening-2/11-unique-lightning-fast-vegetables-you-can-still-plant-from-seed/  ]   By the time August ends, your vegetable garden likely has a number of bare spots. This is a good thing, indeed, and a sign that the bounty of a successful harvest has enriched your dinner table and replenished your cupboards and freezer for the …

Winter Hoop House Harvest Schedule

By Pam Dawling If you don't yet have a hoop house (high tunnel), this winter and spring harvesting schedule should give you encouragement to get one. We are in Zone 7a, so if you are in a colder climate, add inner tunnels (we don't need them), and adjust the dates to see what you can …

5 Small Vegetable Garden Plans

As homesteaders, we tend to equate self-reliance and food production with acreage.  While acres surely help in self-reliance, they are not completely necessary...  at least at the beginning.  I do not specialize in small gardens, but I wanted to offer these plans as inspiration for everyone just getting started.  Urban homesteading is most certainly on …

‘When Should I Pick It?’ — Harvesting Essentials For 12 Popular Vegetables

Written by: Kristen Duever  Every novice gardener has done it — picked too early or waited too long to harvest their vegetables. Even experienced gardeners have been known to let excitement get the better of them when they see that first tomato turning red on the vine. Since late summer and early fall is prime …

Layout Tips for a Successful Vegetable Garden

Layout Tips for a Successful Vegetable Garden Want to harvest your own tomatoes, lettuce, basil, and more? Read on for essential how-tos in planning a vegetable garden layout. By Kelly Roberson Planning a vegetable garden and successfully harvesting your own produce is easier than you might think. The layout of a vegetable garden can make …

Seed Saving 101: How to Save Seeds

Seed Saving 101: How to Save Seeds Preserve your harvest from year to year with these easy seed-saving basics. [repost: http://www.motherearthliving.com/vegetable-gardening/seed-saving-how-to-save-seeds.aspx?newsletter=1&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=03.03.16%20MEL&utm_term=MEL%20eNews%5D By Tabitha Alterman September/October 2011 Growing an organic garden from seeds you saved yourself is the ultimate in gardening self-reliance. But that’s only one reason to take up this hobby. In addition to the …

Growing Broad Beans

Broad Beans, lima beans, fava beans and horse beans are a staple in our diet.  They are meaty, chocked full of flavor and frankly, delicious.  Do not eat them raw though... They are excellent cooked with deep flavored herbs such as sage, oregano, rosemary and thyme. Sow In early January; sow Broad Beans seeds indoors …

How BIG a Backyard Do You Need?

Interesting... When Summer turns to Fall and the air is crisp, my mind drifts to the planning stage.  For those at the exciting beginning stage of homesteading, this is for you! Here is a fun graphic to illustrate how much land you need to live off and be self sufficient.

Growing Potatoes

How to Grow Potatoes for a Spring Harvest...

20 Vertical Gardening Ideas for Turning a Small Space into a Big Harvest

Is acreage still but a dream for you?  Consider Vertical Gardening! Vertical gardening is nothing more than using vertical space to grow vegetables (or herbs, or flowers, even root crops), often using containers that hang on a sunny wall. Traditional gardeners have done similar things with climbing plants like squashes and beans for centuries by …