Aging is a fact of life. Even though we’ve been homesteading for over 43 years and we’re in our 60’s, we haven’t slowed down much. But we know the day is coming when we’ll slow down to the point it will take us longer to accomplish tasks. As the aging homesteader knows, they may put in the same number of hours as always but their productivity will decrease. In other words, they won’t be able to accomplish the same amount of work in the same number of hours as they had in the past. Elevated Bed in Full Production This will be hard to accept but is to be expected. Since we know the day is comi ..read more

Compost is the lifeblood of any organic garden since it not only enriches the soil, but also improves soil structure. Both clay soil or sandy soil can be transformed into a productive loam through the addition of compost. Lush Garden of 2021 Thanks to Compost What is Compost? Simply put, compost is decayed organic matter. That organic matter can be plant waste such as pea and bean vines, empty pea pods, corn stalks, as well as vines from cucumbers, squash, pumpkins or potatoes. It can be vegetable and fruit trimmings such as peels, outer leaves of cabbage or carrot tops. So pretty much any g ..read more

For 42 years, I’ve actively managed and worked in the woods. The forest has been a source of firewood, income, recreation and exercise. Johanna and I cannot imagine living anywhere else other than surrounded by forest. I cannot look at a forest without thinking that tree here needs to go, that’s too thick in there, I need to salvage that leaning tree etc. This is a post about woodlot thinning. Woodlot Thinning When we lived in Maine, we were part of the State/National Tree Farm program and we won a couple of County Outstanding Tree Farm awards for our forest stewardship. We own a large woodl ..read more