Birdsfoot trefoil is an amazingly scented summer wildflower. Currently used for forage and erosion control, it also feeds pollinators and has a history of medicinal use. We'll help you get to know this roadside beauty. Range and Identification of Birdsfoot Trefoil Lotus corniculatus is native to Eurasia. Introduced from Europe as a forage crop, birds-foot... The post Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) Identification & Use appeared first on Common Sense Home ..read more

These are some of our favorite foraging books for identifying and using plants for wild foods and medicine. Some are old, some are new, all of them bring a unique perspective. Before we get started, I'd like to note that I live in northeast Wisconsin. My top choices will not be the best for everyone,... The post Foraging Books – Learn About Edible & Medicinal Wild Plants appeared first on Common Sense Home ..read more

Providing a comfortable and functional coop is essential for flock health, safety, and well-being. The best chicken coop ideas take care of your chicken's needs, and make caring for them easier for you. From “must have” features to fun ways to dress up your coop, we'll share how to keep your hens happy. DIY Chicken... The post Easy DIY Chicken Coop Ideas for Small Backyard Flocks appeared first on Common Sense Home ..read more

Quackgrass, Elymus repens, also known as couch grass, is a common weed in lawns and gardens. Treated as a scourge by lawn care companies, it's quite valuable for herbal medicine and livestock food. We share identification tips, how to use it, and how to get rid of quackgrass where it's not wanted. Quackgrass Identification Quackgrass... The post Quackgrass – Identification, Control, and Uses appeared first on Common Sense Home ..read more

Wild Geranium, Geranium maculatum, is a lovely Eastern North American native plant. It works well in woodland gardens or as groundcover, nurturing pollinators and other wildlife. It also has a long history of medicinal use. We'll share how to identify, grow, and use this woodland beauty. Range and Identification of Wild Geranium Wild geranium is... The post Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) Identification & Use appeared first on Common Sense Home ..read more

Raising backyard chickens is gaining in popularity. But before you bring home those cute fluffy chicks from the feed store, there are a few things you need to know. We'll help you cut through the online information avalanche and prep a home for resilient, healthy birds. Raising Chickens – Things to Consider Before you start... The post Raising Chickens – The Easy Guide for Beginners appeared first on Common Sense Home ..read more

Freeze drying asparagus provides the longest shelf life of all home food preservation techniques. Stored properly, freeze dried veggies will easily keep over 10 years. To freeze dry asparagus at home, you need a home freeze dryer. We have a mid-sized Harvest Right home freeze dryer that we purchased in 2016. At that point, they... The post How to Freeze Dry Asparagus at Home appeared first on Common Sense Home ..read more

This pickled asparagus recipe is lacto-fermented, like sauerkraut, to give them a probiotic kick. Instead of using white vinegar for the acid, we use lactobacilli bacteria. These good bacteria help to preserve the asparagus and give it that “pickle” flavor. They also act as little probiotic factories, making the food more digestible, and increasing its... The post How to Pickle Asparagus (Probiotic Recipe) appeared first on Common Sense Home ..read more

During asparagus season we eat quite a bit fresh asparagus, but we also save some for later use. Freezing asparagus is a quick and easy way to preserve the harvest. See “How to Grow Asparagus” to help get your own patch established. How to Freeze Asparagus – Step by Step Keep in mind that the... The post How to Freeze Asparagus – Step by Step appeared first on Common Sense Home ..read more

Not all parts of the asparagus stalk are equally delicious. We'll share how to cut asparagus the right way for tasty eats. Asparagus spears grow up out of the ground, sprouting up from the root crown. The growing tips are the most tender, while the stalks turn tough right above ground level. We want to... The post How to Cut Asparagus for Tasty Eats appeared first on Common Sense Home ..read more