You can live a sustainable life even if you’re not out on the farm. Urban homesteading and vegetable gardening are hot topics, as more and more people seek to grow their own food and live in harmony with the land. We help with expert info on how to plan and plant a garden filled with vegetables and herbs. Plus, find tips on getting started with chickens and DIY coops. We also outline the basics of canning and preserving your own food. And don’t miss our delicious recipes starring home-grown produce.
GETTING STARTED
ON THE RISE • GROWING EDIBLES IN RAISED BEDS IS GREAT IF YOUR SOIL ISN’T THE BEST OR YOU PREFER TO SOW STANDING TALL. PUT THEM TO WORK FROM SPRING THROUGH WINTER FOR A PLENTIFUL HARVEST FROM SEASON TO SEASON.
RIGHT AT HOME • THE FEST FAMILY WORKED HARD TO SOW AN OASIS IN THE DESERT WHERE THEIR TWO GIRLS COULD ROAM, THEY COULD GROW THEIR OWN FRESH FRUITS AND VEGGIES, AND RAISE CHICKENS, GOATS, AND MORE. IT’S THEIR LITTLE PIECE OF PARADISE.
Backyard Farm Questionnaire • JENNIFER CREATED A QUESTIONNAIRE ON HER BLOG, FESTFARMS.COM, AS A STARTING POINT FOR ANYONE CONSIDERING CREATING THEIR OWN MINI FARM. IF YOU WANT TO CREATE YOUR OWN VERSION OF FEST FARMS, JENNIFER SAYS, START SMALL AND BE FLEXIBLE. AS SHE HAS EXPERIENCED, PLANS CAN—AND WILL—CHANGE OVER TIME.
SMART COMBOS • PAIRING EDIBLES WITH FLOWERS CAN CREATE A GARDEN THAT HUMS FROM SPRING THROUGH FALL WITH A FEW SIMPLE STRATEGIES.
PRO TIPS • GARY PILARCHIK SHARES COMBO-PLANTING TECHNIQUES TO HELP YOU GROW A PRODUCTIVE GARDEN.
COOL CROPS • AN EXPERT GARDENER OFFERS HIS TOP 10 PICKS FOR VEGGIES TO PLANT AND HARVEST AFTER THE SUMMER GROWING SEASON WINDS DOWN.
HERBAL ESSENCE • THERE’S NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT TO HARVEST SOME TASTY FLAVORS. WHETHER YOU HAVE A SUNNY GARDEN PLOT, PATIO SPACE, OR BALCONY, YOU CAN GROW HERBS THAT WILL BE READY TO FLAVOR YOUR NEXT DISH.
GARDEN FRESH • WHEN IT’S TIME TO HARVEST FLAVORFUL FRUITS, VEGGIES, AND ROOT VEGETABLES, PUT THEM TO GOOD USE IN SAVORY DISHES. GATHER TIPS FOR GROWING AND HARVESTING MUCH-LOVED STAPLES. THEN DIG INTO THEIR FLAVOR PROFILES AND SERVE THEM UP IN FAVORITE DISHES FROM OUR FEATURED RECIPES.
URBAN BOUNTY • A COLORADO COUPLE TRANSFORM THEIR BACKYARD INTO A THRIVING GARDEN.
FEATHER YOUR NEST • FLOCK TO A BACKYARD TREND—CONVERTING A SHED INTO YOUR OWN CHICKEN COOP!
SWEETNESS IN A POT • YOU DON’T NEED ACRES OF LAND TO GROW FRUITS. WHETHER YOU HAVE A BALCONY, PATIO, OR SMALL YARD, YOU CAN EASILY BRING SWEETNESS HOME—EVEN RIGHT OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR—BY GROWING COMPACT VARIETIES IN CONTAINERS.
Small-Space Favorites • FOR THOSE WITH LIMITED SPACE TO GROW FRUITS—OR WHO JUST WANT TO TRY GROWING FRUITS ON YOUR PATIO OR DECK, CONSIDER THESE DWARF TREES AND COMPACT-GROWING BERRIES.
CANNING & PRESERVING • EXTEND THE LIFE OF YOUR DELICIOUS HOMEGROWN FOOD.
Equipment • CANNING TECHNOLOGY HAS COME A LONG WAY, AND THE PROCESS WOULDN’T BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT DESIGNED FOR HOME USE. ADDITIONAL TOOLS CAN MAKE THE PROCESS EASIER AND THE QUALITY BETTER.
Storing Canned Food • PROPER STORAGE OF CANNED FOODS CAN PROLONG THE SHELF LIFE OF ITEMS, PLUS PREVENT BACTERIAL GROWTH AND SPOILAGE.
Simple Recipes • CRAVING HOMEMADE FLAVOR? TRY THESE RECIPES TO PRESERVE HOMEGROWN FOODS AND ENJOY THEM IN THE MONTHS AHEAD.
5 Common Canning Problems • EVEN WHEN YOU FOLLOW A RECIPE STEP BY STEP, PROBLEMS CAN ARISE. IF THE COLOR OF THE PEACHES DOESN’T LOOK RIGHT OR THE TOMATOES ARE FLOATING NEAR THE SURFACE, CHECK FOR COMMON MISTAKES TO TROUBLESHOOT WHAT WENT WRONG.
CATCHING THE RAIN • A HOMESTEADING WRITER SHARES HIS TIPS FOR MAKING YOUR OWN WATER-COLLECTION SYSTEM.
Homegrown: Grow Your Own!
HOMEGROWN