Bumblebees are the gentle giants of the pollinator world, so big and fuzzy and mellow that you just want to pick one up and give it a big hug! Like other pollinators, bumble bees are in trouble. According to recent surveys, populations of bumbles have sharply declined since 1997, and none are so rare as…
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3 trees that offer early season food sources for Maine bees
The early spring season is a very difficult time for bees and beekeepers. When the temperatures start warming the bees begin increasing activity, rearing brood, and flying on warm sunny days. This is a tricky time for bees because there is not much available to feed the growing population. Many beekeepers feed sugar-syrup or candy,…
Party at Runamuk
Runamuk featured in Mother Earth News!
I’m so thrilled that the folks from Mother Earth News would consider Runamuk! Last fall I responded to a call for submissions to Mother Earth News (MEN). They were looking to do a story on home-based businesses and requested entrepreneurs to send them the story of how they got into business and why they chose…
“Wings of Life” mesmerizes and inspires
We received the “Wings of Life” documentary on Saturday, I ordered it from Amazon and had it shipped here by mail, but I couldn’t even begin to think about writing a review of the film until just the other day–so mesmerized by the vivid depiction of the one thing that I prize above all others…
The war for labeling of GM-crops battles on
Anyone who follows this blog on a regular basis is probably aware of my personal opposition to genetically modified organisms, also known as GMOs. Back in Novemeber of 2012 I wrote a series of posts regarding the issues surrounding GMOs as we watched California gearing up to vote on Proposition 37 (here is their website). …
23 early spring vegetable crops
Many American gardeners cling fast to the idea that the growing season doesn’t begin until Memorial Day weekend. Yet in Europe gardeners use a variety of methods to extend their season and increase their garden’s harvest. Thanks to Elliot Coleman’s book Four Season Harvest, more and more Americans are discovering the possibilities. Even in Maine…
Take action this Earth Day
At Runamuk Earth Day is a big event. Any significant event celebrating nature is a big event here because we make it so, the Winter Solstice, Mid-Summer’s Eve, the Vernal and Autumnal Equinoxes, Arbor Day, Pollinator Week, Compost Awareness Week, just to name a few. Keith and I are both nature lovers, passionate about embracing…
Unschooling at the Runamuk Homestead
Our youngest son “Summer” is never more content than when he his hard at work fixing something, and while the Runamuk truck is down for maintenance, Keith thought it the perfect time to include Summer in the repairs. This is the rear axle that they are tinkering on.
How to build a mini hoop-house
I’m a big fan of season extenders like cold-frames and mini hoop-houses for the family garden. Last year I managed to erect a mini greenhouse of sorts, using PVC and plastic, and with that I hardened off my seedlings in anticipation of the growing season. This year I not only want to use that method…