Recently I went around to the various Runamuk apiaries to perform my annual mite-tests, and while the 12 colonies under my care have struggled to produce surplus honey, I am happy to say that compared to last year when mite problems ran rampant throughout the state–and even my own hives–this …
Ladybugs are often touted as a safe solution to aphid problems in the garden because their use doesn’t involve harmful pesticides. The little spotted beetles are popular all over the world, and in ancient times they were thought to be indicators of good fortune and a bountiful harvest. However commercially …
Swarming is a natural tendency for bees in the spring and early summer, and making splits and nucs is just another part of good management of your hives. Whether you want to grow your apiary, or just insure against winter hive losses, making your own splits and nucs is an …
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 …
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 …
If you’ve never made your own laundry soap you don’t know what you’re missing. The laundry soaps that are available commercially are expensive, and filled with ingredients that I’m not even going to attempt to pronounce. This laundry soap is very economical and simple to make. It works just as …
Previously I ranted about budget-meat versus local and sustainably raised meats. I’m not going to rehash the topic–but you can read that post here if you are so inclined. Basically my point was that if you’re truly committed to avoiding the factory farmed meats offered at the grocery store, there …
I’m planting garlic today! I’ve never done this before, so I can’t offer any advice from personal experience. However I did my homework as I prepared to plant the bulbs and here are the resources that I found.
With genetically modified ingredients in just about everything processed, it can be a daunting challenge to avoid them when you go to the grocery store. It’s startling when you begin to realize how pervasive GM-ingredients are–it seems like they are in all of the things you love and have been …
Keeping bees is a fascinating and rewarding hobby. For many people, once they get started they are quickly infected with what is known as “Bee-fever” and there is no turning back. Some beekeepers are content with a single or a pair of hives in the backyard, others can’t help but …
