It’s that time of year again. Someone’s coughing, someone else is sniffling, and suddenly the whole house smells like garlic and eucalyptus. Cold and flu season is here, but with a little herbal know-how, you can ease symptoms, support recovery, and maybe even stay ahead of the worst of it. These are the remedies I keep stocked and how we use them when sickness makes its ...
10 Useful Gardening Gifts That Are Budget-Friendly
Whether it’s Valentine’s Day, a seed swap, or a just-because gift for your favorite garden buddy, February is a fun time to share a little green-thumb love. And while there are plenty of cute gadgets out there, I always appreciate useful gardening gifts that are practical. Useful gardening gifts don’t have to be flashy or expensive. Some of the most appreciated gifts are the ...
Planning a Pollinator Garden: Plants and Layout Ideas for Beginners
If you want to bring more bees, butterflies, and beauty to your garden this year, planting with pollinators in mind is one of the simplest and most rewarding changes you can make. Even a small section of your yard or a few pots on a patio can help support local pollinator populations. Pollinators don’t just make your garden look good. They help increase your vegetable ...
Herbs You Can Start Indoors Before Spring and How to Transplant Without Shock
When the garden's still frozen but you’re craving green, setting yourself up to start herbs indoors before spring is the perfect way to get your hands in the soil. It’s easy, rewarding, and gives you a jumpstart on your growing season, not to mention fresh flavor and medicine for your kitchen and apothecary. Here’s how to get going with indoor herb starts and make sure they ...
Homestead Money-Saving Hacks for Growing Food, Herbs, and Self-Reliance
Homesteading doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, one of the reasons many of us start down this path is to spend less, waste less, and live more simply. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to trim costs this year, these practical, homestead money-saving hacks will help you stretch your budget while growing more of what you need. Start With What You Have You ...
Winter to Spring Chickens: How to Transition Your Flock Safely into Warmer Weather
As the days slowly grow longer and the sun starts showing up a little earlier, your chickens feel the shift and so should your routines. Winter’s deep cold is fading, but spring isn’t fully here yet, and this in-between season can be tricky for flock care. Here’s how to gently transition your chickens from winter survival mode to springtime thriving. Watch for Shifts in ...
Early Spring Garden Prep: What to Do in February and March
By the time February rolls around, most gardeners are itching to do something to feel closer to spring. Even if it’s still cold outside, there’s plenty you can do now to do some early spring garden prep to make sure your garden is ready to thrive once planting time arrives. Here’s a list of early spring garden prep tasks that will save you time and frustration later. Take ...
What’s New in Gardening for 2026? News, Trends, and Tips for Small-Scale Growers
Last February, I found myself staring at my seed drawer wondering if I should shake things up a bit. The usual tomatoes, beans, and herbs were calling, but I kept thinking about all the gardening news I had seen floating around online. Would trying something new really be worth the effort? Turns out, even just a couple of small changes can breathe new life into your garden and ...
Simple Homestead Routines for a Peaceful and Productive New Year
January feels like a deep breath after the holiday rush. The pace slows. The to-do lists settle down. It’s the perfect time to rebuild your daily rhythm, not with pressure or perfection, but with peaceful, purposeful routines that help the rest of the year flow more smoothly. These are the simple habits I lean into every winter to bring calm to my days and clarity to my ...
How to Start Your Herbal Materia Medica in the New Year
There’s something about January that invites a fresh start. When the outside world feels slow and quiet, it’s the perfect time to turn inward, gather your thoughts, and put intention into your herbal learning. Whether you're brand new to herbalism or have shelves of jars and notes, creating or refreshing your materia medica is a grounding way to connect with the plants and ...
2026 Garden Planning: Tips That Save Time and Money
The seed catalogs are showing up, the garden beds are resting, and you're probably dreaming of tomatoes already. January may seem quiet, but it’s actually one of the best months for getting ahead on your garden plans. A little prep now saves you time, money, and a whole lot of frustration later. Here's how to get started while the ground is still frozen and your coffee is ...
Winter Chicken Care: Keep Your Flock Happy and Laying in 2026
Cold mornings. Frozen waterers. Grumpy hens. Winter chicken keeping is a different world than summertime scratching and dust bathing, but it does not have to be stressful. With a bit of preparation, your flock can stay healthy, warm, and laying even when the thermometer disagrees. Here is what works for me each winter, and how you can put it into practice in your own ...