Herbs

Some of my favorite garden plants are herbs. They’re generally easy to grow and take care of, and they are some of the most useful plants there are: fresh herbs are amazing in all kinds of recipes, and they also have health-boosting and aromatherapy benefits. But what you might not know is that choosing the … Read more

Cilantro is a fascinating and highly divisive herb. Some people love it for the crisp, fresh note that it brings to foods, but other people swear that it tastes like soap or worse! But the haters can’t help it, and it turns out this hatred of cilantro is actually genetic. Regardless of which side of … Read more

Basil is one of the most beloved and popular herbs in use around the world, and one of the very easiest to grow in a home garden. While basil it’s easy to grow, getting your plants started right is half the battle. So, how many basil seeds should you plant per hole? Plant one basil … Read more

Asparagus is one of those vegetables that you either love or hate, with seemingly no in-between. Assuming you like it, or that someone in your family likes it enough for you to grow it, you’ll need to make sure it gets enough sun if you want a good harvest. But, asparagus is fairly notorious for … Read more

Every plant, no matter what kind, needs water. Water is the most essential resource for life on Earth, and without enough of it everything will desiccate and die. But, if you are a gardener or landscaper, figuring out how much water to give your plants, and how often, is easier said than done. Too much … Read more

For many people, parsley is nothing more than a garnish that rests off to the side of the dinner plate. For others, parsley is a necessary staple in the kitchen, providing a whole host of flavors and uses for home chefs. I happen to fall into the latter category. Although I wasn’t a huge fan … Read more

Oregano is a superb culinary herb. The delicious herb is not only often used in my homesteading kitchen, but also in herb balls that I made for all of our livestock to boost their immune systems and help keep them healthy. This herb plant is a part of the Origanum genus. Origanum vulgare, the scientific … Read more

Cultivating medicinal herbs indoors increases the homegrown seasonings and herbal remedy ingredients available on the homestead year-round. Unlike traditional crops, herbs and medicinal flowering plants do not take up much space nor do they require deep soil to thrive. Windowsill herb gardens were once commonplace throughout America. Growing your own spices or even an aloe … Read more

Comfrey is a beautiful and medicinal herb. You can easily grow this shrub style herb plant in either ground plots or containers. Comfrey can be cultivated in an apothecary patch on the homestead, or used as part of an edible landscaping project in traditional landscaping flower beds. This healing herb typically grows to reach heights … Read more

Marjoram is a superb “plant it and forget it” type of herb plant. Aside from being a little cold weather sensitive, marjoram thrives equally well when cultivated indoors in a pot, or outside in a raised bed. This member of the Lamiaceae family is a cousin to oregano, basil, summer savory, rosemary, thyme, mint, sage, … Read more

Most homesteads have some sort of herb garden outdoors, but sometimes, you want to bring the outdoors in. Whether it’s due to your space, simple convenience, or because you aren’t actually on a homestead yet, an indoor herb garden is an ideal solution. Let’s face it, there are many reasons for an indoor herb garden, … Read more

Amaranth may not be a staple crop on American homesteads right now, but it should be. This nutrient-rich plant has been used as a dietary staple and natural home remedy base ingredient in many regions of the world for centuries. This beautiful and easy to grow plant that is often classified as both a grain … Read more

Starting an herbal business can bring both added fulfilment, joy, and extra cash to your homestead. Growing or foraging for natural herbal ingredients to create salves, tinctures, infusions, chapstick, deodorant, cleaning products, soaps, cosmetics, and candles can be quite lucrative. Cottage industry is now becoming big business all across the United States.Thanks to high speed … Read more

basil plant

Thyme is great. It’s an easy addition to the garden for several good reasons: Thyme is also a pretty little plant. Its delicate, beautiful little leaves and tiny lavender flowers add beauty to any container. It can be used as a fragrant ground cover, or to add visual interest to rock walls. Thyme is delicious! … Read more