What Is Epazote

The simplest way is to dump soil right on top of your base material. You've probably come across these and similar gardening techniques before. They are all slightly different variations on building a raised bed from layers of organic matter, which rots...

Here in Lexington, Ky., where the HF editorial office is located, we didn't get the worst of the vortex's chilly wrath, but my phone did clock the temperature at -3 degrees F with a wind chill of -26 degrees F Tuesday morning?definitely not what we're...

Even conventional pharmacies and general stores dispensed homeopathic medicines. Because the same remedies in the same doses apply to the same conditions in humans and all other animals of all ages and sizes, do-it-yourselfers can learn to dose their...

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata), also known as winterholly, brightens winter landscape with brilliant berries. Caffeine is the primary toxic ingredient in winterberry, and symptoms can be unpleasant.

Ever since I started working for Hobby Farms , my daydream tangents have frequently started turning to what chicken breeds I'd like to keep or which veggie varieties I'd like to start growing.

It seems that people enjoy the flavor of ashitaba more. Richo has extensive instructions on how to grow it on his website . Beyond being a great nutritional supplement, the plant has strong antibiotic activity, particularly in the digestive and nervous...

While the immature nymphs of assassin bugs and leaf-footed bugs look quite similar, several clues helped pinpoint the proper identification. Lean On Your Cooperative Extension Most gardeners can easily ID adult insects that they encounter either through...

Keep reading to find out how to tell if ground is frozen or not.Although it may seem as if spring has arrived, it's important tofor readiness before working your soil or planting your garden.

The roots of a diseased plant will appear brown or black with evidence of water soaking.Unfortunately, the conditions required for seed germination also create favorable environments for the growth of fungus, as both seeds and roots must be kept moist...

Levels may not be high enough to make anyone sick but I don't believe that any of us want chemicals in our food, no matter what the levels might be.The USDA and EPA have taken a hands-off policy as far as testing and establishing regulations for commercial...

For more information on cooking heritage turkeys:http://www.localharvest.org/features/cooking-turkeys.jsp.I read somewhere (sorry, but didn't note where) that the average person in the U.S. will eat seventeen pounds of turkey this year, and the average...

You may not believe it, but I still have laurel dry leaves from my store! His uncle was responsible for providing all groceries, while I was responsible for selling and counting inventory.

Better known as Dracaena sanderiana, this plant is a fixture in many households.Connoisseurs agree that not all bamboo is created equally.Lucky bamboo, also known as "Belgian evergreen," is a woody shrub with shiny green leaves.

Don't plant overused species and space related specimens far apart in your yard. These days, botanical or plant diversity is an oft-heard concept, but it can be difficult to determine what it means to the individual gardener or homeowner.

Farmers divided their fields in half, planting on one half in one year and then the other half the following year. However, modern farmers and gardeners often turn to the wisdom in ancient farming practices.

Okoume is the wood of the Okoume tree (Aucoumea klaineana), a species native to west-central Africa, in particular Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and the Republic of Congo. Okoume peels and slices easily and evenly, and this combines with its good acceptance...

We are really enjoying them, but to our surprise, one of our ladies has grown up to be a gentleman! He's a beautiful Rhode Island Red rooster that has taken nicely to his little harem of hens.

I've found that sentiment to be true in other areas of life, too: Novelty and pleasure often go hand in hand. I bought a starfruit at the local food co-op, I tried sushi for the first time, and before I knew it, I was hooked.

It grows best in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and warmer. In fact, the thorns are likely one reason why deer tend to avoid the plant.Bougainvillea is a warm-climate plant.

This method works well but takes time to have its affect. Soils over limestone bedrock tend to have a high pH (7-9), and few plants will do well in them. The scale ranges from 0 to 14 with the number in the middle (7) representing a point where the number...

Apply a layer of mulch that is 1 to 4 inches thick—less in wet/warm areas and more in dry/cold areas. As you're waiting for your spring seeds to germinate so you can transplant them into the garden, refresh the beds with a layer of mulch to create a...

The rolled fiberglass (the pink stuff found in many homes today) was an R15—well below the recommended minimum. And you can't talk about insulation without talking about R-values.

After determining that the chicks have arrived safely, inspecting for pasty butt, and introducing them to heat, water and feed, the question we ask (as the immediacy wanes) is, “OK, which one's which?” I'm not sure why we're so intent on identifying...

Lastly, it is used to make many alcoholic beverages, vinegars, cleaning solvents and paper. The leftover juice is sold as molasses.Along with making sugar, sugar cane roots and stems are used to treat skin and urinary tract infections.

Originating in Madagascar, this tropical plant will often naturalize in warm climate zones. If you have a deer problem in your region, surround your vegetable garden and other plants deer eat with vinca and other plants that deer don't like.

It is made up almost entirely of hardened vegetable oil and is free from any milk products.It is ideal for various forms of cooking, such as baking, sauteing and deep frying. It is also used as a spread on bread or vegetables.Both traditional ghee and...

Other landowners dedicate a certain portion of farmland to growing corn which is left standing throughout the year, providing a food source for the deer into the winter months as well as luring them during hunting season.