HOMESTEADucation
Angela and Mandi
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A podcast for those who are looking to slow down, return to their roots and feel more self-sufficient. Join Mandi Pickering of Wild Oak Farms, and Angela Ferraro-Fanning of Axe & Root Homestead in their new podcast HOMESTEADucation, created by homesteaders for homesteaders. This podcast will explore different facets of homesteading in detail including vegetable gardening, fruit orchard care, animal husbandry, and more. Follow us on Instagram: Angela @axeandroothomestead and Mandi @wildoakfarms
Available episodes
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Oldest first
6 days ago
We are BACK + Seasons in Homesteading
After a long Summer break, Angela and Mandi are BACK!
Join us as we catch everyone up to speed, chat about "seasons" in homesteading. Maybe it is because we are seasoned? Real life conversation just like we are sitting down with you on your homestead.
Cheers to you all!
Find us on social channels!
Angela: @axeandroothomestead
Mandi: @wildoakfarms
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Mar 2, 2023
Spring Crops: Getting your hands dirty now!
*Peas: Can be sown when soil temps are between 40 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.*
*Shelling peas: for storage*
*Snap peas: fresh eating*
*Sweet peas: flowers, not edible*
*Sow ¼-½” deep in well draining soil. Keep moist through germination and while growing.*
*Trellis is required. *
*Peas have thigmotropism: the ability to feel with sense of touch*
*Radish: Can be sown when soil temps reach 40 degrees Fahrenheit.*
*Pay attention to radish size, depth, and soil needs when planting.*
*Grow very quickly!*
*Carrots: Very difficult to germinate*
*Seed tape vs. sowing seeds – heavily sow and thin if needed*
*Keep moist until sprouting (the board trick)*
*Growing temps of around 40 degrees are great for sweeter tasting carrots*
*Carrots require fluffy soil with good tilth. Rocks in soil make squiggly carrots.*
*Bok Choi/Pak Choi/Bok Choi:*
*Prefers temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees fahrenheit*
*Prone to flea beetles; use coffee grounds in soil at planting time*
*Keep moist and cool, provide shade cloth if needed*
*Beets and Turnips:*
*Sow typically a few weeks before last frost. Requires temperatures in 40s to germinate and sprout. Keep moist. Sow heavily and thin as needed. Greens and roots are edible. Pay attention to variety for root size–some will never reach larger than a golf ball!*
*Spinach:*
*Sow 6 weeks before last frost. Prefers cold temps! Excellent for direct sowing when soil is workable, though does well started in seed cells too.*
*Crop is ready in as little as 6 weeks from harvest.*
*Spring Onions:*
*Plant in cool weather, but only when nighttime temps no longer fall in the 20Fs. Plant no more than one inch deep in seed cells or when direct sowing to avoid root growth restriction. Sow heavily and thin as needed.*
*Strawberries:*
*Plant bare root crowns and mulch surrounding soil with straw as soon as the soil can be worked. Be sure to identify desired variety; everbearing or June-bearing.*
*Calendula:*
*Cold season herb. Flowers are medicinal. Can be grown in spring and fall.*
Remember! Some of this might be applicable to you now or in a few weeks. Either way we hope we have encouraged you to get out in your gardens and start growing something beautiful.
Cheers.
Angela- @axeandroothomestead
Mandi- @wildoakfarms
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Feb 8, 2023
Candid Chat About LGD
This is likely one of many chats between the both of us about our Livestock Guardian dogs.
One of many.
Stay tuned for more to come! Cheers.
Angela @axeandroothomestead
Mandi @wildoakfarms
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Jan 31, 2023
The Brassica Episode
*The brassica family includes cole crops, descendants of the mustard family and wild cabbages. This includes broccoli, cauliflower, romanesco, kale, brussels sprouts, cabbage, and collards.*
*(cabbage is actually a member of the mustard family- but we lump it into brassicas!)
Soil and Temperature*
*These crops prefer well drained soil, kept moist. The seeds require slight warmth to germinate at 65 degrees Fahrenheit or more, but prefer to grow in cool conditions. If grown in peak summer, and not provided with cooling shade, they’ll bolt. Bolting means going to seed, or sending up flower heads before a true crop is produced for harvest.*
*Tip: Know your growing environment! If your temperatures where you are seeding stay in the 60-70 range you may not need any bottom heat for germination. If you do use heat mats (and we do!) just remember to remove the trays when you have germination. Forgetting to do so can contribute to weak and leggy seedlings.
When to Sow and Transplant*
*Sow 6-8 weeks before last date of frost in seed trays. Direct sow when temperatures are warmer. Can be transplanted out three to two weeks before last frost date when left unprotected. If row cover or a hoop house is provided, can transplant into the garden much earlier.*
*Tip: Grow where you have NOT grown like crops in the past couple of years- this goes for the whole brassica family. *
*It is safe to generalize the statement that brassicas want a soil pH of about 6-7.*
*Tip: I have found over the years that crops like broccoli and cabbage enjoy a little “extra love” when the plants are in your garden and roughly 4-5 inches tall. We side dress with some well aged compost. *
*Growing and Harvesting*
*Harvest broccoli and cauliflower when heads reach roughly 5” across, variety dependent. To blanch cauliflower heads, tie the leaves residing directly below the head together above the crown. This will blanch the cauliflower for a whiter color. According to some folks, as brussels sprouts grow, leaves can be pruned off to allow more sunlight to reach the small cabbage heads along the stalk. This is said to increase sprout size. Cabbage should be harvested before the head splits, usually at around 6” in size (again variety dependent).*
*Kale*
* *Note the kale experiment *
* *Perennial*
*Troubleshooting: Any damage (usually pest related or rough handling when removing pests) to the central growing point can lead to a stunted or no head growth. The outer leaves will still grow so it may seem “okay” but they too will be tough and non-edible. *
*Perennial choices exist for brassicas:*
*Angela purchases her’s here: *
*https://plantingjustice.org/product-category/perennial-tree-kales-collards/*
* *9 Star Broccoli (bushing growth habit and is white like cauliflower)*
* *Tree Collards*
* *Walking Stick Kale*
* *Daubenton's Kale*
* *Kosmik Perennial Kale*
*Pests: Slugs, snails, cabbage moths
To deter cabbage moths, use row cover before moths appear throughout the growing season-*
* *Companion planting broccoli with garlic, chives and nasturtium helps to deter cabbage moths. Plant thickly.*
* *Mulching the garden is great but leave a small bit of soil exposed around the stem of brassicas to avoid slug and snail access*
*Tip: Spend 10 minutes a day with a morning tea or coffee and pick off any cabbage worms (small green worm like terrible creatures) and dispose. We also like to keep a butterfly net in garden storage to catch any you miss! *
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Jan 20, 2023
Dr. Temple Grandin
We had the extreme honor of speaking with the incredible Dr. Temple Grandin today. She is not only a pioneer in the Agriculture industry as a whole, but an advocate for animal welfare and husbandry, and she has written over 60 scientific papers.
On today's podcast we discuss one of her latest published papers:
Grazing Cattle, Sheep, and Goats are Important Parts of a Sustainable Agriculture Future.
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/16/2092
You all. She is brilliant. Even if you don't farm or homestead, her information is applicable to all. After all, we all live on the same planet Earth.
Enjoy!
Ps! Another incredible piece to this story is Temple wrote the forward to Angela's book - The Sustainable Homestead- which comes out March 28th, 2023!
https://a.co/d/0kCFOCV - Preorder her book here!
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Jan 17, 2023
Growing Onions- Seeds/Sets/Started
*Starting onions from seed:*
*Onion seeds are tiny little black seeds. Go figure, they are like more than 50% of*
*other seeds.*
*They prefer to be planted in loose/fertile soil and or seed starting mix.*
*You *can start them right in the ground if you have a longer growing season, but*
*most gardeners that aren’t planting starts are starting seeds early in the year. Late-*
*Jan- Feb.*
*If you plant directly in your beds plant them an inch deep and keep rows at least 1*
*foot apart.*
*Onion plants have very shallow roots and throughout the season will require a*
*consistent watering plan or irrigation for best results.*
*A lot of folks plant start onion seeds indoors or in a greenhouse using a bunching*
*method. Where many seeds are planted in almost a broadcast method in a larger*
*pot. The seeds will grow and almost look like grass with tiny black specs on top.*
*When it comes time to transplant outdoors you lift the entire bunch and carefully*
*separate the individual seedlings. It seems tedious, but as long as your soil is fertile*
*and loose its not too bad.*
*Planting onion sets:*
*Be sure when you are sourcing them that you source from LOCAL places and or*
*know your grow zone and what onion varieties grow best. IE: short day and long*
*Day.*
*Long day vs Short day onions:*
*This is just referring refers to the approximate hours of daylight a variety of onion*
*will need in order to start developing the bulb. Short Day means about ten hours a*
*day, while long day means twelve hours or more. This is important to consider when*
*choosing for your zone.*
*pH desired: 5.5-6.5- more acidic if you can.*
*In general, onions are ready for harvest in 100 to 125 days from seed. If you planted*
*onion sets, expect to harvest in 60 to 80 days.*
*How many onions do you eat in a year?*
*Curing?*
*Storage?*
*Onions prefer 6-8 hours of sun per day.*
*Plan for a spot with access to plenty of moisture as onions are slow drinkers. They do well in damp soil but need drainage… soaking wet feet leads to rotting bulbs.*
*Know your zone and onion type. Long day onion varieties are generally best suited for zones 6 and lower and require 14-16 hours of daylight. Short day onions need about 10 hours per day and work for zones 7+. Day neutral onion varieties are pretty adaptable with about 12 hours of sunlight needed daily. Ideally suited for zones 5 and 6.*
*If you’re planning on storing onions over the winter, grow storage varieties suited for long term keeping. My favorites are Aisla Craig for short term storage and Stuttgarter, Yellow Sweet Spanish, Patterson, and Yellow of Parma for long term. I’m not really a red onion person so can’t speak to that as much. 😉*
*Seeds are slow germinating and can be started in January with transplanting in spring into the garden.*
*Leeks, chives, Egyptian walking onions, ramps, and welsh onions are all great varieties to add to your must try growing list! Most of these are perennials too.*
*Keep onions well weeded as they don’t like competitors.*
*Plan to grow onions alongside brassicas like broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and kohlrabi. They help to repel cabbage worms/moths with their strong scent when closely grown together. Greens, tomatoes and carrots are also good companions. So are fruit trees! Onions are great in guilds.*
*Never plant onions near peas or beans, peanuts or groundnut, nor asparagus. They stunt one another’s growth.*
*Harvest onions when they tell you to; their greens will usually fall over and begin to yellow. You can also see their papery sk*
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Jan 3, 2023
Homestead Myths
HAPPY 2023!
We will admit, we recorded this right before the holidays and then the holidays happened. :)
We would like to welcome you to the New Year with a fun recording where we talk all about some of the common myths that circulate the homesteading community. Or just the community in general.
We both are very excited to bring you incredible content this year, but let's start with something fun! Cheers!
Angela & Mandi
@axeandroothomestead
@wildoakfarms
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Dec 8, 2022
Homesteading/Homesteader Perception
You'll have to listen. This is a good one.
Mandi asked on social media- "What does being a homesteader mean to you? Are you proud of it? Do you feel like you "fit in?"
The responses were all over the board. Some were terribly sad. Some made sense to us. Some were very extreme.
We talked about many of them and gave our own thoughts in this episode.
No matter where you stand. If you are in fact a homesteader or are seeking out a similar lifestyle, you DO fit in. There isn't a box. And you are doing a great job.
Stand tall and keep going.
Angela, and Mandi
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Nov 18, 2022
Functional Farming vs. Glamour Farming
Sit down with us as we just have a candid conversation with one another about the difference between functional farming and glamour farming. Has social media damaged how we look at hard work? Functional work?
Our thoughts on this hot button topic. Join us. And remember one thing.
YOU SHOULD BE PROUD OF YOURSELF! :)
Cheers
Angela: @axeandroothomestead
Mandi: @wildoakfarms
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Nov 9, 2022
Designing A Greenhouse: Considerations and Challenges
*Season 3: Greenhouse*
*Greenhouses can come in a variety of forms:*
* *Cold Frame*
* *Hoop House*
* *Mini Greenhouse*
* *Greenhouse Kit*
* *Attached 3-sided Structure*
* *Independent Structure*
*3 Things Required for Greenhouse*
* *Ventilation*
* *Heat Source*
* *Thermal mass from other structure*
* *Heater*
* *Water Barrels*
* *Sunlight*
*Things to Consider*
* *Flooring*
* *Drainage*
* *Position of the house relative to sunrise/set*
* *Access *
* *Orientation- traditionally greenhouses direct N-S. (Mandi’s does not and we explain why it still works!)*
*Challenges*
* *Contained pests include aphids, scales, mealy bugs, gnats*
* *Mold and mildew*
* *Heating if necessary*
*Ways to heat a greenhouse- likely one of the biggest challenges we face. Some folks compost in the greenhouse- you have to have a large enough one and I am not convinced it would work too well. You can double window. Put up sheet insulation- like the kind some folks do on their windows. - may not be rated for humidity though. *
Mandi* uses an electric heater. It keeps the greenhouse around 40 degrees- even when it is about 16 outside.
As you listen to the entire episode, you will hear that we chat about many ways to do the same thing. It sure doesn't have to be fancy, because the end goal is all the same!
Thank you for listening.
Angela and Mandi *
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Nov 3, 2022
We are back! Let's talk about planting garlic!
*PLANTING:*
*Plant in full sun.*
*Don’t overwater to prevent rotting bulbs. Instead, mulch the area with straw to retain moisture.*
*Plant cloves in mid October before the freeze. Also know what you’re planting. Grow soft neck varieties for storage and hard neck for larger cloves, and mainly consuming sooner than later. Elephant garlic is awesome and easy to peel. But it doesn’t last super long.*
* Buy quality seed. We like*
*@territorialseedcompany*
*@seed_savers_exchange*
*@pvfsgroworganic*
*@filareegarlicfarm*
* A small sprinkle of slow release fertilizer in each hole when planting really helps out cloves as they establish roots. For a more permaculture approach, use biodegradable materials to improve soil quality and replace needed nutrients (i.e. comfrey, compost, etc.).*
*GROWING:*
*In addition to full sun and water, fertilize every 2-3 weeks with liquid kelp.*
*Keep weed free and avoid walking in growing areas to avoid compacting the soil.*
*When scapes…
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Sep 14, 2022
Cover Crops
*Season 3: Cover Crops*
*Cover crops are a form of vegetation that is grown in raised beds, in-ground gardens, and animal grazing paddocks to improve soil fertility and tilth. These crops are not harvested for use but are left within the soil. Most often, cover crops are chopped and dropped before seed-set in order to return nutrients to the soil and prevent unwanted spreading. *
*A lot of folks call cover crops the no cash- cash crop. We don’t harvest it so I think it’s widely underused. People forget about soil health once the fall or summer season of growing is done. But when we add things like CC or any organic material to the beds or plots in the fall you are setting yourself up for a better Spring. *
*For our raised beds we plant roughly 4 weeks before frost- so that is the first week of october. And then we will mow- weed-whack the cover crops down the first of march before they go to seed. This gives the roots and the rest of the plant material time to decompose and feed…
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Jul 27, 2022
Freeze Fresh with Author Crystal Schmidt
Join us for this episode where we chat with Crystal, the author of the new book "Freeze Fresh" - The ultimate guide to preserving fruits and vegetables. It was such a fun and relatable conversation and one we know you all are going to love! Crystal is such a wealth of knowledge and an asset to the homesteading community! Enjoy!
Find Crystal on Instagram at Wholefedhomestead and you can find her book titled "Freeze Fresh" on Amazon and other book retailers such as Target and Barnes and Noble.
Cheers!
Angela: axeandroothomestead
Mandi: wildoakfarms
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Jul 22, 2022
The Tomato Episode
This was so much fun! I am sure that if we both could only grow one thing, it would be tomatoes!
We talked about pruning, trellising, when to harvest, how to store, and more!
What is your favorite tomato variety?
Cheers!
Be sure to come say hi @wildoakfarms and @axeandroothomestead
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Jul 20, 2022
Companion Planting
*What is companion planting?*
*It's one of the foundations of creating working ecosystems when it comes to permaculture. We can group plants together when planning and planting our growing spaces to help crops deter pests/disease, mine nutrients from the soil, and attract pollinators.*
*It's a way of creating a symbiotic relationship in your gardens, because the idea is the two plants (or more) that are companions are each providing to the other something that it cannot do. Or cannot do it alone. The plants are working together to benefit one another. Companion planting is also thought to “confuse” pests even when you are unable to cover or manage intensively. *
*It helps support plant diversity and actually helps you intensively manage a small space better. The key in fostering diversity is to increase the number of beneficial pests- thus decreasing the harmful ones. *
*Why companion plant?*
*The result is a higher crop yield, less human intervention by way of fertilizing and…
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Jul 15, 2022
Apartment Gardening
Do you live in an apartment, condo, and/or are you limited on your growing space?
This episode is for you! We have covered in previous episodes small space gardening and discussed many tricks we have learned in growing over the years. This just takes it to a little bit more of a niche!
Be sure to check out those other episodes that might also be helpful from the previous seasons!
Cheers!
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Jun 9, 2022
THE HOMESTEAD FESTIVAL: LIVE
Hi you all! While at The Homestead Festival in Columbia, Tennessee- on Rory Feek's Homestead, we were able to sit down with Rory himself and chat with him about his dream of putting on this festival come to life. It was incredible to hear a little more about the why, and also learn this was the first, but not the last!
This episode is proudly sponsored by Tractor Supply.
Enjoy!
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Apr 15, 2022
Homesteading and Grief
Sometimes episode ideas just come to us and we have to hit record.
Sit down with us as we talk about Homesteading and the associated grief that comes along with it.
How we process the grief. Maybe how we don't.
It is bound to be a conversation that we all need to have with one another and this is just the start.
Cheers to you all.
Be sure to find us on Instagram
Angela : @axeandroothomestead
Mandi : @wildoakfarms
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Apr 8, 2022
Special Episode: Avian Influenza with Kirsten at Hostile Valley
Today we wanted to open up the topic about the most recent outbreak of Avian Flu and hear Kirstens real life and very recent experience with Avian Flu and having to cull her whole flock.
We are so grateful to her for sitting down with us to talk about this very tough topic.
Kirsten is a published author and is mostly known for being the Homestead Communitys "goose lady".
You can find Kirsten on Instagram at hostilevalleyliving and at hostilevalleyliving.com
Please join us in listening to what happened, how they dealt with it, and their plans going forward.
For more information about Avian Influenza please visit https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-2022/2022-hpai-wild-birds
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Apr 1, 2022
Financing the Homestead
Everyones FAVORITE topic. Money.
How to make money on your Homestead? How do you do it?
The most common question.
Join the conversation with us.
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Apr 1, 2022
Keeping Goats on your Homestead
*Keeping Goats*
*If you are just starting out in the goat-raising field, let us help you get prepared a bit. Think of this as a little goat for beginners crash course. We will cover picking the right breed for you, basic care and nutrition, and everyone’s favorite thing. Fencing. I might also add that when starting out in any new journey, it is wise to find what I like to call a mentor! They can be a great resource for you and your new family members.*
*Breeds to consider:*
*In the United States, there are 14 common goat breeds.*
*Buck/Wether Doe/Doeling*
*Main - Pygmy, Nubian, Nigerian Dwarf, Boer*
*Pygmy goats are small in stature, comical and densely found across the US. Pygmy goats are actually documented as a meat breed, although I do find they are sometimes crossed and used as a dairy breed. Traditionally, Pygmy goats are very good browsers and used often in a pasture rotation setting with other animals.*
*Nigerian Dwarf goats are similar in size to the Pygmy, maybe reac…
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Apr 1, 2022
Hatching Eggs- Chicks, Ducklings, and Goslings!
*Hatching Basics*
*We cover chickens, ducks, and geese in this episode*
*Touching on turkeys and quail, the more common poultry species on most*
*homesteads.*
*From how to pick your incubator, pick the right eggs to hatch, where to put your*
*incubator, and how long. There is a lot to know!*
*While we all can read as much information as we can digest, you do gain a lot of*
*information once you have a few hatches under your belt.*
*The difference isn’t too vast when it comes to each species we will talk about, but*
*there are a few.*
*Set up and choosing an incubator:*
*There are SO many.*
*Simple Styrofoam*
*Incubators that have auto turners*
*Cabinet style*
*How do you choose? Most of us are going to go middle of the road and invest in an*
*incubator with an auto turner. This allows us to set the eggs and NOT have to turn*
*then 3-5 times a day.*
*The incubator is mimicking what would be happening if a broody would elect to*
*hatch a clutch, so we cant just set t…
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Apr 1, 2022
Introduction to Beekeeping
*Season 2: Introduction to Beekeeping*
*Why Keep Bees*
*Increase pollination for fruit and vegetable crops, contribute to the honeybee population, production benefits of honey, pollen and wax*
*The Members of a Hive*
*Queen (only hive member capable of laying eggs)*
*Workers (female, worker bees who play the roles of guardians, nurses, foragers, comb builders, honey creators, undertakers, etc.)*
*Drones (male, sole job is to mate with the queen)*
*Sourcing Bees*
*Common Honeybee Breeds in the US (not exhaustive list)*
*https://bees4life.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/bee-races1.jpg*
* *Carniolan - generally more docile disposition, moderate disease resistance, good chance of overwinter*
* *Italian: moderately gentle, low disease resistance, good chance of overwinter*
* *Saskatraz: generally docile, known for overwintering ability*
* *Russian: High disease resistance, good for overwinter, generally aggressive*
* *Africanized: resistant to varroa, highly aggressive, h…
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Apr 1, 2022
Keeping Geese on your Homestead
*Raising geese on the homestead. *
*Goose facts:*
*Gander/Goose or Hen*
*Geese were domesticated over 3,000 years ago! *
*Breeds to consider*
*-A’s breed chart*
*https://www.axeandroothomestead.com/store/p12/Download%3A_Which_Breed_of_Goose_is_Right_for_my_Farm%3F.html*
*-We both raise Sebastopol geese- a threatened breed *
*Reasons why:*
*-Geese just kind of have a zest of life! *
*Eggs*
*Guardians*
*FUN*
*How to start/where to look:*
*Local folks*
*Metzer*
*Meyer Hatchery*
*Mypetchicken*
*Getting one goose isn’t recommended- just like goats for example- they are flock animals.*
*Housing considerations:*
*Bedding*
*Water-pools vs natural water*
*Everyday needs discussed.*
*Nutrition!!*
*-This might be the most critical part of raising goslings/geese. For the first several weeks goslings need a feed that contains roughly 22% protein- chick starter is not suitable and never use medicated. *
*Niacin- a B vitamin that is crucial for healthy development of wate…
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Apr 1, 2022
How Much Food to Grow Per Person
*How Much Food to Grow Per Person*
*Different for every grower. Plant quantities are based on tastes, cooking frequency, root cellar availability, preservation skillset, dietary requirements, etc.*
*Look at your grocery bill*
*What are you buying frequently from the store? How much are you buying?*
*Is there something you can grow instead of buying from the produce section?*
*Is there something you can grow to preserve (tomato sauce)?*
* *Do you want to grow for fresh eating? And preservation? And storage? What about to sell? If so, quantities change.*
*Example: Angela grows 30-35 tomato plants for fresh eating and canning into sauce for a year. This quantity of plants is based on personal experience.*
*Example: Mandi grows a shitload of lettuce every season. She has enough for her family to eat daily and also to set out at her Farmacy farm stand.*
* *Set realistic goals for your garden space. Here’s recommended garden size for one year of food:*
*Vegetarians: 4400 squa…
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Mar 2, 2022
Permaculture Approach to Soil Regeneration
We are SO excited to bring all of this information to you!
As per usual, for more information find us at @axeandroothomestead and @wildoakfarms on Instagram. Cheers!
*Quote from Angela’s upcoming book: We have identified many factors and practices that contribute to unhealthy soil ecosystems. But why bother trying to rectify and rehabilitate it? Healthy nutritionally dense soil can produce healthy nutritionally dense food for humans and animals. Ultimately it is the foundation for productive and sustainable agriculture. Farming for soil health creates a land stewardship relationship between land and grower. It fosters carbon absorption, erosion reduction, maximum water absorption, improved nutrient cycling, and overall land resiliency.*
*According to one study, “All plants require 17 elements to complete their life cycle, and an additional four elements have been identified as essential for some plants (Havlin et al. 2005). With the exception of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, whic…
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Feb 25, 2022
Introduction to Permaculture
I*ntroduction to Permaculture
Permaculture directly means “permanent agriculture.” But in its truest form, permaculture is a way of planting crops, keeping animals and sustaining the farm or homestead in a way that mimics the intertwined growing systems found in nature. We can imitate and initiate these natural ecosystems to create healthier crops, less pests, increase crop yields and absorb more carbon into the soil.
Where to start*
* *Increase reliance on perennial plants*
* *Why perennials? Perennials have more plant matter (woody stems, strong plant tissue and large root systems). These plants absorb more carbon dioxide as a result as they have more room to store them within their plant fibers.*
* *Perennials do not need to be planted year after year which means less work!*
* *Perennials offer shelter to beneficial insects, birds and wildlife. This helps to control pests within the garden.*
* *Perennial plants help soil structure. Their expansive roots loosen compac…
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Dec 31, 2021
Starting a Homestead Garden
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Dec 31, 2021
Food Crafting
*Breadmaking*
* *Sourdough Bread
What is it: Sourdough is naturally leavened bread using wild yeast from the atmosphere with the help of a “starter.” Starters need to be fed.
Basic Tools: Starter, glass jar, digital scale, bowls, banneton, lame, dutch oven
Why Make It: Sourdough is a more easily-digestible version of bread. Many folks with gluten intolerances can eat sourdough because the fermentation process when the starter is rising breaks down problematic enzymes.*
*Resources*
*Elaine Boddy*
*Whole Grain Sourdough at Home*
*The Sourdough Whisperer*
*Instagram: @Elaine_FoodBod*
*Ash from Turner Farm*
*Online classes*
*Instagram: @Turner.Farm*
*Hannah Dela Cruz*
*Everyday Sourdough*
*Yeast-Based
What is it: Bread leavened with yeast often purchased at a market. The process involves combine basic ingredients such as yeast, flour, water and salt. *
*
Basic Tools: yeast, digital scale, mixing bowls, loaf pans or breadmaking machine
Why Make It: Conventionally made…
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Dec 31, 2021
Basic Triage
*Triage*
*Literally means “to sort” – in this practice you are gaining information by looking at the patient and seeing what their needs are.*
* *If it is more than one you are gaining insight on who needs attention first.*
* *Looking at any obvious externally wounds/etc. Musculoskeletal/ Respiratory/ cardiovascular- perfusion times etc. you gain most of this information in seconds. And it's important to always think ahead.*
* *One thing to note that with animals, the main difference in assessing a patient (animal) is that we have the option of humane euthanasia- unlike our counterpart humans. It's very important to keep that in mind. This should ALWAYS be done by a professional as your very first option to ensure that the animal is treated in a humane way. If you are unsure about anything, please contact a vet.*
* *Vet client relationship- important!*
*Common injuries seen on homestead*
* *Wound/puncture/scrape*
* *Bumblefoot*
* *Frostbite*
* *Abscess*
* *B…
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Dec 31, 2021
Tapping Trees on your Homestead
*Episode 7: Tapping a Tree for Maple Syrup
What to tap and when?*
* *All maples can be tapped for sap. Sugar maples are the sweetest.*
* *Can also tap:*
* *Birch, walnut, black and english walnut, linden, box elder, butternut, sycamore, palm and gorose. All trees’ saps have their own flavor. *
* *Maple (Sugar, Silver, Black, Red, Norway, Big Leaf)*
*40 parts of sap yields 1 part of finished syrup*
*Tap when daytime temperatures are above 32F (0C) and nighttime temperatures are below*
*Birch (European White, Paper, Yellow, Black, Gray, River)*
*110 parts of sap yields 1 part of finished syrup*
*Tap when daytime temperatures are 40-50F (4.4-10C)*
*Box Elder*
*60 parts of sap yields 1 part of finished syrup*
*Tap when daytime temperatures are above 32F (0C) and nighttime temperatures are below*
*Black and English Walnut *
*60 parts of sap yields 1 part of finished syrup*
*Tap when daytime temperatures are above 32F (0C) and nighttime temperatures are below*
*Butter…
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Dec 31, 2021
Small Space Gardening
*Why would you need to grow in a small space? *
*Apartment living*
*Physically close crops without walking to a garden*
*Moving and want to take crops with you*
*All About Containers*
* *Anything can be a growing container so long as it provides drainage*
* *Vertical planter towers offer multiple pots to grow food in one vertical space*
* *Some folks use fabric shoe organizers that hang on the backside of doors to grow food in pockets*
* *Hanging baskets offer a great option growing; think upside down tomato baskets, strawberries, etc.*
* *Plastic pots retain moisture better*
* *Black and other dark-colored pots get hot and heat the soil quick*
* *Terra Cotta is attractive and eco-friendly but dries out faster*
*Pro Tip: Double Potting! Place a smaller pot inside a larger one in the summer time. Water the space between the pots so the inner pot can wick moisture as needed. To avoid terra cotta pot dry out, simply place a smaller plastic pot inside a larger ter…
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Dec 31, 2021
A Homestead Orchard
*Why Grow Your Own Fruit*
* *Convenience and self-sufficiency*
* *Pesticide Management*
* *High yields from one plant; lots of fruit for selling, donating, processing, storing and fresh-eating *
*
*
*Classifications*
* *Space considerations: Note the required space for espaliered (pronounced es-pal-yay-ed), dwarf, semi-dwarf and full/standard-sized tree varieties*
* *Espaliered: Not as much total yield but produces more fruit per square foot, great for small-space growers, flat 2-dimensional shapes, fruit in 3-5 years*
* *Dwarf: 8’ in diameter, full-size fruit, smaller yield, yield fruit in 3-5 years*
* *Semi-Dwarf: 12-15’ tall and wide, can produce up to 500 apples/season, produce reliably for 15-20 years, produce fruit in roughly 5 years*
* *Full/Standard Size: Produce anywhere from 4 to 8 bushels per season (400-800 pounds) depending on species, on average 20-30 in diameter*
* *Resource: **https://www.starkbros.com/growing-guide/article/estimated-yield-for…
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Dec 31, 2021
Family Milk Cow
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Dec 31, 2021
Supporting Bees on the Homestead (without being a keeper)
*Episode 6: Supporting Honeybees and Native Pollinators*
*Options for supporting bees without the ability to keep a hive, or before jumping into installing an apiary*
*Why are bees important?
Honeybees and native pollinators travel from flower to flower for pollen and nectar which they bring back to the hive. During this process they transfer pollen attached to the hairs on the legs between the flowers. This pollen transfer is what fertilizes a crop’s reproductive system creating food. Without pollination and bees, there would be far less food. Native and wild plants would also go unpollinated resulting in a major lack of food for wildlife, thus collapsing entire ecosystems.*
*Why are bee numbers declining?
According to USDA, “Beginning in 2006, experts noted significant yearly declines in honey bee colonies... Years of research determined the decline was likely attributable to a wide range of stressors such as pests, diseases, pesticides, pollutants/toxins, nutritio…
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Dec 31, 2021
Quality of Life
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Dec 31, 2021
Introduction of Birds on the Homestead
*Chickens*
* *Purpose: Fresh eggs, fertilizer for the garden, meat, breeding, tick and insect control*
* *Cons: Roosters are loud, roosters have spurs, health concerns, dust from scratching, they scratch up grass and gardens, can fly over fences unless wings are clipped, frostbite in cold climates*
* *Housing Requirements: 2-3 square feet per bird, roosting bards, predator-proof coop and run, nesting boxes, access to food and water*
*Ducks*
* *Purpose: Fresh eggs, meat, cold climate hardy, slug and snail control, don’t scratch up garden spaces, the only manure that can be directly applied to the garden, domesticated breeds with the exception of Muscovies can’t fly*
* *Cons: Rooting with their bills, can be loud, wet manure and mess, more mess requires more cleaning/new bedding, heavyweight breeds are more prone to bumblefoot and leg fractures*
* *Housing Requirements: Roughly 4 square feet per bird, no nesting boxes, predator proof coop and run, access to bathing wat…
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Dec 17, 2021
Seed Starting on the Homestead
Hi you all! Welcome back!
Today we take a deep dive into seed starting, GMO, Heirloom, Open-Pollinated... what?
When it comes to being one with nature, homesteading, self reliance- the first thing we think about is growing our own food.
Below are some helpful tips discussed in the episode and stay tuned for the next episode of the series.. Starting a Homestead Garden.
DIY Easy Seed Starting Mix Recipe
1 part perlite
1 part vermiculite
1 part sphagnum peat moss
Mix equal parts (example: two cups perlite, two cups vermiculite, two cups sphagnum peat moss) and mix well. Fill your seed starting containers and sow seeds according to seed packet instructions.
Zone Hardiness Map
https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/pages/view-maps
Grow Lightbulb:Grow Light BR30 LED Light Bulb for Indoor Plants, Full Spectrum, 9-Watts, 1-Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NN6SVG6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_QKWJJCT8BGCF81NQYTXN
Soil thermometer:Luster Leaf 1625 Digital Soil Thermometer https://www.amazon.c…
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Dec 2, 2021
What is a Homestead?
Welcome!
We are SO happy you are here! Cheers!
We are Angela and Mandi, both homesteaders found in New Jersey and Missouri.
Both of us crave a life full of purpose and new adventures. We have been homesteading collectively for over 12 years and have learned so much. Most importantly, we have so much to share!
This podcast will help you gain insight of the homesteading lifestyle, help you learn, make you laugh, and bring you along with our adventures.
Thank you for tuning in!
Find Angela on Instagram at @axeandroothomestead
Find Mandi on Instagram at @ wildoakfarms
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Nov 2, 2021
HOMESTEADucation Trailer: Season 1
Coming in January 2022, a podcast for those who are looking to slow down, return to their roots and feel more self-sufficient. Join Mandi of Wild Oak Farms and Angela of Axe & Root Homestead in their new podcast HOMESTEADucation, created by homesteaders for homesteaders.
This podcast will explore different facets of homesteading in detail including vegetable gardening, fruit orchard care, animal husbandry, and more. Listen for free on Apple Podcasts.
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