Andrew

Hi, I’m Andrew. I grew up on a farm, so growing food has been part of my life for a long time. After Betty and I got married, we started growing and canning on our own land. More recently, when we bought our property, we put in 21 raised garden beds. We grew so much that we were able to can over 100 quart jars of produce. On this site, I write the kind of blog posts I wish I had when we were figuring it out.

A wooden chicken coop with mesh walls, filled with several chickens inside.

Chicken Coop, Homesteading, Raising Chickens

10 Smart Inside Chicken Coop Ideas That Keep Your Hens Happy

May 14, 2026

The outside of a chicken coop gets all the attention — the paint, the run, ...

A group of chickens walking through grassy pasture.

Homesteading, Raising Chickens, Small Farm Animals

Chicken Breeds Guide: Pick the Perfect Chickens for Your Homestead

May 14, 2026

Picking the right chicken breeds can make or break your homestead experience. Choose the wrong ...

Green bean plant with small purple flowers and developing beans growing in a raised garden bed.

Companion Planting, Gardening, Green Beans

15 Favorite Bean Companion Plants Homesteaders Swear By

May 13, 2026

Beans are workhorses in the homestead garden — they fix nitrogen in the soil, produce ...

Three colorful beehives on raised wooden stands in a wooded autumn setting.

Backyard Farming, Beekeeping, Homesteading

Beekeeping for Beginners: How to Start Your First Hive

May 12, 2026

If you’ve been dreaming about adding bees to your homestead but don’t know where to ...

Eggplants, tomatoes, beans, and flowers growing in a lush raised garden bed outdoors.

Companion Planting, Eggplant, Gardening

15 Best Eggplant Companion Plants for HUGE Harvests and Fewer Pests

May 11, 2026

Eggplant is a rewarding warm-season vegetable, but it does come with its share of challenges ...

Half acre backyard garden with raised metal beds and greenhouse in sunny yard.

Garden Layout, Half Acre Homestead Layout, Homesteading

Best Half Acre Homestead Layout Plan for Beginners

May 11, 2026

A half acre might not sound like much, but for a beginner homesteader, it is ...

Cottage garden with pink climbing roses and purple flowers beside a white house.

Backyard, Flower, Garden Design, Gardening, Perennials

12 Dreamy Cottage Garden Designs You’ll Want in Your Backyard

May 8, 2026

A cottage garden is all about that relaxed, natural look that doesn’t try too hard. ...

Strawberry plant growing in a raised planter box.

Fruits, Gardening, Raised Beds, Raised Garden Beds, Strawberries

How to Grow Strawberries in Raised Beds for Sweet, Juicy Harvests

May 7, 2026

If you’ve ever bitten into a sun-warm, freshly picked strawberry straight from your own garden, ...

Two small quail resting on wood shavings in an enclosure.

Backyard Farming, DIY, Eggs, Homesteading, Quail

12 Best Quail Coop Ideas for Healthy Birds and High Egg Production

May 7, 2026

Quail might be one of the most overlooked birds on the homestead. They are small, ...

White duck standing in a sunlit coop with a chicken behind it.

Backyard Farming, common mistakes, Raising Chickens, Raising Ducks

Raising Ducks and Chickens Together (The Mistakes You’ll Want to Avoid Early)

May 6, 2026

Raising ducks and chickens together absolutely can work – and it can work really well. ...