Growing Your Small Farm Business

Growing Your Small Farm Business

Farming is no longer just a hobby – it’s a business opportunity. With the right knowledge, resources, and determination, you can turn your hobby farm into a profitable enterprise. It may seem daunting at first, but there are many steps you can take to monetize your hobby farm and make it a successful business venture. Below, American Outdoors shares some tips that will help you get your small farm business up and running.  Continue reading

3 Ways You Can Help Improve Animal Welfare in Your Community and Beyond

Research cited by People magazine shows that by 2030, up to 75 million pets will be at risk of inadequate veterinary care. The prime cause of this is the low rate of annual veterinary graduates. Each year around 3000 individuals across the United States graduate as veterinarians. As a result, by 2030, there will be a total of 15,000 vets. However, this is well short of the required number of 41,000.

One of the prime factors for this shortage is the high cost of education it takes to become a veterinary doctor. This poses a major challenge for the future of animal welfare which can only be addressed by increased awareness and participation by the public. In this article by American-Outdoors.net, we’ll explore the best ways you can step up and make a positive contribution towards improving animal welfare.  Continue reading

Plant Tomatoes Deep Or Sideways- The Secret To Your Best Harvest Ever

You’ve probably come across the common gardening advice arguing that planting tomatoes deeply is an absolute must.

It seems to go against all gardening instincts – especially when proponents recommend the leaves should be buried too.

But, as strange as it may sound, this piece of advice is absolutely true.

Although it is widely circulated across the internet and in gardening circles, there is often an important omission – why should you plant tomatoes deep? And how deep should you plant?

We’re going to break it down.

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Sow Thistle

Sow Thistle Offers Multiple Menu Options

Found almost everywhere, this dandelion look-alike is equally as versatile.

Name: SOW THISTLE
(Sonchus oleraceus and other species)

Sunflower family (Asteraceae) 

DESCRIPTION

Sow thistle is commonly mistaken for dandelion, to which it is related. Sow thistle is an annual weed with a more or less erect stem that grows from 1 to 4 feet tall.

The young plant forms a rosette of large, pinnately divided leaves, which are characterized by their almost-triangular terminal lobe. The young sow thistle is distinguished from dandelion by its tender, bluish-green leaves. The lower leaves on the mature plant are glaucous (dull, grayish-green or blue) and pinnately divided. The upper leaves of the mature plant are more or less entire, and they clasp the stem. When a leaf is torn or the stem is cut, a white sap oozes out.

The sow thistle flower is very similar to a dandelion flower. (Photo: Christopher Nyerges)

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Fun Facts About Sunflowers

closeup of a sunflower

Sunflowers are known for evoking a feeling of positivity because of their large, yellow blooms. They stand tall—taller than many other garden blooms—and always seem to perk up our moods. You may already be a fan of these familiar sunny flowers, but did you know that sunflowers can grow up to 12 feet tall in as little as six months, or how tall the current world-record holder is?

Interesting facts about the amazing sunflowers that you may not have known include: Continue reading

The Guide To Square Foot Gardening

Square Foot Gardening - Ultimate guide

Imagine it. Organized planters boxes laid out in a perfect pattern with walkways. Gardens that are bursting with life and look exceptionally manicured. Maybe you have seen them on t.v. and in magazines. These gardens that look as though they have been sculpted by a landscape artist. Have you ever wondered how it’s done or what it’s called? Well my friend, these gardens have a name, and it’s called square foot gardening. Looks difficult right? Maybe time consuming and too out of the box, well in this case in the box. In all actuality, this method is quite simple to undertake.

This simple method of gardening, has resurfaced over the years, and has become the next new gardening trend that everyone is digging into. From homesteads to the backyards of suburban neighborhoods and city community gardens, square foot gardening has helped many people turn the hobby of gardening into a fruitful lifestyle. Below, we have put together the ultimate guide for square foot gardening so that you can learn more about what it is and isn’t, its history, how you can get started and more. Continue reading