Growing Food Archives - Gently Sustainable

26MayMay 26, 2021

How to Get Rid of Varroa Mites in Your Beehives without Chemicals

Every created thing has adversaries, and the honeybee is no different. One of the most damaging predators that the honeybee must contend with is the varroa mite. But if you're a chemical-free beekeeper like me, you are always looking for ways to keep your honeybees healthy by natural means, but still get rid of the varroa mites! Today, I want to teach you "How to Control Varroa Mites in Your Beehives without Chemicals". Ever since I became a beekeeper, about 8 years ago, I've been told that you need toxic chemicals to treat varroa mites. However, after many years of research...

By KellyBeekeeping, Homesteading0 Comments

13AprApril 13, 2021

Composting for Beginners

One of the most important skills you need to master, if you plan to grow amazing food, is composting. "Composting for Beginners" will not only answer your questions and concerns about composting, but we will get your compost pile started! Composting isn’t as complicated of a subject as some would make it seem. Sure, there’s a ton of science and chemistry behind what happens when compost is formed, but you don’t need to know all of that to get started composting. It’s like owning an iPhone. You don’t really need to know how to build an iPhone, you only need to know how...

By KellyGrowing Food, Newbie, The Garden0 Comments

13AprApril 13, 2021

How to Survive Comfortably Without the Grocery Store

Can you imagine a life, so self-sufficient, that you could do without the grocery store? Could you survive one day/week/month, if the grocery store wasn't available to you? You might be surprised as we discuss "How to Survive Comfortably Without the Grocery Store". Going to the grocery store is something that most Americans do, once, twice or more often each week. Most of us can't imagine how we would survive without the local grocery for any period of time. A little over a hundred years ago, the first "self-serve" grocery store, Piggly Wiggly opened in Memphis, Tennessee in the year 1916. But...

By KellyFinancial Resilience, Growing Food, Homesteading, Sustainable Home0 Comments

13AprApril 13, 2021

How to Grow Strawberries in a Container

Who doesn't love fresh strawberries in the Spring? Ever wish you could grow your own? Container gardening to the rescue! Let me show you how to grow strawberries in a container! Strawberries represent that Springtime has arrived! Not only are strawberries delicious, but they supply Vitamin C, manganese, folate, potassium and high levels of antioxidants. And don't forget about how fabulous strawberries are in pies, cakes, jams, jellies, smoothies and just raw! So, let's get to growing some strawberries in a container! Are There Different Kinds of Strawberries? Strawberries come in two varieties: June-bearing - As the name indicates, these berries bear fruit in June. June-bearing...

By KellyGrowing Food, Newbie0 Comments

14JulJuly 14, 2020

how to get rid of japanese beatles organically

THE Natural Way to Finally Get Rid of Japanese Beetles

Japanese beetles. They come every year to destroy all of my beautiful fruit trees and garden, especially the roses. I hate them, I'll bet you do as well. Let's talk about "THE Natural Way to Finally Get Rid of Japanese Beetles ". The Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica, made it's way to the United States around 1916. Currently, Japanese beetles are established from Maine to Georgia and every other state east of the Mississippi River. The beetles are now being seen in parts of Kansas and are thought to be moving westward. Did you know that a Japanese Beetle will fly up to...

By kmorrisGrowing Food, The Garden, Veteran0 Comments

10JunJune 10, 2020

13 Fastest Growing Vegetables at Home for Summer

Summer is such a great time to enjoy all of your favorite vegetables! Short on time, though? Need something quick and easy to grow? Check out "13 Fastest Growing Vegetables at Home for Summer"! As our food-grid shows itself to be more unstable than anyone really wants to come to terms with, it's wise to start growing some of your own food at home! Increase your food security with these 13 fast growing vegetables, you can start harvesting in no time! 1. Radishes Radishes are one of the fastest growing and most versatile vegetable to incorporate into any meal! Although I love...

By kmorrisGrowing Food, Homesteading, Newbie, The Garden0 Comments

24MayMay 24, 2020

Make Your Own Potato Grow Bag

Springtime means gardening and what's a garden without potatoes? If you love fresh potatoes from the garden but don't care for all the digging involved, I've got your answer...let's take a look at "Make Your Own Potato Grow Bag"! Potatoes are a staple at our house! We absolutely love potatoes and all of the wonderful ways they can be prepared! Potatoes are also very nutritious, containing vitamins B6, C, potassium and fiber! Maybe you've grown potatoes in the past but got frustrated with all the digging, especially at harvest time. Introducing, the Potato Grow Bag! Growing potatoes in bags is so easy! ...

By kmorrisGrowing Food, Newbie, The Gardencontainer potatoes, grow bags, grow potatoes in bag0 Comments

30AprApril 30, 2020

10 Ways to Improve Food Security for Your Family

There is little doubt that most Americans need to improve their family's food security, but just how is that done? Let's take a look at some practical ways you can make sure your family always has enough food! Here's "10 Ways to Improve Food Security for Your Family"! For the last two years here in the states, we have seen unprecedented shortfalls in our food supply. In 2019, known as the year of NoPlant19, we saw record rain fall/flooding in the "Bread basket" states, disallowing farmers to be able to plant in the Spring. Seeds that needed to be in the...

By kmorrisAccomplished, Financial Resilience, Growing Food, Homesteading, Sustainable Home0 Comments

09AprApril 9, 2020

Frugal Canning: Does Home Canning Really Save Money?

Frugal Canning: Does Canning Food Really Save You Money?

Canning and preserving food are skills that have been around for ages. But does canning food really save you money? The answer is yes...and no. Confused? Let's dig into this with "Frugal Canning: Does Canning Food Really Save You Money?" Long before what we know as "grocery stores" existed (Piggly Wiggly opened the first grocery store in 1916!), families were responsible for their own food supply. Folks grew large gardens every year, not as a hobby, but as a matter of survival! Every member of the family helped to maintain the garden, to insure the best harvest possible. Livestock such as chickens,...

By kmorrisAccomplished, Canning, Financial Resilience, Growing Food, Preserving Food, The Gardencanning, Food preservation0 Comments