Grit

My partner and I put up bird feeders just outside the kitchen window, mostly for our own entertainment while washing dishes—a task that’s somehow self-perpetuating in our house. Perhaps it’s all the home cooking … but I digress. The feeders have so f

For a unique alternative to the traditional holiday poinsettia or Christmas cactus, consider giving florist’s cyclamens (Cyclamen persicum) a try. These attractive houseplants offer an array of showy, brightly colored flowers in white, vivid red, pin

It goes without saying that 2020 has been a year to remember. The whole world has been affected in one way or another, and the list of tragedies seems to grow longer each passing day. As I write this, there are still a few months to go before 2020 bl

“To Mow or Not to Mow?” (www.Grit.com/Why-Mow) Kirby Sabbatini: Our township will _ ne you for not mowing. Since the property is separated by a road, the chickens kept one side in check, but we still had to mow the other side. Charlene Meeks: Mowing

This past September, I made the call to my wife, Elaine, that I love to give and she’s always thrilled to receive: “I just killed my first deer of the season. Get ready to do some butchering.” When I harvest a deer with a bow, and then Elaine and I w

Woodstoves are among the least expensive forms of home heating, enabling self-sufficiency and comfort that other heat sources don’t provide. They’re not without their share of work, though, both to keep you warm and to keep the stove maintained. Even

When we were young, a friend and I spent several days in the deep woods, having fun, taking our time getting from Point A to Point B. Between us, we had one Bowie knife, some matches, denim jackets, boots, slouch hats, outerwear and underwear, and no

“Nothing succeeds like success.” This seems to qualify as the mantra for many of our growers and agricultural extension agents when it comes to berries and small fruit. The overwhelming attention and resources devoted to a small number of the most po

Food history was made in ancient Rome when ingredients such as fish oil, vinegar, and grape juice were added to the seeds of the mustard plant, creating the condiment we know today as mustard. In fact, one of the first written recipes for mustard dat

Creating your own fantastic sourdough starter doesn’t take great skill or expense. What does it take? Time and consistent care. Some people suggest creating a starter using particular grains, such as rye, but we used spelt and have had no issues achi

Most of our off-grid property in the foothills of the Olympic Mountains is made up of second-growth woods of fir and cedar. We have two large ponds, and no neighbors within two miles. The woods and wetlands here are home to many kinds of wildlife, in

Whenwe purchased our rural land several years ago, one of the first tasks I hoped to accomplish was clearing land for a storage building. I also wanted to plow some small, fallow fields that had become overgrown with brush over the years. One of the

Arrows have evolved over 10,000 years to become the highly efficient projectiles we know today. Many different components work together to make an arrow shoot straight and true, and they can all be adjusted to achieve the best shot possible. Here, I’

Are you ready? We’re making whoopie today! Whoopie pies, that is. Let’s start with what they aren’t: a pie. Yes, I know, it’s in the name. No, I don’t know why. What I do know is that whoopie pie is a mouthwatering Pennsylvania Dutch Country treat. I

One of the most endearing of our year-round birds in southwestern Virginia is the black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus). With its oversized, round head; fluffy body; and curiosity about everything, including humans, this member of the titmous

My brother and I have been pigeon fanciers for more than 50 years, exporting and importing the birds and winning major races with them in the United States and Japan. Most people are unaware of the sport and the impact pigeons have had throughout his

Despite a long history of livestock breed development in America, few breeds can claim they originated from the vision of a U.S. president. The American Mammoth Jackstock, however, can. George Washington believed that the growth of the U.S. would req

The invention of the microscope allowed researchers to discover sperm cells and their role in reproduction—a boon to farmers and ranchers. Artificial insemination (AI) took off in Russia in the early 20th century with the development of extenders tha

Precautions are necessary when maintaining a liquid nitrogen tank for storing semen samples on your farm. Although liquid nitrogen (LN2) is a relatively inert element, it’s extremely cold—minus 320 degrees Fahrenheit. Contact with skin can cause seve

Keep your butter soft and spreadable for up to 30 days, without refrigeration with this Butter Keeper! Simply pour approximately 1/2-inch of water in the basin, fill the top of the butter keeper with butter, and turn it upside down so the water is co