As the autumn season approaches, many people begin to wonder about the relationship between deer and pumpkins. The question arises: do deer eat pumpkins? The simple answer is yes, deer do eat pumpkins. The longer answers is more complicated. What you really want to know is, are your pumpkins at risk? This depends on a … Read more
Learning how to grow dahlias in Colorado is much easier than you may think. I was hesitant when we first moved to our mountain homestead at 8,000 feet. I’d seen beautiful pictures of dahlias, but could they really grow in Colorado? The answer is a resounding yes! After several years of growing dahlias, here’s what … Read more
You may recall from the May homestead update that we are the proud owners of Nubian Saanen cross goats. Our friends at Westcliffe Cheese had offspring for sale and we quickly jumped on the opportunity. We now have a breeding pair (named Stuart and Floppy) and have quickly learned a lot about raising goats. I’ve … Read more
It’s easy to get sucked into the idea that hard equals bad. As humans we’re hardwired to seek the path of least resistance. To find comfort. To turn around when the going gets tough. I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. Having three young kids is hard (honestly much harder than I had imagined). … Read more
As a chicken keeper, you’ve probably witnessed your flock rolling around in the dirt, flinging dust all over themselves. This seemingly bizarre behavior, known as dust bathing, is a crucial part of a chicken’s grooming routine. It’s also an instinct-driven activity that chickens thoroughly enjoy. This guide provides you with comprehensive insights on creating the … Read more
Are you wondering if the Dominique Chicken is a must-have for your flock? As a chicken-fanatic, I’ve raised just about every breed out there during my 15 years of chicken-keeping. What started as a small backyard urban flock in Seattle, morphed into more than 30 chickens free-ranging my 35 acre homestead in Colorado. Now that’s … Read more
Have you ever wondered how many eggs does a chicken lay a day? It’s a common question and knowing how many eggs a chicken can produce daily is essential for planning and maintaining a successful flock. Egg production in chickens is a fascinating process that can vary depending on factors such as breed, age, and … Read more
Looking for the best cut flower dahlias? I get it. Dahlias are amazing to grow and amazing to arrange. Few other flowers offer so much variety and abundance. I’ve been growing dahlias on our homestead for years now. They are always extremely popular with customers at the farmers market and with florists, too. When looking … Read more
Summer is in full swing. Life on farm lately has been hot, busy, and beautiful. While living and gardening at 8,000 feet elevation presents a lot of challenges, we’re also supremely grateful for cool mountain nights. The afternoons are still incredibly hot, but come sundown the temps drop and we can comfortably sleep with that … Read more
Ever wondered which chickens lay brown eggs? You’ve come the right place. Sure, green eggs, blue eggs, and speckled eggs can get all of the attention. But don’t let that sway you from choosing brown egg laying chickens. When I first got chickens (more than 10 years ago!) I knew I wanted a mix of … Read more
Knowing when to cut peonies for the vase will keep the fresh for the longest time possible. We’ve been growing peonies at 8,000 feet in Colorado for several years and they’ve quickly become my favorite flower. Even my kids love checking the peonies and going on evening bloom walks. Peonies are exquisite flowers that bring … Read more
Learning when to plant dahlias will guarantee you get to enjoy these popular and stunning blooms. As a gardener, flower farmer, and homesteader, dahlias are among my favorite flowers. They are beloved my customers and florists, have a long vase life, and come in a wide array of colors and forms (if you’re looking for … Read more