Nuts – Homestead on the Range

6 Tips for Protecting an Orchard from Deer

Because deer can jump to tremendous heights, excluding them from an orchard is not easy, even with a fence. Here are some options for deterring the deer.

How Much Water Does It Take to Grow Pecans?

Pecans in Kansas will sometimes require irrigation if they are to produce a large, high-quality crop.

Best Plants for Compacted Soils

Plants with the ability to resist compaction and its associated problems, for garden, orchard, lawn, field, and pasture.

Nickel in Plants

Until recently, scientists did not consider nickel essential for plant growth. Now nickel is recognized as an essential nanonutrient.

Craftsy folks frequently share a do-it-yourself ethic. While it’s always easier just to buy cheap, pretty yarn at the craft store, some (particularly homesteaders) prefer to create their own dyes. In fact, if you own sheep or other fiber animals, this may be a logical next step to adding value to your products. You canContinue reading “A Rainbow of Natural Dyes”

What is Permaculture?

Just the basics on this comprehensive approach to sustainable living.

Peach Leaf Curl

Peach leaf curl is a common disease caused by the fungus Taphrina deformans. Besides peaches, susceptible plants include nectarines and almonds. The peach leaf curl fungus spends the winter in the bark and buds of its hosts. It enters new buds as they begin to swell and open in the spring, spread by rain andContinue reading “Peach Leaf Curl”

Brown Rot

Brown rot is a serious disease of fruits and almonds caused by fungi Monolinia fructicola and Monolinia laxa. The fruits most susceptible to the fungus are: Peaches. Nectarines. Plums. Apricots. Cherries. Almonds. However, apples and pears are infected with brown rot on occasion. The fungus grows and multiplies rapidly in wet weather, entering plants throughContinue reading “Brown Rot”

Stocking Up

It’s not too late to think about putting away your produce for the winter! And if you need help figuring out what to do with it, allow us to recommend a classic: Stocking Up.