My son runs in the house with a big smile and a new discovery from the garden. "Dad, Dad I have a new pet, can I keep him?" "What did you find son?" He shows me a 4 inch long green Hornworm that make most gardeners cry out with fear. Then I take a dreaded walk to my tomato plant on which he has just found his new pet and see what I expected. Oh no, what is happening to my plants? Look at the holes in the leaves! How hungry are these critters? And why the heck does this huge caterpillar with…

The Happy Homesteader

Well, for most of us gardeners, around this time of year we begin to include the daily garden chore of bug hunting. For me it includes a small bucket with a couple of inches of soapy water in the bottom and my gardening gloves because I hate touching bugs! I go out first thing in the morning because that is when I can find the most pests. I go down the veggie garden and each time I see a bug that is bothering my…

The Happy Homesteader Blog

Last week I offered a challenge to new farm dreamers.  The goal was to help you figure out if you have what it takes to pursue your farmsteading dream by picturing yourself in a dramatic real-life situation.  I wrote about how even modern day homesteaders need a large dose of fortitude to overcome the adversities of living off the land. 

For the modern day homesteader however, we've not only got to be…