axeandroothomestead
Angela
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Certified Permaculturist Author: Sustainable Homestead, Little Homesteader
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My personal reality as a homesteader is a lifestyle with full immersion in the stewardship of my land and animals, bearing witness to the changes in seasons, the circle that is life and death, and the beauty of truly understanding that nothing is permanent. Rather than wallow in hardship and grief when changes come, I choose to see the stars when I look up, not the darkness that surrounds them. We keep going—and look at all the beauty that surrounds us.
#homestead #homesteadlife #homesteader #homesteading #permaculturefarm
#homestead #homesteadlife #homesteader #homesteading #permaculturefarm
When we moved in, I needed a stable for my incoming draft horses. Far too large for the old barn entrances, I needed a new plan. Rather than tear down, rebuild, add new, or reconfigure, we decided to work with what we already had—a three car hobby garage from the previous owners that we had intended for hay storage. Seven years later I finally completed the tack closet. We successfully house three drafts who have 24/7/365 in-out access to pasture, a deep shelter to seek respite from wind, snow, and rain… and we saved so much money and resources.
#beforeandafter #farmhouse #stable #farmlife #permaculture #permaculturefarm #sustainablefarm #reuserecycle #reusereducerecycle #zerowaste #zerowasteliving
#beforeandafter #farmhouse #stable #farmlife #permaculture #permaculturefarm #sustainablefarm #reuserecycle #reusereducerecycle #zerowaste #zerowasteliving
Laying has begun to slow with the changes of the seasons. As the days shorten, it’s so interesting to watch how plants and animals (and even ourselves) react. I crave earlier bedtimes and heavier comfort foods. My mare is transitioning from her ovulatory season to her dormant one, causing for more spirited behavior until her system settles. The sheep are wooly and ready for the cold, while the ducks lay less and less each week. The trees are beginning to lose their green pigment in exchange for firelight hues and heat loving crops are slowing their production. We are headed into hibernation season soon. 🍂
#fall #fallonthefarm
#fall #fallonthefarm
The sunflowers that require no annual planting: meet sunchokes (aka wild sunflowers) and Maximilian sunflowers. Of course they bring a sunflower vibe to growing spaces, but also have all the perks of perennials for the environment. Tubers loosen compacted soils, blossoms feed pollinators, the woody plant tissue absorbs more carbon from the atmosphere than annual plants, they create a safe haven for predatory insects and birds, and they are edible. It’s said Maximilian sunflowers were planted around homes by the early settlers to deter mosquitos, and when their tubers are dried and added to bath water, they relieve pain and inflammation due to arthritis. And let’s not forget to mention the stunning living wall these plants create. 🌻
#permaculture #permaculturelife #permaculturefarm #permaculturevibes #sustainablehomestead #sustainableliving #permaculturefarming
#permaculture #permaculturelife #permaculturefarm #permaculturevibes #sustainablehomestead #sustainableliving #permaculturefarming
Nature first philosophy. // Meet Garlic, a new kitten here named by my kids. ☺️ Every addition is a balance on the homestead between what the farm needs and what nature already provides. As a permaculture practitioner, I assess every single element before bringing in something new… this is how an ecosystem is maintained.
In this case, we were down to one barn cat. I knew we’d likely need another before the temperatures plummet… a barn full of hay and animal feed (no matter how well protected) is a welcoming spot for country mice and rats. I waited to see what our resident rodent and owl populations were like, how many predatory inhabitants we have that could access the barn realistically with guard dogs around, and what stray cats (if any) might come by. Too many cats could reduce a food source other wildlife needs to survive so I wanted to be sure we had enough prey to support another cat. If I take a food source away from owls, kestrels, fox, etc., they’ll be more likely to prey on my birds or leave the farm all together; neither of which is the intention. And because this is social media, yes, I feed my cats multiple times per day. 😉
And so it was meant to be. We welcomed Garlic a few weeks ago. A skittish but most welcome new farm friend.
#permaculture #permaculturelife #permaculturefarm #permaculturevibes
In this case, we were down to one barn cat. I knew we’d likely need another before the temperatures plummet… a barn full of hay and animal feed (no matter how well protected) is a welcoming spot for country mice and rats. I waited to see what our resident rodent and owl populations were like, how many predatory inhabitants we have that could access the barn realistically with guard dogs around, and what stray cats (if any) might come by. Too many cats could reduce a food source other wildlife needs to survive so I wanted to be sure we had enough prey to support another cat. If I take a food source away from owls, kestrels, fox, etc., they’ll be more likely to prey on my birds or leave the farm all together; neither of which is the intention. And because this is social media, yes, I feed my cats multiple times per day. 😉
And so it was meant to be. We welcomed Garlic a few weeks ago. A skittish but most welcome new farm friend.
#permaculture #permaculturelife #permaculturefarm #permaculturevibes
Most folks here already know about how we lost Finn, and brought in two new driving horses. In the video, I’m giving a longer intro on each, and showing the new stable upgrade. Also watch on YouTube.
Time stamps: On Finnegan: 0:15 // Meet the new horses: 1:00 // See the stable upgrade: 5:10
…
I have been putting off making this video because we recently endured a devastating loss on my permaculture farm; my partner and friend, Finnegan, passed away unexpectedly. While processing my grief, it was essential I find Dozer (my remaining Clydesdale mare) a stablemate because horses just don’t do well alone. Very quickly, I found two beautiful horses we could offer a forever home to. Meet Sholto and Nevin, who are both already broke to ride and drive. In this video I’m sharing the new comers, talking about losing Finn, and showing the upgraded stable.
A few amazing places to shop for a horse if you’re open to adoption:
Colby’s Crew:@Ohkaytacos
https://colbyscrewrescue.org/
Horses Deserve a Second Chance: http://www.horsesdeserveasecondchance.com/
Time stamps: On Finnegan: 0:15 // Meet the new horses: 1:00 // See the stable upgrade: 5:10
…
I have been putting off making this video because we recently endured a devastating loss on my permaculture farm; my partner and friend, Finnegan, passed away unexpectedly. While processing my grief, it was essential I find Dozer (my remaining Clydesdale mare) a stablemate because horses just don’t do well alone. Very quickly, I found two beautiful horses we could offer a forever home to. Meet Sholto and Nevin, who are both already broke to ride and drive. In this video I’m sharing the new comers, talking about losing Finn, and showing the upgraded stable.
A few amazing places to shop for a horse if you’re open to adoption:
Colby’s Crew:@Ohkaytacos
https://colbyscrewrescue.org/
Horses Deserve a Second Chance: http://www.horsesdeserveasecondchance.com/
My upcycled DIY window greenhouse has officially turned one year old. I view this little space as so much more than just a place to start seeds, dry herbs and flowers, and cure root vegetables. This is the first full structure I’ve ever built entirely on my own so, to me, it’s also an evolutionary work in progress.
I’ve got the ventilation part down with plenty of airflow and no mold/mildew issues in the warmer months. But this winter I’ll be pushing myself to keep tropicals alive in here… I’ll be using thermal mass from large water drums and playing with reflective board to bounce more light (more on that later). And of course, doubling up on the roof panels like last season, sealing cracks and working on insulation around the base with straw bales. Always learning something new around here. 😉
#greenhouse #homesteading #permaculture #sustainablehomestead
I’ve got the ventilation part down with plenty of airflow and no mold/mildew issues in the warmer months. But this winter I’ll be pushing myself to keep tropicals alive in here… I’ll be using thermal mass from large water drums and playing with reflective board to bounce more light (more on that later). And of course, doubling up on the roof panels like last season, sealing cracks and working on insulation around the base with straw bales. Always learning something new around here. 😉
#greenhouse #homesteading #permaculture #sustainablehomestead
Every single item on this shelf was homegrown and home canned. I have loads more in my freezer, in jars of dehydrated goods, and in baskets of cured roots and produce. Nothing here is bought in bulk and then processed.
I strive to live a truly local lifestyle by growing as much as I can in my own backyard using permaculture practices. And if I have a bad season or I couldn’t grow it, I choose to source from a local farmer who could. My entire feed is dedicated to growing food using an ecosystem approach between land, soil, animals, and plants. No herbicides, pesticides, or synthetic fertilizers.
#permaculture #permaculturefarming #sustainableliving #homestead
I strive to live a truly local lifestyle by growing as much as I can in my own backyard using permaculture practices. And if I have a bad season or I couldn’t grow it, I choose to source from a local farmer who could. My entire feed is dedicated to growing food using an ecosystem approach between land, soil, animals, and plants. No herbicides, pesticides, or synthetic fertilizers.
#permaculture #permaculturefarming #sustainableliving #homestead
🍠Essentials for Growing Sweet Potatoes //
Sweet potatoes aren’t really potatoes. They’re tropical plants with edible roots in the morning glory family. As such, the harvest should be cured differently to create a sweeter flavor.
🌱Start by planting after the last frost. You can do slips or plant an entire sweet potato. Make sure the soil is loose and nutrient-dense as these are heavy feeding plants.
🌱Apply a dense layer of straw or mulch at planting time to retain moisture and prevent weeds. I do 10-12” thick. Grow undisturbed all season—no pruning of vines is necessary.
🌱Stop watering about 7-10 days before you plan to harvest. This prevents cracked skin on the potatoes.
🌱Harvest with your hands if possible by carefully moving back the vines, soil, and mulch. Lift without a shovel to avoid puncturing the potatoes.
🌱Sweet potatoes need heat and humidity to cure. I harvest mine when the forecast shows temps are soon to dip and the plant begins to yellow. Do not wash the tubers.
🌱A shady dry table outdoors is great for curing. Sweet potatoes need 80°F+ temps and 90% humidity according to The Farmer’s Almanac. Cure for two to three weeks before storing long term in a dark, cool, aerated location.
🌱Sweet potatoes are an amazing ground cover in food forest systems and also do well when grown with sunflowers!
🦌Note: deer LOVE sweet potato vines
#permaculture #permaculturelife #sustainablehomestead #sustainableliving #permaculturegarden #permaculturedesign #permaculturevibes
Sweet potatoes aren’t really potatoes. They’re tropical plants with edible roots in the morning glory family. As such, the harvest should be cured differently to create a sweeter flavor.
🌱Start by planting after the last frost. You can do slips or plant an entire sweet potato. Make sure the soil is loose and nutrient-dense as these are heavy feeding plants.
🌱Apply a dense layer of straw or mulch at planting time to retain moisture and prevent weeds. I do 10-12” thick. Grow undisturbed all season—no pruning of vines is necessary.
🌱Stop watering about 7-10 days before you plan to harvest. This prevents cracked skin on the potatoes.
🌱Harvest with your hands if possible by carefully moving back the vines, soil, and mulch. Lift without a shovel to avoid puncturing the potatoes.
🌱Sweet potatoes need heat and humidity to cure. I harvest mine when the forecast shows temps are soon to dip and the plant begins to yellow. Do not wash the tubers.
🌱A shady dry table outdoors is great for curing. Sweet potatoes need 80°F+ temps and 90% humidity according to The Farmer’s Almanac. Cure for two to three weeks before storing long term in a dark, cool, aerated location.
🌱Sweet potatoes are an amazing ground cover in food forest systems and also do well when grown with sunflowers!
🦌Note: deer LOVE sweet potato vines
#permaculture #permaculturelife #sustainablehomestead #sustainableliving #permaculturegarden #permaculturedesign #permaculturevibes
