All About Elderberry

Elderberry Elderberry, scientifically known as Sambucus, is a genus of flowering plants that includes several varieties, with Sambucus nigra (black elderberry) being the most commonly cultivated for its health benefits. Elderberries are praised for their medicinal properties and are used in various forms, including…

Eggs: US vs European Standards

Here in the US, we buy our clean refrigerated eggs from the grocery … but Europe is very different. There are no regulations for cleaning and the eggs are stored at room temperature. Both methods are designed to prevent salmonella but the strategies are…

Growing Sprouts: A Flock Favorite

With the winter cold coming and no more grass until spring, I like to provide my flock with sprouts throughout the winter. Wheat berries are one of their favorites! These are one well-balanced and nutritious food to include in a chicken’s daily diet! Here’s…

Spring Garden Plans In Process

It’s that time again and spring will be here before you know it. Time to start thinking about our garden! We are starting plans for our summer garden keeping the bees and our needs in mind. If you have an interest in beekeeping then…

Beekeeping 101: In New England

Last year, my bees were highly productive … a bit angry and aggressive, but they produced some awesome honey! This was my 2nd year of beekeeping … my 1st year, my bees absconded … they ALL left the hive. It was VERY disappointing  but…

Sweet & Spicy Beef Jerky Recipe

This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission  (at no extra cost to you) for purchases made through these links. Making your own jerky is easier than you ever imagined! And tastes much better than anything you will buy retail!…

The Queen Is Free!

This is my 2nd year keeping bees. Last year, midway through the year, my bees absconded (they all simply left) and I was left with a bare hive. It was VERY disappointing but lessons learned and on a positive note they created a good…

What’s In Your Backyard 04.18.2021

We live in a rural area of Massachusetts, on 3 acres and surrounded by woods and hay fields. We set up trail cameras on our property to catch the action that we can’t regularly see. The deer, coyote, and fisher cat live in the…

What’s In Your Backyard?

We live on 3 acres, surrounded by lots of undeveloped land, This past Christmas we got a couple of trail cams to check out the activity on our property that we will likely never see. We have a fisher cat that makes multiple weekly…

Bees!

Spring is here and with that comes the flowers and the bees! Our honey bees will be here April 17th! In the meantime, the bees are starting to buzz around the yard. This afternoon I went out into the yard and there were little…