GenAcres Homestead

This article presumes that you are familiar with the basics of making projects with hypertufa. If you aren’t familiar with the process, or just need a refresher, go to our Hypertufa 101 article with step by step hypertufa-making instructions, by clicking here. I have made several hypertufa projects and by far my favorite mold for making planters is wicker baskets. They can readily be found for a few bucks at second-hand shops so I don’t worry that they will be destroyed by the process. When you firmly push the hypertufa mix into the wicker basket’s cracks and crevices, the final look has a basket imprint which I find hard to match by any other method.     Types of Wicker Baskets The thickness and strength of the wicker basket is important. Baskets that are thicker with a tighter weave will give you the deepest imprint on the final project but will be more difficult to de-mold later. Recipe for Wicker Basket Planters The common mix recipe of one part

Making Seed Tapes  I used to think making seed tapes was a waste of time and I didn’t understand why gardeners would spend time making them. That was until I was at my wit’s end trying to thin out carrot seeds that I had direct sown. I find it nearly impossible to get the spacing right on those tiny seeds. So I tried the seed tape thing and made enough of them to fill a four by eight foot raised garden bed. The result?  The carrots germinated with just the right spacing – NO THINNING!  I was sold.

Don't Cut Corners in your Veggie Garden! You Can Be Frugal and Successful! There are a lot of ways to cut corners in the garden to save money. Buying garden supplies such as containers, watering cans, etc from a second-hand store is one way. Building your own raised garden beds or trellises is another.

   Feeding Bread to Wild Birds Generally, bread is not safe to feed birds on a regular basis, and the general category of “bread” for this article includes any bread-like product including buns, bagels, crackers, chips, etc.  

Zebra Finch Choosing the Best Birdbath We all prefer birdbaths that add beauty and whimsy to our yards, but the birds themselves may be looking for something else, things that were designed for them in mind.

Uses for Baking Soda in the Garden We all know that Baking Soda is great for indoor use as a mild abrasive cleaner and also to neutralize those fridge odors, but what about its uses in the garden? Baking Soda is made up entirely of sodium bicarbonate which is a highly alkaline substance making it great for the following uses in the garden:

Seven Best Annuals for Veggie Gardens Gardens can tend to look rather bland and can be more practical than beautiful. The addition of beautiful flowering plants can bring back the beauty that every garden deserves. Using the right annual plants strategically will not only bring the garden back to life visually but can help your veggies stay healthy and pest free.

Great Books for New Food Preservers I started preserving food years ago after a series of power outages occurred that cost me hundreds if not thousands of dollars in food loss that was stored in the freezer.

Choosing the Right Bird Feeder Walking out on my back deck at 7 a.m. and hearing the happy chirping of the birds I have drawn into my yard makes the perfect start to my day.

Draw in Beneficial Insects Attracting beneficial insects to your garden can be as easy as planting the right plants or flowers or a combination of them.

Why Hypertufa Projects Crack This article presumes that you are familiar with the basics of making projects with hypertufa .  If you aren’t familiar with the process, or just need a refresher, you may want to first go to our Hypertufa 101 article by clicking here.

Best Homesteading Books for Beginners The word "homesteading" today has come to mean the pursuit of a rewarding and self-sufficient lifestyle. It can include everything from keeping bees, growing vegetables, composting, installing solar panels, creating a rain barrel, raising animals, canning your own food, and the list goes on!

  Unique and Fun Hosta-Related Gift Ideas Welcome to part two of our hosta gift ideas blog!  If you missed Part 1 which includes important and very practical tools and supplies for your hosta garden, you can read it here:  Great Hosta Gifts Now onto our top picks for unique hosta-related gifts.

Great Practical Gifts for Hosta Lovers! Besides the Plants! Whether you're buying for yourself or that hosta lover you know, it's not easy to find great gifts aside from hosta plants (which are ALWAYS a good gift choice)? Here are some great gift ideas that any hosta lover would love.  The end of the blog has a link to our list of unique hosta gifts sure to please any hostaholic or hosta lover!