GenAcres Homestead

Why You Need a Rain Barrel Now! One only needs to read about Flint Michigan's ongoing problems related to their water system to realize that clean water may not always be available to us.

    Growing the Right Potato  the Right Way! Digging up a bed full of plump, healthy spuds is one of the many joys of growing your own food. It's always exciting to see what has grown under the earth when the wait is finally over and it's harvest time. But if your potato harvest has been rather disappointing, the reason may be as simple as not using the correct method of growing the potato for the type of potato you're trying to growing.

Tomatoes - Determinate or Indeterminate? What are the basic differences between a determinate tomato plant and an indeterminate tomato plant and which one is right for your garden?  

  Finding the Perfect Home for Your Homesteading Dreams By Lance Cody-Valdez Your retirement years provide a perfect opportunity to slow down, find joy, and reconnect with nature. If you have ever dreamed of starting a homesteading hobby, you can get started by searching for the right house where you can live out your goals.  Whether you want to live off the land, practice a new craft, or just create an atmosphere for your family to visit, the ideal home is out there waiting for you. With a few tips in mind, including those shared below by  The Homestead Village Blog , you will be ready to start this next step. Know What to Look For Real estate publications propose the idea that most buyers are  more interested in the location  rather than the features of the house itself. This will likely ring true for you as well since you probably need a spacious property away from urban areas to practice your homesteading hobbies comfortably. There are, however, certain key features to prioritize d

It's Organic and Economical! Growing healthy, juicy vegetables is as much an art as it is a science. One of the most effective yet economical ways to ensure that you grow great vegetables, whether potted or in the vegetable garden, is to use Epsom Salt.    So what is Epsom Salt and why is it so popular among vegetable gardeners? The main ingredient in Epsom Salt is magnesium sulfate which is an important soil additive for healthy plant life. It allows plants to take in nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen and enhances the capability of the soil. It assists in the creation of chlorophyll which is used by the plant to convert sunlight into food. Generally, the benefits of Epsom Salt on plants are many including that it’s organic, it’s gentle on plants and it’s inexpensive! Here are some specific ways it helps with your vegetable plants: Improves flower blooming. It enhances a plant’s green color. It helps plants grow bushier. Greatly improves a pl

If you're already growing your own food and haven't yet delved into the preserving world of pressure canning and water bath canning, you're really missing out on a great opportunity. In addition to saving money by preserving your hard-earned harvest, a pantry full of jars of food will give you confidence that your family will stay safely fed through these current uncertain times. Here is a great list of items you'll need to get you started. First, to learn the basics of pressure canning, a good book like this one is very important. There are some essential kitchen appliances that you will need to get started.  The cost of some of these items may seem a bit daunting at first, but the investment will be well worth it.  First, you will need a pressure canner.  NOT a pressure cooker, but a pressure canner.  A pressure canner is used to cook, sterilize, and preserve low-acid foods that are to be canned for future use.   Pres

Ten Steps to Veggie Garden Success Successful gardening doesn't come by accident, and in my opinion, there is NO SUCH THING as a green thumb. Success comes from good pre-planning and thoughtful follow-through. It's knowing what each vegetable plant needs to grow to a successful harvest and giving each plant what it needs.