🌾 In Hard Times, Grow Something: The Quiet Patriotism of Feeding Ourselves
When times get hard, it’s easy to feel powerless. Prices rise, supply chains break, and even the most basic things — like putting food…
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Welcome to mybackyard homestead
myBackyardHomestead is tucked away in the high-altitude pines of Colorado, our little slice of heaven that we lovingly call Cheesecake Bear Ranch is more…
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The Artist’s Garden: Nature as Muse and Medicine
More than a decade ago, our high-altitude garden in the mountains of Colorado began as a small experiment in growing food and flowers. Over…
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🍂 Rethinking Fall Cleanup at Cheesecake Bear Ranch
As the days grow shorter and the crispness of fall settles in, gardeners everywhere feel that old familiar pull: the great fall cleanup. Out…
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No-Till, No-Weed, and No-Fuss Gardening
If you’re looking for a gardening method that requires less work, fewer weeds, and no tilling, the Ruth Stout Method might be your new…
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Cold-Weather Crops to Plant in March (Direct Sowing or Transplants)
I’m in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b-5a, meaning I have a short growing season with late frosts in spring and early frosts in fall. However,…
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Winter Sowing with Milk Jugs: A Beginner’s Guide
Winter Sowing with Milk Jugs: A Beginner’s Guide Winter sowing is an easy and fun way to start your garden before spring even arrives.…
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Red Lake Currants: A Delicious and Bountiful Harvest
If you’re looking for a fruit that’s both tasty and abundant, Red Lake currants are a fantastic choice! Known for their vibrant red color…
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