Crops need water, but too much water in the soil is bad. That’s because excess water restricts plant growth and encourages shallow rooting that’s susceptible to drought as the season dries out. A little more than half of our farmland…
Canada’s Handiest Man, Steve Maxwell, lists the top 6 tools he swears do-it-yourself homeowners will never regret owning for home maintenance.
Why buy new furniture that everybody else has when you can make your own highly individual pieces? Furthermore, making your own furniture can often be more environmentally friendly than purchasing items that are manufactured and transported from overseas. So, here’s…
It’s herb harvest time on Manitoulin Island! Watch how homestead wife Mary harvests, bundles and dries this year’s herb bounty.
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, discovers the wood finish that keeps Canada’s Bluenose II sailboat shining: Helmsman from Minwax.
From a distance, pasture just looks like a green field, but there’s more going on than meets the eye on managed pastures. Join me and our dog, Kate (gone now I’m afraid), as I explain some of the plants that…
Video watch time = 2 1/2 minutes June 17, 2011 was not a great day at our house. Or at least it didn’t seem to be at the time. That was the day I discovered my septic system was toast….
Get the most out of your drill with the right kind of things to put into it. This video comes from my online course WOODWORKING FOR BEGINNERS.
A flagpole is more than just a pole in the ground. It’s a statement. A symbol of pride. And, often, a centerpiece in front of homes, schools, and offices. But here’s the thing—flagpoles need care. Just like cars need oil…
If you rely on a private well for drinking water, you’ve probably taken steps to make sure it’s safe. Maybe you’ve installed a sediment filter, added a UV system, or upgraded to a multi-stage filtration unit. These are smart precautions,…
Building a homestead involves many decisions, and one of the biggest is choosing the right type of structures. Pre-engineered buildings (PEBs) are becoming a popular choice because of their flexibility, cost-efficiency, and reliability. These structures are designed and partially manufactured…
It’s easy to look past the obvious fact that lumber comes from logs, but once you start thinking this way, interesting things can happen. It’s surprisingly easy to mill short, small logs into furniture-grade boards, right in your own workshop,…