Homesteading Alliance

Soil might not seem like it's that important; it’s just dirt, right? Wrong! Soil provides your plants with all of the vital nutrients, air, and water that they need to grow and thrive. Soil is like your diet – if you eat food that isn't nutritious, you won't be as healthy as you could be. If your plants aren't growing in the right soil, they won't be healthy, either.

The soil in your garden beds is the lifeblood to your plants. It took me some time to understand that. I couldn’t figure out why my plants failed year after year, and I realized it was because I was putting a lot of effort into growing and maintaining plants, yet I never paid attention to the soil.

Did you know there are different types of soil? There are six main varieties, and while lots of soil is a mixture of some of these, all dirt falls into one primary category. Understanding your soil type helps you know what kind of plants will do well in your earth and what amendments your garden may need.

Soil doesn’t come in a one-size-fits-all type. It varies by region, and even property by property. You don't have to live with the soil in your garden, though. You can create different soil conditions in raised beds, planters, or larger garden plots. It's essential to understand the characteristics of your soil to maximize your garden health, so let's jump in.

The 6 Types of Soil

There are six main types of soil: loamy, chalky, peaty, silty, sandy, and clay. Each of these types has different properties that you need to understand to get the most from your garden.

1. Loamy

The first type of soil is a loamy soil, which is like a mixture of clay, silt, and sand. When you hold it in your hands, it has a fine-texture and might feel a bit damp. Loamy soil is ideal for many gardens, lawns, and shrubs, so pat yourself on the back if you have this type of soil in your gardens.

Overall, loamy soil has a great structure for planting, it has a good amount of drainage, it retains moisture, and it holds nutrients fairly well. That said, its drainage properties mean that nutrients wash out and you will need to add nutrients back into the soil, so add compost often. Also, loamy soil tends to be acidic.

• Pros: Loamy soil has great structure and drains well. It also holds nutrients well, though they can wash out at a moderate rate.
• Cons: Loamy soil is acidic, and you'll need to add nutrients to help plants thrive. Plants like cacti don't like loamy soil.

What Thrives in Loamy Soil?

• Climbers
• Vegetables
• Berries
• Root Crops

What Struggles in Loamy Soil?

• Tomatoes, after the seedling stage
• Green Beans
• Late-growing cabbage and brassicas
• Cacti

2. Chalky

When compared to other soils, chalky soil has larger grains and a stony feel. Usually, it overlays limestone bedrock or chalk, so it's free draining. Chalky soil is alkaline, so it can cause your plants to experience stunted growth, as well as yellowish leaves.

You can change chalky soil, but it takes some work, like adding organic fertilizers and balancing the pH levels. You can add humus to the ground to help improve water retention and to improve the workability of the soil.

• Pros: Chalky soil is a champion at draining well. It's also easy to work.
• Cons: Chalky soil is alkaline, so plants that need acid soil won't do well. It also leaches out iron and magnesium.

What Thrives in Chalky Soil?

• Spinach
• Beets
• Sweet Corn
• Cabbage
• Lilacs

What Struggles in Chalky Soil?

• Blueberries
• Tomatoes

3. Peaty

Peat soil has a dark color, and when it’s wet, it feels damp and spongy. Have you ever purchased peat moss at the store to add to your garden beds? It has a similar feeling.

There are some advantages to having peaty soil. It's acidic and helps to slow down decomposition, but that can cause the ground to have fewer nutrients available for the plants. Peaty soil heats up quickly during the spring, but it retains a lot of water, so it might have drainage issues.

If your garden beds have peaty soil, you might have to dig drainage channels to help the water drain out. On the bright side, peat soil, when mixed with compost and other organic matter, is excellent for plant growth. You can add lime to reduce the acidic nature.

• Pros: Peaty soil is rich in nutrients, which makes it great for plant growth. It also heats up quickly.
• Cons: Peat is highly acidic and retains a lot of water.

What Thrives in Peat Soil?

• Root Crops
• Salad Greens
• Brassicas
• Lantern Trees
• Witch Hazel

What Struggles in Peat Soil?

• Tomatoes
• Peppers

4. Silty

Next up is silty soil, which feels soft in your hands, almost like soap. It holds moisture well, so it’s generally rich in nutrients. Gardeners love silty soil because it’s easily cultivated, but it can become compacted, so it poses problems for root crops.

Mixing silty soil in with other types of soil, such as clay, can help to increase the drainage. If silty soil drains too much, mixing in composted organic matter can provide structure.

• Pros: Silty soil holds moisture well and is rich in nutrients.
• Cons: It compacts easily and can get waterlogged.

What Thrives in Silty Soil?

A lot of plants grow well in silty soil, such as:

• Most veggie crops
• Climbers
• Perennial plants
• Willow Trees
• Birch Trees
• Dogwood Trees

What Struggles in Silty Soil?

• Carrots
• Parsnips

5. Sandy

If you hold sandy soil in your hands, it feels gritty. The benefit of sandy soil is that it drains quickly and dries out fast. Not all plants like this, of course, but those that do will be happy. In the spring, sandy soil warms up quickly, but it doesn't hold onto nutrients as long because they wash away during wetter spells.

Sandy soil often requires some organic amendments like organic fertilizer blends, glacial rock dust, or kelp meal. Also, you'll want to add mulch to gardens with sandy soil because it helps to retain moisture.

• Pros: Sandy soil drains well and warms up fast. It's ideal for seedlings and it's easy to dig in.
• Cons: Nutrients drain away quickly in sandy soil. It's not as fertile as other types, and it dries out quickly.

What Thrives in Sandy Soil?

• Vegetable root crops, such as carrots, potatoes, and parsnips
• Lettuce
• Strawberries
• Corn
• Squash

What Struggles in Sandy Soil?

• Cabbage
• Broccoli
• Peas

6. Clay

Clay is one of the easiest types of soil to distinguish. It feels lumpy when you hold it in your hand and sticky when it's wet. When clay soil is dry, it’s as hard as a rock.

The biggest problem with clay soil is that it's horrible at draining and doesn't have any air pockets. Imagine molding clay; it's thick and dense. That's what clay soil is like. Also, clay earth takes time to warm up in the spring, and it's difficult to cultivate.

On the positive side, if gardeners enhance the drainage for the soil, then clay soil is fantastic for growing because it provides plenty of nutrients to the plants.

• Pros: Water doesn't drain as fast as some other types of soil.
• Cons: Soil can become waterlogged, and it takes time to warm up. It's also harder to dig in.

What thrives in clay soil?

• Summer crop vegetables
• Fruit trees
• Ornamental trees
• Perennials
• Aster
• Bergamot

What struggles in clay soil?

• Carrots
• Parsnips
• Soft berries

Testing Your Soil

You can figure out what type of soil you have by looking at the texture of your soil when it's wet and dry. Take a small amount of earth in your hand and wet it. Then, knead it into a paste and roll it out between your palms to form a ball.

Then, look at the characteristics of that ball to determine what type of soil you have.

• Clay soil: Rolls into a ball easily, but might feel rough or have a shiny look on the exterior.
• Sandy soil: Rolls into a ball without problems but feels gritty, OR doesn’t roll into a ball well and feels gritty.
• Loamy soil: Feels sticky and gritty, which is the indication of the perfect soil. If mixed with sand, it might fall apart.
• Silty soil: It feels slippery and silky but rolls into a ball with some work.
• Peaty soil: Rolls into a ball but breaks apart easily. Feels a bit like a sponge.
• Chalky soil: Doesn’t roll too well and has a dry texture.

How to Amend Your Soil

No matter what type of soil you have, it’s possible to amend and adjust the soil to make it fit your needs. Raised beds are ideal in situations that have problematic soil; you can control the environment better with raised beds.

If you don’t want to create raised beds, here are some solutions for your soil.

1. Adjust the pH Level

Most plants prefer a neutral soil, but some favor slightly acid or alkaline soils. Adjusting the levels help make the soil more hospitable to the plants you want to grow.

• To make the soil more alkaline, add ground lime.
• To make the soil more acidic, add aluminum sulfate or sulfur.

2. Adding Nutrients

Some soils, such as sandy soil, lose their nutrients quickly, so you need to add more. Organic matter, like compost and rotted manure, enriches the ground while also improving the texture. In the case of sandy soil, adding compost makes the soil hold onto moisture longer.

You also can use organic mulches, like grass clippings and shredded leaves. Organic mulches break down over time, sending nutrients into the soil and improving the soil structure.

3. Increasing Drainage

If your soil is holding onto too much water, you need to increase the drainage. Some gardeners add compost or sand to the earth to help it drain better. Mixing soil types can create an ideal situation.

4. Retaining More Moisture

On the other hand, sometimes soil drains too quickly, so you need to help it retain moisture. One way to do that is by using organic mulches around your plants. Not only does mulch help to retain moisture, but it will change the soil structure. You can also add peat moss or compost to help retain moisture.

Know Your Types of Soil

The type of soil that you have is more than boring old dirt. It can determine the success or failure of your garden. By learning how to adjust your soil to make it the right one for your plants, you give your plants the best start and chance to thrive.

Study and tend to your soil just as much as you do for your plants if you want to have a bountiful, thriving garden.

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When someone offers to send you a whole box of freshly picked Bing cherries?

You say yes.

Even if canning cherries will add an extra measure of craziness in between back-to-back trips and 4-H events.

And that’s exactly what happened when Northwest Cherry Growers emailed me and offer to ship me a box of cherries if I’d create a canning recipe featuring them.

I’ve been on a canning kick lately anyway–how could say no?

So I didn’t.

Even though they arrived in the mail the day before I left for Amish Country to visit the Lehman’s Hardware store. And I had a small heart attack trying to figure out how I was going to can them in the middle of packing to leave.

Thankfully, unwashed cherries will last up to two weeks in the fridge (yes, I emailed them to ask).

Crisis adverted.

This time, at least.

Anyway, I’m home from my fabulous trip to Lehman’s (seriously– it’s Homesteader’s Paradise) and what better post-trip project than canning cherries?

(Ironically, I totally missed the fact that Lehman’s has a stellar cherry pitter… If I had thought to grab one while I was there, it would have saved me about two hours of work and a lot of splattered cherry juice in my kitchen…)

These were sweet cherries. And not just the regular kinda mushy, kinda blah sweet cherries I’m accustomed to from the grocery store. These were vibrantly sweet. And I couldn’t bear the thought of smothering them with tons of white sugar, so I decided to use a light honey syrup instead.

(Normally tweaking canning recipes is extremely unsafe and a big no-no. Thankfully, when it comes to sweeteners, you have a bit more leeway in many cases.)

Thankfully, as far as food preservation goes, canning cherries is pretty darn easy. I had it wrapped up early afternoon, even in the midst of post-trip mental fog and unpacking.

Honey canned cherries, y’all. Make ’em. You won’t regret it.

Canning Cherries with Honey

You Will Need:

Yield: 7 quarts

• 14 to 17 pounds of fresh cherries (roughly 2 pounds of cherries per quart jar)
• 3 cups honey
• 10 cups water

Instructions:

Pit the cherries (see note below).

Place the honey and water in a large saucepan or pot and bring to a boil.

Ladle about 1/2 cup of the honey water into each of the seven quart jars. (Make sure to heat the jars first– I like to do this by simmering them in my canning pot while I’m prepping the other food.)

Place the pitted cherries into hot, waiting jars. Fill the jars to the top with cherries, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. (I lightly tapped the jars on my counter to help the cherries settle and was able to fit more fruit into each jar)

Ladle the hot honey water into the jars, leaving 1/2-inch headspace at the top.

Remove the bubbles from the jars, wipe the rims, and affix two-piece lids.

Process quarts** for 25 minutes in a boiling water canner. (Add more time if you are at higher altitude.)

(New to the idea of canning and not sure what all of this means? I’ll walk you through the process step-by-step right here!)

Eat your honey canned cherries straight from the jar, over ice cream or oatmeal, or add to pies and cobblers. They won’t last long!

**You may also can cherries in pint jars. The method is exactly the same and you still process pints for 25 minutes.

Notes about Canning Cherries

• The exact amount of the honey syrup you need will vary depending on how tightly you pack your jars
• Have a bounty of cherries? This recipe doubles (or quadruples) easily!
• Sweetness of cherries varies, so feel free to adjust your honey syrup accordingly. You could also can these in fruit juice– just be sure to boil the juice (just like you do with the honey syrup) before adding it to the jars and proceeding with the rest of the recipe as written.
• I love cherries. I hate pitting them. Pitting hacks abound (paper clips, bobby pins, etc…) but my favorite diy cherry pitting method is as follows: Find a glass bottle with a narrow mouth. Remove the stem and set the cherry on top of the bottle mouth. Use a metal straw (like this one) to poke out the pit. It will fall into the bottle, reducing the mess and leaving you with a perfectly pitted cherry. You can also get this Cherry Pitter from Lehmans. It’s inexpensive and I imagine worth every penny. Now, only if I had discovered all these handy-dandy tips before I spent 2 hours pitting the cherries I used for this blog post recipe. Argh.
• It’s perfectly fine to leave the pits in when canning cherries. However, as tempted as I was to do that, I decided I didn’t want to have to deal with the pits later, so I opted to pit first.
• If you have sour pie cherries, you could also can them using this method. You’d just want to increase the amount of honey in the syrup, or sweeten then when you’re ready to use them (such as in pie fillings)

Other Home Canned Recipes & Tutorials You’ll Love

• Canning Made Easy: My step-by-step canning process walkthrough– perfect for beginners or nervous canners!
• Roasted Poblano Salsa
• Honey Canned Cinnamon Peaches
• How to Can Pickled Beets
• How to Can Hot Pepper Jelly

Print

Canning Cherries with Honey

• Author: Jill Winger
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 7 quarts
• Category: Food Preservation
• Method: Canning

Ingredients

• 14 to 17 pounds of fresh cherries (roughly 2 pounds of cherries per quart jar)
• 3 cups honey
• 10 cups water

Instructions

Pit the cherries (see note)

Place the honey and water in a large saucepan or pot and bring to a boil.

Ladle about 1/2 cup of the honey water into each of the seven quart jars. (Make sure to heat the jars first– I like to do this by simmering them in my canning pot while I’m prepping the other food.)

Place the pitted cherries into hot, waiting jars. Fill the jars to the top with cherries, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. (I lightly tapped the jars on my counter to help the cherries settle and was able to fit more fruit into each jar)

Ladle the hot honey water into the jars, leaving 1/2-inch headspace at the top.

Remove the bubbles from the jars, wipe the rims, and affix two-piece lids.

Process quarts** for 25 minutes in a boiling water canner. (Add more time if you are at higher altitude.)

Eat your honey canned cherries straight from the jar, over ice cream or oatmeal, or add to pies and cobblers. They won’t last long!

**You may also can cherries in pint jars. The method is exactly the same and you still process pints for 25 minutes.

Notes

• The exact amount of the honey syrup you need will vary depending on how tightly you pack your jars
• Have a bounty of cherries? This recipe doubles (or quadruples) easily!
• Sweetness of cherries varies, so feel free to adjust your honey syrup accordingly. You could also can these in fruit juice– just be sure to boil the juice (just like you do with the honey syrup) before adding it to the jars and proceeding with the rest of the recipe as written.
• I love cherries. I hate pitting them. Pitting hacks abound (paper clips, bobby pins, etc…) but my favorite diy cherry pitting method is as follows: Find a glass bottle with a narrow mouth. Remove the stem and set the cherry on top of the bottle mouth. Use a metal straw (like this one) to poke out the pit. It will fall into the bottle, reducing the mess and leaving you with a perfectly pitted cherry. Now, only if I had discovered all these handy-dandy tips before I spent 2 hours pitting the cherries I used for this blog post recipe. Argh.
• It’s perfectly fine to leave the pits in when canning cherries. However, as tempted as I was to do that, I decided I didn’t want to have to deal with the pits later, so I opted to pit first.
• If you have sour pie cherries, you could also can them using this method. You’d just want to increase the amount of honey in the syrup, or sweeten then when you’re ready to use them (such as in pie fillings)

The post Canning Cherries with Honey appeared first on The Prairie Homestead.

This Article Was Originally Posted at theprairiehomestead.com Read The Original Article Here

We all want to save money on our grocery bills. Food is expensive! According to the USDA, the average family of four (2 adults and 2 children that aren’t teenagers) spends somewhere between $200 and $246 per week on groceries. That’s nearly $1000 per month just for food, and that doesn’t include eating out.

If you fall into this category, your grocery bill might be bigger than your mortgage or rent payment. If you try out some these ideas, you might just be able to lower your grocery bill by as much as 50% or even more.

Some people find they can significantly reduce their grocery spendings with coupons. My brother-in-law used to be an incredible grocery shopper, getting all kinds of deals with double and triple coupons on top of store sales. After awhile, extreme couponing became a terrific way to save money on food and supplies at the grocery store.

My apologies to the Krazy Coupon Lady, though. She’s got fantastic ideas, but I just can’t keep coupons organized, much less be a super user of coupons to save money on groceries. But I have a gaggle of kids and a small amount of money to spend on food, so I have a host of tips and tricks to keep my food bills under control.

1. Set up a budget.

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it makes sense. If you have a budget, you’ll force yourself to make decisions based on needs verses wants in order to stick to the dollar figure. The USDA has guidelines for food costs that may help you choose how much you want to spend.

If you keep track of what you’re spending on what items over the course of a month, you’ll also find out where your money pitfalls lie. One bottle of soda per day can really add up over the course of a month. Or maybe it’s the fancy coffee beans or prepackaged snacks that blow your budget.

Keep track of what you’re already spending and some of those tough food decisions will suddenly become a little bit easier when you see how little things add up over the course of a month or year.

Once you have a budget figured out, you can be creative in finding ways to stick to it. Perhaps high end coffee is important to you, but name brand snacks or oatmeal are not. You can use a little give and take in your budget to choose the things that are most important to you, and let go of the things that don’t matter nearly as much. Aim to come in under budget and put those extra dollars towards something fun.

2. Use price points.

Know how much things typically cost and how much a good deal is. For where I live, cereal is upwards of $3.50 a box on average. However, some generic brands and sales on name brands make it cost less. I try to only buy cereal when it is on sale for less than $2 a box. For meat, I only pay less than $2 a pound.

When items hit below my desired price point, I stock up. Some weeks, I have a stack of cereal boxes on the counter with no place to put them because the deal was too good to pass up. But with 6 kiddos who seem to have blackholes instead of stomachs, its totally worth catching the good deal.

3. Buy generic when it doesn’t matter.

Generic versions of name brand products are usually less expensive. Some things do taste a little bit different, but if you’re using it in a recipe, you probably won’t notice a difference in the outcome of the final meal.

Your casseroles, spaghetti sauces, and other dishes will taste just as good if you give them a chance. Other times, the name brand product is the same food, manufactured and packaged in the same facility, just with different labels.

Read about 10 products whose name brand is the same product as the generic, here. Don’t get tricked into spending more money for an identical product.

4. Buy name brand when it costs less.

Sometimes store sales are so good that the name brand product costs even less than the store brand. Use unit pricing – the small numbers on the shelf tag – to tell which product is actually cheaper.

Unit pricing will help you get the best deal, especially on prepackaged snacks or bulk items that are hard to figure out.

5. Buy meat on the “sell by” date.

Meat is expensive! But stores have to sell it by the sell by date or they will end up throwing it away. Often times, they want to move these items fast, so they are heavily discounted on the “sell by” date. Peruse the coolers until you find some of those sale stickers.

You will probably have to process those foods right away so they don’t go bad, just make sure you plan ahead to do so. Otherwise, you may end up throwing away food that went bad and wasting a good deal. So remember to stock up, divide up, and freeze the extra cuts for another time.

6. Buy different cuts of meat.

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts sure are convenient. But they are also more pricey. Try a different cut of meat – such as thigh quarters, or an oddly shaped ham hock – for a cut of meat that tastes just as good but costs much less.

Thigh quarters are usually around $1.88 per pound in my local store, where boneless skinless chicken breasts are easily double that. Don’t be afraid to substitute ground turkey for ground beef, it will stay be delicious.

7. Have meatless meals.

Of course we need protein, but don’t be afraid to have a meatless meal here and there to cut down on your grocery bill. Spaghetti is an easy and cheap meal to make when you skip the meat. Another great option are soups, salads, and even sandwiches for supper.

8. Grow your own greens.

Greens – lettuces, arugula, spinach, and kale are some of the most expensive vegetables per pound and they go bad quickly after you purchase them. I’ve lost a lot of fresh greens simply because I couldn’t eat them fast enough. But greens are also some of the easiest and quickest vegetables to grow.

If you only grow one thing in your garden, make it greens to save money and add nutritional value to your food. If you don’t have garden space, you can easily grow lettuce in a container on your balcony or a few sprouts right on your kitchen counter. It’s inexpensive and easy.

9. Stock up when there are sales.

Designate a portion of your grocery budget for sale foods. When you buy a good deal, stock up to save money in the long run. Grocery store sales tend to be cyclical. The same items go on sale around every 4, 6, or 12 weeks.

If you know how often your favorite cereal or brand of peanut butter goes on sale or when breakfast items become the hot deal, you can stock up with enough to last you until the next sale comes around and you won’t have to pay full price in between.

10. Consider pharmacy deals.

Pharmacies like CVS have their own little grocery section. While generally these convenience aisles are more expensive, they do have great deals on certain foods from time to time. Combine that with your ExtraCare bucks for an extra hit of savings. If you time it just right, you might even make money on the deal.

11. Buy in bulk.

Often, foods like rice, oatmeal, and flour are cheaper when you buy in bulk. Even meat costs less per pound when you buy it in larger amounts. You can purchase these items in bulk and split it up into smaller packaging to use at later times.

12. Go in with a friend and divvy it up.

Rather than wasting money because a product comes in a size bigger than you need, share it with a friend. Split the cost and split the spoils to get a better deal on something you use less of but still need.

Things like avocado, lemons, and limes often come in big bags that spoil before you can use them up. Find a friend and share.

13. Create some food storage space and store food correctly.

If you don’t store food correctly, it will go bad and you’ll lose all of the money you were trying to save. Create the proper food storage – a deep freeze in your garage or basement is invaluable for stocking up on meat and breads

Create extra pantry shelves in a spare closet or anywhere that is cool and dry. Often, the basement isn’t a great place to store dried goods because the humidity causes things to mold quickly. Don’t lose good food to bad storage.

Bonus, stocking up on food means you won’t ever have to make an emergency trip to the store to prepare for bad weather. You’ll always have food on hand even for the worst of emergencies. Not only will good food storage save you money, it will help you be prepared.

14. Cook from your pantry.

Before you hit the grocery store, dig through your pantry to see what treasures might be lurking in there. You might be surprised by what you already have on your shelves. With a little creativity, you can cook right from your pantry without having to purchase a lot of ingredients.

Using up food before it goes bad definitely saves you money on wasted food. Look for pastas, cans of soup, or any other items that got pushed to the back or bottom of your pantry.

15. Raise a couple of chickens.

If your town allows it, a couple of hens in your backyard not only make fun pets, they also provide breakfast. If you just have a couple of hens, allowing them to free-range and supplementing their food with your table scraps means you feed them for free while getting eggs in return. Here are twenty ways to save money on chicken feed to lower the cost of your eggs.

16. Ask for rainchecks.

Sometimes a deal is so good the store runs out before you get there! That’s ok – ask for a raincheck so you can still get the deal when it is back in stock. Just don’t forget to go back and use it.

17. Use the apps!

Bonus cards aside, stores now have their own apps to help you save money. Download them to your smart phone and put them to good use. Turn on notifications to get informed of the best freebies and sale items.

Other apps that can save you money on groceries are ibotta, Fetch, and even ebates. We love Fetch because you don’t need to do any prep work. Once you’ve signed up for the app, just scan your receipts and you’ll get rewards to buy gift cards for online stores such as Amazon.

18. Read the sale flyers and the fine print.

I’ve made the mistake over and over of not reading the fine print! Some stores offer very specific deals. The deals are great unless you don’t do follow the directions, so make sure to read and follow through on the directions.

For example, sometimes, 10 for $10 means you have to buy all ten items to get the deal, sometimes you only need to buy one and the limit is ten.

19. Shop around.

I have found my local grocery store has great deals on certain things like meat and produce, and some of their store brand prices are fantastic. But their prices on prepackaged snacks are nowhere near as good as the larger chain stores, such as Giant.

On the other hand, for specialized foods such as goat cheese and raw milk, I like to visit my local Mennonite store for amazingly fresh dairy items at a great price. I alternate trips and stock up so I’m not going to multiple stores in one week.

20. Use bonus cards.

Bonus cards really do make a difference, so make sure you use yours every time. Most of them will allow you to input your phone number in case you forget your card, or you can even scan the app on your phone.

If for some reason you can’t access your card, then ask to use the store card or manager’s card. You won’t get the bonuses or gas points but at least you’ll get the card savings. Use it every time, otherwise, you’re throwing away free money with your groceries.

21. Buy fresh foods.

When you purchase prepackaged food, you’re not just paying for the food, you’re also paying for the packaging. If you compare the cost per serving of a banana verses the cost per serving of a fruit snack, you’ll come out much further ahead by buying the bananas. You’ll get more food for your dollar and much less waste. (Bonus, you can turn those banana peels into goat treats or compost!)

22. Shop farmers markets at the end of the weekend.

If you’re really looking for a deal, shop the farmer’s markets at the very end of the week. They’ll likely have fresh produce that they are looking to move since it won’t last until the following week.

And don’t forget to haggle a bit – if they’re in a rush to get out of there, they may just throw in a few extra goodies with your order. It helps them create loyal customers and helps you save money. If they’re good to you, spread the word.

23. Don’t overeat. Portion control is a big deal!

Healthdata.org estimates that 160 million Americans are overweight or obese. This works out to ¾ of adult men and over half of adult women. This means there are a lot of Americans who simply overeat.

Controlling your portion size will not only save you money on food, it will also save your health and added healthcare costs. Try using smaller plates or leaving a few bites behind. Eat slowly and think about what you’re doing so you can enjoy your meal and not have to feel deprived.

24. Don’t waste food.

Imagine going to the grocery store and immediately throwing half of your purchases in the trash can. That’s basically what happens – almost 40% of food in the United States gets thrown away (Check out marketwatch.com).

You could conceivably save nearly half on your groceries by simply not wasting food. This means eating your leftovers, planning meals around leftovers, and controlling how much you put on a plate rather than let it sit, uneaten.

Save the landfills and your budgets by carefully planning your meals and then actually eating them. Still have leftovers? Feed the scraps to your chickens. They’ll reward you with delicious eggs.

25. Don’t be afraid of stale bread.

If you have stale bread, don’t just toss it. Turn it into a delicious French toast casserole. This recipe calls for French bread, but any stale bread will do. Don’t have any stale bread? Shop the day old bread sale for discounted breads.

26. Cook from scratch.

Ordering a couple of pizzas cost me about $45. Buying the same amount of frozen pizzas costs me about $15. But if I make my own pizzas from scratch, I can do it for less than $10.

You don’t have to do it all at once, just pick a few easy foods and learn how to make them from scratch. It will add a fun tradition to your family and save you money.

27. Think outside the box.

It’s ok to buy cheap convenience foods, but sometimes starting from scratch is still cheaper. A good friend blew my mind when she told me she could save money by making her own version of Ramen noodles. I thought Ramen was about the most inexpensive, easy food you could buy. But in some cases, you can save even more by making your own.

Want to see if you can save money on Ramen? Compare the cost of Bouillon cubes and spaghetti noodles (on sale, of course!) to the cost of the same amount of Ramen. Which way is cheaper for you?

28. Don’t buy something you don’t need just because it is on sale.

Stores love to promote their sales and coupons. Nothing sucks me in faster than a great big sale sign. But if it isn’t something I need or use, it isn’t worth the money. Don’t let good marketing fool you into buying things you don’t need; you’ll just end up wasting your hard-earned money.

29. Don’t waste money on convenience.

Grocery stores know you’ll fall in love with beautifully packaged, cut up watermelon, sliced apples, and other conveniently processed fresh foods. Do it yourself and save a lot of cash. Just compare the cost of a whole watermelon to the cost of a few ounce of precut watermelon. You’ll save a bundle.

30. Don’t buy things at eye level.

Jordan Page from funcheaporfree.com says don’t buy things at eye level, they are the most expensive. Instead, look towards the bottom of the rack for a less expensive version of the same thing.

31. Shop less often.

The less you shop, the less opportunities there are for impulse buys. Shop a little less often to prevent extra purchases that you don’t need.

32. Buy in season.

Strawberries are pretty inexpensive in June when they are in abundance, but the rest of the year, the price goes way up because they have to be imported from warmer areas. Instead, eat apples in the fall when they are in season, and strawberries in the summer. The flavor is much better that way, as well.

33. Make a meal plan but be flexible while shopping.

Plan ahead so you know everything you need to purchase to make it through the week. However, be a little flexible because you never know what might be on sale when you get to the store.

Maybe you planned to chicken fajitas for supper on Saturday, but when you got to the grocery, the price of ground beef was much less expensive. Just make the switch and be proud that you saved a bit by thinking on the fly.

34. Avoid shopping when tired, hungry, or emotional.

Try to shop when you are full, happy, and well-rested so you are less likely to just throw things in the cart to get it over with. Enjoy the challenge of sticking to your budget and you’ll come out much further ahead.

35. Drink water.

Skip the sodas, juice, and fancy drinks. They are expensive and plain water is much healthier for you, anyway. A soda a day adds up fast.

So, what are your tips that’ve helped you lower your grocery bill? Please share them below, and don’t forget to pin this article on pinterest.

The post 35 Easy Ways to Lower your Grocery Bill by 50% or More appeared first on The Homesteading Hippy.

the post first appeared on thehomesteadinghippy.com See it here

Raising ducks on your homestead can be a lot of fun.

Whether you’re introducing poultry to your backyard farm for the first time, or adding to an existing operation that features chickens or other birds, ducks will not disappoint.

Ducks are excellent foragers who will find more than half their diet in your garden if allowed, cutting down your feed costs and helping with pest control. Some breeds are robust egg layers, producing 100-300 eggs per year. They are generally healthy and easy to care for, with few issues specific to domestication. Lastly, ducks are just plain fun to have around, with their silly waddle, quacking and tendency to splash around.

Whether your backyard is rural or more suburban, ducks will likely fit in. Among the meat-producing animals, ducks are second only to rabbits for ease of care. They can provide a great project for a young farmer, or someone who can only devote part-time hours to livestock management. With some helpful advice, almost anyone can have a good year with ducks, and there is a wealth of advice to be found. I’ve been fortunate to have a flock at a near neighbor’s house this year, and enjoyed the fruits of her labors. However, every year of success comes with its lessons. Here are some of the best tips learned for raising your first flock of backyard ducks:

1. Choose the breed that works for you

The Pekin duck is a great versatile breed when it comes to raising ducks.

If you’re considering ducks, you’ve no doubt begun your breed research and learned that some breeds are better egg producers, while others are better for meat production.

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Many commercial ducks are flightless, but some will need wings clipped. Some breeds are noisier than others, and may be less cooperative with the needs of the neighbors. Do your research.

2. Learn about sheds and shelter

Because ducks have different roosting habits than chickens, they do not need elaborate housing. A well-enclosed shed with bedding and a raised platform provide the ducks with a place to hide, sleep safely, and lay. You will need to change bedding very frequently to keep ducks clean. Ready access to fenced forage will allow the ducks plenty of food and activity during the day; rotate the fenced yard bi-weekly or the ducks will turn it to mud.

3. Don’t forget water

All ducks need a reliable source of clean water, which is likely going to mean some kind of waterer and maybe a pool, trough or pond for bathing. Many backyard duck farmers use kiddie pools in their yard for the ducks during the day, and drain them at night. However, it is very important to watch young ducks with access to deeper water. They can tire when swimming and drown without proper supervision.

4. Watch for signs of bullying

You may be toying with the idea of getting a variety of ducks for your various needs. This can work out fine, with careful introduction of the birds and monitoring to ensure that larger birds are not bullying the smaller birds. This can be a problem with ducks of all one breed, as well, especially if you introduce new adults into an established flock. You may need to consider separating or selling some of your ducks if you notice signs of bullying (feathers being plucked out, sores, listlessness, etc.)

5. Protect your eggs

Raising ducks can be rewarding as well. Ducks will give you fresh eggs and a supply of meat.

Your shed or coop is more than just a shelter for your ducks; it will keep pests away from your eggs. If you don’t want your eggs stolen, install wire mesh over any openings to discourage rats and other pests from invading.

6. Use clean killing

When it’s time to butcher birds, clean killing with an axe or hatchet is generally the preferred method. To prevent the duck from flapping around during placement, insert its head into a cone or bag with hole cut out, so only the head and neck are exposed and it cannot flap its wings. This will help you with a humane and controlled cut.

7. Understand that backyard ducks are not grocery store ducks

Don’t automatically assume your ducks will be fatty when cooked. When roasting a whole hand-raised duck, assess the fat content of the meat before beginning. If it is less fatty, like turkey or chicken, inject butter beneath the skin or baste the duck with fat to keep skin crisp.

Ducks are a great way to get your feet wet with poultry. If you’re a little timid, find some of the great resources available, like, “Storey’s Guide to Raising Ducks,” or introduce yourself to a neighbor with ducks. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying the satisfaction of providing your family with food raised at home, and any earlier uncertainties will be, well, like water off a duck’s back.

Have you ever raised ducks? What advice would you add? Share it in the section below:

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The post Raising Ducks: Easier Than Chickens And More Fun Than Rabbits … appeared first on Off The Grid News.

This article first appeared on offthegridnews.com See it here

We all want to save money on our grocery bills. Food is expensive! According to the USDA, the average family of four (2 adults and 2 children that aren’t teenagers) spends somewhere between $200 and $246 per week on groceries. That’s nearly $1000 per month just for food, and that doesn’t include eating out.

If you fall into this category, your grocery bill might be bigger than your mortgage or rent payment. If you try out some these ideas, you might just be able to lower your grocery bill by as much as 50% or even more.

Some people find they can significantly reduce their grocery spendings with coupons. My brother-in-law used to be an incredible grocery shopper, getting all kinds of deals with double and triple coupons on top of store sales. After awhile, extreme couponing became a terrific way to save money on food and supplies at the grocery store.

My apologies to the Krazy Coupon Lady, though. She’s got fantastic ideas, but I just can’t keep coupons organized, much less be a super user of coupons to save money on groceries. But I have a gaggle of kids and a small amount of money to spend on food, so I have a host of tips and tricks to keep my food bills under control.

1. Set up a budget.

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it makes sense. If you have a budget, you’ll force yourself to make decisions based on needs verses wants in order to stick to the dollar figure. The USDA has guidelines for food costs that may help you choose how much you want to spend.

If you keep track of what you’re spending on what items over the course of a month, you’ll also find out where your money pitfalls lie. One bottle of soda per day can really add up over the course of a month. Or maybe it’s the fancy coffee beans or prepackaged snacks that blow your budget.

Keep track of what you’re already spending and some of those tough food decisions will suddenly become a little bit easier when you see how little things add up over the course of a month or year.

Once you have a budget figured out, you can be creative in finding ways to stick to it. Perhaps high end coffee is important to you, but name brand snacks or oatmeal are not. You can use a little give and take in your budget to choose the things that are most important to you, and let go of the things that don’t matter nearly as much. Aim to come in under budget and put those extra dollars towards something fun.

2. Use price points.

Know how much things typically cost and how much a good deal is. For where I live, cereal is upwards of $3.50 a box on average. However, some generic brands and sales on name brands make it cost less. I try to only buy cereal when it is on sale for less than $2 a box. For meat, I only pay less than $2 a pound.

When items hit below my desired price point, I stock up. Some weeks, I have a stack of cereal boxes on the counter with no place to put them because the deal was too good to pass up. But with 6 kiddos who seem to have blackholes instead of stomachs, its totally worth catching the good deal.

3. Buy generic when it doesn’t matter.

Generic versions of name brand products are usually less expensive. Some things do taste a little bit different, but if you’re using it in a recipe, you probably won’t notice a difference in the outcome of the final meal.

Your casseroles, spaghetti sauces, and other dishes will taste just as good if you give them a chance. Other times, the name brand product is the same food, manufactured and packaged in the same facility, just with different labels.

Read about 10 products whose name brand is the same product as the generic, here. Don’t get tricked into spending more money for an identical product.

4. Buy name brand when it costs less.

Sometimes store sales are so good that the name brand product costs even less than the store brand. Use unit pricing – the small numbers on the shelf tag – to tell which product is actually cheaper.

Unit pricing will help you get the best deal, especially on prepackaged snacks or bulk items that are hard to figure out.

5. Buy meat on the “sell by” date.

Meat is expensive! But stores have to sell it by the sell by date or they will end up throwing it away. Often times, they want to move these items fast, so they are heavily discounted on the “sell by” date. Peruse the coolers until you find some of those sale stickers.

You will probably have to process those foods right away so they don’t go bad, just make sure you plan ahead to do so. Otherwise, you may end up throwing away food that went bad and wasting a good deal. So remember to stock up, divide up, and freeze the extra cuts for another time.

6. Buy different cuts of meat.

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts sure are convenient. But they are also more pricey. Try a different cut of meat – such as thigh quarters, or an oddly shaped ham hock – for a cut of meat that tastes just as good but costs much less.

Thigh quarters are usually around $1.88 per pound in my local store, where boneless skinless chicken breasts are easily double that. Don’t be afraid to substitute ground turkey for ground beef, it will stay be delicious.

7. Have meatless meals.

Of course we need protein, but don’t be afraid to have a meatless meal here and there to cut down on your grocery bill. Spaghetti is an easy and cheap meal to make when you skip the meat. Another great option are soups, salads, and even sandwiches for supper.

8. Grow your own greens.

Greens – lettuces, arugula, spinach, and kale are some of the most expensive vegetables per pound and they go bad quickly after you purchase them. I’ve lost a lot of fresh greens simply because I couldn’t eat them fast enough. But greens are also some of the easiest and quickest vegetables to grow.

If you only grow one thing in your garden, make it greens to save money and add nutritional value to your food. If you don’t have garden space, you can easily grow lettuce in a container on your balcony or a few sprouts right on your kitchen counter. It’s inexpensive and easy.

9. Stock up when there are sales.

Designate a portion of your grocery budget for sale foods. When you buy a good deal, stock up to save money in the long run. Grocery store sales tend to be cyclical. The same items go on sale around every 4, 6, or 12 weeks.

If you know how often your favorite cereal or brand of peanut butter goes on sale or when breakfast items become the hot deal, you can stock up with enough to last you until the next sale comes around and you won’t have to pay full price in between.

10. Consider pharmacy deals.

Pharmacies like CVS have their own little grocery section. While generally these convenience aisles are more expensive, they do have great deals on certain foods from time to time. Combine that with your ExtraCare bucks for an extra hit of savings. If you time it just right, you might even make money on the deal.

11. Buy in bulk.

Often, foods like rice, oatmeal, and flour are cheaper when you buy in bulk. Even meat costs less per pound when you buy it in larger amounts. You can purchase these items in bulk and split it up into smaller packaging to use at later times.

12. Go in with a friend and divvy it up.

Rather than wasting money because a product comes in a size bigger than you need, share it with a friend. Split the cost and split the spoils to get a better deal on something you use less of but still need.

Things like avocado, lemons, and limes often come in big bags that spoil before you can use them up. Find a friend and share.

13. Create some food storage space and store food correctly.

If you don’t store food correctly, it will go bad and you’ll lose all of the money you were trying to save. Create the proper food storage – a deep freeze in your garage or basement is invaluable for stocking up on meat and breads

Create extra pantry shelves in a spare closet or anywhere that is cool and dry. Often, the basement isn’t a great place to store dried goods because the humidity causes things to mold quickly. Don’t lose good food to bad storage.

Bonus, stocking up on food means you won’t ever have to make an emergency trip to the store to prepare for bad weather. You’ll always have food on hand even for the worst of emergencies. Not only will good food storage save you money, it will help you be prepared.

14. Cook from your pantry.

Before you hit the grocery store, dig through your pantry to see what treasures might be lurking in there. You might be surprised by what you already have on your shelves. With a little creativity, you can cook right from your pantry without having to purchase a lot of ingredients.

Using up food before it goes bad definitely saves you money on wasted food. Look for pastas, cans of soup, or any other items that got pushed to the back or bottom of your pantry.

15. Raise a couple of chickens.

If your town allows it, a couple of hens in your backyard not only make fun pets, they also provide breakfast. If you just have a couple of hens, allowing them to free-range and supplementing their food with your table scraps means you feed them for free while getting eggs in return. Here are twenty ways to save money on chicken feed to lower the cost of your eggs.

16. Ask for rainchecks.

Sometimes a deal is so good the store runs out before you get there! That’s ok – ask for a raincheck so you can still get the deal when it is back in stock. Just don’t forget to go back and use it.

17. Use the apps!

Bonus cards aside, stores now have their own apps to help you save money. Download them to your smart phone and put them to good use. Turn on notifications to get informed of the best freebies and sale items.

Other apps that can save you money on groceries are ibotta, Fetch, and even ebates. We love Fetch because you don’t need to do any prep work. Once you’ve signed up for the app, just scan your receipts and you’ll get rewards to buy gift cards for online stores such as Amazon.

18. Read the sale flyers and the fine print.

I’ve made the mistake over and over of not reading the fine print! Some stores offer very specific deals. The deals are great unless you don’t do follow the directions, so make sure to read and follow through on the directions.

For example, sometimes, 10 for $10 means you have to buy all ten items to get the deal, sometimes you only need to buy one and the limit is ten.

19. Shop around.

I have found my local grocery store has great deals on certain things like meat and produce, and some of their store brand prices are fantastic. But their prices on prepackaged snacks are nowhere near as good as the larger chain stores, such as Giant.

On the other hand, for specialized foods such as goat cheese and raw milk, I like to visit my local Mennonite store for amazingly fresh dairy items at a great price. I alternate trips and stock up so I’m not going to multiple stores in one week.

20. Use bonus cards.

Bonus cards really do make a difference, so make sure you use yours every time. Most of them will allow you to input your phone number in case you forget your card, or you can even scan the app on your phone.

If for some reason you can’t access your card, then ask to use the store card or manager’s card. You won’t get the bonuses or gas points but at least you’ll get the card savings. Use it every time, otherwise, you’re throwing away free money with your groceries.

21. Buy fresh foods.

When you purchase prepackaged food, you’re not just paying for the food, you’re also paying for the packaging. If you compare the cost per serving of a banana verses the cost per serving of a fruit snack, you’ll come out much further ahead by buying the bananas. You’ll get more food for your dollar and much less waste. (Bonus, you can turn those banana peels into goat treats or compost!)

22. Shop farmers markets at the end of the weekend.

If you’re really looking for a deal, shop the farmer’s markets at the very end of the week. They’ll likely have fresh produce that they are looking to move since it won’t last until the following week.

And don’t forget to haggle a bit – if they’re in a rush to get out of there, they may just throw in a few extra goodies with your order. It helps them create loyal customers and helps you save money. If they’re good to you, spread the word.

23. Don’t overeat. Portion control is a big deal!

Healthdata.org estimates that 160 million Americans are overweight or obese. This works out to ¾ of adult men and over half of adult women. This means there are a lot of Americans who simply overeat.

Controlling your portion size will not only save you money on food, it will also save your health and added healthcare costs. Try using smaller plates or leaving a few bites behind. Eat slowly and think about what you’re doing so you can enjoy your meal and not have to feel deprived.

24. Don’t waste food.

Imagine going to the grocery store and immediately throwing half of your purchases in the trash can. That’s basically what happens – almost 40% of food in the United States gets thrown away (Check out marketwatch.com).

You could conceivably save nearly half on your groceries by simply not wasting food. This means eating your leftovers, planning meals around leftovers, and controlling how much you put on a plate rather than let it sit, uneaten.

Save the landfills and your budgets by carefully planning your meals and then actually eating them. Still have leftovers? Feed the scraps to your chickens. They’ll reward you with delicious eggs.

25. Don’t be afraid of stale bread.

If you have stale bread, don’t just toss it. Turn it into a delicious French toast casserole. This recipe calls for French bread, but any stale bread will do. Don’t have any stale bread? Shop the day old bread sale for discounted breads.

26. Cook from scratch.

Ordering a couple of pizzas cost me about $45. Buying the same amount of frozen pizzas costs me about $15. But if I make my own pizzas from scratch, I can do it for less than $10.

You don’t have to do it all at once, just pick a few easy foods and learn how to make them from scratch. It will add a fun tradition to your family and save you money.

27. Think outside the box.

It’s ok to buy cheap convenience foods, but sometimes starting from scratch is still cheaper. A good friend blew my mind when she told me she could save money by making her own version of Ramen noodles. I thought Ramen was about the most inexpensive, easy food you could buy. But in some cases, you can save even more by making your own.

Want to see if you can save money on Ramen? Compare the cost of Bouillon cubes and spaghetti noodles (on sale, of course!) to the cost of the same amount of Ramen. Which way is cheaper for you?

28. Don’t buy something you don’t need just because it is on sale.

Stores love to promote their sales and coupons. Nothing sucks me in faster than a great big sale sign. But if it isn’t something I need or use, it isn’t worth the money. Don’t let good marketing fool you into buying things you don’t need; you’ll just end up wasting your hard-earned money.

29. Don’t waste money on convenience.

Grocery stores know you’ll fall in love with beautifully packaged, cut up watermelon, sliced apples, and other conveniently processed fresh foods. Do it yourself and save a lot of cash. Just compare the cost of a whole watermelon to the cost of a few ounce of precut watermelon. You’ll save a bundle.

30. Don’t buy things at eye level.

Jordan Page from funcheaporfree.com says don’t buy things at eye level, they are the most expensive. Instead, look towards the bottom of the rack for a less expensive version of the same thing.

31. Shop less often.

The less you shop, the less opportunities there are for impulse buys. Shop a little less often to prevent extra purchases that you don’t need.

32. Buy in season.

Strawberries are pretty inexpensive in June when they are in abundance, but the rest of the year, the price goes way up because they have to be imported from warmer areas. Instead, eat apples in the fall when they are in season, and strawberries in the summer. The flavor is much better that way, as well.

33. Make a meal plan but be flexible while shopping.

Plan ahead so you know everything you need to purchase to make it through the week. However, be a little flexible because you never know what might be on sale when you get to the store.

Maybe you planned to chicken fajitas for supper on Saturday, but when you got to the grocery, the price of ground beef was much less expensive. Just make the switch and be proud that you saved a bit by thinking on the fly.

34. Avoid shopping when tired, hungry, or emotional.

Try to shop when you are full, happy, and well-rested so you are less likely to just throw things in the cart to get it over with. Enjoy the challenge of sticking to your budget and you’ll come out much further ahead.

35. Drink water.

Skip the sodas, juice, and fancy drinks. They are expensive and plain water is much healthier for you, anyway. A soda a day adds up fast.

So, what are your tips that’ve helped you lower your grocery bill? Please share them below, and don’t forget to pin this article on pinterest.

The post 35 Easy Ways to Lower your Grocery Bill by 50% or More appeared first on The Homesteading Hippy.

the post first appeared on thehomesteadinghippy.com See it here

When people think of licorice, they usually imagine the black, chewy candy you can buy in the store. I was the same until I started growing licorice, and now the plant plays such a huge part in our medicinal garden that I can't imagine being without it.

The root of the licorice plant is incredibly healthy, and the plant is easy to grow, which makes it a nice addition for any veggie patch. Licorice has many uses in the medicine cabinet, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. It also has a lovely aniseed taste, and I especially enjoy it as a tea.

Licorice is a legume that grows about 5 feet tall. It's called mulethi in some parts of Asia and has been valued across the world for its medicinal and culinary uses for centuries. While it's a fairly easy herb to master in the garden, there are a few tricks you might need to know, so let's get started.

Varieties of Licorice

There are quite a few plants at my local garden center with the word ‘licorice' in the title. Most of them are licorice scented and aren't the medicinal variety with the usable root. They're usually inedible.

Look for Glycyrrhiza glabra, which is the European variety that has the familiar flavor. There is a licorice variety that is native to the U.S called Glycyrrhiza lepidota, though it's much less intense in flavor.

Glycyrrhiza uralensis is also known as Chinese licorice. It has a sweet flavor and multiple medicinal uses.

Planting Licorice

Licorice isn't a fussy plant, but there are a few things that will ensure a great harvest and continuous plant health. Keeping the plant healthy means you will be able to replant some of the roots without having to buy new seedlings after you harvest.

Zones

Licorice thrives in zones 6-11.

Sun Requirements

Licorice does best in full sun, but it also tolerates partial shade.

Soil Requirements

Licorice likes a pH between 6.1-7.8. The soil should be light, loamy, and well-drained. The root needs to expand through the ground, so it doesn't do well in clay or compacted soils. It also needs lots of moisture, so add compost to your earth before planting.

When to Plant Licorice

I plant licorice in spring or early summer when temps have reached about 60°F. Licorice likes warmer temps, so plant your licorice after the last frost has passed and the temperatures are beginning to increase.

Sowing Seeds

If you're planting by seed, you need to stratify them. Soak the seeds in room temperature water for 2 hours. Place in a folded paper towel and moisten before placing in the refrigerator for three to four weeks. Plant seeds 1/4-inch deep.

After planting, you should see germination between 14 and 20 days.

I prefer to plant roots or cuttings because planting seeds takes a bit of work and patience.

Cuttings and Roots

My preferred method is either growing from cuttings or using rootstock to replant. If you are careful when harvesting the roots, you can use some for replanting next time. Just be careful not to damage the main root when harvesting and replanting. Roots for planting need at least one growth bud to be successful.

I've found that if I leave any root in the soil, it will grow a new plant. However, lots of small bits of roots makes for lots of small plants. I prefer to intentionally replant a big root from a harvested plant.

Growing Licorice in Pots

You can grow licorice in pots. Just make sure the soil isn't compact and feed now and then with a container-specific fertilizer. If you live in a hot climate, use a light-colored pot to keep the soil temp down.

Spacing

Licorice is a large plant, growing up to five feet tall, and the roots can spread far further than that, so it requires plenty of space. Plant seedlings between 18 to 36 inches apart.

Caring for Licorice

Water Needs

Licorice requires regular, deep watering – enough to keep the soil moist. In the heat of summer, mulch well to retain moisture. In the winter and cooler months, you can water a little less.

Fertilizer

Dig in fertilizer before the initial planting of the licorice seedlings. After that, apply high nitrogen fertilizer every 4-6 weeks.

Common Problems and Solutions for Growing Licorice

One of the great things about growing licorice is that it's fairly fuss-free. There are a few things you should watch out for, though.

Environmental Challenges

Licorice prefers temperatures between 60-85°F. If it's cooler in your area plant licorice in full sun near a light-colored wall that can reflect heat. If it's hotter, consider planting in partial shade. Licorice tolerates strong winds, but it dislikes salty coastal winds.

Spider Mites

These tiny pests chew through leaves, leaving them pale and speckled. The first sign of infestation you may notice is their thin webbing. Spider mites rapidly increase when conditions are warm and dry and can sap the life out of plants.

Blast them off plants with a strong spray of water and then use neem oil or a sulfur spray to keep them away. Also, ensure all weeds are cleared away from the base of the licorice plant because the mites may be hiding in there.

Powdery Mildew

Powdery mildew, as the name suggests, is a dense grey powder that forms on the leaves of the plant. It's most common in summer and autumn or when it is most humid in your area.

Use neem oil as a preventative by spraying plants every 7-10 days during the mildew season. Destroy any infected parts of the plant by throwing in the garbage or burning.

Slugs and Snails

If you're not proactive with snails and slugs, they will sneak in, multiply and eat everything. Use your favorite snail management to keep them under control. I use pet-friendly snail pellets with a bittering agent in them in case any pets or children decide to taste one.

Rust

Rust is a fungal disease that is not usually fatal, but it can weaken plants and spread through your garden. It likes moist foliage in humid conditions, so ensure you water the base of the plant.

Prune and dispose of any infected foliage. Use neem oil or a sulfur spray as a preventative.

Companion Plants for Licorice

The best companions for licorice are:

• Marigolds
• Marjoram
• Rosemary
• Lettuce
• Zinnia

Don't plant licorice with:

• Onion
• Leek
• Garlic
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower

How to Harvest and use Licorice

Growing licorice is a long term activity. Some people say wait two years for the plant to develop roots big enough to use, others say four years. For a small family garden, two years is sufficient. Don't wait longer than four years or the roots become woody and unusable.

When the tops have dried in the fall cut them off and discard in your compost heap if you have had no pest issues.

When you're ready to harvest, dig out the roots, and save the biggest one or two to put back in the garden. Once you've planted licorice, it can often be hard to clear the area of it again.

For storage, cut the roots into smaller chips and let them air dry in a warm, dry area. Depending on the chip size and the humidity, it can take weeks or months, but be patient, it's worth it!

If you don't want to air dry your licorice, add water to the fresh roots and boil them down until you get a black syrup. You can use this to flavor Asian dishes, pour on ice cream or anything else you think would benefit from a sweet licorice syrup. It makes a nice tea too. Some people just chew on the dry chips for a sweet treat.

Licorice has been proven to help with eczema, heartburn, and cough. It may also be effective for cankers, dental plaque, bleeding, high cholesterol, high potassium, IBS, and hot flashes. If you have high blood pressure or are pregnant, you may want to talk to your doctor before using licorice medicinally.

The world is your oyster with licorice bark, so experiment and let us know your tips for using it in any recipes or health products for the family.

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