Raspberries are one of my favorite berries. Growing raspberries in a cold climate is not difficult because raspberries are quite hardy. Caring for the raspberry patch was one of the first tasks I learned in my childhood on my parents’ homestead. If you did not have the opportunity to learn hands-on, this blog post is...

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You have successfully planted your seeds, and they are growing—congratulations! Now, the question arises: what is next? Do they need to be up-potted, or can they continue to grow in the pots they were started in? This largely depends on how you started the seeds and the types of plants you are growing. While germination...

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Seed snails, also known as snail rolls, are becoming popular in the gardening world as a new method for starting seeds. However, I first learned about this technique many years ago from experienced Russian gardeners. At the time, I recognized it as an option but didn’t find it particularly useful for my gardening needs. Now,...

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How to Soak or Sprout Seeds Before Planting. Seed soaking or spouting is an option to speed up germination. Although it is not required in most cases, we have used it often enough to dedicate a blog article to it. A sprouted seed can yield better results in your flower or vegetable garden. The difference...

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Here at Northern Homestead, we often dive into seed starting because it’s a valuable skill. However, it’s perfectly okay to buy seedlings, too! Buying vegetable or herb seedlings doesn’t mean you’re failing in your gardening journey. When is it advisable to buy seedlings? There are plenty of good reasons to buy seedlings! For new gardeners, we...

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