Author: Zoe Smith

My name is Zoe. I'm the Editor here at Urban Farm Store. I'm completely in love with our farm and my cute little garden! I hope to make the world a better place by minimising my own impact on the environment. Let me teach you how!

Categories
Homesteading

Composting Toilet for Off-Grid Homes: 3 Top Picks

A small off-grid cabin bathroom setup suited to a composting toilet
(Photo by Thomas Werneken on Unsplash)

A composting toilet is one of the most practical upgrades you can make to an off-grid home, and it’s often one of the first questions people ask when they start planning a homestead without a septic or sewer connection. No water lines, no septic tank, and no black tank to pump out — just a system that turns waste into something you can eventually return to the soil.

This guide covers how composting toilets actually work, why off-grid households choose them, the difference between self-contained and central-system designs, and three real products worth considering.

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Categories
Farming

Companion Planting Chart: Best & Worst Vegetable Pairings

Rows of mixed vegetables planted together in a companion planting vegetable garden
(Photo by Ulrike R. Donohue on Unsplash)

Some vegetables genuinely make each other better neighbors, and some quietly sabotage each other’s growth. Companion planting is the practice of pairing crops that help one another — through pest deterrence, nutrient sharing, or simple use of space — while keeping the bad pairings apart.

It’s one of the oldest tricks in farming and home gardening alike, and you don’t need a science degree to use it well. You mostly just need a reliable companion planting chart to reference when you’re laying out beds each spring.

This guide covers the classic companion planting pairings, the combinations you should actively avoid, and a full reference chart you can come back to season after season.

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Categories
Farm Animals

Poultry Farming for Beginners

Free ranging chickens roaming a small poultry farm in the US.
Free ranging chickens roaming a small poultry farm. Photo by Jan Kraus.

Poultry Farming is the process in which a variety of different domestic birds are raised for their eggs, feathers, and meat.

First things first, you’ll need to decide what type of poultry farm you want to start. We’ve got a comprehensive breakdown of the different types of birds you can choose from to get you started.

Choosing the right location is also crucial to the success of your poultry farm. We’ll provide tips on how to find a suitable and accessible location for your feathered friends.

Of course, you’ll need to equip your farm with the essentials to keep your birds healthy and happy. We’ve compiled a list of must-have equipment for your small-scale poultry farm.

And before you jump headfirst into this new venture, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of poultry farming, so you can make an informed decision.

So, whether you’re a complete novice or have some experience under your belt, this guide will provide you with everything you need to start your poultry farming journey.

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Categories
Homesteading

The Best States for Homestead

Man with lamb in homestead ground. Idaho is one of the best states to start a homestead.
Man with lamb in homestead ground. Idaho is one of the best states to start a homestead. Photo by Zoe Schaeffer.

Are you looking for the best states for homesteading? Not sure if there are favorable homesteading laws in the states you’re looking into?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll reveal the top states for homesteading and provide essential information to help you make the best decision for you and your family.

We understand that everyone’s preferences and needs are different, so we’ll discuss various factors you should consider, including:

  • Homesteading laws
  • Property taxes
  • Geography and climate

So, let’s dive in and explore the best places to start your off-grid, sustainable lifestyle!

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Categories
Farm Supplies

Gates for Dog Owners

Dogs (and farms) sometimes need protection for their own good.
Dogs (and farms) sometimes need protection for their own good. Image source: Rover.

Sometimes, it’s essential to create boundaries around our homes to ensure our beloved pets remain safe and secure.

The best dog gates enable you to designate off-limits areas for your pet, whether it’s to protect them from newborns, guests, your bed, predators, or even for training purposes.

However, there are instances when a farm gate might be overkill for a situation that could be resolved with a baby gate. Baby gates offer a more economical solution, acting as an excellent farm supply, as they tend to be less expensive and easier to install.

These options are perfect for indoor spaces and smaller areas where a full-sized farm gate isn’t necessary. Additionally, baby gates are often more lightweight and portable, making them a versatile choice for dog owners who need a temporary or adjustable barrier to keep their pets safe and secure.

These gates are also easier to install; simply lock them in place. They grant your dog more freedom while alleviating the responsibility of dog-proofing your entire space.

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Categories
Farm Supplies

Poultry Manure Pellet Machine, Why Do Small Farmers Need One?

Backyard chickens and rooster
Backyard chickens and rooster. Photo by Zosia Korcz.

Most people consider the manure from chickens, cows, horses, sheep, pigs, and other livestock waste. Yet, it serves as a valuable source of organic fertilizer.

To use raw materials as fertilizer, poultry farmers must dehydrate and ferment them. The machine for drying chicken manure can dewater chicken poo rapidly and effectively.

However, relying solely on native fermentation may not result in high-quality granulated organic fertilizer. This is due to unstable nutritional composition and a low supply of trace elements.

In the sections below, we’ll delve into the world of chicken manure pellet equipment, reveal our top pick, and guide you through the factors to consider when selecting the perfect chicken manure pellet machine for your needs.

So let’s dive in and turn that livestock waste into organic gold!

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Categories
Farm Feed

Fodder Types Explained and How to Know Which You Should Use

Bale of hay on a field. The different types of fodder explained for your farm.
Bale of hay on a field. The different types of fodder explained for your farm. Photo by Peter Kleinau.

Taking proper care of your farm’s livestock is of the utmost importance for their well-being and success.

Green fodder production can provide a cost-effective solution to ensure they get all the nutrients they need.

Cereal grains and legumes are ideal for growing nutritious fodder that will help keep your animals healthy and strong.

Not sure where to begin when it comes to producing green fodder? We’re here to help – our guide has everything you need to know about creating a nourishing feed for your animals quickly and easily.

With just a little bit of effort, lush, nutritious feed will be within reach in no time!

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Categories
Farming

Growing Microgreens: The Most Popular Ones Rising to Fame Among Urban Farmers

Beautiful purple radish microgreens
Beautiful purple radish microgreens. Photo by Russ Ward.

Microgreens have become a popular choice for urban farmers looking to grow their own food in a small space, much like an urban farm.

These tiny greens are packed with nutrition and flavor, making them an ideal way to add freshness, texture, and color to any meal or to your urban garden.

Not only are they easy to cultivate indoors or outdoors, but they also require minimal effort compared to other types of gardening.

The most popular types of microgreens for urban farmers are arugula, basil, chard, kale, cilantro, and radish.

In this article, we’ll explore why these delicious little plants have become popular among city dwellers and provide helpful tips on how you can start growing your own microgreens today!

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Categories
Farm Supplies

Farm Equipment Maintenance

Maintaining Farm Equipment is hard work. But keeping your equipment spotless will reward your work on the farm.
Maintaining Farm Equipment is hard work. But keeping your equipment spotless will reward your work on the farm. Photo by Kelsey Todd.

Farm equipment is expensive, and high-quality devices can boost productivity. Hence, you’ll want to keep it running for as long as feasible.

Fortunately, keeping up with farm equipment preventive care can help stop some of these disruptions, keeping your farm running smoothly and reducing unexpected downtime.

We’ve compiled some of our favorite maintenance advice to help you stay organized and keep your machinery in excellent condition.

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Categories
Home & Garden

Optimizing Your Garden and Seeds for Different Seasons

Growing different types of tomatoes is great during summer. Garden for the season!
Optimizing your garden and seeds for different seasons can prove to lucrative. Photo by Annie Lang.

Nature has a course of self-trimming, which means that it can take each plant and tree through an experience of a substantial shift in their living and growth. During the process, some plants may perish, others may survive; the plants that receive the least attention perish first.

Therefore, optimizing your garden and seeds for different seasons is crucial to help your plants to grow more healthily.

Whatever the season, you can always follow a few general strategies to improve your garden.

In this article, we’ll explore everything about those seasonal plants and optimizing tactics for your garden — whether you’re farming at scale or growing for your household — to ultimately achieve the most from your crops.

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