A fun, modern, and irreverent introduction to healing herbs, this field guide to feeling good includes more than 20 plant profiles. Here is an invitation to the wild world of healing plants growing right outside your door. Highlighting herbs from catnip and plantain to nettles and rosemary, this book provides the information you need to assemble an herbal arsenal for combatting any ailment—everything from brewing up a slick lube tea for sexual health to fashioning a simple summer band-aid from backyard “weeds” to crafting an herbal smoking blend to quiet a busy mind. This accessible guide covers questions like: What is plant medicine? What can I put in my mouth and where do I find it? Can I still go to my doctor? We’ve got you covered.

Six containers of heirloom tomatoes, miniature squashes, and herbs on your back patio or six acres of beets, cabbages, and strawberries? Five chickens and a honey bee hive or a small farm with three dozen sheep and a couple of quarter horses? Regardless of the size of your ‘field of dreams’, Essential Guide to Hobby Farming is your best first step to making that hobby-farm aspiration a pleasurable and profitable reality. A hobby farmer for the past thirty years, Carol Ekarius shares the joys, challenges, and rewards of living the rural life. Hobby farming is as much a state of mind as it is an address in the country, and this instructive, beautifully photographed manual addresses every topic beginning hobby farmers need to know, from purchasing the right land and equipment to choosing and maintaining crops and livestock to marketing and selling your hobby farm’s yield. TOPICS DISCUSSED INSIDE: -Assessing finances and resources - land, water, tools of the trade (trucks, tractors, various implements) -Choosing the best crops for your land, climate, hardiness, and profitability -Selecting and caring for the livestock - chickens, goats, cows, sheep, etc - that best fits your hobby farm -Protecting crops and livestock against predators, pests, and disease -Business and marketing options for selling your local food directly to restaurants and farmers’ markets and through CSA programs -Preserving the harvest, through canning, drying, and freezing, plus over two dozen original recipes for your homegrown produce NEW FOR THE SECOND EDITION: Expanded section on chickens, including urban and suburban accommodations; honey bee keeping; adding a barn or annex building to the farm; trends in planting, including miniature vegetables, heirloom varieties, and ‘hot’ new vegetables and hybrids; adding flower beds to the property; getting involved with a CSA

A guide to growing an organic herb garden that requires a minimum of maintenance includes more than fifty recipes and instructions for a range of herb projects.

You can enjoy robust health without relying on a lowfat diet or bottles full of nutritional supplements. You don?t even have to give up meat. The secret lies in "The Healing Power of Minerals, Special Nutrients, and Trace Elements. From calcium and iron to the essential fatty acids and beyond, minerals are the hard-working dietary necessities that supply the body's building materials, affect digestion, and perform other tasks crucial to health and fitness.Modern farming and food processing rob food of valuable nutrients. But respected nutritionist, herbalist, and researcher "Paul Bergner explains, item by item, how to restore 22 important minerals and other nutrients to your diet. You will learn how much of each you need and which foods can provide it. Find out just how easy and enjoyable good nutrition be!

In Organic Hobby Farming, Andy Tomolonis, a longtime organic gardener, part-time hobby farmer, and award-winning Boston-area journalist, strips down the concept of “organic” and explains why natural farming has emerged as the healthiest and most viable method of growing for hobby farms and other small-scale operations. In addition to the improved taste and the appeal of excluding toxic materials, organic farming benefits farmers, their families, and the environment. It offers economic plusses as well. The current consumer demand for “local” and “organic” food underscores the need for small hobby farms that offer unique high-end goods. Tomolonis explains the basic principles of organic farming and describes how hobby farmers and their families can eat healthier, save money, help preserve the environment, and even turn their passion into a small-scale side business. Chapter 1 will help you assess the land you live on to determine whether it’s suited for organic vegetables, fruit, berries, or livestock. Farmers who are looking to lease or buy land will find practical advice on how to evaluate properties and find their best use, taking climate, soil, water and geography into consideration. In Chapter 2, Tomolonis continues with practical advice on how to choose the right tools without overspending—starting slowly with quality hand implements and then expanding as you determine the need for costlier power equipment. Chapter 3 moves on to the heart of any successful organic farm—building the soil. “The Good Earth” brings readers down to earth, i.e., the soil. You’ll learn how to evaluate and improve your soil with compost and cover crops and protect it from erosion, chemical contamination and other harm. The author also stresses the importance of understanding the complex relationship between underground soil organisms that play such a crucial role in natural plant health. The best soil, with the right balance of nutrients and a healthy population of microbes, will help your plants survive hardship, resist diseases and produce healthier more bountiful harvests, the author explains. Chapter 4 walks you through the steps needed to develop an organized farm plan. The chapter presents a convenient month-by-month overview of the farmer’s year, offering a timeline and detailed instructions for sowing seeds indoors, transplanting seedlings, guarding against insects and weeds, harvesting, planting cover crops extending the season and developing a schedule for successive food crops. Whether you want to feed your growing family all summer long or produce enough food for a small-scale agribusiness, the information here is invaluable. This chapter also covers organic methods for harnessing the power of nature by luring beneficial insects that will help control farm and garden pests. Learn about heirlooms, hybrids, and eclectic vegetable varieties in the comprehensive directory of vegetable crops and herbs introduced in Chapter 5. Tomolonis reveals his favorite varieties, including many alluring heirlooms that have grown in popularity. Each crop description offers detailed information on soil preparation, sowing, companion planting, and battling weeds and insects without harmful chemicals. The author, a former produce manager for a national grocery chain, also includes tips for harvesting crops, prepping them for display, and bringing the goods to market. If you’re looking for advice on fruits and berries, Organic Hobby Farms introduces new options in Chapter 6, where the author suggests ways to branch out with Asian pears, peaches, and apples, as well as nutritious blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries. As he does in other chapters, Tomolonis explains in common terms, how to choose the best varieties for your region, prepare the soil for maximum production, and deal with pests and diseases organically. Organic Hobby Farming also describes the basics of adding chickens to your farm—for wholesome organic eggs or pastured meat. Select the right breeds, raise a flock from day-old chicks and protect the birds from predators and pests the natural way. Tomolonis also delves into the fascinating world of apiculture in Chapter 8. He and his wife, Valerie, are avid beekeepers with hives that produce gallons of healthy unpasteurized local honey. In addition to bees, the book provides insight into keeping such small livestock as meat rabbits and dairy goats. Hobby farmers who want to turn their agricultural skills into a money-making operation will find practical advice in Chapter 9, which discusses commercial options. Learn how to sell your goods to local restaurants, at farmers’ markets, or as part of a community-supported-agriculture (CSA) program. And, once you make a decision to turn commercial, you’ll find advice in developing a business plan, crafting a mission statement, setting goals, and creating farm budgets. You’ll also learn the myriad benefits—and challenges—of becoming USDA certified organic. Finally, Organic Hobby Farming steers you to multiple sources of additional information with an extensive listing of resources, broken down by subject and chapter. With Organic Hobby Farming, creative-thinking readers will learn ways to increase the profitability of their organic ventures. The reader can decide to transform his hobby farm into a specialty destination for heirloom varieties, organic raw honey, preserves, dried herbs, or a particularly desirable breed of heritage livestock. As Tomolonis states in the book’s introduction, “eat safer, more nutritious food, learn about your soil and plants, support the local food movement and help save the planet—one acre at a time.”

If you're looking to explore a new hobby every day and unlock your creative potential, then HowExpert Guide to 365 Popular Hobbies is your ultimate resource. Welcome to a year-long adventure filled with creativity, discovery, and growth. This guide is your gateway to mastering a diverse range of hobbies, organized from A to Z and tailored to fit every month. Whether you’re seeking to ignite your creativity, improve DIY skills, connect with nature, or find a new passion, this book offers endless inspiration and practical tips to enrich your life daily. Inside this book, you'll find: - Introduction: The Joy of Hobbies – Discover how hobbies can enrich your life, reduce stress, and spark joy. Use this guide to explore new passions daily or focus on specific interests. - January: Arts and Crafts – Start your year with creativity by diving into hobbies like painting, knitting, and wood carving. Each day introduces a new craft to let your artistic side shine. - February: Building and DIY – Channel your inner handyman or handywoman with projects ranging from carpentry to gardening. Perfect for anyone who loves to build, fix, or create with their hands. - March: Collecting – Explore the fascinating world of collecting, from antiques to rare books and coins. Learn the ins and outs of starting, maintaining, and expanding your collection. - April: Food and Drink – Satisfy your culinary curiosity by mastering the art of baking, brewing, and gourmet cooking. This chapter is a feast for your taste buds, with a new food-related hobby daily. - May: Games and Entertainment – Unleash your inner gamer with a month of board games, video games, and other forms of entertainment. Whether you’re into strategy or action, there’s something for every gamer. - June: Music and Performing Arts – Harmonize your love for music and performing arts by exploring instruments, singing, and acting. Each hobby helps you express yourself through sound and movement. - July: Nature and Outdoors – Embrace the outdoors with hobbies like hiking, birdwatching, and gardening. Perfect for nature lovers and adventurers, these activities connect you with the natural world. - August: Personal Development – Focus on self-improvement with hobbies that nurture your mind and soul, from journaling to meditation. This chapter is about building better habits, enhancing well-being, and fostering personal growth. - September: Science and Technology – Dive into science with hobbies ranging from robotics to astronomy. Ideal for curious minds, this chapter expands your understanding through hands-on experiments and tech projects. - October: Sports and Fitness – Get moving with a variety of physical activities that promote fitness and fun. Whether you’re into yoga, weightlifting, or extreme sports, this chapter keeps you active, energized, and healthy. - November: Travel and Exploration – Feed your wanderlust with hobbies that encourage exploration, from camping to cultural tours. This chapter is your passport to adventure, offering new ways to discover the world. - December: Writing and Literature – Cap off the year by indulging in the written word. Whether writing your memoirs or crafting fiction, these literary hobbies inspire you to unleash your creativity and reflect on your experiences. - Conclusion: Reflecting on Your Year of Hobbies – Reflect on your journey with tips on exploring new activities, embracing lifelong learning, and finding new inspirations. - Appendices – Delve into resources, journals, and community connections to keep your hobby pursuits thriving and ensure your passion for learning never fades. Whether you're a seasoned hobbyist or just starting out, HowExpert Guide to 365 Popular Hobbies is your go-to source for daily inspiration and growth. Buy the book today and embark on a year-long adventure of discovery, creativity, and fun! HowExpert publishes how-to guides on all topics from A to Z.

Hydroponics as a hobby can provide enjoyment, stress relief, and the gratification of creating your own fresh, pesticide-free garden. The increased interest in hobby hydroponics over the last 30 years has created market demand and, therefore, widespread availability of small-scale hydroponic units. Hobby Hydroponics, Second Edition is a guide to al