What Are Common Composting Mistakes?

“Hi there! I’m trying my hand at composting in my backyard here in Melbourne, Australia. But I’m running into some problems. My compost seems to be taking forever

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How Does Permaculture Utilize Energy-Efficient Appliances?

“I’m working on making my home more environmentally friendly and started incorporating permaculture principles into my everyday life. One area I’m confused about is how energy-efficient appliances fit

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How Do I Keep Pickles From Getting Too Sour?

“I recently started pickling cucumbers, and while I love the crunch and flavor at first, after about a week or two, the pickles are starting to get really

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How Does Permaculture Design Support Year-Round Production?

“I’ve been practicing permaculture in my backyard for about two years and love how it’s transformed the space. However, I’m puzzled about how I can get more out

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Can I Use A Microwave To Dry Herbs And Is It Effective?

“Hey, I’ve recently been trying to dry some herbs from my garden (basil, thyme, rosemary – the usual suspects) but I don’t have a dehydrator or a lot

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How Do I Store Harvested Herbs For Medicinal Use?

“Hi, I’ve recently started a backyard farm in southern California and have been growing a variety of herbs, including lavender, chamomile, and peppermint, for medicinal purposes. I’m at

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How Does Permaculture Manage Free-Range Animals?

“Hi there, I’m new to permaculture and recently started incorporating free-range chickens into my garden. My goal is to create a healthy ecosystem where they can thrive and

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What Are The Best Non-Alcoholic Pairings For Cheese?

“Hey there! I’m organizing a cheese tasting event for a small group of friends at my place in Sydney, Australia. However, some of my guests don’t drink alcohol,

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What’s The Process For Making A Washed-Rind Cheese?

“I’m thinking about starting my own small-scale cheese making business in Vermont and I’ve been particularly interested in washed-rind cheeses. Unfortunately, I’m not familiar with the entire process.

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How Do I Prevent Downy Mildew?

“Hey there, I’ve been noticing some fuzzy patches on the underside of my grapevine leaves and I’m worried it might be downy mildew. I want to prevent it

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What Are The Best Cover Crops For Winter?

“I’ve got a small backyard farm in Columbus, Ohio, and with the cold weather approaching, I’m interested in using cover crops to protect and enrich my soil. What

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How Do I Reduce Packaging Waste?

“Hi there! We’re realizing more and more how much packaging waste we generate as a family, and it’s shocking. Between food containers, plastic wrap, and all the online

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What Are The Guidelines For Using Pasteurized Vs. Raw Milk?

“I’m trying to decide whether to use pasteurized or raw milk for making cheese at my small farm. I’ve heard there are benefits and drawbacks to both options.

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Does Freezing Affect Nutrition?

“I’m planning to start freezing my own garden veggies, but heard it might affect their nutritional value. I’ve been putting up with a healthy crop of green beans,

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How Does Permaculture Use Gravity For Water Distribution?

“I’ve been working on setting up a permaculture garden on a sloped piece of land here in Asheville, and I’m intrigued by the idea of using gravity for

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How Do I Harvest Cucumbers For Pickling?

“I’ve just planted some cucumber vines in my backyard here in Wellington, New Zealand. They are growing well, and I’m planning to use them for pickling. I haven’t

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How Does Permaculture Promote The Use Of Local Resources?

“I recently moved to a small rural town in New Zealand and started dabbling in permaculture with the hopes of living more sustainably. I’ve read that using local

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How Do I Clean And Maintain A Root Cellar For Food Safety?

“I built a root cellar last year to store my potatoes, onions, and apples for winter. It worked pretty well, but I noticed some mold and funky smells

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How Do I Prevent Freezer Burn In Frozen Foods?

“Hey, I’m new to freezing my homegrown fruits and veggies and I keep running into freezer burn. It seems like no matter how well I think I’ve packaged

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How Do I Use Rainwater In A Drought?

“Living in a region experiencing prolonged drought conditions has made me extremely conscious about water usage, particularly for my backyard farm. I’ve been thinking about collecting and using

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