Temperature & Light
Preventing Livestock Water from Freezing
You can use a combination of solar heat absorption and thermal mass to keep livestock water buckets from freezing in the winter. One simple and inexpensive method is insulate a water dish with a discarded tire. Stuff the interior of the tire with bubble wrap. Measure the diameter of the hole […]
Using Heat Lamps Safely
Heat lamps are an easy way to raise temperatures inside coops and enclosures, but they must be carefully placed to reduce the risks associate with them. Heat lamps are easily broken by curious animals, and the bulbs become hot enough to cause a burn if they are touched. Additionally, if […]
Selecting the Right Chicken Breed for Your Climate
Selecting breeds that are well adapted or native to your climate reduces the amount of management that is required to keep them warm or cool. Many of the chicken breeds that are prevalent in the United States today developed in widely varied climates. Those that trace their roots to hot […]
Selecting the Right Goat or Sheep Breed for Your Climate
Selecting breeds that are well adapted or native to your climate reduces the amount of management that is required to keep them warm or cool. While any breed of goat or sheep can technically be raised in any geographic location, it is sensible to select breeds which are best adapted […]
Crops to Grow in Shaded Areas
The first strategy for employing cool, shaded areas on your property is to plant vegetables, fruits and greens that thrive despite the lower light and temperatures. When selecting vegetables for shade, think heads and roots, instead of fruits that require more energy, and thus more light. Cool season vegetables and […]
How To Use a Cold Frame to Start Plants Earlier
A cold frame is a simple tool for season extension. I often want to get plants growing early in the season to give them a head start. But, I do not have a window that is sunny enough to start them indoors. My original method was to carry them in […]
