Happy hens are able to act as chickens, and as a result, produce eggs that are healthier for our consumption.
This past November we picked up eight hens and a rooster commonly referred to as Easter Eggers because they lay pale blue or green eggs. Given the traumatic move to a new home… http://www.harroldcountryhome.ca/blog/happy-hens-lay-healthy-eggs/
We made a first attempt at tapping, collecting, and boiling sap from our sugar maple trees. The end results were a delicious treat and a memorable experience for the whole family.
We’ve been talking about trying to make our own maple syrup for years. This year, we finally gave it a go and embraced an element of quintessential Canadiana. This adventure in… http://www.harroldcountryhome.ca/blog/maple-syrup-harrold-style/
Conventionally grown, organic, greenhouse, field, heirloom... does it really make a difference how that tomato on your plate grew?
Among our most favourite things to grow are tomatoes. A tomato plucked fresh off the plant, warm and perfectly ripe, will beat a grocery store tomato every time, hands down! There… http://www.harroldcountryhome.ca/blog/best-tomatoes-your-health/
We've wanted bluebirds to use our nest boxes for years and finally discovered the reason (and the solution) for why they weren't.
Way back as a youngster, I was fascinated by bluebirds. Well, any kind of bird, actually. I roamed about the woods, swamps, and fields searching for bird nests and built up a… http://www.harroldcountryhome.ca/blog/welcoming-bluebirds-our-country-home/
Homegrown herbal teas are more than a pleasant alternative for tea time.
A few year back I had a lightbulb moment when I realized that I could grow and use my own plants for herbal remedies. We began to plant flowers and herbs specifically for drying… http://www.harroldcountryhome.ca/blog/embracing-tea-part-2/
Green and black teas offer many beneficial compounds that boost one's physical health. If you don't have a tea habit yet, you should think of starting one.
I like tea. It’s a simple, soothing drink and it can offer powerful benefits to your physical and emotional health.
The more I learn about herbal medicines, the more I value my… http://www.harroldcountryhome.ca/blog/embracing-tea-part-1/
The end of summer is a busy time for us as we take advantage of all the local produce that floods the farmer's markets.
The sounds of late summer fill the air outside: chirping crickets, strumming katydids, humming cicadas, twittering sparrows and squawking blue jays. All these noises coincide with… http://www.harroldcountryhome.ca/blog/putting-harvest/
Why we want the bats living in our barn to stay in the neighbourhood after we've evicted them.
In the summer we share our country home with bats. We welcome the work these Big Brown Bats (Eptesicus fuscus) do to control the insect populations. Living across from a large… http://www.harroldcountryhome.ca/blog/bats-barn/
Christmas is steeped in traditions. These traditions make the advent such a special time for children. Drop by to see what traditions we follow at Harrold Country Home.
Ahh… Christmas… Is it not a magical time to be a child? I have fond memories of Christmases past and want to give similar memories to my children. What I remember is not the gifts… http://www.harroldcountryhome.ca/blog/christmas-traditions-and-children/
We build a fence around our raised beds in an attempt to control our chickens' access to our vegetable gardens.
When we first set up our raised bed gardens we did not see the need for a fence - the height of the beds would keep out any of the nibbling herbivores who might visit our gardens.… http://www.harroldcountryhome.ca/blog/garden-fence-or-chicken-fence/
An old, forgotten apple tree offers plenty of apples for us to transform into preserves.
We have an ancient apple tree growing next to our house that provides us with apples. The view from our dining room window is of this apple tree. In spring, when blossoms cover… http://www.harroldcountryhome.ca/blog/apple-tree-harvest/
