practical skills for life beyond the city
How many of you are always finding a way to cut back on spending? It hit me pretty hard last fall when I purchased $50 or more worth of seed starters, broccoli, bok choy, kale, cauliflower, parsley, spinach, lettuce greens, swiss chard, and cabbage. Then…
Starting a vegetable garden can feel both exciting and a little intimidating. There’s so much advice out there that it’s easy to get stuck before you even put a seed in the ground. I know the feeling well. When I first started, I overcomplicated everything—buying…
How to Build a Simple Raised Bed on a Budget (An Affordable, Beginner-Friendly Guide) Raised beds make gardening easier, neater, and more productive — but they don’t have to be expensive. Many beginners assume they need fancy kits or premium lumber. In reality, a solid,…
Starting a vegetable garden can feel both exciting and a little intimidating. There’s so much advice out there that it’s easy to get stuck before you even put a seed in the ground. I know the feeling well. When I first started, I overcomplicated everything—buying…
Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I genuinely use or believe are helpful for beginners. August is a busy…
How to Build a Simple Raised Bed on a Budget (An Affordable, Beginner-Friendly Guide) Raised beds make gardening easier, neater, and more productive — but they don’t have to be expensive. Many beginners assume they need fancy kits or premium lumber. In reality, a solid,…
Blueberries need soil that is quite acidic — between pH 3 to 5.5. To start with you need to know what the pH (acidity) of your soil is. You can get pH meters or test strips from your local nursery. I personally like to use…
How many of you are always finding a way to cut back on spending? It hit me pretty hard last fall when I purchased $50 or more worth of seed starters, broccoli, bok choy, kale, cauliflower, parsley, spinach, lettuce greens, swiss chard, and cabbage. Then…
Welcome to Life Beyond the City — a blog about gardening, farm animals, homegrown food, and simple living. I share what actually works (and what doesn’t) as we grow food, care for animals, and build a more self-sufficient life.
Looking for practical ideas? Start with the latest posts or explore the topics below.
How to Build a Simple Raised Bed on a Budget (An Affordable, Beginner-Friendly Guide) Raised beds make gardening easier, neater, and more productive — but they don’t have to be expensive. Many beginners assume they need fancy kits or premium lumber. In reality, a solid,…
How many of you are always finding a way to cut back on spending? It hit me pretty hard last fall when I purchased $50 or more worth of seed starters, broccoli, bok choy, kale, cauliflower, parsley, spinach, lettuce greens, swiss chard, and cabbage. Then…