The things that you learn doing research! December is National Pear Month and so, in thinking of the fruits, my mind immediately latched on to the first lyric from “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” But why was the partridge in a pear tree? It was speculated more than a century and a half ago that “pea...

For many families, picking out the perfect Christmas tree is an annual tradition. But there are a few things you should keep in mind about your real Christmas tree to help keep it fresh through the holiday season. Trim the trunk – Make a fresh cut across the bottom of the trunk. I know it seems odd ...

Small Business Saturday has been taking place for over a decade now on the day following the mass stampedes on Black Friday. Why put more money into the hands of faceless corporations when you can support your neighbors? Country Culture wants to take some time to mention one small business you can s...

The daylight hours keep growing shorter, and the days are flying by. Before you know it, the holidays will be here. If you have a gardener (or garden lover) on your holiday gift list, you may be wondering what might make them smile during a season when the garden is buried beneath snow. For new gard...

If your electricity goes out due to snow and ice, a generator can keep power flowing to your home or business. The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), an international trade association representing manufacturers and suppliers of outdoor power equipment, small engines, battery power systems, p...

“America’s farms have long been vital to our nation.They contribute to our public health, safeguard our environmental resources and stand at the forefront of our country’s path toward energy independence.We must continue supporting the vital relationship between American farms and families, and work...

With snow on its way, are you wondering what else you can do to prevent winter damage to your garden? The first thing is to be sure your soil gets a good drink of water before it freezes. This will help prepare both soil and plants for the coming winter. Once the ground has frozen, add a thick layer...

During the early months of the pandemic, gardening and other domestic hobbies saw an unprecedented revival. Trends come and go, but in gardening, one that seems here to stay is the no-dig, also called the no-till method. Touted by gardening gurus including the UK’s Charles Dowding as easy, quick and...

The first thing that pops into most people’s minds when they hear the word “pickle” is a pickled cucumber (often seasoned with dill). And that’s fine! There’s a reason that particular fruit/vegetable has risen to the top of the pickle pile. Pickled cucumbers are easy to make and fun to snack on. Nex...

There is a running joke in pop culture about the average American (outside of certain immigrant and minority communities) not knowing how to properly to utilize spices and seasonings. Take an app like TikTok – there are pages and pages of videos with Black and Hispanic moms, grandmothers and aunts r...

Did you know Nov. 4 is National Bison Day? More than just a symbol of America, this large and in-charge ruminants make for great beef animals. Read more about them below: Raising bison may sound like an easy way to raise meat animals, as bison don’t require shelter, even in northern climates; howeve...

The family automobile is not the only piece of equipment that requires routine upkeep to ensure it is operating properly. Life on a farm or homestead can come to a screeching halt if farm equipment is not properly maintained. Farmers invest thousands of dollars on agricultural equipment, such as tra...

Comedian Bob Marley, a native of Maine, has a bit (an oldie but a goodie) about all the nonsense his dad let him get away with as a kid. For example, he could take the entire roof off the house and his dad would just laugh and say, “Ha! It’s gonna suck if it snows.” His father – who named his son no...

Just when you think you’ve become accustomed to the spotted lanternfly invasion, along comes another menace to the ecosystem: the Asian jumping worm. Allow me to introduce you to Amynthas agrestis , also known as Alabama jumper, Jersey wriggler and the rude-but-accurate crazy worm. Unlike garden-var...

There’s an old saying: “Good things come in small packages.” That’s certainly true of the tiny flowers that bloom in spring. And autumn is the perfect time to plant these bulbs. We’re all familiar with the drifts of daffodils and tulips that brighten the view at winter’s end, but have you considered...