Samantha Johnson

BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON
It’s tomato season! Delicious tomatoes, sun-ripened and fresh from the vine—what’s better than that? Of course, any gardening endeavor produces questions, and you may be wondering about some tomato-specific issues. Let’s find some answers!

BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON
‘Tis the season for county fairs and all the delights that go with them: cotton candy, Ferris wheels and (hopefully) lots of blue ribbons. If you’re hoping to exhibit some of your homegrown vegetables this season, here are some tips for giving yourself the best chance of earning a blue ribbon.

BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON
As small-scale homesteaders, we aren’t necessarily homebodies, but we tend to spend a lot of time working on our farms—that’s the dream, after all, right? Still, occurrences inevitably arise that occasionally take us away from our land and responsibilities.
But so many of the day-to-day tasks depend on our presence: Livestock, of course, require daily care—often twice a day and possibly more—for feeding, water checks, and inspections.

BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON
Knitting is a comforting task that’s pleasantly grounded in practicality and satisfaction. Like woodworking or cooking, knitting provides the chance to magically create something from nothing using raw materials, a dash of skill, and some time. It’s no surprise that knitting has seen a huge resurgence in interest recently, as we attempt to bring nature and creativity into our tech-saturated modern lives.
And if your farm produces fiber—a natural result ...

BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON
Maybe I shouldn't admit this, but here goes: the Holland Lop is my favorite breed of rabbit.
I fully appreciate the fact that there are nearly fifty recognized rabbit breeds in the United States, all brimming with marvelous characteristics, varying fur types, and personality galore. But as far as I'm concerned (and even considering its diminutive stature), the Holland Lop towers above the rest.
If you aren't already familiar with this enchanting little rabbit, meet the Holland Lop.

BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON
Homesteading isn't just for people with acres of land or a farm handed down through generations. It's entirely possible to successfully homestead — growing fruits and vegetables and even keeping livestock — in an urban setting. Let's look at a few of the easiest ways to start an urban homestead.

BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON
Okay, northern gardeners: tomato season is upon us and we have some decisions to make. We could plant our gardens full of Early Girl or Better Boy tomatoes and we’ll have plenty of delicious tomatoes to cook with and enjoy… but they’ll all be red, which is predictable and uniform and maybe even a little dull.

BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON
Your new puppy is rambunctious, feisty ... and very adorable. And this makes it easy to overlook behaviors you may not appreciate once your puppy is grown up. And right now, you are living in the moment with your puppy: playing with him, taking hundreds of photos to share on social, house training him and getting him to sleep through the night.
But it's important to think about the kind of dog you want him to grow up to be.

BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON
Summers are short here in the North, and we obviously want to maximize our garden harvest as much as we can. That’s easy if you have plenty of available space to expand your garden and add new beds as needed, but unlimited space isn’t always an option. I

BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON
Envision this scene: a glorious black Arabian stallion swims powerfully through the ocean in the aftermath of a shipwreck, pulling you to the safety of a deserted island where you later learn to ride him.
That might happen if you’re Alec Ramsey in The Black Stallion movie and book, but even if you’re not shipwrecked on an island with a wild stallion, you’ve probably seen Arabian horses at the stable or at horse shows.

BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON
If you’re keen to help bees and butterflies—and as a gardener, of course you are—there’s a plant you’ll most definitely want to add to your garden: the beautiful Agastache foeniculum or anise hyssop.

BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON
Maybe you've suddenly realized that the 4th of July is just around the corner and now you want to decorate your porch. Of course, patriotic flowers in shades of red, white, and blue would be just the thing, and luckily for you, an assortment of colorful annuals will fit the bill.

BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON
Finally! After weeks of waiting, the puppy you've chosen is now ready to leave his mother and littermates and come home to his new family. This can be an exciting time for you and your household, but it's also a huge step for your puppy. His first day—and night—can be a potentially anxious time. Luckily, you can take several steps to alleviate his fears and ensure he feels comfortable and safe in his new home.

BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON
Your local stable is probably home to plenty of familiar horse breeds like Thoroughbreds and Arabians, but there’s one breed that you likely won’t find there: the Marwari. Native to India, the elegant Marwari is extremely rare. But once you learn about the Marwari, you’ll never forget it!

BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON
Take a look at a map of Europe and you’ll see a portion of land in the southwest that almost touches Africa. That region—containing the countries Spain and Portugal, called the Iberian Peninsula—is serious horse territory!
The impressive Lusitano has its roots in this region.