countryside magazine

[Mary]

Has anyone had a Countryside magazine, I received a post card in the mail an
thought it looked interesting,( like I need another mag.)Suppose to have 132 pages ,6 issues for 18.00.Was just wondering what you thought about the mag. :)

[zebraman]

Hey Mary;I received the same offer in the mail,must be connected with BWH.Anyway I sent it in and will probably keep it if its any good.Nice to here from you.-

[ceresone]

I absolutely love the magazine, unfortunatly, my subscription is running out-and i cant afford to renew it at this time.

[GreenZone]

I subscribe to it occasionally. It's pretty good for homesteading topics. I haven't really subscribed in a couple of years, though. To me online forums are just as good if not better. But of course each medium has its place.

Randel

[tashak]

Mary, I've managed to subscribe to it for years; it is my favorite magazine (though I also enjoy Backwoods Home at the library for one writer, Jackie Clay, in particular). Rates are even cheaper on a multiyear subscription but that may take saving up/a good year. Find myself going back to old issues to refresh my memory, find recipes I should have postnoted (if that is a word, lol), etc. Some of the readers' letters, like this forum here, are especially helpful.

[Mary]

Thats great to hear,will probably send for it or go to their web site to see if I can get it for a better price.I looked at their site earlier and saw all kinds of back issues to order. Good to hear from you to Zebraman, I've been cleaning,painting,replaced a bedroom carpet.I cleared my garden off, was going to work the ground up but its been raining.What have you been up to?I wonder if I could find a copy off the news stand? Are you near the California fire,so terrible for the people and animals?

[Jeannine]

I love the mag too! For sure one of my all time favorites, in fact have saved every copy for all the useful info! I have yet to actually suscribe to it but buy it off the newstand, not my smartest move $$$ wise.

[winter_unfazed]

I write for Countryside magazine; you may remember the articles about "exotic fruits and vegetables", "a lesson in botanical Latin", and "astronomy on the homestead" that I wrote. In the coming Jan/Feb 2007 issue, my article will be "Finding a tree's diameter: it's as easy as pi".

[Nutter]

I like " Harrowsmith & Mother Earth News " better actually..

JMHO..
Nut

[johno]

I write for Countryside magazine; you may remember the articles about "exotic fruits and vegetables", "a lesson in botanical Latin", and "astronomy on the homestead" that I wrote. In the coming Jan/Feb 2007 issue, my article will be "Finding a tree's diameter: it's as easy as pi".


Apparently you are a full-time writer. Is there a link to all of your articles? :)

[winter_unfazed]

Not all of them are online, but one from Countryside is. Go to Sept/Oct 2005, and it's the first article shown.

[zebraman]

Hey Mary;That Fire is out near Palm Springs,which might as well be in another state.An interesting thing to remember here in southern CA. is that most of the indigenous fauna requires fire stratification in order to germinate.People in outlying areas that build houses(to get away from it all)usually don't want to do heavy brush clearing because it takes away from the beauty.Also a lot of these plants also produce natural resins that are as explosive as gasoline.
Another side note about 15 years ago a law was passed making it illegal to put Wood shakes on your roof in areas where the Fire danger is high.The protests were extreme!!!This is No different than people in the midwest demanding to live in Trailer parks.Here in Venice it is nothing but clear blue skies.The winds here blow from west to east.
I have already planted most of my (Fall) lettuce and other cole crops.Hopefully it will cool down some by Nov.so I can plant my garlic.Life is Great-

[Mary]

Glad to here you are not near the fire,a lot of homes were destroyed, to bad.I found a copy of Countryside at the news stand,has 114 pages, you are probably right about it being connected to BWH.Could you send some of the warm winds my way ,even what you call cool would be warm to me.I'm not looking forward to the snow,cold winds, hopefully we won't have ice.Say,where do you buy greasy beans,would like to try them next year?Talk to you later.

[zebraman]

Hey Mary;I know I have your address somewhere in my office,but it would be easier if you send it to me again by PM.-

[Mary]

I don't feel comfortable giving out my address,sorry, but I'm more confortable using the forums,I like talking to everyone.Now where do you get your greasy beans? I was looking at seed cataloges and saw a white half runner green bean that is considered a greasy bean,is that the kind you mean?I'm already trying to plan next year's garden,I need to put up a fence to keep deer out,a neighbor down the road put up a 5 ft.high and said they don't have a deer problem.

[Sandbar]

I was thinking you needed a 6' (7' is better) high fence to keep out deer. I used to put a 4' up around my small garden here at the house, but they just jumped over the fence ... enjoyed the "salad" I lovingly grew for them ... and jumped back out. That was two years ago and I haven't tried a garden at the house (other gardens are at my FIL's farm) since.

[Mary]

Sandbar, you are probably right,I'm short so it would be hard for me to put up a fence that high.Maybe I could ask my son to help,he doesn't like gardening,I'll see.I need to dig the holes and put the post in this fall, then all I would need to do is the fence and the gate.In the spring till and then put the fence up.Sounds like a good plan, see if I can carry it out.

[Mary]

Hope you don't think I'm rude Zebraman,don't mean to be.Talk to you later.

[zebraman]

Hey Mary;http://www.heirlooms.org/beans.html

[Mary]

Thanks Zebraman,I'll check it out.There's an article in Mother Earth News,Easy Solar Power,INstalling clean,reliable,inflation-proof solar power is easier than ever, thanks to the invention of thin-flim photovoltaic (PV) laminates that can be bonded directly onto metal roofing panels.No need for obtrusive racks and heavy, expensive glass.Instead, unbreakable thin-flim PV is produced using amorphous silcon,encapsulated in teflon and other polymers. I wondered if that was what you used,how did it turn out?

[TastyofHasty]

winter_unfazed, cool! you're a published writer!

[bluelacedredhead]

I picked up complementary issues of Backyard Poultry and Countryside Magazine from the same table at the APA show last weekend. Both decent magazines from what I can see so far. And I emailed the editor about something on Monday night after I got home. She was right back at me, so they are good at responding to reader's inquiries!
Picked up Hobby Farm from another booth, but I've read it before so no surprises there.

[Mary]

I received the free copy in the mail,really like it ,will probably order it .

[johno]

I picked up my first issue of Countryside last week. I think it's a pretty good magazine. It reminds me of the old Mother Earth News issues in a way - maybe it's just the newsprint paper? Anyway, speaking of MEN, I noticed that a writer named Harvey Ussery has an article in the December issues of both magazines. It sounds like he has a nice, functional homestead going on. Both articles cover a wide range of topics, including some info about a forest garden he started last year.

I have an interest in this particular subject because, well, I live in a forest. It wouldn't take much of a leap to engage in forest gardening here, and it gives me new ideas on where the heck I can put all the new plants I want to grow. I already have the tree canopy, and the lower story already harbors some wild fruits, which would probably be good pollinators for domesticated ones. I've done a lot of clearing over the years to make a lawn, now I can back up a step and replant some of the areas with berry bushes and small trees. The third step is the shortest layer of plants, mostly perennials like comfrey or flowers. They would be furthest from the large tree trunks and get a little more sun. This would cut down on my lawn mowing significantly - my yard is two acres...

I had encountered this idea in a sense when I was in college. I was landscaping for a nursery at the time, and since I had access to an incredible library, I was reading up on landscape design. I wish I could remember the name of the book... Anyway, it was about mirroring a phase in the natural course of a forest's evolution. Basically the same idea, only not necessarily using edible plants, just showy ones. I can't believe I never put two and two together until now...

[GeorgeSims]

Johno,

Based on your recommendation, I just went to the Countryside website and subscribed. If I hate the mag, please send me eighteen bucks.

[johno]

I sure hope you like it!

[GeorgeSims]

Send me NINE bucks. Maybe I'll just like it a little!

[johno]

This article thoroughly covers the topic of forest gardening, if anyone's interested:

www.nofa.org/tnf/sp02/supplement/edible.php

[bluelacedredhead]

Harvey Ussery used to be a regular on the Society for the Preservation of Poultry Antiquities forum on MSN groups. He may still post there, just I haven't been there much lately..too busy over here :)
I wasn't aware that he was also "in print" Cool.

[Sandbar]

Picked up Hobby Farm from another booth, but I've read it before so no surprises there.Dear Wife bought me a subscription to Hobby Farm last year for Christmas. I really enjoy the mag because of the diverse topics it covers. Much of what it discusses I may never use, however, it is interesting to read about what other folks are doing and ... who knows ... I might add livestock to the mix someday! Have read interesting articles on nut trees and the art of growing hedge rows, too.

[GeorgeSims]

Just got my first issue of Countryside this morning. Have only read a few pages, but am most happy with it. Johno, you don't owe me anything!!!

For any of you who are subscribers:

I notice that the May/June 2006 issue (Vol. 90/3) is said to have an article on "Growing Gourmet Garlic". Would you look up that article, and tell me who the author is?

[winter_unfazed]

Coauthored by Lee and Cherrie Nolden of Wisconsin.

[Maven]

I subscribe to a whole slew of homesteader/gardener publications including Backwoods Home, Backhome, TMEN, and Farmshow. Countryside and Down To The Roots Magazine are my two favorites!

[GeorgeSims]

I don't know if I should tell this or not.

After I got my first Countryside (January 2007 issue), I wanted to get some of the back issues. They were selling them for four bucks apiece; however, a year's subscription (6 issues) was $18. I called them up, and a very nice lady agreed to send me a "retroactive" subscription (i.e., all the 2006 magazines, all at once) for $18. They came in while I was in Missouri, and I haven't unwrapped the package yet.

[Lillian Osborne]

Johno,

Based on your recommendation, I just went to the Countryside website and subscribed. If I hate the mag, please send me eighteen bucks.

You will not hate it!

[Lillian Osborne]

I subscribe to a whole slew of homesteader/gardener publications including Backwoods Home, Backhome, TMEN, and Farmshow. Countryside and Down To The Roots Magazine are my two favorites!

Got an address for Backhome?

[Lillian Osborne]

I subscribe to a whole slew of homesteader/gardener publications including Backwoods Home, Backhome, TMEN, and Farmshow. Countryside and Down To The Roots Magazine are my two favorites!

What is Down To The Roots like?

[Lillian Osborne]

Just got my first issue of Countryside this morning. Have only read a few pages, but am most happy with it. Johno, you don't owe me anything!!!

For any of you who are subscribers:

I notice that the May/June 2006 issue (Vol. 90/3) is said to have an article on "Growing Gourmet Garlic". Would you look up that article, and tell me who the author is?

Hi George

Off topic, but I used to live in Douglas County...Only it was in Oregon!

[GeorgeSims]

Just got through reading the current issue, and ALL the 2006 issues, back-to-back. What a GREAT magazine!!!

[Maven]

Got an address for Backhome?

http://www.backhomemagazine.com/

[Maven]

What is Down To The Roots like?

http://www.downtotheroots.net/

It's similar to Countryside, but not so thick. It's less than 4 years old, and growing by leaps and bounds.
Tenzicut is the lady who publishes it and she homesteads up in Canada (from Oregon originally) and it covers a whole slew of homestead topics. Livestock, crafts, gardening, etc. She is a moderator on the "Organic Homesteading and Gardening" list on yahoo if you want to get an idea of her style and knowledge.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/organichomesteadinggardening/

[bluelacedredhead]

Unfortunately Maven, it's a Members only area, so for those of us who don't belong we would have to join to see. I know her name from a few poultry sites. But she never left much of an impression on me.

[Lillian Osborne]

http://www.downtotheroots.net/

It's similar to Countryside, but not so thick. It's less than 4 years old, and growing by leaps and bounds.
Tenzicut is the lady who publishes it and she homesteads up in Canada (from Oregon originally) and it covers a whole slew of homestead topics. Livestock, crafts, gardening, etc. She is a moderator on the "Organic Homesteading and Gardening" list on yahoo if you want to get an idea of her style and knowledge.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/organichomesteadinggardening/

Ok, Thanks.

Lillian

[Lillian Osborne]

Got an address for Backhome?

Don't usually answer my own questions, but yes, there is a web address for Back Home.

http://www.backhomemagazine.com/

I decided to take a look.

Lillian