Living the Country Life: Summer 2006
Table of Contents
Summer 2006
Vol. 5, No. 3
Enjoy browsing through the Summer 2006 issue of Living the Country Life magazine. We hope the ideas, features and beautiful photographs from this issue will inspire you to make the most of your place in the country.
On the cover: John and Barb Bauman built an elaborate pond and waterfall on their Minnesota acreage. Photograph: Mitch Kezar
Living the Country Life Editor Betsy Freese shares adventures from the pond on her family's acreage in this month's column.
Homesteads
Cover story: Water wonderA gorgeous and functional swimmable pond provides a fun retreat for the Bauman family of Minnesota.
A house isn't really a home without a deck for the family to enjoy. Learn about the different materials used in decking, and which one is best for you.
Say goodbye to plain, ordinary terra cotta pots, and dress up your deck, patio or poolside with these fun designs!
This is the place for great do-it-yourself tips from other acreage owners. Check out this month's great ideas, and learn how to submit a tip of your own.
"It's summertime and things are not going exactly as you planned in the spring," writes columnist Brent Olson. "Instead of fretting over the weedy garden, maybe it's time to reboot."
Gardening
Make it to mark itPlacing markers near the herbs and other plants in your garden helps you keep track of what you've got. Here are some tips for making your own unique garden markers.
The Garden Doctor answers reader questions about gardening and landscaping. Read his column for advice on common problems, and learn how to submit your own question.
Spring isn't the only season to plant vegetables. Planting seeds in your garden in July and August for fall production can yield great results.
If you are looking to boost the quality of garden soil on your acreage this summer, try planting a cover crop.
Animals
A place for poultryRaising these feathered friends can bring joy and entertainment to your acreage. Here's how one creative guy makes poultry a part of his life.
Penny Strine's acreage near Hayesville, Ohio, is alive with butterflies. Since 1999 Penny has supplied her homegrown monarchs to mark special occasions such as weddings and funerals.
Learn about the different types of invisible fence, what you can expect to pay, and what it takes to train your dog to stay safe.
Lyme disease is a frightening illness. Learn about the warning signs, and see what you can do to keep your family and your animals safe this summer.
Deer are beautiful creatures, but not when they're eating your garden. Here are some tips for keeping deer off your property.
Buyer's Guide
ATVs are great for so many chores on an acreage. And besides being such wonderful workhorses, they are a whole lot of fun!
One of the first accessories you'll want to buy for your ATV is a dump cart, for hauling dirt, firewood, hay, and nearly anything else you can fit in these wheeled wonders.
Food
Hungry for a diet with robust flavor and fewer food restrictions? The new Sonoma Diet translates the Mediterranean approach of savoring and enjoying meals to sun-drenched Sonoma County, California, home to distinctive wines and bountiful, farm-fresh produce. Learn about the diet and get started with these great recipes.
