Property Planning
Talk about your property in our Gardens, Lawns & Ponds forums, where you'll find all kinds of topics about living the country life.
One summer day while stopped along a dusty rural road, Ray and Patti Hamilton spotted several tall yellow compass plants swaying on a distant hillside
Much has been said about the availability of credit in today's world of troubled markets, failing businesses and loan losses. Consider the "5 Cs of Credit" before meeting with a loan officer.
Few people are endowed with a green thumb. Even fewer have time to farm their property, even if they were. So instead, consider a cost rental lease agreement -- a situation where a farmer, looking for additional acreage to work, will farm your land and later pay you a cut of the crops' profit.
When it comes to things like construction, building ponds and putting livestock out to pasture, there are rules and regulations that must be followed.
The rural real estate market is going strong, with land prices rising every year.
By conserving soggy ground on your property as a wetland, you can benefit the environment and even earn some money from the government.
Sometimes, having a wetland on your property is a big pain. Draining it is one option.
Excess precipitation can cause stream banks to erode, which affects not only your property, but everything up- and downstream as well.
If you have some land that's grown nothing but weeds the past few years, it's possible to turn it into a productive pasture.
We usually get four cuttings per season on our alfalfa. We bale it up, and feed it to our sheep and goats. Then, we replant the crop every few years or so.
Getting up close and personal with the riff-raff is the foundation of a sound weed management program.
As the flood waters recede and homeowners move their attention from wet basements to their landscapes, they may find themselves a bit overwhelmed. Nationally known gardening expert Melinda Myers provides these tips to help you deal with flood damage.
For centuries, landowners have used livestock grazing as a management tool for controlling invasive species, noxious weeds, and providing fuel breaks for fire control.
Trees are a beautiful addition to any acreage, providing shade and beauty to your property, but they can do some real damage underground.
A cistern works by a simple process. When it rains, water runs off the house and is collected in an underground tank.
In this episode of the Living the Country Life radio program, you'll learn how -- and why -- you should plug that unused well.
Planting the area over your septic drain field probably isn't at the top of your landscaping to-do list, but maybe it should be.
If you've got several acres of pasture with nothing on it, chances are a local farmer might be interested in renting it.
When hay is left outside, it can lose 30 percent or more of its feed value. But not all hay producers have a nice big building to put their bales in, so wrapping will reduce that loss.
When you think of crops or forages to grow on your acreage, sorghum probably doesn't come immediately to mind. Maybe it should.
Sorghum is becoming the "cream of the crop". It grows just about anywhere in the U.S. and can be used for much more than livestock feed.
Growing grapes to make your own wine is a romantic notion, but it's also a tremendous amount of work.
Whether for exercise or just to enjoy the scenery, a walking trail is a great addition to your acreage.
A trail system provides many recreational opportunities for the rural homeowner. In addition to creating a space for hiking, biking, and nature observation, a trail system lets you enjoy a leisurely ride with your equine companion.
While many people think of outdoor lighting as strictly utilitarian, there are several options available to help you design driveway lighting that's both functional and attractive.
With solar-powered lights, there's no electricity needed, since their batteries are recharged each day by the sun.
Motion lights can make your life easier after the sun sets, and offer a sense of security.
Although you may associate wildfires with country pioneers, today's rural homeowners still need to make fire safety a priority. Few people can afford professional fire suppression equipment, but a bit of caution and common sense can go a long way towards keeping your family safe.
Trees, in addition to being quite beautiful, can be very valuable when it's time to sell the timber. Before you sell your timber, call your state's forestry extension program to learn more about determining the value of the wood. Then, market and advertise your sale accordingly.
One of the drawbacks of living in the country is that you leave behind the luxury of city services. However, installing a dry hydrant can help to provide the protection you need in the event of an emergency.
When you're miles away from where city sewer and water end, self-sufficiency is a necessity. While a septic system should last up to 30 years, septic system failure is both a nuisance and a health hazard that must be corrected promptly.
Look before you make the leap into country living. Doing a thorough reality check helps prepare you for the occasional wandering coyote or mowing a 5-acre backyard.
Buying an acreage
Tips on buying an acreage- Buying an acreage: Water rights
- Buying an acreage: Auctions
- Buying an acreage: Insurance
- Buying an acreage: Covenants and zoning
- Buying an acreage: Property tax issues
- Buying an acreage: Trash disposal
Current federal law recognizes conservation easements as charitable contributions and grants substantial deductions for them. Grantors of qualified easements may deduct up to 50% of their taxable income each year until the value of the easement is exhausted, or for 15 years, whichever comes first.
Generous landowners -- both rural and suburban -- work together to build a fabulous trail system that benefits everyone in this Wisconsin community.
Answers to your questions about improving and maintaining your country home.
