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Ideas and inspiration for your place in the country

Slideshow gallery


Pheasant Fest 2010 Bird Dog Parade

Pheasants Forever's 2010 National Pheasant Fest was held in Des Moines, Iowa and in line with tradition, the event was kicked off with a Bird Dog Parade. Upwards of 40 different breeds of bird dogs helped celebrate. Enjoy these photos of the parade.

Bracco Italiano
 

Compact cabin ideas

A compact cabin is perfect for the back 40, or that parcel of land you have in the mountains or by the lake. Here are a few floor plan ideas from "Compact Cabins," by Gerald Rowan.

Great Outdoors Mini Cabin
 

I live in a cow barn

I live in a cow barn. The cows left long ago when the dairy operation seized and original owners sold the place, but after renovations, it now has a warm, woodsy back-to-nature feel.

cow barn
 

What's in your backyard?

Ever wonder what might go "bump in the night" in your backyard? Well, with the advent of technology and inspiration from the hunting community, wonder no more. The proof is in the digital pudding.

trail camera
 

7 gifts for the lawn and garden

There's not shortage of products available for the lawn and garden. We've narrowed the search to seven of our favorites.

muck boots
 

9 great gifts for the home

From a cookbook to an indoor composter, these ideas are ideal for the home.

John Deere Cookbook
 

9 gifts for any garage

Make your garage great with an assortment of lofts, bins and baskets.

GarageWorks
 

11 cool tool gift ideas!

We could all use more tools in the garage. Here are some of our favorites!

RIDGID Fuego
 

Herbal remedies

An interest in herbal remedies for the body led Debbie Wood to buy 22 acres of land. Now she has set up shop to sell her herbal concoctions.

herbal remedies
 

Soothing stream

This couple turned eroded land on their acreage into a water paradise.

soothing stream
 

Cast iron cooks

Few things are better than a hearty, home-cooked meal. When you cook with a Dutch oven, you can enjoy food and the outdoors at the same time.

dutch oven
 

Cool country landscaping

his couple transformed bare land into a shady oasis by planting trees, shrubs, then perennials.

cool country landscape
 

Graceful place

This North Carolina couple finds peace in their wooded gardens.

graceful place
 

Old-fashioned farm

Merriam Last has a passion for the past. She's turned 39-acres near Welch, Minnesota into a big step back in time.

old-fashioned farm
 

Acreage oasis

A passion for gardening and water led this busy physician to create a tranquil oasis on 11 acres.

A love and a passion
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Kentucky project place

Fish ponds, chicken coops and wooded trails are just a start for this family.

Kentucky project place
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A place for all seasons

This Michigan family finds beauty on their land every month of the year.

Missing the countryside
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Creating your space

This family was not blessed with scenic rolling hills on their property, but it didn't stop them from making a natural oasis out of flatlands.

Not created equal
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Caring for animals

Neighbors and friends stop by often and stay late at this peaceful and happy acreage in the green hills of North Carolina.

Peaceful place
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Making maple syrup

When the sap is running, this Minnesota couple runs with the sap.

Making maple syrup
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Iron work

It all began with a trellis. Jim Krempel put together his first piece of ornamental ironwork that was so successful it led to a new hobby.

Jim Krempel finishes a piece of ornamental ironwork
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All about ATVs

Living the Country Life magazine teamed up with the editors of Successful Farming magazine, our sister publication, to complete the most exhaustive evaluation of all-terrain vehicles and utility vehicles ever conducted.

atv test
 

Time for tillers

Take it easy this spring; allow a rear-tine garden tiller to work for you.

Simplicity 7016RT Being used
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Shock value

From horses and goats to deer and raccoons, electric fencing contains and deters animals.

fences
 

Pond aerators

Keep your pond from stagnating. Aerators add the oxygen needed for a healthy pond.

Pond Aerator
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Box scrapers

Do you have a section of land on your acreage in need of some contouring? Maybe it's a gravel driveway you want to smooth out or some dirt in your lawn you want to landscape. A box scraper implement for your tractor could be the answer. Most tractor manufacturers make a box scraper, and this tool can ease an often-difficult task.

tractors
 

BLOW that snow!

Large drift or small, these tractor snowblower attachments will get the job done.

Front- and rear-mounted
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Utility vehicles

Whether you're using one for work or play, a UV offers a payload with a payoff.

Utility vehicle
 

Chainsaws

When living in the country, a chainsaw can be one of the most useful tools to have on hand. Whether you find yourself needing to cut some firewood, clear a trail, or clean out branches, a chainsaw can prove invaluable.

chain saw
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26 plants for attracting beneficial insects

A Michigan State University entomology study has found that native bees and insect predators that have access to native plants do a great job of pollinating and consuming insect pests. This can add up to lower pest control expenses and higher yields at harvest. Here are 26 plants that help attract beneficial insects.

insect plants
 

7 great gardening tips

This 6-acre test plot can help you master low-maintenance gardening.

Get the weeds
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Beautiful Michigan blooms

Michigan resident and hobby photographer Lynne Kasey submitted a series of spectacular flower photos she's taken around her property. Enjoy her views!

flower
 

Make a veggie planter

Upside-down tomato planters are all the rage this season, but there's no need to spend a lot of money to buy them. Here's how to make them yourself!

Hanging tomato jug
 

Pretty perennials

Take a virtual tour of pretty perennials from around the country. We'd love to add your favorites to our slideshow!

lilacs
 

Prettiest perennials

You love your lilacs and lilies, peonies and clematis, even dandelions! You love perennials, and these gorgeous photos show why.

Perennials
 

Fragrant plants

One of the best parts of spring and summer is the fragrant aroma of blooming plants. Try these ideas and enjoy the sweet smell of success.

Daphne Carol Mackie
 

Deer-resistant plants

While they can be fun to watch pass by your property, deer can wreak havoc on your landscape. Try these deer-resistant plants this season.

deer-resistant plants
 

Perfect plants for spring

Are you looking for plants that will really make your place come to life this spring? Consider these great options.

flower
 

Grow your own veggies

With a little work, your property could become your source for fresh produce.

Grow your own veggies
 

Try an herb garden!

Now is a great time to plant an herb garden. Here are 10 tasty herbs you can grow right at your home.

French Thyme
 

Koi ponds

The Swansons aren't coy about koi. These folks love their fish.

A different kind of construction
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Big-horned rams

After learning that she was losing money on her goats, Krista Darnell discovered that there was a large demand for rams in her area.

big-horned sheep
 

Herding sheep

A few colorful Karakul sheep and an Anatolian shepherd guard dog make Kathy and Joe Donovan's Virginia acreage a mountaintop dream come true.

Finding the right fit
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Gelbvieh cattle farm

Claire and Bob Bradbery, Honea Path, South Carolina, have been raising Gelbvieh cattle since 1973. They used cost-share money from the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) to fund their farm improvements.

Cattle
 

Twin colts

About seven years ago, Suzan Kissee bought Mollie, a very nice Thoroughbred mare, for her daughter. After breeding Mollie, the two got more than they bargained for...unexpected twins.

Horses
 

Rocky the raccoon

One spring, Becca Selkirk was working in her garden when she noticed a deserted baby raccoon. The raccoon, affectionately named Rocky, kindly approached her husband and the two decided to care for Rocky until he could survive on his own. Here is their story.

pet raccoon
 

Our 14 favorite poultry photos!

Enjoy these readers-submitted poultry photos. Visit our Share My photo gallery to post yours!

Poultry
 

Gulf Fritillary butterflies

Misty Acton, of Washington, Texas, and her eight year old son, Lynden, recently became interested in the Gulf Fritillary butterflies after finding large amounts of Passion Flower vines covered with dark orange spiked caterpillars in their horse pastures. They observed and photographed each day's changes.

butterfly
 

Breathtaking birds

Michigan resident and hobby photographer Lynne Kasey submitted a series of vibrant bird photos she's taken around her property. Enjoy her breathtaking shots!

birds
 

Wild about the country

Browse these wonderful wildlife photos sent in by our readers, then submit your own! Visit our Share My photo galleries.

Beautiful places: Stephens birdbath
 

How to build a brick patio

A great alternative to a deck or concrete slab, a brick patio allows you to create a number of stylish patterns, adding beauty to your home. Here's how to get a great look.

brick patio
 

Top 10 reader ideas

Living the Country Life readers submitted some of the incredible ideas they've developed at their place. Here's a slide show of this year's top 10!

All Around the Homestead
 

Your green projects

We asked our readers to submit descriptions and photos of the green projects they're doing at their places. Enjoy this slideshow of great submissions.

Green ideas
 

Beautiful Places

Enjoy these inspiring photos from readers like you! Look at some incredible views of beautiful country homes in these photo essays.

Fondulas Vermont acreage
 

Country canine

Enjoy these photos of your country canines.

Moxie and Zeke
 

Pond perfection

Weeping willows bend low over the cool water as frogs peep and fish jump. Nothing beats a pond if you do it right.

m_worthwait6
 

Swim pond

Enjoy these photos of John and Barb Bauman's swim pond and Minnesota home.

Waterfall
 

Fair photos

Betsy Freese visited the Iowa State Fair and took some fun photos. Take a look!

Duroc Show
 

 

 



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