This archive brings together practical, experience-led articles from The Backyard Farmer, covering gardening, DIY, indoor growing, foraging, reviews, and sustainable living. Each post is written with real-world use in mind — focusing on working with nature, building practical skills, and making sustainable choices more accessible.
Introduction The Banded White-Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) is one of the most common and recognizable bumblebee species in the UK and Europe. With its bright yellow bands and striking white tail, it plays a vital role in pollinating wildflowers, fruit trees, and crops. This bumblebee
Introduction: Bee Identification Made Easy If you’ve ever spotted a bee in your garden and thought “what kind of bee is that?” — you’re not alone. With 250+ bee species in the UK, bee identification can feel overwhelming at first, especially when many species share
Introduction Can Chickens Eat Bananas? Yes, chickens can eat bananas, and they absolutely love them! These sweet, nutritious fruits make for a delicious treat that adds variety to your flock’s diet. Bananas are rich in essential vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, magnesium,
Introduction Banana peel fertiliser has become a go-to method for gardeners looking to reuse kitchen scraps and boost plant growth naturally. While banana peels were once tossed straight into compost bins, they’re now gaining attention as a stand-alone, DIY fertiliser. Often referred to as “banana
Introduction: Healthy Flapjack Recipe UK In the UK, a flapjack isn’t a pancake – it’s a chewy oat bar made with oats, butter, sugar, and golden syrup. As delicious as they are, the classic version is often high in sugar and fat. That’s why so
Is Dandelion Tea Good for You? Benefits, Side Effects & How to Brew It Dandelion tea — whether made from the root, leaves, or flowers — has been a staple in traditional herbal medicine for centuries. Today, it’s still enjoyed as a comforting, caffeine-free herbal
The term’ cash crops’ is used for plants we make money from, and you can grow several cash crops at home. What you grow will depend on what space you have available more than anything else. After all, you can’t grow a field of wheat
Introduction to Foraging for Beginners UK Foraging in the UK is a rewarding activity that connects you to nature while providing free, healthy food. Whether you’re searching for mushrooms, berries, or edible plants, foraging allows you to explore the natural world and learn essential survival
What this article will cover: How to make a small batch of jam in 30 minuites Ingredients: What you will need: Pair your delicious homemade jam with the perfect flapjacks—learn how in our guide on How to Make the Best Flapjacks. Directions Where can I
How to grow a Herb Garden for beginners This article will teach you what you need to set up a herb garden – a simple, easy and rewarding way to get into growing your food. We will look at what a herb garden is, the
Introduction So, what is a flapjack? Your first thought might be of pancakes drenched in syrup. However, in the UK, they are a chewy oat bar—a treat that’s completely different from its American counterpart. With its versatility and rich history, the British flapjack has firmly
Best Flapjack Recipe UK – Introduction There’s something special about a proper British flapjack. Sweet, chewy, and packed with oats, it’s the kind of bake that feels both nostalgic and comforting. Maybe you remember them tucked into a school lunchbox, or perhaps you’re baking flapjacks