• Creating An Aquatic Oasis

    For many aquarium hobbyists, the addition of a garden or koi pond may seem a natural extension of their hobby. Even those who do not own an aquarium may find themselves drawn to the soothing sound of water as it trickles down a waterfall or the pitter-patter of droplets as they fall from a...

  • Recycle or Restore? Giving New Life to Old Barns

    Dan and Nan Peterson of Ventura, Iowa weren’t born in barns, but they’ve been living in one for the past four years.

    Dan had worked in maintenance at a residential facility for disabled adults. A move into the newly created position of contracts coordinator ended most of his...

  • Stocking Ponds for Balance

    You may be the type to just jump into a project, as I did. You may be the type who takes a more calculated, cautious approach, preferring to learn what such a project entails...

  • 29 Day Giving Challenge

     This month we are doing something that we have never done before.  We are putting out a challenge to our readers.  The Acreage editorial staff has accepted the 29-Day Giving Challenge and is in turn passing it on to our readers.  

    29 Gifts is a global giving movement...

Creating An Aquatic Oasis
Recycle or Restore? Giving New Life to Old Barns
Stocking Ponds for Balance
29 Day Giving Challenge

Acreage Country Living Spotlight Articles

Ask the ISU Extension Garden Experts: Cut Flowers, Gloxinia, Selecting an Arborist

I recently received some cut flowers as a gift.  How do I prolong their life? 
Several things can be done to lengthen the vase life of cut flowers. Begin
with a clean vase and remove all foliage that will be below the water line. 
Place flowers immediately in water to prevent air from entering the stems.
If flowers have been out of water for more than a few minutes, cut off the
bottom portions of the stems under water. Add a commercial flower
preservative to the water and check the water level daily. Change the water

2010 North American Raspberry & Blackberry Conference

The North American Raspberry & Blackberry Association will be hosting the 2010 North American Raspberry & Blackberry Conference Preview February 24th - February 26th. 

The North American Raspberry & Blackberry Association was incorporated in the state of New York in 1985 as the North American Bramble Growers Association.  The name was changed in January 2008. 

Celebration Sale LLC

Celebration Classic World Futurity You are cordially invited to attend the 22nd annual Spring Celebration Llama Sale to be held on April 9–11, 2010 at the prestigious Heritage Place in Oklahoma City. For those who have never been, this is an opportunity to see hundreds of the top llamas in North America and to meet llama owners from all over the U.S. and Canada. For those who have been, it is a chance to renew acquaintances—join in the festivities and enjoy the new and exciting additions to the weekend’s activities.

Ask the ISU Extension Garden Experts: Cold Hardiness, Pears and Deer Damage

In regards to cold hardiness, does it make any difference where a fruit tree was grown?


Plant hardiness is a species or cultivar trait. The location of the nursery or where the plant was grown has little or no effect on plant hardiness. For example, a ‘Red Delicious’ apple tree produced in Missouri will be just as hardy as one produced in Minnesota.


What are some good pear varieties for Iowa?

Sand Creek Post & Beam Company

Restoration and refurbishing is not always what is needed to give your property a rustic and throwback look to yesteryear. Some of us have visions of what we want and an essentially blank canvas to work with. If this is the case then you must look into developing a plan to make your own little “cathedral in the prairie” from scratch. Luckily there is a great company out there that will help you with your creation.

Acreage Life – Celebrating Country Living and Life on the Farm

Acreage Life is a magazine and web site devoted to country living. We offer features on farm life, living in a small rural community, and those people who embrace life in the country.