Farm-Grown Reviews: 'Best In Show' Products For The Farmer, Gardener, and Homesteader Read real reviews from a real farmWelcome to my collection of real-world reviews of tools, gear, and practical products for farmers, gardeners, and homesteaders. Whenever possible, I highlight family-owned and employee-owned companies. They’re the folks who still pick up the phone, answer questions, and stand behind what they sell. Jeff Bezos does not need any more of our money. I also prefer domestic suppliers who offer free or low-cost shipping and treat small growers with respect. So you won’t find Amazon links here, and you won’t see Temu. Just honest recommendations for the best small-farm tools, dependable gardening gear, and high-quality suppliers to support your farm, your homestead, and your life. Here's the 'Best of' List
Everything here comes from the world of natural farming, natural food, or natural health; the same things we value on New Terra Farm. In some cases those sections link out to additional more detailed reviews of select products and suppliers. Bookmark this page check back often, new reviews added regularly. How I Choose What to RecommendNot every product listed here is something I personally own, but every one has been researched and reviewed with a farmer’s eye. Some we’ve used for years here at New Terra Farm. Others were selected after comparing real-world reviews, user experiences, alternative products, and expert feedback. My goal is simple: to save you time (and money) by pointing you toward tools and resources that actually work. If I wouldn’t use it myself, or confidently recommend it to another grower, you won’t find it here. On with the show! Best Farm Suppliers
Here's a couple great sources for small farm tools and gear to get you growing. Good selection, quality products, great shipping and return policies.  Supplying the US and CanadaBootstrap Farmer is a farm and garden supply store serving small and large growers in the US and Canada. I first ran across Bootstrap Farmer when I was searching for hoop house parts. I have the hoops to build another hoop house but I need the connectors and hardware. They also offer everything from grow bags, micro-green & seed trays, plastic film, shade cloth, and row and vacuum seeders. Many of their products are unique and are of very high quality. Why I like them
Featured ProductsHoop house kits. Their hoop house kits include everything you need right in the kit, from galvanized hardware, to ground posts and a pre-made door. Read my review here  GARVEE Innovation is a U.S.-based retailer that markets outdoor building supplies, including pre-fabricated metal structures, chicken coops, nesting boxes and accessories. My special link shown above will get you 15% off a selection of farm products. GARVEE also carries a wide variety of agricultural and garden tools as well as power and hand tools for the home builder. New Terra Farm special deal: Use Coupon Code AFF15 and save 15% on these selected products. Why I like them:
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Best Garden SuppliersHere are a couple of the best online garden suppliers featuring some really cool and useful products for the small grower.  Botanical Interests is a garden supplier based in Colorado with warehouses in California and Kentucky. They have a huge selection of seeds, tools, and other gardening products available for purchase online. From recycled and biodegradable paper pots to sustainably harvested garden stakes, and BPA-free sprouter, all are made responsibly in the USA. Why I like them
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 Quality product Earlier in the year I ordered one Birdie bed and one from another company. After assembly I knew that more Birdies were what I wanted. Then I ordered three more. Thank you for a wonderful product! - Ruth H. WI, United States Verified Buyer Best Homesteader BuildsEvery now and then I run across some genuinely interesting and useful instructional guides to build farm and homestead structures. Here's one of the coolest ones. Suzie and I are both in our mid-60's. The plan (soon) is to build a second smaller residence on the farm and turn the main house over to the kids. Our choice might be right for you too. We've looked at a number of options to build, including quonset home kits and tiny homes. The leading contender so far is a container home. If you are looking to build a second (or a first) residence on your property, I recommend you take a look at Shipping Container Home Made Easy. It's the best instructional set I've found to build your home cheaply and safely. Many valuable bonuses included too. Best Seed Houses
The seed houses I patronize sell organic and untreated seeds, and typically are family-owned or employee-owned. I usually order from several seed houses each year; I buy particular 'old favourites' from each supplier. They all have great selections and great service, I've never had a problem with any of them. Best Seed Supplier For The Home Grower: SeedsNow. One of the reliable seed houses mentioned in the book is SeedsNow. Great selection, excellent customer service, free seeds with purchase, and free shipping (last time I looked, not sure how long that is on). You can also download their free Organic Gardening Grow Guides eBook. And if you are upping your herbal game this year (like I plan too, I want to know more about working with medicinal herbs) SeedsNow has a pretty good selection of all-in-one herbal seed banks for both medicinal and culinary uses. Best Grower Library: Johnny's Selected Seed. Johnny's has a 50-year history of providing seeds and supplies to home and market gardeners in the US and Canada. Along the way they have won a number of awards for their plant breeding program. I buy about half my seeds from them every year. They became 100% employee-owned in 2012, and continue to feature the greatest selection of organic and natural seeds, seeding tools and supplies, and the most extensive grower library I've yet discovered. Highly recommended. Best Heirloom Survival Seed Kits: Gardeners Basics. If you’re looking to embrace self-sufficiency and foster resilience in your own home, the Gardener's Basics Survival Seed Kits are a good choice. These kits are thoughtfully assembled, with a great selection of heirloom, non-hybrid, non-GMO, and open-pollinated seeds. 5 years or more shelf life, and they offer free shipping on orders $20 and over. Bonus: use coupon code NewTerra and save 10% on your whole order. Christall - Verified purchaser The seeds were easy to get started, and grow. They came up a week ahead of schedule which was great since I planted a week late. 🙃 the price was pretty good too. Featured ProductsMy personal favorite, and one of the the best values on the site, is this Ultimate Survival Seed Kit. Features 140 varieties of Survival Seed, and Herbs, and comes with a free ammo can for long-term storage.
Add this heirloom seed collection to your food storage and emergency preparedness supplies. It's a bargain at the price. Makes a great gift for a gardener friend, too. Best Farming and Gardening Books
 Not Dewey Decimal, more like 'Do we know where that book is'?I read. A lot. My personal library of farming and gardening books has over 150 print titles, with a bunch more on my phone. When I REALLY find a book indispensable, I like to have the print copy on hand. Never know what's going on with the interwebs, and I hope to pass these books down to the offspring one day. I
haunt used book stores on a regular basis, looking for hidden gems
about farming and gardening topics; sometimes the best books on those
topics are from a few decades ago. When I buy new, my preferential source is Chelsea Green Publishing. Chelsea Green is recognized as the leading publisher of books on the politics and practice of sustainable living. Their books bring in-depth, practical knowledge and hands-on information related to organic and regenerative farming and gardening, ecology and the environment, healthy food, local economies and resilient communities, and integrative health and wellness. On this page I've curated the most useful books I've discovered over the years. I'm pushing the hard copies from Chelsea Green, but many of them can be found on that Evil South American River as well. Best Market Gardening Book: The New Organic Grower I've had an edition of this book in my library for more than 20 years. The New Organic Grower is probably the finest guide for small-scale organic farming, ideal for both new farmers and seasoned gardeners. The updated 30th-anniversary edition offers new tools and techniques, stunning photography, and insights from decades of experience. It blends practical advice with sustainable agricultural philosophy, particularly for growers managing 2.5 acres or less. The book's updates reflect the latest developments in organic farming, making it a valuable resource for anyone looking to grow organically and profitably. Best Book About Organic Farming: 'You Can Farm' If you have ever thought about a farm of your own, You Can Farm is the best overall guide to the realities of small farming, both good and not so good, that I have found. And that's a tough call, because Joel Salatin has written more than a dozen books about various aspects of making a living on a small farm. They are all gems (yes they are in my library), but this one is the place to start with his writing. From envisioning your future on the farm, to the ten best centrepiece farm opportunities, to evolving your model and finding a market, this book is an indispensable guide for the rural entrepreneur or 'want-trepreneur'. Best Overall Guide for Homesteaders: The Self-Sufficient Backyard
What if you could feed your family, power your home, and cut your living costs, all from your own backyard? That’s the promise behind The Self-Sufficient Backyard by Ron and Johanna Melchiore, a couple who’ve spent more than forty years proving self-reliance isn’t a dream, it’s a decision. This couple has been living off-grid for decades, so they’ve got some credibility. The book runs over 250 pages and covers a wide range of practical homestead and small-farm practices. The book includes over 100 DIY projects including raised beds, rainwater harvesting, solar, food storage, and livestock systems, with lots of visuals and diagrams - no guessing. You'll find a mix of “quick wins” (small raised beds, container growing) and long-haul projects (soil building, energy setups). 🌿 Year-Round Greenhouse Design – grow fresh food even in northern climates. ☀️ Hybrid Solar Power Setup – cut energy bills fast. 💧 DIY Water Systems – collect, filter, and pressurize your own supply. 🐝 Small-Space Livestock & Pollinators – chickens, bees, and more on suburban lots. ♻️ “Perpetual Mini-Tower” Compost System – turn scraps into rich fertilizer automatically. Each project includes clear instructions, supply lists, and photos; no engineering degree required 🌱 What You’ll Take Away After reading, you’ll: ✅ Design a self-reliant backyard that fits your space and budget Overall rating: It's a Winner.
A comprehensive mix of quick wins e.g. container gardening of herbs and greens, to longer-term investments in sustainability - building soil fertility, planting perennial crops, energy systems, small livestock. I guarantee there are at least a couple projects you will want to jump on right away. If your goal is more independence and you’re willing to put in some work, The Self-Sufficient Backyard is worth having on the shelf. It’s a practical roadmap you can adapt, from raised beds to full-blown homestead systems. Highly recommended, Best Survival Food Suppliers
Here's a great source for all things preparedness-related. I'm focusing on long-term stored food in this review, but Survival Frog carries everything from combat hatchets to camping supplies. A great USA-based small business.  Essential survival supplies and gearBest Survival Food Supplies: Survival Fog Located in Denver, Colorado Survival Frog is a small business carrying over 400 survival products including Frog & CO gear - their company brand. They carry the largest selection of survival food and hundreds of outdoor and preparedness products - shipped directly from their warehouse in Denver. Sign up for their newsletter and get 10% off your first order. Why I like them
Top Notch I would recommend doing business with this company. Top notch in product, accessibility, and quality service. Thank you Survival Frog. Featured Products
IT Tools for the Farmer
Your small farmer has to be tech-savvy as well as tractor-savvy these days. Here's a short list of useful IT tools that can increase your sales, keep you in touch with customers, and potentially create additional streams of income - never a bad thing! Best e-Commerce Tool Kit: SoloBuildIt! Every farm needs an e-commerce website. You can promote products solely through social media or your blog, but the real power is driving traffic to your website so you can capture contacts for followup (see Best List Management Software below). This content and my whole website is brought to you by SoloBuildIt! I've been using this e-commerce website builder for almost 2 decades, and they keep adding more value each year. My website is a very productive 'side hustle', generating income from sales of my books and courses and affiliate products (like this page) The latest cool tool from SBI! is the integration of an AI-app to help you research and generate context. Just about everything I know about content marketing, search engine optimization, affiliate marketing and building a website that 'gets the clicks' and generates income, I learned from SBI!. If you have ever thought about creating additional streams of income on your farm, SBI! is the place to start. You can read my detailed review here. Best List Management Software: mailerlite. I recently wrote an article about farm side hustles. . Once you have permission to contact your website visitors,you can follow up indefinitely with messages promoting your farm products or your affiliate programs. The money is in the list. This means you need good email management software to manage opt-in and opt-out to your list, and distribute your messaging. This is the one I use, simple to learn but also has advanced features that you can employ as your experience grows. Best e-Commerce Storefront: Local Food Marketplace I had a question from a reader earlier this year, which inspired me to search out software that supports CSA Farms (other than my own of course). Local Food Marketplace provides an easy-to-use e-Commerce storefront and a lot of great options for CSAs and small farms of all kinds. LFM can help you streamline your operation from start to finish – including planning production, harvest lists, packing lists, invoices, and payments. This is the software I wish I had when I launched my first CSA garden back in 2005. Check it out if you have or are planning a CSA market garden. It's a great complement to my book too. Best Natural Health SupplementsDespite living and working on an organic farm, with a cold room and freezers full of my own home-grown foods, I've discovered I still need a few supplements not available from my garden. This section presents the best of these. I'm not a doctor and this is not medical advice, do your own research into these products and check with your doctor if you have any concerns. Best Anti-Aging Supplement: AEON. I believe this one saved my knees. PERPETUA.LIFE offers a range of state of the art supplements, but as a farmer of a *certain age*, this is the one I've been using for more than a year, and honestly I don't want to do without it. Before I found this product I had hacked together a bunch of individual supplements like NMN and NR, trans-resveratrol, L-Theanine and a B-complex for energy metabolism support. AEON provides all that and more in one easy-to-take formulation. You benefit from the synergistic effect of these ingredients designed and dosed to work together.  And, when I did the math, it turned out I could get a more complete supplement mix for less than the cost of buying the individual ingredients. You can buy individual bottles but PERPETUA.LIFE offers two money-saving options: 1 - a monthly subscription that saves you 20% (that's what I have for both Suzie and me); 2 - you have the option of purchasing a full years worth of AEON (12 bottles), at a 30% discount. Just add AEON to your cart, and adjust the quantity to 12. When you checkout, a 30% discount will be applied automatically to your order. Your heart, lungs and aging joints will thank you.  Best Supplements for Health - Clean Form Nutrition. I'm an aging farmer. In fact the average age of farmers in North America is about 58 years. I'm a few years past that. Since I want to stay in the farming game a while longer, I reinforce my diet with a few chosen supplements proven to help keep the aging body stronger and healthier. The problem is, a lot of supplements and protein bars are filled with artificial junk, cheap fillers, and seed oils. You have to question you're really putting into your body. Clean Form has developed a line of zero-compromise supplements and bars designed to give your body exactly what it needs, and nothing it doesn’t. If you are an achy, creaky oldster like myself, or just want to be healthier, stronger and more energetic, their products are worth a look Featured ProductsBest Nattokinase Supplement Pure Blood by Clean form Nutrition is a premium heart health supplement crafted with Vitamin K2 (MK-7), Citrus Bergamot, and Nattiase® Nattokinase to support circulation, heart function, and vascular health. I just recently discovered the benefits of nattokinase, an enzyme (protein) found in natto, a traditional Japanese dish made from fermented soybeans. The literature says nattokinase may help to prevent blood clots, lower blood pressure, and have a role in treating Alzheimer's disease. Nattokinase may also have neuroprotective effects and may help to prevent stroke. I've been taking this one for about 6 months and my cholesterol and blood pressure stats have both improved. Get 10% off and free shipping with the subscription, and use coupon code CSA10 to save an additional 10% Feasting-Farming-FastingBest Weight Management Plan: Eat-Stop-Eat I grow a lot of good food. I also cook and EAT a lot of good food; my dad was a cook and I learned to make meals starting around age 10. I have a pretty healthy diet overall, but too much of a good thing is still too much. I've been on Noom, I was a Weight-Watcher, and Robert Atkins' book is sitting in my library. This is the only system that has ever helped me keep my weight under control long-term. Eat-Stop-Eat is the original “2 day diet.” Learn why dieting every day will ruin your fat loss. And how a simple nutritional strategy with only ONE rule is the key to rapid fat loss and lifelong weight management. It's a cheap investment in your health Homestead MaintenanceHere's my curated collection of products to keep the homestead homey and problem-free.  💧 Septifix: Does It Really Work, or Just Make You Feel Better About Your Septic Tank? I took an objective look at this little tablet that promises to fix big septic problems. This is the straight-up version: what it does, what the evidence says, and when it’s actually worth your money. What Septifix Says It Does According to the manufacturer, each tablet:
What the Evidence Shows 1. User feedback Real people report real results - sometimes. Many homeowners claim the smell disappeared within days. Some say they’ve gone longer between pump-outs. 2. Science on septic additives Independent studies on septic additives in general (not just Septifix) are mixed:
So: plausible chemistry, scant evidence, uneven results. Pretty typical for the category. 3. Safety and regulation No red flags, product is non-toxic with biodegradable ingredients. When Septifix Makes Sense Use Septifix as preventive maintenance, not a rescue mission. It’s most useful when:
Think of it like a vitamin: it won’t cure every ailment, but it can help keep you healthy if you’re already in decent shape. Bottom Line Septifix is a convenient, low-risk, low-cost helper, but it's not a magic bullet. A septic pump-out in my area costs $500. My tank is pumped every 2-3 years. If Septifix can stretch out that interval and keep my tank and leach bed healthier, it's worth the money. Run the numbers yourself. If your system's relatively healthy, it’s worth a try. Farm KidsReview coming soon...
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