Good Bugs, Bad Bugs – Insects in the Garden and When to Step In

Not all bugs are bad! In this episode, we take a closer look at the insects in your garden — the good, the bad, and everything in between. You’ll learn how to tell if a bug is helpful or harmful, when to intervene, and why most plants can handle a little nibbling without any real harm.

We also dive into the debate between organic and synthetic insecticides — breaking down the myths, facts, and what you really need to know about treating your garden safely. Spoiler alert: everything is a chemical, and both options have risks if misused.

Whether you're a new gardener or a seasoned grower, this video will help you create a more balanced, thriving garden ecosystem by understanding how to live with insects — not just fight them.

🌿 Because sometimes, the best pest control… is patience.

#GardeningTips #InsectControl #GoodBugsBadBugs #OrganicGardening #GardenPests #NaturalGardening #HomesteadGarden #EcoFriendlyGardening #GardeningEducation #HobbyFarming

Farm Vlog – Rabbit Escape, Kitten Goes Home, and Mosquito Mayhem!

Welcome back to Andersen Acres! Today’s farm vlog is a whirlwind of heat, chaos, and cute animals. Our lynx Rex rabbit, Silverado, decided to break free from his pen late last night—and of course, that meant an early-morning rabbit roundup. Tequila, our amazing livestock guardian dog, helped herd him into the garden shed, and Rowan managed to catch him safely. He’s totally fine—just gave us a bit of a heart attack!

We also said goodbye to Renee, our dilute calico barn kitten and the last from Jake’s litter. She went to her forever home today! We still have four adorable kittens left, but they’re not quite old enough to go home yet.

With no rain in sight and scorching temperatures, we spent most of the day watering the garden just to keep everything alive. And to top it all off? The barn is absolutely swarming with mosquitoes. That’s my next battle.

This is real life on a working hobby farm—animals, gardens, weather, and all the unpredictability in between.

#homesteading #hobbyfarming #farmvlog #rabbits #rexrabbit #barncats #kittenadoption #gardeninglife #farmanimals #rurallife #backyardfarm #mosquitoproblems #andersenacres #farmlife

Quack Companions – Should You Keep Ducks as Pets?

Are ducks good pets? Can you really raise them just for companionship—not for eggs or meat? In this video, we take a deep dive into the surprisingly charming world of ducks as pets. From cuddly ducklings to full-grown feathered friends, we’re exploring what it really takes to keep ducks purely for joy, not production.

We’ll walk you through the best duck breeds for companionship (like the friendly Pekin, the quirky Muscovy, and the playful Rouen), what daily care looks like, and whether indoor or outdoor duck life is best. We’ll also cover the pros and cons of duck ownership—because while ducks can be affectionate and fun, they’re also extremely messy.

Whether you’re a homesteader, hobby farmer, animal lover, or just duck-curious, this guide is packed with honest, experience-backed insights to help you decide if ducks belong in your life—not just in your pond.

If you’ve ever wondered whether a duck could be your new best friend, this one’s for you.

#ducksaspets #hobbyfarming #homesteadinglife #backyardducks #duckcare #petducks #andersenacres #farmlife #ducklings #raisingducks #homesteadanimals #rouenduck #pekinduck #muscovyduck #homesteadcompanions

Farm Vlog – A Rabbit Rescue and a Mystery Duck?!

Welcome back to Andersen Acres! Today’s vlog might seem quiet on camera, but behind the scenes it was anything but boring. While carrying our eight fluffy livestock guardian puppies out to their pen, Tequila—our heroic Great Pyrenees—suddenly charged into the bush. Moments later, she emerged with one of our escaped brown rex rabbits crouched between her front legs, gently nudging her to safety. A raccoon had been attacking her, and thanks to Tequila’s quick action, Stump is banged up but safe.

Then there’s the duck math. We started with six ducks, added three juveniles and one baby, sold the three juveniles… and somehow, we still have eight ducks. And the extra one? A full-grown Cayuga. Where it came from, we don’t know. No one around here even has Cayugas. So we’ve got ourselves a feathered mystery on our hands!

This video is part of our daily hobby farm life here on Andersen Acres. Even when the footage is calm, the stories behind it are wild. Whether you're into livestock guardian dogs, backyard poultry, or just love a good farm mystery, you’ll find something here.

#hobbyfarming #homesteadinglife #farmlife #ducksofinstagram #rabbitrescue #greatpyrenees #mysteryduck #andersenacres