Cotton

Professional cotton growers have aggressive measures in place to combat boll weevils. If a backyard grower allows the pests to get established, it could threaten the commercial cotton crop. Read on to learn more on why is it illegal to grow cotton in some states. Backyard Cotton Growing Is Illegal In Several States Cotton is … Read more

Cotton is an important commercial product in the United States and around the world. In addition to using cotton to make textiles, the plant is also used as a landscape plant in states that allow it. Cotton plants have surprisingly pretty, hibiscus-like flowers that start out white, turn deep pink and then become cotton bolls. … Read more

Cotton hasn’t always been a domestic plant. Throughout history (and even before) it has grown naturally in the wild in such far flung places as Brazil, Africa, Australia and the Americas. Ancestors of modern day cotton can also be found growing on a number of different tropical islands. This information is important to keep in … Read more

These days homesteaders and hobby gardeners have begun trying to grow crops that are typically grown commercially. One popular crop for home gardeners and homesteaders is cotton; although, it is important to point out that there are restrictions on non-commercial growing of this plant in many states. In this article, we provide sound advice on … Read more

Cotton has traditionally been an extremely important crop in the southern United States, and for a long time, the boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis) has been its nemesis. This fast moving, quickly reproducing pest made its way from Mexico to Texas in the late 1800s, spread quickly and has wrought havoc on cotton crops ever since. … Read more

Cotton is known as one of the thirstiest crops to grow. But, how much water does it take to grow cotton? What is the water use of cotton compared to other crops and textiles? How can the water footprint be reduced? That’s what we are looking at in this article. Cotton Water Requirements Despite being … Read more

Cotton is the most common natural fabric used to make yarn and other textiles. However, most people don’t know how to make yarn from cotton at home without fancy machinery. This guide (+video) will show you the basic procedures! What Is Cotton Yarn? In 2019, cotton accounted for roughly 40% of the market share of … Read more

Everyone knows that paper is traditionally made from wood pulp. But, if you know how to make paper from cotton, you can grow it and/or recycle old cotton material for your homemade paper. But, how is cotton paper made? How Do You Make Homemade Cotton Paper? Cotton was used for paper making long before wood … Read more

Cotton stems are a decorative display that can be produced on your homestead. But, proper efforts must be put forward to make your display last. It’s time to learn how to preserve cotton stalks! How Do You Make Preserved Cotton Stalks? Cotton stalks are very popular decoration during the fall. Plenty of people go out … Read more

If you’re all too familiar with the struggle of finding the perfect yarn color for your next project, you’ve come to the right place. Dying cotton yarn is surprisingly simple, even if your DIY skills are minimal. This article talks about which dyes to use, and how to dye yarn both naturally and with store-bought … Read more