As natural foods and sourced ingredients continue to become an increasing priority nationwide, raising “backyard” chickens is likewise gaining popularity. So-named for the convenience of maintaining a flock of typically 1-4 hens in a small-scale setting, such as in the backyard of a residential property.

Spring is on the way and with it comes baby chickens. If you’re looking for a variety of new chicks for your backyard flock, look no further than your local Zamzows! All 12 Zamzows locations have a variety of baby chickens on the way. We only order “pullets” so you’re almost guaranteed to get a laying hen! Don’t get tricked by a “straight run.” Straight Runs have a 50% chance of being a rooster, which you may not be able to keep!

Winter can be a stressful time for our dogs and cats. Especially when they need to stay outside for awhile. Keeping them comfortable when the temperatures drop presents some specific challenges we should address.

Seed starting is a very rewarding addition to the backyard gardeners skill set. Buying available plants from your local retailer has a great convenience. But sometimes there are varieties that you just can’t find started for you.

Crabgrass and  goose grass are very often incorrectly identified. They are annual plants; that come from seed in early and late-spring. They develop into aggressively spreading plants in June through July. Often people confuse crabgrass and goose grass with other perennial grasses, which are present in lawns year-round. The majority of perennial grasses can not be selectively controlled. 

Raised beds are very versatile and easy to use. A raised bed allows you to easily control your soil mixture so that you can always have the proper soil for your plants. As you customize the soil mixtures in your raised beds, you can improve soil drainage and soil compaction, this being the most important advantage. This is very important, especially with the high alkaline, clay soil that we deal with here in our area.

There’s nothing more satisfying than creating a meal straight from your own garden, and no matter your term for it, this Superfood Veggie Bowl is a perfect example of farm-to-table eating at its best. Nearly every ingredient—crisp cucumbers, vibrant cabbage, sweet carrots, protein-rich edamame, earthy mushrooms, and fragrant garlic—can be homegrown here in the treasure valley, making this recipe a true celebration of fresh food. We hope that by curating recipes around what you can plant, we’re romanticizing a farm-to-table lifestyle where every meal connects us to the soil, the seasons, and the joys of harvesting our own ingredients. 

We love these comforting sweet and sour meatballs because they’re the perfect blend of tangy and sweet, with tender meatballs coated in a rich pineapple-infused sauce. Whether you're looking for an easy snack to satisfy cravings or a crowd-pleasing appetizer for your holiday party, this dish delivers big flavor with minimal effort. Plus, they’re just as irresistible served over rice for a cozy, complete meal!

As the days get shorter and the air turns crisp, there’s nothing like a warm bowl of autumn squash soup to capture the season’s cozy, comforting spirit.