Farm & Homestead

How to shop for farm and homestead supplies online

Portable milking machines. Match the teat cup liners to your animal; goat and cow liners differ in size and shape, and some goat liners also suit sheep, llamas and alpacas. Check the vacuum level and whether it is adjustable, since too much vacuum can damage teats. Look at pump type (electric or hand), bucket capacity and how easy the system is to disassemble and sanitize; milk lines that are hard to clean become a hygiene problem. Buy spare liners at the same time, because they wear out with regular use. Confirm that replacement pumps and parts are sold separately before choosing a brand.

Milking hygiene. Plan for teat dip, strip cups, filters and a cleaning routine. A portable milker saves time with several goats or a family cow, but you still need to strip the first squirts by hand and check for mastitis.

Bokashi composting. Bokashi ferments food scraps, including meat and dairy that regular compost piles struggle with, in a sealed bin using inoculated bran. You drain the liquid every few days and bury or add the fermented material to soil or compost after about two weeks. Two bins let one ferment while you fill the other. Bran is a consumable, so price ongoing use.

Soil biologicals. Mycorrhizal inoculants work best applied directly to roots at planting, and benefit most plants except brassicas, which do not form those partnerships. Worm castings and biochar improve structure and microbial life; biochar should be charged (soaked in compost tea or mixed with compost) before use. Check expiration dates on live microbial products and store them cool and out of sun.

Chicken supplies. For brooders, plan heat (a heat plate is safer than a heat lamp), feeders and waterers sized for the flock. Automatic coop doors need a reliable power source and predator-proof latching. If you sell eggs, check your state's labeling rules for cartons.

Units and bulk pricing. Read listings carefully: some bulk products, like molasses totes, are priced per gallon rather than per container.

Shipping and returns. TeraGanix ships within the continental US and limited items to Canada, requires a signature for winter deliveries, and asks for damage reports within 48 hours. UnitedFarm's money-back guarantee covers unopened, unused items; on non-quality returns you pay shipping, and defects are handled by replacement or partial refund by usage time. Order consumables before you run out.

Budget tiers. Bokashi starter kits and soil amendments run $20 to $100. Portable milking machines cost roughly $100 to $230, with liners and hoses a few dollars to tens of dollars.

Which brand fits which buyer

• Apartment and kitchen composters starting a bokashi system: TeraGanix.
• Gardeners building soil with worm castings, biochar and mycorrhizal inoculants: TeraGanix.
• Backyard chicken keepers and small egg sellers needing brooder gear or bulk cartons: TeraGanix.
• Homesteaders milking a few goats or a family cow: UnitedFarm, matching teat cup size first.
• Existing Hantop owners needing replacement liners, hoses or pumps: UnitedFarm.