About Life Is Just Ducky
So You Want to Grow Your Own Food… But You’re Not Sure Where to Start?
You’re in the right place.
If you’ve ever dreamed of collecting fresh eggs in the morning, growing your own vegetables, or cooking a meal that came straight from your backyard — welcome home.
Whether you’re just dipping your toes into gardening, curious about raising ducks and chickens, or ready to start your own small homestead, Life Is Just Ducky was made with YOU in mind.
This isn’t just a blog about ducks (though they’re definitely part of the fun). It’s about building confidence, learning new skills, and reconnecting with where your food comes from — no matter how small your yard is.
This Blog Is For You If…
- You want to grow your own food — even if you’ve never planted a seed before
- You’re curious about raising backyard chickens or ducks, but don’t know where to begin
- You’d love to preserve your harvest and cook healthier meals at home
- You want step-by-step advice, real-life tips, and someone to guide you through it all
You don’t need 100 acres. You just need the desire to get started — and a little support from someone who’s been there.
That’s where I come in.
What You’ll Find Here
Life Is Just Ducky is all about helping you build a thriving backyard homestead, no matter your experience level. I share…
🪴 Gardening Tips — From composting and soil building to seasonal planting, microgreens, and more
🦆 Backyard Poultry Care — How to raise healthy ducks and chickens, even if you’ve never had birds before
🥕 Cooking From the Garden — Learn to preserve, ferment, and prepare what you grow so nothing goes to waste
🌿 Confidence to Start — My mission is to help you feel like “Yes! I can do this.”
This blog walks you through the steps of starting your own homestead journey with a practical, encouraging tone — just like a neighbor showing you the ropes.
Who Is This Blog Not For?
If you’re managing a 100-acre farm or looking for industrial-scale advice, this probably isn’t your place.
And if you’re not interested in where your food comes from… well, maybe bookmark me for later. 😉
But if you’re someone who wants to:
- eat healthier
- live more sustainably
- raise happy animals
- and create a backyard that feeds your family—
…then pull up a chair, friend. You’re right where you belong.
Why Trust Me?
Hi, I’m Mary
I’ve been gardening since childhood, when my dad handed me my first trowel. — long before backyard homesteading was a buzzword. Even when I lived in an apartment, I had container plants on the balcony. Then, when I got my first house, my gardens really took off.
Then came the ducks.
Over a decade ago, my daughter brought home a box of orphaned ducklings. I had to learn — fast — how to brood them, house them, and keep them alive and thriving. That single moment turned my lifelong love of gardening into a full-blown homesteading adventure.
I had to learn fast. And I wished, every step of the way, that someone could show me exactly how to raise ducks, build a coop, and keep them healthy.
So, I became that someone.
Since then, I’ve added chickens, grown a flourishing garden, and filled our pantry with preserved and fermented food from our own backyard. I’ve built coops, battled pests, made plenty of mistakes, and found what really works — and now I teach others how to do the same.
I don’t just blog about this life — I live it.
You Don’t Have to Figure It All Out Alone
There’s a lot to learn when you start homesteading — and it can feel overwhelming.
That’s why I create clear, easy-to-follow blog posts and online courses to help you go from “I have no idea what I’m doing” to “I’ve got this!”
Here’s what readers are saying:
“Great, easy-to-understand information for new gardeners! There’s so much here, even experienced gardeners will come away with new ideas. I’m excited to try several new things in my garden!”
— Tracy Zeitz, duck-duck-dog.com
“Your articles are educational and inspirational!”
— Josia Shibanda
“Thank you for sharing your wisdom and expertise!”
— Rhonda Kauk
Featured In
You may have seen Life Is Just Ducky featured on:
- MorningChores.com
- The Prairie Homestead
- The Grow Network
- One Crazy House
- For the Yellow Brick Home
- Weed ‘Em and Reap
- Tyrant Farms
- Make Sauerkraut
- The Hip Chick
- Raising Ducks
A Little About Me (Mary)
I live on a backyard homestead in sunny Southwest Florida with my husband, my daughter, and son-in-law — and just across town, my other daughter and her family (including my wonderful grandchildren who love helping in the garden and collecting eggs). Fun fact: my daughters are identical twins!
When I’m not outside in the garden or with the ducks, you’ll find me playing handbells at church, camping, collecting way too many cookbooks, or sipping a cup of coffee while spoiling the dog.
Ready to Get Started?
I’d love for you to join the Life Is Just Ducky community!
👉 Sign up for the newsletter to get backyard homesteading tips, seasonal projects, and fresh inspiration delivered straight to your inbox.
👉 Start planning your own backyard homestead with my free guide.
👉 Wondering if ducks are right for you? Take my duck-keeping mini course and find out!
No matter where you’re starting from, I’m here to help you grow.
Because Life is just ducky — when you grow it yourself.
Happy Backyard Homesteading!
I believe everyone can grow at least part of their own food! Let me show you how.