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Homestead Survival

  • What Are the Most Common Air Conditioning Repair Issues?
    If you live in the local Phoenix area, then you’ll understand just how hot it can get from time to time. Even though it is a relatively dry heat, you probably still run your...The post What Are the Most Common Air Conditioning Repair Issues? appe…
    - 14 days ago 15 Jul 21, 1:23pm -
  • Brilliant Ways To Prepare Vegetables For Kids
    Image: cottonbro from Pexels Getting children to eat their vegetables can be a real nightmare. It takes some imagination, time, but also a great deal of patience. It’s no news that vegetables are a...The post Brilliant Ways To Prepare Vegetables…
    - 14 days ago 15 Jul 21, 11:11am -
  • Should You Use Fold-Up Portable Clothes Dryer
    A portable clothes dryer is a device that can be used to help you get your clothes dried in places where an electric outlet may not be readily available. A portable, fold-up version has...The post Should You Use Fold-Up Portable Clothes Dryer appea…
    - 16 days ago 13 Jul 21, 5:42am -
  • 7 Tips To Make A Stress-Free Move A Reality
    Moving into a new home can be stressful, especially since you’ll need to bring all of your things with you. Not only will you need to accomplish exhausting tasks to make your new home...The post 7 Tips To Make A Stress-Free Move A Reality appeare…
    - 18 days ago 11 Jul 21, 7:03pm -
  • The Vital Reason to Clean Out Your Garage Now
    If you’re trying to live off the land, you probably plan to keep your vehicles running for years and years. Yet many times the need to stock up on supplies clashes with the need...The post The Vital Reason to Clean Out Your Garage Now appeared fi…
    - 25 days ago 4 Jul 21, 5:34pm -
  • Why You May Want a Wine Cellar on Your Homestead
    Wine cellars are cool, literally! They help keep wine at the proper temperature and are a natural addition to any homestead. If you are all about the simple life, you deserve a wine cellar....The post Why You May Want a Wine Cellar on Your Homestea…
    - 31 days ago 28 Jun 21, 8:20am -
  • How Basement Foundation Repair Can Make Your Basement Strong?
    Reasons for basement foundation problems vary and can be complex or quite simple, but they all have something to do with the state of the soil surrounding your basement. If it’s sandy and loose,...The post How Basement Foundation Repair Can Make…
    - 31 days ago 28 Jun 21, 8:15am -
  • Starting A Business In Texas: 5 Tips For Making It In The Lone Star State
    There are a lot of reasons why Texas is a great US state. Not only because of the quality of life but also because it offers a lot of support for its business community....The post Starting A Business In Texas: 5 Tips For Making It In The Lone Star…
    - 34 days ago 25 Jun 21, 8:26am -
  • Living Off-Grid on a Tiny House Homestead for 6 Years
    Ariel has been homesteading and living off-grid in a 24’x8′ tiny house for 6 years! She grows, forages and preserves as much of her own food as possible, she cuts her own fire wood,...The post Living Off-Grid on a Tiny House Homestead for 6 Yea…
    - 43 days ago 16 Jun 21, 10:11am -
  • 3 Reasons Clean Gutters Are Essential on a Homestead
    Guttering plays an important role in the function of any structure. As many homestead buildings are constructed from timber, however, it’s particularly important to ensure that water is managed appropriately inside and outside your...The post 3 R…
    - 45 days ago 14 Jun 21, 8:26am -

Common Sense Homesteading

  • Chocolate Zucchini Cake Recipe (Swiss Roll Cake Style)
    This chocolate zucchini cake recipe gets dressed up with easy to make whipped cream filling. It's fancy enough for company, but simple enough to make any time you have extra zucchini. Our family loves this cake. It has a great texture – moist, but…
    - 5 days ago 24 Jul 21, 8:25pm -
  • Cherry Preserves – Chocolate Cherry and Cherry Vanilla
    These easy cherry preserves capture two classic flavor combinations – Chocolate cherry and cherry vanilla. You can use either recipe for topping yogurt or ice cream, waffles, pancakes, this no bake cheesecake – or you can eat them straight out of…
    - 12 days ago 17 Jul 21, 11:34pm -
  • Strawberry Shortcake Recipe with Strawberry Whipped Cream
    What goes better with fresh strawberries than more strawberries? You can dress up this easy strawberry shortcake recipe by slicing and layering like I did in the photos, or serve it family style and let everyone help themselves. We have several You P…
    - 19 days ago 10 Jul 21, 4:51pm -
  • Mullein Plant – Benefits and Uses of the Gentle Giant
    Mullein is an easy to recognize medicinal plant, with big fuzzy leaves and a tall flower spike with little yellow flowers. We'll share how to identify and use this “gentle giant” safely and effectively. Where to Find Mullein Mullein (Verbascum th…
    - 26 days ago 3 Jul 21, 4:20pm -
  • Strawberry Banana Jam – Easy Recipe with Less Sugar
    The first time I cooked up strawberry banana jam, Duncan stuck his head out of the loft and said, “That smells SO good!” And what goes better with a peanut butter and banana sandwich than more banana? We share a quick and easy recipe, plus answer…
    - 32 days ago 27 Jun 21, 6:45pm -
  • Strawberry Rhubarb Jam (Easy Recipe, Quick Cook, Less Sugar)
    This easy strawberry rhubarb jam recipe cooks up quick and lets you taste the fruit instead of the sugar. Store it in the refrigerator, or process in a water bath canner for longer storage. We enjoy this combination of strawberries and rhubarb on PB&…
    - 32 days ago 27 Jun 21, 2:08am -
  • Natural Cleaners – How to Make Your Own Cleaning Products
    Our recipes for natural cleaners can do more than clean, they can also save you a lot of money. They are easy to make and effective. If you can cook or follow a simple recipe, you can make your own natural cleaners. Why Choose Natural Cleaners? Any h…
    - 40 days ago 19 Jun 21, 1:23pm -
  • How to Pit Cherries Without a Cherry Pitter (Easy Video)
    Learn how to pit cherries without a pitter, using a simple method taught to us by a cherry grower. This method works best for tart cherries or very ripe sweet cherries. If you have firm cherries, we have options for those, too. How to Pit Cherries Wi…
    - 47 days ago 12 Jun 21, 2:46pm -
  • Oil Pulling – Does it really work? (Plus How to Do It)
    Does oil pulling really work? For some things, the benefits are clear, for others, it's questionable. I'll share how to oil pull, and what benefits you may see from the practice. What is Oil Pulling? Oil pulling is a dental hygiene practice that invo…
    - 54 days ago 5 Jun 21, 5:23pm -
  • Bay Leaf – Fresh or Dry, It’s a Plant with Many Uses
    Bay leaf is a common spice, but what's the best way to use it, and what does it do? We'll cover uses for food, medicine, and pest control. Once you're done reading, you may want to buy in bulk, or grow your own plant. There are a number of different…
    - 61 days ago 29 May 21, 3:41pm -

Rural Revolution

  • "Her Path to Redemption" release day!
    My latest Amish inspirational romance is officially available!Here's the back-cover blurb (which, grrr, includes a sentence fragment...):I've already received several charming emails from readers indicating they've enjoyed the book, so I hope you'll…
    - 1 day ago 28 Jul 21, 2:37am -
  • Update on our tractor
    Some time ago, a reader commented, "It's been quite a few years since you purchased your tractor. I was wondering if it was still a brand you would recommend."She's referring to the long-awaited brand-new tractor we took possession of in January 2015…
    - 2 days ago 27 Jul 21, 12:06am -
  • Decorating the walls
    In our old house, before we made all the improvements prior to selling, we had lots and lots of oversized thrift-store prints on the walls.While they were chosen because we like old-fashioned rural-themed prints, their real purpose was to hide the 11…
    - 3 days ago 26 Jul 21, 2:51pm -
  • So long, box truck
    During our Moving Adventures, you might remember the bad experience we had with U-Haul, which made us determined never to use their services again. However since we still had farm equipment and household goods to transport to our new home, we ended u…
    - 8 days ago 21 Jul 21, 3:01am -
  • Coffee guide for the coffee ignorant
    Confession time: I don't like coffee.I mean, I really really really don't like coffee. I love the smell but hate the taste. It's not a simple dislike; it's a revulsion. I jokingly call this my "superpower": I’m able to detect a single molecule of t…
    - 12 days ago 17 Jul 21, 3:05am -
  • Evolution of a library
    When Don built the pantry last February, he purposely left the long (14-foot) outer wall blank with an idea of filling it with bookshelves at some future point.That point has arrived.The majority of our books have been packed away for almost exactly…
    - 16 days ago 13 Jul 21, 12:15am -
  • Unpleasant discoveries
    Sometimes it seems we're living in paradise here in our new home. We simply couldn't be happier.But paradise, as should abundantly clear, doesn't exist on this earth. This was brought home by the unpleasant discovery of two nasty weeds.The first is C…
    - 20 days ago 9 Jul 21, 3:07am -
  • Independence Day hike
    Don and I celebrated Independence Day by taking a hike. Personally that seemed as fine an activity as any to honor the anniversary of our nation.We left very early in the morning (trying to beat the heat) and found a trail some distance away across a…
    - 22 days ago 7 Jul 21, 1:58pm -
  • Close call
    Day before yesterday, we had thunderheads building up. The rain skirted us, but we spent much of the late afternoon and early evening watching lightning hitting beyond the ridge to the north of us. (No, this is not my photograph.)But thunderstorms t…
    - 26 days ago 3 Jul 21, 12:27pm -
  • Frumpkin and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad fan
    Some of you may remember Older Daughter's cat, Frumpkin. Poor Frumpkin has been feeling the heat, just like everyone else during this vicious heat wave. He has such incredibly thick fur, you see, and since he's now an indoor cat, he hasn't been shed…
    - 28 days ago 1 Jul 21, 1:28pm -

New Life on a Homestead

  • newForaging and Using Evening Primrose
    There is a wide variety of primrose plants, with over 400 types included in the Primulaceae family. Majority of the various primroses grow in shades of yellow, but there are other varieties that are red, pink, white, purple, or sometimes orange. From…
    - 23 hours ago 28 Jul 21, 12:43pm -
  • Do Ramen Noodles Expire? Find out Their Shelf Life
    Ramen… 2-minute noodles, instant noodles, whatever you call them, this is one heck of a foodstuff! This is quite possibly a hiker’s best friend, while out on the trails because it’s lightweight, it doesn’t take up much space in your pack, and…
    - 16 days ago 13 Jul 21, 12:23pm -
  • 15 Ways to Get Your Cows to Give More Milk
    Raising dairy cows is a good way to provide your family with all the milk, cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products you need – in fact, one cow is usually all you need to provide more than enough milk for most families. But what do you do when your…
    - 17 days ago 12 Jul 21, 5:35pm -
  • Is White Snakeroot Poisonous?
    I know I’ve talked about this already but growing up on hiking trails and in campsites, there were only a few rules that we had to worry about. A crucial one was don’t touch anything! You don’t mess with Mother Nature, and she won’t mess with…
    - 18 days ago 11 Jul 21, 9:54am -
  • Foraging and Growing Real Solomon’s Seal
    If you spend any time in the shady woods that surround your homestead, chances are you have run into patches of Solomon’s seal from time to time. This handsome plant looks like it belongs in your garden as much as it does beneath a thick canopy of…
    - 20 days ago 9 Jul 21, 11:56am -
  • Can Jewelweed Be Eaten?
    Impatiens Capensis, or the common jewelweed is a plant that’s native to North America and is found in ditches and creeks. The name ‘jewelweed’ comes from the fact that, when held underwater, the leaves appear to be jeweled. It’s often found a…
    - 22 days ago 7 Jul 21, 2:56pm -
  • Breeding Chickens – Top 14 Questions Answered
    If you are new to raising chickens, the thought may have crossed your mind – is breeding chickens possible? It sure is! You can easily breed your own hens and roosters so that you have hatching eggs for adorable chicks. No doubt, you’re filled wi…
    - 23 days ago 6 Jul 21, 10:34am -
  • 12 Ways to Tell When a Watermelon is Ripe
    I’m about ready to harvest my first watermelon! Not only my first watermelon of the season, but the first watermelon I have ever grown – ever! I’m incredibly excited to hit this milestone, as I’ve always had a hard time growing these deliciou…
    - 24 days ago 5 Jul 21, 1:49pm -

The Prairie Homestead

  • How to Cultivate Community While Homesteading
    No Homestead is an island. When it comes to homesteading, there is a lot is said about self-sufficiency, self-reliance, and blazing your own trail. However, one thing that hasn’t been talked about much is the important role community plays in build…
    - 17 days ago 12 Jul 21, 7:09pm -
  • The Best Organic Fertilizers for Your Vegetable Garden
    Perfect… Healthy… Well Balanced… Soil… …the kind of soil that encourages disease-free veggie plant growth and produces amazingly high harvest yields. Every Gardener’s Dream! Well, this gardener’s dream anyway… The reality is that most…
    - 24 days ago 5 Jul 21, 2:18pm -
  • DIY Organic Aphid Spray Recipe for the Garden
    Our new greenhouse has drastically expanded our short growing season… But it’s also expanded my garden challenges. Especially when it comes to pests– something I usually don’t have to worry *too* much about, considering we garden in the arcti…
    - 51 days ago 8 Jun 21, 7:37pm -
  • 8 Healthy Alternatives to Soda
    Fine. I’ll admit it. Some days… when I’ve been sweating in the garden all day (seriously– my EYELIDS were dripping sweat a few days ago…) and it feels like the heat just won’t quit, I dream of a Coke. Yes, you read that right. A tall, fro…
    - 52 days ago 7 Jun 21, 8:41pm -

Homestead Bloggers Network

  • How to Easily Dry Your Own Fresh Rosemary
    It’s no secret how costly dried herbs are in the baking isle at the supermarkets. Learn how easy it is to dry your own fresh rosemary and save on the family budget. You’ll be amazed at how much better freshly dried rosemary tastes as well. Try th…
    - 23 Aug 19, 1:00am -
  • Oven Canning: Should You Try It?
    Oven canning used to be popular around the turn of the 20th century, where it seemed a handy way to keep the house cooler (before air conditioning, better home insulation, etc) than water bath canning. Some found that their fruit and veggies canned h…
    - 22 Aug 19, 5:00pm -
  • Best Way To Sterilize Canning Jars
    Lookup sterilizing canning jars and you’ll get all kinds of ideas from putting them into the oven, the microwave or running them through the dishwasher. But just what is the correct way to sterilize jars and do you have to do it every time? You’l…
    - 22 Aug 19, 9:00am -
  • Learn How To Control and Get Rid of Tomato Fruitworms
    If you pulled an almost ripe tomato from the vine only to find that it has an eraser size hole in it? Nothing is more frustrating than picking a tomato off the vine only to find that it is rotting from the inside out and has this pencil eraser size h…
    - 22 Aug 19, 1:00am -
  • Best Summer Blog Posts
    Summertime is a fun time and these summer blog posts will take you from homemade crafts to the kitchen, to identifying wildflowers to the right way to cut off shorts, and to making delicious homemade drinks. There are a few tricks to making perfect c…
    - 21 Aug 19, 7:00pm -
  • Chicken Breeds for Colorful Eggs
    When you have your own backyard flock, you don’t have to settle for boring white and brown eggs. To get a colorful, varied egg basket you will need a variety of chicken breeds. Chickens can lay a variety of egg colors, depending on their breed, but…
    - 21 Aug 19, 5:00pm -
  • The Best Tuna Salad Recipe Ever
    This is a very flavorful tuna salad recipe. Once you try this recipe, I am sure you’re going to take your old boring tuna salad recipe and toss it to the curb.
    - 21 Aug 19, 3:00pm -
  • How to Get Started With Caning Food – FREE Printable Guide
    Not sure how to get started canning food? Canning food can be intimidating if you’ve never tried it. But following some simple canning instructions, you can preserve your spring harvest for long-term storage. Get your free printable guide and learn…
    - 21 Aug 19, 1:00pm -
  • How to Make Southern Style Sun Tea
    I have been enjoying sun tea as long as I can remember. I had a gallon of it seeping outside recently when a friend dropped by and she asked me why I had a jug of dirty water sitting out. Making sun tea is great for many reasons but the main reason i…
    - 21 Aug 19, 11:00am -
  • How to Perform Beehive Inspections
    A good beehive inspection will let you know how your bees are doing. Honey bees are very competent and can take care of themselves for the most part. Taking a peep into the hive will make sure that they are healthy and don’t need any outside help f…
    - 21 Aug 19, 9:00am -

The Homesteading Hippy

  • 33 Natural Air Freshener Recipes
    I have 3 great big golden retrievers in my home. When we say it was the dog, believe me, it was the dog! They can make the room a very uncomfortable place to be in at the drop of a stink bomb. For us, the dogs are a big reason we need air fresheners…
    - 15 days ago 14 Jul 21, 2:19pm -
  • Should I Be Feeding My Bees?
    Beekeepers often give such conflicting suggestions on whether or not to feed bees, as well as when and what to feed them. Rookie beekeepers often feed their bees because they think of their bees as livestock and feel it is their responsibility to fee…
    - 18 days ago 11 Jul 21, 10:12am -
  • Is Wood Chip Mulch Actually Good for Your Garden?
    Mulch is a layer of material that you spread over the surface of your soil when you want to improve fertility, reduce weed growth, improve/change the visual aesthetic, and/or to improve moisture retention. Is woodchip mulch good for your garden? Yes,…
    - 22 days ago 7 Jul 21, 3:47pm -
  • The 12 Principles of Permaculture Explained
    Permaculture was first introduced as a concept in the 1970s by David Holmgren and Bill Mollison while the two were studying environmental design at a university in Australia. Despite the fact that it is not a necessarily modern concept, many people h…
    - 24 days ago 5 Jul 21, 7:18pm -
  • 50 Pioneer Skills for the Modern Homesteader
    With the introduction of the Homestead Act of 1862, previously unsettled land in the western portions of the United States became an attractive option to thousands of people. These pioneers were looking for a new way of life, but in order to attain i…
    - 27 days ago 2 Jul 21, 7:25am -
  • Are Wild Strawberries Edible or Poisonous?
    Strawberries are a popular fruit commonly used in desserts. The mixed sweet and sour flavor is perfect for a variety of sweet treats including strawberries and cream and chocolate fondue. What about wild strawberries though? We’re commonly taught t…
    - 30 days ago 29 Jun 21, 3:13pm -
  • How to Make All-Natural Smoker Fuel
    For all those familiar with bees, we all know the value of smoking bees when we work with them. The smoke keeps the bees calm, which means less chances of you getting stung by them. What is a Bee Smoker? A bee smoker is just a small container that yo…
    - 31 days ago 28 Jun 21, 12:36pm -
  • Is Dehydrated Food Good for You?
    Dehydrated foods are a staple among hikers and backpackers because it’s tasty and has a long shelf-life. You can mix and match depending on what you want to eat while on a hike and keep a fully stocked ‘pantry’ in your pack. Meat, fruits, veggi…
    - 39 days ago 20 Jun 21, 1:18pm -
  • Duck Breed Guide – Which Ducks Are Right for You?
    Most average Joes see ducks as the cute little fellas at the local pond that Nana takes the grandkids to feed with scraps of bread. (By the way, NEVER feed ducks bread! It has no nutritional value and makes them feel full so that they do not then eat…
    - 41 days ago 18 Jun 21, 4:35pm -
  • How to Get Your Chickens to Lay More Eggs
    If you are raising chickens, there is a good chance that you are doing so to enjoy their delicious, nutritious eggs. The average chicken will lay about one egg every other day, although this varies significantly by breed, disposition, climate, and ot…
    - 49 days ago 10 Jun 21, 3:15pm -

New Life On a Homestead

  • newForaging and Using Evening Primrose
    There is a wide variety of primrose plants, with over 400 types included in the Primulaceae family. Majority of the various primroses grow in shades of yellow, but there are other varieties that are red, pink, white, purple, or sometimes orange. From…
    - 23 hours ago 28 Jul 21, 12:43pm -
  • Do Ramen Noodles Expire? Find out Their Shelf Life
    Ramen… 2-minute noodles, instant noodles, whatever you call them, this is one heck of a foodstuff! This is quite possibly a hiker’s best friend, while out on the trails because it’s lightweight, it doesn’t take up much space in your pack, and…
    - 16 days ago 13 Jul 21, 12:23pm -
  • 15 Ways to Get Your Cows to Give More Milk
    Raising dairy cows is a good way to provide your family with all the milk, cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products you need – in fact, one cow is usually all you need to provide more than enough milk for most families. But what do you do when your…
    - 17 days ago 12 Jul 21, 5:35pm -
  • Is White Snakeroot Poisonous?
    I know I’ve talked about this already but growing up on hiking trails and in campsites, there were only a few rules that we had to worry about. A crucial one was don’t touch anything! You don’t mess with Mother Nature, and she won’t mess with…
    - 18 days ago 11 Jul 21, 9:54am -
  • Foraging and Growing Real Solomon’s Seal
    If you spend any time in the shady woods that surround your homestead, chances are you have run into patches of Solomon’s seal from time to time. This handsome plant looks like it belongs in your garden as much as it does beneath a thick canopy of…
    - 20 days ago 9 Jul 21, 11:56am -
  • Can Jewelweed Be Eaten?
    Impatiens Capensis, or the common jewelweed is a plant that’s native to North America and is found in ditches and creeks. The name ‘jewelweed’ comes from the fact that, when held underwater, the leaves appear to be jeweled. It’s often found a…
    - 22 days ago 7 Jul 21, 2:56pm -
  • Breeding Chickens – Top 14 Questions Answered
    If you are new to raising chickens, the thought may have crossed your mind – is breeding chickens possible? It sure is! You can easily breed your own hens and roosters so that you have hatching eggs for adorable chicks. No doubt, you’re filled wi…
    - 23 days ago 6 Jul 21, 10:34am -
  • 12 Ways to Tell When a Watermelon is Ripe
    I’m about ready to harvest my first watermelon! Not only my first watermelon of the season, but the first watermelon I have ever grown – ever! I’m incredibly excited to hit this milestone, as I’ve always had a hard time growing these deliciou…
    - 24 days ago 5 Jul 21, 1:49pm -

Homestead Honey

  • How to Select Fruit Trees for Your Homestead
    Do you dream of harvesting bushels of ripe fruit from your homestead? Crunching on apples and nibbling on sun-ripened plums? Because fruit trees are a perennial planting – a gift of food that keeps on giving – they are an extremely valuable asset…
    - 17 Jan 21, 8:00pm -
  • Acorn Pancake Recipe and How to Process Acorns for Eating
    If you are serious about foraging for wild edibles, you’ve probably wondered how to add more starch, fats, and proteins to your foraged diet. After all, berries and wild greens are delicious, but they don’t fill your belly. Acorns and other wild…
    - 9 Nov 20, 6:36pm -
  • Building a Yurt for our Off the Grid Homestead in Vermont
    After months of dreaming and preparing, a group of friends joined us in building a 25 foot yurt for our off the grid homestead! It must have been 6 or so years ago that we met Ken of Two Girls Farm and Yurts. At the time we were living in Missouri an…
    - 3 Aug 20, 10:43pm -
  • Wild Ramp Pesto Recipe
    One of the most revered spring wild edibles is the wild ramp, Allium tricoccum, a North American member of the garlic/onion family that is found the eastern United States and eastern Canada. A truly seasonal delight, one of the easiest ways to preser…
    - 25 May 20, 5:39pm -
  • 30+ Homesteading Skills to Build With Your Kids
    Sharing the homesteading lifestyle with the kids in your life can be incredibly rewarding. But sometimes it’s hard to get past the question of “How do I teach my kids how to homestead?” Having homesteaded throughout my entire experience of bein…
    - 26 Apr 20, 4:26pm -
  • Planning and Planting a Root Cellar Garden
    What is a root cellar garden? I like to think of it as a garden that provides you with a large quantity of food that you can store in a root cellar. Think root vegetables, apples, pears, potatoes, squash, onions, some brassicas, etc. Planting a root…
    - 25 Jan 20, 5:17pm -
  • Root Cellaring 101 – What is a Root Cellar, Ideal Conditions, and Use
    I don’t know about you, but by the time September and October roll around, I am ready to put down my canning pot and take a break from food preservation. Luckily, there is a method of food preservation that requires very little effort: Root cellari…
    - 18 Jan 20, 9:41pm -

Nifty Homestead

  • newHealthy Homemade Homestead Snacks
    Sometimes, you just get a hankering for something salty and crunchy. Usually, that itch is scratched with a snack from a shiny, throwaway bag that has more multisyllabic chemical ingredients than there should be. But on a homestead seeking both a hea…
    - 14 hours ago 28 Jul 21, 9:36pm -
  • Foraging for Pokeweed
    Elvis sang about it. Gardeners loathe it. Old-timers grew up on it. Suburban moms are afraid of it and pull it out with gloves … and foragers? They’re inconsistent about it. It’s a miracle cure, a deadly poison, a nutritious food, a pest, a gif…
    - 3 days ago 26 Jul 21, 8:50pm -
  • 17 DIY Pool Deck Ideas for a Sunny Day
    Setting up above-ground pools is pretty simple. They don’t require excavation, and they cost around a quarter the price of an in-ground pool. Although most people believe that an in-ground pool is more beautiful, an above-ground pool with a pool de…
    - 6 days ago 23 Jul 21, 8:56pm -
  • Introduction To Integrated Pest Management
    There’s one major challenge that applies to all levels of agriculture, from starting a garden to running an orchard, and everything that falls between. It’s a shared challenge that growers face regardless of location, climate, or economic resour…
    - 8 days ago 21 Jul 21, 8:30pm -
  • 6 Reasons Why I Chose Clover as a Living Mulch
    I mentioned in my post about building raised beds that I chose to add New Zealand white clover to the edges of the raised bed to act as a living mulch. First off, I should explain what a living mulch is, and how it differs from a cover crop: “In ag…
    - 10 days ago 19 Jul 21, 10:08pm -
  • Building With Hempcrete 101
    Hempcrete is used as a highly insulative wall material. It is a carbon-negative, natural, and lightweight construction material that provides highly efficient temperature and moisture control. It is also formable, dynamic, one-seventh the weight of c…
    - 13 days ago 16 Jul 21, 9:31pm -
  • 16 Cozy DIY Dog Houses for Your Dogs
    We all love our animals. We want to give them the best homes, comfort, and shelter possible. When they’re outside, it’s nice to provide them shelter so they can be protected in their outdoor space. That’s why it’s so essential to build your…
    - 15 days ago 14 Jul 21, 9:28pm -
  • Swimming Ponds: A More Natural Approach to Swimming Pools
    Natural Pools or Natural Swimming Ponds
    - 17 days ago 12 Jul 21, 8:46pm -
  • Homestead Stories: Pachysandra – Pretty Ground Cover or a Blight to Eliminate?
    “Help!” I complained. “What is this plant? It’s taking over my garden!” My friend, always a great resource, had once again come to my aid. “I think that’s pachysandra. Very invasive. Pretty little flowers and a great, fast-growing groun…
    - 20 days ago 9 Jul 21, 8:28pm -
  • 19 DIY Deer Stands to Enhance Your Vantage Point
    Deer stands have been used for centuries to provide hunters with an advantage. There are countless deer stands on the market that offers excellent safety and security. Unfortunately, they are expensive. DIY deer stands are easy to build and save you…
    - 22 days ago 7 Jul 21, 10:04pm -

Tenth Acre Farm

  • When to Start Seeds: Your Guide to Fall Planting
    The beautiful weather of fall makes it perfect for extending the harvest and growing more food. This fall guide covers planting times for 17 popular crops.The post When to Start Seeds: Your Guide to Fall Planting appeared first on Tenth Acre Farm.
    - 27 Jul 20, 11:34am -
  • 6 Reasons to Grow Borage in the Permaculture Garden
    Borage is a useful herb with delightful blue-purple flowers. Here are six reasons to grow this cousin to comfrey in the permaculture garden.The post 6 Reasons to Grow Borage in the Permaculture Garden appeared first on Tenth Acre Farm.
    - 7 May 20, 5:37pm -
  • Inviting Birds To Your Food Garden
    Want to welcome birds into your garden and still get a harvest? Learn the benefits of making your food garden a bird-friendly haven and how to do it.The post Inviting Birds To Your Food Garden appeared first on Tenth Acre Farm.
    - 17 Apr 20, 8:50pm -
  • Clay-Busting Plants That Fight Compaction
    Got compaction? These clay-busting plants penetrate heavy soil to leave it loosened, aerated, and enriched. Jumpstart a regenerative garden ecology.The post Clay-Busting Plants That Fight Compaction appeared first on Tenth Acre Farm.
    - 6 Mar 20, 1:38am -
  • How to Garden in Raised Beds on Pavement
    Raised beds on pavement is a strategy for gardeners with limited growing space. Learn how to grow food on paved surfaces such as concrete or asphalt.The post How to Garden in Raised Beds on Pavement appeared first on Tenth Acre Farm.
    - 10 Feb 20, 2:55pm -
  • How to Build a Rain Garden to Capture Runoff
    Learn how to build a rain garden that captures rainwater runoff from hard surfaces, such as a roof or pavement, for irrigation or to reduce water pollution.The post How to Build a Rain Garden to Capture Runoff appeared first on Tenth Acre Farm.
    - 10 Jan 20, 10:32pm -
  • Growing Perennial Crops as a Side Hustle
    Would you like to make money from your garden doing something you love? Here are six ways to grow perennial crops as a side hustle.The post Growing Perennial Crops as a Side Hustle appeared first on Tenth Acre Farm.
    - 19 Dec 19, 2:17pm -
  • Urban Food Forests: Demonstrating City Permaculture
    Food forests are permaculture gardens consisting of edible perennials. Find out how two urban food forests are shaking up the local food movement.The post Urban Food Forests: Demonstrating City Permaculture appeared first on Tenth Acre Farm.
    - 27 Sep 19, 3:34pm -
  • How to Improve Clay Soil in 6 Steps
    Heavy clay soil can be frustrating. Follow this 6-step plan to improve soil so you can garden with ease and grow crops that thrive.The post How to Improve Clay Soil in 6 Steps appeared first on Tenth Acre Farm.
    - 20 Jun 19, 8:25pm -
  • All About Aronia: Grow Your Own Superfood Berries
    Ready to grow your own superfood? Aronia shrubs are low-maintenance, widely adaptable to a variety of conditions, and yield a ‘superfood’ berry. Learn more.The post All About Aronia: Grow Your Own Superfood Berries appeared first on Tenth Acre F…
    - 17 Jan 19, 3:21pm -

Rural Sprout

  • 9 Great Carrot Companion Plants & 3 Plants To Keep Clear
    Carrots are popular crops to add to home veggie patches. There is nothing greater than pulling out crunchy carrot roots. But, planting root crops is a gamble, no matter how you look at it. The hidden roots leave you guessing as to whether or not your…
    - 2 days ago 27 Jul 21, 6:57pm -
  • 7 Reasons You Should Be Using Blood Meal Fertilizer In The Garden
    Serious gardeners are forever looking for new ways to improve their growing strategy. One time-tested method is adding blood meal to garden soil. Despite this amendment’s off-putting name, it’s an efficient way to restore your soil’s nutrient l…
    - 3 days ago 26 Jul 21, 7:39pm -
  • 5 Best Carnivorous Plants To Grow Indoors & How To Care For Them
    You’ve picked up every houseplant on every beginner’s list, dipped your toe into some rare indoor plants, even started an expansive succulent garden on your windowsill – but you’re still itching for something more. I know the feeling. Housepl…
    - 3 days ago 26 Jul 21, 3:04pm -
  • How Kristen Krash Restored Degraded Land Into A Sub-Tropical Food Forest
    Kristen Krash and her partner Juan Santillan moved from Washington DC to the sub-tropics of Ecuador in 2016 and began regenerating 3 hectares of deforested and degraded land. Five years on they live within a bountiful food forest and also manage a fu…
    - 6 days ago 23 Jul 21, 9:43pm -
  • Easily Freeze Fresh Blueberries So They Don’t Stick Together
    Every summer from early June through August, at least once a week, you’ll find me up early, berry basket in hand, heading to our local pick-your-own berry farm. (We’re lucky enough to have a great organic berry farm just down the road.) I like to…
    - 6 days ago 23 Jul 21, 4:08pm -
  • How to Treat Powdery Mildew & Rescue Your Summer Squash & Pumpkins
    Powdery mildew starts out as small whitish spots or splotches. As it grows and reproduces, the fuzzy patches increase in size and coalesce to completely cover leaves, stems, and buds. It will look as if the plant has been dusted with flour. Alongside…
    - 7 days ago 22 Jul 21, 2:47pm -
  • 9 Simple Ways to Make Your Fresh Cut Flowers Last Longer
    There’s no better way to spruce up your home than with a bouquet of freshly cut flowers. Whether purchased from your local florist or brought indoors from your own cut flower garden in your backyard, fresh flowers add a welcoming touch difficult to…
    - 8 days ago 21 Jul 21, 7:03pm -
  • 12 Easy & Inexpensive Space-Saving Herb Garden Ideas
    Everyone has the space to grow at least a few herbs at home. Whether you grow them for culinary, medicinal or other uses, herbs can be valuable plants to grow. No matter how much space you have, you can always fit in a few more herbs! Here are 12 spa…
    - 8 days ago 21 Jul 21, 6:44pm -
  • 11 Reasons to Plant More Trees in Your Garden and Backyard
    Fear of drought. Worry over forest fires and flash floods. Concern over rapidly rising temperatures. Fretting about climate disasters that are beyond our control, to the likes we don’t even dare imagine lest they really come true. It’s easy to ge…
    - 8 days ago 21 Jul 21, 3:00pm -
  • 7 Common Lemon Tree Problems & How To Fix Them
    Sometimes life hands you lemons. Other times, we actively seek them by growing our own lemon trees. There really isn’t anything like having a citrus tree in your garden. They look great, making any space look like a summer paradise. Lemon trees are…
    - 9 days ago 20 Jul 21, 8:14pm -

Little House on the Prairie Living

  • What We Ate in a Day And What I’ve Been Up To
    I realize that it’s been a little bit since I’ve posted something brand new here on the blog and I hope that you will forgive me for that. You see…I’ve been up to something for the past year and I got a bit burned out. But I am happy to final…
    - 9 days ago 20 Jul 21, 2:22am -
  • How to Make Your Own Homemade Fudgesicles
    Are you looking to make your children a real treat this summer? This special recipe for Homemade Fudgesicles was passed down to me from my grandma and uses real cream. Homemade Fudgesicles This recipe is special to me because it was given to me by m…
    - 28 days ago 1 Jul 21, 7:00am -
  • 3 Ingredient Raspberry Sherbert Recipe
    Looking for the perfect way to cool off this summer? This Raspberry Sherbert Recipe is ridiculously easy with only 3 ingredients! It’s the heart of summertime and you know what I want? Nothing but cold things to eat and drink! We are outside almost…
    - 53 days ago 6 Jun 21, 7:43am -
  • Crockpot Drumsticks with Fresh Tomato BBQ Sauce
    Looking for a really simple recipe to throw in the slow cooker this week. Give these slow cooker BBQ drumsticks a try! Fresh Slow Cooker BBQ Drumsticks I love cooking drumsticks. There are lots of different things to do with them and they are so chea…
    - 87 days ago 3 May 21, 7:00am -
  • Simple Blueberry Muffins Recipe
    Looking for a basic, tasty muffin that you can make with fresh berries? These Blueberry Muffins make a perfect breakfast or afternoon snack! Simple Blueberry Muffins Recipe I picked up some blueberries last week while they were on sale. It’s not so…
    - 20 Apr 21, 7:11am -
  • Gluten Free Sour Cream Cookies – Lemon
    Looking for a new cookie recipe? These Gluten Free Sour Cream Cookies are a delicious way to add a little lemon zest to your day! Gluten Free Sour Cream Cookies – Lemon We love making cookies at our house because they aren’t as big of a time comm…
    - 19 Apr 21, 7:46am -
  • Frozen Hot Chocolate Recipe
    Looking for a nice cold drink to make on warm days? This super simple Frozen Hot Chocolate recipe only uses things that you probably already have in your pantry. Frozen Hot Chocolate Recipe For some reason, I’ve been craving this little treat for a…
    - 17 Apr 21, 7:00am -
  • Homemade Milano Cookies Recipe
    Looking to stay out of the stores and make a tasty new treat? This homemade Milano cookies version recipe has so many possibilities! Homemade Milano Cookies I had a request on the survey that I posted to make more make-your-own junk food. I love this…
    - 16 Apr 21, 7:01am -
  • Fermented Lemons – How to Preserve Lemons in Salt
    Want to keep some lemons around for as long as you can without taking up freezer space? These Fermented Lemons are crazy easy to make and they add a delightful flavor to many different dishes! Fermented Lemons We use lemons quite a bit in our cooking…
    - 5 Apr 21, 7:40am -
  • The Easiest Foods to Preserve That You Can Grow
    Looking for some plants that you can grow in your garden that you can easily preserve this fall? Here are some of my favorite things to grow and preserve! The Easiest Foods to Preserve That You Can Grow When it comes to canning and preserving season…
    - 29 Mar 21, 7:25am -