Root cellars are a low-maintenance method of food preservation that requires no extra work on your end. Storing fruits and vegetables in a root cellar helps to preserve freshness in the least labor-intensive way possible. Doesn’t that sound awesome? One thing to know is that you want to store ONLY the freshest, best food possible,Read more
Different chicken breeds have different space requirements. Chicken owners with large farmers or homesteads don’t need to worry about the breed they select, but backyard homesteaders need to pick chicken breeds for small spaces. Picking breeds with smaller space requirements will keep your flock happen, which means happy chickens. Happy chickens lay eggs, which isRead more
Did you know there are things you should never compost? Composting reduces trash output and provides an excellent soil amendment for gardens. Compost adds nutrients back into your soil, but not everything belongs there. In fact, understanding what not to put in a compost ensures that the end product is safe for your garden use.Read more
Seed buying and gardening planning time are upon us. The two popular choices for seeds are either heirloom or hybrid. I prefer heirloom seeds, for several reasons. Many home gardeners aren’t sure what to pick. Hybrid and GMO seeds work for many people. I know dozens of people who use these varieties for their smallRead more
The new year has arrived, and it is time to start preparing! I know I am ready for 2018; 2017 brought a lot of pain for us. We ended our year with a small house fire that displaced us for almost a month. We are ready for the new year. Part of the new yearRead more
Raising chickens is a huge learning experience. My husband and I thought we had it all figured out. They’re just chickens after all! Then, one day, our hens stopped laying eggs. We thought it was strange but figured it was a fluke. The next day proved it wasn’t a one-time event. I was pretty baffled.Read more
Homesteading in the suburbs can feel like an impossible feat. You have dreams of living off the land, raising your own meat, and being self-sufficient. How is doing any of this possible when your neighbors are close? I understand; I felt this way for a long time too. When we purchased our house on aRead more
For a long time, I avoided growing cabbage because I felt like I couldn’t use it fast enough. We love stuffed cabbage rolls and cabbage roll soup, but we can’t eat a whole garden of cabbage in a few weeks! Sauerkraut isn’t a family favorite. Then, one day I learned that you can freeze freshRead more
While canning jellies and jams are one of my favorite activities, it is important to understand how to do so correctly. There are a lot of misunderstandings about what is safe for canning. Today, we are going to look at why acidity matters for canning. The Role of Acidity in Canning I get a lotRead more
I love a broody hen. I know there are dozens of websites that tell you how to break a hen from her broodiness. You won’t find that advice here! For years, I purchased chicks from the local farm stores. I even attempted to make our incubator and hatch eggs, which didn’t turn out so well.Read more