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What is a Homestead Dog?

Dogs are great companions. Homestead dogs are more than that. They serve many functions around the farm, from taking care of predators to herding your cows. A homestead dog really does do it all and then some. Once you have one, you’ll wonder why you didn’t get a homestead dog sooner. In fact, the only better than one homestead dog is two of them. The more help that you have around the farm, the better, right? Choose the Right Breed It all starts with picking the right breed. A homestead dog can be a rescue mutt. After all, it all […]

7 High Tech Tools and Tricks for Modern Homesteading

Homesteading is the basic art of living off of the land. Homesteaders get their inspiration from the settlers who moved out west during the 1800s. They had to do things themselves because there were no cities, town, or even villages yet. Everything had to be transported out there by the homesteaders, from the livestock that they raised to the plant seeds that they used to grow food. Thankfully, some things have changed over the centuries, and modern homesteaders are no longer limited by the constraints of the past. There are plenty of high tech tools that they can take advantage […]

Mold is Growing in Your Home RIGHT NOW…But Where?

If you’re sitting in your house sneezing, coughing, and dealing with skin, eye, and throat irritations, there is most likely mold present somewhere. People that are suffering from asthma or allergies know precisely how damaging mold can be to their health. Those with a healthy system aren’t going to notice mold growing somewhere quite as quickly. While you can’t control the mold you come in contact with outside of your home, it is possible to contain and eliminate it from your house. Start by checking some of the most common places where it gets found. What is Mold and Why […]

5 Tips for Using Manures in Your Garden

Manure is one the best, all-natural fertilizers around. Yes, it does smell, since it consists of animal feces. However, its many benefits far outweigh the stench. You’ll be glad that you put up with it when your plants are growing strong and tall. Before you begin spreading manure around your garden willy-nilly, take the time to review these five useful tips. 1) Don’t Place Manure around Your Edible Vegetables You might be tempted to use manure to fertilize every single plant in your garden, after all, it’s good for all of them, right? Wrong. You never want to […]

5 Great Benefits of Having Succulents in Your Home

Plants help clean the air, add oxygen and any number of other benefits. The problem? Not everyone has a green enough thumb to keep their plants alive, let alone flourishing. Fortunately, you don’t have to have a degree in botany to enjoy having plants indoors; you have to pick the right ones. Enter the succulent. Succulent plants, or succulents, are a type of plant that displays parts that are especially thick and fleshy. This characteristic lets the plant retain water in drying climates and soil types in a similar manner to cactus plants. These wonderful little plants have become even […]

5 Ways to Clean Your Tarnished Copper Naturally

Sinks, pans, and various other items found throughout your home can be made of beautiful copper. You may even pick up something cheap at a rummage sale made from copper that is just begging for you to bring it back to life. The only problem with this kind of a metal is that over time, it tarnishes. It can turn black after being exposed to the air. A greenish-blue color occurs when it gets wet. Instead of dealing with unsightly looking cooper, you are fully capable of cleaning it up with natural cleaners found right in your home. There […]

How to Prune your Roses the Proper Way

Roses come in a plethora of species. Over a hundred of them are available to be exact. They can be climbing, bushes, or trailing with long stems. You can grow just about any color that you can imagine at this point as a result of cross-breeding different ones to achieve the desired shades. They are gorgeous, they have a pleasant aroma, and they brighten up the exterior of any homestead or home. That’s why they are one of the most popular flowers found in gardens all over the world. Even though roses are pretty easy to grow and to […]

The Best All Natural Fertilizers For Your Garden

Store-bought fertilizers can get expensive. On top of that, they don’t always produce the results you are looking for. They aren’t natural, so there’s no guarantee that they are going to work the way they’re supposed to. Instead of heading into town to pick up an overpriced bag for your garden, go to your kitchen and mix up your own batch with any of these natural fertilizer recipes. Egg Shells After breakfast, don’t toss your egg shells. Wash them up and crush them. They are 93% calcium carbonate. With that there, it’s effective to use near peppers, tomatoes, […]

8 Simple Ways Baking Soda is the Forgotten All-Purpose Tool

You can go through just about any kitchen in the world and find a box of baking soda. It’s one of the most widely used ingredients for cooking, cleaning, and even various beauty regimens. While the standard teaspoon required for baking is why most people have it, there are plenty of other uses for baking soda that you may not have thought of before. See what you can do with it besides make a cake. Cleaning without Harsh Chemicals The last time you cleaned your oven, there was probably some chemical used that gave you a hard time […]

4 Completely Natural Ways to Rid Your Property of Mice

Mice can be the bane of the homestead pantry, and feed shed, and garden, and…well, you get the idea. One thing that is important to understand is you will never have only one. You may see only one, but there where there is one there is the potential for dozens more. With a very short breeding cycle, mice can overrun a food source in a matter of weeks if left to their own devices. For many of us, the first reaction to the idea of mice is to go out and buy some chemical bait that will get rid […]

4 Things Baby Chicks Need for Healthy Living

Baby chicks. Fuzzy and cute, warm and cuddly, they are adorable beyond words. Sometimes called the “gateway drug” to adding animals to a homestead, the chickens these chicks grow into can add any number of benefits to your property, from pest control to fresh eggs to a Sunday Roast. If you are contemplating joining the thousands of people across the world to raise their own chickens for meat and eggs, here are some things you will need to be prepared with. A Brooder Brooder is a fancy way of saying container. When you first receive your chicks, they […]

Is Grass Fed Beef Really Better Than the Alternative?

As people work to become more health conscious, we are taking a closer look at the foods we eat regularly. And, while some have chosen to avoid animal products altogether, others have instead made an effort to find healthier versions of the product they already know and love. Take beef, for example. Most of us know from grocery shopping that it’s now possible to buy items like ground beef with different levels of fat in them. And, you would think that when spending the extra money per pound on 93% lean beef that, that is hormone/additive free you’d be getting […]

3 Surprising Ways to Reuse Old Electrical Cords and Cables

Since the dawn of cable TV, the number of electrical type cording we have around the house has expanded almost exponentially. What started with coaxial and extension cords now include shorted out or plain outdated AV connectors, HDMI wiring, and USB cords in about every shape, size, and color. If you are anything like my family, you have at least one box filled with outdated wiring, some of which is so old you probably have no idea what ancient piece of tech you’ve since gotten rid of it used to go to. The first idea we usually have is […]

9 Practical Emergency Foods And How to Store Them

Long term food storage is a good idea in many, many circumstances. There are several basic food types that you should consider stocking up on that will last for years if needed. Beans Dried beans of every variety are super cheap and even easier to store. Store them in a dark, dry and cool place for best results. Coffee and Tea Most of us consider ourselves in an emergency situation if we run out of coffee. So, try to imagine going through an actual emergency without it…OH…THE HORROR!!! Just make sure you keep it in the right […]

5 Fantastic Benefits of Living in a Yurt

Yurts are the ultimate example of efficiency in residential construction. Their structural design, insulation and covering keep them cool in summer, warm in winter, and extremely wind resistant. A yurt’s round walls allow for much less surface area for interior heat to escape while letting the wind move more organically around it instead of pushing against it. The framing of the support system is completely self-sufficient and a wonder of engineering. The roof is supported by the use of a tension band and compression ring leaving the interior completely open and available to any interior design you could need. […]

Can You Grow Miniature Fruit Trees and Non-Native Plants?

Can You Grow Miniature Fruit Trees and Non-Native Plants? Well, the short answer? Yes. It is possible to grow just about anything on a homestead or even in an urban environment, with the right care and maintenance. And, if you are successful, you can provide yourself with your own rice, coffee, citrus fruit and more. The main trick? Growing everything in planters and pots, essentially creating a mobile farm. During the summer they can be kept outside. When it turns cold you have a few options: Cover the plants with clear plastic to create mini-greenhouses Move them inside your home […]

5 Wonderfully Natural Remedies to Fight Dry Skin

Dry skin can be extremely uncomfortable to those who suffer from it chronically. From cold weather to medications that bring about this most inconvenient side effect, it can sometimes feel daunting while trying to find a solution and get relief. Fortunately, there are some natural remedies that may be the answer you’ve been looking for. Avocados This wonderful fruit (yep, it’s in the pear family) is packed with Vitamin E plus Omega-3 fatty acids. It’s a very popular ingredient for people who suffer from chronic dry skin. How to Use Avocados Cut the avocado in half and scoop […]

Identifying and Understanding Poison Ivy

The bane of every campers’ weekend getaway, poison ivy, interestingly enough is not actually in the ivy family. It’s a relative of the almond family. Who knew? Most of the time, you only have to worry about avoiding it when you are in the great outdoors and away from urban areas. However, occasionally it will pop up in your yard. If this happens, you’ll want to make sure you wear protective clothing and accessories like gloves and even a mask to avoid the worst itching you can ever imagine. Also, you’ll want to be very cautious about how you dispose […]

8 Amazing Uses for Tea Tree Oil

Contrary to its name, tea tree oil is not remotely related to the tea plant. It is actually native to and only grown in Australia. Which is probably why its benefits have gone largely unspoken of until recently. It is important to note that tea tree oil is very toxic if swallowed. However, it can be used topically, and its ability to disinfect naturally makes it a viable alternative to harsher synthetic products. Antiseptic and Antifungal One of the most popular uses of tea tree oil is as an antiseptic and antifungal treatment. Its antibacterial properties make it […]

Never Waste Water Again

Picture this, for every inch of rain that falls on a 500 square feet area of your roof; you can collect up to 300 gallons of it to use around your property. If you live in an area that doesn’t restrict the use of rain barrels, you could be saving money every month on water. Rainwater can be used for a variety of tasks including: Rinsing off your garage floor Watering your indoor plants Watering your outdoor plants Flushing your toilet Creating an outdoor shower And more I know a potter who has a studio in her garage. If […]