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Homesteading – Page 23 – Homesteader Depot

Homesteader Depot

Category: Homesteading

  • Become a Better Homesteader Using These 4 Tips

    Become a Better Homesteader Using These 4 Tips

    When it comes to homesteading, there is no such thing as knowing too much or working too hard. Yet, many people want to get into this lifestyle without truly understanding what it means or by looking for shortcuts. Instead of trying to find the “easy” way to be a homesteader, you need to find ways that you can become a better homesteader. The life is not always easy, but it can be extremely rewarding. The following are a few tips that will help you to get into the right mindset and to make sure homesteading for the long haul is right for you.

    Learn to Live With Less

    This does not mean you need to give up all the things that you enjoy. It simply means that you need to learn to live within your means, which is something that so many people today have a problem doing. You do not need to have the latest phone and all the latest gadgets.

    You do not need to spend on all the fancy, shiny new equipment, and gear that you think you need for the homestead either. If you need a tractor, you do not have to buy one that is brand new. Buy a used one and learn how to do the repairs yourself. This leads us into the next thing you will want to do to become a better homesteader.

    Learn a New Skill Each Day

    You are never done learning when it comes to homesteading. There is always something new that you can learn, and you should make it a point to try to learn something each day. It might be something simple, such as how to cook a new meal or how to clean a fish. It might be something more complex, such as making repairs to that tractor we mentioned earlier. Strive to learn something new and find people who are willing to teach you things. You can also share the knowledge you have with them.

    Learn this simple step by step process to recondition old batteries and NEVER buy batteries again>>>

    Focus on the Task at Hand and Work Hard at It

    When it comes to homesteading, you can’t put things off until later in most cases. If you do, you will have too much work piling up and it will be overwhelming. You need to have a plan of action for each day and you need to focus on each of the tasks you need to get done. If there are others in the family, spread out the tasks and chores among everyone and work together to get things done.

    Consider New Ways to Boost Your Income

    Another way to improve as a homesteader is to find some ways to make some extra income that you can invest into the homestead or put into your savings. If you are doing woodworking or making soap or candles, for example, you could sell those goods online and at craft shows. There are plenty of ways that you can make money doing what you love.  Take a look at the following links to learn some super simple crafts:

     >> 5 Step DIY Soap

    >> 16,000 Woodworking Plans

    These are just some of the ways that you can become a better homesteader. Start implementing these tips now, and keep on learning.

     

     

  • Tips for Freezing Produce at Home (Infographic)

    Tips for Freezing Produce at Home (Infographic)

    As you are planting your spring garden, make sure you have a plan for how to use up all the delicious produce your garden will yield! Or, if you’re getting ready for the farmer’s market season to start up again and would like a quick and easy way to preserve the delicious in-season produce you can get there, consider freezing!

    Freezing is a simple and fast way to preserve produce to easily reuse when needed, but you’ll want to make sure you’re doing it right!

    We put together this infographic to use as a guide for how to freeze produce quickly and easily at home. Enjoy!

     

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  • 10 Powerful Plants That Repel Mosquitoes

    10 Powerful Plants That Repel Mosquitoes

    While I’m thrilled for warm weather to finally return, I’m not as excited about the flying pests that come with it. As spring marches on and the land is replenished with rainfall, potential hotspots for mosquitoes are developing. In addition to checking your property for areas where water is allowed to pool (your mosquitoes will use these as their own personal birthing centers), you can take safe steps to prevent infestation with these naturally-repellent plants!

    • Citronella Grass/Lemongrass is the source of citronella oil that is used in many commercial insect repellent products like citronella candles and tiki torches. It can be grown just about anywhere in North America, but expect it to die off during the winter unless you live in USDA climate zones 10-12. Citronella grass grows best in full sun, requires lots of water and can grow 5-6 ft tall. 
    • African or French Marigolds have a very strong aroma that is pleasing to people but off-putting to bothersome bugs! They’re great for repelling garden pests, but you can also plant or pot them around your home or patio to keep mosquitoes at bay. The African marigold is the bigger of the two and can reach heights of 30 to 40 inches. Their gorgeous blooms feature different shades of yellow and orange. The French marigold only gets to be 6 to 24 inches tall but is much more colorful with the added shades of deep brown and crimson. All marigolds need full sun and do best in well-drained, moderately fertile soil. 
    • Basil, a member of the mint family, is a popular culinary herb in Italian cuisine. One small basil plant may not have the repellent power of an African Marigold, but planting several basil stalks for culinary use will have the added benefit of driving away mosquitoes. Basil’s many hardy varieties prefer full sun and can be grown in containers or in the ground. 
    • Lemon Thyme is quite promising in terms of its repellant potency. In a study done by the University of Guelph in Ontario, they found that the crushed leaves of lemon thyme had 62% of the repellency of DEET. Lemon thyme is very easy to grow, needing only partial or full sun, occasional pruning, and enough water to keep from dehydration in climate zones 5 and up. 
    • Catnip is a perennial herb and feline favorite. While it may attract your cats (or your neighbor’s!) researchers have found that it has the opposite effect on not one but two nasty little bugs: the mosquito and the cockroach. In fact, they found that one of catnip’s essential oil constituents, Nepetalactone, has roughly ten times more mosquito repellency than DEET. Catnip is a hardy herb, but it requires plenty of water, sun, and a bit of pruning to thrive.
    • Sage is yet another herb that offers its services as a multi-insect repellant. Mosquitoes, flies, cabbage moths, and black flea beetles all keep their distance from sage plants. This perennial likes full sun with well-drained soil does well in pots or gardens and grows to be about 18 inches tall. 
    • Pennyroyal is known mostly as an ancient culinary herb and herbal remedy, but it has a bit of a bad reputation because its essential oil is highly toxic. Consider whether you have pets or small children that may pick a leaf to nibble on while exploring outside. Pennyroyal really packs a punch when it comes to repelling insects–fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes, the terrors of outdoor living, all stay away from Pennyroyal. The plant grows to about 12 inches tall and is best grown in partial-to-full sun in zones 5-9. 
    • Rosemary is an aromatic evergreen sub-shrub that is used in culinary seasonings and herbal remedies. It is commonly known to repel fleas and mosquitoes. Rosemary grows best in hardiness zones 7 to 10 and prefers full sun and dry, rocky, well-drained soil. Rosemary starts off small, but can spread and grow to 6 feet tall or more over time! 
    • Geraniums (sometimes called citronella or mosquito plants) are often sold in garden centers as natural repellants. While lemongrass is the true source of citronella oil, geraniums still do a great job keeping mosquitoes, cabbage worms, and Japanese beetles out of your space. Geraniums thrive in climate zones 9 to 11 but can be grown in pots and moved inside in colder climates. Like pennyroyal, the geranium plant is poisonous, so exercise caution with pets and small children. 
    • Lavender is a beautiful plant with many uses in aromatherapy, herbal remedies and repelling spiders and unwanted insects such as ants and moths. As a herbal remedy, it can alleviate the pain and itching associated with all types of insect bites including mosquitoes. Lavender is typically used as an essential oil but can be used as fresh or dried cuttings. Lavender grows happily in climate zones 4 to 9 but can be kept indoors in extreme north or south locations.

    This year, be prepared! Don’t become a slave to sticky, toxic bug sprays and calamine lotion. Plant any (or all) of these natural repellants around your home, patio, and garden to enjoy your outdoor space freely all summer long.

    [Suggested Video] Discover almost all the edible and medicinal plants in North America <<< Watch Here >>>

  • Cold Canning vs Water Bath vs Pressure Canning

    Cold Canning vs Water Bath vs Pressure Canning

    When considering canning as an option to preserve produce from your garden, which method should you choose? You may find that each method (pickling, hot water bath, and pressure) yields different benefits suitable for different veggies or products.

    Cold canning is fast, easy, and great for short-term storage. We pickle cucumbers, squash, peppers, and many other veggies.

    Water Bath Canning gets up to boiling temperature which works great with high acid vegetables like tomatoes. However most vegetables do not have a high enough pH to can with this method without adding an acid source.

    Pressure Canning gets your jar’s internal temperature up to 240 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. This is hot enough to prevent botulism and kill other bacteria that could cause serious health risks.

    Check out this short video to see each method’s pros and cons compared!

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  • Dandelion Smoothie (Video)

    Dandelion Smoothie (Video)

    I’ve raved quite about about the health benefits of dandelion on this site in the past, and well, I’m certainly not alone!

    YouTubers Appalachia’s Homestead share their experimental healthy dandelion smoothie in this video. Adding some dandelion greens to other healthy and fresh ingredients in their Vitamix, they blend up a very tasty looking dandelion green smoothie.

    I think this is a great way to easily and quickly consume dandelion greens, not to mention add some free greens to your health smoothie! Check it out:

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  • 5 Steps to Growing Watermelon (Video)

    5 Steps to Growing Watermelon (Video)

    I know it’s only April, but I’m already thinking about summer! And what better way than to prep for summer now than to plant some watermelon?

    It’s finally getting warm enough to plant these heat-loving, delicious melons, and this great, five step video will help you figure out if you can manage it in your garden.

    Enjoy, and happy gardening!

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  • Skills Every Homesteader Should Master

    Skills Every Homesteader Should Master

    Homesteading is more than just what you do with your land or in your home, it’s a way of life. And with that culture comes a certain set of skills that every homesteader should learn to master.

    Modern humans have forgotten so many of the specialized skills our ancestors relied upon for daily life. But the entire spirit of homesteading is to regain this knowledge, this autonomy, by doing it ourselves.

    Here are some of the most important homesteading skills that everyone should master, whether you’re living on a 10-acre farm or a studio apartment-turned-urban homestead.

    Gardening/Regional Gardening

    Growing your own is ground zero for modern homesteading, and wherever you live, there’s bound to be at least something edible you can grow. Learn what grows best in your climate and what you can cultivate that will thrive. Learn how to shop local, as well!

    Composting

    Trash is nearly always treasure to any modern homesteader! If you aren’t composting, you’re most likely throwing away valuable biodegradable material that can lend itself to the healthy production of fresh fruits and veggies. Learning the finer points of building, feeding, turning, and using homemade organic compost is one of the most valuable skills you can gain.

    Canning

    Canning is one of those few traditional forms of food preservation that, despite the increased availability of comparable food products at the supermarket, many people still choose to do it on their own! Canning your own food is essential to the homesteader, so you can preserve and store your excess harvest through the winter and on to the next year. Basic canning knowledge and equipment are a must for any homesteader, and it’s also something that anyone can do, no matter where they live! Make the most of the fresh produce at the farmer’s market over the spring and summer, and can extra for the winter so you can eat local all year long.

    Basic canning knowledge and equipment are a must for any homesteader, and it’s also something that anyone can do, no matter where they live! Make the most of the fresh produce at the farmer’s market over the spring and summer, and can extra for the winter so you can eat local all year long.

    Baking

    Breadmaking is one of the most ancient artisan skills, and archaeologists regard its discovery as a major turning point in the development of human civilization.

    This is another great homesteading skill that anyone can do, no matter where they live, and it’s a great way to have more control over your food, and your health.

    Healthy, homemade breads, especially those that are naturally fermented, are free of the many harmful preservatives and additives found in your average supermarket loaf.

    Butchering Animals

    If you’re going to raise animals, you will probably want to learn how to slaughter and butcher them! Of course, there are probably local butchers you can take your animals too, but you’ll probably want to get familiar with the process, just in case.

    A simple way to learn is to simply buy a whole chicken and learn how to butcher it. This can save money, and is a vital skill.

    Herbology

    You don’t have to have a fancy degree or study with some kind of shaman to learn how to use herbs. There are a lot of basic bits of knowledge you can aquire with a bit of research, such as using lavender to help with sleep or peppermint to sooth an upset stomach. Herbs grow all around us, and have so many wonderful applications in natural health!

    A great way to learn is to grow a few basic herbs yourself, and find ways to use them. Peppermint, rosemary, and basil are great to start with, and all have many wonderful applications for health and wellness. You can learn to make tinctures, soothing balms, healing teas, infused oils, etc. There are so many ways to use herbs, and the more you learn to use them yourself, the more your interest will be piqued!

    How to Ride a Horse

    This will naturally not be as easy for everyone to learn how to do, but if you have the resources to do so, take advantage.

    Horses are some of mankind’s oldest companions, and for good reason! They are vastly useful to us and will outlast our modern transportation and farming vehicles. Learning to ride them, as well as care for them, can be vital in this day and age, not to mention, incredibly fun and rewarding!

    Wild Edible Identification

    This is something anyone can definitely learn how to do. Find a guide for wild edible plants in your area, and gain some experience in identifying and foraging for these.

    You never know when this information might be vital for you. You might also be able to find some wild herbs to use for natural remedies! Local plant life can be a goldmine, you just need to know where to look.

    Firearm Use and Maintenance 

    Back in the day, firearms were essential for survival for many of our country’s early settlers. For hunting, slaughtering animals, and defending the homestead, knowing how to both use, and take care of, a firearm, is crucial. Anywhere you live, a firearm can be a vital tool for defense and survival.

    How to Hunt and Fish

    This is something else you can learn no matter where you live! No matter how much you can raise on your own homestead, it’s always important to also know how to hunt and fish. For both supplementing your local food supply, as well as potentially surviving one day, these skills are vital.

     

    Take back some of the skills we’ve lost over time through modernization, and invest your energy into long-lasting knowledge and skills that will help you become a better homesteader and more self-sufficient human being.

     

  • 7 Simple Ways to Keep Your Homestead Safe

    7 Simple Ways to Keep Your Homestead Safe

    You love living on your homestead, and you cannot imagine living in anywhere but a rural area. One of the elements of having a homestead that deserves plenty of attention is keeping it safe. Whether it is wild animals that decide to get a little too close for comfort or people who are looking to steal from you or do you and your family harm, you need to have a method of keeping things secure.

    Since you might be far from local law enforcement and help, it is up to you to take measures to secure your property. You do not want to have to wait half an hour – or longer – for help to arrive. Here are some ways that you can improve your home’s security from threats.

    Use Fences, Gates, and Signs

    You should have fences around your property, as well as a gate at the start of your driveway. Keep the gate and the fences in good condition, and be sure that you are posting the appropriate signs warning people not to trespass. This will not keep out the most determined of intruders, but they can work to keep many people away.

    Do Not Leave Equipment Out

    You never want to make your home appear like a buffet for thieves. This means you need to put all the equipment that you have into the garage, shed, barn, or other secure areas. This includes the mowers, tractors, four-wheelers, snowmobiles, bikes, boats, and anything else you have that others might want for themselves.

    Related Article:  Stay Safe on the Homestead

    Make Sure You Have Good Locks

    Go through your house and make sure that you have good locks on all the windows and doors, including the basement, and those on the second floor. If they are shoddy or not working properly, replace them sooner rather than later. Make sure the locks on any other buildings on your property are in good condition, as well.

    Get to Know the Neighbors

    Make it a point to get out and talk with your neighbors. You will find that most people are friendly, and once you get to know them, they will keep an eye on your property and let you know of any suspicious activity, just as you would do for them. It is always a good idea to be neighborly, as you can help each other out in many ways, not just security.

    You Need Proper Lighting

    Good lighting on the outside of the property, including motion sensor lighting, can help to thwart people and animals that get too close. They do not want to be seen, and the lights can help to give you notice that someone or something is on your property. Of course, if you have livestock, cats, and other animals on the property, you will need to think carefully about where you put the motion lighting.

    Dogs

    Having a dog, or multiple dogs can be a great deterrent too. Dogs bark whenever there are intruders, whether they are human or animal, so you can be alerted to presences on your property. Even if you have the sweetest dogs on the planet, intruders would rather not have to deal with them.

    Weapons

    Weapons, whether firearms or bear spray, can be a great option. Most homesteaders are also hunters, so having a firearm and knowing how to use it should not be a problem.

    These quick tips are simple and can help you make your property as secure as possible.

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