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Homesteading – Page 29 – Homesteader Depot

Homesteader Depot

Category: Homesteading

  • Why Should Homesteaders Hunt?

    Why Should Homesteaders Hunt?

    If you love the idea of homesteading, and you want to do the same types of things that your forefathers and foremothers did, you will want to add hunting to your list of activities for the homestead. Of course, it is about far more than tradition. You will find many benefits for the homesteader who hunts.

    When Times Are Lean

    One of the biggest benefits to those who hunt is that they have the capacity to put extra meat on the table. Even if you raise chickens and other livestock to use as meat, having extra in the freezer is always a good feeling. If you have a garden that is not performing as well as you had hoped, you will appreciate the extra food. Your bank account will appreciate it, as well. Consider just how much money you are spending on meat each year. Wouldn’t it be nice to cut down on those expenses?

    Game Management Is Essential

    Another one of the reasons that homesteaders should hunt is that it is good for the animal population in the area. While this might seem contrary to some, it makes sense. With the expansion of the human population and the encroachment on animal territory, it means their food supply is not what it used to be. By having controlled and legal hunts, it helps to reduce the population, which reduces the instances of starvation and disease among those animals that remain.

    Good Exercise

    If you have always wanted to get more exercise, few things are better than hunting. You will be out traipsing through the woods for much of the day, and that is going to burn off quite a few calories. Hunting, if you do not spend your entire day up in a tree stand, is a nice form of exercise that gets you out into the wild breathing fresh air. You will love the way you feel even if you do not bag a deer. Of course, it is even better when you do make a kill.

    You Can Pass the Skill on to Your Children

    Learning to track and follow animal signs helps people to get closer with nature. Teaching your children to hunt provides them with a skill, and lessons, that will last them a lifetime. They will learn where their food comes from and what it takes to get it, and that will make them more appreciative. In addition, it is good for kids to get outside and away from all those electronic screens for a while. In addition to hunting, you should also teach them to fish. Make sure they are not only a part of the process of hunting and fishing, but also teach them how to clean and prepare the animals and fish for cooking.

    Hunting is one of the skills every homesteader should have. It is not only necessary to make sure you have a full freezer of meat, but it can also be an enjoyable experience out in nature. If you don’t already hunt, make sure you consider these benefits.

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  • The Amazing Moringa Plant

    The Amazing Moringa Plant

    The moringa plant is an amazing superfood, often called “the miracle tree”. It is insanely nutritious, and contains a high amount of calcium, which can be otherwise hard to grow, but is an essential nutrient. Alone, the leaves of the moringa tree are like an all-purpose multivitamin, making it a great choice for survival-minded homesteaders or anyone wanting to get more vitamins in their diet naturally.

    The moringa has been used for centuries as an all-purpose source of food and medicine. Its small leaves are both edible and highly nutritious, and it’s seed pods are edible as well. It is most commonly consumed these days in powder form, but if you grow your own, you can eat the leaves straight and enjoy a more concentrated, more fresh source of these valuable nutrients.

    Here are some quick facts about the nutrient content of moringa, compared to other foods. It has:

    •Twice the protein of yogurt
    •7 times the vitamin C of oranges
    •3 times the potassium of bananas
    •4 times the vitamin A of carrots
    •4 times the calcium of milk

    Moringa also contains:

    • Vitamins B1, B2, and B3
    • Chromium
    • Copper
    • Fiber
    • Iron
    • Manganese
    • Magnesium
    • Phosphorous
    • Zinc

    It’s medicinal uses include:

    • antibiotic properties
    • digestive aid
    • combats colds and flus
    • eases inflammation
    • fights free radicals
    • can reduce symptoms of diabetes
    • increases brain function
    • supports liver health

    Moringa is not native to the US, and is typically grown in warm, tropical climes like the Phillippines and Hawaii. However, if you live somewhere that gets a hard winter, you can take your tree indoors during the colder months and it will survive just fine.

    It can be grown in pots, and you can order saplings online to plant in your backyard. Right now, spring, would be an ideal time to start one and let it thrive over the warmer, sunnier months before bringing indoors. Or, if you live somewhere like Florida or Hawaii, you can plant them right in your backyard!

    This amazing superfood is a great choice for any natural health focused homesteader, you will definitely want to consider growing it on your homestead today!

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  • Raising Quail (Video)

    Raising Quail (Video)

    I think one of the greatest things about the internet is that we can get an inside look into what other homesteaders are doing and how they set up their gardens and animal raising operations.

    This is a very informative look at Big Bear Homestead’s quail raising set up, with a detailed tour of the coop. I have always been very interested in raising quail, particularly because their eggs are supposed to be highly nutritious, and they’re just as productive as chickens.

    This video really motivated me to explore the idea of raising quail more, so if you’ve been wondering about it, you’ll appreciate this inside look into a successful quail coop.

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  • How to Grow Cucumber Vertically

    How to Grow Cucumber Vertically

    Cucumbers are a delicious treat to grow in the garden, and it’s really fun to branch out and try different varieties, from pickling cucumbers for your root cellar to small, juicy Gerkins you’ll rarely find at the supermarket.

    The trouble with cucumber plants is that they crawl…like crazy. The cucumber plant from simply one seed can spread out up to 20 square feet when grown in garden beds. If space is a challenge in your garden, this probably doesn’t sound too appealing.

    Fortunately, there’s a very simple solution: letting cucumber grow upward, instead of outward! It’s very easy to train cucumbers on a trellis or other raised structure, and can greatly maximize both space and even yield.

    Here are some tips:

    Choosing Your Space and Structure 

    You can even grow cucumbers in containers and train them upwards, which can sometimes make the use of a trellis easier, such as using one along a fence. If you don’t have a lot of experience with trellises, this is a great option to give cucumbers a shot before planting a huge crop in your garden.

    You’ll want a deep, wide container, at least 12″ in depth and width.

    If you are planting in the garden, choose a trellis that you can install securely in your garden bed, with plenty of space around the garden bed you’ve chosen to safely access the trellis without disturbing other plants. Your trellis should be 5-6 ft in height, and ideally should be an a-frame trellis. This will be both more secure and easier for the plant to “climb”.

    Planting and Training Your Cucumbers 

    Cucumbers are heavy feeders, like tomatoes, so make sure your container or garden bed has healthy, well-fertilized soil before planting. Sow directly into the ground according to the seed packet instructions, and thin out according to these instructions as well. Once the plants are beginning to “crawl”, which is typically about 10-12″ in length, gently train them onto the trellis. This means picking them up and placing them on the trellis. Cucumber plants will

    “Training” the cucumber means picking them up and placing them on the trellis. Cucumber plants will naturally attach themselves to it and crawl up it, it just might take a bit of coaxing at first, but it will be very happy to have a home. In this period, you’ll want to check it every day, and train each plant accordingly.

    Care

    Cucumbers will require frequent watering as they are very thirsty plants. However, take care to water just the soil underneath your trellis, as getting the leaves too wet can encourage fungal growth.

    You should have already planted in well-composed, nutrient-rich soil, but once the plant starts to flower, side dress the plant with aged manure.

    Harvesting

    Once your cucumber plants begin to produce fruit and ripen, begin harvesting as soon as you determine ripeness. You won’t want to leave the cukes on the stem too long as they can attract pests and can rot very quickly. As soon as you begin harvesting, make a daily trip to the cucumber plant to collect what you can.

    Happy gardening!

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  • Dirt Cheap Foods for Homesteaders

    Dirt Cheap Foods for Homesteaders

    Whether you’re an urban homesteader or full-blown, land-owning, farmer, you have probably come to a time in your life at some point in which you had to keep your budget tight. If you are saving up for land, land development, or simply trying to budget and spend in a smarter way, food is always one of the biggest expenses, and it can be hard to know how to cut back on food spending without going for less healthy, processed foods.

    Fortunately, there are many wonderfully healthy and nutritious foods out there that are not only good for you, they’re dirt cheap too! I thought I’d put a quick list together of some of my favorite frugal foods for homesteaders and beyond.

    Beans

    Dry beans are always cheap, and a great source of protein and fibers. They’re a great survival food, too, since they keep for long periods of time, but on a regular basis not only will they save you lots of money by adding frugal protein to your meals, they’re very healthy as well.

    Lentils

    Lentils, like beans, are highly nutritious and healthy, and also frugal too! Sometimes simple green lentils are cheaper than any other dried bean, so stock up! You can make all kinds of delicious Indian-style dishes or warm, hearty lentil soup.

    Oatmeal

    Simple bulk rolled oats are healthy, delicious, and totally cheap! You can use them to make cookies, snack bars, or just whip up a quick and easy bowl of oatmeal for breakfast. They’re low-calorie, high in fiber and iron, and naturally gluten-free (although if you do have a gluten intolerance, make sure the oatmeal you buy indicates it’s gluten-free on the box because it is often produced in the same factory as wheat otherwise and might have traces of gluten).

    Rice

    You can’t really go wrong with rice, and together with dried beans, you’ve got a complete meal that’s easy to store for survival purposes. But by itself, it is a healthy, cheap way to enhance stir-fries, make pudding, risotto, and more.

     

    Canned tomatoes

    Canned tomatoes or tomato sauce are a really great and cheap staple to have on hand. Rather than buy expensive pasta sauce that has sugar and preservatives in it, if you keep canned tomatoes on hand you can always whip up your own, making delicious, healthy pasta and pizzas at home a breeze.

    Carrots and Celery

    These are great staple vegetables to have in your fridge. They’re not only cheap, they’re low-calorie and kid-friendly too. Prepare a large batch of veggie sticks at the beginning of the week and you’ll have a healthy snack to munch on all week that will keep you away from the potato chips!

    Apples

    Apples are another great option to keep in your fridge for healthy snacks all week long, and they’re cheap too! You know the expression, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”? Well, there’s a good reason for it! Apples are high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and also loved by kids as well.

    Cabbage 

    Finishing off our selection of great, healthy, and affordable produce, cabbage is another great one to have on hand. You can use it in all kinds of dishes, and it will keep for a very long time in your crisper, unlike that ill-fated and expensive spring mix that will turn in a few days. Whip up some coleslaw, sauteed with sausage, make some classic cabbage wraps, the sky’s the limit.

    Potatoes 

    Potatoes are a great staple for your kitchen, and they’re always incredibly cheap. Potatoes get a bad rap, but they’re really quite healthy. Their skins are packed with vitamin C and antioxidants, and they’re a great alternative to grain for a healthier diet. Plus, there are so many possibilities for how to prepare them, they make for a really great frugal base for tons of delicious and hearty meals.

    Ground beef

    Probably one of the cheapest and healthiest meats, ground beef is not only frugal on its own, it can often be found at rock-bottom prices so you can stock up your freezer for next to nothing. Put in your pasta sauce, stir-frys, hamburgers, and more, it’s rich in iron and typically quite lean, so it’s a great source of protein that can’t be beaten.

    Ground turkey

    Also often frugal and found on sale, ground turkey is ideal to add some very low-priced protein to your diet. Kids often love turkey burgers too for their milder taste, and they’re easy to season accordingly.

    Popcorn

    Popcorn is cheap, lasts forever, and is much healthier than potato chips or other processed snack foods. Keep the kernels in your pantry for a quick, easy, warm bowl of buttery popcorn anytime. Kids love it, and will love to help you make it right on the stove!

    Seasonings

    Seasonings of all kinds, from garlic to dried herbs, to vinegar, and even mustard and other sauces, can all be found affordably and are essential for the frugal pantry. You’d be amazed at how much you can dress up your frugal food with a few dashes of delicious herbs. Always make sure to invest in flavor!

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  • Simple Yet Healthy Homemade Ketchup

    Simple Yet Healthy Homemade Ketchup

    Ketchup is an American staple, but did you know you can make it very easily at home? Unfortunately, a lot of store-bought ketchup is made with loads of sugar and sometimes even artificial coloring and flavoring.

    If you’re craving some delicious ketchup but want a healthy, whole-food version that doesn’t sacrifice health for taste, I’ve got the perfect recipe! This recipe uses all natural, easy-to-find ingredients, and instead of lots of cane sugar like regular ketchup typically has, it requires just a bit of honey and coconut sugar, which are much healthier and both have a very low GI index compared to other sweeteners.

    At the end, I’ve got a suggestion for an easy fermented version, if you’d like to make this ketchup even healthier by adding some natural probiotics.

    Give it a try today and you’re sure to be making it regularly.

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    Ingredients
    • 2 6-ounce cans of tomato paste
    • 12 ounces filtered water
    • 6 tbs apple cider or white vinegar
    • 6 tbs honey
    • 1 tbs coconut sugar
    • 2 tsp salt
    • ¼ tsp garlic powder
    • ¼ tsp onion powder
    Directions
    1. Empty the tomato paste out into a medium saucepan.
    2. Adding a few tbs of water at a time, blending completely with the tomato paste before adding any more water. This will make it easier
    3. Add the rest of the ingredients once all the water is blended completely with the tomato paste, and stir until smooth.
    4. Put the saucepan over medium heat, and bring to a simmer.
    5. Reduce heat, keeping it a simmer, and cook for 10-20 minutes, stirring frequently. Watch for splattering, it’s virtually unavoidable, but try to keep the simmer as low as you can to avoid a big mess.
    6. Remove from heat, and let cool to room temperature.
    7. Once cool, pour into a jar or bottle, cover, and keep in the refrigerator.
    8. For a very easy fermented version, before refrigerating, stir in a few tablespoons of whey. Then, cover and let culture at room temperature for 12-24 hours before refrigerating.

    That’s it! Enjoy your delicious homemade ketchup on french fries and burgers or any other way in which you use ketchup.

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  • Spring Equinoxes Explained (Video)

    Spring Equinoxes Explained (Video)

    Today is the first day of spring! Hopefully, you’ve got lots of warm weather and sunlight in your area so you can get your spring garden started.

    Spring equinox is a great day to start planting, because there’s only going to be more daylight from this day forward.

    But what is an equinox, exactly? I thought it would be cool to learn a little bit about what makes an equinox and equinox, and where it lies in the seasonal rhythms of our planet.

    Understanding both the cycles of light and seasons on earth as well as the way planetary changes can influence us is always great for homesteaders to be aware of! After all, our seasons and growing patterns have been dictated by the skies for centuries.

    Check out this nice little video from National Geographic on Spring Equinoxes to learn what is happening to our planet today!

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  • How to Use Activated Charcoal

    How to Use Activated Charcoal

    I’ve mentioned activated charcoal a few times on this site as a great natural first aid product to have on hand, which it definitely is.

    It’s probably on my top 5 list of things to have in a natural medicine cabinet, because it can be used in a number of different ways, and is great for homesteaders.

    Activated charcoal has been used for centuries due to its ability to absorb toxins and impurities. In many emergency rooms, poison victims may be treated using a large dose of activated charcoal, which can absorb the toxin to be passed naturally through the bowels.

    For this reason, it is an excellent first aid item to have on hand at all times. If someone in your home ingests toxins or potentially spoiled food, activated charcoal can be taken internally to reduce the absorption of the poisons. You will always want to check with poison control or a medical practitioner in the case of anything seriously life-threatening, but if you have a simple case of food poisoning from some bad Chinese food, activated charcoal will definitely reduce your symptoms greatly.

    It is also a great beauty product; you can use activated charcoal to naturally whiten teeth on a regular basis. Simply sprinkle some on your toothbrush, brush all over your teeth, let sit for 10 minutes, and rinse. This is an incredibly effective and simple method of teeth whitening that’s far, far safer, not to mention cheaper, than your average drug store solution.

    Activated charcoal can also be used in face masks to naturally remove impurities and blemishes from the skin.

    Mixed with baking soda, activated charcoal can draw out poison from bug bites, so it’s great to have on the homestead for the occasional wasp sting or spider bite. You can also use it as the base for an old-fashioned drawing salve.

    Activated charcoal can be easily purchased at most drug stores or health food stores, or ordered online. It’s quite affordable, and always prudent to keep a bottle in your cabinet. You’ll be glad you did!

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