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Homesteading – Page 38 – Homesteader Depot

Homesteader Depot

Category: Homesteading

  • Money Saving Tips for Homesteaders

    Money Saving Tips for Homesteaders

    Homesteaders tend to like to save money, and they are always on the lookout for new and easy ways to keep a few extra dollars in their pocket. It isn’t because they are cheap; they are smart. They know that in many cases, they are throwing away good money on things that they could instead do themselves. Here are a few very simple tips that could help you to save some money as a homesteader.

    Take a moment to think about how much money you and your family spend on haircuts each year. Chances are, you spend several hundred dollars between everyone, even if you are going to a “cheap” place. You might want to invest in some tools to cut your own hair and your family’s hair and watch some videos on how to cut hair. You might make a few mistakes, but you will get the hang of it. You might want to practice on yourself though.

    Many homesteaders also grow and dry herbs that can be used for medicinal purposes. They can use these when they are making tinctures or they can put them into medicinal teas. Doing this can help them to deal with headaches and a range of other issues, helping them to save some money on the cost of over the counter medications. Of course, if it is a serious medical issue, it is best to get professional medical care.

    Another way to save money as a homesteader is to find free things to enjoy rather than spending money going out all the time. Going out on the town is fine on some occasions, but simply hiking, watching the stars and the like are free options that can be just as entertaining. You can find plenty of simple ways to save money as a homesteader.

    Learn how to slash the cost of your groceries.

  • Beer Keg Portable Hot Shower (Video)

    Beer Keg Portable Hot Shower (Video)

    When I lived completely off-grid, with no running water or electricity, one of the biggest challenges was a hot shower. Paloma hot water heaters were coveted in the community I lived in, but most off-grid tent-dwelling hippies like myself couldn’t afford them.

    We tried everything. Sun showers, leaving long black hoses out in the sun, boiling water and pouring it with just the right mix of cold water into a water container with a spigot. But a lot of these options had us often feeling like Goldilocks-nothing was every quite right.

    I saw this video on YouTube recently from the Homestead Prepper and I thought it was brilliant! I’m a big fan of anything that doesn’t require on-grid energy, i.e. electricity or propane (because propane has to be mined so it’s not always going to be a reliable source of energy for preppers).

    Check out this ingenious hot shower from the Homestead Prepper:

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  • Back to Eden Gardening Explained

    Back to Eden Gardening Explained

    Last week, we shared a video from YouTubers Deep South Homestead of their “Back to Nature” gardening method that they improvised themselves.

    They got this idea after they tried the Back to Eden gardening method with poor results. This method of gardening may have failed in their area for any number of reasons and their improvisation was clever.

    The Back to Eden gardening method is still worth a try in your area, and is a very clever and natural way of starting a garden. It’s a bit like lasagna gardening in that you are building your own soil, and start in the fall so the “ingredients” of your garden beds can break down over the winter.

    It was developed by a man named Paul Gautschi who has been using this method in his garden for over 20 years. It has grown popular after the release of a film on the method, aptly titled “Back to Eden“.  You can watch the film there for free, or, for a quicker explanation, keep reading.

    Garden Plot

    Start by choosing your space. Anywhere that has been plowed at some point or cleared out to use for gardening will do, virtually. You do need loose soil underneath, so make sure it is ready for planting in some capacity and not hard, packed soil.

    First layer

    Once you have your garden bed plotted out, it’s time for your first layer. Lay old newspaper down in an even layer all over the garden bed. If it’s at all windy where you are you’ll probably want to move on to the next step simultaneously, or have someone spray a light mist of water over the newspaper to keep it on the ground as you move on.

    Second layer

    Next, you will need lots of manure. If you have your own animals, great, if not, check with local farmers to see if they’ll let you come pick up some buckets of manure. Horse or cattle ranches will probably be particularly happy to share.

    Spread it out over your newspaper, in a nice, even, relatively thick layer.

    Third layer 

    Finally, top this with wood chips. Wood chips aren’t hard to get for free, if you look in the right places. Spread these all over your manure layer.

     

    Now, wait for a season. The components of your garden will break down over time, creating wonderfully nutritious soil to plant in. The wood chips will eliminate the need for excessive weeding.

     

    When you’re ready to plant, simply spread the woodchips back a bit and sow or transplant directly into the manure layer. The three layers of this garden will create the perfect environment for plants to grow and the nutrition they need to be healthy.

     

    That’s it! Have you ever tried this gardening method? Let us know!

     

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  • Homesteading Before Having a Homestead

    Homesteading Before Having a Homestead

    You might be wondering about the title. How is it possible to start becoming a homesteader before you have land and an actual homestead? It is easier than you might think and it is actually a good idea to do this before you buy a large plot of land. This simply means that you are starting to learn some of the skills you will need as a homesteader, if you do not already know them. It also means that you will be implementing some of these elements into your current lifestyle.

    You need to start thinking about the different ways that you can be more self-sufficient. This means learning to repair things around the house, including mending your clothing. You have to get out of the mindset of simply being able to buy everything that you need brand new.

    In addition, you should start to consider the possibility of growing some of your food. Whether you have a small yard, a patio, or even if you have to grow inside, you can start now. Maybe you are only able to produce a few tomatoes, some herbs, and a couple of zucchini. You are supplementing your food and saving money. Even more important, you are starting to learn more about gardening.

    By learning to homestead before you buy land, you will also get a better idea of whether this lifestyle is really for you. If you can’t be more self-sufficient while you still have modern luxuries around you, it will be difficult to do it for real. It is better to know this sooner rather than later. You might find that you love the freedom that homesteading offers; and it can spur you to save more for your land so you can start to expand as a homesteader.

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  • Awesome Compostables You Probably Already Have at Home

    Awesome Compostables You Probably Already Have at Home

    Composting is awesome. You can create your own amazing humus right in your backyard, and there’s  just nothing quite as nutritious for your soil as well-composed, beautiful homemade compost.

    Once you start composting, you might find you view your kitchen and home as a veritable goldmine! You might not be familiar with how many everyday items that you just toss in the trash or recycling bin every day can help you build a healthy, well-fed compost pile.

    We’ve put together a list of great compostables you probably already have in your kitchen, home, or on your property, that you can collect, save, or regularly add to a compost pile to add valuable nutrients.

    The items on this infographic are also things you might be able to get for free from businesses who discard them regularly on a large scale as well, so check with lawn care businesses, coffee shops, bakeries, and florists, if you’d like to build a big compost pile!

    Enjoy:

  • A Simple Guide to Raising Meat Rabbits

    A Simple Guide to Raising Meat Rabbits

    Most people think of rabbits as being adorable, quiet pets, but they’re actually great to raise for meat as well. They don’t require a lot of space, aren’t too expensive to feed, and well, breed like bunnies.

    If you’re interested in raising rabbits for meat, here are a few considerations:

    Laws

    First of all, check your local laws on slaughtering rabbits, and to see if you can legally raise them in your area for meat. There are some states and counties in which you could be reported for animal cruelty since they are considered pets, so just make sure before you start breeding them.

    Breeds

    Look into which breeds would be best for your purposes. There are wild and domestic breeds of rabbit, some better for meat than others. If you are buying rabbits from a dealer, you will most likely be purchasing domestic breeds; Rex and New Zealand rabbits are among the most popular.

    What to look for

    When purchasing rabbits to start raising them, make sure you are purchasing them from a reputable dealer who cares for their animals well.  Make sure you choose healthy-looking, well-fed animals who are clearly cared for. Healthy animals equal healthy meat.

    Feeding rabbits

    Rabbits are great because you can feed them a lot of scraps like vegetable and fruit leftovers. Carrots are of course a big treat for them, but they’ll enjoy leafy greens, strawberry tops, and celery ends, for example.

    You will also want to purchase feed for them, to ensure they are getting the prime nutrition they need. Since you are going to be eating them, bear in mind you will probably want to opt for organic, non-GMO feed for them. They will also need fresh water, as with any caged animal, and a simple rodent water dispenser from a pet store will usually be sufficient.

    Housing your rabbits

    Rabbits need open-air cages; if you can keep them outside that’s awesome, but they need to be sheltered from too much cold or dampness. When in enclosed areas, rabbits can be harmed from too much exposure to their own urine, so make sure they are getting fresh bedding regularly and that they have plenty of ventilation in their cages. Hay and straw are great options for bedding, because the rabbits will enjoy nibbling on them.

    Breeding and slaughtering 

    If you’re raising animals for meat, it is ideal to breed them, to multiply and sustain your food source. Of course, the expression and jokes about how quickly rabbits breed are true; they have large litters and breed often, so a word of caution there. Since both breeding and slaughtering require their own extensive instructions, we will follow up soon with posts for each, so stay tuned!

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  • The Easiest Way to Skim Raw Milk

    The Easiest Way to Skim Raw Milk

    A cold glass of fresh milk is a delicious, wholesome treat. If it’s non-homogenized, the higher-fat cream will naturally separate from the milk to be skimmed for butter, whipped cream, or to splash into a hot cup of coffee. The traditional skimming process, however, is a tedious repetition of scooping out the cream ladle after ladle (and sometimes spoonful after spoonful). If this setback has kept you from enjoying the bliss of fresh cream, here is an incredibly easy method to try using a siphon.


     Supplies:

    • A clothespin (the kind with the metal spring)
    • 1 Vinyl Tube, ¼” or more wide and at least 3 feet long (use afflink for this product)
    • A jar large enough to hold the skimmed milk

     

    Directions:

    • Put a jar of milk where the cream has risen to the top on a high surface, like a counter or table.
    • Use a chair or stepstool to hold the empty jar well below the level of the milk jar.
    • Insert one end of the tube down into the milk until it hits the bottom.
    • Create suction to start the milk flowing through the tube.
    • Place the dry end of the tube into the empty jar and allow the skimmed milk to flow.
    • Clip the tube to the rim of the milk jar so you don’t have to hold it. Now you can walk away and make lunch!

    For half a gallon of milk, the skimming process with this method should take about ten  minutes. When the milk is almost done draining, come back and keep an eye on it. You can see a thin line of cream start to get pulled down into the suction if you leave it in place. Just move the milk end of the tube around the bottom of the jar like a vacuum until all the skim milk is gone.

    To clean the tube, simply run hot water and antibacterial dish soap through it until it is clear of milk, and give it a good rinse.

    Now, with virtually no effort, you’ve skimmed yourself some delicious, healthy cream to use however you wish. Wasn’t that easy?

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  • DIY Home Energy Independence

    DIY Home Energy Independence

    One of the biggest draws towards homesteading is trying to achieve energy independence.

    It sure is rough out there today. Electricity costs are soaring and you probably know the feeling of dread that comes over you each time you open up an energy bill.

    Well, it actually is possible to be completely energy-independent, and never pay an electric bill again. I’m not even kidding. This incredible video explains how, and really blew my mind!

    If you’re sick of being beholden to big energy corporations that fleece you monthly, and tired of shivering through winter and sweating through summer just to try to lower your energy bill, only to find it barely makes a dent, you totally have to watch this too. 

    This man has figured out the secret to green, renewable, energy independence, and I highly recommend you hear him out.

    Click here to view the video “DIY Home Energy” now!