Since compost is the primary soil amendment (other than mulch since every garden should be mulched) in back yard gardens, it can be tempting to compost everything you can so that you can give the most back to your garden. While this is true for the most part, there are things that you should … Read more
One of the biggest reasons people want to homestead in this day and age is to be prepared for some kind of disaster. But what should you grow that would actually help you survive? Obviously, you will need food, and not just edibles, but calories. And rows and rows of herbs and kale are probably healthy, … Read more
I love things that have multiple purposes, and this root cellar storm shelter really takes the cake. A root cellar is definitely on the top of my list of features on a dream homestead, and for many locations in the US, having a root cellar that could double as a storm shelter is beyond ideal. … Read more
When you move into a new homestead and begin to settle down, you certainly have quite a few things on your mind and on your plate. You are making sure that the planting is done, the livestock is settling in and that the house is running efficiently. Even though you might love the idea of … Read more
Apples are one of the most popular fruits, pretty much everyone loves an apple. But they aren’t always easy to grow, at least not successfully. Here are a few tips to increase the quality and quantity of your apple yields. Young apple trees are much more susceptible to damage from disease and the … Read more
Most gardeners have some sort of a pest problem from time to time. It can be difficult to keep unwanted guests out of your garden. So most people don’t think about gardening as a way to keep would-be-burglars out of their home. With proper plant selection and placement, you can greatly increase the security … Read more
You probably know by now I’m a fan of all kinds of pre-industrial skills, and making mud bricks from mud and straw is one of the coolest skills for a homesteader to know. It might not be the most practical way to obtain bricks in our modern life, as they’re pretty labor-intensive, but it is a … Read more
When you live on a homestead, chances are good that you keep your place warm using a fireplace or a wood burning stove. They are important for your warmth in the winter, and you can even use them for cooking. However, they get dirty and need to be cleaned. Naturally, many people gravitate toward having … Read more