Page 46 of 89
1 … 44 45 46 47 48 … 89
Homesteading – Page 46 – Homesteader Depot

Homesteader Depot

Category: Homesteading

  • Seed Saving Tips (Infographic)

    Seed Saving Tips (Infographic)

    Seed saving is one of the most important skills to have for self-reliance. If done properly, one packet of seeds could last for generations. One of the biggest reasons to seed save is that if you choose the seeds from a healthy, productive plant, is that you are choosing the plant with the genes that will thrive in your particular environment, and, over time, it will become perfect for your gardening zone. “Heirloom” seeds are seeds that have been collected and re-planted each year by farmers for generations, and ideally you could create your own!

    Not every seed will be easily saved in the same way, so this handy infographic gives some tips for common fruits and vegetables that have relatively easy-to-save seeds. When you plant a crop of any of these plants next year, remember to choose seeds from the healthiest, most prolific plant, that was undisturbed by pests or disease. This plant will have the strongest genes, and genes ideal for surviving and thriving in your climate. Have you ever tried to save your own seeds? Share below!

    If you liked this, you might also enjoy…

    What Are the Signs of the End Times?

    Learn Natural Healing Secrets From the Masters

    Preparing for the Bubble to Burst 

     

  • Things to Consider When Choosing Your Homesteading Property

    Things to Consider When Choosing Your Homesteading Property

    You are excited about the prospect of getting away from the city or the suburbs and onto your own homesteading property. You have been practicing various skills, such as planting and growing vegetables, sewing, and you have been learning as much as possible about keeping livestock, bees, and so many other things you are excited about for your homestead. You are almost there, but you still need to make sure you are getting the right land. Before you buy the first property you find, make sure you understand what you need and what you should be looking at.

    What Does It Offer?

    First, consider what types of property you want to buy and the size. Do you want a piece of property that is already built upon with a house, barn, and perhaps some outbuildings? You might instead want to have a piece of property that is still in its original state, and that you will need to clear and build on yourself. Find what works for you.

    How Remote Is It?

    Another factor to consider is the remoteness of the property and how you feel about it. Being deep in the middle of nowhere has a certain appeal to it, but it also means you could get lonely and help could be a long way off if you need it. You might want to find a piece of property that is a bit closer to civilization, but that is all up to you.

    Are There Restrictions?

    You also need to think about any potential restrictions when it comes to building on the land. While you will not have an HOA to deal with, you may still run into governmental issues depending on what you want to build. Make sure you know, understand, and agree to these rules before buying.

    Take your time, and you can find the property that is just right for you and your family.

    If you liked this, you might also enjoy…

    What Are the Signs of the End Times?

    Learn Natural Healing Secrets From the Masters

    Preparing for the Bubble to Burst 

     

  • DIY Root Tone  

    DIY Root Tone  

     

    Propagating plants through cuttings when possible rather than using seeds can save time and produce more predictable results.  However; commercially produced root tone can be expensive, and some products are also unhealthy.  To save money, and stay healthy, you can make your own root tone at home.  Here are two methods that are so simple, healthy, and cheap you will never buy commercial root tone again.

    The first method is to make a solution rich in IBA from willow cuttings.  IBA is a hormone found in high concentration in new growth on willow trees that promotes root growth.

    If you have a willow trees in your area, even if they are dormant because of the cold, simply remove a few of the green tender branches of new growth with a pair of snips.

    Process these branches down to the smallest pieces you can, preferably into a pulp using a food processor or blender if you have one that can handle the job, but cutting them into the smallest pieces you can manage with snips will also work to a lesser extent.

    Soak the pulp in water in a quart jar for 24 hours, shaking it every few hours to help mix it, but otherwise leaving the lid off.

    After it has soaked for a full day, strain off the pulp, close, and store in a dark place, preferably your refrigerator.  Get it out when you are making new starts and dip the cuttings into the solution like you would with other root tone.

    The second method is even simpler, but does cost a little money.

    Simply pour some honey into a small container and dip the cuttings into the honey.  Yeah, that’s it.  I don’t find that it promotes root growth as much as the IBA solution, but it does protect the cuttings and increase the rate of success versus not using a root tone.  It’s also incredibly simple.

     

    So don’t waste your money or expose yourself to chemical products that have disheartening warning labels on them, make your own root tone and expand your garden cheaply and safely.

    If you enjoyed this, you might also like….

    Home Defense in the End Times…

    Natural Healing Secrets You Need to Know…

    Eat Like Your Ancestors…

  • Keeping Busy in the Cold Winter

    Keeping Busy in the Cold Winter

    When the days get shorter and the temperatures get colder, you might find that you are getting a little bored in the homestead. You do not have as much sun, and if you aren’t careful, you and the rest of the family, could start to suffer from the effects of cabin fever. Fortunately, you can find plenty of great ways to stay busy through the winter and have fun. In fact, with some of these ideas, you might even be able to bring in some extra money later in the year.

    One of the things you might want to consider learning, if you do not already know how, is crocheting. Knitting might work for you as well. When you learn these skills, you can start to make blankets, hats, mittens, and more. It’s a good way to make sure you have plenty of warm items for the winter, and for Christmas gifts. You might also want to turn this hobby into a lucrative business. You can make beautiful blankets and clothing during the winter, and then sell those items the next year.

    Consider some other hobbies that you can enjoy during your downtime. You might want to learn to do more woodworking projects. You might want to learn to paint, write, or do any other number of hobbies that you have been putting off. They can be fun, and they could help you make some extra money.

    Find some fun games to play with the family, too. Make sure they are games that people play in person and not games on the phone or the television. Board games are a great option. You can have a family game night once or twice a week.

    If you enjoyed this, you might also like….

    Home Defense in the End Times…

    Natural Healing Secrets You Need to Know…

    Eat Like Your Ancestors…

     

  • How to Cultivate the Homesteader Mindset

    How to Cultivate the Homesteader Mindset

    Let’s be honest. People like the simple things in life. They enjoy when things are nice and easy, and if given a choice between an easy path that leads to an average life and a more rigorous path that leads to true joy, people will take the easy path.

    They live the fast food lifestyle. Everything is instant. People gorge themselves on Netflix and never bother getting out and having real adventures any longer. They have forgotten how to do many simple things. It’s a shame. You do not have to live that way though, and since you are interested in homesteading, you are already starting out on the more rigorous and more interesting path.

    Those who want a challenge, and who want to learn to become more self-sufficient, will want to learn more about homesteading. However, it does take a very different mindset to become a homesteader. Things are more difficult, and you need to work harder, and this is where most people fail in the first year of being a homesteader. They like the idea of it, but they lack the discipline.

    You need to take time even before you are a homesteader to start cultivating the mindset. You need to start learning how to do without certain things that you might want, such as fast food, easy access to the Internet, and instant entertainment. You need to learn the joy in watching the sunset and staring up at the stars at night, or sitting in front of a fireplace. You also need to learn the joy of working hard on your homestead. When you do this, you are changing out the elements in your life that provide that dopamine effect of happiness in your brain.

    Once you have successfully changed your mindset and realized that you do not need to have all of those useless luxuries, you will be much happier.

     

    If you liked this, you might also enjoy…

    Holistic Medicine Basics…

    Ever Considered Taking Yoga? Read this…

    The Ultimate Woodworking Course..

  • Reducing Your Electric Bill  

    Reducing Your Electric Bill  

    If you have an electric dryer you may be able to reduce your electric bill this time of year and still stay warm.  This video demonstrates and explains how get heat and a comfortable level of humidity in your home using a simple device that you can manufacture yourself at home.  The only material you need is a 5-gallon bucket with lid, dryer hose dock, and hose clamps.  The only tools you need are a box cutter and a drill.  The basic premise of the device, called a dyer lint box or lint bucket, is to use the hot air from your electric dyer to help heat your home and humidify the air by catching the lent in a bucket of water inside your home so that you do not waste all the heat by venting your dyer exhaust outside.  This simple trick can save you money and add comfort to your home this winter and in years to come.

     

    If you enjoyed this, you might also like….

    Home Defense in the End Times…

    Natural Healing Secrets You Need to Know…

    Eat Like Your Ancestors…

  • How to Homestead When You Live in An Apartment

    How to Homestead When You Live in An Apartment

    For many wannabe homesteaders, an apartment probably seems like the last place you’d be able to homestead. And of course, you won’t be able to grow (very much) food of your own, raise livestock, or live off the land. There are however, many things you can do to make your apartment a mini-homestead. While you’ll still be reliant on the outside world, the truth is, most homesteaders still are too, and no matter what your living arrangement, there’s always something you can do to be more self-reliant.

    Here are some tips for apartment homesteading that anyone can do:

    1. Grow as much as you can

    It might not be much, but any outdoor area or even sunny windowsill that you have is potential “garden” space. You can grow herbs, greens, even tomatoes in small pots. You can grow vertically as well, there are many ideas out there on Pinterest or products on the market for growing things from hanging pots or along a wall. You can also grow sprouts right on your counter, for fresh, insanely healthy greens year-round.

    2. DIY Everything

    Ok, so you probably can’t DIY literally everything, but learning to sew, craft, knit, mend, etc., can help you become mroe self-reliant and save money. The beautiful thing about living in the age of Pinterest, YouTube, and blogs (like this one!) is that you can learn to do and make all kinds of things yourself, learning basic skills and saving money along the way.

    3. Eat in season

    Find your local farmer’s market and eat what’s in season. This might mean some season you have less fresh produce than others, but there’s a great solution for that:

    4. Preserve food

    Canning, drying, and pickling are all forms of food preservation you can easily do right in an apartment. Buy marked down end-of-season produce and preserve it for the coming winter. It’s a great way to save money, have nutritious, homemade preserves year-round, and learn some of the skills that are the cornerstone of self-reliant homesteading.

    If you enjoyed this, you might also like….

    Home Defense in the End Times…

    Natural Healing Secrets You Need to Know…

    Eat Like Your Ancestors…

  • 5 Ways to Increase Your Garden’s Productivity  

    5 Ways to Increase Your Garden’s Productivity  

     

    If your garden just isn’t meeting your expectations or productivity don’t get discouraged, there are plenty of things that you can do that can increase your production of food this coming growing season.  Here is a list of 5 things you can do that will increase the amount of food you can produce in your garden.

     

    Interplanting

    Interplanting different crops together (not all crops grow well together so check individual crops for what will work and what will pose its own problems) will allow you to grow more food in the same space.  The “3 sister” method is a great example of this, starting corn, then adding pole beans to climb corn stalks, and lastly adding pumpkin or squash which will crawl over the ground.

    Organic Mulch

    Using organic material to mulch with, such as wood chips, comfrey leaves, or even cardboard, will not only keep soil moist and reduce the amount of weeds that compete with your crops but it will also help to build and amend soil as it breaks down.

    Cover

    Growing under the protection of cover will protect crops from the cold.  This will allow you to both start gardening earlier in the year, and to grow longer.  Lengthening the amount of time that you can produce food will result in a larger amount of food being produced even if all other factors remain the same.

    Soil Tests

    Testing your soil will help remove the guess work out of treating your plants health issues.  Sometimes even pest problems can be solved by addressing a nutrient deficiency in the soil.

    Perineal Crops

    Selecting crops that do not require being planted again will increase the amount of time that that patch of soil is producing food by completely eliminating the time that you wait for the plant to mature, go to seed so you can grow it again, and the time the soil must be left fallow between crops.

     

    Don’t let an under producing garden get you down, put these tips to use and your production level is sure to rise year after year.

    If you liked this, you might also enjoy…

    What Are the Signs of the End Times?

    Learn Natural Healing Secrets From the Masters

    Preparing for the Bubble to Burst