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Self Reliance – Page 23 – Homesteader Depot

Homesteader Depot

Category: Self Reliance

  • 3 Amazing Benefits to Growing Fruit Trees in Containers

    3 Amazing Benefits to Growing Fruit Trees in Containers

     

    I’m normally not a fan of growing food in containers, other than wooden raised beds which I guess are a form of containers.  But fruit trees are an exception and one that most people don’t ever consider, probably because they don’t think it’s possible.  But it is possible; lemons, oranges, and avocados are three examples of commonly purchased fruit that you can grow at home, and in containers.  Here are a few reasons why you might want to consider containers a strategy for growing fruit.

    Space

    Space is a factor for a lot of gardeners.  And trees are not light on the space they require.  Their roots need room, and the taller they get the more shade they will cast on the ground that you would otherwise like to be used to grow food.  But growing fruit trees that are specially-suited for live in containers (though these varieties can be put in the ground) will give you the ability to grow fruit trees in areas not available otherwise, areas like steps and patios.

     

    Mobility

    Keeping a tree in a pot, even a large pot means that it is mobile.  You might have to use a handcart, but you will be able to move it where you want it.  This means that you can move it from your front yard to backyard as seasons and light change, you can relocate it if it starts to shade other crops, and if you move you don’t have to say goodbye to something you have worked hard for.

    Poor Soil

    If your soil quality is not good enough to produce fruit in, you don’t have to wait while you build that quality up.  You can start your trees in containers with rich compost and later transplant them into the ground once you have improved the soil if you can.  If not, you can leave the trees in containers and not have to worry about the ground.

    So if you have poor soil, are considering moving, and don’t have enough space, you still don’t have any reason why not to be growing fruit trees.

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  • Best Animals to Raise for a Homesteader

    Best Animals to Raise for a Homesteader

    You want to become truly self-sufficient. Even though you might have a beautiful garden with all the vegetables you need, if you are still buying meat and dairy from the grocery store, you aren’t very self-sufficient at all. In this post, we’ll be looking at some of the best animals for a small homesteader to raise that can do more than just provide meat.

    Goats

    Having goats on the property is always a good idea, as even just a single goat can provide you with between two and four quarts of milk each day. The milk can be used to drink, naturally. However, you could also use it for a host of other things, such as making butter and cheese. You could even put it in the soap you make. Those who have large herds of goats may also use them for meat if they choose.

    Sheep

    Like goats, sheep don’t take up a lot of space, and they can provide you with some great benefits, namely wool. With the wool, you can then make clothing, blankets, and much more, which makes you even more self-sufficient. Sheep’s milk might not be something that you commonly think about, but you can use it to make some great cheese. As with goats, you can use the sheep for meat if needed. However, the other benefits they offer tend to make them more valuable in other areas.

    Poultry

    Of course, you certainly want to consider raising poultry, and chickens are probably top on your list. It’s true that chickens are a great option. You can raise them for eggs or meat, and again, they don’t require too much space. Even the chicken feathers are useful. You can clean them, and then you can use them to stuff pillows, for example.

    You certainly have some other choices with poultry as well, including ducks and geese, as well as turkeys.

    Hogs

    If you raise hogs, you will have a substantial amount of quality meat on your homestead. You can make bacon and sausage, and you will have plenty of pork chops and roasts. Hogs will eat many different things, including some of the table scraps that you have and that you might otherwise throw away. Just make sure there isn’t too much protein in their diet. Also, you can use hog manure in your garden.

    Learn About Your Animals

    Regardless of which type of animals you choose to raise as a homesteader, you need to do your due diligence. This means learning about the different animals and the various breeds that are available. You want to choose the best animals for your lifestyle, and you need to know how to care for them properly. With a little bit of research, you will have no problem when it comes to raising and keeping these animals. Of course, these are just some of the good options for homesteaders out there. You can find plenty of other good animals that might work better for you, such as rabbits, or even fish.

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  • Don’t Be Without These Homemade Cough Drops

    Don’t Be Without These Homemade Cough Drops

    I never tire of homemade cold remedies. I got a pretty bad cold this week and really wished I had made some of these delicious homemade cough drops. A nasty cold is particularly awful to have during cold winter months.

    I will definitely be making more of these to have on hand the next time a cold hits. It’s simple, easy, and way better than your average chemical-filled cough drops. Regular store-bought cough drops often have artificial colorings and flavorings in them. They might be able to soothe your cough but they sure won’t help prevent cancer!

    Try this simple and wholesome recipe instead. Let’s get started.

    Ingredients:

    4 TBS coconut oil

    1/2 cup honey

    1 tsp ground ginger

    3/4 cup sugar

    1/2 tsp mint extract

    Directions:

    1. Prepare a loaf pan lined with parchment paper, lightly greased with coconut oil
    2. Over low heat, melt all the ingredients together in a saucepan
    3. Stirring constantly, slowly bring the mixture to a boil, at about 250 degrees. (This is called the “hardball” stage in candy making, the point at which the mixture will harden once it has cooled
    4. Carefully pour the mixture into the parchment-lined loaf pan and let cool until you can safely handle it, about 10 minutes. You won’t want to wait much longer
    5. Cut the hardened mixture up into whatever size pieces you like
    6. Individually wrap each piece in wax paper, aluminum foil or lightly dust with cornstarch to prevent sticking
    7. Store in an airtight container at room temperature. These will keep for about a year.

    Hope this is helpful for you this cold season! Would also make great gifts for any illness-prone relatives. Enjoy!

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  • Growing Vegetables and Herbs Indoors

    Growing Vegetables and Herbs Indoors

    When the weather gets too cold for you to grow vegetables outdoors, you might want to be adventurous and try growing a few select vegetables and herbs indoors. If you live in an apartment, condominium or townhome without any outdoor space to grow a garden, you can grow some vegetables, herbs and even tropical fruit indoors if you create the proper growing environment.

    Sufficient light, either natural light from a door or windows or a grow light, is essential for an indoor vegetable garden to thrive naturally. There are some LED grow lights available on amazon.com that also make for a cost effective alternative (if you don’t have access to sutable light).

    Other than eight or more hours of light, the only thing you need to grow vegetables and herbs indoors is a good potting soil mix and containers with sufficient drainage. You’ll want to be selective when buying seeds or plants for your indoor garden. Carrots and radishes grow well indoors, but it is the round varieties that you want to plant in your indoor garden. Beans are another good choice for an indoor garden. Varieties such as dwarf French green beans and dwarf runner beans are good choices. Beans do well and look attractive when placed at the window of a sunroom. Cherry peppers and banana peppers can do well in a warm, sunny room. Pepper plants should be planted in a 3 to 5 gallon container. Garlic, green onions and ginger are easy and inexpensive plants to include in your indoor garden. Tomatoes can be grown indoors but they won’t produce as well as plants that are grown outdoors.

    If you have a sunny room, an enclosed heated porch or a sunroom that stays warm throughout the year, you might want to try growing something tropical. A dwarf lemon, orange or lime tree could thrive in this type of environment. Hanging baskets add beauty to your indoor decor. A basket filled with strawberries would be a conversation starter when people visit and a convenient source of fresh fruit.

    Herbs grow well on a sunny windowsill, on a kitchen counter or in any well-lit area. You can find containers designed specifically for creating an herb garden. A collection of individual containers placed around the house or grouped together as a decorative display would be an aromatic and attractive addition to your home. If you plan to plant several herbs in one container, you’ll want to group together herbs that require similar growing conditions. Rosemary, sage, thyme and oregano need a lot of sunlight and prefer relatively dry soil. Basil, cilantro and parsley are examples of herbs that can be grouped together because of their preference for moist soil. If you want to grow mint indoors, it is best to plant it in an elongated planter. Mints need space to spread out in order to thrive.

    Growing vegetables indoors is an interesting hobby to pursue. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different vegetables and herbs. You can start with plants that are almost foolproof such as lettuce, onions, garlic, ginger and basil and expand your indoor garden as your experience and confidence level increases.

    If you want to take your garden to the next level…

    Watch this video on self replishing food production.
    It is a great resource if you are ready to start growing more of your own food.
    Garden smarter, not harder.

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  • Benefits of Simple Raised Bed Gardens

    Benefits of Simple Raised Bed Gardens

     

    Raised bed gardens are an ideal concept for today’s lifestyle trends. Raised bed gardening transcends generations and is a viable option for various size budgets. You can enjoy this method of gardening whether you have an expansive outdoor area or a space-challenged lawn. If you’re the DIY type, you can easily find detailed instructions for building raised beds. However, if constructing beds yourself isn’t a project you have the tools or time for, a quick Internet search will reveal many raised bed garden kits and design ideas that do not require construction skills.

    Eco-friendly living and an awareness of where food comes from is something more people are paying attention to and worrying about. When you grow your vegetables, you know that they are pesticide free and a healthy option for your family. You will have fewer problems with pests such as rabbits or moles if you opt for tall raised bed gardens. It is much easier to protect your vegetables from pests in a raised bed than in a traditional type garden. Weeds are also less of a problem in an elevated garden. When they do sneak into your garden, they are easy to see and can simply be pulled out.

    The number of individual beds you have will depend on the amount of space you have available and the amount of vegetables you want to grow. Beds can be placed in a design that complements the style of home you have. Square and rectangular beds arranged in a geometric pattern or placed in neat rows would be an attractive design for a modern and contemporary home. Houses in a compact neighborhood typically have small yards. Growing a garden in a raised bed gives you the opportunity to grow an abundance of vegetables in a small space. Familiarize yourself with gardening techniques such as succession planting, companion planting and staggered planting to maximize the use of your garden space.

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    Typically, urban living does not require that you have an extensive collection of lawn and garden equipment. In fact, there’s usually no storage space for such items when you live in an urban setting. Traditional gardens require that you have items such as a tiller, shovel, and hoe on hand to prepare and maintain your garden. Raised beds do not have to be tilled, require little weeding and can be maintained with a minimal number of small, hand-size garden tools.

    Downsizing continues to be a lifestyle change that many people choose to enjoy. It’s typically empty-nesters and retirees that want less house and lawn-related obligations and more leisure time. Moving into a senior community where small lawns are one of the positive features of the neighborhood, makes raised bed gardening an enticing idea. More leisure time means more time for pursuing enjoyable hobbies. One of those hobbies could be gardening. Raised bed gardening can help seniors stay active. It’s also an ideal way for anyone with physical limitations or health issues that restrict their activity level to enjoy growing a garden.

     

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  • How to Freeze Raw Potatoes

    How to Freeze Raw Potatoes

    Keeping potatoes in a root cellar is a common way to store these essential root veggies through the winter, but plenty of people don’t have root cellars! Canning is another option, but that usually takes a pressure canner.

    If you find yourself with a lot of potatoes you’d like to store for a long time but don’t have a cellar or a pressure canner, freezing them is a great option-if you do it right. It can be kind of tricky, so here are some tips to ensure they remain fresh in the freezer.

    Use Fresh Potatoes

    Don’t use potatoes that have started to turn. If you want them to keep fresh in the freezer, use the freshest potatoes you can find that haven’t yet started to sprout or get black spots.

    Vinegar

    Before preparing them for freezing, cut them up and rinse them in cold water with a little vinegar. This will help preserve them.

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    Blanch

    Before freezing, blanch your potatoes in boiling water for 3-5 minutes, then cool and let dry completely.

    Banish oxygen

    Potatoes usually turn brown or black after exposure to oxygen, so if you can, vacuum-seal your potatoes before freezing. This will keep them in a completely oxygen-free environment and as fresh as possible in the freezer. But if you do not have a vacuum sealer, you can put them in a zip-lock bag with a paper towel and try to squeeze out as much as the air as possible.

    Thaw at room temperature

    For some reason, if you thaw in a bowl of water in the sink rather than in the refrigerator, frozen potatoes are less likely to turn black. For instance if you are planning on cooking with them in the evening, take them out of the freezer and put them in a bowl of room-temperature water in the sink to thaw throughout the day.

    To use your thawed potatoes, just throw in any dish as you would fresh potatoes. They work best in longer-cooking recipes like stews, soups and chowders. You can even use them for mashed potatoes! Enjoy!

     

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  • How to Find Deals on Gardening Supplies

    How to Find Deals on Gardening Supplies

    Whether you garden on a large-scale or simply have a patio garden, you’re probably always looking for good deals on gardening tools and supplies. The following suggestions will provide you with some of the best places to find those money-saving deals.

    Garage sales and estate sales

    As soon as the weather begins to get warm, people tend to get a case of spring fever and begin cleaning out their basement, garage, and storage building. They typically have a garage sale in hopes of making a little money on items they no longer want.  Garden tools and equipment often end up at these sales. You can usually get a good deal on whatever they have to sell. Don’t think that you have to pay the price that’s on the item. Most likely, whoever is having the sale will reduce the price of an item because they don’t want anything left at the end of the day.

    Estates sales are sometimes even better than garage sales for finding a good deal on gardening supplies. Many times, when someone passes away, the family is left with an overwhelming assortment of stuff to dispose of. Generally, whoever is having an estate sale will easily negotiate prices. This type of situation is advantageous to you.

    Craigslist

    Spending some time browsing Craigslist can be an excellent way to find garden-related items at a good price. Chances are, you are more likely to find the best bargains in the spring and early fall. However, you never know what amazing deals you’ll find on any given day, so it pays to check often.

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    Online shopping

    You can find deals on gardening supplies at various online sites.  These sites typically put items on sale at the end of the season. However, even during peak gardening season, you may be able to find a good deal using promo codes and gift cards that are offered online.

    End of season bargains

    Garden centers and any store that carries garden tools and supplies begin marking down prices before summer ends. The price reductions continue until early or mid-autumn. By implementing some frugal shopping skills and a little patience, you can replace your worn-out garden tools, gloves, knee pads or other gardening items without spending much money.  This is also a good time to get larger pieces of garden equipment, garden carts, wheelbarrows, and other items at a greatly reduced price.

    Holiday shopping

    Sometimes it pays to think out of the box when looking for deals on gardening items. Because gardening has become such a popular hobby, many stores offer gift sets during the holidays that include garden tools, gardening accessories, bulbs, seeds, and various other garden-related items. Not all those sets will sell during the holidays. That means you will have a chance to buy them at 50% or more off of the original price at post-holiday sales. That’s usually a deal that’s too good to pass up.

    It’s been said that gardeners are always looking ahead. When it comes to purchasing gardening supplies, forward thinking can result in money-saving deals.

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  • 10 Household Uses for Borax

    10 Household Uses for Borax

    Borax, or sodium borate, is a very cool old-school natural cleaning agent that has many uses around the home. It is most commonly used as a laundry booster or as a base for DIY laundry detergent, and it’s great for this. But there are actually many household uses for borax!

    A box of borax is easy to find, typically sold in four-pound boxes at your hardware store or Walmart (in the laundry section) and will last a long time. You can use it for all kinds of DIY cleaning agents, many of which will replace toxic, expensive cleaning products that also probably wouldn’t even be half as effective.

    Here are some creative ways you can use borax around the house!

    1. Laundry booster: just add 1/3 of a cup to every load

    2. Stain remover: make a paste with 2 parts water and 1 part borax (a spoonful will do) and scrub into a stain. Let sit for a few hours, then wash as normal

    3. In homemade deodorizing spray: mix 1/3 cup into a quart spray bottle of water and use as you would Febreze

    4. To deodorize mattresses: mix 1 part borax with 1 part baking soda and sprinkle into your fabric, wait a few hours, and vacuum up

    5. Cleaning grout and tile: make a paste with water and apply liberally, let sit, then scrub away and rinse off

    6. To clean floors: add 1-3 tablespoons to your mop water for extra clean floors

    7. To sanitize brushes and combs: soak in warm water with a handful of borax added, then rinse thoroughly

    8. To unclog toilets and drains: unclog the toilet or drain as much as you can, then dump borax into the clogged area. Let sit for 20 minutes, then pour drown with boiling water

    9. To sanitize sinks and counters: add a tablespoon to a spray bottle with water and vinegar and use as an all-purpose cleaner

    10. To kill cockroaches: nothing kills cockroaches like borax! Mix borax with sugar and sprinkle in the path of cockroaches. Clean up and refresh regularly and **make sure to keep out of reach of small children and pets. **

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