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  • Essential Oils for Natural Health (Infographic)

    Essential Oils for Natural Health (Infographic)

    I recently shared some recommendations for the best essential oils to start your collection. I found this infographic on Pinterest the other day though and I thought it was an excellent cheat sheet for natural remedies for common maladies and health issues.

    Some of these remedies use the foundational essential oils I had on this list, while others call for more obscure essential oils. This should give you an idea of just how many uses for essential oils there are, and maybe some of the less common essential oils you might want to consider investing in. If you have a recurring health issue that can be helped by cypress oil, for example, it might be well worth your money to invest in a bottle. As I mentioned in my previous article, essential oils are so concentrated, that you usually only need 1-3 drops per use. So even if you use an oil regularly, it will still last you a long time.

    I hope you enjoy this infographic and find some good ideas for ways to use essential oils for your health.

    Essential Oil Remedies Infographic

    Image via: Essential Oil Remedies Infographic

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  • How to Catch and Use Rainwater

    How to Catch and Use Rainwater

    To make sure that you always have the water you need for your garden and for other uses around the home, you will want to learn how to capture and make use of rainwater. Fortunately, the process is very simple. If you want to catch rainwater, the easiest way to do this is to utilize rain barrels. You can find these barrels online, and most of the 50-gallon options are under $100. In a pinch, you could use just about any barrel or container, if you are sure it will not leak, for the collection of water.

    You can set up the barrel so that it catches the rain that comes from your gutters and downspouts. You can also use tarps and create a guide that will funnel the water into the barrel. Even though rainwater tends to be relatively clean, you will still need to filter the water and make it potable if you hope to drink it.

    You can store the water and then use it for the garden during those times when it does not rain as much. This way, you are not wasting water that you need elsewhere. In addition, you can drink the water if needed. You will want to make it safe to drink, though. One of the easiest ways to do this is to boil the water, as it can kill the germs and bacteria it might contain.

    Other ways that you can use the water you store include cleaning and washing, providing water for livestock, and more. Just make sure you do not leave standing water uncovered and accessible. It has the potential to become a breeding ground for mosquitos, which can carry disease.

    If you do not already have containers to catch water when it rains, get them now. Even if you are living in the suburbs, you will find that saving some water that you can use for your plants and garden will help to cut your water bills.

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  • What Should You Do With Your Grass Clippings?

    What Should You Do With Your Grass Clippings?

    Very few people like the job of cutting the grass, but whether you are in the suburbs or on a homestead, it is a fact of life. You need to make sure things are manageable and that they look good. Once the mowing is done, you are left with all those grass clippings, and you might be wondering just what to do with them.

    The “go to” option for some people is to put them into a bin or into bags and have them recycled or thrown away. In some areas, you are no longer allowed to throw the clippings into the regular trash, and green recycling might not be available in your area. So, what should you do with those clippings? As a homesteader, you have some good options.

    However, it is important to keep in mind that if you are going to use your clippings, the grass should not have recently been treated with any type of pesticides or herbicides often used to kill weeds.

    Use in the Compost Pile and for Mulch

    If you are homesteader, you should be composting. When you add grass to the compost pile, it will add some of the elements needed including potassium, phosphorous, and nitrogen. You can add the grass whether it is still green, or if it is brown. For proper composting, it is suggested that there are is one part green to every two parts brown.

    You can also dry out the grass clippings and use a thin layer of it as mulch. You can spread it around the plants and as it starts to decompose, you can mix it right into the soil, which will provide added nutrients. One of the other benefits of mulch is that it means you will not have to water your plants as much, as this helps to seal in some of the moisture. In fact, you can even use the clippings to mulch the lawn. If you have a collection bag attached to the mower, remove it and leave the clippings where they are when they come out of the mower.

    Feed the Farm Animals

    The grass clippings can also act as some additional food for many of the animals you have at the homestead. Cows and sheep will find it useful, and if you raise rabbits, they can eat it, as well. If you are doing to do this, you need to make sure that the mower used to cut the grass was electric or manual, as you do not want the chemicals from the exhaust to get onto the items your animals are eating. It could cause them to be ill. The clippings should be dry when they are fed to the animals, as well.

    As you can see, there are quite a few things you can do with your grass clippings rather than just trashing them. Start making use of them the next time you go out and cut your lawn.

     

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  • How to Make Your Own Seed Tape

    How to Make Your Own Seed Tape

    Continuing in the theme of spring from our last few posts, let’s talk about seed tape today, and how easy it is to make your own!

    Seed tape is a great way to easily plant your first spring crops, because you can guarantee proper placement and spreading of the seeds, as well as greatly reduce your time spent planting.

    Not to mention, the tape itself helps germination, by keeping the seeds protected and moist.

    Here is a very simple tutorial for how to make your own seed tape, that will certainly save you time and money. It only takes a few basic supplies, that are usually easy to find at any grocery store. Let’s get started so you can get planting!

    What you need: 

    • White party streamers
    • Measuring tape
    • Thin-tipped marker
    • Seeds you plan on planting
    • 1 tbs cornstarch
    • 1 cup water
    • 1 small paintbrush

    Directions

    1. In a small saucepan, combine the cornstarch with one cup of water, and mix well.
    2. Cook mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it becomes thick and gel-like.
    3. Once it has a gel-like consistency, remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
    4. As your cornstarch “glue” is cooling, cut your streamers into the length you’d like your rows to be.
    5. Using your marker and ruler, and referring to the seed packets, mark the points on the streamer you’d like to put your seeds. So, for example, if you are planting kale seeds that need to be 2″ apart from each other, make a hash mark on every 2″ on your streamer.
    6. One the glue is cooled, using your paintbrush, dab some on the streamer at each hashmark, and stick the seed to this, completing with another dab of glue if needed. Repeat until you’ve completed the whole length of the streamer.
    7. When you’re finished, paint a thin strip of glue along one side of the streamer, so you can roll it in on itself, making a long tube to plant.
    8. Once the glue has dried completely, it’s ready to be rolled up and stored or planted.

    That’s it! Happy planting 🙂

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  • The Good and Bad of Snakes on the Homestead

    The Good and Bad of Snakes on the Homestead

    How do you feel about snakes? Many people have a fear of snakes, and for some people, it goes beyond just a healthy respect for the creatures and turns into full-blown hysterical fear. So, what should you do if you happen to see snakes on the farm or around your homestead? Are they good or are they bad? As you will find with most things in life, there are good and bad elements to them, but in most cases, they tend to provide some benefits to the homesteader.

    The Pros and Cons

    If you see a nonvenomous snake on your property, it doesn’t mean you need to pick up and move! Many types of snakes tend to eat rodents, and some will also eat other snakes. Certain species may also eat birds and eggs, which means you will want to make sure your chickens are fully protected. Since most of the snakes have a diet of rodents, they can help to keep your stores and your crops safe from those pesky little critters.

    If you do not know much about snakes, it is a good idea to look up the species commonly found in your area, and learn to identify them. When you see a snake, and are not sure of the species, do not approach it. Take a picture and ask someone what type it is. You will find that the nonvenomous snakes tend to be more of a boon than a problem, and you might just want to let them be.

    Of course, if you have venomous snakes, such as water moccasins and rattlesnakes, that are on your property, you need to take steps to have them removed. You do not want them to injure or kill your livestock, or you! The other snakes though, the non-venomous variety, can be a bonus. So long as they aren’t inside your home, you should not have any problems. Give them their space, and they will give you yours. Always be careful.

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  • Composting Chicken House (Video)

    Composting Chicken House (Video)

    When it comes to homesteading, I think the more (proverbial) birds you can kill with one stone, the better. After all, that’s a huge part of what homesteading is all about: creating your own little self-sufficient system.

    This plan for a composting chicken house is awesome. It’s well-known that chickens can be easily put to work both by contributing to a compost pile or soil amendment with their nitrogen-rich droppings, or by being let loose on a compost pile to unwittingly turn it for you as they scrape and hunt all the delicious little bugs.

    But these folks in Guatemala have created a chicken coop that closes that system a bit, by putting the compost system right in the chicken coop. The idea is that the chicken coop is it’s own little ecosystem, which I love. Ignore the inexplicably goofy hairstyle of the narrator; he’s clearly so distracted by his passion for composting chickens he didn’t have time to look in the mirror before they recorded the video.

    Check it out!

     

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  • 6 Crops You Can Plant Outside in Early Spring

    6 Crops You Can Plant Outside in Early Spring

    I keep saying “spring is right around the corner” so forgive me, I’m just excited to get gardening again! As I prepare my own spring garden by starting seeds indoors, I have also been planning to start a few crops outdoors.

    I really prefer direct sowing for many reasons, while starting seeds indoors will give you that leg up to start your spring garden, and is great in many ways, direct sowing is easier, of course, and a lot of plants prefer not to be transplanted. I think it’s a really good idea to try both this year, especially if you’re a relatively new gardener, to get a feel for what’s easiest for you and which plants tolerate transplanting in your climate, and which do not.

    If you’d like to try some direct sowing this year and are eager to get started, as I certainly am, here are some crops you can start indoors while it’s still cold out.

    Radishes

    Radishes are a great crop to grow for so many reasons, and among those reasons is that you can start them early in the spring! They are cold tolerant and grow quickly, so you’ll be harvesting fresh, delicious radishes before you know it.

    You can direct sow radishes according to the seed packet instructions between 4 and 6 weeks before the last frost in your region. Make sure to choose an area with full sun, and to thin them a week or so after they’ve sprouted.

    You can also sow continuously, meaning, two weeks after your first planting, you can direct sow more seeds  in your radish patch, and every two weeks for the next six weeks, to have a longer, continuous harvest.

    Lettuce 

    Lettuce is another cold tolerant plant that you’ll probably be happy to harvest as soon as you can. What better reason to garden then to have fresh salads throughout the spring and summer, right?

    Since the delicate leaves of lettuce are still vulnerable to frost, you will probably want to plant these under cold frames if you anticipate more frost or snow in your area. If temperatures in your cold frame are between 45 and 65 degrees, you can direct sow lettuce in well-tilled soil.

    If temperatures in your cold frame are between 45 and 65 degrees, you can direct sow lettuce in well-tilled soil (this is important). Plant either rows or broadcast your seeds in a patch, cover lightly with a very thin layer of soil, and then thin out according to the seed packet once the seedlings are over 3″ tall.

     

    You can sow lettuce continuously as well, if you’d like a steady harvest through the spring and summer.

    Carrots

    Carrots are not ideal for transplanting, so you’ll definitely want to direct sow them. Fortunately, they can tolerate some cold, so they’re a great choice for an early spring garden.

    Like lettuce, these also need very well-tilled soil, as the roots will need plenty of room to expand for nice, big carrots. Make sure to remove any rocks, too.

    Direct sow according to the packet instruction, leaving the recommended space around them (again, carrots need plenty of room!) around 4 weeks before the last frost in your region.

    Thin your carrot seedlings back when they’re about 1″ tall, and fertilize with well-composted compost about 5 weeks after they sprout.

     

    Beets 

    I don’t know about you but I’m starting to get hungry thinking about all these delicious vegetables (did I mention I’m eager to start my garden?). Beets are both delicious and can be planted early in the year.

    While beets need a soil temperature of at least 50 degrees to germinate, in a cold frame, they can surive both frost and temps as low as 32 degrees, so they’re ideal to put in that cold frame along with your lettuce if you have thawed-out soil.

    Plant them according to the packet instructions, and thin when they’re at least 4″ tall. However, when you thin back, just clip off the tops of the seedlings you’d like to remove, otherwise, you risk disturbing those you plan to let grow.

    Make sure they get plenty of water as they’re growing, beets are very thirsty plants. Keep them mulched as well; this will not only retain moisture, it will keep the soil warm in the cold months.

    You can continiously plant your beets as well, every two weeks until temperatures regularly exceed 70 degrees.

    Cabbage

    Cabbage is not only cold tolerant, it actually prefers it! This is an excellent option for an early garden, because not only will it grow, but you might miss your chance to grow cabbage if you wait too long!

    You can plant cabbage as soon as the soil is warm enough to use, or 4 weeks before the last frost.

    Kale

    Kale is another plant that, like cabbage, actually prefers the cold. It is commonly said that kale actually tastes better if it’s been through a frost! I’m not sure why this is, but many gardeners agree.

    Plant kale according to the packet instructions as soon as your soil is warm enough, and mist regularly. These take a bit longer to germinate, so just make sure to keep your soil consistently moist in this time. Once the seedlings are about 4″ tall, thin back using trimmers.

    One great thing about kale is that if you start harvesting the outer leaves, the plant will keep growing, and actually be far less bitter. It’s amazing how long a well-tended kale plant will last, so this is yet another reason why kale is an excellent option for an early spring garden.

     

    Well, I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to get out there and get my hands dirty. Plant some of these crops today and you’ll be enjoying a bounty in a few months! Happy gardening.

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  • The Best Essential Oils to Start a Collection

    The Best Essential Oils to Start a Collection

    There’s a lot of hype about essential oils out there, and it really is for good reason. Essential oils are a wonderful addition to any natural medicine cabinet.

    But it can be overwhelming trying to get yourself set up with some essential oils, and you can easily get sucked into some of the network marketing companies that sell essential oils for a very high price. or a bundle of several oils at once. You can easily spend up to a few hundred dollars on small bottles of oil that you won’t even use!

    There are literally dozens of types of essential oils out there to get, so how do you know which ones you will actually use? You might have one oil recommended to you for a certain remedy, but if you invest in a bottle, will you use it again?

    Here are some of the most common essential oils, that have the most versatile uses, and are also the easiest to find. There’s a lot of obscure oils out there that have a great place in natural medicine, of course, and can offer great help to certain remedies. But these oils are the best, all-purpose oils, that you will most likely find yourself reaching to time and time again, who have a long list of uses.

    When you are purchasing essential oils for the first time, make sure to pick something you’ll actually use. Good quality essential oils will work wonderfully well, and a little bit goes a long way, so one small bottle actually might last you years. Consider one of these for your starter oil, and you definitely won’t run out of ways to use it.

    A quick note on the term “carrier oil” which I use in this guide. A carrier oil is a non-essential oil that you use to apply essential oils topically. Since essential oils are highly concentrated, you usually only need 1-3 drops for topical use, and if you don’t have the resources to make your own balm, adding the oil to a carrier oil can help to quickly apply an essential oil directly to you skin. Some great carrier oils are olive, almond, or coconut oil, but you can use whatever you have on hand in a pinch.

    Some great carrier oils are olive, almond, or coconut oil, but you can use whatever you have on hand in a pinch. Simply pour some of the carrier oil into your hand, and add 1-3 drops of the essential. Mix it around with your finger, and apply.

    If you are considering starting your essential oil collection, I highly recommend investing in a good carrier oil as well. My personal favorite is almond oil, since it’s great for your skin and generally affordable.

    Now, on to our essential oils!

    Lavender

    I wrote a whole post about lavender alone, so you can refer to that for more detail. But lavender always tops my list for useful essential oils. It smells amazing, has been used for centuries, and has a list of uses as long as your arm. You really can’t go wrong with lavender oil as a staple in your medicine chest.

    Tea tree

    Tea tree oil is another great starter essential oil. It is naturally antibacterial and antifungal, so it’s great for everything from DIY all-purpose cleaner to treating athlete’s foot or dandruff. As a cleaning product, it works amazing well to sanitize and deodorize every room in your house, and it smells really clean and lovely too. Way better than Pine-Sol, and healthier too!

    Peppermint 

    Peppermint is another favorite of mine for many reasons. It is great for diffusing, especially if you’re battling a cold, and can be added to a carrier oil for a natural alternative to Vick’s vapor rub, or to sooth sore muscles and other aches and pains. You can dab a little on a sore tooth or add a few drops to some water for a very effective homemade mouthwash. It is also a great addition to homemade toothpaste if you miss the minty-freshness of conventional toothpaste. It is also great as a natural spider repellent around the house.

    Cinnamon

    Cinnamon is another great essential oil for dental issues, it can numb an aching tooth or flavor mouthwash and toothpaste. If you’re a fan of air fresheners or scented candles, cinnamon is a much safer and chemical-free alternative to these toxic, synthetic scents. It is another great oil to diffuse when you are suffering from a cold, it will deodorize the air and also help break up phlegm or congestion.

    There is also one amazing,  near-miraculous use for cinnamon oil: ant repellant. Nothing banishes ants from your kitchen like a few regular sprays of water with a bit of cinnamon essential oil in it. You’ll be amazed; the ants will never come back. It is on this list for that reason alone, although it’s still a very effective oil in other ways as well! Read more about this in my latest post on banishing ants for good.

    Eucalyptus 

    Eucalyptus, like tea tree oil, is a great antifungal and antibacterial oil that has a lot of medicinal uses. It’s ideal for diffusing when sick, or adding to your chest in a carrier oil if you have a cough, congestion, or to ease asthmatic symptoms. Many people love the fresh, earthy scent of eucalyptus, so it’s not only medicinal when diffused, but a wonderful air freshener. You can also use it topically in a carrier oil to relieve sore muscles or tension.

     

    Essential oils have so many uses around the house, and these are some of the best to start with. You might not even want to buy any more after getting any one of these staples, or you might find yourself hooked! Let us know if you’d like to know more about less common essential oils and their uses, and we’ll be sure to get that posted for you as well.

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