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diy – Homesteader Depot

Homesteader Depot

Tag: diy

  • Why Do You Need a Greenhouse and Things to Look for

    Why Do You Need a Greenhouse and Things to Look for

    Many avid gardeners have considered putting a greenhouse in their yards. There’s just something about having the ability to grow tropical and warm-weather loving plants year-round that really appeals to them. If you’re one of these people, then you need to read this primer about greenhouses. It contains just about everything that you need to know about them.

    What Is A Greenhouse?

    Let’s start by defining exactly what a greenhouse is. These are structures of various sizes that have clear walls and roofs. Some of the fancier greenhouses have glass walls, although you can use clear, plastic polycarbonate sheeting as well. A greenhouse is designed to provide a respite from the outdoor weather. It’s warm year-round so that plants easily grow inside of them. The clear walls let in plenty of sunlight, although the greenhouse might be built with an electrical system and some grow lights as well. This really allows the owner to control the overall temperature indoors. Some have a hydration system built-in as well, but it really is easy to use a hose, if you want a simple do-it-yourself greenhouse that your custom made on your own.

    Greenhouse Sizes

    One of the best things about greenhouses is that they come in various sizes. This means that you really can have one that fits your yard perfectly. You aren’t limited to the large commercial sized ones. Some come as small as a basic coat closet and hold seedlings. They work well if all that you want to do is plant seeds and allow them to grow slightly before the soil warms up in the spring. If you want something that can handle multiple plants and allow them to grow year-round, then you’ll want one that’s larger than that. Again, it all depends on the plants your overall vision for your greenhouse.

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    Pick a Good Location

    Location matters, even with greenhouses. Yours should be located in an area of your yard that receives plenty of sunlight. Otherwise, your plants won’t grow properly – even if you have a grow light installed inside. You never want to have your greenhouse placed in a shady area of your yard. In addition to this, you need to run electric lines to it and possibly even water lines. If you can, place your greenhouse within ten to twenty feet of your own house, in order to make these things easier to install.

    What about Amenities?

    You need to think about your greenhouse as if it’s actually a house. By this, we mean that you need to consider which amenities you want it to have. Your two main options include lighting that will give your plants a boost and promote growth, even when the weather isn’t very sunny outside and a filtration system that waters the plants. Yes, you could use a portable grow light and a hose, but you also have the option of running electric lines and setting up an irrigation system. It all depends on your budget and just what you want to use the greenhouse for. There’s nothing wrong with installing a simple one that lacks these amenities.

    Building Your Greenhouse

    Just like with the amenities, you have two options to choose from here. You can either build your greenhouse yourself, which includes developing plans and literally making it from scratch or purchasing a commercial greenhouse. This latter option might involve having the greenhouse trucked to your yard and installed, or having a kit arrive in the mail that you need to build yourself. Either way, you end up with the perfect greenhouse for your needs.

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  • 7 Clever Uses for Cheesecloth

    7 Clever Uses for Cheesecloth

    How much do you know about cheesecloth? This porous cloth was initially designed to help cheesemakers squeeze the liquid out of cheese curds, hence its name. However, it has a number of other uses as well – many of which you probably never considered. Here are seven of these incredibly clever uses for cheesecloth. You’ll want to keep some in your home after reading them.

     

    1) Polishing Your Silver

    All that you need in order to make your silver shine is a little silver polish, some water, and a piece of cheesecloth. The steps are very easy. Start by moistening the cheesecloth by dipping it in the water. Squeeze out any excess water. Then dip the wet section of the cloth in the silver polish (or squeeze it on, depending on the type of polish). All that you have to do next is rub your silverware or your pots and pans until they shine, repeating the process as necessary.

     

    2) Making Herb Bundles

    Have you ever wondered how chefs manage to make their soups and stews taste so nice, even if there isn’t any evidence of herbs and seasonings in them? Cheesecloth is the answer to that question. Cut a small square of cheesecloth and wrap some herbs up in it. Tie the bundle tightly with a piece of clean string – butcher’s twine will work well. Place the bundle in the soup or stew and fish it out before serving. The flavor of the herbs will soak through the cheesecloth.

     

    3) Quick Bandages

    If you cut yourself in your kitchen (or anywhere else in your home, for that matter) and don’t have any gauze in your first aid kit, then grab a piece of cheesecloth. It won’t stick to your wound and will provide a clean cover until you can get some proper bandages. Just make sure to place some antibacterial ointment on the wound first. The cheesecloth will last until you can make it to the emergency room, if the cut it bad enough, or until the bleeding stops and you can place a proper bandage on it.

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    4) Dust Some Sugar on Your Baked Goods

    If you’ve ever made a mess of your baked goods when you sprinkled powder sugar on them, then we have a good solution. You can place the powdered sugar in a jar, top it with a tightly wrapped piece of cheesecloth, and then begin dusting the tops of them with it. The pores in the cheesecloth are just the right size, so you won’t make a mess.

     

    5) Food Drapes and Covers

    The next time you want to protect your food before it is served, rather than reach for plastic containers or glass lids, use a piece of cheesecloth. It will neatly cover everything, preventing your contaminants from touching your dishes. On top of this, cheesecloth is very sanitary.

     

    6) Straining Your Food

    Sometimes you need to strain things before you serve them. Since this is the original use for cheesecloth, it works perfectly. Just be careful when you’re straining the hot stock and other things, as you don’t want to burn yourself. Place the cheesecloth in a bowl and pour the contents of your pot into it. The cheesecloth will do its job, and once you lift it up, you’ll notice just how nicely contained everything is.

     

    7) Baste Your Thanksgiving Turkey

    There are several different ways to baste your Thanksgiving turkey, although cheesecloth is the most effective. Start by soaking your cheesecloth in a mix of melted butter, herbs, seasonings, and even some turkey stock. Then lay it over your turkey until everything has sunk in. You won’t regret it!

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  • Super Easy Homemade Buttermilk

    Super Easy Homemade Buttermilk

    Buttermilk isn’t something that you only need to buy at the store. Instead, you can make it yourself. The results will be much tastier and better for you. The buttermilk that you find in the dairy section (if your grocery store even carries it) is cultured. This type takes at least 24 hours to make, and you need to start with cultured buttermilk, making it a bit redundant, or active buttermilk culture. This process is fairly labor intensive. However, if you have a recipe that requires buttermilk and you don’t have any on hand, these quick methods will work nicely. You’ll have your own buttermilk within minutes. Are you ready?

    Option Number One

    This method produces buttermilk quickly and easily. It all starts with either lemon juice and vinegar, as well as some milk. For every cup of milk, add one tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to it. Place them in the same glass and let it sit on your counter for ten minutes. While the results aren’t properly cultured buttermilk (this is actually an acidified version), you’ll end up with a type that will work nicely in recipes. The acid in the milk will work to activate the baking soda or baking powder in the batter, just like it’s supposed to.

    Option Number Two

    You’ll need a few more ingredients for this buttermilk. It all starts with yogurt or sour cream and some milk. Heck, even the milk is optional – you can use water instead. The ratios are 3/4 of a cup of yogurt or sour cream to a ¼ cup of milk or water. As with the previous recipe, combine the liquid and the semi-solid in a cup and let it sit on your counter for ten minutes. You may have to stir them a bit to make everything smooth, but in the end, you’ll end up with enough buttermilk for any recipe.

    Now For Something Different

    The two previous methods described how you could make buttermilk just by letting your dairy products curdle for a few minutes. The next two are more complicated, as you’ll be making actual cultured buttermilk, just like the kind that you see in the grocery store.

    Option Number Three

    This recipe starts with cultured buttermilk. Yes, this is the same thing that you’ll be making, only you’ll end up with much more it. Think of it as a good way to never run out of buttermilk. Pour six ounces of cultured buttermilk into a glass jar. A quart jar will work perfectly. Then add in three cups of whole milk. The fresher the buttermilk, the better, since the cultures will be more effective and the process will work properly. Once you have the buttermilk and the milk in the jar, put the lid on and shake it well. Then, find a safe spot to place it. The mixture needs to sit out for 24 hours at room temperature.

    At the end of that time period, check your buttermilk. It should be thick enough to coat the walls of glass and taste just like typically cultured buttermilk. If you don’t need to use it right away, place it in the refrigerator. It should last for several weeks in there.

    Option Number Four

    This method is very similar to the previous one; only you use active buttermilk cultures instead of the buttermilk itself. The mixture needs to sit out for between 12 and 24 hours, and you need to get the ratio of cultures to milk correct. This usually is written on the packaging.

    Ideally, you’ll never run out of buttermilk thanks to these helpful methods.

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    Here is a great video showing how simple and easy making your own buttermilk really is…

    https://youtu.be/zJbw9rXQjYI

  • 5 Great Benefits of Having Succulents in Your Home

    5 Great Benefits of Having Succulents in Your Home

    Plants help clean the air, add oxygen and any number of other benefits.  The problem?  Not everyone has a green enough thumb to keep their plants alive, let alone flourishing.

    Fortunately, you don’t have to have a degree in botany to enjoy having plants indoors; you have to pick the right ones.

    Enter the succulent.  Succulent plants, or succulents, are a type of plant that displays parts that are especially thick and fleshy.  This characteristic lets the plant retain water in drying climates and soil types in a similar manner to cactus plants.

    These wonderful little plants have become even more popular recently and for good reason, besides the typical benefits of adding oxygen and purifying the air. Let’s look at some of the other great reasons to add succulents to your home.

     

    They Bring a Zen Quality to Your Environment

    Houseplants have been shown to aid in concentration as well as improve your overall mood.  The geometrical patterns of succulents have the effects of focusing your thoughts, helping you feel more relaxed and able to process information better.

    Additionally, the process of taking care of a plant and watching it develop and grow can help rid yourself of feelings like loneliness and even depression.

     

    They Provide Natural Medicinal Properties

    Some succulents are good for more than just decorating a space.  Plants like agave and aloe vera also have medicinal properties. Keep agave on hand as a natural antiseptic to treat scratches and cuts.

    Aloe vera is not only great for burns and sunburn but can be taken internally to help alleviate fevers, bowel issues and more.

    They Are Not Picky About Their Living Quarters

    It doesn’t take much to make a succulent happy.  Their shallow root systems make them ideal for planting in bowls, jars, teacups, or anything else you can conjure up.  Let them take up as much or as little room as you can spare.

     

    They Rank High on the Hardiness Scale

    What does this mean for you?  They don’t require as much water and attention as other houseplants, making them easy to care for.  Have you ever left for a week and forgot to get someone to take care of the plants?

    No problem, more than likely your succulents will be no more the worse for wear when you get back. They may be a little thirsty though.

    Also, they don’t need very much light to get by.  This means you can keep them in your bedroom, and as long as there is a little light peeking through the blinds during the day, they’ll be happy and waiting for your at bedtime to commune with and clear your head before lights out.

     

    Where to Find Succulents

    Thanks to there increasing popularity, you won’t have to hunt down a specialized garden store to get started.  Any local DIY center with a garden section will probably have a large variety to choose from.  From there you can pick out a great planter to add to the aesthetic or take them home and put them in your favorite coffee mug.

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  • How to Prune your Roses the Proper Way

    How to Prune your Roses the Proper Way

     

    Roses come in a plethora of species. Over a hundred of them are available to be exact. They can be climbing, bushes, or trailing with long stems. You can grow just about any color that you can imagine at this point as a result of cross-breeding different ones to achieve the desired shades. They are gorgeous, they have a pleasant aroma, and they brighten up the exterior of any homestead or home. That’s why they are one of the most popular flowers found in gardens all over the world.

    Even though roses are pretty easy to grow and to maintain, there is still some work required in order to keep them looking their best. With proper pruning done regularly, the flowers will bloom beautifully and reach their fullest potential. The best part of that is, it can be done in just a few simple and easy to understand steps.

     

    1. Eliminate the Foliage

    You first need to get a good visual of what your rose plant or bush looks like. The best time to do this is in the spring before any leaves start sprouting up on it. If there are already leaves on the stems, just get rid of them by pulling them off with your hand. Be sure to wear thick gloves and watch for the thorns if there are any to prevent cutting yourself.

     

    1. Check for Horizontal Canes

    Look over your rose plant for branches or canes that are growing horizontally. Make sure you check for anything that is growing in towards the center of the bush. The ones that are crossing over other branches should be trimmed away as well. It will ensure that the remaining branches will have the ability to stretch as they should without anything disrupting their growth patterns.

     

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    1. Remove Dead or Diseased Sections

    For beginning growers, you may not be sure how to check and see if your plant is in good health. First, break open one of the canes. If the inside is brown or black, the branch is dead. A lovely green color means that the plant is in excellent condition. The dead areas cut off the air flow to the rest of the plant. By getting rid of them, that circulation is improved, and the overall health and appearance of the plant are going to increase.

     

    1. Tend to the Vertical Canes

    Now that you’ve reached this point in the process, you should have around six to eight nice, healthy, strong branches left of your rose bush. The objective from here is to get the biggest and most beautiful continuing blooms possible.

    The branches that are remaining should be cut down to 18 to 24 inches in length. Before cutting through, check the cane for an outward facing bud. Prune just above that one that is both outward facing and closest to the length you are trying to achieve.

     

    1. Cutting at the Proper Angle

    You have to make careful note that you cannot just cut the canes in whatever direction you want to. The trim should happen at a 45-degree angle. There is a reason this is done, and that’s so that the water can drain away from the buds. Too much water in the budding area will cause rotting or disease.

    The cut should be straight and smooth with no jagged areas. Get yourself a good pair of sharp pruners to make sure you can achieve the proper cut. It may be somewhat of an investment in the start, but it’ll make your job a lot easier. Not to mention the fact that you will probably have some of the best-looking roses around.

     

  • 3 Surprising Ways to Reuse Old Electrical Cords and Cables

    3 Surprising Ways to Reuse Old Electrical Cords and Cables

     

    Since the dawn of cable TV, the number of electrical type cording we have around the house has expanded almost exponentially.  What started with coaxial and extension cords now include shorted out or plain outdated AV connectors, HDMI wiring, and USB cords in about every shape, size, and color.

    If you are anything like my family, you have at least one box filled with outdated wiring, some of which is so old you probably have no idea what ancient piece of tech you’ve since gotten rid of it used to go to. The first idea we usually have is to toss them in the trash.  Next time you are ready to purge your collection, stop and consider one of these options instead.

    1.     Sell Them

    Does this sound familiar?  You’ve upgraded your camera/laptop/computer/monitor/etc. and now you have a collection of accessory cords that still work perfectly, but you have absolutely no use for.

    Believe it or not, there are techies out there who may want them.  They may need a replacement cord for an item they refuse to part with, they may be “frankensteining” their own unique machine and need just the spare cord you want to part with.

    If you’ve managed to keep track of the specs of some of your cords and the stuff they went to originally, you can sell these cords online or at your next garage sale and make a little extra cash on something you would otherwise toss aside.

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    2.     Recycle Them

    It probably won’t shock you to hear that electronic cords and cables are not biodegradable.  Fortunately, recycling is getting easier.  Even if your local curbside service doesn’t take them, you can do a search for electronic recycling in your area.  Best Buy has a recycling program for electronics.  The policy changes occasionally so check with your local store to see what they currently take, how much at once and if there are any fees.

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    3.     Upcycle Them

    One of the things most of these cords have in common is copper. Copper is not only a good conductor; it looks good all by itself.

    Copper wire has many distinctive properties that have made it a go to wire for projects.  The wires flexibility is matched by its versatility.

    Although some wire crafting projects require special tools, plus time and years of practice, others are relatively easy and can be accomplished with just a few basic tools from your toolbox and time to have fun. Using copper wiring for a project adds an additional level of aesthetic that will enhance the finished product even more.

    You can “harvest” the copper wire from cables for homemade jewelry and other craft projects.  Collect your copper by using wire snips to cut it out of the PVC covering and dielectric spacers.

    Depending on the type of cord you are cutting open, you can end up with different gauges by using not only the main wiring but by unbraiding the thinner wire that makes up the protective guard.

    One of the easiest copper wire projects you can do it creating ire Word Art. The process is simple.

    • Use MS Word or a similar program to type your word in the font you want to copy and then select the font size you want the project to be.
    • Print out your final design on paper to use as a guide.
    • Using wire snips, needle nose pliers and regular pliers, bend the wire to create the shape of the letters, checking your design by laying the wire on the printout.

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  • 5 Wonderfully Natural Remedies to Fight Dry Skin

    5 Wonderfully Natural Remedies to Fight Dry Skin

    Dry skin can be extremely uncomfortable to those who suffer from it chronically.  From cold weather to medications that bring about this most inconvenient side effect, it can sometimes feel daunting while trying to find a solution and get relief.

    Fortunately, there are some natural remedies that may be the answer you’ve been looking for.

     

    Avocados

    This wonderful fruit (yep, it’s in the pear family) is packed with Vitamin E plus Omega-3 fatty acids.  It’s a very popular ingredient for people who suffer from chronic dry skin.

     

    How to Use Avocados

    Cut the avocado in half and scoop out the pulp. Using a fork, mash the pulp into a paste.  Mix in 2 Tbsp of raw honey. Apply to all the areas you want to treat and let it sit for 20 minutes.

    Wipe the paste off with a clean and damp cloth and then rinse with lukewarm water.

     

    Coconut Oil

    This substance is amazing.  You can cook with it, use it as a make-up remover and nighttime face cream.  You can also use it as a dry skin treatment.

     

    How to Use Coconut Oil

    Just before you shower, rub a small amount of oil between your hands to warm and soften it. Massage the coconut oil into your skin, applying more as needed.

    Let it sit for at least 10 minutes, then shower as normal.

     

    Honey

    Honey isn’t just a great tasting ingredient to add to food, its antioxidant, humectant, and antimicrobial features also make it a very effective moisturizer.  Not only will it help you rehydrate your skin, those same antimicrobial agents will help soothe skin that has become irritated from scratching.

     

    How to Use Honey

    Immediately before you shower, massage raw honey over your body using circular motions.  Let it sit on your skin for at least ten minutes then shower as usual.

    Do this every time you shower, and you should experience relief quickly.

    Olive Oil

    This main staple of many a chef’s kitchen is packed with antioxidant properties.  These properties make it an excellent choice to fight off dry skin.

     

    How to Use It Olive Oil

    Rub a few tablespoons of oil between your hands to warm it up.  Apply it to the areas you want to treat, massaging it in circular motions. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Shower as usual then pat dry and apply a light moisturizer.

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    Yogurt

    Yogurt not only hydrates your skin, it soothes the itchiness often accompanying it.  Additionally, the lactic acid helps remove dead skin cells to improve your skin’s tone and texture.

     

    How to Use Yogurt

    Just before you shower, apply plain yogurt directly to the area you want to treat.

    Massage it into your skin and let it sit for at least 10 minutes.

    Shower as usual.

     

    One More Technique for the Road

    If you like the idea of doing a “deep conditioning” treatment on your body once a week and don’t mind being really oily for the night, consider this. Using one of the oils listed above, I prefer coconut, right before bed take a shower or bath.

    Then, WITHOUT DRYING OFF, apply a generous layer of oil to your entire body.  Let it soak in for 20-30 minutes as you air dry slightly, then “wrap” yourself up in a pair of full coverage pajamas or long-sleeved nightgown.  Add socks to keep the oil on your feet then head to bed.

    As you sleep the oil will not only hold in more of the water that soaked in as you showered, it will soak in itself leaving you super soft to the touch the next day.

    Now go raid your pantry and fridge!

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  • Never Waste Water Again

    Never Waste Water Again

     

    Picture this, for every inch of rain that falls on a 500 square feet area of your roof; you can collect up to 300 gallons of it to use around your property.

    If you live in an area that doesn’t restrict the use of rain barrels, you could be saving money every month on water. Rainwater can be used for a variety of tasks including:

    • Rinsing off your garage floor
    • Watering your indoor plants
    • Watering your outdoor plants
    • Flushing your toilet
    • Creating an outdoor shower
    • And more

    I know a potter who has a studio in her garage.  If you are at all familiar with pottery making, it required quite a bit of water to keep the clay at a usable moisture level, to rinse and clean after working, and to recycle the clay itself.

    Thanks to her ability to collect water every time it rains, she can exclusively use rainwater for everything she does in her clay studio.  Can we say WOW!

    Here’s what you need to do to make your own DIY Rain Barrel and tap into the otherwise free natural resource.

     

    Supplies Needed

    • Bulkhead Fittings:
      • ¾ inch Ball Valve Faucet
      • ¾ inch Fitting
      • 1 ½ inch Fitting
      • Downspout Attachment
      • Mosquito Screening (8 inches by 8 inches)
      • Overflow Hose with Valve and Fittings
      • Teflon Tape
    • Drill
    • Flathead Screwdriver
    • Felt Pen or Marker
    • Tape Measure
    • Rasp or Round File
    • Hole Saws:
      • 1 ½ inch Hole Saw
      • 3 inch Hole Saw
      • 5 ¼ inch Hole Saw or a Jig Saw
    • One 55-gallon Food Barrel
    • Two 6-inch plastic flower pots

    Here We Go!

    1. Clean and dry your food barrel inside and out.
    2. Measure 4 inches up from the bottom of the barrel and mark with your felt pen. This is where your ¾ inch bulkhead fitting and faucet will go.
    3. Cut a hole using the 1 ½ inch hole saw. You may want to place the barrel on its side for easier access to the drill site and better stability.
    4. Measure 4 ½ inches from the top of the barrel and mark.
    5. Switch to your 3-inch hole saw and make the hole for the overflow.
    6. Clean loose pieces of barrel material from around the holes’ cuts using the rasp or sandpaper.
    7. Use a 5 ¼ inch hole saw, or a jigsaw to cut out a circular hole out of the top of the barrel. This opening is where your DIY filter will fit inside and where the water will enter the barrel.
    8. Depending on the flexibility your downspout, you’ll probably want to place this hole toward the opposite side of the barrel from the location of your faucet hole.
    9. Install the ¾ inch Faucet Fitting.
    10. Install the ¾ inch Ball Valve Faucet using the Teflon tape to prevent leaks.
    11. Install the 1 ½ inch Bulkhead Fitting Into The Overflow hole (the second hole cut).
    12. Create the filtration system, using the 6-inch flower pots and the mosquito screen.
    13. Attach the screen to the bottom of one flower pot then put that pot inside the second one. Basically, you are sandwiching the screen between the 2 flower pot when they are stacked together.
    14. Place your new “filter” into the hole on the top of the barrel.
    15. Place your new rain barrel on the site you want to use it and insert the downspout into the filter.
    16. Attach the overflow hose to the upper side hole. This hose can either be placed away from the barrel to disperse excess water when the barrel fills or can be used as a link to another barrel, where it becomes the supply line instead of a downspout.

    Voila!  You are now able to save water (and money) with your new supply line that comes straight from nature.