Tag: harsh weather

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Cold Frames; How and Why

    Cold Frames; How and Why

      Cold Frames are basically wooden boxes with no bottom and a glass top that you place on top of crops to keep them warm.  In this article, I’ll give a few tips on how to get cheap material, maximize the benefits through design, and explain why you should use cold frames if you live…

  • Winterizing the Chicken Coop (Video)

    Winterizing the Chicken Coop (Video)

    We love our feathered friends, so it’s important that we make sure they have the best care through the winter! This clever Chicago couple kept getting questions as to how they cared for their backyard chickens through the notoriously brutal Chicago winters, so they made a video to show what they did. Their chicken coop…

  • How to Make a Double-Sided Draft Stop

    As winter rolls in and temperatures drop, you don’t need to freeze in your own home to keep your heating bill from climbing.  Drafts can be a major source of heat loss, even inside your home from unheated portions that are not in use.  Here is a great instructional video with simple to follow instructions…

  • Getting the Homestead Ready for the Winter

    Getting the Homestead Ready for the Winter

    Days are getting shorter and nights are getting colder. Are you and your homestead ready for the changing season? Here are a few tips on getting ready for the winter so that you don’t get caught out in the cold. Preparing the Home The first preparation should be firewood. If you don’t already have a…

  • 5 Tips for Storing Food in Harsh Conditions

    5 Tips for Storing Food in Harsh Conditions

      Storing dry foods can be tricky. Ideally, you want to store your food at about 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit, with low humidity (less than 15%). Of course, that just isn’t possible for a lot of people, especially those who live in exceedingly warm or cold climates, floodplains, etc. So how can you improve your food’s…