No bee hive can exist for long without its queen. When a queen bee dies, the hive goes into a kind of shock. Vital direction is lost. Replacement numbers dwindle. The bees soon know that they are in trouble when their queen is gone, and they start to take action… In this article, we will … Read more
Gourds are one fruit that is rarely thought of as food, at least in North America, but nonetheless is a regular sight when autumn rolls around. Though these hard-shelled plants are commonly associated with pumpkins, cucumbers, squashes, and melons, there are nonetheless distinct unto themselves. Culturally significant around the world, what we really need to … Read more
If you’re a homesteader, then you know the importance of growing your own food. But what about plants that can help support your local ecosystem? Milkweed is one such plant, and it’s worth growing even if you don’t have a lot of space. Here are a few reasons why milkweed is so important, and why … Read more
Chickens are well known for eating all sorts of plant matter when they are allowed to forage. Sometimes they eat things that we would prefer them not to, and other times they eat plants that, seemingly, nothing else wants to eat. How about ivy and ivy berries, for instance? Can chickens eat them? Yes, generally … Read more
Are you new to raising chickens? If so, you might be wondering what is the best way to feed them. There are a few different options, but one of the most popular is chicken scratch. But what is chicken scratch, and is it really the best option for your flock? Keep reading to find out! … Read more
As a parent, you want to do everything in your power to help your child succeed. If your child is struggling with reading, you may be wondering if homeschooling is the right solution. You will make mistakes as a homeschooling parent, but don’t question your abilities! Most of the time, reading difficulties can be overcome … Read more
Ah, soapmaking is a hobby that can make a great side income if you do it right. With that said, definitely a process that requires the use of lye–sodium hydroxide. Sodium hydroxide is a highly caustic substance that can do some serious damage to your skin. It can cause chemical burns, blindness, and other serious … Read more
When you think of a pumpkin, you probably immediately think of the classic orange variety. But did you know that white pumpkins exist, too? It’s true: that white, pumpkin-looking squash is not some special variety of squash, it’s just a white pumpkin! Sometimes what you see really I what you get, but this begs the … Read more
Keeping crops safe during growing season is a top priority for most homesteaders, and while nature is wonderful, there are bugs and predators out there that can cause some serious damage to our gardens. On any homestead, bees are crucial to our long-term survival, so it’s important to watch out for their sake, as much … Read more
Domestic pigs are omnivorous and energetic eaters. Everyone knows that, and the expression “eating like a pig” has been with us for so long for a good reason! Pigs eat produce, grains, meat, and all sorts of things. Some people also assert that pigs eat bones, easily and happily. Could this be true? It’s hard … Read more
If you own chickens, you probably know by now that chickens can eat all kinds of fruits and other produce, though there are a few examples that are distinctly off-limits. Surprisingly, there are many exotic or tropical fruits that are good for chickens, but not quite all. How about kumquats? Can chickens eat kumquats? Yes, … Read more
If you have a farm or a homestead, you’ve probably heard about diatomaceous earth, or DE, before. This powdery substance has been used for a very long time to control pests both on livestock and in the places where they live and rest. It is especially useful for getting rid of fleas, mites, ticks, and … Read more
Whether you’re a curious homesteader or a survivalist living off the grid, it’s important to know what plants are in your environment. After all, when you’re living off the grid you are your own first responder; you often have to rely on yourself to survive. There are many edible plants in the wild, but there … Read more
Raising a flock of chickens is seen as something of a rite of passage for homesteaders, and one with many benefits. From baskets of fresh eggs to effective fertilization of crops and even the control of harmful insect populations. Regarding this last benefit, some homesteaders report that they see a plunge in tick numbers on … Read more
The average person produces over 4 pounds of trash each day and around 1.5 tons of waste each year. According to an estimate by the EPA, 75% of that waste is recyclable but we only recycle about 30% of it. That’s just sad and scary, to think that we’ve got all this waste that can … Read more
There are many wild plants that can be eaten safely and provide important nutrients for our health. Wild lettuce is one of the most common, and also one of the most beneficial from a health standpoint. However, there are also a number of poisonous plants that look very similar to this safe plant. Each of … Read more