Herbs are awesome to have on the homestead, They make food taste better and also give us natural medicines that can be used to prevent and alleviate certain conditions. Most of us grow plenty of herbs on the homestead, but far too few of us are putting these herbs to work to ensure our flock … Read more
Bedding plants are either annuals or biennials and are grown for the continuous color they provide over many months. The plants are normally short-lived, but because of the huge range available, you can have color in the garden almost all year by using bedding plants. Summer bedding plants are a fantastic choice for a new … Read more
No-one wants the hard work, money and energy that they have invested in creating a garden to be ruined by weeds. It’s sometimes a temptation to go to the store and buy an environmentally friendly product that say it will eliminate the problem. But just as it isn’t necessary to use toxic chemicals to prevent … Read more
Tarragon (Artemisia Dracunculus) is a super addition to any herb garden if your growing conditions permit. There are different types of tarragon, Russian, Mexican and French. It’s not a great looking plant, but it is hardy and a sophisticated addition to your kitchen herb garden. Commonly grown to use as a herb because of its … Read more
The flowering perennial milkweeds (falling under the genus Asclepias), grow all throughout the United States. Milkweed flowers range from soft pink, to green, to scarlet, and many colors in between. These plants aren’t just nice to look at. Milkweed is the only plant on which monarch caterpillars feed, making it critical for the survival of … Read more
The blooms of the Echinacea Purpurea, also known as the coneflower, are resistant to drought and attract songbirds, butterflies, and winged insects; their daisy-like look appeals to a range of pollinators. Hummingbirds are attracted to its rich nectar, and finches eat and scatter the seeds. Native to central and south-eastern US, this perennial blooms from … Read more
Silver Appleyard ducks are sometimes a little difficult to find, but are an eagerly embraced meat and egg breed by both amateur homesteaders and commercial keepers. Members of this breed are classified as a dual-purpose or multi-purpose type of duck. Silver Appleyard ducks are also categorized as both Large Appleyards and Miniature Appleyards, basesd upon … Read more
When I first got started homesteading, I had no idea how challenging it would be – or how rapidly our backyard garden and “just a few chickens” would explode into something that became a lifestyle and later, for us, a full-fledged business. Today, on my farm, we have several large gardens, a 30” x 96” … Read more
Headaches – we’ve all had one at one time or another. They can cause a lot of discomfort, so understanding how to ease that discomfort without pharmaceutical intervention can go far to helping you feel better fast. One of the first things to do if you have a headache, is to drink fluids. Headaches often … Read more
Mason bees are extremely potent little pollinators. It takes only two or three female mason bees to successfully pollinate a mature fruit tree. Yet, even with all of this pollinating ability, few people keep mason bees. Some folks mistake these beneficial bees for destructive carpenter or masonry boring bees, and run them out of the … Read more
Are you new to your homeschooling journey and eager to start off on the right foot? Are you a seasoned homeschool parent who is always looking to improve your children’s education? Read on for a nearly exhaustive list of mistakes to avoid when homeschooling your children. I was homeschooled from birth until my high school … Read more
Also known simply as the fisher, the fisher cat is a forest-dwelling mammal found in the northern United States and Canada. If you’ve never heard of one of this creature before, its unique nomenclature might confuse you. Is it a cat, or is it some other kind of mystical creature that hunts for fish? The … Read more
Nothing heralds the onset of Spring more than the bright sunshine yellow of the first traditional daffodil (narcissus) bloom. It is the Spring treasure that delights us all each year. In this article, we will explore why daffodils are a good and cost-effective choice for the homesteader to grow. We will take a peek at … Read more
Activated charcoal and tea tree oil soap might not have the loveliest scent or the prettiest color, but still should be one of the “go to” recipes for natural home soapmakers. These two ingredients can offer great value for the skin – and the facial complexions of users of any age. I first made activated … Read more
Raising chickens is a great introduction to homesteading. My husband and I jokingly refer to chickens as “the gateway drug.” We started with a flock of two dozen birds, and since then, have grown to raising several hundred chickens (including meat birds and dedicated layers) each year. When you think about popular chicken breeds, there … Read more
Composting with worms is one of the best ways to create your own fertile, nutritious soil – even if you don’t have a lot of room outdoors for a full-fledged compost bin. You can get rid of all kinds of garden waste as well as kitchen debris, like vegetable peelings. Plus, worm composting helps free … Read more