Save the bees… but get rid of all the yellow jackets you can find. I love honeybees… Without them, we would all die because they pollinate 70% of the food we consume. But, I never feel even the tiniest bit guilty of swiftly ending the lives of yellow jackets on our survival homestead retreat. Yellow … Read more
Kefir and kombucha are all the rage in the natural and holistic health community. They are high in nutrients, as well as sources of rare probiotics. Probiotics are beneficial for both digestion and overall gut health, providing the healthy bacteria necessary to prevent constipation, bloating, and other unpleasant ailments. Probiotics are found in few food … Read more
Living in colder climates is undoubtedly somewhat challenging when it comes to growing food. The harshness of frost and ice leaves our gardens dormant, our ground frozen over, and our animals shivering. However, as with all permaculture tricks, the idea is to think outside the box to adapt to these conditions. For those in cool … Read more
If you’re a homesteader, growing delicious, healthy crops is likely a top priority for you. However, this can be a challenge if you’re dealing with infertile, uncooperative soil. Adding fertilizer to your garden soil is a great way to increase your yields and to make gardening just a little bit easier. However, knowing the difference … Read more
What are you going to do with all of those grass clippings? If you just mowed your lawn and don’t know the answer, then you are really missing out. While grass clippings may be a nuisance to regular homeowners, you can put them to great use on your homestead. In fact, you may find grass … Read more
Keeping the livestock safe on the homestead, no matter how large or small the land, can seem like an insurmountable chore. Barnyard and even backyard livestock live under constant threat of attack. Before you can adequately protect your animals, you must discover what predators are lurking about and likely to attack..and then what you can … Read more
If you own a garden, you are likely already aware of the myriad benefits associated with growing your own food. Homegrown veggies can be grown without pesticides, herbicides, or other chemicals, giving you complete control over what you put in your body. Even better, homegrown veggies give you the financial flexibility necessary to can, freeze, … Read more
If you possess at least moderate construction skills and have some “junk” lying around you homestead, you too can build an enormous wood playhouse really cheaply. I could no longer stand all of the grandkiddos’ toys and ride-on vehicles cluttering around the shelter house. The cost of cheaply-made plastic playhouses that barely leave children room … Read more
While cast iron might seem out of place in today’s modern kitchens, it’s a homestead staple and a must have for any homestead cook. It’s relatively inexpensive and practically indestructible. You can cook nearly anything in cast iron that is properly seasoned, and it’s easy to care for once you understand how to properly care … Read more
Japanese beetles can destroy the bulk of your garden crop in just days. They not only have a devastating impact on growing plants, but are extremely difficult to get rid of. Short of standing in your garden around the clock plucking the Japanese beetles off the plants and squishing them beneath your feet, there is … Read more
Yard sale season is finally upon us, fellow homesteaders. Now is a perfect time to stock up on homemade toys and gift making supplies for Christmas and all of the birthdays that are coming up this year. The annual countrywide yard sale took place over the weekend and I scored some superb – and super … Read more