Getting new chicks – especially if it is your first time, is quite exciting. But, if you fail to set up the brooder and start the little flock members properly, tragedy can strike. While there’s no need to purchase an expensive commercially manufactured brooder, the habitat must conform to the basic needs of the chicks … Read more
Keeping animals on the homestead reduces the family’s grocery store expenses, infuses more healthy whole food into the diet, and is often quite a joy. However feed storage is often an imposing obstacle that must be dealt with properly. If animal feed is not stored in a manner that prevents spoilage and rodent infestations you … Read more
Dandelion infusions and tinctures have been used to garner the high nutrient content contained in the flowers, leaves, roots, and stems, and also to harness the potential natural medicinal properties the plant parts contain. Making a dandelion infusion is neither difficult nor expensive, but it does require both time and patience on the part of … Read more
Honey and chamomile are two of the most popular additives to natural soap bars. Combining the two is to make, and the melt and pour soap base creates both a pleasing scent and feel when used. The use of honey in soaps infuses it with humectant compounds that help combat and prevent acne, as well … Read more
If you’ve been following the news or social media, you may have heard of the deadly Chagas disease. On this note, you might have heard rumors that Chagas disease is spread by assassin bug bites. If you’re asking yourself, “can you get Chagas disease from assassin bug bites?” the answer, unfortunately, is yes. You can … Read more
Are you curious about how to keep your poultry comfortable and breathing easy year-round? If so, it might be time for you to consider adding more cross-ventilation to your coop. ventilation could also cause problems with your flock if it’s not adequate. We’ll explore the why and the how in what follows… and also talk … Read more
An assassin bug infestation is no laughing matter. If you’ve ever dealt with these pests before, you know how frustrating it can be to have them on your property. Although some types of assassin bugs are completely harmless to humans and would rather spend their entire life cycles outside in your garden, munching on garden … Read more
Chickens do not like to be dirty birds – they love dirt, and hate water. It is just that simple, fellow homesteaders. If you have ever had to give a chicken a bath – or wash off a chick with the dreaded “pasty butt,” you know exactly what I’m talking about. To keep themselves clean … Read more
Growing your own duck food may not only save you an enormous amount of money over time, but will also provide both a sustainable and more natural diet for your meat and egg birds. It is possible to do away with store-bought commercial feed entirely if you cultivate aquatic and ground food plots for your … Read more
The blackberry is one of my favorite fruits. You can grow your own or forage for wild ones. Either are fine, I actually do both. When dealing with wild plants just leave them be, and let nature do its work. A tame blackberry bush is very easy to grow, but does require some care. In … Read more
Saving seeds so you can start a new crop the following season only makes good economic sense. Preserving the seeds from a tasty and bountiful vegetable, fruit, or herb harvest also helps you increase the odds of replicating the same flavor and yield the following year. Typically, seeds will last between 1 and 5 years … Read more
If you recently purchased a greenhouse, likely the first question on your mind – besides what you are going to grow, of course! – is where to place it. The best place to position your greenhouse is typically one that gets lots of sunlight (with southern exposure), very little wind, is slightly elevated, and not … Read more
Caring for fiber goats is a fun and profitable way to have a homestead. Not only do they produce high-quality fiber, but they’re also entertaining animals that can provide plenty of laughs. And let’s not forget how beautiful that fiber is! Not all fiber goats produce cashmere – some produce mohair – but cashmere in … Read more
As homesteaders, we’re always striving to reduce our carbon footprint and upcycle as much as possible. Nothing goes to waste. Whenever possible, we find ways to upcycle things and reuse them to the best of our advantage. This includes food waste and other organic materials in and around the homestead. By composting, we’re taking advantage … Read more