Growing, Harvesting and Storing Garlic

garlic shoots emerging in the spring

Garlic, lovingly called “the stinking rose,” brings flavor to dishes from many of the world’s cuisines. Garlic’s proven health benefits were suspected long before chemical analysis and clinical trials were invented. This awesome bulb has had a mythos for centuries. It is no coincidence it was even thought to have supernatural powers such as keeping … Read more

How to Safely Forage for Mushrooms

mushroom foraging logo

Disclaimer: neither the author nor www.newlifeonahomestead.com are responsible for the side effects resulted from applying the advice given in this article. The advice in this article is for information purposes only. Mushroom foraging is one of my favorite hobbies. In addition to providing me with delicious treats, the experience of searching for mushrooms deepens my relationship … Read more

Growing Thyme Step by Step

harvested thyme plants

Thyme is great. It’s an easy addition to the garden for several good reasons: Thyme is also a pretty little plant. Its delicate, beautiful little leaves and tiny lavender flowers add beauty to any container. It can be used as a fragrant ground cover, or to add visual interest to rock walls. Thyme is delicious! … Read more

How to Grow Cauliflower Step by Step

12 weeks old cauliflower seedlings growing in containers

Oh, cauliflower. Princess to my pea. You are so fussy. And yet, I just can’t quit you! Cauliflower is definitely a pros and cons kind of plant. I’ll get into these pros and cons in detail throughout this article, as well as provide tips for minimizing some of the “cons.” Even with all of the … Read more

How to Grow Potatoes Step by Step

a few pounds of harvested potatoes on wooden table

I always look forward to harvesting potatoes in the fall. It is like finding buried treasure. With all the colors and varieties I like to plant, my potatoes are like easter eggs. The taste of a home grown potato can’t be beat. This is an easy crop for you to grow, even if you don’t … Read more

How to Cook Beets 10 Ways

cooking beets cover

Beets are delicious, beautiful, and great for you. They give you a strong dose of B vitamins, iron, manganese, copper, magnesium and potassium. They also have compounds that are beneficial to your circulation, stamina, liver, and a lot more. To top it all off, they have plenty of fiber to keep you regular. Beets store … Read more

How to Grow Calendula

calendula featured

Calendula is a very undemanding plant. In exchange for almost no work from you, it produces beautiful, vivid flowers. Besides being beautiful, the flowers have documented medicinal properties. Calendula is a common ingredient in a wide range of skin care products due to its healing power. Calendula is associated with sunshine because the flowers look … Read more

Growing Leeks Step by Step

harvested leeks

Leeks add such incredible flavor to a dish, and they are quite fun to grow. There are only a few factors that complicate growing leeks, and they are really not that complicated. Leeks are reasonably easy to grow, as long as you pay attention to their time frame and keep up with them through the … Read more

The Best Homesteading Books

gardening books

No matter how large or small a space I live in, it is always overflowing with books! Whether you need reference resources or something to spark your imagination, I hope you find something here that enriches your life. I tried to emphasize a mix of foundational resources with newer works that offer truly novel additions. … Read more

Growing Chives Step by Step

young chive plants growing in the garden

A cheerful pot of chives is a welcome greeting to any home. They require very little space, making them a low-investment addition to any home or market garden. Growing chives is well worth the minimal effort. Chives are easy to grow and packed with nutrition. They don’t need a lot of care, and they come … Read more

The Megalist of Gifts for Homesteaders

gifts for homesteaders featured

What do you get the person who wants to get away from everything? We have quite a few suggestions below. 🙂 Gift Books Charles Dowding’s Vegetable Garden Diary This is a gardener’s journal. It features full color illustrations, crop growing advice, and writing space for each day of the year. The advice throughout the diary … Read more