Learning how to can seems daunting at first, but water bath canning is easy! Once you get the hang of the steps, you will be able to can so many different things to store in your pantry. Jams, jellies, sauces, and salsas are at your fingertips. Before you get started, you have to learn how … Read more
Are you looking for a fruit bush that’s easy for beginners to grow? Gooseberry bushes grow well in most areas, and they’re self-pollinating, so you can plant just one. Learning how to grow gooseberries is excellent for beginners; they’re a forgiving plant. If you live in America, you might not know about gooseberries. They’re not … Read more
If you walk the laundry section in the grocery store, you’ll find borax in a plain-looking box with a wagon train on the front of the box. 20 Mule Team Borax is made in the United States starting in 1891, and borax deserves a place in your homestead cabinets. As homesteaders, we love versatile items. … Read more
Homesteaders have found many ways to use lemons on the homestead, whether it’s through the actual fruits, the essential oils, or preservation methods. More parts of the citrus fruits are wasted than used. For example, you might squeeze a slice of lemon into your water, then toss it out later. You eat the flesh of … Read more
Living on the homestead means finding ways to use everything to its fullest extent. Eggshells are a useful resource, but most people toss them away without thinking. Before you decide to use eggshells throughout your homestead, it’s best only to use eggshells from healthy natural chickens if you or your animals will ingest the shells. … Read more
The Backyard Homestead by Carleen Madigan quickly made its way onto every homesteader and wanna-be homesteaders bookshelf. Full of inspiration and resources, Madigan does a fantastic job of painting a picture of what your property could be, despite its lack of space. Whether you have one-tenth of an acre or a full acre, Madigan shows … Read more
Winter slows down everything in the garden, including the compost. Short, cold days change the conditions in your compost pile, bringing the decomposition is almost a halt. It doesn’t have to come to a complete stop though; winter composting is very possible with the right techniques. Now is not the time to through in the … Read more