Drying flowers to preserve them has been a homesteading tradition going back hundreds of years. The only downfall to the process is all of the patience it requires. There are many reasons to dry flowers to preserve them. The dried flowers can be used in far more than just beautiful homemade wreaths and craft projects. … Read more
Making your own natural wax melt air fresheners is easy, fun, cheap, and keeps potentially harmful artificial ingredients out of your home. Commercially manufactured wax melts are made with a paraffin wax. There is no need to use such a petroleum-based wax to enjoy both the look and fragrance of wax melts – all natural … Read more
Doomsday crackers, survival rations, survival crackers, whatever you want to call them, these were created during the Cold War era after extensive research by the federal government. These shelf-stable crackers are somewhat like hardtack crackers – but better! Not only do they call for 3 basic ingredients, they are so easy to make, and will … Read more
Do you love crafting in your free time? Looking for a creative outlet that will provide hours of fun and relaxation? Needle felting can offer just that! This craft may seem daunting at first, but with the right tools and instructions it can become an easy, enjoyable activity, for making things such as needle felt … Read more
Making natural mascara is perhaps the most difficult of creating your own cosmetics from ingredients that are not artificial – and possibly toxic. A lot of trial and error is involved when making anything from scratch, but mascara poses a unique set of problems. The space the mascara must be placed, the eyelashes, is thin, … Read more
Gray mold (Botrytis cinerea) is a highly destructive and common disease that can affect nearly any plant. This type of mold is most prevalent among plants being cultivated in raised beds. Plant afflicted with gray mold are almost always damaged to the point of no return if the disease is not both spotted and treated … Read more
DIY natural fabric softener keeps your clothing, towels, and blankets both feeling soft and smelling fresh. Commercially manufactured fabric softeners, even some “organic” ones, are comprised of potentially harmful chemicals. Fabric softeners not only keep your clothing looking, smelling, and feeling their best, they also prevent static cling, and reduce soap residue. It is entirely … Read more
Brown rot is a fungal disease that particularly affects peach, plum, apricot, cherry, nectarines, and other stone fruit trees. This type of fungal infestation becomes especially problematic during spring when wet and humid conditions abound. The brown rot fungus impacts not only the flowers on fruit trees, but their overall yield capacity. A robustly healthy … Read more
Building a chicken coop doesn’t have to cost either a lot of money or a lot of time. This DIY coop is predator-proof, very spacious, takes only a full day to create, and costs less than $300. If you have scrap wood and/or wire stockpiled on your homestead, the cost of building this rabbit hutch … Read more
Black knot is an all too common fungal disease that afflicts fruit trees, and various types of ornamental trees – especially varieties of cherry and plum trees. The fungus causes black tumor-style growths, or black galls, to grow on not only the branches, but sometimes on the trunks of the tree as well. Some trees … Read more
Bugs in the garden is not necessarily a bad thing. Sure, there are vile, destructive insects that want all of your growing groceries for themselves – but then there are other bugs that yearn to dine upon the bad bugs. Many bugs that are good for your garden are probably already living in the growing … Read more
Do you own sheep or have a friend who does? If so, this highly profitable homestead side hustle might be just what you have been looking for to make money off your land or small farm. Cleaned raw wool sells for about $25 a pound. Dyed wool roving typically demands a price of at least … Read more
DIY natural leather cleaner conditions and protects your boots, sofas, tack, and other goods for a fraction of the cost of commercially produced products designed for the same purpose. If you can find 100% pure mink oil, which is not necessarily easy anymore – especially if you want a product made in the the USA, … Read more
What you can and what you cannot feed your ducks is a topic that can elicit heated debates, as it often does when the same question is posed about any type of livestock. Searching online for answers to safe duck treats vs. toxic duck treats can be quite a frustrating endeavor. One website will have … Read more
DIY natural wood polish will not only save you money, but also help keep your home looking great without the use of caustic chemicals. Did you know that the vast majority of commercial furniture polish products on the market not only release a haze of aerosol fumes but also aren’t always safe to use around … Read more
Clogged drains happen to everyone, eventually. No matter how diligently you try to avoid grease, hair, or other common problem matter from gaining access to a sink or tub drain, they find their way in. Cleaning clogged drains does not require either the use of caustic chemical products, or calling a plumber. DIY natural drain … Read more