Guineas may lay small eggs and not boast an especially tasty flavor, but these little poultry birds still bring copious amounts of value to a homestead. Keeping guineas on your land will help protect your meat and eggs birds and rid the area of destructive bugs… and snakes. A guinea has just one job on … Read more
Waldorf dolls will take longer to create than a typical cloth doll, but making one of these sweet old-fashioned toys is so well worth the effort. Once you master making a Waldorf doll head, the rest of the process is easy-peasy…I promise. I allowed myself to be too intimidated by the head-making process, that it … Read more
Bacterial canker is a fast-spreading garden fungal disease that causes crop yields to decrease substantially. Detecting the initial signs of bacterial canker early can help save your plants – and by extension the groceries you are attempting to grow. Stone fruit trees are especially susceptible to bacterial canker. Cherry, apricot, plum, peach trees, and even … Read more
Preserving eggs with mineral oil is both an inexpensive and speedy process, but you can only use this old homesteading method when dealing with farm fresh eggs. Because commercial manufacturers of eggs wash the bloom off of the shell and refrigerate them, rubbing mineral oil onto the shell to protect it from air and bacteria, … Read more
Jam cake is a classic American cake that I had never heard of until a few weeks ago. All of a sudden I heard jam cake referenced three times in one week and became intrigued enough to search out both its history and a recipe… my family is so glad that I did. Jam cake … Read more
Eggs are one of the healthiest and most nutritionally complete foods you can eat. They are very versatile and are used in everything from baking to salads to breakfast. As a prepper resource, eggs are one of the great foodstuffs due to their protein and fat content, so they make excellent survival food. Some people … Read more
The plow was one of the most important inventions in the history of agriculture. From the early plows pulled by horses or mules to the mechanical ones now towed by tractors, this one farming implement still plays an essential role in the overall health (and success) of your garden. What Are the Benefits of Plowing? … Read more
Flies are as much of a fixture on any homestead as the chicken coop and a compost pile. Getting rid of flies as well as keeping them and other pesky insects off of your family and livestock becomes an everyday battle once the chill of winter gives way to the warmer temperatures of spring. Making … Read more
Dehydrating is the most expensive way to preserve eggs, but only because the initial investment of a dehydrator will be anywhere from $65 to $175. We own three dehydrating machines now. We upgraded with each purchase, and have not been unhappy with any of the NESCO machines that we own. Having three functioning machines makes … Read more
Chopping wood with a dull chainsaw does not only make the task far slower and more dangerous, it can also ruin one of your most essential homesteading tools. If your chainsaw is “bucking” during the wood cutting process, it is overdue for a sharpening. Sharpening a chainsaw yourself can save you hundreds to a few … Read more
It is that time of year again, fellow homesteaders – chick days at agriculture supply stores. When the cold winter finally gives way to spring, Tractor Supply, Rural King, and many stores like them capitalize on our eagerness to get outdoors growing and raising our own groceries. I don’t blame them one bit. But I … Read more
Daisies have always been my favorite flower, but filling a cool vintage milk pitcher I scored at a yard sale for $1 was not my objective as I trudged through a way too muddy hayfield recently. Daisies are far more than just a pretty weed, they boast a host of medicinal benefits and have been … Read more
Growing corn (even in containers) is not difficult, it merely requires timing, proper soil, and due diligence throughout the summer months. Sweet corn has been a staple of the American garden since the formation of the union. There are multiple types of corn to grow in addition to the many varieties of sweet corn, including … Read more
It’s that time of year again, fellow homesteaders… tree tapping time! No maple trees on your homestead? No problem, there are more than one dozen other trees common to the United States that can also be tapped for syrup and sugar. Typically, trees are prime for tapping between the middle of February through mid-March. The … Read more
Getting your flock of chickens and ducks ready for winter is essential to not just their egg laying, but their overall health and protection from predators. While chickens and most poultry birds have a higher internal body temperature than humans (about 105F to 107F degrees on average, that’s around 40C – 42C) that does not … Read more
