Peppers of all kinds, and especially spicy ones, are known to most gardeners as one of the more difficult and problematic veggies you can grow: they have fussy and exacting requirements for good health, lots of pests, and they need lots of attention and care from you. The trade-off is that many cultivars are highly … Read more
When you imagine a homesteader’s life, what do you imagine? A wide-open pasture with a cute farmhouse, barn, and no neighbors in sight? That’s the stereotypical idea, and I understand the appeal. But this notion comes with a dark side… Lots of would-be homesteaders give up on their dreams of living a more meaningful and … Read more
What’s the best part of bringing home new animals? If you ask me, it’s thinking up a fun name for them. For most of us, whether we’ve got pets or actual livestock, we’ll be spending a lot of time with our furry friends, and that means they deserve a name. Besides, it’s a lot easier … Read more
Since you have landed on this article, it’s safe to assume you’re thinking a lot about homesteading. You might even dream about it, both when you are asleep and awake! I know I sure did. I couldn’t wait to get back out of the city and return to a simpler and more fulfilling way of … Read more
I don’t think it’s any exaggeration to say that for most of us one of the most fun parts of getting any new animals, be it pet or livestock, is coming up with a name. This is something that the whole family can get in on and get passionate about! Certainly, chickens deserve good names … Read more
For so many people, having a homestead to call their own is a dream. But even if you own a property, the prospect of actually living that life can be overwhelming, even frightening, if you didn’t grow up that way. Let’s face it; most of us are so used to living “in the box” that … Read more
One of the single best things you can do to improve the overall health of your garden, raised beds, container plants, and any other green-thumb projects you have going is to start your own compost pile. Compost is nothing more than properly decomposed organic matter, all of it rich in nitrogen, carbon, and other nutrients … Read more
If you have chickens of your own and have seen how they behave in the wintertime, you might well be under the impression that the cold doesn’t bother them at all. Chickens are indeed pretty stoic, and it’s true that most breeds do quite well even when the weather is below freezing… But it’s also … Read more
Whether you grow them yourself or pick them wild, I don’t think there’s anything better than perfectly ripe blackberries, bursting with juice and that delectable, tangy, sweet flavor. I know it’s clichéd, but there’s truly nothing else like them! And no matter where you get them from, you’ve got to wash them, and therein lies … Read more
If you are a gardener, compost will quickly become your best friend. It can help fertilize your plants, dramatically improve soil structure, and generally just make your garden thrive. It’s also one of the most economical ways to get your plants the nutrients they need if you stay on top of adding to it on … Read more
If you ask someone what the king of tropical fruits is, they probably tell you a banana, or maybe a pineapple. In reality, it’s the mango! Mangoes are eaten around the world and in all kinds of different dishes, both savory and sweet, and they’re a critical food crop for several countries. Interesting stuff, but … Read more
I love chickens, and lots of other homesteaders feel the same way. When it comes to livestock, ounce for ounce, I think chickens give you the most bang for your buck in terms of expense, effort, and return on investment. They can keep even a large family stocked up on eggs and meat for very … Read more
Canning is a great skill to learn. Whether you want to put food back for a rainy day or just maximize the return on your harvest by stopping spoilage, this is a time-honored technique for food preservation that works. And you might be surprised at just how many different foods that can be successfully canned … Read more
Canned goods can help you pad your pantry to be ready for tough times or just speed up meal prep. They really are great, and one of the best and most reliable ways to preserve food. But whether you buy them from the grocery store or can them yourself at home, the process isn’t infallible … Read more
Some of my very favorite canned foods are fruits. There’s just something about them I love. Whether I’m opening up the can and eating them straight away with a spoon, or adding them into various recipes, I love having preserved and delicious fruit on hand in my pantry. I have no doubt you’ll love it … Read more
When most homesteaders think of making a living on their own small property, they probably think of subsistence farming—supplementing or even replacing trips to the grocery store with what they can raise and grow on their own… After all, there’s no way you can farm at scale on a small parcel to make a serious … Read more