Learn how to grow more of your own food.
We’ve talked about it a lot here on New Life on a Homestead: compost is one of the very best things you can possibly use in your garden, your raised beds, your containers, and anywhere else you happen to be planting. All-natural and packed with nutrients that plants need, it’s easy and cheap to make … Read more
Whether you have a bountiful garden, productive raised beds, or beautiful landscaping, you’re going to have to weed them. No matter how hard you try, weeds are just a fact of life and an annoying chore. But what is a weed? It just means an unwanted plant, right? Yes, that’s what it means, but that’s … Read more
A big part of homesteading is properly managing our land. Most of us have a garden, and some of us grow large fields of crops. And for those of us who don’t, taking care of our land helps to balance the ecosystem, attract beneficial insects and animals, and generally just make things nicer and prettier. … Read more
Every gardener out there, no matter what they are growing, has a singular enemy in common. You know what I’m talking about: weeds! Whether you’re cultivating gorgeous flowers or just trying to bring in a bountiful crop of tomatoes, weeds will always be there to get in the way, spoil the aesthetics, and rob both … Read more
Whether or not you prefer to maintain a traditional garden, container gardening is a great way to increase your available space, maximize versatility, and adapt to changing conditions. You can grow veggies, fruit, herbs, or ornamentals based on your preference, and keep them indoors or out. It’s the perfect way to experiment with new plants … Read more
Lots of homesteaders turn to growing crops not just to feed themselves and their families, but to make or supplement a living. This starts off well enough, but as soon as you realize that an entire acre of corn or wheat will sell for about $1,000 bucks or even less, it will quickly douse your … Read more
One of the most exciting times in any gardener’s endeavors is that first sign of new green poking up through the soil. When a seed germinates and starts to grow, it is full of promise and anticipation of what’s to come. Yes, it’s also the beginning of a lot of hard work, but it’s always … Read more
As a homesteader, you’re always thinking of methods to increase the yields. And one of the best ways to do that is by using cover crops. Cover crops can help improve soil health, suppress weeds, and provide food for livestock. One of the most popular cover crops is crimson clover. In this post, we will … Read more
One of the best things you can do to enhance your own self-sufficiency is grow your own food. After all, people have been doing it basically forever! It’s a great way to get closer to the things you eat, and it also helps to prevent waste in the kitchen since you are far more likely … Read more
If there is one annoyance that unites gardeners, landscapers, farmers, and groundskeepers it is weeds. They come in all shapes, sizes and colors and can be found everywhere, including your driveway. Emerging from cracks in the concrete, growing from between the gravel or popping up in the bare dirt, there’s nothing quite like a weed … Read more
Before you read any further, I am not nuts! You will love using this tea… for your plants! That is to say, we are talking about eggshell fertilizer tea. Eggshells are often used for the sharp edges to keep snails out of gardens, but this humble kitchen scrap is worth much more than just a … Read more
As gardeners, we all want to keep our gardens looking great for as long as possible. But for older folks, that task can be a little more difficult. If you’re older, you may have difficulty bending down or reaching up, and you may tire easily. In addition, you may be susceptible to health problems such … Read more
Even if you are the most conscientious of gardeners, there may come a time when your plants start to die. It can be frustrating and upsetting when this happens, but before you give up on gardening altogether, take a look at some of the most common reasons why plants might die. With a bit of … Read more
Do you want an eco-friendly garden but don’t have the time or energy to deal with planting and maintaining annual plants? Or maybe you’re just lazy like me. Either way, perennials are the solution for you! Perennial crops come back year after year with little maintenance, which makes them perfect for those who love gardening … Read more
If you’re a homesteader, then you know the importance of growing your own food. But what about plants that can help support your local ecosystem? Milkweed is one such plant, and it’s worth growing even if you don’t have a lot of space. Here are a few reasons why milkweed is so important, and why … Read more
If you tend to your own garden, you already know that time is always at a premium. There’s a never-ending list of things to do, chores to handle, and projects to start, or sometimes cancel! It’s a good idea, then, to draw on any technique, tip or hack that can make your life just a … Read more