Helpful tips for living without electricity, without municipal water supply and sanitation services.
The flowering perennial milkweeds (falling under the genus Asclepias), grow all throughout the United States. Milkweed flowers range from soft pink, to green, to scarlet, and many colors in between. These plants aren’t just nice to look at. Milkweed is the only plant on which monarch caterpillars feed, making it critical for the survival of … Read more
Preventing soil erosion in your yard, garden, or pasture is essential if you have a farm or homestead. Not only does limiting erosion improve and increase the amount of workable land that you have, it makes your property look a lot nicer, too. When we first purchased our property, we had a huge problem with … Read more
Lady’s Thumb (Persicaria maculosa, Polygonum persicaria) is viewed by uninformed folks as merely an invasive weed that needs whacked and disposed of quickly. But, to homesteaders and fans of wild edibles in general, discovering this plant on your land can provide a natural bounty of home remedy ingredients. This annual wild plant is a part … Read more
Adding fertilizer to a pasture or hayfield can help infuse nutrients back into the soil and bring about robust growth of highly nutritious hay or field grass for the livestock to eat … if you do it right. Making mistakes when fertilizing livestock areas can not only bring about a vastly disappointing hay or straw … Read more
Goldenrod is a superb plant for novice foragers to discover because it boasts a plethora of edible and medicinal uses. But, this hardy wild “weed” does also have some potentially lethal look-alikes. There are about 130 species of goldenrod plants. All of the species except one, white goldenrod, feature bright yellow blossoms. Each of the … Read more
Goldenrod is both a beautiful, and often hated wild weed. For folks suffering from haya fever and related seasonal allergies, this late July or August bloomer is dreaded. But, contrary to popular belief, it is often just the plain Jane ragweed that grows with goldenrod, that causes all of the annoying, and somewhat painful allergy … Read more
Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is probably the easiest of nearly all wild “weeds” to identify. Only daisies and dandelions might be simpler to safely identify for a novice wildcrafter. Not only are the flowers quite distinctive on a chicory plant, but it has no toxic look-alikes, as Queen Anne’s Lace and so many other plants do. … Read more
If you’re looking to improve your health and enjoy a tasty meal at the same time, look no further than your own backyard. Burdock is a common herb that many people have growing wild on their properties. It can be quite annoying to encounter when you are walking in the woods, as it has small … Read more
Gas grills are easy to use, offering many advantages over traditional charcoal cooking. You don’t have to wait for your grill to preheat, and it’s easy to set up and handle a standard gas grill. With hundreds of recipes just waiting to be savored, don’t let your trepidation as a first time barbeque-er hold you … Read more
Wild onions by any other name are still just as tasty and good for you. Depending upon where you live, wild onions may also be called: wild garlic, leeks, field garlic, scallions, and crow garlic. There are more than 100 different varieties of wild onions and garlic (wild alliums) that grow in fields and pastures … Read more
As a homesteader, you need to understand what the world has to offer on its abundant plate. As ignorant tourists on the planet, it seems that we turn our noses up at the good free food the Earth has to provide; instead opting for sawdust-filled hamburgers and uranium-colored candy bars. As a seasoned forager, you … Read more
In permaculture, it is often thought that ‘planting your water’ is the first step to success. While you may have great soil and a super smart design, if you are neglecting the water flow through your site, you are not only wasting this precious hydration resource, but putting your garden in danger of losing the … Read more
Foraging should be an essential part of any homesteader’s and prepper’s plan to grow his or her own groceries. Learning how to identify, find, harvest, and prepare wild edibles will vastly increase the family’s healthy food supply both today and during a long-term disaster. Foraged food can be preserved just like the fruits, vegetables, and … Read more
Disclaimer: neither the author nor www.newlifeonahomestead.com are responsible for the side effects resulted from applying the advice given in this article. The advice in this article is for information purposes only. Mushroom foraging is one of my favorite hobbies. In addition to providing me with delicious treats, the experience of searching for mushrooms deepens my relationship … Read more
Bring a little nostalgia to your next backyard BBQ cookout with homemade ice cream made in an old fashioned hand crank ice cream maker!
The pros and cons of heating your home with a wood stove vs. a water stove. Which is best? I’ll help you decide.