Helpful tips for living without electricity, without municipal water supply and sanitation services.
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 How to Fertilize Pastures and Hay Fields
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 How to Identify Goldenrod (Plus Foraging Tips)
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 Goldenrod Wildcrafting – How To Use This Misunderstood Plant
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 How to Identify Chicory
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 Is Burdock Edible?
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 How to Use a Gas Grill Safely
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 How To Harvest And Preserve Wild Onions
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 Your Guide to Temperate Fall Foraging
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 7 Ways to Harvest Rainwater for Your (Permaculture) Garden
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 The Art of Foraging: 54 Wild Edibles You Can Eat
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 How to Safely Forage for Mushrooms
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.
An easy, step-by-step guide to installing a permanent clothesline. Plus, why we like metal t-posts better than wood. (Disaster story to follow!)
Six ways we light up our home without using any electricity.
How I hang dry clothes indoors when it’s rainy or freezing outside. You only need a few helpful items, and a little time and patience!