Helpful tips for living without electricity, without municipal water supply and sanitation services.
Impatiens Capensis, or the common jewelweed is a plant that’s native to North America and is found in ditches and creeks. The name ‘jewelweed’ comes from the fact that, when held underwater, the leaves appear to be jeweled. It’s often found alongside its relative the yellow jewelweed – which is less common. It’s very nice … Read more
If you don’t know what it is, don’t touch it. This is a general safety rule that applies to everything and it’s especially true when it comes to plants. Some plants are perfectly safe to eat, while others seem safe but are in fact poisonous, and will make you sick. So, with that in mind, … Read more
Every forager knows that the best plants aren’t just pretty or tasty, but have many practical uses as well. So, it’s no surprise that modern foragers value wildflowers and weeds for the healing properties they have as much as they do for their taste. Certain plants have numerous health benefits, and can be used in … Read more
When it comes to foraging, there are always plants out there that are important to recognize, but better left alone. On the top of any homesteader’s “hands off” list should definitely be white snakeroot. This plant, while it does have some purported medicinal uses, is a plant best left alone, or limited to some plantings … Read more
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