The New Hampshire chicken was the first chicken my husband and I decided to raise on our small farm – back when we thought we would “just have a few chickens” for the eggs. Today, we raise a flock of 75 laying hens along with more than 300 meat birds each summer, as our farm … Read more
Making jewelweed and plantain salve in the crockpot (or slow cooker) not only vastly speeds up the process of making an all natural homemade salve, but simplifies it, as well. By making jewelweed and broad leaf plantain salve using this low and slow heat method, you will no longer have to stand next to a … Read more
Summer starting to turn into fall? What do we have to do, to get our permaculture garden ready for the winter? Your preparations have most to do with which ever climate zone you happen to be in. There are a few preparations that will be common to all zones, but the easiest way to break … Read more
There is a wide variety of primrose plants, with over 400 types included in the Primulaceae family. Majority of the various primroses grow in shades of yellow, but there are other varieties that are red, pink, white, purple, or sometimes orange. From the diverse lands of North America, evening primrose varieties were soon migrated overseas, … Read more
Ramen… 2-minute noodles, instant noodles, whatever you call them, this is one heck of a foodstuff! This is quite possibly a hiker’s best friend, while out on the trails because it’s lightweight, it doesn’t take up much space in your pack, and it’s easy to prepare. Additionally, it’s great for household meals and snacks – … Read more
Raising dairy cows is a good way to provide your family with all the milk, cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products you need – in fact, one cow is usually all you need to provide more than enough milk for most families. But what do you do when your cows’ milk production drops off? Besides … Read more
I know I’ve talked about this already but growing up on hiking trails and in campsites, there were only a few rules that we had to worry about. A crucial one was don’t touch anything! You don’t mess with Mother Nature, and she won’t mess with you. So, you’d think that with a name like … Read more
If you spend any time in the shady woods that surround your homestead, chances are you have run into patches of Solomon’s seal from time to time. This handsome plant looks like it belongs in your garden as much as it does beneath a thick canopy of trees, so it is no surprise that it … Read more
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 are new to raising chickens, the thought may have crossed your mind – is breeding chickens possible? It sure is! You can easily breed your own hens and roosters so that you have hatching eggs for adorable chicks. No doubt, you’re filled with questions. Before you can get started with hatching your own … Read more
I’m about ready to harvest my first watermelon! Not only my first watermelon of the season, but the first watermelon I have ever grown – ever! I’m incredibly excited to hit this milestone, as I’ve always had a hard time growing these delicious fruits. In a few weeks, I think my fruit will be all … Read more
Deciding I wanted a lifestyle change late in life, I caught the off-grid living bug. Did I want to be self-sufficient? Well, I do not think I asked myself that question at the time. However, it sounded like a good idea then – and still does. Exactly how much land do you need to be … Read more
Welsh Harlequin ducks are a relatively new breed when compared with those top meat and egg duck varieties that have been around for centuries. Their newness to the marketplace, and somewhat difficult to find nature has not hampered the ability of Welsh Harlequins to become an incredibly popular breed. Members of this duck breed are … 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
Incubating and hatching duck eggs is vitally important if you want to keep your flock growing should the breed you are keeping be excellent layers, but lousy sitters. Some duck breeds both lay and sit their eggs well, but that is definitely not always the case. In such circumstances, investing in a quality incubator and … Read more