If you’ve ever walked out to your garden and suddenly found yourself with more cucumbers than you know what to do with, you’re not alone. One day, you have just enough for a salad, and the next, you’re carrying in an overflowing basket, wondering how you’ll use them all before they turn soft. Honestly, it’s…
Canning season starts with strawberries in my family. It’s one of the first fruits to produce in our area, and while our strawberry bed doesn’t grow enough yet for our family, I take advantage of local sales and farms. This year, one of the biggest hits in my family is strawberry lemonade concentrate, a delicious,…
If you’ve spent any time researching gardening on social media, you’ve probably seen those colorful companion planting charts promising bigger harvests and fewer pests—just by planting the “right” crops together. That may have led you to wonder – does companion planting TRULY work? But here’s the truth:Some companion planting methods work really well… some barely…
When the days get shorter and the air turns crisp, I know it’s time to shift gears on the homestead. Winter brings a slower rhythm, but it’s far from idle. A solid winter homestead checklist keeps everything running smoothly, protects what I’ve worked hard to build, and sets me up for a strong start in…
Black walnuts are a unique ingredient that I’ve come to appreciate for their rich, earthy flavor and versatility. They’re more than just a nut to snack on; you can use them in everything from baked goods to savory dishes, adding a special twist that’s hard to find anywhere else. You can find all sorts of…
Adding profitable farm animals to your homestead is one way to make money homesteading, but not all animals will make you a profit. When you first start your homestead, getting animals might not be your immediate steps. Chickens, yes, because they’re easy, but chances are you wait until you’re ready. Then, you need to pick…
Apples are such a great fruit to have in the fall, but their season can feel way too short. I’ve found that preserving apples lets me enjoy their fresh flavor all year long without waste or stress. The best way to preserve apples depends on your needs—freezing, canning, drying, and making apple butter or sauce are…
Keeping your chickens cool in the summer is more important than winter care. Everyone is always so worried about their chickens handling the cold temperatures of winter, but the real concern is keeping chickens cool in the summer. Even though they’re farm animals, chickens are still vulnerable to heat stroke and other problems brought on…
Starting with the easiest vegetables to grow will make your first gardening experience better. Gardening can seem intimidating, but starting with the right plants makes it much easier. Radishes are one of the easiest vegetables to grow, providing quick results in as little as three to four weeks. They’re a fantastic choice for new gardeners who want…
The first of the year and winter time brings a new set of tasks that need to be completed on your homestead. Christmas is over, and the dark of winter sets in. Now is the perfect time to start your winter homesteading tasks. I call these my quarter-one homesteading tasks, and they revolve around gearing…
