Homesteading

Ever heard the term bushel of wheat? If you have, you might have thought that it was slang, of sorts. A bushel just means a bunch, right? Not quite, though it is! A bushel is an actual, precise unit of measure, specifically weight or volume, one that is very important in the US, especially for

It’s an unhappy and uncertain time in America. Civil strife is reaching highs unprecedented in our era. Infrastructure and availability of goods and services are becoming spotty. Everything, and I do mean everything, is stupidly expensive and getting worse. I know too many people who are working hard, way beyond full time, and still struggling

So, you are interested in homesteading. It’s your dream. What does it look like? A garden bursting with homegrown tomatoes? A flock of chickens to call your own? Row after row of jars of canned goods lining your pantry shelves? It can be done. All of it. The trouble is, as great as the dream

Whatever kinds of plants you grow, and wherever you grow them, insect pests will be a constant menace. Ornamentals, herbs, fruits, and veggies can all fall victim to hordes of bugs throughout the year. There’s no shortage of products that can dispatch them, but many have downright scary ingredients that can impact the health of

I’ve noticed something kind of scary happening these past few years. Folks that I know, friends and neighbors, who embarked on their homesteading journey to escape the rat race of life have been looking increasingly frazzled. You know what I mean. Wide eyes with a thousand-yard stare, constantly revved up, hustling through conversations like they

Many homesteaders imagine a way of life that pays for itself. Said another way, the way they want to live will be their source of income. I’m talking about a real, working homestead, not a hobby farm that’s simply a money pit or a nice little patch in the country to retire on during your

If you ask me, orange peel powder is one of the most underused kitchen ingredient. It adds a scrumptious, bright burst of aromatic citrus to everything from baked goods and desserts to salad dressings, tea, and a whole lot more. Instead of paying too much for old, bland versions at the grocery store, make a

Being a good gardener requires many traits: a good eye, diligence, discipline, a willingness to get your hands dirty, selflessness, and patience. If you are anything like me, it is that last one that is going to prove to be a problem! As soon as the season arrives, I’m already ready to enjoy my harvest

If you have sheep of your own and want to expand your flock without spending a fortune, you’ve got to learn how to breed them. Breeding sheep seems easy on the surface: put a boy sheep and a girl sheep together, give them a little bit of privacy, and pretty soon you’ll have some adorable