Homesteading for everyone
In this article, we will discuss the old-fashioned technique of hügelkultur building on the homestead scale. Hügelkultur is a German word that translates directly to ‘hill culture’, which means growing plants on a mixed mound of decaying wood, plants and soil. The mound is typically built directly on to the ground, which effectively creates a… [read more]
The name is certainly a weird one. The first part of the name comes from the fishing town of Cullen in North East Scotland, while the second part refers to a soup. Although originally it referred to a shin or knuckle bone used in soups, over time ‘skink’ was applied to any soup. In this… [read more]
Chicken fanciers love to spoil their feathered friends with delicious and nutritious treats. But what exactly should you feed your chickens when you want to give them a little treat? Sure, you could purchase expensive chicken treats online or at your local farm store. Your chickens will happily gobble them up! But if you want… [read more]
The name is pretty self explanatory – chicken and leeks in this soup! The name however doesn’t mention the prunes that seem to be added in some of the recipes. They do give it a bit of a weird taste, however it is totally up to the individual to add or leave out the prunes.… [read more]
Besides the cute factor, these gentle animals have lots of benefits when introduced to your homestead. These include compostable manure, a fleece sheared annually which is worth quite a lot, the chance to hire out your alpacas for photo shoots – it’s amazing how many couples want to pose with an alpaca on their wedding… [read more]
The next time you have eggshells to throw out after your morning scramble or Benedict, don’t just toss them in the trash. When you have backyard chickens, you are going to get eggs. When you have eggs, you are going to get eggshells. You may be wondering “What can I do with eggshells?” Sure, you can… [read more]
When you feel like a lunchtime snack that isn’t going to involve a lot of time, then this provides a tasty meal within 20 or so minutes. If you have kids around who are hurrying you along because they are, “Starving!” then you can divide out the tasks – one doing the measuring of the… [read more]
Have you ever seen an herb spiral, or thought of building one for yourself? If so, then this is the article for you. An herb spiral is a garden fixture shaped into a spiral. It is similar to a garden bed, but winds around itself. The soil is typically sloped evenly from lowest at the… [read more]
I lived in a small townhouse with a tiny backyard. I squeezed in a garden, but what I really wanted was a few chickens for eggs, manure, and fun. My next-door neighbors promised they didn’t mind, but the township I lived in had different ideas about what I could do with my own backyard. The… [read more]
When you are first learning how to can, it can seem like a daunting task. You need to coordinate the cooking, the filling, and the processing without burning yourself or making a mistake that might cause your family to get sick. While there are risks to canning, there are also benefits. Following canning safety rules… [read more]
