Dandelions and wild violets are some of the first blooms of spring. Wouldn’t it be lovely to preserve that beautiful freshness to remind you the wonders of spring even in the middle of the bleakest winter? How about other beautiful flowers such as peonies, lilacs, lavender, and bee balm? You may already be cultivating these… [read more]
The Wyandotte Chicken Breed: Everything You Need to Know
I used to think a chicken was just a chicken until I decided I needed to have a few for my very own. After calling around to several hatcheries and asking questions that only a novice chicken owner could dream up, I discovered there were many types and breeds of chicken to choose from. The… [read more]
Broody Hens: Everything You Need to Know
If your normally sweet, docile little hen just turned into a fire-breathing dragon with feathers, you might have a broody hen. Perhaps you are wondering if she is sick, or injured, or ate something that didn’t agree with her crop? If your hen just underwent a major personality change, it’s likely she’s broody. You may… [read more]
Silkie Chickens: Should You Get Them?
Did you ever wonder if you should get silkie chickens for your backyard or homestead? I will never forget the day that I discovered these amazing tiny balls of fluff – baby silkie chickens- for sale at my local Tractor Supply during their infamous Chick Days. I was immediately smitten with the little darlings and… [read more]
50 Healthy Homemade Treats for Your Chickens
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]
Urban and Suburban Chickens: Everything You Need to Know
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]
20 Unbreakable Rules for Safe Home Canning
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]
35 Easy Ways to Lower your Grocery Bill by 50% or More
We all want to save money on our grocery bills. Food is expensive! According to the USDA, the average family of four (2 adults and 2 children that aren’t teenagers) spends somewhere between $200 and $246 per week on groceries. That’s nearly $1000 per month just for food, and that doesn’t include eating out. If… [read more]
How to Plant, Grow, Harvest, and Use St. John’s Wort
St. John’s wort is both a mysterious and debated member of the herb family. You’ve heard of it, but what is it really? Is it a noxious weed or a miraculous medicinal plant? Poisonous to your livestock or not? A vitamin supplement or a disaster for your homestead or ranch? In this article, we’ll talk… [read more]
The Homesteader’s Guide to Prepping for Blackouts
Are you prepared for a power outage? A power outage could happen at any time due to weather, accidents, terrorism, or any other innumerable possibilities. Outages can last from a few minutes to a few days and even weeks. It is hard to imagine what life would be like should the power go out for… [read more]