With any hobby or activity, there are always going to be recurring costs; and for most gardeners, one of the biggest ones is potting soil. Whatever brand you like and whatever kind of plant you’re growing, this nutrient-rich stuff is getting more expensive all the time. If you’ve got large containers or just lots of […]
7 Clever Things You Can Do With Old Potting Soil Read More »
Fall is invariably a season of mixed emotions for most gardeners. For some of us, it’s a time to start winding down, kicking back, and dreaming of that first spring planting. For others, it just signals a new round of work to be done! Whether you want to squeeze the most out of your garden
The Ultimate Fall Garden Checklist of Things to Do Read More »
Whether you went a little crazy at the local farmers market or are fortunate enough to enjoy a bumper crop out of your own garden, having a ton of fresh peppers on hand means preservation is necessary if you don’t want them to go to waste. Let’s face it, even if you are a pepper
10 Ways to Preserve Your Pepper Harvest for the Winter Read More »
Greenhouses are a time-tested way to extend your growing season, provide ideal conditions for plants that love warm weather, or keep right on gardening straight through the winter. A properly designed hoophouse can keep your plants warm and happy using nothing but the power of the sun. But despite the efficiency of sunlight, greenhouses may
Heating Your Greenhouse During Winter with (Almost) Zero Costs! Read More »
For many homesteaders, the dream is not just to have a homestead of your own but to have one that is completely self-sufficient: totally off-grid! I know it sounds like an impossibility in our increasingly connected world, but I can assure you it is doable. Better yet, you can do it without giving up that
8 Reliable Ways to Generate Off-Grid Power Read More »
At-home canning is one of the best ways to preserve all kinds of food. It’s a valuable skill and also a fun pastime. But I’ve said before that it is just as much art as it is science, and even with the most detailed guides there’s always going to be things that happen—unexpected things that
Popping and Canning Jars: What it Means Read More »
For so many homesteaders, part of the dream of homesteading is making a living off of your property. When your way of life also becomes your income, it’s a great feeling and often leads to a much-improved quality of life. But for lots of us, we’ve got to take a winding road to get there…
Top 10 Homesteading Side Hustles (Each Can Bring $500/Month!) Read More »
There is nothing better you can do for your food security, preservation of your harvest, or stretching your grocery budget than canning at home. Done properly, home-canned foods are safe, long-lasting, and delicious, and best of all, nearly anything can be preserved. Most of us are already familiar with canning meat, soup, veggies, fruit, and
How to Can Grape Juice (Step by Step with Photos) Read More »
There is seemingly no end to the bounty that nature can furnish for us. There are all kinds of plants that can provide us with food, health benefits, and a lot more. The trick is knowing what you’re looking for, where it grows, and when it grows. One of my favorite times to forage for
20 Herbs, Berries, and Other Edibles to Forage For in the Fall Read More »
Canning fruit at home is one of the best ways to preserve your haul, whether you bought it at the grocery store or grew it yourself. One of my very favorite canned fruits is pears…. They’re the perfect combination of convenience, sweetness, tenderness, and versatility. They are great right out of the jar and an
The Easiest Way to Can Pears in a Water Bath Read More »
