Bad Gardening Habits That Could Ruin Your Crops
We all make mistakes from time to time, but it's always better to stop them (as much as you can) before they become a bad habit. Though all of us are in gardening to enjoy growing plants, we also reap the rewards of fresh fruits and vegetables for us and our families...
Why You Should Have A Black Soldier Fly Composting System
Maggots in your kitchen? Sounds like a nightmare, right? But hold on. These creepy crawlies are going to make you wanna start composting. Forget everything you thought you knew about compost systems. Black Soldier Fly composting offers a unique solution for your...
How Much Money I Saved in a Year By Growing My Own Food
As I stood in the grocery aisle, staring at the $4 price tag on a measly bunch of kale, I knew something had to change. The cost of living crisis had hit hard, and my weekly grocery bill was skyrocketing. Living in a modest home in rural Missouri, I decided to take...
Soil Testing Methods Used By Pioneers That Still Work Today
Think gardening's just tossing seeds and sprinkling water? Think again! Behind every thriving garden lies a secret weapon – understanding your soil. Don't fret if you lack fancy gadgets. You can still crack the soil code with a few simple DIY tests. They'll clue you...
Vegetables You Can Harvest In Less Than A Month
Growing vegetables that can be harvested in less than a month is a smart way to maximize your garden’s productivity. You get to enjoy the rewards of your efforts sooner rather than later, making gardening both efficient and satisfying. Whether you're a seasoned...
Why You Should Worry If You See This Butterfly In Your Garden
Imagine, if you will, you're sitting in your garden and enjoying the warm summer breeze. Your plants are growing so quickly that you can almost hear their stems stretching, and their leaves unfurling. It's incredible, knowing that you did this. This beautiful place is...
You Don’t Want This Near Your Plants
While pollinators are typically viewed as allies in gardening, not all might be nice with your plants. In fact, some can wreak havoc on your carefully curated garden paradise. But fear not! In this article, I'll shed light on eight pollinators you'll want to keep far...
10 Vegetables That Love To Climb
Imagine a garden where vegetables grow upwards, saving space and making your garden look beautiful. Vertical vegetable gardening has many benefits, like using space well, easier harvesting, and better pest control. But which vegetables grow best this way? In this...
People Used to Eat These During Famines
My guess is none of you experienced a long-time hunger. But probably most of you are familiar with the feeling of skipping 2 or 3 meals. Not a very pleasant one. During that time did you experience fatigue or dizziness? These are the first general symptoms of...
Foods The Pilgrims Ate When They First Arrived in America
When the Pilgrims first arrived in America in 1620, they faced many challenges, including food scarcity and unfamiliarity with the local flora and fauna. Their first winter in the New World was harsh, and many died due to malnutrition and disease. However, with the...
I Tried Eating Like a Pioneer for 100 Days and This Is What Happened
When the pioneers were moving out West, they didn’t have any grocery stores, supermarkets, or restaurants they could stop by to resupply themselves as they went. Instead, they had to stockpile foods that wouldn’t spoil and carry them on their wagons, as well as live...
10 Frugal Items You Must Have In Your Pantry
The pennies are pinching all of us these days. Every time you go to the grocery store, it feels like you're spending more than you did the last time you were there. As inflation rises and the general public tightens its belt, people are constantly craving ways to save...
Are You Ready For The Upcoming Food Crisis?
Due to the country's size and the wide variety of climates we have, almost any crop can be grown in the US. It is true that the US imports around 20% of the food it eats, but we are also one of the world's biggest exporters of food. So there's little chance of a...
Foods That Are Safe To Preserve In a Water Bath Canner
When you want to can your favorite produce, water bath canning is the best way to do it. However, it’s not meant for all foods because the food is processed at a lower temperature than a pressure canner. Therefore, it is most effective for foods that are highly acidic...
How To Preserve Food Without Electricity
Preserving food without electricity may seem like a daunting task in our modern, technology-driven world. But with some tried-and-true methods, you can keep your fruits, vegetables, and meats, and stay fresh for extended periods – no power required! Whether you're...
Stop Throwing Away Stale Bread. Do This Instead
Failing to eat your bread before it turns stale is extremely frustrating, and as a homesteader, the last thing you want to do is waste it. But fear not, there’s no need to throw your stale bread in the trash because there are plenty of creative ways to breathe new...
Stop Throwing Away Your Lemon Peels. Do This Instead!
You've made a beautiful pitcher of lemonade, but now it's time to toss your peels and- No! Stop! What are you doing? While you stand there holding your peels over the trash, absolutely baffled as to why I'd tell you to stop, settle in, and take a look at what you're...
The Worst States for Living Off Grid
Self-sufficiency is starting to become a necessity for more and more people. As the cost of living is increasing all over the U.S., switching to an off-grid lifestyle could become the norm soon. Or at least I think it should. For anyone who can make the switch,...
Agrihood: Are You Pro Or Against It?
"No. Just no. Crops belong in the countryside, and people in the cities, not vice versa." This was my neighbor’s response when the idea of transforming our neighborhood into an agrihood was suggested to him by a friend. Urban and rural living have traditionally been...
Why You Should Never Throw Away Your Pill Bottles
Medication is a drag, but the containers that your pills come in don't have to go and add more plastic to the local landfill. Nope, we have a bunch of different ideas on how to reuse, renew, and recycle your pill bottles. Let's dive right in! Seed Storage No matter...
How To Tell A Dead Tree From A Healthy One
While trees are exceptionally beautiful and add a decorative touch to our gardens, dead trees can pose significant dangers to safety and property. Firstly, they become potential hazards during high winds or storms, as they are likely to fall due to their weakened...
4 Things You Only Know Once You’ve Lived Off Grid
Considering a life away from the city, living off-grid, and being self-sufficient? It's a captivating idea, isn't it? Choosing off-grid living means embracing a different kind of freedom, one where self-sufficiency and independence become your daily norms. It's not...
Ingenious Uses for Egg Cartons
Have you been tossing out egg cartons in your yard, thinking they're useless? If so, it's time to gather those cartons and turn them into something productive! Not sure what I'm talking about? Keep reading to get all the details. Living on a farmstead, I've always...
Better Than a Faraday Cage
My dad is living with me and my family. He just had his 80th birthday, but he’s very sick and bedbound. To top it all off, he also needs dialysis three times a week and because he cannot just go to a hospital, we have an at-home dialysis device. I can’t afford to have...
