Whether you’re on a hobby farm or in a small urban apartment, our practical guides and tutorials will help you embrace the homesteading basics.
This section is also a place to celebrate the joys and challenges of homesteading. We share stories from our own experiences, including the successes and the lessons learned. We believe that homesteading is a journey of continuous learning and growth, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
On the farm, we’ve had to figure out how to get rid of skunks naturally. If you’ve been dealing with faint musky smells or noticed shallow holes popping up in your yard, you may have a skunk problem. These nocturnal creatures, often recognized by their white stripes and notorious skunk spray, can become unwelcome visitors. […]
How to Get Rid of Skunks Naturally in Your Yard Read Post »
In recent years, gardening enthusiasts and farmers alike have been captivated by the fascinating world of electroculture gardening. It’s a sustainable agriculture method that uses the power of electricity to boost plant growth. From home gardeners experimenting with their own gardens to larger-scale farmers exploring this innovative method, electroculture gardening has sparked curiosity and debate
What is Electroculture Gardening: Does it Work? Read Post »
Learn how to make beef tallow on your homestead. This natural animal fat has been a staple in traditional kitchens for generations, and for good reason. This versatile, healthy fat is perfect for high-heat cooking, deep frying, and even skincare. Making your own beef tallow at home is simple, cost-effective, and satisfying. Learning How to
How to Make Beef Tallow: It’s Easy to Render Your Own Read Post »
Today we are sharing with you all our tips on how to grow lavender. A few years ago, my daughter and I visited a lavender festival at a charming farm just a few miles away. It was our first experience with lavender fields, and we were completely captivated. The endless rows of lavender plants, their
How to Grow Lavender 101 Made Easy for Beginners Read Post »
Here are our top tips to plan a butterfly garden. There’s something magical about watching butterflies dance from flower to flower in your backyard. With the right plants and a little planning, you can create a thriving space that attracts a variety of butterflies and makes your garden feel alive. Adding a butterfly garden to
Plan a Butterfly Garden: Tips and Top Plant Picks Read Post »
Let’s explore 7 compelling reasons to plant a butterfly garden today and how you can create a productive butterfly garden full of butterfly-friendly plants. Imagine your garden teeming with vibrant blooms and alive with the fluttering wings of countless butterflies. A well-planned butterfly garden isn’t just a treat for the eyes. It’s a lifeline for
7 Compelling Reasons to Plant a Butterfly Garden Today Read Post »
Let’s learn about How to Stratify Seeds at Home. If you’ve ever struggled with getting certain seeds to sprout, seed stratification might be the answer. Some types of seeds require a period of cold or warm treatment to break their dormancy and start growing into beautiful plants. This natural process mimics the environmental conditions seeds
A Beginner’s Guide How to Stratify Seeds at Home Read Post »
Let’s explore the top pollinator plants for a thriving vegetable garden. Creating a flourishing vegetable garden requires more than just good soil, sunshine, and water. To truly thrive, your garden needs the help of pollinators—nature’s hardworking allies. Pollinator-friendly plants play a crucial role in supporting important pollinators like honeybees, bumble bees, and solitary bees. These
Top Pollinator Plants for a Thriving Vegetable Garden Read Post »
Let’s talk about how to Treat and Prevent Thrush in Equines. Dealing with thrush in our miniature donkey and miniature horse has been a learning experience for us as equine owners. We first noticed the telltale signs. A foul odor and black discharge around their hooves. We quickly realized we needed to act before the
Effective Ways to Treat and Prevent Thrush in Equines Read Post »
Essential DIY Homesteading Skills for Every Family: a phrase that evokes the timeless art of self-reliance and the joy of creating a sustainable way of life. Whether you’re nurturing a vegetable garden in your backyard, baking your own bread in the kitchen, or learning how to sew with a sewing machine. It’s a lifestyle that
Essential DIY Homesteading Skills for Every Family Read Post »
Store fresh eggs safely and maintain their quality and flavor. Knowing the best practices for fresh egg storage can help extend their shelf life and ensure you’re getting the most out of every single one. Whether you have your own backyard chickens, shop at the local farmers market, or buy eggs from the grocery store,
How to Store Fresh Eggs: Keep Them Safe and Fresh Read Post »
How to get rid of fruit flies when you can’t figure out why they showed up in the first place? These little pests seem to quickly show up at the first signs of something rotting. What are they? Fruit flies, or Drosophila melanogaster, are tiny pests that seem to multiply overnight, especially around food sources
How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies: Tested Methods that Work Read Post »
Making your own homemade cottage cheese is incredibly satisfying to create from scratch. It’s a great way to enjoy fresh, creamy cheese. This recipe is perfect for anyone looking to use simple ingredients and avoid store-bought options. Or you are a dairy farmer on a small scale or even a larger scale. When I was
Homemade Cottage Cheese: Simple and Delicious DIY Recipe Read Post »
Render pure lard from pork fat and create a liquid gold. It’s a rewarding process that connects homesteaders to traditional cooking practices. When I was first married years ago, my mother-in-law taught me how to render lard. She just used a roasting pan to melt the fat at a very low temperature. On the farm,
Simple Steps to Render Pure Lard for Cooking and Baking Read Post »
We spend so much time and effort in our gardens, storing squash for the winter is just as important to us. We had to do some research to find the best methods. Don’t worry, we are sharing with you so you can be successful in preserving your harvest too. As the growing season winds down
The Homesteader’s Guide to Storing Squash for Winter Read Post »
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly way to make use of your fresh grass clippings and yard waste, turning them into mini hay bales is a fantastic idea. Not only is it a great way to recycle lawn clippings for fall decorations, but it’s also a good hay source for small animals like miniature horses,
How to Make Mini Hay Bales from Lawn Grass Clippings Read Post »
Quick-Harvest Vegetables to Try for Fall in the Midwest to get a bountiful Autumn harvest. As summer’s heat fades, the fall months bring cooler temperatures, making it a great time to plan your fall vegetable garden in Wisconsin and neighboring areas like northern Illinois. The crisp cool weather is perfect for growing cool-season crops that
Quick-Harvest Vegetables to Try for Fall in the Midwest Read Post »
Extending the Garden Season into Winter: 11 Easy Ways. As the crisp days of fall set in, many gardeners think the harvest season is over. But with a little planning and the right tools, you can extend your gardening season into winter, even in cold climates like Wisconsin. We try and extend our vegetable garden
Extending the Garden Season into Winter: 11 Easy Ways Read Post »
Making French butter at home is one of those satisfying skills that brings you closer to the roots of traditional homesteading. In a time when convenience often trumps quality, taking a step back and crafting your own butter from fresh cream gives you control over your ingredients and connects you to an age-old process. The
How to Make French Butter at Home Read Post »
Learn how easy it is to make your own butter. Making butter at home is not only a rewarding experience but also a simple way to connect with traditional homesteading practices. If you’ve ever wanted to savor fresh, creamy butter made from scratch, you’re in for a treat. With just a few basic ingredients and
How to Make Your Own Butter: A Simple Homestead Recipe Read Post »
If your apple tree looks like it’s struggling, you may be wondering, “Why is my apple tree dying?” The good news is that there are natural ways to revive it, but first, it’s important to understand the root causes. For years and years, we’ve had apple trees growing all over our farm. At the back
Why Is My Apple Tree Dying: How to Revive It Naturally Read Post »
Let’s delve into 17 types of mushrooms, exploring their flavors, textures, and culinary uses across various cuisines. Exploring the vast array of mushrooms available is like uncovering nature’s hidden treasures. From the robust meatiness of shiitake mushrooms to the delicate earthiness of porcini, each variety brings its own unique charm to the table. Navigating the
17 Types of Mushrooms: How to Choose and Cook Read Post »
Let’s talk about how to manage bugs in a compost bin. If you’ve started composting, you’re already contributing to reducing food waste and creating nutrient-rich compost for your garden. But when it comes to managing bugs in your compost bin, things can get a little buggy—literally! You might spot fruit flies, pill bugs, or even
How to Manage Bugs and Unwanted Bugs: Compost Like a Pro Read Post »
Raising animals for meat on a homestead can be a fulfilling and sustainable way to produce your own food. Whether you’re interested in filling your freezer with fresh meat or providing your family with high-quality, locally sourced animal products, there are many livestock options to consider. From backyard chickens to larger animals like dairy cows
Animals for Meat on a Homestead: Livestock Options Read Post »
Natural Repellents to Get Rids of Ants in Your Home. They are a common household pest that can be both frustrating and difficult to eliminate. Whether you’re dealing with sugar ants, carpenter ants, or odorous house ants, you’re likely searching for effective solutions to keep your home ant-free. The good news is that there are
Natural Repellents to Get Rids of Ants in Your Home Read Post »
Growing onions can be one of the most rewarding experiences for any home gardener. There’s something deeply satisfying about nurturing these versatile vegetables from tiny seeds or sets into robust bulbs that grace our kitchens with flavor. The journey from planting to harvest offers invaluable lessons in patience, care, and the joy of cultivating your
Best Soil Choices and Planting Tips for Growing Onions Read Post »
How long does zucchini last? For homesteaders and backyard gardeners, harvesting fresh squash is one of the joys of the growing season. However, zucchini plants are prolific producers. Often leaving you with an excessive amount of squash to enjoy throughout the summer. To make the most of your harvest, it’s important to know how long
How Long Does Zucchini Last After Picked? Read Post »
Learn how to prevent and treat tomato blight. It’s one of the most devastating diseases home gardeners face during the growing season. It can affect your tomato plants, entire tomato crop, and even spread to potato plants. Understanding the different types of blight and how to prevent and treat them is essential to maintaining healthy
How to Prevent and Treat Tomato Blight in Your Garden Read Post »
An easy sourdough starter is made from a mixture of flour and water that captures wild yeast from the environment, which will naturally ferment to become the base for many tasty sourdough breads. Creating your own sourdough starter is simpler than it seems, and with a few basic ingredients and a bit of time, you’ll
From Scratch: How to Make an Easy Sourdough Starter Read Post »
We love pumpkins in the fall, but how do you keep pumpkins from rotting so fast? As the air turns crisp and leaves begin to change, one of the joys of the fall season is adorning your home with vibrant pumpkins. Whether you’ve picked them fresh from the patch or carefully selected them for their
How to Keep Pumpkins from Rotting This Fall Read Post »
Your Guide to 9 Different Onion Varieties and Their Uses.They are a staple in kitchens around the world, known for their versatility and ability to enhance flavors in a wide range of dishes. From the everyday yellow onion to the delicate shallot, each type of onion brings its own unique taste and texture to the
Your Guide to 9 Different Onion Varieties and Their Uses Read Post »
Broccoli rabe, also known as rapini or turnip broccoli, is a nutrient-packed cruciferous vegetable that has a unique place in Italian cuisine. Despite its name, broccoli rabe is not the same as broccoli florets or even baby broccoli. Instead, it’s more closely related to mustard greens and turnip tops. This vibrant green vegetable features long
What is Broccoli Rabe and How to Cook it? Read Post »
Here are 18 genius ways to use eggshells that might make you think twice before tossing them in the trash. Eggshells are often discarded without a second thought, but they are incredibly versatile and can be used in various clever ways. Eggshells are far more useful than most people realize. From gardening and pest control
18 Genius Ways to Use Eggshells: Garden to Home Uses Read Post »
Growing an apple tree is a rewarding journey that can provide years of growth and fresh, home-grown apples. Whether you’re planting a standard apple tree in a large garden or dwarf apple trees in small spaces, following these steps will help ensure a bountiful harvest. Embrace the apple-growing journey and enjoy the satisfaction of producing
How to Plant and Grow an Apple Tree Read Post »
What is the best trick to store tomatoes? Storing them the right way can make all the difference between bland, mealy tomatoes and vibrant, flavorful ones. By following these farmer-approved tips, you can ensure your tomatoes maintain their peak flavor and last as long as possible. Whether you’re savoring a simple tomato sandwich or preparing
The Best Trick to Store Tomatoes, According to Farmers Read Post »
Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a home cook just starting to experiment, understanding how to render and cook with bacon grease can open up a whole new world of flavor. I first learned as a child how good things taste when this delicious flavor is added to so many dishes. It’s one of those
How to Render and Cook with Bacon Grease Read Post »
If you’ve ever wondered about the best way to season a cast iron skillet, you’re in the right place. Using bacon grease for the seasoning process not only gives your skillet a unique flavor but also ensures a well-seasoned cast iron pan. Some people think a cast-iron skillet is hard to maintain. Actually, it’s as
How to Season a Cast Iron Skillet with Bacon Grease Read Post »
What is Freeze-Dried Fruit and How to Use It in Your Favorite Recipes? If you’re curious about this and how it can enhance your meals, you’re in the right place. It’s more than just a trendy snack. They offer a unique combination of taste, convenience, and nutrition. In this post, we’ll explore what it is
What is Freeze-Dried Fruit and How to Use It Read Post »
Wondering how to start Composting? It’s a natural process that transforms organic waste into nutrient-rich soil. By composting, you can reduce your household food waste, enrich your garden soil, and contribute to a healthier environment. This guide will walk you through the basics of composting, from understanding what it is to harvesting your finished compost.
How to Start Composting: A Beginner’s Guide Read Post »
When life throws challenges your way, cooking from home can be a comforting and practical choice. Whether you’re facing financial constraints, health issues, or simply looking to make the most of what you have, home cooking offers a way to nourish both your body and soul. Not only does it help you save money, but
Cooking From Home When Times Get Hard: Simple Solutions for Tough Times Read Post »
All About Wool Dryer Balls. For us, it’s an eco-friendly must have. In today’s eco-conscious world, finding alternatives to single-use products is becoming increasingly important. They are a fantastic natural alternative to traditional fabric softeners and dryer sheets. If you’re tired of dealing with static cling and harmful chemicals in your laundry routine, these little
All About Wool Dryer Balls: Eco-Friendly Laundry Must-Haves Read Post »
Yes, my mom’s mother, my grandmother used a float test for good eggs and bad eggs. On certain things, my grandmother had a knack for simplifying kitchen tasks. She rarely bothered with expiration dates, relying instead on practical methods, like the egg float test. This simple water test helps determine the freshness of eggs and
My Grandmother’s Float Test for Good Eggs and Bad Eggs Read Post »
Learn how to use the double digging method to till a garden by hand. This method may be laborious and time consuming, but it does get the job done effectively. It is also great for people that have small gardens planned or do not have access to a rototiller or garden tractor. I decided to
How to Till a Garden by Hand: the Double Digging Method Read Post »
