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.
Did you know you should be picking your tomatoes at first blush, not the peak of ripeness? There’s nothing like the flavor of a homegrown, vine-ripened tomato. But if you’re anything like me, you’ve lost more than a few red tomatoes to curious critters, pecking birds, or splitting skins. Once that bright red color starts […]
How & Why Picking Tomatoes at First Blush Is Best Read Post »
Tried-and-True Natural Relief from mosquito bites to stop the itching from the Homestead. There’s nothing like enjoying a peaceful evening on the porch. Until the mosquitoes show up. If you’re anything like me, a single mosquito bite can turn into days of miserable itching. It’s even worse when family members have the same reaction. That’s
Home Remedies for Mosquito Bites to Stop the Itching Read Post »
Finding the best way to store fresh mint leaves is a good idea for every home cook or gardener with large harvests. If your herb garden is overflowing with mint plants this season, you’re not alone. We’re in the same boat! While mint is a versatile herb we love tossing into iced tea, mint pesto,
Expert Tips on How to Store Fresh Mint Leaves Read Post »
Let’s talk about 20 cool weather crops you can plant now to keep your garden thriving well into the crisp autumn months. As summer starts to wind down here in Wisconsin, many gardeners think it’s time to pull up the plants and pack up the tools. But for us homesteaders, this is actually the perfect
20 Cool Weather Crops to Plant Now for a Thriving Fall Garden Read Post »
Knowing when to water your garden and exactly how much water your garden needs can be a bit of a mystery. Even for seasoned gardeners. Water too much and you risk root rot and disease; water too little and your garden plants may dry up in the heat of the day. The good news? With
Expert Tips: Knowing When to Water Your Garden Read Post »
It always seems the dill is ready before my produce from my garden, so how do I store dill, so I have it for recipes and canning. Fresh dill is one of those aromatic herbs that brings bright, tangy flavor to everything from chicken salad to dill pickles. This works for fresh dill from the
Smart Ways to Store Dill for Maximum Freshness Read Post »
Learn how to keep your potatoes all winter with this storing potatoes 101 guide. Whether you’re stocking up on grocery store potatoes, bringing home a few bags from the farmers market, or storing a just-harvested crop from your backyard garden, knowing how to store potatoes the right way makes a big difference. The wrong environment,
Storing Potatoes 101: Cure and Keep them All Winter Read Post »
If you’ve ever wondered about Red Clover vs. White Clover and which one makes the better herbal tea? Or the better choice for your homestead. This guide will help you sort it all out. This year, our backyard exploded with clover. Especially red and white varieties. My daughter and her friend started drying flower heads
Red Clover vs. White Clover Tea Benefits & Risks Read Post »
Not long ago, my daughter and I saw a video on social media on how to preserve flowers in bottles. It looked like such a fun way to keep blooms around longer. We just had to try it. We picked out a few flower stems from our garden. You can also use fresh flowers from
Easy Way to Preserve Flowers in Bottles with Baby Oil Read Post »
Should you prune tomato suckers? If you’ve ever grown tomato plants and noticed small shoots sprouting between the main stem and branches, you’ve already met a tomato sucker. But what exactly are they? Should you remove them? Or leave them alone? In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about tomato suckers
Tomato Suckers Guide: To Prune or Not to Prune Read Post »
Growing potatoes in containers is one of the easiest ways to enjoy a homegrown potato crop, especially if you have small gardens, live in colder climates, or simply want to avoid weeds and soil-borne diseases. With the right techniques and a suitable container, you’ll enjoy higher yields of delicious new potatoes right from your patio
Grow Your Own Potatoes in Containers Step-by-Step Guide Read Post »
Should I reach for Vaseline or lotion? With so many skincare products on the market, choosing the better choice for your unique skin can feel overwhelming. When your skin feels dry, irritated, or flaky, you may find yourself standing in the skincare aisle wondering what to choose. This guide will walk you through the key
Vaseline or Lotion: Decoding the Benefits for Your Skin Read Post »
Making your own dandelion infused oil is a wonderful first step into the world of herbal remedies. And a great addition to your natural skincare products. If you’ve ever looked out at a field of dandelions and seen a pesky weed, you might be surprised to learn those little yellow flowers are packed with medicinal
DIY Dandelion Infused Oil and What to Do with It Read Post »
While most people plant rhubarb crowns, growing rhubarb from seeds is a good idea if you’re patient and want to explore different varieties. Let me walk you through how to start your own healthy rhubarb plant from seed, step by step. If you love rhubarb as much as we do, you know there’s nothing quite
Essential Steps for Growing Rhubarb Seeds Successfully Read Post »
In this guide, you’ll learn the best methods for splitting and transplanting rhubarb, including the ideal time of year, step-by-step instructions, and how to care for your new plants to ensure the best rhubarb yield in their first year and beyond. Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) is one of the earliest vegetables to grace gardens across the
Best Methods for Splitting and Transplanting Rhubarb Read Post »
With these easy times, learn how to pick your rhubarb the right way. If you’ve got a rhubarb patch in your garden, knowing when and how to pick rhubarb stalks is the first step to enjoying plentiful harvests for many years to come. Rhubarb harvest time is always special at our place—and this year, I
Pick Rhubarb the Right Way with These Easy Tips Read Post »
I started making this simple homemade comfrey salve when I heard it can be a natural way to soothe aches and pains and dry skin. If you’ve been curious about comfrey cream or comfrey ointment, this recipe is a great way to start. What Is Comfrey? Comfrey is a leafy green plant with deep roots
Easy Homemade Comfrey Salve Recipe to Make at Home Read Post »
Making your own homemade dandelion salve is a great way to put these fresh flowers to good use. If you’ve ever looked at a field full of dandelions and wondered if those yellow flower heads were good for anything other than taking over your front yard, we have ideas for you. That pesky weed growing
Homemade Dandelion Salve for Skin, Muscles & More Read Post »
Learn how easy it is to grow crisp lettuce hydroponically. Growing your own lettuce at home doesn’t require a big garden or perfect weather. In fact, learning how to grow hydroponic lettuce is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to enjoy fresh, crisp greens year-round. Whether you’re short on space, tired of grocery
Grow Crisp Lettuce Hydroponically in Your Home Read Post »
One of the most popular choices among home gardeners is hydroponic bell peppers. Hydroponic gardening is a great way to grow fresh vegetables at home, even if you don’t have a lot of space. Whether you’re growing green bell peppers, sweet peppers, or even chili peppers, a hydroponic system offers precise control over environmental conditions,
Growing Hydroponic Bell Peppers: Tips for Success Read Post »
