A healthy sourdough starter smell is the foundation of delicious homemade sourdough bread. However, beginners often struggle with identifying whether their starter is thriving or failing based on its scent. My daughter and niece have both become quite good at growing their own fermented dough and coming up with lots of recipes for the discard. […]
Understanding Sourdough Starter Smell and Troubleshooting Read Post »
If you are dreaming of a lush and thriving garden but not sure where to start, taking steps to plan the perfect garden is the key to success. A well-thought-out garden isn’t just about planting flowers or vegetables. It’s about designing a space that flourishes with the right plants, soil, and layout. From choosing the
From Plot to Paradise How to Plan the Perfect Garden Read Post »
Today, we’re covering 3 foolproof methods of how to dry parsley right at home. Fresh parsley is a versatile herb that adds a bright, earthy flavor to many dishes. Whether you grow your own parsley in an herb garden or pick up a bunch of parsley from the grocery store, drying it is a great
How to Dry Parsley at Home: 3 Foolproof Methods Read Post »
The first thing to consider when storing fresh herbs is whether they’re tender herbs with soft stems, like parsley or basil, or hardy herbs with woody stems, like thyme or rosemary. Tender herbs are delicate and require a little water to stay fresh. One effective method is to treat them like a bouquet of flowers:
The Best Ways to Keep Fresh Herbs Fresh and Flavorful 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 »
Make Homemade Paprika with Fresh produce you’re your own garden. Imagine stepping into your garden, picking ripe peppers fresh off the vine, and transforming them into a rich, aromatic spice that will elevate your dishes all year round. Making your own paprika from garden-grown peppers is a rewarding journey that connects you to the land
Homemade Paprika with Fresh Flavors from Garden to Jar 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 »
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 »
Good crisp salad greens are key and knowing the best way to store lettuce and keep it fresh and crisp for weeks is a must. If you’ve ever brought home lettuce from the grocery store or harvested it fresh from your own garden, you know how fast those vibrant leaves can lose their crispness. Whether
The Best Way to Store Lettuce to Keep it Fresh for Weeks 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 »
When the crisp autumn air rolls in, nothing beats the satisfaction of turning a bushel of apples into homemade applesauce. On the farm, apple-picking was always a family tradition. The apple trees were scattered throughout our 200 acres. But we knew where to find them. We’d head out to the apple orchards, and by the
Easy Homemade Applesauce Canning Recipe for Beginners Read Post »
We make large batches of this homemade chicken stock regularly and store it in freezer-safe containers for future use. It’s a staple in our kitchen, ready to be added to soups, stews, and grains or simply enjoyed on its own. Not only does this stock add depth and flavor to our meals, but it’s also
Nourishing Homemade Chicken Stock (Bone Broth) Recipe 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 »
