If you are looking for ways to streamline the products you use for personal and home use, tea tree oil should be at the top of the list. Tea tree oil is an essential oil with powerful antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties. The oil is … [Read more...]
37 Garden Plants That Must Be Kept Separate
You’ve probably heard about companion gardening – the concept of planting certain plants near each other for natural benefits such as better growth, higher yields, and pest control. However, you may not realize that just as some plants grow better together, others do not. In … [Read more...]
12 Home Remedies for Poison Ivy That Really Work
Ahh, spring. Flowers are blooming. Insects are humming. And poison ivy is growing. And for many of us – about 85 percent of us, in fact – that last one means trouble. According to the American Skin Association, poison ivy, poison sumac, or poison oak cause the most common … [Read more...]
50 Frugal Living Tips For Homesteaders
If there is one word used most frequently to describe the homesteading lifestyle, it is “frugal.” The modern frugal homesteader is someone who embraces and makes the most of what they have – be it food, clothing, tools, and other belongings. Homesteaders embrace the concept … [Read more...]
9 Perennial Herbs To Plant Now And Enjoy Every Year
When you think of an herb garden, do you picture a row of small plants on your kitchen window ledge? An indoor herb garden is an easy and enjoyable way to grow fresh herbs for your recipes. However, you don’t need to stop there. Some herbs are perennials that you can plant … [Read more...]
How To Turn Your Leftovers Into A Thriving Garden
Homesteaders are the ultimate recyclers. You re-purpose jars, buckets, and clothing, and you find ways to fix and reuse things that many people today would toss in the garbage. However, you may be overlooking a recycling project that is easy, economical, and right under your … [Read more...]
17 Houseplants That Remove Toxins From The Air
When I was a child, my mother often shooed my brother and me out of the house with the words, “You two need some fresh air.” I remember thinking at the time that she just wanted some peace and quiet. Years later when I found myself saying the same words to my own kids, I realized … [Read more...]
If You See These Weeds, Don’t Kill Them! Here’s Why
If you're a gardener, you probably spend a good deal of time thinking about how to prevent weeds from taking over your beds. When left unchecked, weeds can take valuable space and nutrients away from our plants. Pulling weeds that do take root can be a time-consuming and arduous … [Read more...]
8 Seed Starting Methods That Expert Gardeners Rely On
No matter what climate zone you live in, the growing season never seems long enough when you are growing your own fruits and vegetables. The best way to extend that time-frame is by giving it a jump start with your own seed starts. When you grow seedlings indoors, you save … [Read more...]
30 Dirt-Cheap Items You Should Stockpile While You Still Can
When you are building up a stockpile, it can be a financial worry. Even when you focus on thrifty options, it can be daunting to budget for items both for your family’s use now and for an emergency scenario. However, after planning for food and water needs, you might be … [Read more...]
5 Ways To Generate Power When Living Off Grid
Although conserving energy is important to any homeowner, energy conservation takes on a whole new meaning when you live off the grid. Going off-grid means you need to generate and maintain your own energy sources. The benefits include saving money on utility bills, becoming … [Read more...]
Top 10 Herbs That Every Homesteader Should Grow
You probably already know that, in addition to adding flavor to food, many herbs have abundant medicinal properties. However, as we have come to rely more and more on the medical community to treat common physical ailments, many of us have forgotten how to use these plants to … [Read more...]
How To Read The Language Of Nature
Tristan Gooley writes in his book, The Lost Art of Reading Nature's Signs, that it is “not the map that should make sense of the land, but the land that will make a map for us.” Although we have access to more information than ever before in history, many of us have lost the … [Read more...]
15 Clever Ways to Lower Your Heating Bill This Winter
In case you haven't noticed, the days are getting shorter, and the nights are getting colder. And it's going to get worse before it gets better. It’s time to prepare your home for the harsh winter weather ahead. There are three reasons to winterize your home: 1) It will keep … [Read more...]
7 First Aid Skills You Should Learn Before Going Off Grid
For many Americans, their first response to an emergency is to call 911. However, when you live off the grid, your remote location may make it difficult--or even impossible--for an ambulance to reach you. Therefore, your knowledge of first aid skills can mean the difference … [Read more...]
10 Ways to Preserve Fresh Herbs So They Won’t Go To Waste
Waste not, want not. According to the Dictionary of American Proverbs, this well-known saying can be traced back to 1772. It is a mantra for many homesteaders. Herbs are delicious straight from the garden, but their freshness can fade quickly. You should discard herbs when … [Read more...]
20 Crucial Homestead Items to Stockpile for Winter
I’ve been observing the squirrels in my yard and neighborhood this past week as the temperatures have become more fall-like. They are busy! Fascinated, I did a little research on the common gray squirrel. Squirrels don’t hibernate in the winter, but they do spend far less time … [Read more...]