It took one good snowstorm and one long power outage for me to realize that I needed to be more prepared for emergencies. After that, I started to stock up on cheap foods: rice, spaghetti, as well as some survival rations. But what I realized is that although survival food will … [Read more...]
Pollinator Gardens: What They Are and Why You Need One
You may have heard a lot of other homesteaders chatting about their pollinator garden. It seems that everyone is using pollinator plants to help both their home and local environments. A pollinator garden challenge was recently launched to encourage more use of native plants … [Read more...]
15 Foods You Can Grow In Buckets Year-Round
Don’t you wish you could grow food year round? Or maybe you are pining for the perfect garden so you can grow your own vegetables, but you simply don’t have enough. You don’t have to let the season, the size of your property, or your location stop you from growing your own … [Read more...]
14 Things You Should Never Compost (And Why)
Composting allows you to make your own organic fertilizer by decomposing waste from your garden and food scraps from your kitchen. Not only do you reduce waste in the trash, but you also save money by creating compost at home for free. Bagged compost from garden nurseries isn't … [Read more...]
10 Proven Ways To Boost Your Vegetable Garden Harvest
If you're new to gardening, one of the first Youtube channels you should check out is GrowVeg. Their videos are short, to the point, and incredibly helpful. No, I'm not affiliated with them in any way, I'm just really impressed with their content. On their website, they sell a … [Read more...]
6 Food Scraps That Will Help Your Garden Flourish
If there is one thing that homesteaders do better than anyone else, it’s finding ways to reuse, recycle, and re-source what most people would consider waste. There is no place this philosophy shines brighter than in the relationship between the kitchen and the garden. What comes … [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...]
How Many Plants Does It Take to Feed a Family for a Year?
Would you believe me if I told you that you’re capable of growing the plants needed to feed your family for an entire year? No, I’m not crazy - well, not usually - but I’m on the same journey as you, looking to be self-sufficient and grow what my family needs to survive. Now, … [Read more...]
14 Tips From The Forest For A Successful Vegetable Garden
I love the experience of walking through a large, peaceful forest. The rich smell of damp earth and fallen leaves. The gentle sound of birds, frogs, and insects. The feeling of sunlight and shade moving across my arms and face. And of course, the soft colors of brown and … [Read more...]
Succession Planting: The Secret to Doubling Your Harvest
Succession planting, also called successive planting, is a method of staggering planting crops or planting different crops with varied maturity dates. Instead of using the traditional method of planting an entire garden bed of crops at one time and waiting for the harvest, … [Read more...]
10 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Starting a Vegetable Garden
Some of my favorite articles and videos have "wish I'd known" in the title. Why? Because I know that when I read or watch them, I'm likely to pick up a few tips that will save me a lot of time and trouble. Gardening is so simple yet so incredibly complicated. Many beginners … [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...]
8 Homemade Weed Killer Sprays That Really Work
Homemade weed killer sprays not only help you kill all the bad weeds in your garden, they also save you money - and without the use of toxic chemicals. While some weeds can actually be very good to have in and around your garden, many will steal nutrients from the soil that … [Read more...]
How To Kill Moles In Your Garden Or Yard
There is some debate about whether moles are a problem for gardeners. Some people argue that moles will aerate your soil, eat grubs and pests, and give you free fertilizer. On the other hand, they can dig up freshly planted seed beds, uproot brand new plants, and generally make a … [Read more...]
If You See These Weeds, Don’t Kill Them! Here’s Why
Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor and nothing in this article should be taken as medical advice. Please talk to your doctor before using any of the herbs and/or remedies mentioned in this article. If you're a gardener, you probably spend a good deal of time thinking about … [Read more...]
12 Ways to Stop Weeds Without Herbicides
Weed control is one of the most critical aspects of growing a healthy garden. But if you don’t want to rely on harmful herbicides, you have to be creative about the way you control weeds. Whether you are trying to grow an organic garden or simply prepping for a time when … [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...]
