14 Shares Bat House Plans If you’re considering adding a bat house to your property, you likely already know the benefits of inviting these furry friends to your yard. Among their many positive qualities, the top three are their excellent pollinating abilities, their beneficial guano, and the fact that they eat mosquitoes by the thousands per day. Just one bat […] More
4 Shares Picnic Table Plans Picnic tables are not only a traditional backyard staple, but they’ve evolved to become so much more than a place for sandwiches and watermelon on a summer day. They’re a favorite gathering place for friends, the site of craft projects for kids, and even act as outdoor classrooms. Even for an amateur woodworker, tackling DIY […] More
9 Shares How To Make A Succulent Terrarium You’ve seen them on Instagram, Etsy, and in the windows of boutique plant shops. A succulent terrarium can be as small as a necklace pendant or as large as an upcycled fish tank. Similar to putting together a hanging basket or a flower arrangement, terrariums are an art project in their own right, making them a […] More
13 Shares 7 Fall Vegetables You Should Grow Fall vegetables offer a bounty of color, flavor, and nutrition. The vegetables that are in season in the fall include pumpkins and squashes of all sorts (my favorites are kabocha, butternut, and red kuri), cauliflower, all the potatoes, and hearty greens like collards and kale, which do quite well in cooler weather. Other autumn favorites […] More
6.7k Shares90 Comments Insteading Giveaway – September 2018 Whether you’re a seasoned homesteader or are just dipping your toes into the world of gardening and chickens, there are some resources that everyone can benefit from. While gardening forums and blogs are a helpful source of information, sometime its best to get back to the basics: good old fashion books! For this month’s contest, […] More
4 Shares Pergola Plans Picture this: You’ve just finished your gardening chores for the weekend, and now you’re relaxing in your backyard with a refreshing glass of lemonade. You sit down in an Adirondack chair with your feet kicked up. Suddenly, you feel the heat of the day scorching your face. Relaxation is officially out the window. This is […] More
15 Shares Marking The Way Naturally – Rustic Garden Edging It really began with the secret garden. No, I’m not referring to Frances Hodgson Burnett’s novel by that name, though it is a favorite, and I’ve always wanted my own secret garden. Perhaps now I do. My secret garden really was a secret. At least initially. And hence its name which it holds to this […] More
10 Shares Cattle Breeds: The Best for Milk and Meat Raising cattle might be worth trying as a way to expand your homesteading horizons. Raising cattle can supply you and your family with homegrown meat and dairy products while teaching your kids valuable life lessons. Owning cows can also provide a second income if you’re interested in selling meat and dairy products at the market. […] More
14 Shares Rainwater Harvesting: The Basics And Why You Should Start Today Lead contamination. Chlorine and fluoride. E.coli. Fracking pollutants. Toxins and pharmaceuticals. There are so many things that might be mixed in the water that flows from the faucet, that turning on the tap may feel more like playing a chemical form of Russian roulette than getting a drink. But what if I told you that […] More
17 Shares Birdhouses: 32 Homes For Your Feathered Friends If you don’t already have a birdhouse in your backyard, you may wonder what all the fuss is about. Undoubtedly you have at least a few friends or family members who are big fans of their avian visitors. Some of the biggest bird enthusiasts have many birdhouses adorning their trees and decks and windowsills. So, what’s […] More
9 Shares Weigela: A Flowering Shrub To Rival Your Rhododendrons Moving to the country had its pros and cons. There were a lot of things to learn, especially in the garden. I tried to take my entire suburbia garden, one plant at a time, but some of my shrubs, sadly, had to be left behind. They were too big and the roots too deep to […] More
15 Shares 11 Healthy Grains You Should Add To Your Diet As a chef and educator, I get asked all the time about healthy grains. Some of the healthiest grains are amaranth, barley, buckwheat, corn, kaniwa, millet, oats, quinoa, rice, teff, and wheat. Speaking very generally, there are two schools of thoughts about grains: one believes that grains can be a healthy part of a plant-based […] More
9 Shares Firewood Storage – 30 Sheds, Racks, And Shelves A firewood shed will keep your logs dry and well-organized. Whether you need a small log rack to store your firewood indoors or a large shed to stock up for the winter, we’ve found both rustic and modern firewood storage options for indoor and outdoor use. Cord Woodshed Prepare your homestead for the winter with […] More
12 Shares Summer Flowers: 10 Blooms to Make Your Garden Pop With Color Summer is a time of bold barbecue flavors, bright sunlight, vivid green on the fully-leafed trees, and hot temperatures. The garden would be remiss if it didn’t have colorful flowers to match the intensity of the season! Move aside, you pale pastel spring flowers, these eye-zinging blossoms are here to fill the garden beds with […] More
26 Shares Pallet Garden: 19 Ideas For The Ultimate Upcycle Pallets are more than “having a moment”. They’ve made their way in and onto nearly surface imaginable. From furniture to shutters, to walkways and light fixtures, pallets are one of the best upcycling opportunities around. And you can often get them for free. Not only are pallets an eco-friendly option, they have many, many uses. […] More
11 Shares How To Make Homemade Coffee Creamer If you’re like me and can’t imagine starting the day without a cup of morning joe, you’ll be glad to know that health experts start their day the same way. What they don’t do, however, is add artificial coffee creamers. What is it about that special sweet liquid we stir into our coffee? Maybe it’s the rich, […] More
7 Shares Growing Corn Corn is one of the most ubiquitous food ingredients in the world and is unusually suited to growing in hot weather. Since much of the growing land in the U.S. gets hotter than 90 degrees Fahrenheit on summer days, corn is one of the best grain crops in America. Why do corn plants heart the […] More
34 Shares2 Comments Diatomaceous Earth: 14 Surprising Everyday Uses Diatomaceous earth (DE), also known as diatomite, is a soft sedimentary rock made up of the fossils of algae-like organisms called diatoms. It’s 80-90% silica and usually comes in the form of a fine, white powder, commonly used in things like water filtering, food manufacturing, skin products, and farming practices. You can buy two kinds […] More
8 Shares 20 Unique Weathervanes For Your Homestead Before radio, television, satellites, and smartphones, a weathervane was the weather reporter of the homestead. Atop the roofs of homes and barns, they told homesteaders how fast and which direction the wind was blowing. Sudden changes of direction or wind speed could mean a storm was approaching—an early warning system that helped homesteaders save countless […] More
11 Shares 5 Things To Consider Before Buying A Used Tiny House Buying a house, tiny or large, is a complicated affair. Most of us aren’t builders or work in construction, so it’s a challenge to make sure we are buying a quality house when we’re searching for our future home. This is especially the case when it comes to buying a used tiny house because there […] More
10 Shares What Do Ducks Eat? Ducks, like chickens, are omnivores. So what do ducks eat? Typically, ducks eat foraged food including weeds, seeds, grasses, slugs, and other pests. Ducks also eat natural, homemade feed or commercial feed. To know what ducks want and need to eat, look no further than a wetland in your local park. There, in the early morning, you’ll […] More
35 Shares Plants That Will Help Save The Bees It’s no secret that our environment has been suffering over the years. The state of the bee population is one of the issues that worries me the most. Honey bees, along with other bees, butterflies and pollinators are responsible for the health and growth of a large percentage of our flowering plants. Pollinators like honey […] More
9 Shares Outdoor Sofa – Our Top 30, Including Sets And Sectionals There’s nothing quite like coming home from work, kicking your shoes off, and relaxing with a good book on the couch. But when the weather is nice, of course, you want to spend a bit of time outside. Why not take the comfort of the indoors out?! With an outdoor sofa you can enjoy the […] More
10 Shares Bee Balms Or Bee Bums? “Mom,” my six-year-old called from the front walk where he had been riding his bike back and forth. He had paused in front of my display of red and purple, firework-like flowers and admired them. At an age where he wanted to know everything, it wasn’t unexpected that he would ask about the different flowers […] More
15 Shares Shade Plants: 15 Garden Greats To Grow In Full Or Partial Shade You are a garden warrior. You have taken the ground allotted to you in your acreage, however big or small, and have tilled the rough sod into soft, pillowy submission. Your compost has been aged to perfection and spread with care. The pH of your garden beds is impeccable. Leaf miners, cabbage borers, and slugs […] More
9 Shares 28 Stunning Outdoor Rugs: In Every Shape, Size, and Style Today’s trends are offering up so many cozy, comfy and beautiful options to bring the indoors out. From throw pillows to furniture, we’re seeing our patios and decks become “rooms” of their own. Accessorizing our homes is one of the best ways we can show off our own signature style. It’s especially nice to find […] More
6 Shares Homemade Vinegar Vinegar: Making it is easier than you think. In its simplest form, vinegar is alcohol that has been diluted and fermented. You can use fruit juice, fruit scraps, wine, or beer. If given the chance to ferment, they will eventually turn into vinegar. What one does with “not great” wine (any other ideas, let me […] More
11 Shares Outdoor Benches: 25 Unique Styles From Rustic To Modern No one has ever gone into their backyard and thought, “Wow, there are just too many places to sit!” In fact, it seems to be the opposite! It feels like no matter how prepared you are, there is always one guest standing awkwardly between two ferns. First and foremost, outdoor benches offer more seating for you and […] More
11 Shares 20 Fire Pit Ideas To Make The Summer Last All Year Long No matter what time of year it is, an outdoor fire always gets people excited. There’s something magical about gathering around with friends and family, making s’mores, or toasting with your favorite cocktails. When it comes to deciding which kind of fire pit makes sense for your own yard, there’s such a wide array of […] More
16 Shares 8 Low Sugar Fruits: A Safer Way To Snack Fruits are nature’s candy and offer an array of flavors, colors, and textures for us to enjoy. But these sweet treats are so appealing because of their high sugar content, and if you’re on a low-sugar or no-sugar diet, you might want to avoid them. But some fruits are lower in sugar than others, making […] More
8 Shares Modern Pergola Inspiration For Your Backyard Oasis Though you can buy traditional pergolas in cedar, metal, and aluminum options, they all have the same general shape. Mediterranean-inspired with criss-cross beams and an earth-tone canopy is what you’d expect a pergola to look like. But if you’d categorize your style as modern and sleek, then traditional’s probably not the vibe you’re looking for in […] More
9 Shares 18 Laundry Room Ideas For Better Organization And Decor Our laundry rooms are typically one of the smallest rooms in our homes, yet they are one of our heaviest-traveled spaces. I’ve often wondered: Why is such a well-used area given so little attention? Though I’ve seen the odd wine refrigerator or reading chair in a laundry rooms, most folks go with utilitarian decor. Most […] More
12 Shares The Best Amazon Prime Day Deals For Homesteaders Amazon’s massive Prime Day promotion is starting Monday, July 16th at 3 pm ET (12pm PT). They’ll be announcing deals throughout the day and in the days leading up to the 16th. This year’s Prime Day will last for 36 hours. Each deal will be one of four types: Spotlight Deals: Deep discounts on top products […] More
25 Shares How To Make Dandelion Wine I wish I knew decades ago what I know now about the medicinal and nutritional benefits of dandelions: I remember my dad spending hours trying to get these sunny little “weeds” out of our suburban lawn. But savvy homesteaders, foragers, and DIY-ers know that the flowers, leaves, and roots of dandelions are edible. The greens […] More
7 Shares Homestead Stories: The Holly And The Ivy “The holly and the ivy, when they are both full grown. Of all the trees that are in the wood, the holly bears the crown.” I hummed the tune happily as I dialed my parents’ number. I would be going home in a few days to spend Christmas with the family. I was excited and […] More
21 Shares Frugal Living: Everything You Need To Know It’s no secret that modern living is a bit of a morass of consumerism, waste, and debt. In a world where the latest smartphone debuts less than a year after its previous iteration, where the Joneses are always one step ahead of you, and where mountains of plastic are clogging up waterways and oceans, the […] More
12 Shares 15 Small Backyard Ideas To Make Your Space Feel Larger No, you won’t be building an Olympic-sized swimming pool back there, but your small backyard can still be an oasis for your plants, your friends, and your mind. We’re going to take a look at several small backyard ideas that can transform your cozy yard for maximum use and enjoyment. 1. Make Use Of Your […] More
23 Shares 25 Pipe Shelves To Add Rustic Flair To Your Home Nothing brings rustic vibes to home decor quite like pipe shelves. The antique and vintage feel of exposed pipes contrasts well with farmhouse-inspired wood shelves. That being said, if rustic isn’t your style, these shelves can still be for you! There are plenty of more modern, industrial pipe shelf options that would fit with your […] More
9 Shares How To Get Rid Of Gophers There’s nothing like planting a beautiful garden, only to have burrowing animals eating your carrots and making tunnels through your lettuce patch. Despite being cute and fluffy, gophers are a farm and garden pest. Along with rabbits and field mice, gophers are some of the most common mammals that disrupt growing crops. There are plenty […] More
29 Shares Living Off-Grid: What It’s Actually Like When people learn that my husband and I moved our family to the Ozarks to go off-grid, we sometimes get interesting responses. Living off-grid evokes images of end-of-the-world preppers stocking up MREs and ammo, wild-haired hermits digging in the dirt for acorns and mushrooms, or maybe criminals attempting to elude capture. But if you visited […] More
107 Shares Repel Mosquitos With These 7 Plants Looking for a mosquito-free garden? We know that plant extracts and oils are effective as mosquito repellents, but some garden plants also help keep pesky insects away. “Mosquito-repelling plants tend to be highly aromatic,” says Amy Lawhorne, Vice President of Mosquito Squad, a national tick and mosquito control company. “Some have appealing scents, while others will […] More
12 Shares 34 Unique Solar Lights For Paths, Gardens, And Backyards Whether you’re wanting to illuminate a pathway or add a bit of ambiance to your backyard or garden, solar lights offer a lighting source that won’t add any extra expense to your electricity bill. A solar light charges during the day and typically turns on automatically at dusk. Most lights can last 8-10 hours on a […] More
12 Shares Growing Potatoes (The Best Varieties, Avoiding Disease, And Harvesting Tips) Potatoes have a place in our kitchen and our culture that is unlike any other crop. They are cheap to buy and easy to grow. They are filling and delicious. From the Irish potato famine to the American potato chip, no other vegetable carries a legacy of such mythic proportions. And can you really call […] More
