โI have a swaddled baby to show you,โ a friend said over the phone. โLike a baby in the cradle. Want to come over and see?โ The words caught my curiosity. My friend was too old to have a baby in her arms — at least, not one of her own. And since she never
Search Results for: eco-living/hemp/hemp-body-care
7 Ways To Get Rid Of Weeds Without Roundup Or Herbicides
Even the most dedicated permaculturalist has probably had moments of weakness. Sure, you know that pulling weeds by hand is the most sustainable method for your soil and plants, but youโve probably seen a neighbor or relative spraying Roundup and walking away, knowing that they donโt have to do any more work. Of course, thereโs
Growing Raspberries
Across the country, market demand for raspberries far exceeds availability and provides an ideal opportunity for homesteaders to cultivate the fruit for local markets as well as home use. A berry patch of an acre or less can provide a significant cash crop with little expense for equipment or supplies. Brambleberry production is ideally suited
Seed Saving: 5 Things I Never Knew
Before I moved to my homestead, I was gifted a huge jar of heirloom seeds by a friend who understood what we were trying to do and had experience in seed saving. I remember dreamily sorting through the tiny baggies of beans, kale, and beets; my inexperience and ignorance of gardening temporarily gilded with happy
Historical Cob
Historical Cob Buildings
Types of Green Beans
Not all green beans are created equal. With unique traits on flavor, growth, and texture, get to know the different types of green beans you can grow at home.
How To Dry Herbs From Your Garden
Growing fresh herbs is a delightful task. Raising basil, dill, cilantro, oregano, mint, parsley, and other fragrant plants provide a fun distraction each day as you caretake your little greens. But the best part about growing herbs is that you get to enjoy a wide variety of flavor in your foods on a budget! But
Homestead Stories: Forget-Me-Not Flowers
I have a special affection for the tiny blue wildflower that appears every spring. Forget-me-not flowers, the state flower of Alaska, is known to have special meaning and reflect compassionate sentiments. For me, it is a symbol of connectedness with my husband of 38 years. As a recognized symbol of true and undying love, it
Homestead Stories: Common Burdock
My friend passed the paper, and I read the headline: โInvasive Weed Killing Animals — Wow! Thatโs scary. What else does burdock kill?โ โJust about everything in its path by the sound of it.โ โWe seem to have a lot of invasive plants taking over.โ โThe powers that be always have a great plan,โ my
10 Homesteading Games You Should Play Tonight
Having fun on the homestead is an essential part of life! At least, in my opinion, it is. I see the truth in the proverb that says, โAll work and no play makes Jack a dull boy!โ We all need a little downtime, and for those of you who enjoy board games and/or video games,
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. Weโre 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
Ayam Cemani
The Rarest of the Rare Indonesia is the homeland of this inky-dark chicken, where it has always been a bird of the elite. Though this Java Island land race may well have been around for thousands of years, they have made a relatively recent entry to the world-wide poultry scene. As such, theyโre one of the rarest
Best Deep Fryer
Fried foods at home are now more affordable than ever. You can eat perfect french fries, onion rings, and mozzarella sticks in your own home, making no more effort than you would in using a stand mixer. To simplify your life, why not consider treating yourself to an electric deep fryer. They’re great for everyday
Can I Compost Dog Poop?
Learn how to compost dog poop safely and efficiently with this comprehensive guide. While composting dog waste is possible, it is important to follow guidelines to avoid health risks.
Keyhole Gardens: What Are They, The History Behind Them, And Photos
Drought. Nutrient depletion. Bending over with a bad back or dealing with mobility issues. Have you ever had to battle with any of these gardening-impeding troubles? Don’t you wish there was an accessible method for growing your own food that eliminated these problems and more? Maybe keyhole gardens are the answer you’ve been looking for.
Comfrey
Cultivated since at least 400 B.C., comfrey exhibits delicate blue, pink, purple, or white flowers that attract birds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators and beneficial insects to the homestead landscape. An extremely cold-hardy, perennial plant with an expansive root system, comfrey, also known as houndโs tongue, presents large bold, green leaves and a sturdy, upright
Grow Healthy, Flavorful Fruit With The Best Fertilizer For Tomatoes
โYou get your tomatoes in yet?โ My neighbor smiled with his usual good-natured grin, but there was no denying the competitive edge to his voice. This was no mere neighborly exchange. It was the opening to a summer-long challenge where plants were pawns and bragging rights, the prize. As a newcomer to the Ozarks, I
Growing Gourds
To those unfamiliar, there may not seem to be much difference between a gourd and squash. Fruit-wise, they share a lot of similar attributes — cool shapes, hard rind, seeds hidden inside, and beautiful colors. But once you try to grow one, you will quickly notice the enormously long, trailing vines, the beautiful, night-blooming flowers,
Homestead Stories: The Black Bat Flower
โWhat is that?โ I exclaimed, pointing at the black thing that sat atop a tall stem. “Black thing” was the best way I could describe it, though perhaps some avid gardeners would refer to it as deep purple. Not me! It definitely was black. With two wide flower petals flattened back like wings around what
Outdoor String Lights
There is almost no place and no occasion that cannot be improved with ambient string lighting. Most places and occasions become that much more special because of the lighting. The trick is to make the moment special without anyone really realizing that the lights are creating half of the magic. The trend toward decorating outdoor
American Game Fowl
Heโs A Fighter, Not A Lover Scrappy, stately, and bad-to-the-bone, the fiercely territorial nature of the cocks of this breed are an indication of their historical use as fighting birds. Though this practice is now illegal in every state of the USA as of August 2008, no one told the chickens it was time to