When it comes to alternative building methods to construct a home, you have a host of different choices. Some rely on fairly modern materials like poly bags or used tires (considered new guys on the block). Others have been used for millennia and have proven themselves to stand the test of time. Of this second
Search Results for: allerair-airmedic-air-purifier
Earth-Sheltered Home: An Eco-Friendly, Passive Housing Alternative
Folks on the street may call them “hobbit houses” in reference to J.R.R. Tolkien’s work, but earth-sheltered homes have been around for far longer than 1937 when the novel was published. Though the practice of using a protective layer of earth to embrace your home exploded in popularity in the 1970s, it’s truly been around
Masonry Cook Stoves: How They Work And Photos
When most Americans think of a stove, they think of a collection of heating elements that sits atop an oven. In modern times, this stove and oven combination is usually a box made out of thin sheet metal and is powered by either electrical energy or gas (natural gas or propane). However, this is not
Bread Proofing
When youโre in the process of baking bread, proofing refers to the final rise after you shape your dough into loaves. Itโs an important rest period before baking, also known as fermentation. Fermentation is when the yeast is allowed to leaven the dough, and at times the words proof and fermentation and used interchangeably. Proofing
Chicken Mites
Like many animals, chickens can play host to parasites that live on skin, in feathers, and around their living spaces. One such parasite is Dermanyssus gallinae, the chicken mite, a tiny pest found worldwide, that stresses chickens, reduces egg production, and can also transmit diseases. Finding parasite infestations in your birds is always scary, but
Can I Compost Wine Corks?
Some types of wine corks are fine to compost, but other types should never go to your compost. Aside from a nutrient-rich compost, wine enthusiasts can transform natural corks into beautiful art or useful garden mulch.
Urban Agriculture
Urban Agriculture, urban farming, rooftop gardens…
World Water Week: 10 DIY Conservation Tips
Although Americans have access to some of the cleanest, most prolific water supplies, we waste more than anyone in the world. Let’s change that today!
Using Straw Bale for Construction
Straw bale construction is a relative newcomer to the world of alternative building methods. It does not have the millennia-long history of cob or adobe, but it certainly has a viable place at the table of natural building methods. Indeed, it has seen a surge in popularity in recent decades, and many people the world
Raising Muscovy Ducks And Why You Probably Want Them
With their clawed feet, bizarre-looking caruncles, mohawk-like crest, and lack of quack, Muscovy ducks donโt quite fit the โbillโ (if you pardon the pun) for what you might consider a โnormal” duck. But on our homestead, these are the only ducks we want to keep because they have won our hearts with both their utility
15 Earth Homes
Some earth homesย take advantage of something called thermal mass, which basically means that the mass of a structure has some capacity to store heat. So the mass of a home can stay at a more constant temperature than temperatures outside the home due to the presence and absence of sunlight in a 24-hour period. Obviously,
How To Care For Orchids
โYou should be advised, sir,โ the clerk advised my husband, โthat when the blossoms die, it doesnโt mean the plant is dead. It does go through a dormant stage. And donโt over-water.โ My husband smiled as he paid for the purchase and accepted the carefully wrapped plant to bring home. โNot to worry. My wife
Homestead Stories: Skeleton Flowers
โOh my! Those petals are translucent — why is that?” It was eerie. Once again, I was visiting my friend and enjoying the array of plants in her garden. She had something new to show me, something uncommon. โDiphylleia grayi.โ I could always count on her to be technical in answers, especially when it came
Why Manure Is The Unsung Hero of the Homestead
When I lived in the city, I had the luxury of ignoring poop. If a neighborโs dog left it on my tiny lawn, it was a rude, unusual inconvenience. Aside from what I delicately flushed into oblivion with the touch of a lever, my experiences with poop were largely nonexistent. My suburban upbringing trained me
Powdery Mildew: What It Is, How To Identify It, And Treatment Methods
You walk into the garden, wiping sweat from your forehead in the summerโs boggy heat. The peppers are dangling like hidden jewels beneath their glossy leaves. The okra is dazzling with its tropical, hollyhock-like blooms. And the tomatoes are looking fine — even though you flicked a hornworm to your chickens as a treat. But
Permaculture Topics: Retaining Water
Permaculture. As far as homesteaders are concerned, there are few topics that are more crucial to success on the land. Even if you arenโt a full-time back-to-the-lander, the concepts and ideas espoused by Bill Mollison (the creator of the term โpermacultureโ) will be useful to a caretaker of any amount of land. If you havenโt
10 Houseplants Safe For Cats
It seems like everyone has houseplants these days. This decor trend is well-received since there are many benefits to having houseplants. Not only will houseplants add a pop of color to your home, but theyโll also help to keep the air clean and fresh with no effort from you. But what if you have cats? Remember the phrase
Can I Compost Watermelon Rinds?
Popular during summer days, watermelons have chunky rinds that can be used for composting. Learn how to maximize their nutrients for your compost, and avoid common composting issues.
10 Gifts To Give That Will Change The World
Every time the holidays come around, do you find yourself wondering what in the heck you’re going to get for all those special people on your list? Chances are you have at least one relative or friend who literally never wants anything. And if you love the tradition of spoiling your loved ones during the
How To Build Your Own Cheap Outdoor Pizza Oven
Last summer, I got hooked on the idea of baking pizza and bread outdoors in a wood-fired oven. Baking outside, in a super hot oven with a brick hearth, (the way bread is really meant to be baked) was a hugely appealing thought. It became very clear to me that I wanted to build a
17 Natural Mosquito Repellent Options For The Home And Garden
I detest mosquitoes. I hate that itchy sensation they leave and the fact that they can carry Zika or the West Nile Virus. I also prefer not to use toxic chemical repellents like DEET. Especially when a plant-based, natural mosquito repellent gets the job done. The good news is, planning and planting a natural mosquito
Handmade Holiday Gift Idea: DIY Beeswax Candles (Two Ways)
Candles made from beeswax instead of paraffin is a great gift idea, especially for loved ones who are sensitive to perfumes and fragrances, or have allergies.
Perfluorinated Compounds
Perfluorinated Compounds
BP Oil Spill
BP oil spill and Gulf wildlife
Growing Lionโs Mane Mushrooms
Hericium erinaceus, or lionโs mane, is among the commonly cultivated mushrooms on the market. Its distinctive fuzzy texture resembles a lionโs mane or pom-pom. Not only are these mushrooms prized in cooking, theyโre used as medicinal mushrooms worldwide. Lionโs mane is used to treat inflammation, digestive issues, depression, anxiety, and more. Lionโs mane grows in
Recycled Glass Bottles
Much of the glass we throw out is not recycled because different glass has different melting points and recyclers only melt the most common containers. Artists use old and new glass to create unique pieces of home decor. Glass Bottle Windows Hanging window composed of serving plates, wine bottle bottoms, stemware bottoms and faceted stained glass
Raising Backyard Turkeys
Raising backyard turkeys has differences and parallels compared to other farm birds. With conscious care and management, they will assimilate pleasantly alongside other poultry endeavors. Staying Ahead of the Game Turkeys take about 16 to 22 weeks before they reach the desired market weight. Depending on your backyard’s climate and housing availability, turkeys can easily
Basics of Metal Woodstoves
When heating with wood, there are many options in choosing a wood-burning appliance. Some will choose to build a masonry oven that functions not only as a heater, but also as a beautiful centerpiece in their home. Others, especially those living in a small space like a tiny home or cabin, will choose some form
How Energy Efficient is Induction Cooking?
Induction cooking is a promising new technology that could make food preparation much more energy-efficient (as well as time-saving).
Galvanized Water Trough Planters
We’ve been looking for a good option for raised planters that were taller than some of our raised garden beds made with wood. After plenty of scrounging around on the internet, we ended up deciding to use galvanized water troughs, also known as round end tanks, to fill these spaces in our yard. Check out
Biofuel
Blogs: biodieselnow.com Biodiesel Now. Very active blog-forum. www.biopact.com Biopact is a Brussels-based connective of European and African citizens who strive towards the establishment of a mutually beneficial ‘energy relationship’ based on biofuels and bioenergy. News-Blog. BioFuel Companies of Interest: www.blackgold biofuels.com BlackGold Biofuels has developed technology to convert low-value organic-based waste greases (FOG) like those
Pallet Garden: 20 Clever Ideas For The Ultimate Upcycle
Wooden pallets are more than โhaving a momentโ. In recent years, theyโve made their way in and onto nearly surface imaginable. From furniture to shutters, to walkways and light fixtures, wood pallets are one of the best upcycling opportunities around. And you can often get them for free. Not only are old pallets an eco-friendly
How To Build A Tiny House
So, you want to build a tiny house. Youโve spent countless hours envisioning a tiny house life. Your Pinterest searching days are dwindling; maybe youโve saved a handful for inspiration. Youโve decided on the size, design, and amenities for your tiny house. Now, you contemplate the gap between you and your tiny house. To bridge that gap,
Growing Grapes
Grapes are one of the oldest propagated crops and with good reason! These beautiful fruits are delicious and versatile foods used for snacking, canning, freezing, and of course, winemaking. Even if you don’t want to harvest your grapes, they are lovely ornamentals and even just a few plants can make a dazzling trellis display in
Can I Compost Cooked Food?
Composting cooked food is a tricky challenge, especially for beginners. Learn the pros, cons, and intricacies of processing cooked food safely and efficiently.
Chopping Wood: A Helpful Beginner’s Guide
Firewood is sold in measurements called cords and half-cords. A cord of stacked firewood measures 8 feet long by 4 feet high by 4 feet deep, or 128 cubic feet. A half-cord is half as long (so 4 feet ร 4 feet ร 4 feet), or 64 cubic feet. Currently, in Connecticut, the going rate
Garden Shed Kits
I vividly remember parasailing across a South Dakota home improvement store parking lot. Not on purpose. I’d picked up a vinyl shed panel in the wind. It was 6:15 am and Iโd just been sent to clean up after a recent blizzard. Sleeting snow and wind stung my face as I skated across the slush-filled
8 Toxic Chemicals in Conventional Dish Soap
Choosing organic produce is important, but so is making sure that the dishes you use to cook and eat aren’t washed in toxic chemicals. Here are some common bad guys to avoid and why you should give them the boot from your kitchen.
17 Delicious French Macaron Recipes
First baked in Italy during the Renaissance, the macaron, now known as the French macaron, was introduced in 1533 by a noblewoman from Florence, Catherine de Medici, who later married Henri II, the future king of France. King Louis XIV of France is said to have munched on macarons at his wedding in 1660. The
Sumatra
Characteristics Sumatra chickens originated in the Indonesian islands, where many of them still roam wild. And like the wild birds that they basically are, they donโt behave like your standard chicken. Sometimes called โSumatran Pheasantsโ or โJavan Pheasant Game Birds,โ these chickens are said to behave more like wild birds than domestic poultry. Excellent foragers,
Companion Planting For Melons
As any experienced gardener will tell you, it takes a whole lot more than sun and soil to successfully cultivate a homestead garden. Moisture, nutrition, as well as weed and pest control are required. While many gardeners treat their garden with commercial insecticides to prevent insect pests, these noxious chemicals have the adverse affect of
13 Healthy Cake Recipes
Birthday cakes, wedding cakes, just-because-you’re-craving-it cakes. Who doesnโt love cake? In most households, cake is a food of celebration that brings family and friends together. But when one thinks of the foods featured in a healthy diet, cakes are seldom mentioned. Cakes are burdened with a bad reputation because they typically lack nutritional value and
My Chickens Survived A Montana Winter Because I Broke The Rules
One of the most pressing concerns for me, when I began raising chickens, was what to do with them in winter. Living in northwest Montana, I’m accustomed to plenty of snow, some nice arctic wind, and temperatures ranging from the high 20s to below zero. If we have a chinook in January or February, then
Biochar
When I first heard all the hype surrounding biochar, it was hard for me to believe that a material that looked as simple as charcoal could be the solution to some really serious issues. Biochar may be overlooked as simple pieces of charcoal, but donโt let its humble appearance fool you. From biocharโs ability to
Living Walls (Green Walls)
Green walled buildings, green wall inspiration…
Kitchen Of The Future
“Energy-saving light bulbs will only take us so far. We need to push ourselves to rethink domestic appliances entirely, to rethink how homes consume energy, and how entire communities can pool resourcesโ says Clive van Heerden, Senior Director of Design-led Innovation at Philips Design. Philips believes the solution is likely to come from biological processes,
Algae Streetlight
Microalgae Street Lamps (in prototype stage). French biochemist Pierre Calleja has invented a streetlight that is powered by algae AND which absorbs CO2 from the air. Pierre reports that one lamp can take 1 ton of CO2 out of the atmosphere per year. This is as much CO2 as an average tree absorbs during its
Ecopreneur or Entrepreneur: What’s The Difference?
There are many ways in which entrepreneurs and ecopreneurs are similar. Both embrace failure and are idea-driven, innovative, creative, risk tolerant, flexible, adaptable, freedom-minded and independent. Perhaps you could add a few more defining characteristics as well. However, ecopreneurs go beyond organic, beyond compliance to laws and regulations (or redefine them), beyond consumerism, beyond minimum
6 Reasons Why I Chose Clover as a Living Mulch
I mentioned in my post about building raised beds that I chose to add New Zealand white clover to the edges of the raised bed to act as a living mulch. First off, I should explain what a living mulch is, and how it differs from a cover crop: “In agriculture, a living mulch is a
12 Vegetables That Can Grow In Shade
Just because your yard, porch, or plot of land is permanently sitting in dappled shade, it doesnโt mean you have to give up on gardening or providing your family with homegrown goodness. Plenty of vegetables are perfectly capable of growing in partial shade. Youโd be surprised at just what you CAN grow! Full Sun, Partial