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 […]
Search Results for: eco-friendly-mini-desk
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 […]
9 Flowering Trees To Consider
Flowering trees are available in a variety of sizes and shapes for almost any landscape application. Not only do deciduous flowering trees bring visual impact and beauty to your homestead, but they also provide habitat and food for birds and other wildlife. These types of trees also provide cooling shade for people, pets, and plants. […]
Homestead Stories: Growing Wedding Flowers
I am the do-it-yourself type. Why hire someone to do it if you can do it yourself? This is my mantra, and part of the reasoning behind this mentality of mine is saving money. I am not cheap, but I am frugal. The main reason I enjoy tackling all sorts of projects is the experience […]
10 Considerations For Your Backyard Duck Coop
When it comes to barnyard livestock, ducks are probably the easiest-going of the bunch. When there is a slight drizzle, the goats complain and run into the barn. When the north wind blows ice crystals across the fields, your chickens are floofed-up and hiding in the coop. Meanwhile, the ducks are blithely waddling across slush […]
Canning Peppers
Whether you overplanted peppers in your garden this year — or stockpiled a bunch that were on sale at the store — don’t let them go to waste! After you’ve made your red pepper soup and spicy jalapeno salsa, consider canning the rest of those peppers to store through the fall and winter. If you […]
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 […]
30 Easy Road Trip Foods
While road trips are great fun, they can also be stressful journeys if you fail to plan in advance. Aside from making sure you have everything you need once you reach your destination, you should also think about how youโll fuel up along the way. The chance to stop by a rest area may not […]
Raising Rabbits: How To House, Feed, And Care For Rabbits
Rabbits are one of the cutest animals you can raise on the homestead. Their soft and fluffy bodies are irresistible. Rabbits are also diverse. Youโll find quite a difference in the colors, sizes, and hair textures; you can raise them as meat or pets. Rabbits are often overlooked in favor of larger livestock like cattle, goats, […]
20 Festive Holiday Dessert Recipes
If youโre in search of some holiday dessert recipes for the festive and chilly season, youโve come to the right place. From traditional classics, classics with a twist, and maybe some things youโve not thought of, we’ve put together a list of recipes that are sure to be family favorites in no time. Old-Fashioned Gingerbread […]
Raising Angora Goats for Soft and Sustainable Mohair Fiber
When we decided to leave the city behind and start homesteading, one of the first animals I wanted was goats. But the breed of goat became a big question. Fainting, Nigerian dwarf, Pygmy –? And then I learned about Angora goats, and I knew they would become our choice. By this point, we already had […]
Preparing for Cold Weather Predators
Predators are just trying to live their best life. As the weather turns from summer to autumn, the temperatures begin to drop, and as winter creeps in, it becomes more difficult for predators to find food. We go to the markets to buy whatever it is we need to care for ourselves. Unfortunately, humans have […]
15 Different Types of Alaskan Berries
The Last Frontier, the 49th state, land of the midnight sun, or in other words, Alaska. The state many dream to visit and few actually do. Alaska is home to some of the worldโs most beautiful natural wonders: the arctic and associated tundra, North Americaโs tallest mountain (Denali), megafauna ranging from muskox to polar bears, […]
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 […]
Types of Cabbage
Cabbage is an annual vegetable crop known for its versatile culinary use. Get to know these dense-leaved heads that come in many varieties โ each with distinct features and flavor.
Types of Cucumber
Fresh or raw, cucumbers are one of the most refreshing produce you can add to your meals. Growing your own cucumbers will introduce you to many varieties remarkable flavors and textures.
What To Do When Plant Disease Attacks Your Garden
No matter if it is viral, fungal, or bacterial, plant disease can enter your garden in a diverse array of ways. Many plant diseases are difficult to identify or to even to determine if what is attacking your plants is, in fact, a disease. Symptoms appear similar from bacterial to viral to fungal. Even insects […]
Vegan Gift Guide: 25+ Items For Every Vegan On Your List
More and more people are turning to veganism as a compassionate and health-conscious lifestyle, so that means you probably have at least a few veg-heads in your life. And at some point, you’re going to have an occasion to give a gift to those vegan friends, family, or office mates. And to remove any anxiety […]
20 Free Backyard Playhouse Plans
Treating your kids with a backyard playhouse is a fantastic way of providing them a safe outdoor sanctuary where imagination can run free. Unfortunately, a ready-to-use playhouse can be a costly investment. Fortunately, there are plenty of free plans — which is what we’ll help you find today. We’ve found 20 of the best free […]
Live Fencing: What Is It and How to Implement It
A few years ago, I served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Senegal, West Africa with the specific task of implementing agroforestry practices. Before this position, I was only vaguely familiar with agroforestry, but since then, my eyes have been opened to it, and I see it quite a lot. Whether done unintentionally through home […]
12 Ingenious Everyday Borax Uses
Inexpensive and readily available, powdered borax, also known as sodium tetraborate, is a naturally occurring common boron mineral salt. Borax is a component in a diverse array of laundry soaps, bath salts, hand soaps, cleaning products, and cosmetics. It’s a product homesteaders have used for more than 100 years. First discovered in dry lakebeds of […]
Bats Benefit The EnvironmentโAnd Your Homestead
Worldwide, bats receive an undeserved bad rep. If asked, most people worldwide will say they donโt like bats. Bats smell bad, theyโre creepy, dangerous, and are typically portrayed as scary in numerous horror films. The majority of folks questioned would likely tell you that bats are โflying ratsโ that carry disease. Simply put, they are […]
6 Reasons To Raise Sheep
My parents raised sheep for several years when I was a kid. They were my favorite of the animals we experimented raising on our hobby farm. Watching the sheep give birth was absolutely amazing and the baby lambs made the most adorable pets! My siblings, friends, and I also got a lot of entertainment attempting […]
25 Clever And Functional Toy Storage Ideas
Anyone whoโs ever stepped on a tiny LEGO piece can appreciate the benefit of keeping toys organized. Leaving playtime items strewn about is a potential hazard for delicate feet — and visual clutter that can cause undue stress. Toys left lying around are more likely to experience premature wear and tear, and smaller items might […]
Sussex
Characteristics There is a lot to say in the Sussexโs favor. Though they are large in size, they are very active birds. Alert, adaptable, and able to forage well, they may make the perfect breed choice for someone looking to free-range birds for the first time. Additionally, the Speckled Sussex has a beautifully mottled, white-spotted […]
Homesteading Resources
Want a chance to win free homesteading gear every month? Sign up for our email list and every month (sometimes more) we send freebie emails with stuff like free books, seeds, gift certificates, and tons of other great resources for fellow gardeners & homesteaders! SIGN UP FOR CONTESTS HERE Our Most Popular Content: Earthbags Shipping […]
Greenhouses from Old Windows and Doors
Calling all used awning windows, bay windows, storm doors, and clerestories back to service. 1) Recycled Window Greenhouse, Minnesota Greenhouse made from recycled windows by Jan and Ed Vitse of New Look Floral (a garden and floral business) in Rochester, MN. This little gem, made from recycled windows was built in 2003. The structure is 12 […]
California Passes Neighborhood Food Act
California gov. Jerry Brown signed the Neighborhood Food Act into law last week, asserting the rights of individuals to grown produce on their land.
10-Step Guide to Buying a Used Laptop That Works
Buying second-hand products is always green, but it’s easy to be discouraged by the stories of broken laptops from eBay or Craigslist. To quell these fears, here is a 10-step checklist on how to find a used laptop that isn’t just a high-tech lemon. Most wouldn’t flinch at the idea of buying a used car, […]
25 Free Rabbit Hutch Plans to House Your Furry Friends
Whether youโre raising meat rabbits or looking for walk-in rabbit hutch plans for your favored pets, making your own hutch can save you money and help our environment by reducing waste. Fortunately, there are plenty of options available to find what works best for you when raising rabbits. Important Details to Consider When Building a […]
Environment
Smarten Up: Reduce Your Phantom Power Use
Did you know your TV uses electricity, even when turned off? So does your iHome, coffee maker, microwave oven, hair-dryer, clock radio, and other electronics. Yes, even chargers for cell phones and laptops suck energy when plugged inโeven if they are not charging anything! Surprised? Well I certainly was when I learned this and ever […]
Shed of the Year
Shed of the Year Contest
Outdoor Coffee Tables
Not only are coffee tables one of the biggest focal points of any room, but theyโre a highly functional piece of furniture that should be chosen wisely. They serve countless functions; holding books, magazines, cups, glasses, dinner, and letโs be honest, sometimes laundry. Related Post: Rustic Coffee Tables There is no reason why we shouldnโt […]
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 […]
Jazz Up Your Flock With Chickens That Lay Blue Eggs
Before I got into caring for my own flock as a homesteader, my understanding of chicken eggs was pretty much unchanged from childhood. There were the white ones that I could buy in a Styrofoam package at the Mega-Mart, and the brown ones that my dad sometimes brought home from his friend โin the country.โ Now […]
Introduction To Integrated Pest Management
There’s one major challenge that applies to all levels of agriculture, from starting a garden to running an orchard, and everything that falls between. It’s a shared challenge that growers face regardless of location, climate, or economic resources. It’s pests – whether it’s weeds, ants, beetles, caterpillars, goats, sheep, cats, or even other humans (the last […]
Outdoor Earth Ovens: What Are They, How Do They Work, and Photos
Outdoor Earth Ovens
5 Answers To Your Beginner Chicken Questions
Itโs time for the next entry in our series of Homesteading Questions and Answers. As we get questions from you, we try to formulate the best possible answer to help you on your adventure. This month is all about raising chickens. There are few other animals so symbolic of the homesteading spirit as the humble […]
Vegan Cheese
Vegan cheese has come a long way in the two decades since I started eating it, and there are more options than ever for those of us that don’t (or can’t) eat dairy. Below I’ve detailed the most common brands of vegan cheeses, what the best uses are for each cheese, what I (and other […]
Off-Grid Lifestyle Considerations: From Housing to Location to Social Life
As I type this, my husband Jaeger and I are finally and entirely off-grid. Woo hoo! It started with getting our home’s heat off-grid, then our water, then our toilets, and eventually, hand-building our off-grid home. Now, with the installation of some solar panels, we can run the computer we use for articles on solar […]
25 Stylish DIY Kitchen Islands to Upgrade Your Space
Creating your own furniture is a great way to make a piece that’s unique and special, and a DIY kitchen island is a fantastic place to start. If you are someone who enjoys DIY projects, building a kitchen island for your home can enhance more than just the appearance of your cooking space. Check out […]
Easter Eggers
Description Easter Eggers are so named because they are capable of producing eggs in hues far outside the normal browns and whites you may see in the store. Every hen creates her own unique color: blue, green, olive-brown, or even pink! If you know your birds well, it makes it very easy to know who […]
Food Choices Affect the Climate
Food Choices Affect the Climate
17 Awesome DIY Platform Bed Plans
Bed frames are expensive. It’s one of the unavoidable truths of becoming an adult and moving into your own home. But what if we told you there’s a way to circumnavigate costly bed frames by taking the DIY approach to building your own platform bed? While bed frames come with high price tags, there’s nothing […]
How To Press Flowers For All Your DIY Needs
Who doesnโt love to admire a gorgeous bunch of flowers in bloom? Iโm lucky enough to have a patch of zinnias still going strong in my garden — despite the chilly weather of late. If I could enjoy those flowers all year round, I would jump at the opportunity. Unfortunately, a freeze will soon kill […]
Floating Shelves
Shelving is a staple household decor item that can be functional, decorative, and necessary all at the same time. Whether your style is traditional, rustic, shabby chic, or modern, shelving units come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes to suit any need. Floating shelves are no different. Their simplicity and functionality have made […]
Eating Acorns: From Foraging To Cooking & Recipes
The first summer my family and I moved to our homestead, we were not able to get a garden into the rocky, wild ground, but somehow we had a fantastic fall harvest and started accumulating jars of dry goods from the plenty. How was this possible? One surprising wordโฆ acorns.
Art From Old Books
Many old books simply get thrown outโeven by libraries. Artists have found a better second life for unwanted books. Jonathan Callan of London – The Defrauder. joseebienvenugallery.com Jonathan Callen uses large screws to hold the books together. joseebienvenugallery.com Jonathan Callen – The theoretical assumptions of management, 2008. Originally found at “https://www.artnet.com/galleries/kudlek-van-der-grinten-galerie/” Cara Barer of Houston, […]
From Hive To Table: How Honey Is Made
One of my favorite things to do in the summer is sit quietly by my zinnias, and watch the pollinators flit around the brightly colored flowers. I donโt spend much more time than I have to outdoors when the temperatures are scorching and sunburn is eminent, but if Iโm gardening in the early morning, I […]