Instead of sending away your cardboard scraps to landfills, consider turning them into nutrient-rich compost. Learn the advantages and disadvantages of cardboard in compost and explore other sustainable alternatives if a home compost isn’t possible.
Search Results for: eco-home/energy-efficient-lighting/soy-candles
Transitioning From City Life To Country Life
Just two weeks ago, my family and I moved from the suburbs of Northeastern Ohio to a 12-acre property in the Ozarks. From even before we were married, my husband and I had dreamed of creating an off-grid, self-sustainable farm so that we could finally take responsibility for our own needs and teach others how […]
Homestead Stories: The Holly And The Ivy
โThe holly and the ivy, when they are both full grown. Of all the trees that are in the wood, the holly bears the crown.โ 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 […]
Garden Fencing
Garden fencing serves all sorts of purposes. Those needs might be practical, or you might just want a nice accent to mark the edge of your yard. This guide will help you choose the right material and recommend a few vendors. Why Does Your Garden Need A Fence? Every land ownerโs needs are different, but […]
13 DIY Deck Railing Plans
Whether youโre concerned about safety, trying to get a little privacy from the neighbors, or just interested in a fun and creative way to make your porch look prettier, a nice deck railing is a great addition to any house. While you could hire a contractor to have one built for you, many homeowners and […]
Bento Box Inspiration
Bento Box Inspiration
Dent Corn Puts a Dent in Our Health
Dent Corn and Sweet Corn
Food Dyes Linked to Behavioral Problems
Food Dyes Linked to Behavioral Problems
How to Attract Butterflies to Your Garden
Unbeknownst to many butterflies do not live on nectar alone, some species prefer, even require, overripe fruit to feed on. Decaying fruits have carbohydrates and minerals, necessary to most butterflies. Supply them with flowers, fruit, water, and plants for their caterpillar stage, and you will hopefully have a large and happy, diverse population.
Is Milk a Whole Food?
Is Milk a Whole Food?
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 […]
Pollinators
This spring, my partner and I planted a small orchard on our new property. We ran into some confusion when deciding how far apart to plant our chestnut trees. Turns out there isnโt a simple answer, because of pollination! What Is Pollination And Why Is It Important? Briefly, pollination is how plants sexually reproduce, how […]
How To Raise Pigs
Pigs are by far my favorite homestead animal. They are curious, affectionate, and incredibly smart. Those are also the characteristics that make them uniquely challenging. The first time I ever saw a pig I was 12, travelling in Eastern Europe. The pig had gotten out and was being chased around a courtyard by four or […]
How To Buy Meat Direct From A Farm
So you eat meat, and you want to get it from a farm you know and trust. Donโt we all! If you are considering buying meat direct from a local farmer for the first time, you may have some questions and uncertainties. When I was growing up, my parents bought meat from Safeway and other […]
Companion Planting For Okra
Companion planting is an organic method of disease and pest control accomplished by planting two or more types of plants, which have advantageous symbiotic relationships, near each other within a designated or confined garden space to the benefit of one or more of the neighboring plants. Selecting the right โgood neighborsโ for okra reduces unwanted […]
Growing Broccoli
Broccoli is an undervalued but delicious crop that is easy to grow in many climates and versatile in the kitchen. If you are new to broccoli, or just looking to improve your harvest, find some tips and tricks on growing this classic crop. Varieties of Broccoli There are more exciting types of broccoli than most […]
How To Start A Farm
So you want to start a farm. You’ve got the green thumb, the know-how, and the gumption to grow your own food. Now you’re ready to start selling it. Buying a little piece of land and starting a farm is the dream, right? Speaking as someone who is in the middle of transforming a young […]
Handmade Holiday Gift Idea: DIY Infused Vodkas
A bottle of vodka infused with your own creative blends of local fruit and organic spices also makes a great gift for those that imbibe.
How to Get Maggots to Take Over Your Kitchen, On Purpose (w/ video)
In the future, we’re going to be eating bugs. I think that’s the real message of schmeat and the Eat-a-Bug cookbook. Oh, and that thing, up there. It’s called the Farm 432, and it promises to turn 1 gram of black fly maggots larvae into 2.4 kilograms of high-protein, low-fat black fly maggots larvae every […]
Similac Organic Formula: Is it healthier?
Choosing the best formula for your baby is tricky business! Similac makes an organic formula, but how healthy is this option for your child?
Top 10 Reasons I Love My Dehydrator!
We met about three years ago, on my birthday. I’d checked out his profile, and knew he was interesting… but I never dreamed how well we’d hit it off! I’ll never have a dehydrator-free kitchen again, if I can help it — here’s why!
Vegan Athletics: The PCRM VegRun Program
The folks at Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) launched a plant-based running program, and they offered me a free account to try it out. I jumped at the change to prove that vegan athletics are totally possible!
Apple Juice Is Not Healthy For Kids (Or You)
Apple juice is the quintessential kid’s drink, right? It turns out that your child’s favorite drink isn’t so healthy.
Grinding Your Own Flour
One of my favorite college coffeehouses was across the street from a milling company. I spent many hours sketching and sipping their various brews, the mood-lit ambiance of the cafe constantly underscored by the low hum of unseen machines turning grain into flour. Anyone who parked more than an hour on the that street would […]
Sand Magnified
Sand grains magnified 110-250 times reveal each grain is unique. The tip of a spiral shell has broken off and become a grain of sand. After being repeatedly tumbled by action of the surf this spiral sand grain has become opalescent in character. It is surrounded by bits of coral, a pink shell fragment, a […]
Steam Bent Shingles
Steam Bent Shingles
Propane: The “Dirty Little Secret” of Living Off the Grid
Living off the grid sounds romantic…no more bills from dirty energy companies, self-sufficiency, green power, etc.; however, there is one “dirty little secret” found in most alternative energy homes. Without it, some off-gridders couldn’t cook, refrigerate, heat water, or dry clothes. That dirty little secret is propane. Propane is a “by-product of natural gas processing and petroleum refining,”. Due to […]
Renzo Piano Builds a Haute Shiver Shack For Off-the-Grid Singles
Italian architect Renzo Piano has come up with a small, simple-living home design that could is less of a shiver shack and more of a one-person, off the grid castle โ and, if youโre in the market for a โtiny houseโ and you have an eye for going off grid, youโll want to pay attention, because it doesnโt get much better than this …
Can I Compost Flour?
You can efficiently process flour into nutrient-rich compost, but doing so presents some composting challenges. Learn more about the best practices, potential issues, and alternative disposal options of flour waste.
How to Make Olive Oil
Olive oil has been an important food source, lamp fuel, religious material, cosmetic, and medicine for thousands of years. More than just a salad topping, olives join wheat and grapes as the core foods of the Mediterranean. In the modern age, it has enjoyed waves of popularity as a health food and DIY ingredient. This […]
Wofati
There’s a charm to underground homes and so-called ‘hobbit homes’, but many former owners of such buildings have moved out due to problems with moisture and related conditions. But, earth might be the best insulator available, and itโs definitely the cheapest. Permaculturalist Paul Wheaton, owner of the forums at permies.com as well as richsoil.com, set […]
Historical Cob
Historical Cob Buildings
Salvaged Wood Cabins
Salvaged Wood Cabins
Savin Couelle
Savin Couรซlle
Off-Grid Utility Options: How to Handle Electricity, Fresh Water, Sewage & Garbage
Now that we’ve covered how to find your land, build your home, and keep things warm or cold in the previous article, let’s get into the nitty gritty of off-grid living and talk about how to get the electricity and water flowing, and the toilets … er, toileting. The whole point of going off-grid is […]
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 […]
10 Heirloom Seeds and Their Strange Histories
Heirloom seeds offer much to the backyard and homestead gardener. They reproduce true-to-type, affording you seed self-sufficiency if you grow and save them from year to year. But for those who love a good story or who really enjoy delving into history, these seeds also offer something for the intellect and curiosity, as well as […]
Can I Compost Citrus?
Composting citrus fruits presents some challenges, especially on your pile’s pH. Learn the correct preparation and best practices when processing your citrus scraps into nutrient-rich compost.
15 DIY Cat Toys
Though we often consider our precious feline companions aloof and independent, itโs crucial they have physical and mental stimuli between napping in the glow of a sunbeam, or knocking things off tables. You donโt have to spend a bunch of cash at the pet store to provide your kitty with endless entertainment. Using materials you […]
Your Apocalypse Could Be a Wet One – Be Ready!
The apocalypse can come in many forms – and one of the most traditional end of times horrors is one that is with us today: the flood!
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 […]
How To Grow Victory Gardens
During both World War I and World War II, people with land (even small parcels) planted victory gardens — also known as war gardens or food gardens for defense. It was a means to feed the family, to supplement the restrictions enforced with rationing, and to ease the food chain. Victory gardens provided people with […]
All About Sage
Experienced homesteaders suggest that if you want to attract birds, bees, butterflies, and wildlife to your rural homestead, plant and grow sage. Sage is a favorite in homestead herb gardens because it is one of the easiest plants to grow. A member of 200 genera and more than 3,200 species of the plant family Lamiaceae, […]
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 […]
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 […]
Hoop Houses
The earth may be giving, but the winds and the snows often conspire to take away that which the earth gives. So, for thousands of years people have been trying to protect a patch of earth from the vagaries of the weather. Enclosing an area and letting light in as a solution first appeared in […]
Like Mushrooms? You Could Grow Your Own House
A truly green home should use materials that are benign, from the factory to the 30th year of habitation. Impossible you say? Planetary ONE begs to differ.
Raising Baby Chicks: A Helpful Guide For First-Time “Parents”
My first baby chicks were an impulse buy. We had an empty chicken coop in the backyard and my roommate and I got over-excited. A week after moving into that house we were in the car with a heat lamp, a sack of chick feed, and six cheeping chicks in a box on the back […]
Straw Bale Greenhouses
Straw Bale Greenhouses
Outdoor Earth Ovens: What Are They, How Do They Work, and Photos
Outdoor Earth Ovens