Homesteading

30 Christmas Gifts for Homesteaders

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keep getting asked this year, “What do you want for Christmas?”. It’s the first year I feel really uncertain – not necessarily because I don’t know what I want, but moreso because a lot of the things I want we are not quite ready to commit to yet as a household. For example, until we have our homestead cleared of the trees, I can’t make the property layout to determine where fruit trees are going to go. All of this to say, I’m having to be creative which has led me down the path of compiling this list. Maybe you’re a homesteader and you’re not sure what to ask for or maybe you’ve got a homesteader in your life and you’re not sure the best Christmas gifts for homesteaders. If that’s the case, I hope you find some great ideas in this list.

Edible Mushrooms: A Beginner’s Guide to Foraging

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The intriguing allure of edible mushrooms lies in their fascinating diversity, from their varied shapes and colors to their distinct flavors and textures. For centuries, these enigmatic fungi have captured the imagination of foragers, chefs, and nature enthusiasts alike. However, for beginners, delving into the world of edible mushrooms can seem daunting. The purpose of this welcoming guide is to introduce newcomers to the safe and delicious realm of edible mushrooms. By providing essential information on identification, foraging practices, and culinary uses, beginners will be empowered to embark on their own explorations, discovering the wonders of these natural treasures with confidence and enthusiasm.

Cow vs Goat: Which One is Right for Your Homestead Dairy?

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Cows have always been the staple animal on Old McDonald’s farm, but lately goats have been getting more traction as the home dairy animal. It feels so confusing especially when your entire life you imagined milking a cute black and white cow like in the movies and the farms you visited on your school field trips. When did goats become a thing? More importantly, why? If this whole cow vs goat phenomenon has you wondering which one is right for you and your homestead dairy, I got you! Let’s figure this out together.

Seed Haul 2024 for Garden and Food Essentials

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Well, one of them at least. Planning for the upcoming garden is one of my favorite things. Do you feel the same way? I have a feeling you might if you’re here. Whether you’re casually dropping by to peek in on my seed haul for this year out of curiosity or you’re trying to get some ideas for your own garden shopping list, I hope you enjoy seeing my treasures listed below. I promise the video at the end of this article is way more enjoyable, but if you love lists then I welcome you to keep browsing.

Herbal Wildflowers in the Early Southern Summer

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Being new to the south and seeing a bunch of beautiful flowers along my drives, I wanted to learn more about them. If you’re new to identifying herbal wildflowers and their uses, there can be some hesitancy or even fear around plant identification regarding what might be poisonous. This shouldn’t be a crippling fear, but an awareness that encourages you to take responsibility for what you put in and on your body, the value system that you’re striving to adopt as a result of switching over to herbal uses, and developing a passion for doing your own research and learning.

How to Save Tomato Seeds

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Tomatoes are a well-loved fruit with many staple uses in the kitchen from salsa, pasta sauce, to ketchup. Because they are a must-have plant in the garden with many different varieties, it’s probably crossed your mind before to try to save money by saving your tomato seeds. Though saving tomato seeds is a relatively simple process, it can be challenging diving in if you haven’t done it before because you don’t know what you don’t know. So here’s a step-by-step guide on how to save tomato seeds.

Food Preservation Methods to Preserve Your Harvest for the Year

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After long, hot months sweating away in the garden and the fields cultivating produce and collecting your harvest, it feels wonderful to reap the fruits of your labor – not to mention indulging in the seasonal foods that come along with the summer like salads, strawberries, and fresh basil. But what feels even better is knowing that ALL of that hard earned produce isn’t going to waste and you can enjoy it long into the winter because you’ve learned food preservation methods that can keep you going into the next harvest season.

How to Start a Homestead with No Money

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There are so many reasons why homesteading is an attractive lifestyle, but it can be hard to jump in and commit because it can seem expensive and overwhelming. You don’t need to move to another state, buy a hundred acres, or milk a dairy cow to start homesteading. Homesteading requires a resourceful mindset that aligns with a particular set of values you work to apply to your current lifestyle. It’s a slow, steady process of implementing new skills. While it can be expensive, there are ways to start with nothing. In fact, you can even start homesteading in an apartment! Here’s how to start a homestead with no money.

5 Tips for an All-In-One Solar Power System for Off-Grid Living

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When we went off-grid, it was not the original plan – in part because it can be scary doing something so new and different, but also it’s a huge learning curve. Being off-grid can provide you with a lot more freedom of who comes on your land and it puts that power back in your hands – not to mention it’s way more eco-friendly. We’ve learned a lot from our experience with implementing an all-in-one solar power system. Hopefully, we can help guide your way as you embark on an off-grid journey.

How to DIY Your Own Off Grid Solar System Kit

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There are many benefits to solar power including that there’s flexibility for those who want to stay on the grid or off the grid while using it. You can have a company install panels on the roof of your home (and there might even be some grants out there in your area for it) or you can do it yourself off grid. Some people will add solar power to their RVs and others to their home in the rural country. The benefits of an off grid solar system are well worth the challenges of an initial, steep learning curve: no monthly electric bill, full control of who is coming onto your land, and it’s more sustainable and eco-friendly than the alternative.