My soaps generally use a tallow (beef fat) recipe. We raise our own beef cattle, and I don’t like wasting anything, bring in the steak & kidney pies and liverwurst, so over time, I’ve developed an excellent formula for tallow soap! I don’t get a lot of time during the week, so soap making, for …
Homemade diy chick brooder designs! Chicks need supplemental heating during their first few weeks. In other words? Those cute balls of fluff need special care to help stay warm. Before long, they turn into lovely pin-feathered adolescents. But in the meantime, your chicks need a chicken brooder! (Well, a clever chick brooder design is necessary …
Knowing how to build a fence gate that won’t sag is vital for your DIY fencing project. No other part of the fence gets looked at or used more. Needing to lift the gate to keep it from dragging on the dirt to compensate for sag is a bad look. And more annoying than hemorrhoids! …
When you get your first cast iron pan, you’ll need to season it – but what does that even mean, and how do you do it? Why are you supposed to use avocado oil to season a cast iron pan, and what happens if you don’t? And what’s with all that grease? Cast iron skillets …
Every fall season, you’ll find me scouring the internet for creative pumpkin carving ideas, ranging from scary faces to artistic portraits to multi-pumpkin “collages.” If you’re anything like most homesteaders and backyard gardeners, you’ll have grown a glut of pumpkins that are just crying out to be carved into something scary for Halloween! However, if …
Free bee hive stand ideas and plans to DIY! If you’re a beekeeper or plan to become one, you know that bee hives should get elevated to a height that affords safety for the bees and a comfortable working height for the beekeeper. A sturdy weatherproof hive stand will ensure your bee hives have the necessary protection …
Roof water is one of the most underused homeowner resources. Practical downspout drainage ideas should focus on collecting and dispersing water to gardens and trees. You can turn the burden of excess water into a tremendous homesteading asset. Here’s how. Consider that 1 US gallon = 231 cubic inches. 1,000 square feet = 144,000 square …
I need to start with a disclaimer here – I love tree stumps! I’ve never seen the point of going to the trouble and expense of grinding them out when you have so many ways of turning them into a fabulous garden feature. So, if you’re looking for myriad creative ways to hide a tree …
Raising goats is a no-frills proposition. It can also be a lot of fun, and it is absolutely a lot of work. You must worry about clean water, feed, a pen, and last but not least, shelter – especially for winter. Luckily, building your own DIY goat shelter from a plan is pretty simple, and …
As far as traditional off-grid structures go, an outhouse needs a simple plan for a simple DIY build – a tall wooden box with a door positioned atop a hole in the ground. Job done! Or is it? Is that the limit of DIY outhouse design today? Modern outhouse plans and designs remain simple, cheap, and easy to DIY. …
Sick of the old dehydrated banana chips or beef jerky? Here are 49 different weird things to dehydrate! From liver snacks for the dog to wine leather for you, sauerkraut salt & vinegar chips to preserved mushrooms, we’ve collected them all. I really love pushing appliances to their limits and using them to their full …
If you find yourself torn between keeping your beloved chickens in a coop but are nervous about letting them free-range, you should consider using a chicken tractor. Your hens will safely be able to explore new patches of ground each day while still enjoying security and shelter. Building a chicken tractor can be a fun …
Delicious homemade ice cream without electricity? No problem! Hand crank ice cream provides your family with many memories, from having cranking competitions to enjoying family-made ice cream on Sunday night. The right hand crank ice cream maker (also known as a manual ice cream maker) makes things a lot easier so we’ve included our favorite …
Get ready – we’re about to share our favorite fermented jalapeño hot sauce recipe! Anyone can make this straightforward and delicious sauce without fancy or expensive fermentation kits. Let us show you how! We’ll take you through the process. Step by step! And the result is worth the wait. This fermented jalapeño hot sauce is …
Whether you’re already on a homestead or dreaming of being a homesteader, homesteading skills are invaluable – and lots of fun! They give you a real sense of accomplishment, you save money, and you’re becoming more self-reliant in the process. Jump right in with the homesteading skills on this list. I’ve mainly included practical homesteading …