Homesteading

Looking for the easiest fence to install yourself? All homesteaders will need a privacy or garden fence at some point. Your options are hiring the local fence-building guys or doing it yourself. Unfortunately, perimeter fences aren’t cheap. And the local fence-building guys are out of your…

Smokehouse ideas and designs! Fancy making your bacon or smoking your salmon catch? If that sounds good to you and your tastebuds, you need a smokehouse! A smokehouse you can DIY using free plans and proven smokehouse designs and ideas. Today, traditional smokehouse methods are more…

While wild bergamot (monarda fistulosa) is not the citrus you’ll find in most Earl Grey Teas, it is a unique and gorgeous bee balm flower with a unique taste, aroma, and plenty of uses in the garden. Wild bergamot is a robust perennial variety of bee…

Are you looking for things to make out of logs and branches? Try some of these. So you’ve had to say goodbye to an old friend, and now you have a backyard full of remains from a tree removal project. Or perhaps the latest windstorm to…

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…

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…

Unless you are an unreformable exhibitionist, you need some cheap ways to block your neighbor’s view. Of your house, your deck, your yards.  Not that you ever plan anything inappropriate. But as we all know – stuff happens – like doing the Macarena in the garden….

Whether you’re setting up a smallholding or need to revamp your garden, low-cost fencing options are a lifesaver. Quotes from fencing companies can be shockingly expensive, so you might start looking at other cheap fence ideas and low-cost fence designs. One thing that all homesteaders have…

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 =…

Have you ever wanted to bring a reliable flashlight with you for a camping adventure at night but realized you couldn’t stuff it inside your backpack? Love hiking but don’t love the weight that comes with a bright flashlight? The best pocket flashlight is just what…

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…

You may wonder why I’ve dedicated an entire guide to something as simple as a bee and how to start your journey into backyard beekeeping. I’ve talked about my love of multitasking animals here before, and honey bees are some of the best. Obviously, they’ll provide…

Living off the land – sounds idyllic, doesn’t it?! Spending your days working away on your own piece of paradise, making enough to pay the bills – it is something that many of us dream of – daily! What Is Living Off the Land? Living off…

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…