Faith, homesteading and lots of chicken poop!
It is always around this time of year when so many people want to start a garden. Whether its flowers to make your lawn pop with color or a growing your first vegetable. Gardening is more than just a hobby for some people but rather a way of life. When I first started out, I jumped in head first without anything but a large shovel and a dream. I have learned some things along the way so I have put together a list of gardening tools that you just can’t live without.
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Planting squash in your garden can be very exciting! Besides getting to eat delicious homegrown squash, one of the many great things about this plant is that they germinate very quickly. I have had zucchini and yellow squash germinate within 4 days! The also produce beautiful large flowers that will attract bee’s and other pollinators to your garden. While squash is relatively easy to grow and a staple in most home gardens, they do tend to have a few common issues that can make it difficult for the plant to produce fruit. One of these issues it stem or vine splitting.
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It is tropical fruit season time and in my house, we are huge fans of anything tropical so it is no surprise that this Pineapple Upside-Down Cake disappears shortly after I make it! Goodness gracious this recipe is delicious and SO EASY to make! I found a recipe online a few years back and made a few tweaks to make it perfect.
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Well it is early June and tomato season is in full swing in most parts of the country. Tomatoes are one of the most popular things to grow for most home gardeners. Whether it is fresh off the vine or in a sauce, tomatoes seem to make any dish taste better. However there is a problem that most gardeners have to deal with and that is getting to eat your tomatoes before something else does.
That’s right, birds, bugs, squirrels, your own back yard chickens and many other little critters are sitting back just waiting for your tomatoes to ripen so they can have a fest. I didn’t know this little nugget of vital gardening information my first year growing tomatoes and I paid for it dearly. After several seasons under my belt now, I have figured out what works for me to keep my tomatoes on my dinner plate and not in a bird’s belly.
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Tomatillos are one of those crops that have never had a bad season in my garden. Every year from the first year of growing them my harvests have been abundant and downright overwhelming. During the Spring and early Summer I am always looking for ways to use these tasty little fruits. By far, the most popular tomatillo menu item in my house is salsa verde. This salsa verde recipe is so delicious but the best part is that it is so easy to make! In 15 minutes you will have delicious and healthy salsa!
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So many of us dream about being able to have home grown vegetables on our dinner plates and running around in open green pastures with adorable baby goats hoping everywhere. That’s the homesteading dream right? While I wouldn’t say homesteading is popular, it has gotten quite the boost in popularity over the last few years. Many families are spending less money at the grocery store and opting for healthier food they can grow right in their back yard. Unfortunately, contrary to what you see in Instagram or Pinterest, the homesteading life is not glamorous. In fact if you are not planning on having chicken poop on you in some fashion at least 5 days per week, than you haven’t planned correctly.
While Homesteading might not be glamorous, it can be the most rewarding decision you ever make. I know for me, knowing exactly where my food comes from is an amazing feeling! Whether you want to just make a few changes to live more sustainably or you want to jump head first into your homesteading dreams, there are a few things you should consider BEFORE you start homesteading.
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Homemade soap is all the rage these days! From big farm homesteaders to city dwellers, so many people are finding out that making your own soap is not only easy to do but so much fun! Making your own soap will also help you lead a more natural lifestyle. Regular commercial soaps are full of chemicals and artificial dyes. By making your own soap, you are in control of the ingredients! It is always best to start off with an easy recipe so I have put together my favorite easy recipe for you to dive into your first soap making experience!
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There is nothing that says “I am a homesteader” more than having chickens in your back yard. Chickens are like the holy grail for anyone who is trying to be more self-sufficient. The chicken movement is strong and everyone seems to be jumping on it. If you are thinking about getting chickens there are a few tips I have for you that will help make your new adventure a success!
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The backyard chicken movement is strong these days. It seems like everyone is wanting fresh eggs for breakfast every morning and who can blame them! Chickens were the first animals we got when we first started our homestead journey and I can honestly say that it has been one of the best decisions we have made on our homestead. There are hundreds of chicken breeds out there but after a few years of rising chickens I have a few favorites that I recommend.
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I am pretty sure goats are the most popular animals on the internet right now. Baby goats full of energy hoping around like little bunnies are irresistibly cute. And of course we forget baby goat in sweaters or goat yoga. It seems like everyone wants to buy a goat these days but before you jump on the goat train, there are a few things you should know. Goats, just like any animal, require specific care. After being a goat owner for a few years now, I’ve learned a thing or two and there are definitely a few things that I wish I knew before I got goats.
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