Rhubarb season coincides perfectly with grilling season. Turning that fresh rhubarb from your garden or the farmer’s market into this delicious rhubarb BBQ sauce is one of our family’s favorite ways to use this tangy springtime treat. When we purchased our homestead in the spring, I was delighted to find a thriving patch of rhubarb….
When life gives you dandelions, make dandelion ice cream! If you are looking for the perfect spring recipe to wow your friends and family, this simple, homemade dandelion ice cream recipe is just the thing! When life gives you dandelions… Last spring, when the dandelions began blooming in full force, one of our kids’ favorite…
Rotationally grazing animals on a small scale is 100% possible! This post covers: What Is Rotational Grazing? Rotational grazing uses paddocks to rotate animals through a pasture. Paddocks are sections of pasture divided by fencing. Once a paddock is grazed it is left to “rest.” This rest period is essential for the regrowth of vegetation…
Cows are large animals, so is raising them on a small scale really practical? Our answer – YES! We’ll break down the factors surrounding the question of, “How many cows per acre?” and share how we raise cows on our 5-acre farm. General Rules of Thumb The general rule of thumb is 1:1. That means…
We get it – you want to live a simple, low cost, and resourceful life as a homesteader or frugal minded person. Or, you simply don’t make much. This homestead budget guide will give you the practical examples and tools you need for living off one small income. Why Keep a Budget? Often when I’ve…
While many find the dandelion to be their biggest nemesis come springtime, we celebrate its arrival and this gluten free dandelion cake is our favorite way to use those yellow flowers. Our Journey to Medicinal Herbs Over the last several years, we’ve been on a mission to learn about the native plants in our area…
When the warmer weather of spring comes, it’s nettle season! When nettle is in abundance, part of my morning routine is to harvest as much nettle as I can for cooking with and preserving to have on hand for the rest of the year. Unsure about nettle? We’ll fill you in on all of the…
If you’ve grown mint before, you know that it grows like crazy. While there’s nothing better than the crisp flavor of fresh peppermint or spearmint from the garden, figuring out what to do with all that mint can be a challenge. We love to preserve as much of that mint as possible for use all…
Moving from an urban or suburban area to a rural area can be a big leap. Our family has gone from the suburbs, to a very rural area, to now a hybrid area that is rural on the outskirts of suburbia. Here are the benefits of rural living we see and what to consider before…
When it comes to building a natural first aid kit, this DIY drawing salve is a must-have! It is a wonderful natural remedy for drawing out bug bites, stings, and even deep splinters. What’s a Drawing Salve? A charcoal drawing salve is named for its ability to draw things out of the skin. The active…