If you are starting up a garden, one of the cheapest ways to get things up and running is to buy seed packets. Although it might take a little longer, it's worth it in the long run. The nice thing about getting seed packets from your local store is that they come with all the information you could possibly need about your new plant on that scrap of paper. But there's a downside. It's a LOT of information to process and if you're new to gardening it can be incredibly intimidating. But don't ... [ Read More ]
6 Benefits of a Clean Home
I admit, I'm a little bit a clean freak. My house remains in pretty pristine shape, as I follow a cleaning routine and it makes the upkeep very easy. Plus, I actually kind of like cleaning. It's satisfying. But, not everyone is weird and enjoys cleaning like me, so you might be someone who wishes there was an easier way to get the cleaning done. Unfortunately, that's not what I'm writing about today. As far as I know (unless you want to hire a maid or cleaner) manual labor is pretty much the ... [ Read More ]
5 Things to Make With Lavender Flowers
By now, you guys know I am a sucker for natural remedies as well as making my own supplies. Isn't that what being old fashioned is all about? With that being said, while lavender has a bunch of healing benefits, (click here to see why it's my favorite essential oil for your starter pack) lavender flowers are easily incorporated into useful household supplies, too! To continue on the path of natural remedies and DIY supplies, and as a follow up to 7 things you can be making with coconut oil, ... [ Read More ]
10 Most Common Questions about Chickens
Raising chickens can be a fantastic option for your homestead. They are easy to care for, don't require a lot of space, and can act as a great introduction to livestock. However, unlike dogs, cats, or even cows, chickens are not something that most people really know anything about. And, if you're new to raising chickens, it can be hard to find places to find information on where to begin. So, today I'm going to go over 10 of the questions that I get asked the most about chickens below. If ... [ Read More ]
How to Check Your Seeds Before Planting Them
One of the most frustrating parts of gardening can be seeds that never sprout! Any kind of bad germination rate could make you feel like you are doing something wrong, but there's at least a chance that it isn't your fault! ;) If you happen to have seeds that might be a little older, or you perhaps didn't store them as carefully as you should have, or even if its a batch of seeds you've had horrible luck with in the past, you can actually test them before you try to add them to your ... [ Read More ]
Seedlings to Start in January by Zone
Well, the new year has come and gone which means that here in the Midwest the winter has finally set in. As I write this, the roads still have a tiny bit of ice on them from the last snow, and I'm wearing a sweatshirt to stay warm at the computer. However, while there are still a few weeks to a month of cold on the horizon, that doesn't mean that there aren't a things you can do in January to jump start your garden! Depending on where you live, you may be able to either start seeds indoors ... [ Read More ]
How To Set Attainable Goals for Your Homestead
Since 2017 is newly upon us, I'm sure a lot of us are trying to refocus on our goals and potentially set some resolutions. I have said before that I don't necessarily believe in new years resolutions, but if you don't explicitly set a goal you're a lot less likely to attain it. As its often said, a goal without a plan is just a wish. Even then, only about 8% of people who do set resolutions for the year actually follow through. 25% give up in the first week. In the past, I've been super ... [ Read More ]
How to Fix a Broody Hen
I'm sure that everyone has heard of the stereotype that, at a certain age, a woman will start to want children. While I can't say that it's necessarily true that all humans will eventually go through a phase where they just desperately want children, it's actually very common in some breeds of chicken. It's called brooding and if your goal is to get eggs out of your girls, then it can be quite a big problem. Brooding is when a hen will decide, for whatever reason, that they really want to ... [ Read More ]
Essential Oils You Need in Your Starter Kit
If you're looking to start a journey with essential oils, even if you've read my introduction on how to use them, you could be feeling a little overwhelmed. There are countless essential oils out there, not to mention a ton of different mixtures. With so many options, how do you know where to start? Today I'd like to give you guys a basic for building your essential oil starter kit. I'm a sucker for all-natural remedies, and these 8 oils will help benefit your body and mind without taking a ... [ Read More ]
Items You Should Be Buying in Bulk
With 2017 upon us, it's a great time to set ourselves some new goals. While I am not a huge believer in new years "resolutions" per say, I do think that January 1st is a great time to refocus your priorities, both short and long term, and work towards those goals. One of my main goals for the year is to get my finances in order, so I've been working on getting the best value for my money. One of the easiest ways to cut down on your month-to-month grocery bill (at least you'll save money ... [ Read More ]