Category: Homesteading / Gardening

No-dig gardening is exactly what it sounds like. Rather than tilling before planting a garden, you strategically build up rich layers of compost, manure and even cardboard to amend the soil. No-dig gardening — also called the no-till or no-plow method — stifles weeds, boosts biodiversity, prevents erosion and improves soil health. Here’s how to…

Whether you’re roughing it in the woods or living in the city, there are many ways to be self-sufficient. Being self-sufficient means having the knowledge, skills and supplies to take care of yourself. That doesn’t mean you have to disconnect from the community — far from it. In fact, cultivating self-reliance will likely help you…

If you’re looking at buying a homestead, it’s important to know if the property is situated on a public or private road. The county, city or state takes care of public roads, but private road maintenance is the homeowner’s duty. Are you prepared for that responsibility? What Is a Private Road? Dispel any notions of…

Although many people associate homesteading with independence or even isolation, the truth is that homesteaders play an active role in their community. In fact, they’re often more connected to their neighbors than people living in the city are. With the skills to grow your own crops, raise animals and build things from scratch, you can…

Many people fear the idea of living off the grid because they think they won’t have access to the basic necessities of life. Some might even believe living a life of relative isolation in a rural community could deteriorate their health. After all, without hospitals, medicines, and therapy at arm’s reach, how could they possibly…

If you own a homestead, you’re likely suffering the same sticker shock that ranchers and pet owners are experiencing right now. When did food — both for animals and humans — get so pricey? If it seems like you’re paying more than ever at the grocery store or feed mill, you aren’t imagining it. Fortunately,…

Rolling hills, deep ravines, stunning blue lakes and starry skies — how do you put a price on your land? Whether you’re considering selling your acreage or just want to know how much it’s worth, the easiest strategy is usually to hire a real estate appraiser. An appraiser will visit your property and look for…

If you’ve recently purchased or are looking to purchase a homestead, you might have visions of leading a simple, pioneering life. While there’s certainly nothing wrong with using manual tools, you’ll have your work cut out for you if you have a large property. Removing brush and tilling fields for planting goes much faster if…

Revisiting the rural lifestyles of your ancestors is becoming simultaneously trendy and necessary. Increasing climate-related pressure on the planet requires humans to interact with the Earth differently than technology has conditioned them to. Many are flocking to homesteads on green acres instead of white-fence suburbia, wanting to live a self-sufficient lifestyle separate from societal pressures…