Living off the grid and achieving food self-sufficiency is a noble pursuit, but it comes with its own set of challenges. One of the biggest hurdles is food preservation – keeping your harvest fresh and edible without the convenience of a refrigerator or freezer. Fear not, fellow homesteaders! There are numerous methods, both time-tested and innovative, to extend the shelf life of your food and keep your pantry stocked throughout the year.
homesteading
A Few Perennials You Need To Plant Once For Years Of Food
Ditch the yearly seed starting and forget tilling the soil! Imagine a garden overflowing with fresh, delicious vegetables that come back year after year, just like your favorite flowers and shrubs.
Raising Your Own Beef For Self-Sufficiency
For many individuals managing a homestead, the role of raising livestock is pivotal for the local household economy. The selection of livestock for your property depends on factors such as your region’s climate, homestead size, accessible food sources, the potential market (if you decide to sell some animals), and your personal preferences.
How To Grow Pomegranates On Your Property
To truly savor the essence of the berry, often referred to as “the fruit of paradise,” one must indulge in its delightful taste. This extraordinary fruit, the pomegranate, boasts an impressive flavor profile enriched with a symphony of up to 83 aromatic notes.
How To Grow Wheat In Your Garden
Under the blazing summer sun, I squatted in our family’s garden amidst the swaying wheat. As I harvested, the steady snipping of my shears mixed with the soft, almost musical sound of wheat straw. The airy touch of the awns brushed against my face, bringing to mind Ruth gathering barley in Israel ages ago.
Fresh Egg Tips – There’s More To Eggs Than Just Cooking Them
Many people love having backyard chickens, and one of the best things about it is getting fresh eggs. There’s something special about finding a new egg in the coop, and it’s always exciting, no matter how many times you do it.
How to Store Fuel (LP gas, Gasoline, Diesel and Kerosene)
Undoubtedly, understanding how to store fuel safely and effectively at home is a prudent practice that can significantly contribute to the smooth operation of various essential household items. Your cars, trucks, tractors, standby generators, propane refrigerator, and kerosene lanterns all rely on a steady and secure fuel supply.
How To Extend Your Growing Season
Embarking on the journey of growing your own food is a gratifying and essential experience for many. However, Mother Nature often likes to throw us a curve ball in the form of unpredictable weather conditions.
How To Conserve Garden Soil Moisture During The Summer Months
This past winter marked a record-breaking drought spanning two decades, causing significant challenges for farmers in meeting deadlines and meeting the required standards for crop size, yield, and quality. The situation worsened as the dry spell extended into spring, particularly affecting the southern regions, where rainfall plummeted to a mere fifth of the usual average.
Small Scale Hogs Production For Food Independence And Extra Income
When envisioning a self-sufficient lifestyle, the inclusion of raising hogs is a common theme. Whether picturing the mountain dwellers of the West or the hill folk of Appalachia, smoked bacon, home-cured hams, homegrown corn, and utilizing leftover scraps all contribute to this image.
Raising roosters for meat
If you find yourself with a surplus of cockerels that you don’t want to keep, don’t lose hope. With proper care, these birds can be transformed into a valuable source of homegrown food.
How To Control Soil Pests and Insects
Organic gardeners have long struggled with soil pests and insects, as there is currently no organic chemical solution available to treat them. Wireworms, cutworms, and leatherjackets are particularly troublesome on newly cultivated land, as they can devour the roots of almost any plant.
How To Grow And Maintain A Drought-Resistant Garden
If you look at a map of North America, you’ll notice that there are many areas with low average rainfall, mostly in the western and southern states (as well as in many other parts of the world).