Dixie Rainbow Chickens: Dual-purpose, backyard breed

Dixie Rainbow Chickens: Dual-purpose, backyard breed

I raised Dixie Rainbow Chickens for almost 5 years and my experience was great! Here’s the rundown on everything you need to know about this hybrid, rainbow breed chicken, including Dixie Rainbow Chicken pictures. Pin it for later or to show you chicken lovin’ friends! The beginner’s guide to dixie rainbow chickens. I originally learned…

Sticktight fleas

Sticktight fleas

I was outside one day and noticed sticktight fleas on my chickens. Growing up with cats and dogs, a flea, in general, was nothing new. I had see a dog flea and a cat flea, but these were different.  Sticktight fleas, or Echidnophaga gallinacea, are a species of fleas that burrow underneath the chickens’ skin and…

Growing luffa sponges

Growing luffa sponges

So, you want to start growing luffa sponges? You’re in the right place! Luffa sponge (also spelled luffah or loofah) is a cucurbit vegetable gourd. They actually can grow right in your backyard! I always thought they were sponges from the ocean! These gourds are most used as scrubbing sponges due to their porous fibers…

Composting made easy

Composting made easy

Composting is one of the most beneficial activities for the homestead. Plants grow better and provide a more substantial harvest with home compost. It also cuts down on food scraps waste and yard waste, etc. I’m going to make it easy for you to understand hot to compost. How to make compost easy while understanding…

How to preserve lettuce: Tips and tricks to preserving lettuce

How to preserve lettuce: Tips and tricks to preserving lettuce

I’ve been learning how to preserve homegrown lettuce from the garden to stay crisp and fresh longer. Outside of utilizing the crisper drawer, I’ve learned a few tips and tricks over the years. Learn how to keep your lettuce crisp and fresh longer so you can grow your garden and eat it, too. How to…

17 tips on how to keep chickens warm in the winter

17 tips on how to keep chickens warm in the winter

Chicken owners wonder every year how to keep chickens warm in winter weather. Always keep an eye on the forecast to be as ready as possible for extreme winter weather on your homestead.  You’ll need to check the projected high and low temperatures, but more importantly, the wind chill. Cold winters can also bring strong…

Fastest growing vegetables and fruits for your garden

Fastest growing vegetables and fruits for your garden

All these fast growing vegetables and fruits are ready to harvest around 75 days or less! These are the vegetables to plant in your backyard garden, no matter the gardener, these are great vegetables to plant in your backyard garden, no matter the gardening method. 23 fast-growing vegetables harvested within 75 days or less after…

How to make fermented feed

How to make fermented feed

What is fermented chicken feed? According to Linda of Garden Betty, “In a nutshell, fermented chicken feed is probiotics for your chicken. It’s a wet mash (the chicken keeper’s term for moistened food) created by lactic acid fermentation (the same type of fermentation that occurs naturally in sauerkraut). Just like kraut, it contains all the…

Heat tolerant vegetables

Heat tolerant vegetables

I live in Florida so growing heat tolerant vegetables is really the only option when planning for crops. We have a long growing season, with just a small amount of cool weather. As a generally hot climate state, Florida brings hot weather even in the Fall and Spring season some years. I’ve set out to…

Vet’s Best flea and tick yard and kennel spray: an honest review

Vet’s Best flea and tick yard and kennel spray: an honest review

The unfortunate part of looking for a flea and tick spray for your yard is they’re often loaded with chemicals. I’m going to tell you about a plant-based, chemical-free flea and tick yard spray that is safe for you, your children and your pets (and smells wonderful!). *Disclaimer: I am not nor have I have…

What are loquats?

What are loquats?

Plenty of folks have asked me what are loquats, and it’s a fair question really. We have two loquat trees in our yard and I didn’t know what they were. Just as there are easy vegetables to plant in a garden, there are easy fruit trees to grow in the backyard. Loquat trees are one…

Gifts for the gardener

Gifts for the gardener

Are you shopping for gifts for the gardener in your life? Well I’m glad you’re here because I have the perfect gifts for you! All of these gifts are sure to grow your special someone’s affection for you in no time, or just simply put a smile on their face. Gift ideas for the gardeners…

Simple Homestead Blog Hop #275

Simple Homestead Blog Hop #275

Homestead happenins’ I wanted to share my review again with you this week of Lisa Lombardo of The Self Sufficient HomeAcre‘s newly released book “The Beginner’s Guide to Backyard Homesteading”! I’ve really been loving this book and truly feel like once I start keeping bees and dairy animals, I’ll be 100% prepared! Read my honest…

The Beginner’s Guide to Backyard Homesteading (Book Review)

The Beginner’s Guide to Backyard Homesteading (Book Review)

Disclosure: I received a copy of The Beginner’s Guide to Backyard Homesteading for free in exchange for my honest review of its contents. Receiving this book free of charge has not influenced my ability to provide my honest opinion on the contents of this book. Additionally, this post contains affiliate links. By utilizing these links,…

Cheap kitchen gadgets

Cheap kitchen gadgets

I love being in the kitchen and I love cheap gadgets. The love of baking and cooking runs in my family. As I get older, I continue to find little things that make my life in the kitchen easier. 5 cheap kitchen gadgets I use every day and can’t live without. From cooking with grease…

Victory gardens

Victory gardens

Victory Gardens (war gardens) are gardens promoted in 1941 shortly after the US entered WWII due to a food shortage. Food was prioritized to be sent to the military and allies so civilians were encouraged to grow-their-own. Folks grew everything from vegetables to fruit and herbs! Victory gardens and why you need them. I’ve always…

Practicing self-sufficiency during COVID-19 quarantine

Practicing self-sufficiency during COVID-19 quarantine

Here are 20 self-sufficient things you can learn to do while socially distancing yourself under the COVID-19 quarantine! BONUS: These are all accessible whether you have land or not! 20 ways to get closer to self-sufficiency while quarantined in your home. What better time is there to practice self-sufficiency than when you’re under a COVID-19…