Harvesting my luffa sponges was a bit of a confusing endeavor. I read so many “How-To” articles and felt they were pretty misleading in ways. The truth is these little cucurbits and their gourd family is bewildering! I’m going to explain to you what I’ve learned about harvesting luffa sponges. I’ll also let you know…
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…
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…
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…
Chicks require heat starting at 95 degrees Fahrenheit when first born so a heat source is required unless you have a broody hen. When I started reading about heat plates vs. brooder heat lamps, I wondered why I used a heat lamp for so many years. There are pros and cons to each type of…
Do you live in a big city but still have an interest in homesteading? You don’t have to have 10 acres of land to start homesteading, homemaking and working towards a more sustainable and self-sufficient lifestyle. Here are 10 ways to start homesteading today, wherever you are and with however much land you have (or…
Raising chicks for the first time can be an intimidating thing to do as a beginning homesteader. I remember the first time we received ducks and chicks for our farm. My feelings were excitement and panic at the same time. What if I killed these sweet baby animals? What if they get sick and I…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
If you’ve landed on this page, I think it’s fair to say that we have one of the same interests; the environment and saving the beautiful land in Kentucky. Family farmers looking to save and preserve a beautiful piece of land in Kentucky. Environmental awareness ties into homesteading. In fact, I can’t tell you how…
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…
I’m going to tell you how to butcher a duck for the first time alone on the farm because taking a life is not easy. When we decided to embark on this wild journey, we both knew that there would be life and death, we just didn’t know how much. Eventually, we found it was…
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…
If you’re anything like me, and I bet you are, you like to save a buck when you can and want to know how to cut feed costs with fodder. I’m here to tell you how I cut my feed costs by sprouting barley fodder and how to do it! How to save money on…
If you’re on a mission to grow your best edible victory garden, these are definitely the best vegetables to grow in raised beds. I’ve grown all these vegetables in my raised beds over the years with ease. In fact, most of these crops are ones I now grow every year. And you can, too! 10…
Finding natural sources of nitrogen for your garden is an easy thing to do. After years of failed gardening attempts, I sent a soil test to my closest testing lab. It turned out that I was in need of nitrogen! Since I wanted to keep my gardens organic, I found 6 ways to add a…
When I started homesteading I always wondered what my duties on the homestead should be. I knew there were daily, weekly, and monthly chores to do, But I still wondered what they were exactly. What did other homesteaders do every day? I had a feeling that I was forgetting something and the result would be…
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…
Planting cut and come again crops means you will reap a consistent, bountiful harvest all season. Many of these giving crops will also act as companion plants in your garden and provide your friends and family with season-long nutrients. Pin this for later! 24 vegetables and herbs that are cut and come again crops, providing…
There was a moment of clarity a few days before retrieving our friend, and butcher, from the airport. I’d spent the morning sitting with our pig, Carnitas, crying whilst my body lay against hers. As I embraced her, reaching my arms around her 59-inch girth, I apologized for what I knew would come. You see,…
Raising meat chickens is a lot like raising regular chickens. In fact, it’s almost exactly the same AND super easy! You’re actually just raising a regular backyard chicken with the purpose of eating it one day instead of the chicken being a layer their whole life. There are a few differences you should know about…
I like to save money, don’t you? Homesteaders can be the most frugal of folks, really (ask me how I know). While we’re often looking for answers on how to make money while homesteading, it’s important to know you can SAVE money while homesteading, too. The good news is that there are so many things…
Setting up realistic short-term and long-term goals on the homestead is one of the most important steps you’ll take in all your years. When Emerson and I bought our homestead, we failed to set up realistic goals. I’ll go over gardening, animal husbandry, fruit trees and more in this guide. Are you ready to set…
If you have a homesteader to buy for on your Christmas list this year, these are great gift ideas for homesteading individuals of all levels. I’ve gifted some of these to myself I love them so much! Over 15 gift ideas for the homesteader and hobby farmer in your life. There are new homesteaders every…
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…
Holiday traditions are passed down from family to family throughout the years. But what if your family doesn’t have any traditions? I come from a family lacking of proper traditions and that got me thinking. Why not start my own? We don’t like to blow a lot of money during the holidays if we can…
Raising meat rabbits is such a fun endeavor, although it was one I had no interest in in the beginning. The most important part of raising rabbits is providing them with the proper housing. Raising meat rabbits in colonies vs. raising rabbits in a hutch or cage setting. Raising meat rabbits was something I wanted…
Florida has some hardcore weeds in addition to the sandy soil so weed cloth is a must-have. We’ve tried many things on our homestead to suppress these weeds. I’m here to tell you what we’ve tried, what I’ve liked the most and how to use weed cloth. 3 types of weed cloth that are cheap (or…
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,…
Disclaimer: Grow Where You Sow may earn a commission of your purchase after utilizing the links on this page at no extra cost to you. I am reviewing this product on my own volition and have not to be persuaded in any way to do so from any outside entity. When I started culling animals,…
A low maintenance garden is an appealing thing. I work a full-time job and run a blog, on top of gardening and keeping a household tidy (most the time at least). We all wouldn’t mind saving a little time in the garden, busy schedules, or not. Here are a few tips for creating and keeping…
Celebrating the release of The Ultimate Homesteading Basics Book. This giveaway is chock-full of the best goodies and there will be 2 lucky winners! I worked for years on The Ultimate Homesteading Basics Book and I was thrilled when it finally arrived! Have you ever been so excited about something that you just can’t hide…
These vegetables can be planted directly in zones 3-10, as long as the soil is warm enough and you’re not expecting any out-of-the-ordinary cool snacks or hard freezes. 10 vegetables you can plant in June in zones 3-10. Although most crops should be in the ground by now, some of us are a little late…
In honor of mother’s day coming up, we’re going to talk about how homesteading can make you a better mother. This isn’t a “how-to” or “DIY” post. Hell, it might not even be a considered a homesteading post. For now, we’ll call it a “Mama’s Empowerment” post because I think that’s enough. How homesteading can…
Let’s face it, things happen in the garden and we all need a first aid kit, for both the gardener and the garden. Here’s what you should plan to have in your kit for any situation. 14 tools you need in your gardener’s first aid kit for the best and worst moments. Between pests, weeds,…
So you want to know how to start homestead blogging? I think that’s great! Homestead blogging can not only turn into passive income but it provides you a way to reflect on what you’ve learned, which is crucial to growing and moving forward. A how-to on homesteading blogging and how to do it when you…
Dealing with rodents on my homestead wasn’t easy and, honestly, it got a little out of hand. It forced me to make some really hard decisions and start looking at ways to repel rodents on my homestead. Here are a few “farm hacks” to avoid inviting rodents to your home and farm. How to repel…
Have you ever been sitting around wondering what to do during a rainy day on the farm? Believe it or not, it was pouring down rain the other day here in Florida (shocker, I know) and I thought of 55 different activities for a rainy day. Here we go! 55 activities for a rainy day…
If you’re planning to grow a victory garden, or gardens in general, one of the first steps is to decide on a method. With a handful of gardening methods to choose from, I’ve curated a list of the methods, including ones I’ve tried and found to work. 13 different gardening methods to choose from when…
Starting a homestead can be daunting. Here are the best farm animals to raise as a beginner.
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…
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…
February 14th marked the 4th year on our homestead and, rightfully so, I’ve decided our word for the year (and every year) is GROWTH. It’s so nice to look back at these posts and see where we started and how far we’ve come. See? I told you – GROWTH. All about my 4th year on…
When you have so much going on, you just have to do whatever works. I’m going to explain to you how to stay organized even when you have so much going on! 4 different ways I use planners to organize my everyday life for optimum efficiency. I work a job 32 hours a week, run…
Decluttering my yard/outside the house is not something I ever realized was important until I got bored one day and tackled my shed. After that, I spiraled from there, really. What better time to have a completely decluttered shed, yard, etc. than before spring season hits? 5 quick tips on how to declutter your homestead…
Let’s face it, homesteading isn’t always cheap. Here are a few ways you can cut costs no matter what type of homestead you’re on (with the exception of small, apartment homesteading). 8 ways to cut costs while running a homestead. My husband and I wracked up an unbelievable amount of debt when we started homesteading….
Another year has come and gone, another Thanksgiving blogging and another Thanksgiving on my homestead. This lifestyle has provided me with so many opportunities to grow, learn and understand. I started thinking that surely I couldn’t be the only one. As a “thank you” to this homesteading community, I’ve asked all the homesteaders I’ve come…
I debated for a long time over buying a walk-behind weed eater. I wondered if spending the money was worth it. Would even work the way I needed it to? My yard got so overgrown that my options boiled down to three things: I chose option #3 and it was definitely the right one. 5…
I’ve had a few people ask me over this last year to write about mental health and homesteading. I’ve been interested in writing on this subject but never did. I don’t have any proper medical training so it honestly would’ve all been guesswork and research. I try my best to write about things I’ve experienced…
I think it’s a common misconception that in order to homestead you must “have it all” – the goats, chickens, ducks, pigs, rabbits, etc. I thought if I didn’t have animals, gardens, things fermenting (or molding) in the kitchen then I just wasn’t doing it the right way. I’m downsizing my homestead and I’m not…
When we closed on our homestead in January 2016 we thought our traveling and vacationing days were simply over; a life of the past. We were wrong! Consider this your own personal guide to vacationing. If you’re wondering how to vacation on the homestead, this is your Homesteader’s “How-To” Guide on Vacationing. You see, before…
Homestead burnout is real, folks, and self love can help! I decided I should be kinder to my mind (and my body) and compile a list of things I can do after a hard day on the homestead. If you’ve been there, I hope you find these ideas useful! 14 ways to practice self love…
Besides finding a sitter, there are a few things that go into preparing for a vacation to leave your homestead for any amount of time. Of course the tasks vary on if you’ll be gone for a day or a week, but nevertheless, there’s preparation required. If I’m going out of town for more than…
It’s been three years since I started homesteading and it rings true to this day that these four tools are ones that I NEED on my homestead and every new homestead needs, too. Why get these four tools for the new homestead? Good question! Because they will save your sanity, your fingers, your back, and…
Many of my days on the homestead are chock full reading books and online literature, trying to fix a problem. This week I want to share a story with you about a down-home educational spark that was lit on the art of laying an egg. How hens lay eggs and why it truly is an…
I’m constantly trying to think of ways to get closer to self-sustainability through our homesteading lifestyle. The next step is to actually do those things! If you’re homesteading and need guidance towards self-sustainability, here are 19 ways to achieve your goal. I’ve done a lot of the things on the list below. Some others are…
Have you ever started a compost pile with the intentions of hot composting and just not had enough materials? We have mainly pine trees in our yard supplying us with a lifetime of pine needles, which don’t break down so quickly. I’m constantly thinking of ways I could acquire more materials and grow compost pile…
If you’re new to vegetable gardening there are a few things you probably need to know. First thing, it can be difficult. If someone tells you that gardening is easy-breezy then they’re lying or just naturally have the talent, like my husband…not like me. I’ve had to work at knowing how to garden. Tips from…
Before moving onto the homestead, I had some gardening experience planting a vegetable garden and made some mistakes. Hindsight is 20-20 so I’m here to tell you how to get started on the right foot, right away. From soil testing to seeds, a full run-down on how to plant the best vegetable garden for homesteading…
I’m so excited to keep moving forward with this lifestyle. I’ve linked other articles to some of my accomplishments and failures if you’d like to read more about them! Let’s get started. How my third year on the homestead went! How to homestead: my yearly list A closer look Now, this is obviously not all…
Do you know how many uses there are for a luffa sponge? When I started harvesting my sponges, I had no idea what to use them for. Here are a few uses for luffa sponges. How to use your luffa sponges after growing harvesting them. Luffas are versatile vegetables to grow with many uses. You…
All homesteaders have to prepare for the spring season. From gardens to picking up debris, it all has to be done in a timely manner in order to get through the spring season and transition into the summer. Here are the things to do to prepare for the spring season on your homestead. How to…
***This post is part of a Thankful Loop post as part of the Natural Living Bloggers Helping Each Other Facebook Group. Please click the links below to read other bloggers post within the loop, you won’t be sorry!: A Day of Thanks, Today and Tomorrow I used to live my life on edge. Not to…
Oh, the homestead burnout. Here are a few ways to deal with homestead burnout, should you experience it. What homestead burnout is, how you get it and what to do about it. Often us homesteader bloggers make life seem so perfect. Our Instagrams are filled with beautiful pictures of luscious gardens, our published posts give…
I’ve decided there’s really no absolutely perfect time to add more livestock to your homestead. There are a few things you can do to become more comfortable with the choice you make. These are in no particular order! When’s the right time for new livestock on your farm? Space for your livestock One of the…
If you’re new to raising chickens, a decrease in egg production could be something frustrating or even scary! Especially if you have chickens specifically for their egg production. I can’t tell you how to keep it from being frustrating, but it doesn’t have to be scary. There are reasons why your 12 hen flock might…
Michael Pollan said, “If it came from a plant, eat it; if it was made in a plant, don’t.” I’m the co-owner of an acre and a quarter of land on the search for simplicity and farming for freedom. Born and raised in Florida, I was fortunate as a young girl to have a mother…
Using hoop frames on our gardens is the only way we can grow crops in the summer. I live in West Central Florida so it gets pretty darn hot here. I’ve made my life a little bit easier by installing hoop garden frames for my raised beds! Why we use garden hoop tunnel frames on…
Today I’m going to tell you about actually getting the pig in your car and onto your homestead. Just last week I wrote about Getting a Pig on the Homestead: The Emotional Roller Coaster. Well, Y’all, I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT WAS ONLY LAST WEEK! A week ago exactly, actually. So last Thursday (Sep 6,…
Dealing with rodents on the homestead. Yep, I said it. Plump, brown, smarter-than-you rodents. Nobody really wants to talk about this. Why? Because it’s kind of gross. There’s this taboo with rodents, and I totally get it. My feelings towards rodents were neutral until we moved on the homestead. I debated writing this because I…
It’s September and our homestead is in full bloom right now. A small hen house is being fixed up for our growing 18 bird meat flock, the rabbits are being bred as the weather gets cooler, and the ducks are quacking around the yard foraging. I love the Spring, but this year I may love…
I’m wildly appreciative of the fact that I’m able to live this lifestyle to its fullest, whether the homesteading tasks are full of headaches and heartaches or not. But I also have to admit that there are a few tasks that I really dread. Isn’t it like that with everything in life, though? For you…
The best garden planner you’ll ever find and why I love it (and use it every year!) I’m here today to tell you about how I plan my gardens year round and why I love my garden planner! Do you have to have a garden planning program? No, you don’t need it. I’m still relatively…
I’ve been at this lifestyle for almost 3 years now and, I have to admit, I’ve taken a few breaks. I don’t mean taking a break as in neglecting the animals and letting them fend for themselves. 3 different types of breaks to take when homesteading, why and what to do. As a beginner, I…
I do understand that a lot of people know many things when they beginning homesteading, and that’s so great. If you’re buying a homestead and know nothing like I did, here are the first five things I think you should learn first. Before you start homesteading, you should know these things. Me? I knew nothing…
When I first started homesteading I always wondered what everyone else’s daily chores were. Who did they feed first? How much feed did they give to their animals? Were there any night chores I needed to take on? I figured since it was something I always wondered, you might be too. Here is what my…
I always thought it’d be so great to have my animals love me. Here are three great reasons to train your animals to love you…or at least like you a little more than not. I’m in the process now, myself! 3 reasons you should train your animals to love you for an easier time raising…
Here are 5 super easy vegetables you can grow almost fool-proof. How do I know I can grow these almost fool-proof? Because I did when I first started gardening and I still grow them. The 5 easiest vegetables to grow as a beginning garden without fail. I’ll be the first one to tell you that…
Although we’re halfway into our third year now, I want to tell you all a little bit about what happened here on on our homestead in 2017. What I experienced the second year on our homestead can what our goals are moving forward. Our failures, our achievements, our goals, etc. I hope, if you’re beginning,…
Sometimes my family makes me feel like I’m almost an expert in homesteading. I’d like to think of myself that way but the truth is, after only two years, I don’t often feel that way. Actually, I sometimes feel like I know little to nothing and that’s okay! So, for all you homestead beginners, I’m…
You might be thinking “Why are you going to tell me 3 reasons NOT to start a homestead?”. I’ve been thinking a lot about how great this lifestyle is for me. I’ve also been thinking of how not-so-great this lifestyle would be for some people. By saying that, I thought I’d touch on a few…
When I wrote my first homestead blog post it was with the intention to share with family and close friends. I always thought I would get a little more serious “once we had more going on”. There’s always something going on when it comes to the homesteading lifestyle. It’s been exactly 829 days since we…
You’ll always have to find what works best for your land, but some things are great to know starting out. Here are the things you have to have in a henhouse, and then some that are just nice to have. 6 things a henhouse needs along with some extra “nice to haves”. I didn’t have…
There are some things that all beginners should know about homesteading before starting. Knowing these things will help you succeed and THRIVE on your land. Be sure to know these things about homesteading before you start homesteading. As I was sending my bi-monthly newsletter out and telling the folks who subscribe about the down and…
I always wondered how to make extra income when I first started homesteading. Extra income covers things like better quality feed for your animals or the resources to extend your animals’ grazing lots, etc. Here are 10 ways to make extra income on your homestead. How to start making extra income on the homestead with…
These books are perfect for every homesteader. The very first “house warming gift” we got was a book. Although I was hoping for a goat or a zebu, the book proved equally as useful. Four books every homesteader should have and read. There are so many books to read, right?! Not to mention all the…
Two words, Y’all: Facebook Groups. If you’re already using Facebook groups for help on the homestead, good on ya! If you aren’t, here are great reasons why you need to be! Ways you can use Facebook groups to get ahead when homesteading. This is the golden age of technology; we’re all in Facebook groups. Well,…
I’ve had people ask me, and I’ve wondered, how to stay organized on the homestead. These are the things I do to stay organized and continue to thrive on my homestead. Staying organized on the homestead with this simple, easy method. One thing you will soon find out if you’re anything like me while starting your…
Tropical Storms and First Years on a Homestead The first year on a homestead has been kind of wild. We’re officially experiencing our first storm, Tropical Storm Colin, as homeowners and homestead owners! What we accomplished the first year on our homestead and our future goals. Although we’re calmly watching countless episodes of Netflix we’re…