On today’s podcast episode I talk about living a frugal lifestyle on the homestead, what it means to be frugal and the benefits of frugality. I share several ideas for being more frugal in the kitchen, the garden, with raising livestock and general ideas for running a frugal household.
On today’s episode I have a conversation with Rachel Jamison, a suburban homesteader in Michigan. Rachel started down the path of homesteading for better health for herself and her family. Rachel and I discuss: Why she started homesteading Raising chickens in the suburbs The things she is growing in her garden Hunting and Fishing Food Preservation Food Preparation How homesteading has helped her and her family have better health Inspiring and helping others to develop homesteading skills . Resou...
On today’s podcast episode I’m joined by Cindy Patterson. Cindy and her family live on a 700 acre farm/homestead in Saskatchewan Canada and are doing a little bit of everything to be as self sufficient as they can be. Cindy and I discuss: The livestock they are raising; cattle, a milk cow, goats, rabbits, quail and chickens. Using nature to provide for their homestead by hunting, foraging, and trapping. Gardening vegetables and herbs. Different methods of food preservation Other homesteading ski...
On today’s podcast episode I have a conversation with Steve Dinicol, a homesteader on 133 acres in British Columbia Canada. Steve and his wife work full time jobs and still manage to operate and expand their homestead although expand too quickly at times as Steve will confess. Steve and I discuss: What led him down the homesteading path Raising cattle Raising sheep Raising chickens for eggs and meat Animal processing Deer hunting Gardening in a northern climate Foraging for mushrooms His newly p...
On today’s podcast episode I’m joined by Ariel Gunn. Ariel is an urban homesteader in Texas working toward a more self sufficient lifestyle right where she is. We discuss: Why she started homesteading in the suburbs Beekeeping with neighbors close by Her small flock of chickens Growing food in her vegetable garden Growing culinary and medicinal herbs Her community herb garden Water catchment and her other future plans . Resources and links from this episode: Ariel’s Instagram: https://www.instag...
On today’s episode I have a conversation with Troy McClung. Troy homesteads/farms 100 acres in Southern West Virginia and shares about his journey at RedToolHouse.com . Troy and I discuss: How he got started homesteading Livestock on his homestead Raising pigs for profit Chickens, egg layers and meat birds Rotational grazing General preparedness Good stewardship of the land Family Values Inspiring and helping others on a path to self-sufficiency . Resources and Links from this episode: Troy’s We...
On today’s podcast I’m joined by Robin Follette from alifeinthewild.com . Robin and I talk about her 45 acre homestead in Maine and the things she is doing to live a self-sufficient life. We discuss: What lead her into a homesteading lifestyle Homestead livestock Gardening in a northern climate Knowing when it’s time to cut back on what you’re doing Hunting Fishing Animal processing Food preparation…and a bunch of other things . Resources and things mentioned in this episode: Mother Earth News O...
Depending on where you live winter can be a trying time on the homestead, but with a little preparation we can weather the storm a little easier and make those long winter months safer and less stressful. Here are a few things you may need to do before it gets too bad outside.
Homesteading isn’t all about gardening and raising livestock, hunting to supply meat for the homestead is a long standing tradition and way of life for the homesteader as well. Hunting the Whitetail Deer is one the most common and most rewarding hunts a homesteader can partake in. On Today’s podcast I will discuss everything you need to know to hunt whitetail deer and fill the homestead freezer.
On today’s podcast episode I will be giving my thoughts on some questions from you, the listeners. I will be answering questions today on getting started raising pigs on a small scale, setting up raised bed gardens with a focus on the soil and what makes a person a homesteader. Today’s Questions: Ellie asks – I really want to start raising pigs. Only one or two at a time. I just need some advice on what I need to get started, some tips on raising them to be healthy, and maybe some troubleshootin...
One of the biggest hurdles some people face when it comes to homesteading is time. They don’t have enough of it to spare, they don’t know how much it will take and they are unsure how to manage it in a way that will allow them to engage in a homesteading lifestyle. On today’s podcast I will discuss a few ways you can homestead when you don’t have enough time to homestead.
Homesteaders look for independence and self sufficiency in every area of life so it only makes sense that when it comes to making an income they would look at every possible option. Modern homesteaders don’t only have to look at the conventional ways of making money such as farmer’s markets, and csa’s but can take advantage of some of the unconventional money making options. Unconventional ways to make money as a homesteader would be those options that are out of the ordinary, most of which were...
On today’s podcast I will discuss with you several reasons why you shouldn’t wait until you move to your dream homestead, but instead you should start your homesteading journey right now and right where you are. I will discuss: A modern definition of what homesteading is.The many reasons you should start homesteading today.What you can do to start homesteading right where you are.
On today’s podcast I will discuss everything you need to know about building your very own diy rainwater catchment system. From why you should build one, where it should be, to the details of how to build a rainwater capturing setup. I discuss: Why you should consider putting in a rainwater catchment system.Laws pertaining to rainwater catchment.Where to install a rainwater catchment system.Options for capturing water.Specific pieces to a catchment system.How to care for and maintain a catchment...
A great way to keep the homestead freezer well-stocked with meat is by hunting and if you’re going to go hunting there aren’t many animals to hunt that will bring you more success and more enjoyment than hunting squirrel. I’ve been hunting these bushy-tailed creatures since I was 10 years old and 34 years later I still haven’t grown tired of it. However, there are a few things you should know about hunting squirrel that will increase your chances of a successful and enjoyable hunt.
On today’s podcast I will give a brief overview on many homesteading skills worth acquiring and I discuss how one would go about learning some of these skills. This is not a list of every skill a homesteader may desire to have but a good list of basics. Every person may not desire to acquire every one of these skills but they could if they wanted to.
On today’s podcast I will share 50 resources that will inspire, motivate and educate anyone interested in or living the homesteading lifestyle. Podcasts, YouTube channels, blogs, Facebook groups, and documentaries are great for all things homesteading and this is a list of some of the best.
Today’s main topic on the podcast is about how to protect your garden from everything that wants to eat it before you. No matter if you live far in the country or in the heart of the city, your garden is a target for wildlife. Deer, rabbits, birds, rodents and bugs want to eat it, so I talk about a few thing you can do to protect your harvest and enjoy your hard work at the kitchen table. I discuss in the podcast: Some tips for guarding against deer. Ideas to keep birds away. What you can do abo...
On today’s podcast I’m joined by Sherry Willis from Half-Pint Homestead to talk about keeping livestock on an urban homestead and the new eCourse she has put together to help urban farmers take the livestock leap. We discuss: Sherry’s homesteading journey and experience Some of the challenges and rewards of keeping urban livestock The details of Sherry’s new eCourse
The main topic of today’s podcast is about identifying common problems with tomato plants and organic ways to fix the problems. This is a question I get asked often and I see being asked all over social media, “what’s going on with my tomato plant?” and I have to say it’s a good question because in the many years I have been growing tomatoes I’ve discovered they are a fickle plant and at one time or another i’ve had about every problem with them. I will discuss in the podcast: Early Blight Late ...
On today’s podcast I discuss 4 “invasive weeds” I allow to grow in my garden and why. I also give a rundown on what’s new and happening on the homestead and talk a little about why there hasn’t been a podcast for a few months. I share a little bit about my fairly large surprise volunteer garden I was blessed with this year. My newest edition to the planned garden. This year’s garden failure which was a mistake on my part. I talk about dandelion, plantain, lamb’s quarters and purslane and what ma...
Today is Day 20 of our 30 days of homesteading Q&A on the podcast where we are answering your questions about homesteading. Today’s question is “I’m going to start raising rabbits for meat but i’m trying to decide if I should raise them in cages or in a colony, which is better?” . On this podcast episode I will discuss: . Colony Raising Advantages Cleaning is easier Feeding and watering is easier Rabbits are happier, rabbits get to be rabbits. Cheaper initial setup cost Overall it’s less per...
Today is Day 19 of our 30 days of homesteading Q&A on the podcast where I have reached out to some of the best bloggers and podcasters in the homesteading space to answer your questions about homesteading. Today’s question is “What’s the best way to compost without the smell? I don’t have a big yard and I don’t want a stinky compost pile close to my house.” . Back to answer this question is David The Good from TheSurvivalGardener.com . . To find out more about David The Good check out his we...
Today is Day 18 of our 30 days of homesteading Q&A on the podcast where I have reached out to some of the best bloggers and podcasters in the homesteading space to answer your questions about homesteading. Today’s question is “Why is it not safe to water bath can my vegetables? I was told if they went bad I would be able to tell. Is this true or do I need to pressure can?” Back to answer today’s question is Jo Rellime from Homestead Chronicles . Resources Mentioned by Jo: Story on the botuli...
Today is Day 17 of our 30 days of homesteading Q&A on the podcast where I have reached out to some of the best bloggers and podcasters in the homesteading space to answer your questions about homesteading. Today’s question is “What’s the best gun for hunting small game? Shotgun or rifle? What caliber?” . Answering today’s question is Gregg Carter from TheRuralEconomist.blogspot.com and The Bringing Rural Back Podcast. . Gregg will discuss: advantages and disadvantages with small caliber rifl...
Today is Day 16 of our 30 days of homesteading Q&A on the podcast where I have reached out to some of the best bloggers and podcasters in the homesteading space to answer your questions about homesteading. Today’s question is “I’m going to set up some indoor grow beds in my basement for this winter and would like some advice on what wattage of lights I need to grow my vegetables?” . I am answering today’s question and will be discussing what to look for in a lightbulb. This is something I le...
Today is Day 15 of our 30 days of homesteading Q&A on the podcast where I have reached out to some of the best bloggers and podcasters in the homesteading space to answer your questions about homesteading. Today’s question is “Do you have any suggestions on where to get free stuff for the garden like mulch,compost, or soil that would be chemical free and safe?” . Answering today’s question is David The Good from TheSurvivalGardener.com . . David shares with us: Why we need to be careful abou...
Today is Day 14 of our 30 days of homesteading Q&A on the podcast where I have reached out to some of the best bloggers and podcasters in the homesteading space to answer your questions about homesteading. Today’s question is “I’m not sure how I feel about the whole prepping thing. What are some realistic situations where I could possibly need 3 months worth of food stored up?” . Answering today’s question is Jo Rellime from HomesteadChronicles.com. Jo gives us a very realistic and even pers...
Today is Day 13 of our 30 days of homesteading Q&A on the podcast where I have reached out to some of the best bloggers and podcasters in the homesteading space to answer your questions about homesteading. Today’s question is “What’s The Difference Between Heirloom, Hybrid and GMO Seeds?” . Answering today’s question is Mary from Mary’s Heirloom Seeds. Mary tells us exactly what heirloom, hybrid and gmo seeds are and how organic relates to these seeds. . Find out more about Mary through her ...
Today is Day 12 of our 30 days of homesteading Q&A on the podcast where I have reached out to some of the best bloggers and podcasters in the homesteading space to answer your questions about homesteading. Today’s question is “We do a lot of camping and even sit around a campfire quite a bit when we are home and we would like to get away from eating hotdogs all the time. Do you have any ideas on healthier meals we could be preparing over a campfire?” . Answering today’s question is Tom and K...
