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Homesteading

This is the place to post about self sufficiency or just about anything having to do with lifestyle, like  Gardening, Farming, Beekeeping, Canning, Husbandry, Hunting, Fishing, Crafts, Hobbies, Alternative Energy, Wood Working, Off Grid Living.

45 topics in this forum

  1. DaveW

    Hunting yummy things 1 2 3 4

    by DaveW

    I love the country but was brought up a city boy, so hunting has never really been on my radar. My meat comes cold packed from a supermarket. Never had Caribou ( have flown in one, but that is an entirely different subject!), but I do enjoy a bit of Bambi when I come across it. I never understood the idea of trophy hunting or sport hunting..... For food, absolutely ( even though I have never done it), but killing for fun or for bragging rights??????? Makes no sense to me. If you want hunt for sport use a camera or find range with targets. Oh yeah - it makes sense to me if it is me or the bear....... But the real point is getting …

    heartstrings
    Last reply by heartstrings,
  3. heartstrings

    Firearms 1 2 3 4

    by heartstrings

    This isn't hunting but is a "hobby" of sorts. I know it's a sensitive topic for some so, if it is offensive, it can be deleted at the admins discretion. This is the home defense shotgun my Wife and kids gave me for Christmas last year.. It has a "saddle" with picatinny rails for mounting a sight, which in this case is a holographic dot unit. It also sports an M4/military-style six position adjustable stock and an 8-round capacity magazine. The only problem I have with it is that it is a little heavy for me as I have a lot of pain in my shoulders. But on the plus side, it doesn't recoil too bad in spite of being 12-gauge. ...and yes, those are my feet. :)

    1611mac
    Last reply by 1611mac,
  4. ...

    Gardening Section for OB? 1 2 3 4

    by ...

    Hello members and admins, Would anyone be in support of there being a gardening section in the General Forums section? Perhaps between "Kitchen" and "Book & Movie Reviews." There could be sub sections for flowers, fruits & veggies and other things. The reason that I ask is that, among other things, I would like to learn how to garden proficiently and then start a fruit & vegetable garden at church and even set something up to teach others how to grow their own food as cheaply and efficiently as possible. Give a man a tomato and he eats for a day. Teach a man how to grow tomatoes and he eats for a lifetime. I am certain that there are members…

    Jim_Alaska
    Last reply by Jim_Alaska,
  5. heartstrings

    Woodworking 1 2 3

    by heartstrings

    I started woodworking in 9th or 10th grade then ramped it up quite a bit after I was married and began to acquire more tools.. I made this rocking horse for our daughter, who was two at the time, and used my Dad's old meatcutting bandsaw to cut it out. There was a ton of rasping and sanding with hand tools to do afterwards but it was finally finished. I built several and sold them after that. Fast-forward about 25 years and I've made one for each of the three grandchildren. One more grandchild is on the way and, Lord willing, he will get one too. I now use my CNC to cut them out, which saves a lot of time. This is the first horse, sitting on the CNC, after I refinished it…

    heartstrings
    Last reply by heartstrings,
  6. Jim_Alaska

    Gardens 1 2

    by Jim_Alaska

    Ok you folks. I know that some of you are getting your gardens started, but I see no posts about what you are doing or planning this year. I am pretty sure that the southern zones are frost free by now. Remember that this new forum was put up specifically for subjects of this nature and we need to liven it up. I can't post anything about gardens because I have a "brown thumb". But some of you may have, or may benefit from what others are doing. It seems like there are always tips and tricks that others do that can helps someone out.

    Salyan
    Last reply by Salyan,
  7. homesteadme

    Homestead 1 2

    by homesteadme

    What is homesteading, and why does it matter today?

    Martyr_4_FutureJoy
    Last reply by Martyr_4_FutureJoy,
  8. AdamL

    Beekeeping

    by AdamL
    • 13 replies
    • 1.8k views

    Does anyone keep bees? I have never done it and looking for some advice. I have done some research on langstroth hives. What things are needed to get started? How do you know if the hive is doing well or sick? How often and how much honey is harvested and how do you make sure you don't take too much? Anyone that has any experience I would be all ears. Thanks!

    AdamL
    Last reply by AdamL,
  9. heartstrings

    Farm fresh eggs ;)

    by heartstrings

    I was moving some landscaping materials yesterday and found these skink eggs. I assume they're skink eggs because mama skink was bravely standing guard over them. Or maybe she was dining on them? I gently covered them back up, but will check back later. What if they were snake eggs?

    Ukulelemike
    Last reply by Ukulelemike,
  10. Salyan

    Food storage

    by Salyan

    So I'm excited! I'm moving to a new rental in a couple of weeks (a trailer - so my own walls! No more apartment neighbors, yay!) with a bit more storage space. Yesterday on Kijiji a shelf reliance can rotation storage system came up for sale. I'll be picking it up tomorrow night, Lord willing. I've been wanting to try can rotation for a while - it'll be neat to have the space for a proper system. Anyone else do the whole food storage bit? It's a little bit a.l.a. LDS, I know, but it's the one thing I think they're right on. ?

    heartstrings
    Last reply by heartstrings,
  11. heartstrings

    Zacchaeus was a wee little man and....

    by heartstrings

    We have two of these. They were fairly young and much smaller when we bought the place over 30 years ago. I was putting out hay yesterday on the 'back 40' and decided to take a couple photos of this one.

    Jim_Alaska
    Last reply by Jim_Alaska,
  12. No Nicolaitans

    Plant some beans! :)

    by No Nicolaitans

    This is a very simple tip and may surprise no one. However, if you're a fan of beans and growing your own, did you know that you can buy a pack of dried beans in the supermarket and plant those? That's what we always did, and it's usually a lot less expensive than buying bean "seeds"...which are what the dried beans in the supermarket are. ;) My daughter didn't think it would work for some reason, so I planted a couple of beans in a flower pot a few years ago, and they produced enough for one very sparse meal. LOL! Now go plant some beans!

    Invicta
    Last reply by Invicta,
  13. heartstrings

    Squash Blossoms in the Morning

    by heartstrings

    The first one is a cluster of three on a crookneck yellow squash plant. See the teeny little squash? This one is a zucchini. The leaves are almost the size of two dinner plates.

    Invicta
    Last reply by Invicta,
  14. Jim_Alaska

    Agricultural Warfare....Important

    by Jim_Alaska

    Agricultural Warfare

    SureWord
    Last reply by SureWord,
  15. Rebecca

    farm animal information needed

    by Rebecca

    If we wanted to begin the homestead life with 16 acres part wooded, part field, and a small pond and a house with no fence except around the property, what should we do first? What are the best farm animals (mention your preferred breed of animal, not just species) for beginners and why? What kind of containment and housing would each of these animals need? (location: Missouri) Random trespassing neighbors cow...fences may need repair, also shutting the gate might help. What kind of cow is this, maybe a Jersey or mix?

    Pastor Matt
    Last reply by Pastor Matt,
  16. ...

    Straw Bale Gardening

    by ...
    • 7 replies
    • 836 views

    @Orval I saw the photos of Orval's straw bale plantings and am very interested in them. I have heard that you can purchase straw bales for only a few dollars each and that it may be a much cheaper way to get gardens started as opposed to purchasing soil to fill raised beds &c. Orval, could you share a bit more of your bale gardening experience?

    Orval
    Last reply by Orval,
  17. Jim_Alaska

    New forum

    by Jim_Alaska
    • 7 replies
    • 1.1k views

    OK folks, here it is. I am going to move the gardening threads that were started on the other forum to this one. I hope you enjoy your new forum.

    Invicta
    Last reply by Invicta,
  18. HappyChristian

    Chicken Toys?

    by HappyChristian

    We haven't raised chickens in a lot of years, but I have to wonder if they'd be happier with some toys - like these swings. Does anyone here raise chickens? If so, would you ever get them a swing? (the link is to the online store, but it should open to the page of videos) I also saw a clip of chickens pecking at a head of cabbage that was hanging from a rope. Playing with their food... https://www.fowlplayproducts.com/videos

    Ukulelemike
    Last reply by Ukulelemike,
  19. heartstrings

    Terrain, Tires, Tubes, and Tore-up Tiller-engines

    by heartstrings

    I was going to post a progress on my Spring garden but, unfortunately it will first be a progress report on the tiller. The tires were flat so I replaced one of the tubes. Almost immediately one rotten tire disintegrated. So I searched for tires online and found that the ones made for this Italian-made tiller were an unheard-of size and are super expensive. BUT, they so fit an 8" rim. So I found some cheaper "Carlisle" brand which were 8' but a good deal larger and taller; however they're also a fraction of the price. Now the tiller is jacked up a little high on the front and looks like it's ready to go mudding. Anyway, I tilled my Monster truck/tiller over the garden one…

    No Nicolaitans
    Last reply by No Nicolaitans,
  20. Orval

    air rifles

    by Orval

    Squirrels are killing my flowers this year and really frustrating me. I have had a few problems over the years but with my neighbor passing away a couple of years ago (he would trap them) the squirrels are breeding to fast and are really digging up my flowers this year. I borrowed a Ruger Blackhawk Elite .177 Pellet Air Rifle with Scope and have not zeroed it in. I am wondering if it is powerful enough to kill a squirrel. I am on the very edge of town and cannot use my 22 rifle but the squirrels need to move or end up in my frying pan. the fps is around 1000 - 1200 which should be enough to kill at 25 yrds. your thoughts?

    heartstrings
    Last reply by heartstrings,
  21. heartstrings

    3D Printing

    by heartstrings

    Been itching to try this out for awhile now, and finally broke down and ordered one. The real fun will be in assembling it piece by piece and hopefully I can get my grandson involved. We'll see. http://www.ebay.com/itm/P802MA-Large-Size-Precision-home-DIY-i3-3D-Printer-Self-assembl-Card-material/192039421176?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

    heartstrings
    Last reply by heartstrings,
  22. heartstrings

    Rifle build kit

    by heartstrings

    I would so like to build this, and it is a steal. Free shipping, no FFL needed.....but I already have one and would need a very good excuse........ Good excuse suggestions welcome....... :) https://www.deltateamtactical.com/AR-15-Complete-Deluxe-16-Rifle-Kit-with-80-Lower-Bolt-Carrier-Group-Comes-With-Everything_p_6260.html

    heartstrings
    Last reply by heartstrings,
  23. Orval

    straw bale gardening

    by Orval
    • 6 replies
    • 1.5k views

    I am about two weeks behind this year. I should have had my straw bales out already and prepping them but will get them set tomorrow and provide some pictures. I was surprised by how much residual straw I had left over from last year a small pickup truck full. So I have decided I will use that all that good plant food for my flower and herbs beds on the south side of my house. It should drain well and if I do 10ft by 4ft bed I should be able to plant pretty much what I want for this year. I will set out between 10 and 16 bales this year and will attempt to plant pole beans and sweet corn together so the beans can climb the sweet corn and I should not have to sta…

    Orval
    Last reply by Orval,
  24. heartstrings

    Eggplant

    by heartstrings

    It has about 7 or 8 blooms now. I don't eat them but planted this one for my step-dad.

    Jim_Alaska
    Last reply by Jim_Alaska,
  25. heartstrings

    ...and let them be for signs...

    by heartstrings

    Many of the older folks around here, including my grandparents, planted "by the signs" with a good measure of superstition thrown in. An old guy, former member of our church, once asked one of the young ladies in the church to drop the seed in his garden because she was with child at the time: She complied. He really believed a pregnant woman planting the seeds would benefit his crop somehow. My Dad, on the other hand, planted big gardens for years and never put any stock in "signs", superstitions, or "old wives tales". Dad just planted when the weather was right and as time permitted and he grew enough vegetables to feed a family six, while Mom canned and froze tons of i…

    Invicta
    Last reply by Invicta,
  26. Jim_Alaska

    My wife's woodworking

    by Jim_Alaska

    Here is something that I thought folks might like to see. My wife makes these hair sticks by hand, using all natural wood. Most of the wood is gathered by her in the forest. There are many hours of work in each one. The sanding and oil sanding is meticulous, starting out with graduated sanding grit from 100 grit and all the way up to 1500 grit with oil on highly polished sticks. I edited this post because I just remembered that my wife makes sticks out of stuff other than natural wood that she has gathered herself. She has also made them out of bone and antler, they were gorgeous and looked a lot like ivory. She has also made some custom sticks from exotic wood …

    Jim_Alaska
    Last reply by Jim_Alaska,


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