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
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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…
Last reply by Invicta, -
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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
Last reply by heartstrings, -
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Three years ago, I started out with a hand-broadcaster and later a tractor-mounted one. In both cases, after broadcasting, I had to try to cover the seed with a home made drag made of heavy timbers and chain-link fence. Much of the seed did not get covered, "had no depth of earth", and the "fowls of the air" ate bellyfuls of it. This year I bought an old grain drill from a junk yard for $425. I had to buy some parts, do some repairs and use up a couple cans of WD-40 but It's working fine now. I think we have about $1000 in it now but that's pretty good for a contraption that, when new, costs about as much as a new truck. So far, I have planted seven acres with it and the …
Last reply by heartstrings, -
- 1 follower
- 7 replies
- 684 views
Agricultural Warfare
Last reply by SureWord, -
air rifles
by Orval- 2 followers
- 6 replies
- 1.6k views
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?
Last reply by heartstrings, -
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!
Last reply by AdamL, -
- 4 replies
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I'm going to be planting as many edible perennials as I can this year. Does anyone have recommendations for good, high yield perennials? This is what I am planning so far: Asparagus Jerusalem Artichoke (sunchoke) Raspberries Blueberries Blackberries By the way, I'm in Southeast Michigan (Zone 6a)
Last reply by Invicta, -
- 5 replies
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I am wanting to start canning with my wife but I am kind of at a loss as of where to start. I have researched pressure canners some but am not sure exactly what to buy or other methods of doing it. I am wanting to can vegetables and meat if that makes any difference. Anyone that has experience that wouldn't mind sharing I would really appreciate it.
Last reply by Salyan, -
- 0 replies
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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
Last reply by HappyChristian, -
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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
Last reply by Ukulelemike, -
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Easiest salad Watercress. Also my favourite. If you have a pond with a filter you can grow watercress with practically no effort. You can buy plants at inflated prices at the garden centre, or seeds and follow the instructions, our you can do as I do and buy a bunch of watercress cut the bottoms off and plant them and eat the rest. You could plant them in a large tub of pea shingle or gravel. If you buy it from a builders merchant wash it throroughly till the water runs clear, run the water from your pump into the shingle, make an overflw into your pond.You can plant your watercress into the gravel and wait for the crop. Or you can just throw a han…
Last reply by Invicta, -
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When we were children during the war we used to have nasturtium flowers, leaves and seeds on salads. Although we never ate them my dad used to grow Calendula, pot marigold, English marigold, aka, poor man's saffron. but we never ate it. Some time ago I went into a supermarket where there were packets of edible flowers in the salad section. I just did a search and found a number of sites that listed edible flowers. Here is one. https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=764
Last reply by Invicta, -
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It has about 7 or 8 blooms now. I don't eat them but planted this one for my step-dad.
Last reply by Jim_Alaska, -
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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?
Last reply by Pastor Matt, -
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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?
Last reply by Ukulelemike, -
- 5 replies
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Has anyone here ever grown fiddlehead ferns; the kind you pick and eat while they're still curled up? If so, how to you start them? can you buy fiddlehead seeds or plants? DO you have to find them in the wild and transplant them? I'd love to know.
Last reply by ..., -
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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. :)
Last reply by 1611mac, -
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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. ?
Last reply by heartstrings, -
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- 2 followers
- 50 replies
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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…
Last reply by Jim_Alaska, -
Gardens 1 2
by Jim_Alaska- 1 follower
- 28 replies
- 3.2k views
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.
Last reply by Salyan, -
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The Basics. Having lived in Alaska for over thirty years, in temperatures that can reach 50 below zero, I have learned a few things about heating with wood. Although I no longer live in Alaska, I have been able to use what I learned there even in Northern California. As with most things in life, there are benefits as well as drawbacks to heating with wood. If you are familiar with wood heating this information may be elementary for you. But if you have not had experience with wood heating, or are considering it as a main heat source or a supplemental one, this may be of some benefit to you. I would preface this information with some preliminary insight. First un…
Last reply by heartstrings, -
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Firewood selection: Depending on your location you may be limited in the types and quantities of firewood you can harvest. Many communities as well as agencies have strict permitting regulations regarding this. Your selection of wood should reflect your needs as much as possible. For instance, if you are using wood as your main heat source you will want specific quantities and types of wood for your needs. You will need dry wood, preferably conifer (spruce, pine, fir) for fire starting and fast intense heat. Then you will need hard wood for long lasting fires and holding fire overnight. Hardwood can be any that you have access to in your location. If you are all…
Last reply by Jim_Alaska, -
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To Split or Not To Split: Splitting your firewood has a lot to do with personal preference, your stove and the size of the logs you cut. Both dry and green wood will burn longer if it is not split. Green rounds are usually preferred for holding a fire overnight. Splitting can be done in three ways, one is with a hand held splitting maul and another is an electric or gas powered hydraulic log splitter. Some people like to use a steel wedge and a short handle two pound hammer. The hydraulic splitter is easier on you, but cost may be a consideration. You will spend anywhere from $400 to $1,000 for a splitter. If you cut large trees the rounds will have to be split …
Last reply by DaveW, -
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For those who want indoor herb gardens here is some nice info for you. Indoor herbs can be grown in nearly anything from old mayonnaise or pickle jars to more elaborate flower boxes built to set on indoor window sills. The key is in the soil and water content since most herbs need just a little sunshine, a nice grainy rich soil and very little water. Soil should not be packed down but a bit loose for breathing. Breathing allows the soil to retain some moisture but not enough for the roots to mildew. Since most herbs need very little water herbs such as Rosemary, Dill, Thyme, Oregano, Sage and Lavender can be grown indoors either in full sunlight or partial sun li…
Last reply by Invicta, -
Homestead 1 2
by homesteadme-
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- 15 replies
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What is homesteading, and why does it matter today?
Last reply by Martyr_4_FutureJoy, -