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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.
46 topics in this forum
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- 6 replies
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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…
Last reply by Orval, -
- 1 follower
- 5 replies
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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, -
- 1 follower
- 5 replies
- 1.3k views
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 …
Last reply by Jim_Alaska, -
- 2 followers
- 52 replies
- 6.1k views
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, -
- 1 reply
- 835 views
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, -
- 1 follower
- 8 replies
- 1.1k views
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!
Last reply by Invicta, -
- 1 follower
- 6 replies
- 1.2k views
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…
Last reply by No Nicolaitans, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 681 views
If you accidentally (or on accidentally on purpose) dent a piece of wood (raw wood), lay a wet rag or towel over the spot. Let it set there a few minutes then iron the spot with an ordinary clothes iron. Doesn't have to be a steam Iron but I'm sure that would help too. Keep ironing over it untill the grain of the wood miraculously raises back to its original or near original position. Most of the dent will be gone. let it dry and sand as usual.
Last reply by heartstrings, -
- 4 replies
- 925 views
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, -
- 0 replies
- 608 views
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, -
- 4 replies
- 990 views
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, -
- 1 follower
- 7 replies
- 1.1k views
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, -
- 0 replies
- 593 views
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, -
- 1 reply
- 654 views
Here is a video that explains how trees get water up higher than what should be possible. I don't know what's more astonishing; God's ingenious design for dealing with the issue or the fact that people can know this information and still believe in evolution. Watch the awe and wonder that the host has in the process and know that he still believes it came about by random, unguided, coincidental mutations. This is a very good example of why I don't believe that typical apologetics and Creationism vs Evolutionism debates are a good way to spend our time. No amount of rational observation of reality will wake most people like this out of their foolishness. It why …
Last reply by Alan, -
- 1 follower
- 1 reply
- 867 views
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, -
- 4 replies
- 721 views
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, -
- 5 replies
- 1.1k views
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 ..., -
- 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.
Last reply by Invicta, -
- 1 reply
- 537 views
Whenever any project is started, a workspace is required and supplies are needed. This area of the forum will contain many discussions about many different aspects of what occurs on homesteads; from large, multi acre farms, to small, possibly suburban plots. As we gather our supplies and begin our projects, let us first take a moment to consider the original and grandest of all homesteading projects ever undertaken. (Genesis 1:1-31) "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. {2} And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. {3} And God said, Let there be li…
Last reply by Jim_Alaska, -
- 7 replies
- 887 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?
Last reply by Orval, -
- 2 followers
- 50 replies
- 4.3k views
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,
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By BrotherTony · Posted
My wife and I know several pastors who have been widowed in the past five years and have remarried. They are all in their 50s to early 70s. Two have married widowed women in their congregations and are doing very well. Four of them married women in their 30s, that have NEVER been married before, and two of them are having to take a hiatus to help their brides adjust to married life, not that there's any trouble. The church felt they were owed a little down time. They have some great people in their congregations. Five of these men have married women who were married years ago, divorced early in life, remarried, raised a family, and then were widowed. All of them are doing well. No problems. People need to let these men decide what they believe the Lord would have them to do instead of trying to be an armchair quarterback. I'm sure they know the Lord's leadings better than us. -
By BrotherTony · Posted
It's really hard to know if he knew in the beginning where they were being printed. I'm pretty sure that before his being their endorser that Lee Greenwood was having them printed. You really need to get out more, Eddie, and learn how the world works instead of throwing darts at everyone and then whining when you get called on it. As I stated before, and as have others, you really need to grow up. -
By TheGloryLand · Posted
China 🇨🇳 If Trump doesn’t care where they’re made he should just leave the Chinese alone. 😢Sad news -
By BrotherTony · Posted
Yep! TGL needs to put a link to the NOAA website...I mean, we ALL know that government agencies are all so honest, as was Mr. Gore. 😅😂🤣😂🤣 -
By BrotherTony · Posted
And??? Does anyone really care where they were printed? Doubtful. SMH
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