Build a Composter
By Charles Sanders
Issue #170 • March/April, 2018
As with most of the other facets of homesteading, composting can be as simple or as elaborate as you wish to make it. One of the easiest ways...
Build a Heated Germination Bed
By Charles Sanders
Issue #92 • March/April, 2005
Many of us who garden have learned the benefits of starting our own vegetable and flower plants. There are several benefits to having a spot to start your...
Wildfires: Before, During, After
By Charles Sanders
There are many things rural homeowners can do to mitigate the danger of wildfires. The first is to create a defensive zone around your homesite which will become a buffer area around...
Homestead helpers
By Charles Sanders
My parents were children of the Great Depression. They learned to get by on very little, to make or repair or reuse almost anything, and never throw anything away — it might...
Hog butchering — Using everything but the squeal
By Charles Sanders
Issue #142 • July/August, 2013
A 450-pound hog will provide a lot of delicious meat.
Hogs are raised throughout our neighboring Amish community for many of the same reasons old American homesteads raised them....
Gardening Tips and Tricks
By Charles Sanders
Issue #99 • May/June, 2006
Gardeners are an ingenious lot. Trial and error, time, study, observation, and experience all help us to come up with ideas that result in better gardens, more produce,...
The Homestead Greenhouse
By Charles Sanders
Issue #67 • January/February, 2001
For those of us living close to the land, the production of a dependable and healthful food supply is a primary objective. To that end, some consideration will...
Corn cob jelly
Recipe of the Week
Corn cob jelly
Courtesy of
Charles A. Sanders
You'll find this recipe and over 400 more in Backwoods Home Cooking.Click Here
Ingredients
12-14 red corn cobs
6 cups sugar
2 pkg. Sure-Jell
Method
Start by gathering a few dozen red...
Build a homestead Copy Cart
By Charles Sanders
Issue #45 • July/August, 1997
I don't know too many homesteaders, gardeners, or small farmers who haven't at one time or another wished for one of those fancy big-wheeled garden carts. It seems...
35 country jobs — How folks make a living near my hometown
By Charles Sanders
Issue #89 • September/October, 2004
If you're relocating to the backwoods, you will very likely have to give some thought to generating some income, that is, making a living. Hopefully, the topic is...
How to maintain your chimney
By Charles Sanders
Issue #169 • January/February, 2018
As a good stove can be vital to a country home, a good chimney is just as important in safely operating that stove. A well-constructed chimney can serve...
Build this sturdy large-capacity food dehydrator
By Charles Sanders
Issue #63 • May/June, 2000
Drying of food as a means of preservation has been around for a long time. Populations in suitably dry climates all around the globe have dried meat, fish,...
Persimmon bread
Recipe of the Week
Persimmon bread
Courtesy of
Charles A. Sanders
You'll find this recipe and over 400 more in Backwoods Home Cooking.Click Here
Ingredients
1 cup persimmon pulp
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp....
Crabapple jelly
Recipe of the Week
Crabapple jelly
Courtesy of
Charles A. Sanders
You'll find this recipe and over 400 more in Backwoods Home Cooking.Click Here
Ingredients
3 lbs. crabapples (about 10 cups, cut up)
4 cups water
2 cups sugar
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1...
Raising your own beef for your family
By Charles Sanders
Issue #57 • May/June, 1999
For most homesteaders, the raising of livestock plays a crucial role in the home based economy. The types of livestock which you choose to include on your own...
Persimmon cookies
Recipe of the Week
Persimmon cookies
Courtesy of
Charles A. Sanders
You'll find this recipe and over 400 more in Backwoods Home Cooking.Click Here
Ingredients
1 cup persimmon pulp
3/4 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. baking soda
2 cups flour
1 tsp....
