Free article Archives - Backwoods Home Magazine

Installing a steel roof

By Norman Bennett Issue #126 • November/December, 2010 One of the reasons steel roofs have become so popular is the simplicity and economy with which they can be placed over an old shingle roof. Still, despite...

Cornmeal sour cream biscuits

Recipe of the Week Cornmeal sour cream biscuits Courtesy of Arthur Vernon II You'll find this recipe and over 400 more in Backwoods Home Cooking.Click Here Ingredients 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour 1 cup cornmeal 1 Tbsp. sugar 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1...

Waldorf salad

Anne Westbrook Dominick Ingredients 2 cups apples, cored and diced (not peeled) 1 Tbsp. lemon juice 1 Tbsp. sugar salt to taste 1 cup sliced celery 1/2 cup diced walnuts 1/2 cup raisins 1/2 cup mayonnaise Method In a bowl, mix the apples and the...

Creating and maintaining your own sourdough starter

By Emily Buehler Issue #97 • January/February, 2006 Most people know about sourdough starter—it can be used instead of yeast to make bread rise, resulting in bread with a sour flavor and a chewier texture. Bakers...

Beekeeping basics

Issue #88 • July/August, 2004 Bees have been managed for their honey production for about 5000 years or so. Especially for the smallholder, beekeeping can be an interesting and rewarding pursuit. They...

How to organize an outdoor canning party

By Jennifer Grahovac Issue #119 • September/October, 2009 When my husband and I decided to return to Ohio after living for 15 years in the mountains of Vermont, it was with some trepidation and a little...

What if the electricity GOES OFF?

By Michael Hackleman Issue #55 • January/February, 1999 Just as everyone was getting ready to throw the party of the century and millenniumout with the old and in with the newsomeone springs Y2K on us. Power...

Breakfast Sausage Casserole

Recipe of the Week Breakfast Sausage Casserole Courtesy of Nancy Janus Ingredients 1 pound pork sausage 6 slices white bread, toasted and cubed 1/2 pound shredded cheddar cheese 1 teaspoon mustard powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 4 eggs, beaten 2 cups milk Method Remove sausage meat from...

Build an inexpensive but durable jackleg fence

By Dynah Geissal Issue #45 • May/June, 1997 When we moved to our land in the summer of 1994, we were fortunate that open grazing exists where we live because we had to build shelters for...

Build an Old-Fashioned Hotbed and Start Your Seeds in Style

By Roy Martin Issue #104 • March/April, 2007 A hotbed is a miniature greenhouse that is heated to protect new seedlings from cold. The hotbed differs from a cold frame in that it has an internal...

Build a Simple, Inexpensive Greenhouse

By Jennifer Poindexter Issue #157 • January/February, 2016 Since my family is homesteading on a budget, the task of building a greenhouse had to be done as inexpensively as possible. Luckily, my husband is extremely crafty;...

Home Dairying

By Marcella Shaffer Issue #64 • July/August, 2000 There is a big difference between home dairying to produce food for your family and dairying to sell milk or milk byproducts to others. Since milk and dairy...

For health & comfort, try wild herbal teas

By Cynthia Andal Issue #76 • July/August, 2002 The mention of herbal teas brings to mind pleasant conversations in a warmly scented kitchen, aided by the fragrant steam of a cup of Fireweed tea. Completely aside from...

Air power superiority

When a well-placed shot is required, when stealth and quiet are called for, an air rifle may be the best option. By Gary Lewis Issue #151 • January/February, 2015 The peacock. Here in the states, he is a designer...

Pump water for free

By Kai Moessle  Issue #158 • March/April, 2016 I opened the valve on the output side of the pump slowly, like the instructions said, and after a few more starts it ran just by itself. Still...

Cooking with seeds — A surefire way to sow good health into your family’s...

By Linda Gabris Issue #100 • July/August, 2006 Even though it sounds a little seedy, planting an array of tasty seeds in your daily cooking is an economical way to sneak an extra dose...