Articles - Backwoods Home Magazine

Chickens — The most valuable animal on the homestead

Eye-catching signs with mirrors

By David Lee Issue #144 • November/December, 2013 The reflected image in the mirrored letters give a "see-through" illusion to the sign and the tree. Stained glass...

Build an attached solar greenhouse

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

Save Time and Energy with the Fenced Chicken Coop/Garden

By John Silveira Issue #44 • March/April, 1997 My engineer father was not fond of wasting time or energy. He was always searching for a better,...

Use Old Newspapers to Make Your Starter Pots

You Can Make Your Own Fertilizers

Elderberries — Hospitality, Health, And Beauty

Declaration of Independence: The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States...

Action of Second Continental Congress, July 4, 1776 When in the Course of human Events, it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political...

the gee-whiz! page: Animals, humans, extraterrestrials, and tools

President George Washington’s Farewell Address

Biological and chemical weapons through history

James Polk — A model for modern presidents

A guide to buying silver and gold

Homestead burnout — What it is and how to avoid it

Tips for finding your affordable home

Battery-Powered Tools are Changing

Design calculations for overshot waterwheels

Amateur Ham Radio – The Ultimate Tool for Survival Communications

Military surplus and military “clone” rifles

By Massad Ayoob Issue #116 • March/April, 2009 One reader writes to ask if military surplus rifles are still a good idea for hunting, recreational shooting,...

Firearms and cold weather considerations

The world is coming to an end… and this time, I’m...

By John Silveira Issue #114 • November/December, 2008 If you haven't already heard, on September 10, 2008, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), located on the border...

The MTHFR mutation and why it may matter to you

Turn the poor into capitalists

Do rural homeowners need guns for self-defense?

The world’s least-free country

Dorper sheep — Revolutionizing the meat sheep industry

By Darlene Polachic Issue #75 • May/June, 2002 If Henry Soderberg's predictions are right, Dorper sheep could revolutionize the meat sheep industry. A South African breed...

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...

Where our farm animals come from

A guide to buying silver and gold

35 country jobs — How folks make a living near my hometown

Modify an E-Tool to make your own Combi-Tool

Your Manure Pile — For Fuel, Fertilizer, and Maybe Even Improved Water Quality, You...

By Rev. J.D. Hooker Issue #87 • May/June, 2004 It's been well over a decade now since I first heard my friend Pete voice his amazement at my practice of spreading animal manure as a fertilizer....

Garden Spaces for Small Places

By Dorothy Ainsworth Issue #116 • March/April, 2009 When the world wearies and society ceases to satisfy, there is always the garden. Minnie Aumonier Yes, and if your budget is lean and you want something green, there's...