Mama Madge, one of my free range Muscovy ducks, hatched out 13 adorable ducklings on August 26. Up until two years ago, we had so little predator pressure on our homestead, that she could have raised these ducklings to maturity on our large pond with no help from me. Unfortunately, the predators finally found us.… Continue reading Raising Ducklings Week 1 (with Video)
Tag: simplestead
Growing and Harvesting Mustard for Spice
As a homesteader, I grow most of our vegetables, herbs, and fruits. I also raise chickens and ducks for eggs and keep goats for dairy. But until a few years ago, I still bought most of my spices. Since I use tons of spices when cooking and making ferments, that meant I still had a… Continue reading Growing and Harvesting Mustard for Spice
How to Choose the Right Duck Breeds
If you are looking for inspiration to help you choose the right duck breeds for your homestead, take a look at my post on Morning Chores. https://morningchores.com/best-duck-breeds/ While you are there, take a few minutes to browse all the other informative homestead posts and inspiration on that amazing reference site. There are all sorts of… Continue reading How to Choose the Right Duck Breeds
The Little Yellow Duck House and Mirabelle Plums
Looking for duck housing and run inspiration? Check out my converted chicken coop with a run inspired by a chunnel (chicken tunnel).
Meyer Lemon Love
If you are looking for a plant to make you happy mid-winter, let me tell you about these glorious golden globes pictured above. These luscious lovelies make the whole month of January feel like it's lit with radiant summer sunshine. On cloudy days, or when I just need a winter pick me up, I head… Continue reading Meyer Lemon Love
The Power of a Well-Planned Potager
Do you want your garden to produce food even with 4 weeks of neglect in extreme heat and dry weather? Then plant a well-planned potager garden.
Annatto, Achiote, or the Lipstick Tree
Learn more about the annatto, achiote, or lipstick tree. Its seeds are used to color food naturally and spice up many food dishes from its native growing areas. It is also a lovely ornamental that can even be grown in pots.
Thai Basil
Thai basil grows very similar to other basils. It does well in fertile, well-draining soils, and can tolerate some drought. It has been much slower to flower than the common Genovese basil and more resistant to bolting in hot, dry weather. This basil grows a bit slower than many other basils, but puts on a… Continue reading Thai Basil
Persian Basil
Persian basil is a mild tasting,easy to grow, member of the basil family.
Harvest and Succession Plant Your Homestead Potager
The garden explosion happened. Those tiny, seedlings I showed pictures of in the last post Plant Your Homestead Potager suddenly started to look like fully-fledged plants. Even when you visit your garden daily, and observe the incremental growth, there is still this moment when you realize "Wow, this is a real garden." Honestly, it was… Continue reading Harvest and Succession Plant Your Homestead Potager
Seed Starting
Seeds may look like tiny, innocuous things. But they have the power to explode into life with the least bit of encouragement. Often, a little water and warmth can ignite that spark of transformation. The Seed Life Cycle The tiny living being that emerges has no idea what waits on the other side. All it… Continue reading Seed Starting
Simple Homesteading Starts Now
Start living your homesteading dreams today. Simple steps and a strong commitment make it easy.
