Self-Reliance and Homesteading

Archive for the ‘Homesteading’ Category

Organic Farming Vs Conventional Farming
By Richard Murray

Organic Farming is at a Crossroads

Organic, holistic, natural, back to the earth, and homesteading, are all disciplines of agriculture that are growing in popularity each day. People all over the world are extremely concerned about our environment especially as how it relates as to what we put into our bodies and also how it affects our earth and our lives.

Agribusiness and the multinational food producers over the years have done an excellent job of providing substantial amounts of nutritious food for a growing world population, but is this scenario of farming sustainable? Currently there is a tremendous amount of debate between organic farmers and conventional farmers who are looking for common answers to this question. Read the rest of this entry »

Composting is a great way to get rid of organic waste around the house, while at the same time sprucing up your garden. I found this great how-to article, complete with photos, about how to compost. I hope you enjoy it and learn something from it.

How to Compost

Your Garden Location – Eight Tips on Picking the Best Spot For Your Organic Garden
By Sue Merriam

Choosing the right garden location is one of the most important steps of organic gardening. You will either have pleasure and a bountiful harvest or years of headaches depending on the location. In her book, Organic Food Gardening Beginner’s Manual, Julie Villani says considering a few points now will make your organic gardening easier and fun. Here are eight tips on picking the perfect spot for your organic garden:

Let In The Sunlight

This is especially crucial if you plan to grow vegetables over the winter. You will want a spot that gets at least six hours of sunlight each day. If you live in an area where the temperatures are milder, then you will want a garden that gets its maximum sunlight in the morning. If the summers are hot where you live, look for an area that gets some afternoon shade. Read the rest of this entry »

Before you take the time and energy (and money…) to invest in an alternative energy solution for your home, you need to start conserving electricity with what you have now. By taking the time to pay attention to how much electricity you are using and how you can reduce that, you will be more prepared to implement an alternative energy solution for your home. Read the rest of this entry »

A Return to Homesteading – Ten Reasons People Are Becoming More Self Reliant
By Sue Merriam

Tired of the rat race, fast food and feeling out of touch with your world? These days people are becoming more self reliant, depending on themselves for what they eat, what they wear and even how they light their homes and run their appliances. Here are ten reasons why people return to homesteading.

Inflation A year go at our local supermarket, a bargain loaf of bread cost about a dollar. Today, that same loaf of bread costs almost twice as much. As the dollar decreases in value and the cost of food increases, more people are turning to growing a garden, raising chickens and even keeping goats for food, eggs, meat, milk and cheese. Read the rest of this entry »