Welcome to The Homesteading RD's Blog!
Here you'll find my most most recent blog posts. Explore everything from companion planting and vertical gardening to raising meat birds and water glassing eggs. Don't miss my farm-to-table recipes!
Ultimate Guide to Chicken Coop Flooring
Picking the right chicken coop flooring is essential for your flock’s safety, cleanliness, and comfort. Some materials are really great and easy to work with, whereas others can be quite a headache and put your flock at risk. Plus, cost is a factor to consider, too. I’ve been raising chickens since 2014 and have been
Homestead Refried Beans (Plus, Canning Tips!)
No journey toward self-sufficiency is complete without dried beans! They are easy to grow, inexpensive, shelf-stable for many years, nutritious, and provide a complete meal all on their own. They take a little preparation (beans can be hard on the gut if specific steps aren’t followed), but it’s totally worth the effort. You’re going to
Topping Pepper Plants – Should You Do It?
Have you been hearing about gardeners topping their pepper plants? While it may seem like a counterproductive thing to do, it can pay off if applied in the correct way (more on this in a bit!). Topping pepper plants can be a useful strategy to increase pepper yields, achieve bushier growth, and strengthen the plant.
Water Bath Canning vs Pressure Canning vs Steam Canning
If you feel overwhelmed by all the canner options out there, this article is for you! …and I totally get it – there’s water bath canning, pressure canning (which is totally different than pressure cooking), and even steam canning. They sound kind of similar, but they are distinctly different! Grab your favorite bottle of kombucha
The 5 BEST Automatic Chicken Coop Doors in 2026
It can be overwhelming to try to figure out the best automatic chicken coop door for you and your flock, but it doesn’t have to be! I’ve taken the guesswork out of it by doing the research for you. Having the right coop door can make a world of difference in terms of convenience, safety,
The 8 BEST Egg Incubators in 2026
You’ve decided to hatch your own chickens, but there are hundreds of egg incubators to choose from. So, how do you go about picking the best egg incubator for you and your homestead?! I’ve been hatching chicks since 2014 and have used MANY incubators along the way. In this article, I’ll share all of my