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!
A photo of a small hooped greenhouse covered with polyethylene plastic in the fall
DIY

What is the Best Plastic for a Greenhouse?

You have your greenhouse structure picked out, but wait… what’s the best plastic for a greenhouse? Polyethylene or polycarbonate? 6 mil or 10 mil? Clear or opaque? There are SO many options out there and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. I’m here to help! While I’m not a big fan of plastic in general, it

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Pumpkin seeds laid out on a kitchen island in a swirl pattern with 3 dots of pureed pumpkin.
Preserve Your Harvest

Delicious Soaked & Dehydrated Pumpkin Seeds

Have you been disappointed with the chewy, dense texture of roasted pumpkin seeds? Or maybe they give you a stomach ache? Then, you’re going to LOVE my delicious soaked & dehydrated pumpkin seeds! While it may seem counterintuitive, the soaking action is an often forgotten about step and where the magic happens. Not only that,

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A bundle of fresh lemon balm sitting in front of a baking sheet and dehydrator tray also holding fresh lemon balm to be dried.
Preserve Your Harvest

How to Dry Lemon Balm (3 EASY Methods!)

There is a right way and a wrong way to dry lemon balm. It is a delicate herb that can easily degrade if not handled properly. The process really is quite simple, as long as you follow the right steps. Let me show you! In this article we’re going to cover the benefits of lemon

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A jar of refrigerator pickles sitting on the kitchen island with 2 cucumbers and fresh dill next to it.
Preserve Your Harvest

No Cook Refrigerator Pickles (Quick!)

No cook refrigerator pickles are a summer staple on our homestead and something that I look forward to every single year. They only take minutes to make and they are simply divine! I know that you’re going to love them, too. There are a lot of no cook refrigerator pickles recipes out there, but I

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4 tins of chickweed salve on a wooden table with fresh chickweed nearby
DIY

Soothing Chickweed Salve Recipe

This soothing chickweed salve recipe is an absolute staple on our homestead. Insect bites, rashes, cuts and burns are common occurrences around here and my chickweed salve always saves the day! The best thing about using chickweed is that it’s a common “weed” that grows just about everywhere. You likely have some growing in your

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A hand holding blackberries extended to chickens outside
Raise Chickens

Can Chickens Eat Blackberries? Are They Safe?

If you have blackberries growing on your homestead, you may be wondering “can chickens eat blackberries?” We have a lot of wild blackberries growing on our Minnesota acreage, so I had the same burning question! I’ve done the research for you and below we’ll tackle all aspects of this topic: Are blackberries safe for chickens?

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