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 thai basil plant flowering in front of sweet basil plants
Grow Your Own Food

Basil Plant Flowering? Here’s What to Do About It

Have you noticed your basil plant flowering? Don’t panic! This is a normal part of the basil plant’s life cycle, but it can mean that your harvest is coming to a close if you don’t act fast. In this article, we’ll review the reasons why your basil plant may be flowering and the best course

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A close up photo of garlic scapes growing out of a garlic plant ready to be harvested.
Grow Your Own Food

When to Harvest Garlic Scapes (& How to Do It!)

Are you wondering when to harvest garlic scapes and the best way to do it? You’re not alone! There’s an art to picking them at the right time so that they are tender and delicious for eating without negatively impacting garlic bulb development.  Hold onto your gardening gloves because this is a fun topic! We’ll

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A close up view of a cinderella pumpkin growing in the garden
Grow Your Own Food

5 BEST Pumpkin Companion Plants (and 3 to AVOID!)

Are you wondering what the best (and worst) pumpkin companion plants are? Then you’re in the right place! Using companion planting is an excellent way to save space in the garden all while maximizing the health of your plants. We’re going to explore the 5 BEST companion plants that pair beautifully with pumpkins, providing numerous

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A photo of candling a chicken egg
Raise Chickens

Candling Chicken Eggs: Day-By-Day Development

Have you wondered what you’ll see when candling chicken eggs day by day? Baby chicks fully develop in just a short 21 days, which is so incredible and fun to watch! With the art of candling, we’ll shine a light to monitor embryo development, identify potential issues and make adjustments throughout incubation so that you

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A close up photo of a cluster of tomatoes that are prime picking for deer
Grow Your Own Food

Do Deer Eat Tomatoes? 6 Tips to Keep Them Away!

If you’ve ever pondered, “do deer eat tomatoes?” you’re not alone. There’s nothing worse than tending to your precious plants for months, to have them demolished by a hungry deer just before harvest. Argh! In this blog post, we will delve into the fascinating world of deer feeding behavior and explore whether tomatoes are on

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A photo of a healthy eggplant in the garden
Grow Your Own Food

5 Best Eggplant Companion Plants (and 3 to AVOID!)

Are you wondering what the best eggplant companion plants are? Then you’re in the right place! Using companion planting is an excellent way to maximize the productivity and health of your eggplant seedlings. However, not all plants are friends with each other, so it’s important to know who gets along well and who does not.

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