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 collage of 10 photos of different kinds of perennials
Grow Your Own Food

Top 10 Perennials for a Low-Maintenance Vegetable Garden

If the thought of starting fresh with a bare garden bed every spring is overwhelming, consider growing a low-maintenance perennial garden instead! There are many different vegetables and herbs that will come back on their own, year after year, making them a simple option for the busy gardener. However, not all perennial vegetables and herbs

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Three wooden spoons on a countertop - one full of schmaltz, one lard, and the other tallow
Farm-to-Table Recipes

Rendering Fat: How to Make Tallow, Lard and Schmaltz

Rendering fat is a traditional skill that involves slowly cooking down animal fats and it’s making a comeback in homestead kitchens. It’s easy to do, affordable, and provides a versatile fat source for high-heat cooking and making things like candles, soap, and skin care products! Another thing that’s great about using animal fats is that

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A photo of our finished covered chicken run with chickens running around outside of it
DIY

How to Build a Covered Chicken Run (Step-By-Step!)

Building a DIY chicken run can feel really daunting, but this project is easier than you may think! Plus, your chickens will love having a safe outdoor space to run around in while you’re at work or off on vacation.  If you’ve been considering a covered run, then this tutorial is perfect for you! A

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Close up thyme leaf in vertical aspect with blurred background
Grow Your Own Food

Best (and Worst) Companion Plants for Thyme

Are you wondering what the best (and worst) thyme 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. Thyme is generally a HUGE help to most plants due to its pest-repelling properties! Together, we

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Holding a handful of straw inside the chicken coop
Raise Chickens

The 5 BEST Chicken Bedding Options

There are MANY different chicken bedding options out there, but which one is the best? Some people swear by using sand, whereas others prefer straw, wood shavings, or even leaves. Feeling confused? Don’t worry! I’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll discuss the purpose and best features of chicken bedding so you know what

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Chickens foraging in the grass with a whole pineapple in the front of the photo
Raise Chickens

Can Chickens Eat Pineapple? What About The Peel?

If you have some extra pineapple lying around, you’re probably wondering “Can chickens eat pineapple?” You’re not the only one! I get asked this question all the time. The short answer is YES, but pineapples can be high in sugar and not ALL parts are edible. So, how much is too much? What parts CAN

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