Homesteading

314 articles
Bee Relocation Prep

Bee Relocation Prep

Today we...Painted old pallets, wrapped weed cloth around them and stuffed soil into themCleared more rocks & leveled the ground where the bees will be moved toPut some stakes in the groundSecured two of the three pallets to their stakesCreated trellising above each pallet for more vertical grow space and to crate a barrier for the bees to fly overTrashed the back yard (sometimes…
March 18, 2012
Bee Relocation

Bee Relocation

After much debate, we've decided to move the bees.  Don't worry, we're not moving them to someone else's property.  Instead, we're moving them from our front yard into our backyard. Why?  Well, the main reason is because, as we learned last year, it turns out I am extremely allergic to bee stings.  I have purchased an EpiPen and haven't been…
March 15, 2012
Brand New Chick Brooder!

Brand New Chick Brooder!

Alright...here it is...our brand new chick brooder AKA Version #3!  The chicks have been living in it for a couple of weeks now and it's worked out wonderfully!  I talked about our other two brooders here. Tool Lady re-used the wood that was our original coop (it's all just been sitting in the garage for the past year waiting for…
March 11, 2012
Worms & Introductions

Worms & Introductions

Last weekend, with the sun shining brightly overhead, and the wind whipping across the back of the house, we decided to bring the newest Newbies into the front yard again for some exploration.  To encourage foraging, Tool Lady threw down some feed and a few kernels of corn.  They were very excited about it all!While they were pecking around, I played in…
March 8, 2012
Thinning Seedlings

Thinning Seedlings

So, you've planted some seeds, nursed them into existence and now you're going to lop their heads off?!  Yep!!!  Alright, I know it's hard...I actually hate this process...but it's necessary in order to ensure that each of your plants has its best chance at producing some delicious harvests for you later this year.Now, how do you know which ones to lop off…
March 7, 2012
Bread & Butter

Bread & Butter

We've been trying to make a couple of loaves of fresh bread each weekend to hold us through the week.  I can't remember the last time we actually purchased store bought bread and I couldn't be happier about it!  Sandwich bread, breakfast bread...whatever it is, it's always good!Now, nothing makes fresh bread better than a little butter!  I've been wanting…
March 6, 2012