Is Homeschooling Right for Your Family? I know that this topic can be a rather polarizing one, with some people feeling that public or private schools are the best thing for their children, and others want to teach their children themselves. No one can decide what is best for your…
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The Pickle Crock
Making Dill Pickles in a Crock When we returned from our visit out east there were plenty of cucumbers in the garden. A few had grown to the size of small watermelons and those went to the chickens. They love cucumbers! The rest were just right for filling my crock…
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How to Sow Fall Crops for an Extended Harvest
Increase Your Harvest with Cool Season Crops In northern climates, like mine, you can sow cool seasons crops in mid to late summer for your fall garden. Oftentimes we get so busy preserving the bounty of our summer crops that we miss out on this chance to extend our…
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Can You Make a Living on a Small Farm?
For more information, check out my article Resources for Small Farmers and Homesteaders. Can a Small Farmer Make it in Today’s World? There is no easy, one-size-fits-all answer to this question. You might think that small farmers are a thing of the past, but many new small farm businesses make…
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Musk Thistle: Friend or Foe?
Carduus nutans – Musk Thistle Generally considered a noxious weed in the US, the Musk Thistle also has the reported health benefit of cleansing the liver. This native to Africa is actually a very beautiful flower, but has a hearty defense system against grazing animals and unprotected gardeners. If you…
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How to Deal with Homesteader Burnout
Are you suffering from homesteader burnout? Here are some tips to help you cut down on chores and stop feeling so overwhelmed by the chores!
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How to Make Brine Cured Pickles
Making Brine Cured Pickles Curing foods in brine is an old-fashioned way of preserving them without refrigeration. A salt solution is used to cover the food and keep it from spoiling. Brine cured pickles were a staple in many homes. I remember my Grandma M making large crocks full of…
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Sunday on Our Homestead
The past week has been a busy one here on our little homestead. Our son went to the DMV and now has his drivers’ permit…watch out Northern Illinois! As homeschoolers we really took our time with this process. Joe is almost 18 and most kids run out to get their…
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Royalty Purple Podded Beans
The Prettiest Beans in My Garden! I received heritage seeds from Mary’s Heirloom Seeds to review for free. In addition, this site is a participant in Mary’s Heirloom Seed Affiliate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn store credit by linking to Azure Standard.…
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The Chicken Chronicles: The World’s Dumbest Chicken
Entertaining, Yes. Smart, No I know a lot of folks love their chickens and think they’re smarter than we give them credit for. Sure, they’re entertaining creatures and I get kick out of watching them run raptor-style across the pasture, scratch contentedly in the compost, and chase butterflies in the…
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5 Color Silver Beet Swiss Chard
Swiss Chard from Mary’s Heirloom Seeds This page contains affiliate links. You will not pay any extra when you purchase products through these links, but I will receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting The Self Sufficient HomeAcre! I received free seeds to review, however, all opinions are my…
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Planting Cherry Trees: North Star and Montmorency Cherry Trees
Cherry Trees I’ve planted fruit trees at every house we’ve owned (we’re on our third). At the last place I planted a North Star Dwarf Cherry Tree. I was impressed that there were 2 or 3 tart little cherries the same year I planted it from a bare-root twig. So…
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Fresh Strawberry Pie Easy Recipe
This fresh strawberry pie recipe is easy and delicious! No need to bake, use a graham cracker crust for a scrumtious dessert!
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Pioneer Cooking
Cooking Like a Pioneer I’ve always enjoyed cooking outside over a campfire. I recently started cooking in a Dutch oven over hot coals for a real pioneer experience. I like the fact that it requires me to be outside, enjoying the day, rather than being stuck in the kitchen looking…
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Growing Lamb’s Quarters in My Garden
Why Do I Let Lambs Quarters Grow in My Garden? I’m sure that you are quite shocked that there are weeds, such as lambs quarters, in my garden! Okay, maybe not shocked, but at least a little surprised? No? Oh well. I guess you’ve been looking at my photos of…
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How to Make Rhubarb Cake and Rhubarb Sauce
Make Your Own Rhubarb Cake and Rhubarb Sauce! Every spring my rhubarb patch provides the main ingredient for a wonderful array of delicious treats. I love making rhubarb cake, rhubarb sauce, rhubarb potluck pie, strawberry rhubarb freezer jam, and vanilla rhubarb jam from scratch. This is just the beginning of…