About the Author

Rhonda Crank

We live as close to nature as is possible for us in a modern world. We use organic, non-gmo practices based on the wisdom and skills my grandparents taught me, with a little modern ingenuity mixed in.
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Articles by Rhonda Crank

Your Guide to Growing Winter Squash
March 1, 2019 · · Growing

Add to Favorites Winter squash, like summer squash, melons and cucumbers, are part of the gourd family. Growing, harvesting, and keeping winter squash is, to me, among the easiest in …

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Growing Blackberries on Your Homestead
March 1, 2019 · · Growing

Select a spot for planting and growing blackberries that drains well and receives plenty of sun; learn more tips for growing delicious berries.

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Learning to Garden in a New Planting Zone
March 1, 2019 · · Growing

If you’ve ever had to change gardening zones, then you know what it’s like to unlearn years of gardening techniques and adapt to your new planting zone.

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Livable Sheds: A Surprising Solution to Affordable Housing
February 26, 2019 · · Fences, Sheds & Barns

Add to Favorites In the spring of 2011, tornadoes ripped through west central Louisiana over the course of several days. These storms left hundreds homeless. A surprising solution was utilized …

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Homestead Security May Include Estate Fencing
February 26, 2019 · · Fences, Sheds & Barns

Add to Favorites Estate fencing is on the rise in the off-grid community. You’re using an off-grid power source: solar, wind, hydro, or your own generator. You’ve removed yourself from …

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Homestead Fencing For Your Garden
February 26, 2019 · · Fences, Sheds & Barns

Add to Favorites When it comes to protecting your garden from being consumed by the local wildlife, homestead fencing options are numerous. We’ve always been DIY fence installation people when …

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4 DIY Ideas for Watering Plants While Away
February 25, 2019 · · Growing

Add to Favorites The holidays and summer mean travel for many people. As a homesteader, you’ve made arrangements for the chores and livestock. What about watering plants while away? Keeping …

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Wall-Mounted Planters are Ideal for Herbs and Small Spaces
February 25, 2019 · · Growing

Add to Favorites Are you like me and enjoy fresh herbs? I enjoy the scent wafting from them as they grow indoors. Many wall-mounted planters are designed to take up …

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What is Soil Erosion?
February 25, 2019 · · Growing

Add to Favorites What is soil erosion? You don’t find many homesteaders talking about it. If you research soil erosion, you’ll find information mostly aimed at commercial agricultural farmers, not …

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Understanding Your Soil: How to Check Soil pH Level
February 25, 2019 · · Growing

Add to Favorites Knowing how to check soil pH levels in your garden is the first step to having the healthiest soil you can produce. For most of us, especially …

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Choosing the Right Saw from the Top-Rated Chainsaws
February 19, 2019 · · Tractors & Farm Equipment

The right chainsaw will make cutting wood easier, quicker, safer, and just more satisfying.

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17 Epsom Salt Uses From Body to Barnyard
February 13, 2019 · · Self-Reliance

Most everyone knows about Epsom salt for the bath to ease sore muscles, but there are many Epsom salt uses on the homestead you may not know about.

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7 Home Remedies For Upset Stomach That Work Fast
February 13, 2019 · · Self-Reliance

We overeat during the holidays. It’s just hard to say no or enough. I’ve got some of the best home remedies for upset stomach to help get you through.

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12 Home Remedies for Canker Sores
February 13, 2019 · · Self-Reliance

Add to Favorites When I was a little girl, a grownup told me I had mouth ulcers because I had been naughty. I knew I had been naughty. I just …

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How to Treat Spider Bites
February 13, 2019 · · Self-Reliance

Add to Favorites I’m going to shock you by saying this I know, but there are actually few people bitten by spiders. However, the spiders which do bite us have …

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