Self-Reliance

Safely Limbing and Bucking Trees

Bucking trees isn’t as easy as it looks. Learn how to limb a tree and buck wood safely.

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Know Your Firewood Moisture Content

Knowing firewood moisture content can make the difference between creating steam or heat. Most folks agree that water doesn’t burn, not unless you break H2O down into H and O, both of which are highly flammable, and that doesn’t happen in your stove or furnace.

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What is the Best Way to Store Firewood?
September 28, 2022 · · Self-Reliance

You’ve put in all the hard work of chopping the tree, splitting the wood, and now you’re ready to stack it for storage. But what is the best way to store firewood?

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A Guide to the Best Trees for Firewood
September 28, 2022 · · Self-Reliance

Whether you’re cooking or heating the house, not all wood is created equal. So, what are the best trees for firewood?

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The Underutilized American Acorn
September 21, 2022 · · Self-Reliance

To see how most Americans view the acorn, one would think that they are useless tree droppings, something inevitable we just have to deal with in the autumn, like garden-killing frosts, pumpkin spice everything, and way-too-early Christmas decorations.

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Survival Essentials for Safe Adventures
September 1, 2022 · · Self-Reliance

Giving 10 “essentials” for survival and emergencies is Royce Jones, Wilderness Patroller I of the Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness which is located on the mountain that overlooks Palm Springs, California.

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Tornado Safety Tips to Keep You Ahead of the Storm

Safety tips to help you and your family during and after a tornado strikes.

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Ideas for National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month. Here are a few suggestions on ways you can observe National Preparedness Month.

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Tips To Help Homeowners Prepare for a Natural Disaster

Knowing beforehand what to do when a natural disaster hits is pivotal.

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Fire Evacuation Procedures for Your Livestock

The year 2013 was an informative and challenging year for Half Creek Farm in Bickleton, Washington. In late July and early August, we got our first “opportunity” to give farm fire evacuation procedures a try.

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Fire Preparedness On The Farm
August 1, 2022 · · Self-Reliance

Fire preparedness is an often-overlooked issue on the farm and homestead. Have you looked at your homestead or farm through the eyes of a firefighter?

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Have a Wasp Sting Home Remedy Ready This Summer

When you spend most of your time outdoors, whether you’re in the garden or in the woods, you’ll want to have a wasp sting home remedy handy. Wasps include yellowjackets and hornets.

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Why That Homemade Insecticidal Soap Might Kill Your Garden

One of the most prevalent DIY gardening hacks is to make homemade insecticidal soap, but I am here to tell you that it just might kill your garden.

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11 Home Remedies for Bug Bites and Stings
June 20, 2022 · · Self-Reliance

Let’s face it, no one likes to be bitten or stung. The itching, stinging, burning, painful response our bodies have to bites and stings can even be uncomfortable.

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How to Make a DIY Barrel Smoker
June 14, 2022 · · Self-Reliance

Barbecue competitors know all about building a DIY barrel smoker. Smokers can be built from many different humble beginnings.

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