THE HOMESTEAD
THE JOUNREY BEGINS WITH DIRTY HANDS
Join us, as we learn, grow, and share our experiences with you.
“The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.”
– Nelson Henderson
If you live on a homestead, you know that many of your projects are done alone. When I first saw the Maasdam Pow’D pull (rope along) being used in a chainsaw milling workshop, I knew that it would be a game changer for us, and it would help me complete a lot of projects faster and safely.
One benefit of indoor hydroponic systems like the Inbloom smart garden is seed starting. In this video I discuss my process of starting Goji berries.
Want to know more about Goji berries?
Goji berries also known as Wolf berries, are small berry
native to China that have been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. They are high in antioxidants and nutrients such as vitamin C, fiber, and iron. They have a sweet and slightly tart taste and are often used in smoothies, baked goods, or as a snack on their own. Some people believe that goji berries have health benefits such as improving mood, boosting the immune system, and preventing age-related eye problems, although there is limited
scientific evidence to support these claims.
It only took a week become our new goats started jumping the fence. Initially we added a top electric wire but that was not enough. Therefore, we did some upgrading new turbo wire and an appropriate grounding system.
Here on Ravenwood Acres we believe in repairing and maintaining our equipment. Our society has moved towards a throw-away society. To fully embrace the homesteading philosophy one needs to learn this skills required to repair and maintain your equipment.
STIHL Woodcutter Helmet System: hygiene kit: 7010-884-0506
After visiting YouTube university I could not find a method of removing T-Posts that worked for me. Armed with a Hi-lift jack and small piece of chain I managed to find a effective way to remove t-post from hard dry soil. Which aligns with our philosophy here at Ravenwood Acres is “use what you got”.
We have been using the I Power grow bags for four years and they still holding up well. Honestly, they still a must have for gardeners and homesteaders.
We purchased on first parcel of land back in 2004. The land is 1.5 acres and located in Southern Oregon. The purchase was made on eBay and site unseen. Recently, we purchased a off-grid 10 acre parcel in Northern Nevada. I have learned a few things in process and I have tips for you.
Looking for quality solar products? Check out our Renogy affiliate link.
With spring just around the corner it is time to start growing season prep. From seeds to trees, I cover some of my favorite suppliers.
My go to nursey is Burnt Ridge. However, this year I also placed a pre-order with Nick Ferguson’s Rare Plant Store.
Fall 2021 Homestead update
Part-time homesteading has many challenges watch this video to learn more.
Time to make some lumber!
Grow Bags
Automatic Chicken Coop Door
The number one way to protect your chicken is to deny predators access to them. Linked here is Part 1 of 2 part series where I build an automate coop door system.
Many Americans that live in rural areas tend to overlook homestead security. Do not get caught with your guard down. In this video I cover some basic tips on protecting your homestead.
Are you are looking for an affordable yet quality fan? I recommend checking out Vevor 12″ Shutter Fan. We have had our in our work shop for three months and now and it has made a huge improvements in the afternoon temperatures.
Spring is here and I back from my last Army training exercise. Now it time to get to planting trees and more. We added a lot of new trees to our food forest and today I am adding a Black Mulberry purchased from Burnt Ridge Nursery.
Tips for growing Mulberries.
Black mulberry trees (Morus nigra) are a popular fruit tree
that produce delicious, juicy berries that can be eaten fresh or used in a variety of culinary applications. Growing black mulberry trees is relatively easy as long as you provide them with the right growing conditions and care.
1. Choose
a sunny location: Black mulberry trees need plenty of sun to produce fruit, so choose a spot in your garden that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day.
2. Plant
in well-draining soil: Mulberry trees prefer moist, well-draining soil. If your soil is heavy or poorly drained, consider amending it with organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure.
3. Water
regularly: Mulberry trees need regular watering, especially during the first few years after planting. Water deeply once a week during the growing season, and adjust the frequency based on rainfall and soil moisture.
4. Fertilize
in spring: Black mulberry trees benefit from fertilizer application in early spring. Use a balanced fertilizer such as 4-4-4 and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application rates.
5. Prune
annually: Pruning is important for black mulberry trees to maintain their shape, promote fruit production, and remove any diseased or damaged branches. Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth appears.
Lastly, protect from pests and diseases: Mulberry trees can be
susceptible to pests such as scale insects and diseases such as powdery mildew. Regularly inspect your tree for signs of damage or disease and treat it promptly with appropriate measures.
It is time to start converting our yard into garden space and with poor soil we decided to go with raised beds. We are also partnered with Vegega so if you are interested click the link. Our initial impressions of their raised beds in all good. Thick corrugated metal and quality stain-less steel hardware. If you want to save 10% use ranvenwood10 on check-out.
We are almost ready for goats. Watch to learn about our lesson learned and successes.
After 15 months overseas I have official return to Ravenwood Acres. Nature has done what nature does and reclaim much of the land previously cleared. Therefore, it is time hire some four legged help. We are adding two goats to assist us with maintaining our land and reduce wildfire fuel. Stay-tuned for our goat fencing solutions and more.
We like to be self-reliant here at Ravenwood Acres and our dog Trooper is not a huge fan of the groomers. Therefore, I decided to put together my own dog bath kit and share it with you. The kit allows to give him a bath outdoor thus, keeping the mess outdoors.
Amazon links:
I am a big fan of fermented foods and over the past few months I have been learning how to ferment my of food. The primary kit I have using is the Easy Fermenter. If you are looking for useful book, I recommend Fermented Vegetables by Kirsten & Christopher Shockey.
In today’s, we discuss forest management practices on your homestead. You may find this helpful if you live on or are in the market for forested acreage. The simple fact is forest management, when done right, can benefit you and nature. For example, wildfires are a real threat to your homestead if you live in an area like the Pacific Northwest. Through sound forest management practices, homesteaders can mitigate fire danger while making it easier to fight wildfire if necessary.
Keep it simple when you can.
Jack Spirko from The Survival Podcast has been talking about automating your homestead for years. http://www.thesurvivalpodcast.com/
Here at Ravenwood Acres, we have been adding devices to help us around the homestead. As a part-time homesteader, this is a must. So in today’s video, I will show you four simple products that can help automate your homestead.
Are you a part-time homesteader or the only handy person in your household? My current career field has me away from home for extended periods of time. My solution to this was to create user manuals/videos about that address some the common issues around our property.