Stand in front of a seed display long enough and the labels start to blur together. Heirloom. Open-pollinated. Hybrid. Non-GMO. … More
Author: Second Time Around Homestead
This blog is one of the steps we are taking to be more self-sustaining. We’re glad you are along for the ride!
Rachel is a freelance editor and writer as well as a middle school teacher. Chris is a millwright as well as an expert in many of their fields like hydraulics, snow plows, auto mechanics,...We would prefer to live simply and spend every day together.
Our children are two boys and two girls.
We have gardened, hunted, canned, and created our whole life. We began raising chickens and other barnyard fowl. 2021 brought us to some local farmers markets.
This blog covers all sorts of aspects of our life, but often relate directly to Homesteading.
The Good Neighbors: A Beginner’s Guide to Companion Planting
Gardens, it turns out, have a social life. The way we tend to picture a vegetable garden: tidy rows, one … More
Cold Frames, Hot Beds & Milk Jugs: Season Extension for Gardeners Who Refuse to Quit
If you garden in northern Vermont — or anywhere else that gets serious winter — you already know the particular … More
The Ground Beneath Everything: A Gardener’s Year in Soil
Every experienced gardener will tell you the same thing, eventually. You ask them about their tomatoes and they talk about … More
Spring Cleaning the Homestead Way: More Than Just Sparkle and Shine
Ah, spring. That magical time when the mud finally starts drying up, the chickens remember how to lay eggs, and … More
Cooking from the Pantry: Real Meals for Busy Homestead Days
There’s a particular kind of homestead day that ends with you coming through the back door at six o’clock, boots … More
Seasonal Homesteading: Planning the Year Before the Year Plans You
Every January, the seed catalogs arrive and homesteaders everywhere get a little dangerous. You know the feeling. It’s cold outside, … More
Starting Seeds Indoors: Tips for a Strong Start
Have you ever stood in the seed aisle in February, dreaming of summer tomatoes and zucchini the size of your … More
Ream vs. Patreon: Which Platform Fits You Best?
If you’ve ever thought about supporting an author (or being one), you’ve probably heard about Ream and Patreon. Both are … More
Finding Balance: Homesteading and Self-Care (Without Burning Out)
If I’m being honest, “self-care” has never been my strong suit. I’m really good at caring for everything else—the garden, … More