Issue #022, January 22, 2010

Winter Self Reliance Tips

January will soon be over, and thoughts of spring are likely coming to mind. Here are some winter self reliance tips you can pursue now while waiting for warmer days and the chance to start working outside.

Order Seeds

Order your seeds now to ensure you have good quality seeds on hand when the temperatures are right outside. Also by ordering now, you can start seeds indoors such as tomatoes and broccoli to give them a head start outside.

For the ultimate in gardening self reliance, you may want to consider saving seeds for next year's garden. If so, seeds from hybrid plants aren't the best choice. Instead, consider ordering heirloom seeds to ensure you get good quality seeds year after year.

Prepare Your Garden Bed

If it's not too cold outside, you can start your raised beds. Consider building some easier raised beds for less work and weeding come spring.

Think About Bees

If you seem to be doing everything right and your garden is still not producing as well as you like, you may have a lack of bees and other insects to pollinate your plants. If so, then now is the time to order beekeeping equipment and bees. Also, find a beekeeper group in your area and attend meetings to learn useful beekeeping tips.

Order Baby Chicks

Chickens are fairly easy to keep, even if you live in an urban area, although you should check regulations in your area to make certain it's legal. Hatcheries are busy this time of year, so think about ordering your baby chicks in February and keep them in your brooder until they are ready to go outside when the temperature is warmer.

What's New?

How did people keep ice back in the days before refrigeration? They kept their ice stored in an ice house. Read more here.

Managing 80 Acres to its Best Potential

Do you have a good-sized acreage and want to know how to make the most out of it? Here are some tips.

Cheap Housing

True self reliance means living on less, and that goes for your home as well. Learn how you can build your own home for true self reliance by clicking here.

More Urban Homesteading Tips Learn how you can turn your urban backyard into a garden. Read more here.

Gardening Self Reliance

Learn tips on Saving Seeds. Also heirloom seeds are a crucial part of gardening self reliance. Learn why.

And as always, happy homesteading!

You Can Build a Chicken Tractor

Or save money and the environment by purchasing the e-book at the ridiculously low price of $7.95! Click here to learn more.

Bulk Medicinal Herbs Available
At the Homesteading Shopper!

Did you know...

Herbal remedies can be used to treat a wide range of minor ailments including:

• Bladder infections
• Canker Sores
• Coughs
• Depression
• Eczema
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Menopausal symptoms
• Insect bites
• Influenza
• Menstrual cramps
• Sore throat
• Warts