The Easy Homestead
Knowledge from the homestead

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158 articles · Practical homesteading only · Page 3 of 18

Medicinal Herbs

How to Make Lemon Balm Mosquito Repellent (DIY Spray + Quick Field Method)

Make a natural lemon balm mosquito repellent at home with just witch hazel and fresh herbs. Includes a quick field method you can use right now.

Mar 13, 2026 Read →
Medicinal Herbs

Nettle Tincture: How to Make It, Benefits, and Dosage Guide

Stinging nettles grow along the edges of my property every spring, and for a long time I just pulled them and moved on.

Mar 13, 2026 Read →
Cast Iron Cooking

How to Make an Omelette in a Cast Iron Skillet (It Won’t Stick, I Promise)

I make eggs in my cast iron skillet every single morning, including omelets, and they slide right out. Here’s the technique that makes it work.

Mar 13, 2026 Read →
Chickens

Pale Comb on a Chicken: What It Means and Exactly What to Do (2026)

Most pale combs aren’t emergencies - but knowing the difference between normal and serious could save your hen’s life. Here’s a 5-minute checklist to figure it out.

Mar 13, 2026 Read →
Medicinal Herbs

Pine Tar Salve Recipe - The Old-Fashioned Drawing Salve That Actually Works

Make pine tar salve at home with this simple recipe. Includes the science behind why it works, the right pine tar to buy, and the one storage tip most recipes skip.

Mar 13, 2026 Read →
Medicinal Herbs

Plantain Salve Recipe - Simple Homemade First Aid in a Tin

Make plantain salve at home from the common backyard weed - with two infusion methods, a texture ratio table, and the only troubleshooting guide in the SERP.

Mar 13, 2026 Read →
Medicinal Herbs

Purple Brazilian Clay: Benefits, Uses, and Where to Buy the Real Thing (2025)

Purple Brazilian clay is gentler than most cosmetic clays and works for every skin type - great for face masks, hair, and handmade soap.

Mar 13, 2026 Read →
Gardening

Who Was Ruth Stout? Her No-Work Garden Method Explained for Beginners

Ruth Stout’s no-work gardening method uses deep hay mulch - no tilling, no weeding, no watering. Here’s who she was and how to start her method this season.

Mar 13, 2026 Read →
Gardening

What Is Rooting Hormone - And Do You Actually Need It? (A Beginner’s Guide)

Before you make a trip to the garden center, check your kitchen. Honey, cinnamon, and willow water work just as well as store-bought rooting hormone for most plants.

Mar 13, 2026 Read →